Modern cruise ships are huge and can accommodate thousands of people. Behind the scenes, a huge team of crew members works hard to make sure everyone has an unforgettable vacation.
One of the most in-demand positions on a cruise is that of waiter. They are needed in many areas of the ship: at the main restaurant, buffet, bars, and poolside.
For this reason, cruise lines are often looking for waiters, and it’s quite easy to get a job in that position.
But how much can you make as a waiter on cruise ships? Let’s find it out, along with all the details of this profession on cruise ships.
Waiters on Cruise Ships
As I’ve already said, waiters on cruise ships play a critical role in ensuring an exceptional experience for passengers.
Most of the time, they are also the people with whom passengers interact the most, so it is important that they represent the cruise line in a very good way.
A warm welcome and a pleasant dining experience are a must, and on smaller cruise ships, waiters may even be expected to learn and use guests’ names to add a personal touch.
On a daily basis, they take orders, recommend menu items, and explain dishes, including ingredients and potential allergens.
Once orders are placed, they serve food and beverages promptly and should coordinate with assistant waiters to maintain service efficiency​.
Waiters are also responsible for the safety of the guests and must be careful not to serve drinks to people who have already had too much to drink; we already saw why in the article on the reasons you can be banned from a cruise ship.
On many cruise lines, after the service, they also set up tables, clean up, and verify that all hygiene standards and public health regulations are respected.
Of course, the duties may change slightly depending on whether you are a restaurant waiter or a bar waiter, but overall, the roles are quite similar (and so is the salary).
READ ALSO: These 10 Drinks Are Free on Every Cruise Ship
The Salary
From what I know, it’s uncommon for cruise lines to hire completely inexperienced people unless they are offered an apprenticeship contract.
Usually, at least one or two years of experience in the role is required, preferably in high-end restaurants or hotels.
In addition, it is very important to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, a positive attitude, and proficiency in English and at least one other foreign language.
Cruises are very international and multicultural places, so it’s important to know languages and know how to interact with people from different cultures.
Obviously, the more experience you have, the higher the salary will be.
If you’re just starting out, you might be hired as an assistant waiter, working alongside a more experienced waiter. In this case, your salary will be lower—at least in the beginning—but it’s a great way to learn the ropes and work your way up.
Also, consider that knowing how to swim is an essential requirement. If you’re wondering why, check out our article on whether a cruise ship can tip over.
Average Pay by Cruise Line
Let me also add that the salary can change a lot depending on the cruise line, the job position you are offered, and even the ship’s itinerary. We’ve already seen how this applies to cruise ship captains’ salaries, and the same principle holds true here.
In general, if you are hired in the United States or Europe, the salary will be higher than in other parts of the world.
According to the data, the average salary by cruise line is about:
- MSC Cruises: a base salary that starts at about $1800 per month.
- Carnival: a base salary that starts at about $1900 per month.
- Royal Caribbean: a base salary that starts at about $1900 per month.
- Princess Cruises: a base salary that starts at about $2100 per month.
- Holland America: a base salary that starts at about $2200 per month.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: a base salary that starts at about $2200 per month.
- Regent Seven Seas Cruises: a base salary that starts at about $2500 per month.
As you can clearly see, the more the company caters to a premium clientele, the higher the salary will be. That’s why there are some cruise lines that are better to work for.
However, at the same time, the service will have to be more elaborate and precise, and passengers may be more pretentious.
After considering all these factors, we can estimate that the average salary for a cruise ship waiter is around $2,000 per month.
A figure that can certainly increase if you move up and, for example, you become a head waiter or a maître.
Benefits and Tips
There are quite a few benefits for waiters working on cruise ships.
One of the biggest benefits is free accommodation and meals while on board. This setup allows waiters to save a significant amount of money, as they don’t have to worry about rent, food, or daily transportation costs.
In addition, some cruise lines offer the opportunity for family and friends to travel at a very low price ($10 to $40 per day). You can find more information about this benefit in this article.
Many cruise lines also offer comprehensive medical and dental insurance, and of course, waiters on cruise ships have the unique opportunity to travel to various destinations around the world. This can be a major perk for those who enjoy exploring new places.
Another thing I want to point out, which several employees have told me during my cruises, is that cruise lines often promote from within, giving waiters the chance to advance to higher positions even if they start from the bottom.
Tips
On the matter of tips, there is always so much confusion, and it is not easy to find reliable answers.
From what we know, most of the main cruise lines say that 100% of the gratuities go to crew members, but it’s difficult to estimate the amount.
You also have to consider the cash tips that can be given directly to workers, and that further increases the total.
According to our estimate, waiters can earn anywhere from $500 to $3,000 per month in tips alone.
A figure that obviously can greatly vary depending on different conditions.
For example, a waiter working in an area of the ship dedicated to suites, and thus serving wealthy passengers, might receive much more generous tips than waiters working in the standard main dining room.
If you want to know the salaries of all other workers on cruise ships, take a look at how much cruise ship workers make: cabin stewards, chefs, musicians, etc.
I have tried several of them but these are the most durable and sturdy.
