The salary of a cruise ship captain depends on various factors. Depending on the size of the cruise ship, captains are comparable to CEOs of medium-sized companies. They may oversee about 2000 employees.
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The job is quite specific, as it involves living at the workplace and spending free time there for many weeks or even months. The captain's responsibility on a cruise ship is also very broad.
The average salary of a cruise ship captain nationwide
The captain is usually at the helm. Navigating a large cruise liner in a port or through narrow channels requires special sensitivity.
Nowadays, there is support from the autopilot, which helps maintain the course at certain distances. Officers and sailors can also assist with navigation.
In emergency situations, it is essential to keep a clear head. Ultimately, the captain is responsible for everyone on board. The well-being of passengers and crew always takes precedence, with the captain's own well-being coming second.
On average in the country, a cruise ship captain earns different amounts based on the "Collective Agreement on Wages in German Maritime Shipping" (HTV-See), which was signed between the German Shipowners' Association and Ver.di. It came into effect on January 1, 2020.
There is a distinction between various categories of vessels. For instance:
- Captains of vessels with a gross tonnage of more than 3,500 GT earn around 7,102 euros per month.
- Captains of vessels up to 3,500 GT earn only 6,597 euros per month.
The vast majority of cruise ships have a capacity of more than 3500 GT. If you look at the fleet of the company "AIDA Cruises", which is particularly well-known in German-speaking countries, you can see that the gross tonnage is at least in the five-digit, and sometimes six-digit, range.
Accordingly, the salaries of captains of large cruise lines are higher than stipulated in the collective agreement. For example, the website Mein-Kreuzfahrttreff.de states that the salary for TUI Cruises captains ranges from 8,000 to 11,000 euros gross per month.
Depending on the shipping company, additional allowances for overtime, work on Sundays, holidays, and night shifts may be added to the base salary.
The website Steuerklasse.com indicates that the average salary for captains in Germany is 9,320.03 euros gross.
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It's interesting to note that salaries in Germany for certain high-responsibility positions, such as cruise ship captains, can vary significantly based on the size of the vessel. According to the Collective Agreement on Wages in German Maritime Shipping, captains of vessels with a gross tonnage exceeding 3,500 GT earn around 7,102 euros per month, while those commanding smaller vessels earn 6,597 euros monthly. However, the salaries for captains of large cruise lines, like TUI Cruises, can exceed these amounts, with monthly earnings ranging from 8,000 to 11,000 euros. This higher salary is likely due to the fact that the vast majority of cruise ships have a gross tonnage of more than 3,500 GT, as shown by companies like AIDA Cruises, which operate vessels with a five- to six-digit range in gross tonnage.
