How much money do cruise ship workers really make? That question pops up constantly, whether you’re dreaming of working at sea or just curious about the behind-the-scenes life on board.
As it turns out, cruise ship salaries vary wildly—and one former performer named Ally decided to spill all the details from her own two-year experience working as a dancer and vocalist on ships.
The result? A jaw-dropping income journey that went from $300 a week during training… to over $19,000 a month thanks to a mix of cruise contracts and smart online side hustles.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to earn a living at sea—or how to turn that job into something even bigger—this breakdown is packed with real numbers, firsthand insight, and a few surprises along the way.
So, How Much Do Cruise Ship Workers Get Paid?
Let’s set one thing straight: there’s no single “average” cruise ship salary. Google might tell you anything from $1,000 to $10,000 a month—but in reality, it depends on a lot of factors like:
- Your job role (dancers vs. bartenders vs. officers = different pay brackets)
- Your nationality and cost of living
- The cruise line you work for
- Your experience and contract history
Some crew earn less than $1,000/month, while top-tier performers and officers can hit five figures. And that doesn’t even include tips, commissions, or outside income.
Why Salaries Vary So Much at Cruise Ships
Cruise ship pay is more nuanced than land jobs, and here’s why:
- Job Role – Entry-level workers (e.g., housekeeping, galley) often earn the lowest base salaries, while senior staff and entertainers are paid more.
- Nationality – Cruise lines often recruit from countries where $800/month is considered a strong income (e.g., Philippines, Indonesia), making salaries relative.
- Cruise Line Policies – Some cruise lines are known to pay higher wages but offer fewer perks; others offer great living conditions but pay slightly less.
- Experience – First-time crew members usually earn less but can negotiate better terms after a few contracts.
The result? Two people doing similar jobs on different cruise lines—or from different countries—could have dramatically different financial outcomes.
What Cruise Ship Workers Get for Free
Here’s where cruise jobs really start to shine: your expenses are incredibly low. While pay might seem modest, your daily cost of living is basically zero. Here’s what’s covered:
1. Free Meals
Every crew member gets free food, served in staff dining areas. Higher-ranking staff sometimes get access to guest dining or discounts at specialty restaurants.
2. Free Accommodation
No rent, utilities, or furniture costs. Most crew share small cabins, while officers and performers often get private rooms.
3. Free Travel to Port Cities
One of the biggest perks: free travel. On days off, crew can step off the ship and explore cities around the world without needing a plane ticket.
4. Discounted or Free Shore Excursions
Many cruise lines offer discounted (or even free) excursions to crew, giving them access to guided tours and adventure experiences at a fraction of the passenger cost.
5. Family Discounts on Cruises
Some cruise lines let crew family and friends travel for deeply discounted rates—sometimes as low as $10 per night.
6. Onboard Medical & Insurance Coverage
Cruise staff receive full medical coverage while on contract, and if you’re injured on the job, coverage can extend beyond your time onboard.
Ally’s cruise line, for example, covered 80% of her salary while she was recovering from an injury at home.
Hidden Costs & What Crew Still Have to Pay For
While cruise ship workers enjoy many free perks—food, housing, and medical care—it’s not a totally cash-free life at sea.
There are still a few expenses crew members have to plan for, especially if they want to stay connected, travel during port stops, or treat themselves to a little off-ship fun.
Let’s break down what crew members do end up paying for out of pocket—and how it impacts their ability to save.
What Cruise Workers Still Spend Money On
1. Internet Access
One of the biggest budget drains for cruise staff is Wi-Fi. Unlike passengers, who often have access included in their fare, crew usually have to pay.
- On Ally’s ship: $3.99 for 60 minutes
- Some lines offer free WhatsApp messaging
- Limited-time promos may include 120 free minutes weekly or holiday access
Want to stay in touch with family or upload to social media regularly? You’ll probably be paying for it.
2. Local Transport in Port
Getting off the ship is free—but getting around isn’t. Whether it’s taxis, Ubers, buses, or rental scooters, transportation costs in each port can add up quickly.
Ally mentioned that renting a bike was her go-to option, but even that adds up if you’re docking in a new place every few days.
3. Food & Shopping Off the Ship
Free food is available onboard, but crew meals can get repetitive. Many staff choose to eat out occasionally during port stops. Common extras include:
- Café treats and meals at local restaurants
- Street food or snacks
- Souvenirs, clothing, and toiletries
- Local SIM cards or data packages in foreign ports
These little splurges may seem small at first but can eat into savings if done often.
4. Personal Items & Hygiene Products
While accommodations are free, basic personal care items aren’t. You’ll need to supply your own:
- Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant
- Laundry soap (for hand washing)
- Toothpaste, shaving supplies, etc.
Some crew members stock up before boarding. Others shop as they go—especially if they forget something or want brand-name products.
Saving vs. Spending at Sea
Many cruise ship workers are able to save a good chunk of their pay because the major expenses—like housing, food, and commuting—are zero. But it all comes down to discipline.
Some crew send most of their income back home. Others (like Ally) walk the fine line between saving money and enjoying the travel experience.
After all, what’s the point of sailing to the Greek Isles if you never hop off for gelato?
Ally’s Real Cruise Ship Salary Breakdown
Now for the juicy part—how much did Ally actually make as a cruise ship performer? Spoiler: it wasn’t just dancing that brought in the dollars.
Her income grew over time, especially as she took on more responsibilities.
Let’s walk through the full breakdown of her cruise salary—starting from training and building up to her peak income.
1. Training on Land: $300/Week
Before she ever set foot on a ship, Ally spent two months training on land. During that time, her pay was minimal.
- Weekly salary: $300/week
- Monthly total: $1,328
- Covered: basic accommodations (but not food, transport, or extras)
Even though she wasn’t paying rent, she still had regular expenses—making this stage the most financially limited part of her journey.
2. Base Salary Onboard: $3,800/Month
Once she was on the ship, things got significantly better. As a dancer and vocalist, her base pay jumped to:
- $3,800/month guaranteed
This covered her performances in main-stage productions, rehearsals, and appearances in other entertainment events across the ship.
📝 Note: This was her base pay only—additional responsibilities and bonuses boosted it even more.
3. Extra Pay for Bonus Roles
Ally didn’t stop at performing. She took on several specialist responsibilities that increased her earnings significantly:
- Fly Pay (for aerial routines): ~$450/month
- Understudy Pay: $360/month (plus $100/show when performing understudy roles)
- In one month, she earned an extra $1,000 from just understudy gigs.
- Dance Captain & Company Manager: $11,200/month
- This was the big one. As the person in charge of show quality, schedules, and team management, she saw her pay skyrocket.
When she held these additional titles, Ally’s total monthly earnings reached $6,500+, even climbing beyond $11K during her leadership months.
How Her Income Grew Over Time
- First Contract: ~$3,500/month
- Final Contract with Promotions: ~$6,500–$11,200/month
- Extra Pay Opportunities: Understudying, fly performances, leadership roles
🧠 Takeaway: With experience and the right attitude, performers can earn far beyond their base salary through promotions and role flexibility.
How YouTube Took Her Income to the Next Level
Cruise ships paid Ally well—but what really changed her financial future wasn’t dancing on stage. It was building a presence online.
Her YouTube channel, Wanderlust Alley, became more than just a creative outlet—it became a second (and eventually primary) income stream.
Here’s how she went from cruise paychecks to earning over $13,000/month from the internet alone.
How YouTube Makes Money
Ally’s online income came from two key sources:
1. YouTube Ad Revenue
Once her channel gained traction, YouTube began serving ads on her videos. Depending on views, niche, and watch time, creators earn a cut of that revenue.
- Early earnings: 7 cents in March 2023
- Soon after: $1,000–$5,000/month depending on video views
- Average ad revenue: $3,000/month
2. Brand Sponsorships
As her cruise content grew in popularity, brands started reaching out for partnerships.
These included:
- Sponsored YouTube videos
- Paid Instagram or TikTok posts
- An affiliate deals with travel-related companies
At her peak, Ally was earning around $10,000/month just from brand deals.
Total Online Income: $13,000+/Month
- YouTube ads: ~$3,000/month
- Brand sponsorships: ~$10,000/month
- Combined with cruise salary: (~$6,500/month)
→ Total income: $19,000+/month
That’s not just cruise ship success—that’s digital entrepreneurship at its best.
Injured, But Still Earning
Here’s the kicker: when Ally got injured on contract, she had to go on medical leave. The cruise line paid 80% of her salary while she recovered on land—which was already a solid safety net.
But her YouTube income kept growing, even while she wasn’t performing.
Now that she’s recovered, she no longer depends on cruise income—because her online business is more profitable (and flexible).
Final Thoughts: Can You Really Make Money Working on a Cruise Ship?
Absolutely—but your results will depend on your role, work ethic, and financial discipline. Here’s what Ally’s story shows us:
- Cruise performer salaries can start low but scale quickly with added responsibilities
- Free housing, food, and travel make it easier to save
- Building a side hustle (like YouTube) can open long-term doors far beyond your contract
- Creative thinking + cruise life = financial freedom
Ally turned a cruise job into a launching pad for a thriving online brand—and that’s proof that your dream job at sea can be the start of something even bigger.
