How Much Do Room Stewards Earn on a Cruise Ship?

Room stewards on cruise ships play a crucial role in ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of passengers. Understanding their earnings is important for both prospective employees and cruise enthusiasts. This article delves into the earnings of room stewards, including their base salaries and tips, and provides insights into the varying factors that influence these earnings.

Base Salary and Tips

Room stewards typically earn a base salary that can range from $1500 to $2500 per month, depending on the specific cruise line, experience, and position. This base salary forms the foundation of their earnings but is often supplemented by tips, which can significantly enhance their overall compensation.

Tips can vary widely and may add an additional $500 to $1500 per month, depending on the cruise line's tipping policies and the generosity of passengers. Some cruise lines have a service charge that is automatically added to passengers' bills and distributed among the staff, including room stewards. In total, room stewards can earn anywhere from $2000 to $4000 per month when combining their base salary and tips.

Earnings Breakdown

Considering the earnings in more detail, a room steward might earn approximately $1200 to $900 per month, depending on the cruise line and the steward's experience level. In addition to their basic wage, room stewards can often receive tips from guests, with the amount varying based on the duration of the cruise and the passengers' generosity.

Many cruise lines have a standard practice where stewards receive tips of around $10 per person per day. Given that a typical steward manages about 14 rooms, each holding a maximum of four people, they might earn between $140 and $560 per day. This amounts to roughly $4200 to $16800 per month if no one cancels their cruise. However, it's important to note that the actual earnings can vary significantly, as some nationalities, such as the British, have a default practice of not leaving tips, which can impact the earnings.

Personal Insights and Real-Life Stories

One compelling example is a room steward we spoke to in 2018. He was from the Philippines, like many of his colleagues. This steward was dedicated and committed to his role, making him a shining example of the caliber of staff on cruise ships. He explained that his earnings enabled him to put both his children through top-tier schools, something he likely wouldn't have been able to do in the Philippines. His daughter was studying engineering, emphasizing the impact of his work on his family's future.

For those who work away from home for weeks at a time, the desire to support their families often outweighs the temporary separation. While the job may have its challenges, the potential financial benefits and the ability to provide for one's family make it a worthwhile pursuit for many.