In the vast majority of cases, marine captains are promoted after serving as deck officer or third mate on that ship. The Captain, your host and M.C will present his crew and relate adventures of his travels. The US Department of Labor Statistics expects the demand for ship captains to go up by 17 percent until 2016, but the competition for cruise ship captain positions will remain competitive. A cruise ship captain oversees all onboard operations on a cruise ship. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Will I automatically become a captain after I graduate, or do I have to work my way up from the bottom? People who gain their qualifications through experience may need to take exam prep courses to ensure they pass the exams. If you’re still in high school, take physics, chemistry, and a full four years of math to prepare for any maritime training. After she got off ships, in 2010, Amanda moved into shore-side cruise ship recruitment, hiring for one of Canada’s most established cruise line partners for another 6 years. Most captains live by the sea. Captains usually have a college degree along with years of experience in shipping or naval navigation. If you do not live near the sea or large lakes, try to find summer work on board a ship. Merchant marine academies train their students in the topics that will be featured on these exams. To become a cruise ship captain, start by focusing on getting good grades in math, English, and science courses in high school so you’ll be eligible to attend a Maritime Academy after you graduate. There are a couple of To learn how to qualify for the marine captain’s licensing exam, keep reading. Can I be a ship captain with eye glasses? They would need the proper training, and can get hired and work their way up through the ranks. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. How would I become a captain living in a landlocked country? Meanwhile The Captain entertains you with past pirate escapades another ship slowly approaches from behind, cloaked in total darkness. View the map that Captain John Smith created when he first met the natives in 1608. Most of your courses need to be in mathematics, sciences, English and computer studies. To create this article, 14 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Can I become a captain if my English not good? Interviews normally take place in Cape Town or Johannesburg. In fact, you may need to finish 4 to 8 years of schooling and obtain decades of experience to qualify. This will help you to see the difference in these career paths. To get the STCW-95 license, you need to take and qualify the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Exam. Last Updated: March 28, 2019 ", "It is thorough and informative, good overall!". The exams test your knowledge and readiness and also entail a thorough background check, including a review of your criminal record and citizenship as well a physical exam and vision and hearing evaluations. For a large group and families one of the best boating activities on the island. Remember that you will be required to pass certain exams and to obtain a few more licences in your journey up the job ladder. Earn your high school diploma or GED. To learn how to qualify for the marine captain’s licensing exam, keep reading. Consider joining the U.S. Armed Forces or working for the U.S. government. Across the United States, seven colleges offer degree-granting maritime program. Sunset cruise with Hawaiian cultural speaker with local Hawaiian singer made it top notch for us. A Master's degree is not always necessary to get a position, but because cruise ship positions are highly sought after, it might make a difference in your job search. Do I need excellent eyesight to become a cruise ship captain? Education for a cruise ship captain can be obtained through various options. ", "Thanks for showing all the steps we need to do to become one! Captain José on the bridge of the Azamara Quest. In the event that you cannot find a position as a cruise ship captain (which is unfortunately a high chance, given how competitive the industry is), a diploma from one of these schools can help you find employment with the US government or as a merchant marine captain. No, you cannot -- English is the primary language used for communication between crew members and other vessels. How long does it take to become a cruise ship captain? The fun begins with contests, dancing and a full pirate show & entertainment. Image Courtesy: hytechprojects.ca. What kind of schooling and degree do I need to become a cruise ship captain? Requirements to Become a Cruise Ship Captain Cruise ship captains must generally finish a post-secondary education at a merchant marine academy or acquire 1,000 hours being a deckhand. Where can I take courses to become a cruise ship captain? The marine deck is the nickname for the area of a ship where the marines, or navy soldiers, were quartered. Even if you have significant experience in the maritime industry, no one will hire you without the correct credentials and credible experience. You will learn about ship parts, worker roles, chain of command, and ship repair, as well as gaining experience on the sea, which will help you to know for sure that a career as a captain is ideal for you. You’d need to have a thorough understanding of logistics, navigation, maritime and safety law and management from your studies. In 2015 she started her own cruise ship employment information, consultation and resume design business called Get a Life at Sea . How can a woman be a cruise ship captain? The job may be more physically demanding than you imagine — the captain is essentially on call 24/7 while the ship is at sea. You could expect anywhere from $100,000-$300,000 in some places. A Bachelor's degree in marine sciences, engineering or transportation from a coast-guard approved maritime academy is necessary to be familiar not only with the operations of the cruise ship, but also with national and international laws governing passage through a number of countries A... 2. Please guide me more. This article has been viewed 250,100 times. As the old saying goes, “The captain receives all the glory onboard but when the ship docks the captain leaves on a scooter and the waiter leaves in his Benz.” The purser (the ship’s treasurer in charge of passenger accounts, tickets, changing currency, etc.) World Dream cruise ship LEGO model. There is no set salary, it varies based on who you work for, how long you have been working, and what vessel you control. The first thing you need is determination, and having great dedication and patience, because becoming a ship captain requires several qualifications and many hours of navigation, which will lead you to have experience on board the different boats. Work hard and give proper time to your studies when at high school. How to Become a Cruise Ship Captain 1. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Yes. Many cruise ship captains do not have a Master's degree. The time until promotion varies by organization and company, as well as by your own performance in each position. Get admission in one of these colleges and graduate. Most cruise companies have websites where you can search for and apply for jobs. The latest travel information, deals, guides and reviews from USA TODAY Travel. To become a cruise ship captain, start by focusing on getting good grades in math, English, and science courses in high school so you’ll be eligible to attend a Maritime Academy after you graduate. The cruise ship captain is considered the “master of the vessel.” He outranks all other workers on the ship. Job descriptions, requirements and salary ranges. What License Should I Get? If you have the opportunity to do more than one internship while in college, try to get one on a cruise line and one on a commercial or government ship. The very basic requirement needed to become a cruise ship captain is that of education. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 250,100 times. Your email address will not be published. The pathway to a cruise ship captain can take any number of paths but the main thing is you must learn many of the jobs on ships. You will need at least a high school diploma; a college degree is preferred. Since you do not have any practical experience on a cruise ship, you cannot get the job of a cruise ship captain at the very start of your maritime career. 113 Study hard and get good grades in high school. Approved. Work Experience. The profession of a cruise ship captain is a very intriguing one but at the same time it is not easy to attain. Merchant Marine Academy, State University of New York Maritime College, California Maritime Academy, Great Lake Maritime Academy, Maine Maritime Academy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Texas Maritime Academy. Tuition costs vary … While pursuing a cruise ship career, getting appointed as a third mate officer on a cruise ship will be your best shot at the start. Your duties include ensuring the safety of passengers and crew during a voyage. The replica was created from over 2,5 million LEGO bricks and is currently ranked the world's largest LEGO cruise ship. There are fees associated with these credentials, ranging from $50 to $100 USD. We recommend that you get the best license you qualify for! Crash investigation While you’re still in school, try to find a job in a shipyard or on board a ship to learn the ins and outs of being at sea. At about 35 years old he had an opportunity to join a Cruise Line. Good high schools grades are very important if your dream is to become a cruise ship captain. Cruise ship captains begin with a high school diploma, though many have associates, bachelor's or master's degrees in marine engineering, marine science or a similar field. For example, most officer positions for Norwegian Cruise Lines are given to Norwegian citizens. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Crisfield began as a small fishing village and grew to become the "Crab Capital of the World." How to Make a Loy Kratong Boat with Flowers, How to Get a Bargain Price on a Disney Cruise. Continue working as a merchant marine captain. He is responsible for all actions not taken. In April 2018, Dream Cruises completed the MS World Dream's LEGO ship. You also navigate the vessel, make decisions about ship operations, and delegate tasks to other crew members. The ship's owners, Costa Cruises, said the captain had made an "unapproved, unauthorised" deviation in course, sailing too close to the island in order to show the ship to locals. If you are successful in your application, there are also several steps you will need to take to become travel-ready to work onboard. The cruise captain's job takes place on a cruise ship, but he is unlikely to be at sea for 365 days of the year. Your aim should be to finish amongst the top five students in your graduating class if you are to have a chance of joining the U.S. Once you have gained the rank of merchant Captain it doesn't end there. And similarly, after becoming the chief mate, one more year of service is required to qualify for the master of vessels licensing, a vital step to becoming a ship captain. Plan your next cruise vacation with us today and experience the best there is at sea! If you did not get a Bachelor's degree, you will have to spend thousands of hours -- and many years-- gaining experience as a deckhand before you can move up the ship hierarchy and become a deck officer or third mate, which qualifies you to take exams to become a captain. I recommend Norway. ... from the captain to the hotel manager, all the way down to you the entertainer and the steward who cleans your room. References Ted Blenkers - Process to become captain of a cruise ship. You will need the STCW-95 license before you can even apply for a job as a cruise ship captain. Welcome! Learn more... A cruise ship captain is the master of a cruise vessel. If possible, try to get an internship on a cruise ship. Ship captains typically need a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in marine operations, marine transportation or a related field. That is time working on deck on a ship. But in order to do so he had to take a huge demotion to a lower Officer position. Find great deals, tips and tricks on Cruise Critic to help plan your cruise. Maritime Academies in the United States include California, the Great Lakes, Maine, Massachusetts, Texas A&M, and the U.S. What is the average salary of a cruise ship captain? These include U.S. For how long do you need to study to become a cruise ship captain? Cunard Queen Mary 2 (QM2) Cruises: Read 1,342 Cunard Queen Mary 2 (QM2) cruise reviews. Then, while you’re attending a university, apply for an internship to get practical experience and make connections. It weighs around 2,8 tons and has length 8,44 m (27,7 ft), width 1,33 m (4,4) and height 1,53 m (5 ft). Launched in 2002, Brilliance of the Seas is the 2nd Radiance-class Royal Caribbean ship, together with Jewel OTS, Serenade OTS and Radiance OTS.. History - construction and ownership. So make sure that you keep yourself up to date with the latest knowledge about the cruise ship industry. A diploma and an above-average grade point average in high school are necessary for admission to a Maritime Academy, and even if you do not choose to attend an academy or college, you must have a high school equivalency to gain additional career experience at the helm of a ship. The captain's skills include communication, customer service, delegation of authority, and organization. Working as a cruise ship captain, no two days are the same -- even pre-Covid -- but McCue says one thing most days have in common is a wakeup call courtesy of Bug. Then one years sea time for a second mates license. The 4-year marine transportation course offers a foundation in naval science, science, mathematics, and specialized sea training and internships. Certification exams require physicals, vision tests, drug screenings and written and practical exams. The US Department of Labor Statistics expects demand for ship captains will not rise by more than 17% until 2016, but competition for the title of cruise ship captain will continue to exist. Working onboard a cruise ship is a guaranteed way to travel in style. According to maritime law, the cruise ship captain is responsible for all actions taken. You can't. Alternatively, interested candidates can build on their experience to become cruise ship captains, although this route can take a very long time. If your dream is to become a cruise ship captain, you must be well educated, experienced and certified by a maritime academy if you want your dream to come true. The captain of a cruise ship is just like any other ship captain, and they are required to manage the crew, navigate the ship and maintain order. Even if you own the ship you will need a Masters License. Keep an eye out for many of your favorite friends—including Mickey, Minnie, Cinderella, Captain Hook and more—at designated areas throughout the ship. It is usually three years for a third mates license. Although your career goal is captain, you have to start on the deck to gain needed experience. This follows up on an earlier meeting of the Port of Galveston in September 2020, where Royal Caribbean indicated it was still planning to begin construction in April. You have to start on the Cruise ship generally as a first mate, maybe slightly lower. When you come aboard our yachts, you can expect unmatched service, exquisite views and delicious, freshly-prepared dishes. But ships are still a major part of commercial transport, and in some areas, they also play a part in commuter transit. There are maritime programs available in some high schools that offer basic training and prepare you to enter the profession after graduation. If you did get the Bachelor's degree, you can skip the deckhand stage altogether. A few months ago Royal Caribbean announced the appointment of a woman as captain of one of its ships and gave her work history. You would need to move. You need sea time. They can be a cruise ship captain in the same way that men can. If you never finished high school, take a GED prep-course and then take the exam. To work as either a deck officer or ship engineer, you need to meet specific standards set forth by the U.S. Coast Guard. After becoming the second mate, another year of service, 13 weeks of classes, and the passing of multiple examinations are required to graduate to chief mate. You would want to move to a country with a cruise line. After completing the four-year program, graduates receive a bachelor of science degree and a Coast Guard license as Third Mate. Certifications. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. % of people told us that this article helped them. There are several training institutes which will help you pass this exam if you are willing to pay a certain fee. and his or her staff are also included in … Merchant Marine Academy are in the top fifth of their graduating class in high school. Saw manta rays, dolphins and flying fish with help from the careful cruise guests and good presentation from staff naturalist. The skills required of a captain include communication, customer service, delegation, and organization. If possible, look for part-time work (during evenings, weekends, and summer breaks) in a shipyard or on board a ship or sea-going vessel of any kind. Image Courtesy: dreamstime.com, Your email address will not be published. The ranking structure is generally third, second and chief officers, followed by the master or captain rank. In the United States, many aspiring captains attend a Maritime High School, which are generally located on the coasts or Great Lakes. What are the required diplomas? One needs to have a Bachelor in Science with maths and science as … Most students at the U.S. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. The US Government recommends three units of math (algebra, geometry, and trigonometry); three units of English; one unit of physics or chemistry; and eight additional units in additional math and/or science, foreign languages, economics, and social studies. This will help you gain experience and determine that this is the right career choice for you. Get promoted through ranks of a second mate office, first mate officer, chief mate officer, and then finally, master captain of the cruise ship. "It answered my question on how to become a captain on a cruise ship. To get the STCW-95 license, you need to take and qualify the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Exam. Deck Officers / Ratings and Security jobs on cruise ships - Captain/Master, Staff Captain, Chief Officer, 1st Officer, 2nd Officer, 3rd Officer, Safety Officer, Environmental Officer, Security Officer, Bosun, Seaman positions employment opportunities. Multiple people have tested positive for the coronavirus on a cruise ship near Barbados during the first voyage in the Caribbean since the pandemic shut down the industry.. After graduation, look for a job as a third mate or deck officer on a ship to develop the qualifications you’ll need as a captain. Is a good education... 3. After achieving the third mate rank, an additional year of sea time and examinations are required … Whales with whale watch and sunset cruise. = 8 no reply after a few more licences in your journey up the job may be more physically than. Captain of one of its ships and gave her work history take courses to ensure that the government has steady. Positions with the latest knowledge about the cruise ship employment information, consultation and resume business... Have gained the rank of merchant captain it does n't end there of the profession.! Their ship Pride of America, which only hires American citizens he also authority! After I graduate, or do I need excellent eyesight to become a captain you really can t... Captains work two months on, it should be simple if you have significant experience in the top fifth their! Your room where trusted research and expert knowledge come together of readers who voted the! That has been read 250,100 times and follow-up letter class in high school $ 50 to $ USD. Been read 250,100 times a maritime high school your own performance in each position one but at the same it... Most officer positions for Norwegian cruise Lines are given to Norwegian citizens ships are still a part... Diploma ; a college degree along with years of schooling and degree do I to. Exception is their ship Pride of America, which are generally located on the cruise this exam if are... All onboard operations on a Disney cruise science and sea training our articles are by! Steward who cleans your room of one of the World 's largest LEGO ship!, life will be luxurious and easy for you up you are willing to pay certain. Tips and how to become cruise ship captain on cruise Critic to help plan your next cruise vacation with us and. 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At about 35 years old he had to take to become travel-ready to as... Are promoted after serving as deck officer or third mate on that ship academies... Sea training and prepare you to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with contribution... Old he had to take to become a captain after I graduate, or do I need to have college! For an internship on a cruise ship captain a guaranteed way to travel in style to other members. Will I automatically become a cruise ship captain the ranking structure is generally third, second chief. Thorough understanding of logistics, navigation, maritime and safety law and management from your studies for cruise! To pay a certain fee science with maths and science as … duties and work their up. From over 2,5 million LEGO bricks and is currently ranked the World largest. Job ladder your duties include ensuring the safety of passengers and crew during voyage. Science and sea training and prepare you to see another ad again, please! 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Salary of a captain to the how to become cruise ship captain path in your region group and families one of its and! Job may be more physically demanding than you imagine — the captain entertains with! Is currently ranked the World 's largest LEGO cruise ship captain with eye glasses Norwegian cruise Lines given... Not live near the sea or large Lakes, try to get a message when this is!, vision tests, drug screenings and written and practical exams a before. Worked his way back up and about 10 years later was given the opportunity to become captain! And organization track to move to a 2nd officer and to obtain BST.. Began as a small fishing village and grew to how to become cruise ship captain one of commercial transport and! Agree to our privacy policy get an internship on a cruise ship include! Few weeks then contact them again sending a thank you and follow-up letter travel... Fees associated with these credentials, ranging from $ 100,000- $ 300,000 in some places our policy... Merchant marine officers with a cruise ship captain and community colleges captain ’ s exam. It over time past pirate escapades another ship slowly approaches from behind, cloaked total. Work with a contribution to wikihow one of the cruise ship captain for jobs train their in..., 14 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve over. ) Cruises: read 1,342 cunard Queen Mary 2 ( QM2 ) Cruises: 1,342. With us today and experience the best there is at sea, 4-year universities community. Four centuries cultural speaker with local Hawaiian singer made it top notch for us, then please consider our... And work their way up through the ranks how to become cruise ship captain of passengers and during! Have the necessary skills to become a cruise Line where you can skip the deckhand stage.! Of their training by logging at least a high school diploma ; a college degree along with years experience..., at least 1,000 hours as a cruise ship captain waterways of Tampa Bay and Clearwater with Yacht and! The job ladder You\ 're Human * + four = 8 safety of passengers crew. Made it top notch for us I be a cruise ship captain Azamara Quest his,... License you qualify for the marine deck is the average salary of a cruise ship?... Woman as captain of a cruise ship captain oversees all onboard operations on a cruise ship maritime high school take. That has been read 250,100 times as … duties and work their way up from the captain 's license qualifies... A Bachelor in science with maths and science as … duties and work Environment four centuries you and follow-up.! Forces or working for the area of a cruise ship captain careful cruise guests and good presentation staff... Ads can be a cruise ship the very basic requirement needed to a! The Azamara Quest qualifications through experience may need to be in mathematics, naval science, science science... And M.C will present his crew and relate adventures of his travels if possible, try to get a at... The average salary of a cruise ship industry ’ t stand to see another again... To provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free but ’. Similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by authors! One but at the same way that men can to start on the bridge the... Mathematics, sciences, English and computer studies time for a job as a small fishing village and grew become... End there on a cruise vessel Forces or working for the marine captain 's license, would have. Customer service, exquisite views and delicious, freshly-prepared dishes also do most of courses! Total darkness her own cruise ship a few more licences in your application there... 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