Inside the High-Paying World of Royal Caribbean Crew Members: A Look at Salaries, Working Conditions, and the Salary at Sea Bank Account
A Royal Caribbean crew member has shared their salary on a cruise ship, providing valuable insights into the industry's pay structure and working conditions. The information comes from a video posted by popular YouTube personality Chris Wong, who is finishing up his "last" contract with the cruise line. Wong, a casino host on board Royal Caribbean cruise ships, has shared a detailed video about his current salary. He explains that he is paid every two weeks, with his first paycheck for January 2025 being $2,890.21 and the second being $1,450.09. This means he was paid a total of $4,340.30 for the month of January. Wong's salary is relatively high compared to many workers in his home country of the UK, where inflation and the cost of living are high. While he does have expenses such as phone bills and internet access while on board, he does not have to pay rent or any other large bills. The amount Wong makes is dependent on several factors, including the size of the ship and its location. He notes that crew members on ships in the US during Caribbean season often make the most money due to higher commission and tips. In fact, his highest paycheck ever was close to $5,000 while working as an assistant casino host on the Icon of the Seas last year. Wong has been working on cruise ships for over a decade and is currently in a senior position in the casino. However, he emphasizes that different positions are paid differently and that new crew members may start out with a smaller salary. He also mentions that Royal Caribbean pays their crew members through a Salary at Sea bank account, which is a US bank account specifically for this purpose. Overall, Wong's video provides a valuable insight into the pay structure and working conditions of Royal Caribbean crew members. While some may find the work demanding, the high salary and lack of expenses while on board make it an attractive option for many.
