From Sailor to Captain: The Naval Ranks on board explained

Everyone on board knows their rank

There’s no democracy on a ship.

The moment you step onto the gangway, you enter a world where ranks and stripes say everything about who you are, what you do, and—most importantly—who makes the decisions. From the captain on the bridge to the sailor on deck, every crew member has a defined place in the hierarchy. This structure isn’t a leftover from the past, but a vital system for maintaining order, safety, and teamwork at sea. The stripes on the officers’ shoulders are also known as epaulettes. Ranks on board clearly define the hierarchy.

Everyone on a cruise ship has a rank — even I, as cruise staff, had two stripes. At the place where I worked, each rank had its own dining area, ranging from the simple crew mess to the more formal officers' mess.

• Crew Mess (Crew) (1 to 2 stripes)

• Staff Mess (Hotel department) (2–3 stripes)

• Officers’ Mess (Officers) (3 stripes or more)

⚓ The Captain – The boss/leader

At the top is the captain, who wears four stripes on their shoulders and is ultimately responsible for everything and everyone on board. A captain is responsible for much more than just getting the ship from point A to B. Everything related to the hotel operations also falls under their responsibility. This includes, for example, dealing with food supplies that didn’t arrive in port, natural disasters, and making important decisions regarding the weather and the safety of the crew and passengers. It is a very responsible job.

The Staff Captain – The Second-in-Command on the Ship

Wears four stripes on the shoulder, just like the captain.

His responsibilities focus more on the following points:

• Second highest authority on board (after the captain)

• Responsible for daily operations and supervision of all departments on board

• Coordinates the work of the officers and crew

• Ensures compliance with safety and operational procedures

• Takes command in the absence of the captain

🧭 The Officers – Order, Navigation, and Engineering

Under the captain are the officers. They are trained and qualified to carry out specific tasks and are responsible for the daily operation:

• Chief Officer (3 stripes): responsible for the cargo, safety, and often the second-in-command.

• Second Officer (2 stripes): focuses on navigation and chart work.

• Third Officer (1 stripe): usually the youngest officer, supports duties on the bridge.

In the engine room, you’ll find the technical crew:

• Chief Engineer: also wears 4 stripes.

• Second and Third Engineers have 3, 2, and 1 stripes respectively, depending on their responsibilities.

👨‍✈️ Cadet – Future Officers

A cadet is a trainee officer in training. He or she is onboard for an internship, observing, learning, and participating in the duties. Cadets do not yet have an official rank but are often recognized by their uniform epaulettes without stripes or with a narrow stripe. They are literally the future of the ship.

🧹 The Crew

The sailors: indispensable in the daily work. They take care of maintenance, loading and unloading, navigation assistance, and safety.

They often have their own structure with ranks such as:

• Ordinary Seaman (beginner)

• Able Seaman (experienced sailor)

• Bosun (leader of the deck crew)

💡 Why the Stripes?

The stripes on the shoulders make it clear at a glance who holds which responsibilities. On a ship, where every second counts in an emergency, clarity is vital. No arguments, no confusion—just knowing who’s in charge and who carries out the orders.

The hotel director ranks above the cruise director, and the crew ranks below the dancers. Everyone on board has a number of stripes. Everyone also has a crew number, which tells you what your role is in an emergency — where you stand and what task you perform.

If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you’ve probably heard about the weekly crew boat drill. This means the crew practices or simulates an emergency, such as a fire or a person overboard. Unfortunately for the crew, it’s never a fun moment, especially when docked in a beautiful port, but it’s absolutely necessary.

🌊 Hierarchy with Respect

Although maritime life is hierarchical, that doesn’t automatically mean a cold distance. On modern ships, it’s often about teamwork, trust, and mutual respect — all within a clear framework of ranks, roles, and responsibilities.

At Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, the officers wore epaulettes with stripes and an insignia.

• Captain and Staff Captain: 4 stripes with a diamond

• Officers on the bridge: stripes with an anchor

• Engine room officers: stripes with a propeller

• Medical staff: wear red between the stripes

Below is a simple overview of all the stripes and ranks on board a cruise ship:

Navigation & Deck Officers (Bridge and Ship Operations)

Rank	Stripes	Role / Responsibility
Captain	4 wide gold stripes	Highest authority, ultimately responsible
Staff Captain	4 stripes + extra symbol	First officer, right hand of the captain
First Officer	3 stripes	Second in command, navigation and safety
Second Officer	2½ stripes	Safety, administration, and assistance
Third Officer	2 stripes	Communication, safety, and daily tasks
Cadet / Junior	1½ stripes or less	Trainee officer, in training
Sailor	No stripes	Basic crew, performing practical tasks

Engine room & Technische staff

Rank	Stripes + Symbol (Gear)	Role / Responsibility
Chief Engineer	4 stripes + gear	Head of technical department and engines
Second Engineer	3 stripes + gear	Assistant Chief Engineer, daily maintenance
Third Engineer	2½ stripes + gear	Maintenance and inspection of technical systems
Fourth Engineer	2 stripes + gear	Assistant maintenance and technical support
Junior Engineer	1½ stripes + gear	In training, supports senior engineers

Hotel Staff & Crew (Hospitality, entertainment, guest services)

Position	Stripes / Epaulet Color	Responsibility
Hotel Manager	3–4 stripes, white spacing	Head of hotel department, guest services
Cruise Director	3 stripes, white spacing	Head of entertainment and activities
Assistant Cruise Director	2½ stripes, white spacing	Assistant head of entertainment
Front Desk Manager / Cruise Staff	2 stripes, white spacing	Reception and entertainment
Housekeeping Supervisor	1½–2 stripes, white spacing	Supervision of cleaning and cabins
Steward / Cabin Attendant	No stripes or 1 stripe	Guest services, cabin maintenance
Waiter / Waitress	Sometimes 1 stripe, white spacing	Service in restaurants and bars

Medical staff

Position	Stripes / Epaulet Color	Responsibility
Chief Medical Officer	3–4 stripes, red spacing	Head of medical services
Doctor	2–3 stripes, red spacing	Medical care on board
Nurse	1–2 stripes, red spacing	Support for medical services