Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules
Master's in International Cruise Management
Programme to lead the cruise industry: strategy, guest experience, hotel operations, revenue management, ports, regulation and sustainability. A private online professional programme with a Navalis Institute certificate.
Duration1,500 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules11
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About the programme
What is the Master's in International Cruise Management?
This programme gives you the essential skills and knowledge to lead and manage successfully in the cruise industry. It covers the full operation of a cruise line, from strategic planning and financial management to optimising the guest experience and managing a multicultural crew, including the latest trends in sustainability, technological innovation and emerging markets.
It stands out for its practical approach, with real case studies, management simulations and applied projects, and for its industry-expert faculty. It prepares you for leadership roles in shipping companies, specialist travel agencies and onboard service providers. It is a private professional programme, delivered online by Navalis Institute, with its own certificate.
Programme typeMaster’s degree
ModeOnline
Duration1,500 hours
Modules11
Start1 December
Programme highlights
- Practical approach: real case studies, management simulations and applied projects.
- Strategic management: master the keys to profitability and positioning in the global cruise market.
- Maritime operations: go deeper into safety, logistics and operational efficiency on board and ashore.
- Customer experience: learn to design innovative, personalised experiences that exceed the expectations of today's traveller.
- Sustainability and CSR: integrate responsible, sustainable practices into cruise management.
- Leadership and negotiation: develop your skills to lead multicultural teams and reach beneficial agreements.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Master's in International Cruise Management
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Strategic Leadership and Shipping Corporate Governance
- 1.1. Command structure on board: the role of the Cruise Director and the interface with the Captain/Master
- 1.2. Corporate governance in international shipping companies and decision-making at sea
- 1.3. Multicultural leadership and management of high-performance teams in operational confinement
- 1.4. Change management, adaptation to new technologies and organisational culture on board
- 1.5. Strategic planning of global itineraries and coordination of an international fleet
- 1.6. Corporate reputation management and the ship's institutional representation protocol
- 1.7. Business ethics, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and anti-corruption regulations
- 1.8. Executive crisis management, emergency communications and stakeholder handling
- 1.9. Talent development on board: performance appraisal, retention and career plans
- 1.10. Executive dashboard (Key Performance Indicators) for cruise senior management
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
Guest Experience & Entertainment Management
- 2.1. Conceptual design of the daily onboard activity programme (Daily Program)
- 2.2. Direction of large-scale shows, theatre production and technical coordination
- 2.3. Management and supervision of the entertainment team, DJs, musicians and international artists
- 2.4. Service personalisation strategies by sociodemographic profile and segment
- 2.5. Specific programmes for families, children (Youth Staff) and exclusive adult areas
- 2.6. Management of loyalty clubs and service for VIP passengers and high-end suites
- 2.7. Measuring guest satisfaction (Net Promoter Score) and complaint resolution protocols
- 2.8. Integration of interactive technologies and mobile apps for onboard entertainment
- 2.9. Organisation of themed events, special cruises and official onboard ceremonies
- 2.10. Global trends in creating immersive, exclusive experiences for cruise guests
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
Hotel Operations and Onboard Services (Cruise Hotel Management)
- 3.1. General management of the Hotel Department (Hotel Director Operations) on board
- 3.2. Quality standards in cabin service, housekeeping and industrial laundry
- 3.3. Food and Beverage management (F&B Management): main and speciality restaurants
- 3.4. Mass provisioning logistics, wastage control and storage at sea
- 3.5. Management of onboard commercial concessions: duty-free boutiques, casinos and spas
- 3.6. Health control and food safety: implementing HACCP systems and USPH standards
- 3.7. Management of the reception department (Front Office), information and general services
- 3.8. Internal hotel quality audits, routine inspections and cost control
- 3.9. Optimisation of passenger flows in common areas, restaurants and main decks
- 3.10. Design and refurbishment of interior spaces to maximise guest comfort
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Shore Excursions and Destination Experience (Shorex)
- 4.1. Planning, design and sale of shore excursions (Shore Excursions)
- 4.2. Contracting and supervision of local ground operators (DMC - Destination Management Companies)
- 4.3. Mass disembarkation logistics in ports of call using tenders and gangways
- 4.4. Quality control, safety and risk assessment for tourist excursions
- 4.5. Creation of exclusive experiences and customised off-the-beaten-track itineraries
- 4.6. Coordination of tour guides, ground transport and accessibility in port
- 4.7. Maximising revenue from excursion sales and advance-booking programmes
- 4.8. Mitigating the impact of mass tourism on vulnerable destinations and cultural heritage
- 4.9. Contingency plans for excursion delays and missed-port protocols
- 4.10. Integrating local culture into the onboard food and entertainment offering
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
International Marketing, Branding and Cruise Sales
- 5.1. Brand positioning strategies in the luxury and contemporary cruise industry
- 5.2. Analysis of international cruiser purchasing behaviour and consumer trends
- 5.3. Multichannel distribution strategy: direct sales, traditional agencies and OTAs
- 5.4. Trade Marketing and strategic relations with travel consortia and large networks
- 5.5. Digital marketing campaigns, programmatic advertising and social media in nautical tourism
- 5.6. Sales strategy for the MICE segment (meetings, incentives, conferences and events)
- 5.7. Strategic alliances, sponsorships and co-branding with international luxury brands
- 5.8. Corporate communications, public relations and specialist press management
- 5.9. Design of international catalogues, interactive sales tools and virtual reality
- 5.10. Launch of new ships (Inaugural Season) and naming ceremony events
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Revenue Management, Operating Finance and Onboard Sales
- 6.1. Applying Revenue Management to the fixed capacity of passenger ships
- 6.2. Dynamic Pricing algorithms and fare optimisation by category
- 6.3. Key financial metrics: RevPAB, APD, Net Yield and operating margin per cabin
- 6.4. Strategies to maximise onboard spending (Onboard Revenue): drinks, photos, wifi and spa
- 6.5. Operating budget management (OPEX), control of fixed and variable costs
- 6.6. Financial hedging of key costs: fuel volatility and currency fluctuation
- 6.7. Administration of onboard payment systems (magnetic cards / RFID wristbands) and the general cashier
- 6.8. Financial auditing of onboard revenue and loss prevention in concessions
- 6.9. Dynamic packaging of supplementary services before embarkation (Pre-cruise Sales)
- 6.10. Profitability analysis by itinerary, season and passenger nationality
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Port Operations, Turnaround Logistics and Institutional Relations
- 7.1. Strategic selection of homeports and assessment of cruise terminals
- 7.2. Planning and operational management of the turnaround day (Turnaround Day)
- 7.3. Baggage logistics: check-in, scanning, sorting and delivery to cabins
- 7.4. Coordination of the ship-port interface: ship agents, immigration and customs authorities
- 7.5. Provisioning, fuel bunkering and potable water management operations
- 7.6. Security control in cruise terminals and application of the ISPS Code
- 7.7. Management of ground transport links, transfers from airports and railway stations
- 7.8. Negotiation of port dues, berthing fees and towage service contracts
- 7.9. Management of port incidents: strikes, adverse weather and closures
- 7.10. Development of exclusive terminals and private port concessions by cruise lines
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
International Maritime Law, IMO Regulations and Work Onboard
- 8.1. International regulatory framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- 8.2. Fundamental safety and environmental protection conventions: SOLAS and MARPOL
- 8.3. Maritime Labour Convention (ILO MLC 2006): labour rights and conditions
- 8.4. International crew recruitment, manning agencies and visas
- 8.5. Management of passage contracts, general ticket conditions and civil liability
- 8.6. International maritime health protocols and disease control centres (CDC / VSP)
- 8.7. Flags of convenience, ship registries and jurisdiction on board
- 8.8. International labour dispute resolution and relations with the ITF union
- 8.9. Passenger data protection regulations (GDPR) and confidentiality
- 8.10. Marine insurance, P&I Club cover for passengers and collision liability
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 9
Sustainability, Technological Innovation and Fleet Decarbonisation
- 9.1. Environmental sustainability strategies in the cruise industry (IMO 2030/2050 goals)
- 9.2. Energy transition in ships: LNG propulsion, green methanol and fuel cells
- 9.3. Shore power connection in port (Cold Ironing / Onshore Power)
- 9.4. Advanced wastewater treatment systems (AWT) and ballast water management
- 9.5. Onboard waste management, elimination of single-use plastics and mass recycling
- 9.6. Energy efficiency in navigation systems, air conditioning (HVAC) and LED lighting
- 9.7. Responsible tourism in highly sensitive destinations (Arctic, Antarctica, Galápagos Islands)
- 9.8. ESG strategies and preparation of sustainability reports for shipping groups
- 9.9. Application of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data to route and fuel consumption optimisation
- 9.10. Onboard process automation and robotics applied to catering and logistics services
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 10
Human Resources, Safety and Crisis Management in Cruising
- 10.1. Human resources strategy in shipping companies
- 10.2. International crew recruitment
- 10.3. Training and talent development
- 10.4. Crew welfare
- 10.5. Safety and emergency management
- 10.6. Public health on board
- 10.7. Crisis and reputation management
- 10.8. Corporate communications
- 10.9. Relations with authorities
- 10.10. Crisis management plan
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 11
Final Project: Master Plan and Operating Plan for a Cruise Management
- 11.1. Definition of the operating concept, market positioning and passenger profile
- 11.2. Comprehensive design of the experience, entertainment and onboard services programme
- 11.3. Strategic itinerary planning, homeport selection and port-of-call analysis
- 11.4. Organisational structure of the hotel department and human resources management plan
- 11.5. International marketing plan, sales channels and commercial strategy for the route
- 11.6. Financial and Revenue Management model: revenue projection, OPEX and budget
- 11.7. Port operations plan, turnaround logistics and provisioning in port
- 11.8. Sustainability strategy, environmental management and international regulatory compliance
- 11.9. Operational risk analysis, crisis management plan and safety protocols
- 11.10. Writing the executive report, preparing the presentation and oral defence before the panel
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Master's in International Cruise Management
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
29
months to finish
125 weeks
weeks in total
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Faculty
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives
Objectives of the Master's in International Cruise Management
01Manage onboard hotel operations efficiently
02Lead multicultural, multidisciplinary teams on board
03Maximise profitability and customer satisfaction
04Master maritime regulations and international safety standards
05Develop innovative marketing and sales strategies for cruises
06Design unique and memorable cruise experiences
Careers
Career opportunities after the Master's in International Cruise Management
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Master's in International Cruise Management
The management and leadership of international cruises.
Professionals in tourism, hospitality and event management who aspire to lead the cruise industry.
Online, with live sessions, interactive resources and personalised tutoring.
On the strategic management of a cruise company, without neglecting operations on board and in port.
Revenue Management, dynamic pricing and metrics such as RevPAB, APD and Net Yield, plus operating budgets, onboard revenue and distribution and sales strategies.
Not necessarily: a related degree or experience in the tourism, hotel or cruise sector is enough. The admission interview will confirm the fit.
No. The programme is studied entirely online and does not include work placements; Navalis Institute does not arrange internships or jobs.
Through case studies, management simulations, applied projects and a final project: the master plan and operating plan for a cruise management, with an executive report and oral defence.
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Online admission
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
Entry requirements
- Profile: bachelor's degree in Tourism, Business Administration, Marketing, Hospitality or a related field; or proven professional experience in the tourism, hotel or cruise sector.
- Language: sufficient command of the language of instruction; English at B2 level is recommended, and other languages such as German, French or Italian are valued.
- Technical resources: a computer with camera and microphone, a stable internet connection for video conferencing and access to the virtual campus.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $724 deposit
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
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