Cape Marine Academy

Welcome to Cape Marine Academy

Loading your Marine Academy experience

We are a preparation academy, not a recruiter. Legitimate cruise lines pay you. You never pay them for a job.

All courses 50% off

Ends in
12days
17hrs
42min
24sec
Career Packages

Career packages that get you ready for the ship

Train for the role, get your STCW and paperwork in order, and walk into your interview ready. Every price, every inclusion and every exclusion is on this page before you choose.

Choose your package

Choose what we coordinate for you

Set Sail coordinates your training, STCW and documents. Set Sail Light is the same without STCW Basic Safety Training. Crew Ready and STCW are also there on their own.

Full career packages

Your training, your STCW and your paperwork, with an academy member beside you.

Full career package

Set Sail

Your training, STCW and documents, coordinated for you.

R 27 072,82in total

R15 500 to Cape Marine Academy, R11 382,82 to the training centre (invoiced to you directly at its published price), R190 to SAPS through our agency. The centre's prices are as at 1 April 2026, and the centre can change them.

  • STCW Basic Safety Training at a SAMSA accredited centre
  • 1 career course pack of your choice
  • STCW Security Awareness at the same centre
  • Police clearance in days, through our agency
  • The CV builder and smart tools, inside the academy
  • Your Seaman's Book, lodged with our help at your offer
  • Crew Ready: CV review, mock interview, direct line
  • Who hires South African crew, and how to apply
Plus
  • One on one guidance from an academy member, from the day you enrol.
  • No waiting list on our side: the day you enrol, we book you onto the centre's next available STCW dates, its core courses run every week, and our agency gets your police clearance in days, not the weeks or months of the SAPS backlog.

Set Sail Light

Set Sail without STCW Basic Safety Training, for when you hold it already or your line asks for it later.

R 9 273,51in total

R7 500 to Cape Marine Academy, R1 583,51 to the training centre (invoiced to you directly at its published price), R190 to SAPS through our agency. The centre's prices are as at 1 April 2026, and the centre can change them.

  • STCW Security Awareness at a SAMSA accredited centre
  • Police clearance in days, through our agency
  • 1 career course pack of your choice
  • Crew Ready: CV review, mock interview, direct line
  • Your Seaman's Book, lodged with our help at your offer
  • Who hires South African crew, and how to apply
Plus
  • One on one guidance from an academy member, from the day you enrol.
  • No waiting list on our side: the day you enrol, we book you onto the centre's next available STCW dates, its core courses run every week, and our agency gets your police clearance in days, not the weeks or months of the SAPS backlog.

On their own

Interview preparation on top of a course, or STCW booked at the centre's price.

Crew Ready

The course teaches you the job. Crew Ready gets you interview ready.

R 1 999added to any Career Training Course

One payment to Cape Marine Academy.

  • Your CV read by a CMA expert
  • A mock interview with real feedback
  • A direct line to our experts
  • The employer network list

STCW

SAMSA accredited STCW in Cape Town, booked for you at the centre's own price.

R 11 382,82the centre's price, booked by us at no charge

Invoiced to you by the training centre, at its published price. The centre's prices are as at 1 April 2026, and the centre can change them.

  • Basic Safety Training: PST, FPFF, EFA and PSSR, 9 days
  • Security Awareness, 1 day
  • At a SAMSA accredited centre in the Port of Cape Town
  • The centre's published price, invoiced to you directly
  • Booked by us at no charge
Package calculator

Find your package, see the full cost

Answer two questions to see the package that fits, who you pay what, and the main costs to get to sea.

Your answers

Which path?

Do you already hold STCW Basic Safety Training?

Your package

Your package

Set Sail

Set Sail books your STCW for you, along with your career training and your documents.

R 27 072,82in total

Your training: the Assistant Waiter and Waiter courses.

Who you pay what

  • Cape Marine Academy

    Your career course pack, the CV builder and smart tools, Crew Ready, your documents and one on one guidance

    R 15 500
  • The training centre

    STCW, 5 modules, 10 days, invoiced to you directly at its published price

    R 11 382,82
  • SAPS

    Police clearance in days, through our agency

    R 190
  • SAMSALater

    Seaman's Book, only if you are offered a contract. Not in the total.

    R 959

Still to budget, outside every package

  • Seafarer medical

    Estimate

    R 2 650
  • Passport

    Estimate

    R 600
  • US C1/D crew visa

    USD 185 at the live rate

    R 3 040
  • Flights to join the ship

    Estimate. Often paid or reimbursed by the cruise line, so not in the total

    R 12 000

AboutR 33 362,82

to get to sea in total

R27 072,82 for Set Sail and R6 290 for the costs above, not counting flights to join the ship.

Assistant Waiter, monthly earnings at sea

USD 1 000 to 2 200

With tips, about R16 400 to R36 200

Earned back in

about 6 weeks

of work at sea, once you are hired

Most cruise lines hire from age 21, and some only ask for STCW after a successful interview. Not sure? Ask us first.

Based on the middle of the Assistant Waiter range, with tips, if you save 90% of it, once you are hired. Earnings with tips, as at October 2026. They vary by cruise line, ship and itinerary and are not guaranteed. Rand figures use the live rate of R16,43 to the US dollar, updated 16 October 2026.

Compare

What each package includes

Side by side, with nothing left out. What no package includes is listed underneath, with what it costs.
  • STCW Basic Safety Training
    Four modules, at the centre's own price
    • IncludedSet Sail
    • Can be addedLightAdded when you need it
    • Not includedCrew Ready
    • IncludedSTCW
  • STCW Security Awareness
    One day, at the same centre
    • IncludedSet Sail
    • IncludedLight
    • Not includedCrew Ready
    • IncludedSTCW
  • Booked onto the next available dates
    No waiting list on our side, and no booking fee
    • IncludedSet Sail
    • IncludedLight
    • Not includedCrew Ready
    • IncludedSTCW
  • Police clearance in days
    Through our agency, with the SAPS fee in the total
    • IncludedSet Sail
    • IncludedLight
    • Not includedCrew Ready
    • Not includedSTCW
  • Your career path training
    One or two Career Training Courses
    • IncludedSet Sail
    • IncludedLight
    • Not includedCrew ReadyAdded to a course you buy
    • Not includedSTCW
  • Crew Ready
    An expert CV review, a mock interview and a direct line to our team
    • IncludedSet Sail
    • IncludedLight
    • IncludedCrew Ready
    • Not includedSTCW
  • Seaman's Book application
    Ready to lodge with SAMSA, with our help, the day an offer arrives
    • IncludedSet Sail
    • IncludedLight
    • Not includedCrew Ready
    • Not includedSTCW
  • One on one guidance
    An academy member with you, from the day you enrol
    • IncludedSet Sail
    • IncludedLight
    • Not includedCrew Ready
    • Not includedSTCW
  • Who hires South African crew
    Our directory of the cruise lines' own job sites and the agencies they name for South Africa, and how to apply to each
    • IncludedSet Sail
    • IncludedLight
    • IncludedCrew Ready
    • Not includedSTCW

Never in a package

Paid by you, whichever package you choose.

  • Your seafarer medicalAbout R2 650
  • Your passportAbout R600
  • Your US C1/D crew visaUSD 185
  • Flights to join your shipAbout R12 000
  • SAMSA's Seaman's Book fee, paid only if you are offered a contractR959
The main costs, in one place

Read this first

  • Before you buy: most cruise lines hire from age 21, and some ask for a year of hospitality experience. Not sure you qualify? Ask us first.
  • Some lines only ask for STCW after a successful interview. If you are aiming at one of them, start with Set Sail Light and add STCW if you are offered a contract.
Filmed at sea

Reviews from our students

Our students, filmed at sea in their own words. They sat where you sit now, and they tell it straight.

Swipe, or use the arrows, to browse our students

Our students

A wall of real momentum

Our students, on camera and in writing. Crew cards are backed by the clips above; written reviews come straight from our students.

Crew member
Landed her first contract

And here I am. I landed the job on board. I am enjoying it. Keep it up guys.

On camera
Vencesla
Restaurants · Madagascar

Thank you Cape Marine Academy for the training, and Jean. You guys are the best. Thank you for giving me this training.

On camera
Siya
Working on board now · South Africa

Cape Marine Academy changed my life in so many ways. I bought courses online, and then here I am on the ship, earning in dollars. Don't hesitate. Try it.

On camera
NP
Nicole P.

I expected a few basic videos about cruise ships. I was completely wrong. The training actually shows you how the role works, what the standards are and what you are expected to know before you ever step onboard.

Written review
ZN
Zanele N.

The Assistant Waiter course taught me that there is much more to the job than clearing tables. Mise en place, service sequence, table setup, guest interaction and hygiene standards were all explained properly. I feel much better prepared now.

Written reviewAssistant Waiter
BF
Bianca F.

I thought the course would mainly be about serving guests. I was surprised by how much it covers about ship life, hygiene standards, teamwork, guest expectations and the reality of working long hours onboard. It gives you a much bigger picture.

Written review
DB
Dylan B.

The CV section was a wake up call for me. I thought my CV was fine because I had hospitality experience already, but I realised I was not presenting that experience in a way that made sense for an international cruise application.

Written review
CI
Cameron I.

The Bar Server training was much more detailed than I expected. Wine, spirits, beer, cocktails, garnishes, taking the order correctly, serving and presenting the bill. It takes something that looks simple from the outside and shows you the proper standard.

Written reviewBar Server
MH
Megan H.

I originally came here because I wanted to find a cruise job. Somewhere during the training my thinking changed. I stopped looking at it as one job and started looking at where the career could take me over the next five or ten years.

Written review
AV
Anika V.

I would recommend this even to someone who already works in hospitality. I have experience and still found plenty of things I either did not know or had never been properly taught.

Written review
CB
Chloe B.

The whole experience feels modern. Lessons, quizzes, progress tracking and career preparation are all together in one place. It does not feel like one of those online courses where somebody sends you ten PDFs and wishes you luck.

Written review
AM
Amahle M.

I have not even left South Africa yet, but mentally I already feel like I am in a very different place compared to when I started. I finally feel excited about my career again.

Written review
RJ
Reece J.

I found the academy online and was quite sceptical at first because there are so many people selling cruise ship dreams. Once I started using the platform I could see there was real structure behind it. It feels like somebody has actually thought about what a first time applicant needs to know.

Written review
Crew member
Landed her first contract

And here I am. I landed the job on board. I am enjoying it. Keep it up guys.

On camera
Vencesla
Restaurants · Madagascar

Thank you Cape Marine Academy for the training, and Jean. You guys are the best. Thank you for giving me this training.

On camera
Siya
Working on board now · South Africa

Cape Marine Academy changed my life in so many ways. I bought courses online, and then here I am on the ship, earning in dollars. Don't hesitate. Try it.

On camera
NP
Nicole P.

I expected a few basic videos about cruise ships. I was completely wrong. The training actually shows you how the role works, what the standards are and what you are expected to know before you ever step onboard.

Written review
ZN
Zanele N.

The Assistant Waiter course taught me that there is much more to the job than clearing tables. Mise en place, service sequence, table setup, guest interaction and hygiene standards were all explained properly. I feel much better prepared now.

Written reviewAssistant Waiter
BF
Bianca F.

I thought the course would mainly be about serving guests. I was surprised by how much it covers about ship life, hygiene standards, teamwork, guest expectations and the reality of working long hours onboard. It gives you a much bigger picture.

Written review
DB
Dylan B.

The CV section was a wake up call for me. I thought my CV was fine because I had hospitality experience already, but I realised I was not presenting that experience in a way that made sense for an international cruise application.

Written review
CI
Cameron I.

The Bar Server training was much more detailed than I expected. Wine, spirits, beer, cocktails, garnishes, taking the order correctly, serving and presenting the bill. It takes something that looks simple from the outside and shows you the proper standard.

Written reviewBar Server
MH
Megan H.

I originally came here because I wanted to find a cruise job. Somewhere during the training my thinking changed. I stopped looking at it as one job and started looking at where the career could take me over the next five or ten years.

Written review
AV
Anika V.

I would recommend this even to someone who already works in hospitality. I have experience and still found plenty of things I either did not know or had never been properly taught.

Written review
CB
Chloe B.

The whole experience feels modern. Lessons, quizzes, progress tracking and career preparation are all together in one place. It does not feel like one of those online courses where somebody sends you ten PDFs and wishes you luck.

Written review
AM
Amahle M.

I have not even left South Africa yet, but mentally I already feel like I am in a very different place compared to when I started. I finally feel excited about my career again.

Written review
RJ
Reece J.

I found the academy online and was quite sceptical at first because there are so many people selling cruise ship dreams. Once I started using the platform I could see there was real structure behind it. It feels like somebody has actually thought about what a first time applicant needs to know.

Written review
Thuto
Restaurants · South Africa

Cape Marine Academy, I met them online. I take all my courses from them. They are one of the best. Give them a try.

On camera
Pedro
Restaurants · Brazil

Thank you Cape Marine Academy for giving me the best training. Appreciate you guys, you're the best.

On camera
Manele
Working on board now · South Africa

I highly recommend Cape Marine Academy. If you want to come on board, join and do the courses online. And here I am now, on board, because of Jean. They highly assisted me.

On camera
SD
Sipho D.

What changed most for me was my confidence. I already had hospitality experience, but cruise ships felt like a completely different world. After doing the training I feel like I can walk into an interview and actually understand the questions being asked.

Written review
JW
Jason W.

Straightforward, practical and actually useful. No unnecessary fluff. I now understand what cruise lines expect from someone applying for the role.

Written review
SM
Sibusiso M.

The Waiter course completely changed how I look at the position. It is not just taking an order and bringing food. You are managing a station, working with your assistant, selling, serving wine correctly and creating an experience for the guest.

Written reviewWaiter
PM
Palesa M.

Interview preparation helped me a lot. Before the course I would probably have gone into an interview and tried to improvise everything. Now I understand what they are actually trying to find out about you and how to prepare without sounding rehearsed.

Written review
LM
Lerato M.

I already had experience working in restaurants, which made me think I was ready. What I did not understand was how different cruise ship standards can be. The course helped me connect the experience I already had with what is expected onboard.

Written review
MH
Musa H.

I liked that the Restaurant Supervisor training deals with situations that actually happen. Complaints, special requests, staff issues, service problems and pressure on the floor. It feels relevant to real hospitality work.

Written reviewRestaurant Supervisor
ID
Imraan D.

I work full time, so being able to study around my schedule made a big difference. Some days I did one lesson, some days I did more. I never felt pressured to rush through it just to finish.

Written review
YI
Yusuf I.

I was very careful because there are a lot of cruise job scams around. The academy was very clear about what they can help with and what they cannot promise. Nobody told me to pay for a job or guaranteed anything. That was important to me.

Written review
RP
Ruan P.

Sometimes in South Africa it feels like there is only so far you can go financially, especially when you are young and working in hospitality. Learning about the opportunities available internationally really opened my mind. It made me realise my current situation does not have to be permanent.

Written review
NG
Nosipho G.

When I first started looking into cruise ships I was sitting at home trying to piece together information from TikTok, Facebook and Google. Eventually I completed my training, improved my CV and prepared properly for the application process. The academy did not hand me an opportunity, but it helped me become much more prepared to go after one.

Written review
Thuto
Restaurants · South Africa

Cape Marine Academy, I met them online. I take all my courses from them. They are one of the best. Give them a try.

On camera
Pedro
Restaurants · Brazil

Thank you Cape Marine Academy for giving me the best training. Appreciate you guys, you're the best.

On camera
Manele
Working on board now · South Africa

I highly recommend Cape Marine Academy. If you want to come on board, join and do the courses online. And here I am now, on board, because of Jean. They highly assisted me.

On camera
SD
Sipho D.

What changed most for me was my confidence. I already had hospitality experience, but cruise ships felt like a completely different world. After doing the training I feel like I can walk into an interview and actually understand the questions being asked.

Written review
JW
Jason W.

Straightforward, practical and actually useful. No unnecessary fluff. I now understand what cruise lines expect from someone applying for the role.

Written review
SM
Sibusiso M.

The Waiter course completely changed how I look at the position. It is not just taking an order and bringing food. You are managing a station, working with your assistant, selling, serving wine correctly and creating an experience for the guest.

Written reviewWaiter
PM
Palesa M.

Interview preparation helped me a lot. Before the course I would probably have gone into an interview and tried to improvise everything. Now I understand what they are actually trying to find out about you and how to prepare without sounding rehearsed.

Written review
LM
Lerato M.

I already had experience working in restaurants, which made me think I was ready. What I did not understand was how different cruise ship standards can be. The course helped me connect the experience I already had with what is expected onboard.

Written review
MH
Musa H.

I liked that the Restaurant Supervisor training deals with situations that actually happen. Complaints, special requests, staff issues, service problems and pressure on the floor. It feels relevant to real hospitality work.

Written reviewRestaurant Supervisor
ID
Imraan D.

I work full time, so being able to study around my schedule made a big difference. Some days I did one lesson, some days I did more. I never felt pressured to rush through it just to finish.

Written review
YI
Yusuf I.

I was very careful because there are a lot of cruise job scams around. The academy was very clear about what they can help with and what they cannot promise. Nobody told me to pay for a job or guaranteed anything. That was important to me.

Written review
RP
Ruan P.

Sometimes in South Africa it feels like there is only so far you can go financially, especially when you are young and working in hospitality. Learning about the opportunities available internationally really opened my mind. It made me realise my current situation does not have to be permanent.

Written review
NG
Nosipho G.

When I first started looking into cruise ships I was sitting at home trying to piece together information from TikTok, Facebook and Google. Eventually I completed my training, improved my CV and prepared properly for the application process. The academy did not hand me an opportunity, but it helped me become much more prepared to go after one.

Written review
How Set Sail works

What happens after you enrol

In order, once you start Set Sail. Set Sail Light runs the same way, without Basic Safety Training. A job offer is the cruise line's decision, so the last steps apply only if you get one.
  1. 1

    Enrol and choose your path

    Message Robin, choose dining room, bar or restaurant leadership, and pay our fee. Your Career Training Courses and Crew Ready open in your student portal.

  2. 2

    We book your STCW and start your police clearance

    The day you enrol, we book you onto the centre's next available dates for all 10 days of STCW, and the centre invoices you directly. Our agency starts your police clearance, usually done within a few days.

  3. 3

    Train online, at your own pace

    Work through your courses on your phone and build your CV. An expert reviews it within 5 working days, with one rewrite included.

  4. 4

    Practise, then apply

    Your mock interview is booked within 10 working days. Then you apply yourself, using our directory of who hires South African crew.

  5. 5

    If you are offered a contract

    We help you lodge your Seaman's Book application with SAMSA the day the offer letter arrives, and guide your medical and visa.

  6. 6

    Medical and visa guidance

    We guide you to the medical your line and SAMSA accept, and through your US C1/D visa interview. You pay for both, and neither is part of the package.

  7. 7

    Joining your ship

    If you are hired, your documents are in order and your academy member helps you through to joining.

Honest answers

Questions about Career Packages

What people ask us before they choose. If yours is not here, message Robin and he will answer it straight.

Which package is right for me?+

If you want your training, STCW and documents coordinated for you, Set Sail. If you already hold STCW Basic Safety Training, or your line only asks for it after the interview, Set Sail Light. If you want to train for one role first, a Career Training Course, with Crew Ready if you want a person on your side. And if you only need STCW, we book it at the centre's own price.

What is the difference between a Career Training Course and a package?+

A Career Training Course trains you for one role, from R2 500. Set Sail is a full career package: one or two courses for your career path and Crew Ready, your SAMSA accredited STCW, your police clearance and your Seaman's Book application, coordinated by an academy member from the day you enrol.

Who do I pay for Set Sail?+

R27 072,82 in total: R15 500 to Cape Marine Academy, R11 382,82 to the training centre (invoiced to you directly at its published price), R190 to SAPS through our agency. The centre's prices are as at 1 April 2026, and the centre can change them. SAMSA's Seaman's Book fee, R959, is paid later, and only once you have a job offer.

Why do some prices have cents?+

Because the STCW part is the training centre's published price, VAT included, to the cent. We show it exactly as the centre charges it. The centre invoices you for it, and we add nothing.

Will a package get me a job?+

No one can promise that, and anyone who does is a warning sign. We are a preparation academy, not a recruiter, and we never charge for placement. A package gets your training, your STCW and your paperwork in order, so you apply ready.

Do you place me in a job?+

No. We never sell jobs or placement. Set Sail, Set Sail Light and Crew Ready include our directory of the cruise lines' own job sites and the agencies they name for South Africa, with how to apply to each, and you apply to them yourself.

Not sure yet?

Your next step is one message

Tell Robin where you are now. He will tell you honestly which package fits, or whether a single course is enough to start.