Saloon Rating – Course Details & Career Overview
The Saloon Rating course is designed for candidates who wish to work in the hospitality department onboard merchant navy ships. Saloon Ratings are responsible for maintaining cleanliness, food service, and overall hospitality standards for officers and crew members onboard.
This role is ideal for individuals interested in catering, housekeeping, and service operations within a disciplined maritime environment.
Who is a Saloon Rating?
A Saloon Rating is a crew member working in the ship’s catering department. They assist in:
- Serving meals to officers and crew
- Maintaining cleanliness of dining areas and cabins
- Assisting the ship’s cook in food preparation
- Managing stores and provisions
- Ensuring hygiene standards are maintained onboard
Saloon Ratings contribute significantly to the comfort and well-being of everyone onboard.
Course Duration
The Saloon Rating course typically lasts 6 months, including:
- Basic maritime training
- Catering and housekeeping training
- Safety and firefighting training
- Personal survival techniques
After completion, candidates join ships as trainees or entry-level saloon crew.
Eligibility Criteria
To join the Saloon Rating course, candidates generally must:
- Have passed 10th standard (SSC) from a recognized board
- Be medically fit as per seafarer medical standards
- Meet age criteria (usually between 17.5 to 25 years, depending on institute)
Some institutes may require basic English communication skills.
Career Growth
With experience and performance, career progression in the catering department may follow:
- Trainee Saloon Rating
- Saloon Rating
- Chief Steward
- Catering Officer (depending on company and qualifications)
Hard work and discipline can lead to supervisory positions onboard.
Salary Package
Salary depends on the company, vessel type, and experience level.
Approximate Monthly Salary:
- Trainee Saloon Rating: ₹25,000 – ₹40,000
- Saloon Rating: ₹40,000 – ₹70,000
- Chief Steward: ₹1,00,000 – ₹2,50,000
In addition to salary, benefits include:
- Free accommodation and food onboard
- Medical insurance
- International travel exposure
- Opportunity to save most of the income
Skills Required
A successful Saloon Rating should have:
- Basic communication skills
- Good personal hygiene
- Teamwork ability
- Discipline and responsibility
- Willingness to work in a structured environment
Why Choose Saloon Rating?
- Short training duration
- Quick entry into Merchant Navy
- Good earning potential compared to many shore-based jobs
- Opportunity to travel internationally
- Career growth in maritime hospitality
Top Institutes Offering Saloon Rating Course in India
The Saloon Rating course (also called Certificate Course in Maritime Catering – CCMC) is a 6-month pre-sea training program approved by the Directorate General of Shipping (GoI). It prepares candidates for hospitality and catering duties onboard merchant ships.
Recommended Maritime Institutes
✅ Commander Ali’s Academy of Merchant Navy (Telangana) – Offers DG Shipping-approved Saloon Rating training including food service, housekeeping and maritime familiarization.
✅ TMC Shipping Academy (Panchkula & other centres) – Provides Saloon Rating along with GP Rating and other merchant navy courses, with sponsorship options available.
✅ Seashore Maritime Academy (Gurgaon area) – Conducts DG Shipping-approved programs with required medical screening and training.
✅ Merchant Navy Career Academy (Varanasi and region) – Structured Saloon Rating course with practical skill training.
✅ Future Marine Services Pvt. Ltd. (New Delhi) – Offers Saloon Rating training based on DG Shipping requirements for catering roles onboard.
Important Note: Always choose institutes that are officially approved by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), Government of India, to ensure proper certification and eligibility for earning the CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate).
Saloon Rating vs GP Rating – Short Comparison
| Feature | Saloon Rating | GP Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Hospitality, food service, housekeeping onboard ships | General deck & engine room duties, seamanship tasks |
| Training Duration | 6 months pre-sea training | 6 months pre-sea training (plus shipboard sea time) |
| Primary Roles | Catering crew, steward, assistant cook | Seaman, engine room assistant, deck support |
| Career Path | Trainee Saloon → Assistant Steward → Steward/Cook → Chief Cook | Trainee Rating → Deck/Engine Support → Bosun/Technician |
| Technical Nature | Service and hospitality oriented | Practical seamanship and ship maintenance |
| Eligibility | 10th pass with specified marks in English | 10th pass with specified marks in Maths, Science & English |