Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Asst. Refrigeration Tech.
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Assistant Refrigeration Technician supports the ship’s refrigeration, air-conditioning, cold-storage and HVAC systems. Typical requirements include relevant vocational training or technical certification, practical experience with refrigeration or marine HVAC equipment, basic electrical and mechanical knowledge, and the ability to read technical manuals and follow safety procedures. Previous cruise-ship or maritime experience and familiarity with refrigerants are advantageous. Candidates should be physically fit, reliable, safety-conscious and comfortable working shifts, including nights and weekends. Good spoken English is generally expected, along with the ability to work effectively in a multicultural engineering team. The role involves preventive maintenance, fault diagnosis, repairs, accurate reporting and emergency response when required.
Can I work on cruise ships?
Never pay anyone for a visa or a job offer. A real employer pays the permit costs and never asks you for money.
How it works
How it works: No host-country permit: a seafarer medical, safety training, a seaman's book, a US crew visa and a Schengen visa.
Watch for: Recruitment fees are banned on ships.
Official source: US Department of State: crewmember visa. Checked October 2026.
What the job usually comes with on cruise ships
Usual for cruise ships, varies by employer. Checked October 2026.
| Housing | Free cabin, usually shared |
|---|---|
| Meals | Free (by law) |
| Flights | Joining and home flights usually paid; free repatriation (by law) |
| Service charge | Passenger service charges pooled on many lines |
| Contract | 6 to 9 months on board, about 2 months unpaid between contracts |
| Leave | 2.5 days a month, often paid as cash |
| Income tax | Usually not withheld; depends on your home country |
Senior staff often get more than line staff, for example a single room or a yearly home flight. Ask the employer what the job includes before you accept.
Guidance, not legal advice. Rules change; your employer confirms the details for your case.
About MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is a major international cruise company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and part of the MSC Group. It operates a large fleet sailing to destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, North America, South America, the Mediterranean, Asia and other regions. The company offers guest services, entertainment, accommodation, dining and technical maritime careers onboard its ships. MSC employs a multinational workforce and provides structured departments covering marine operations, hotel services, food and beverage, engineering, safety, retail and administration. Crew members generally live and work onboard under fixed-term contracts, with meals, shared accommodation and access to selected crew facilities included. Working for MSC can provide international travel, professional development and experience in a demanding shipboard environment. Exact employment terms, benefits, contract length and salary depend on the vessel, rank, nationality and applicable maritime agreements.