Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Oiler
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
An Oiler supports the ship’s engine department by lubricating, cleaning, and monitoring engines, pumps, generators, boilers, and other machinery. Typical requirements include relevant marine engineering experience, basic technical training, valid STCW certification, a seafarer’s medical certificate, and the ability to work safely in hot, noisy, and physically demanding environments. Candidates should be reliable, observant, physically fit, and comfortable working rotating shifts and extended contracts at sea. Duties also include assisting engineers, reporting equipment issues, following safety procedures, and maintaining clean and orderly engine-room areas.
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 and part of the MSC Group, a privately owned global shipping and logistics organization. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises operates a large fleet serving destinations across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, South America, Asia, and other regions. The company employs multinational shipboard and shoreside teams in marine operations, hospitality, food and beverage, entertainment, guest services, and technical departments. Crew members generally receive accommodation, meals, onboard medical support, and travel arrangements for joining or leaving the vessel, subject to contract terms. Working for MSC Cruises offers the opportunity to gain international maritime experience, develop technical skills, and work with colleagues from many cultures. Contract lengths, salaries, benefits, and onboard conditions vary by position, nationality, vessel, and applicable maritime regulations.