Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
General Manager
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The General Manager is responsible for the overall guest experience and day-to-day hotel operations onboard the cruise ship. Requirements typically include substantial experience managing a luxury hotel, resort, cruise operation, or large hospitality team; strong leadership, financial, organizational, and communication skills; and fluency in English, with additional languages an advantage. The successful candidate is expected to lead department heads, maintain exceptional service standards, manage budgets and staffing, resolve guest concerns, ensure compliance with company and maritime procedures, and work effectively in a multicultural, fast-paced environment. Flexibility, resilience, professional presentation, and readiness to live and work at sea for extended contracts are essential.
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 Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys is a luxury ocean travel brand created by MSC Group, one of the world's largest privately owned cruise and shipping companies. The brand focuses on refined, spacious ships, personalized service, destination-led itineraries, and a relaxed alternative to traditional cruising. Explora Journeys combines hotel-style hospitality with ocean travel, offering suites, fine dining, wellness facilities, curated entertainment, and immersive experiences ashore. Its ships visit destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, North America, the Middle East, and other international regions. Employees work in a multicultural environment where discretion, attention to detail, service consistency, and genuine guest engagement are highly valued. The company promotes modern luxury, sustainability, and thoughtful design, while providing career opportunities across hospitality, culinary, marine, technical, guest services, and corporate functions.