Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Asst. Carpenter
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Assistant Carpenter supports the ship’s carpenter with repairs, maintenance, and installation of wooden fixtures, doors, furniture, flooring, and other interior structures. Candidates are generally expected to have practical carpentry experience, basic knowledge of hand and power tools, good workmanship, and the ability to follow safety procedures. Shipboard or hospitality experience is useful, while formal vocational training may be preferred. The role requires physical fitness, manual dexterity, attention to detail, teamwork, and flexibility to work shifts in a fast-paced marine environment. Candidates must be able to live and work onboard for extended contracts, follow company rules, and communicate effectively with colleagues from different nationalities.
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 MSC Group, a global transportation and logistics organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The company operates a large fleet serving destinations across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, North America, South America, Asia, and other regions. MSC Cruises provides accommodation, dining, entertainment, recreation, and excursion experiences for millions of guests each year. Its ships employ international teams in marine operations, engineering, hospitality, food and beverage, guest services, entertainment, retail, and maintenance. Working for MSC generally involves fixed-term contracts, shared crew accommodation, onboard meals, structured safety training, and a multicultural workplace. Employment conditions vary by position, nationality, vessel, and contract terms.