Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
HR Director
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The HR Director leads onboard human-resources activities, including recruitment support, crew relations, performance management, training, employee engagement, policy implementation and compliance with maritime employment regulations. Candidates are expected to have substantial HR management experience, preferably in cruise, hospitality, shipping or another international, multicultural environment. Strong knowledge of employment law, conflict resolution and crew welfare is important, along with excellent communication, leadership and organizational skills. The role requires discretion, resilience, cultural awareness and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced shipboard setting. Flexibility to live and work at sea for extended contracts, manage confidential matters and support a large, diverse workforce is also expected.
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 privately owned MSC Group. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the company operates a modern fleet sailing to destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, North America, South America, the Middle East and other global regions. MSC Cruises provides resort-style holidays featuring accommodation, dining, entertainment, wellness, excursions and family activities. Its workforce includes maritime officers, hotel and hospitality teams, entertainers, engineers, medical staff, retail specialists and corporate professionals. The company serves a broad international guest base and places strong emphasis on safety, operational excellence, guest satisfaction and multicultural teamwork. Working for MSC Cruises can provide opportunities to build an international career, gain experience in a fast-moving hospitality environment and travel regularly while living onboard one of its ships.