Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Commis II Butcher
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Commis II Butcher supports the ship’s butcher and culinary teams by preparing, trimming, cutting, portioning, and storing meat, poultry, and other related products according to company standards. Candidates generally need basic professional kitchen or butchery experience, food-safety knowledge, good knife skills, and the ability to follow recipes, hygiene procedures, and stock-control requirements. The role requires physical stamina, attention to detail, teamwork, and flexibility to work long hours at sea, including weekends and public holidays. Candidates are expected to maintain a clean and safe workstation, minimize waste, follow HACCP procedures, and provide consistent quality in a fast-paced multicultural environment.
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 transportation and logistics business headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The cruise line operates a large fleet serving destinations across the Caribbean, Europe, the Mediterranean, South America, the Middle East, and other global regions. MSC Cruises offers accommodation, dining, entertainment, excursions, wellness services, and family-oriented activities for guests from many nationalities. Its ships employ multinational teams in hospitality, culinary services, marine operations, entertainment, administration, and technical departments. Working for MSC generally involves living onboard for a fixed contract, following structured safety and service procedures, and collaborating with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. Benefits commonly include cabin accommodation, meals, medical support, and transportation arrangements, although exact terms depend on the position, vessel, contract, and recruiting country.