Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Doctor
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Doctor provides medical care to passengers and crew, manages emergencies, conducts consultations, maintains clinical records, and supports onboard public-health procedures. Candidates should hold a recognized medical degree, a valid medical license, current certifications in advanced life support and emergency medicine, and relevant clinical experience. Cruise, maritime, emergency-room, or primary-care experience is highly advantageous. The role requires strong communication skills, sound judgment, cultural awareness, and the ability to work independently in a multicultural environment. Candidates must be medically fit for sea service, adaptable to irregular schedules, and willing to comply with company, flag-state, and international maritime regulations.
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
MSC Cruises is a major international cruise company and part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company group. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it operates a large fleet visiting destinations across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, North America, South America, Asia, and other regions. MSC Cruises offers accommodation, dining, entertainment, excursions, wellness services, and family-focused onboard programs. Its workforce is highly international, with employees working in hospitality, marine operations, engineering, healthcare, entertainment, retail, and administration. The company provides structured shipboard contracts, onboard training, and opportunities to work while traveling between global ports. Medical staff support both guests and crew and play an important role in maintaining health, safety, emergency response, and public-health standards throughout each voyage.