Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Public Health Officer
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Public Health Officer oversees onboard public-health standards, including sanitation, food and water safety, disease prevention, outbreak response, health inspections and crew training. Candidates typically need a medical, nursing, environmental-health or public-health qualification, relevant professional experience and strong knowledge of maritime sanitation and infection-control procedures. Experience with cruise operations, CDC Vessel Sanitation Program standards, HACCP and communicable-disease management is advantageous. The role requires excellent communication, accurate reporting, sound judgment and the ability to work independently in a multicultural environment. Candidates should be comfortable living at sea, working flexible hours and responding calmly during health incidents or emergencies.
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 the MSC Group. It operates premium small-scale ships designed around spacious accommodation, refined dining, wellness, destination experiences and highly personalized service. The brand aims to combine the freedom of a private yacht with the facilities and reliability of a modern cruise line. Its ships visit destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, North America and other international regions. Employees work in an international environment with guests and colleagues from many countries, and are expected to deliver discreet, professional service while meeting high standards for safety, hygiene and sustainability. Shipboard roles generally include accommodation, meals, travel between assignments and access to onboard facilities, although contracts, benefits and leave arrangements vary by position and nationality.