Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
2nd Bosun
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The 2nd Bosun supports the Bosun and Deck Department with daily deck operations, including maintenance, mooring, anchoring, cargo-handling equipment, safety gear, and supervision of deck ratings. Candidates generally need relevant maritime experience, valid STCW certification, a seafarer medical certificate, suitable safety training, and working knowledge of English. Experience on passenger vessels or large ships is advantageous. The successful candidate should be physically fit, safety-conscious, dependable, and comfortable working at height, outdoors, and in changing weather conditions. Strong teamwork, discipline, practical seamanship, and the ability to follow instructions and coordinate a multicultural crew are expected. The role also requires willingness to work long shifts and live onboard for extended contracts.
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 global cruise company headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and part of the MSC Group, one of the world's largest privately owned shipping and logistics organizations. Founded in the Mediterranean, the cruise line operates a modern fleet visiting destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa, and other regions. MSC Cruises offers ocean voyages, entertainment, dining, excursions, and accommodation for international guests, while employing crew members from many countries and professional backgrounds. Its onboard workforce includes deck and marine personnel, hotel teams, culinary staff, entertainers, engineers, medical workers, and corporate support functions. The company emphasizes maritime safety, hospitality, operational efficiency, multicultural teamwork, and career development through shipboard experience.