Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Specialty Asst. Waiter
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Specialty Assistant Waiter supports the service team in specialty restaurants by preparing tables, taking food and beverage orders, serving guests, clearing dishes, and maintaining high hygiene and presentation standards. Candidates should have previous restaurant, hotel, or cruise-ship experience, good English communication skills, a friendly and professional manner, and the ability to work efficiently in a busy, multicultural environment. Flexibility, teamwork, attention to detail, and willingness to work long shifts at sea are essential. Knowledge of additional languages and experience with international cuisine or premium dining are advantageous. The role requires compliance with company safety, sanitation, grooming, and guest-service standards.
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 headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company group. It operates a modern fleet serving destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, North and South America, the Middle East, Africa, and other regions. MSC ships offer accommodation, restaurants, bars, entertainment, family activities, excursions, wellness facilities, and specialty dining experiences. The company employs an international workforce and places strong emphasis on guest satisfaction, operational safety, hospitality standards, and multicultural teamwork. Crew members typically live onboard while assigned to a vessel, working in rotating departments and serving guests from around the world. MSC Cruises provides opportunities in hotel services, food and beverage, marine operations, entertainment, technical services, retail, and administration. Contracts, benefits, and compensation vary by position, vessel, nationality, and employment agreement.