Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Shore Excursion Staff
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
Shore Excursion Staff assist guests with planning, booking and enjoying shore tours during the cruise. Responsibilities typically include explaining excursion options, processing reservations and payments, coordinating with local tour operators, answering questions, managing meeting points and resolving guest concerns. Candidates are expected to have strong communication and customer-service skills, a friendly and professional manner, sales confidence, good organization and the ability to work under pressure. Previous experience in tourism, hospitality, sales or guest relations is helpful. Fluency in English is generally required, while additional languages are an advantage. The role requires flexibility, teamwork, cultural awareness and the ability to live and work onboard for extended periods.
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 global cruise company and part of the privately owned MSC Group. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the company operates a large fleet of contemporary cruise ships sailing to destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, North and South America, Asia, the Middle East and other regions. MSC Cruises provides holidays that combine accommodation, dining, entertainment, wellness, family activities and organized shore excursions. Its onboard workforce includes crew members from many nationalities and covers hotel services, food and beverage, marine operations, entertainment, guest services and administration. The company emphasizes international teamwork, hospitality and creating memorable experiences for passengers. Employment normally involves living onboard, working rotating schedules and following company standards for safety, service and professional conduct.