Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Sommelier
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Sommelier is responsible for managing wine service, recommending pairings, presenting bottles, maintaining cellar inventory, and delivering polished guest experiences in restaurants and lounges. Candidates should have recognized wine knowledge or sommelier training, strong communication skills, excellent personal presentation, and previous experience in luxury hospitality, fine dining, or cruise operations. The role requires confidence discussing wines with international guests, accurate service techniques, teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to work flexible hours at sea. Candidates must also meet the cruise line’s medical, safety, and documentation requirements and be comfortable living and working 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 Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys is a luxury ocean travel brand within the MSC Group, created to offer a more refined and spacious alternative to traditional cruising. Its ships focus on elegant design, personalized service, destination-led itineraries, and high-quality dining and beverage experiences. Guests can expect multiple restaurants, curated wine programs, wellness facilities, and enriching shore experiences across regions such as the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Employees work in an international environment serving an affluent global clientele. The company emphasizes hospitality, attention to detail, sustainability, cultural discovery, and discreet but highly personalized service. Shipboard team members typically receive accommodation, meals, travel arrangements between contracts, and opportunities to work across different destinations while developing an international hospitality career.