Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Executive Pastry Chef
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Executive Pastry Chef leads the pastry and bakery operation onboard MSC Cruises, overseeing production for restaurants, buffets, cafés, events, and special occasions. Requirements typically include extensive professional pastry experience, proven supervisory or executive-level experience, strong knowledge of breads, desserts, chocolate, sugar work, food safety, hygiene standards, and large-scale production. Candidates should be organized, creative, physically resilient, and comfortable working in a multicultural, high-volume environment. The role expects excellent leadership, stock-control, cost-management, training, and communication skills, together with flexibility to work long hours, weekends, and during extended periods at sea. A culinary qualification and previous cruise, hotel, resort, or luxury hospitality experience are advantageous.
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 and part of MSC Group, a privately owned global transportation and logistics organization. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the company operates a large fleet serving destinations across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. MSC Cruises offers holidays combining accommodation, dining, entertainment, family activities, wellness, and shore excursions. Its ships employ people from many nationalities across hotel operations, culinary services, marine departments, entertainment, guest services, and technical teams. The company is known for its Mediterranean heritage, international onboard environment, and broad range of contemporary cruise experiences. Employees generally receive meals and shared accommodation onboard, with contracts, benefits, and working conditions varying by position, vessel, itinerary, and nationality.