Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Youth Staff
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
Youth Staff organize and supervise age-appropriate activities for children and teenagers onboard MSC Cruises. The role requires strong English communication, childcare or youth-program experience, energy, creativity, and the ability to work with diverse international families. Candidates should be responsible, patient, safety-conscious, and comfortable leading games, crafts, sports, parties, and educational activities. First-aid or childcare qualifications may be advantageous. The position involves long hours, teamwork, living onboard, and maintaining professional standards in a busy cruise environment. Successful candidates are expected to protect children’s welfare, follow company safety procedures, deliver engaging experiences, and provide friendly service to parents and young guests.
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 family-owned global transportation and logistics organization. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises operates a modern fleet serving destinations across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe, South America, Asia, and other regions. The company offers holidays built around accommodation, dining, entertainment, family programs, excursions, and onboard services. Its ships employ international teams in hospitality, marine operations, entertainment, youth services, food and beverage, retail, and administration. MSC places emphasis on guest satisfaction, safety, multicultural teamwork, and consistent service standards. Employees generally live onboard during contracts, receiving accommodation and meals while travelling between ports. Working for MSC Cruises can provide international experience, professional training, and opportunities to progress within the cruise and hospitality industries.