Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Sous Chef Baker
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Sous Chef Baker supports the bakery operation by preparing breads, pastries, desserts and other baked products to consistent quality standards. Requirements typically include professional culinary or bakery training, several years of experience in a hotel, resort, restaurant or cruise environment, knowledge of dough preparation, fermentation, pastry techniques, food safety and hygiene procedures. The candidate should be organized, creative, physically fit and comfortable working long shifts in a fast-paced galley. Expectations include supervising bakery team members, following recipes and production schedules, controlling waste, maintaining clean work areas, supporting inventory control and ensuring compliance with company, health and maritime safety standards. Flexibility, teamwork and the ability to live and work onboard for extended contracts are essential.
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 created by the MSC Group. It operates premium small-scale cruise experiences focused on refined hospitality, spacious suites, destination-focused itineraries and highly personalized service. The company combines hotel-style standards with modern shipboard travel, offering restaurants, lounges, wellness facilities, entertainment and curated shore experiences. Culinary quality is central to the guest experience, with several dining venues and an emphasis on fresh ingredients, international techniques and elegant presentation. Employees work in an international environment and are expected to deliver discreet, attentive service while maintaining strong operational and safety standards. Shipboard roles generally involve rotational contracts, shared or individual crew accommodation depending on rank, meals, onboard medical support and opportunities to develop within the wider MSC Group.