Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Lead Nurse
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Lead Nurse oversees daily nursing operations in the shipboard medical centre, provides high-quality care to guests and crew, supports doctors during emergencies, and helps maintain accurate medical records. Requirements typically include a recognised nursing qualification, valid professional registration, clinical experience, and current certifications in emergency care, CPR, and advanced life support. Cruise, emergency, or critical-care experience is highly desirable. Candidates are expected to be calm under pressure, medically competent, discreet, culturally aware, and able to work independently in a multicultural environment. The role also requires excellent communication, teamwork, flexibility, and willingness to follow maritime health, safety, and company procedures while living and working at sea.
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 MSC Group, one of the world's largest privately owned shipping and cruise companies. The brand focuses on refined, spacious ships, personalised service, elegant accommodation, and immersive destination experiences. Explora Journeys positions cruising as a more relaxed and contemporary form of luxury travel, combining European hospitality with carefully designed onboard spaces, fine dining, wellness, entertainment, and ocean-inspired itineraries. Shipboard employees work in an international environment and are expected to deliver attentive, discreet, and professional service. Medical team members play an important role in protecting the health and wellbeing of guests and crew. Employment commonly includes accommodation, meals, onboard travel, medical support, and structured rotations, although exact benefits and contract conditions vary by position and nationality.