Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Bartender
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
The Bartender prepares and serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, takes orders, operates the bar point-of-sale system, maintains cleanliness, and delivers friendly, efficient service to international guests. Candidates should have previous bartending or hospitality experience, good product knowledge, basic cash-handling ability, and confidence working in a busy bar environment. Strong English communication skills are normally required; additional languages are useful. The role demands a professional appearance, teamwork, attention to detail, responsible alcohol service, and flexibility to work long shifts, evenings, weekends, and during sea days. Candidates must be comfortable living and working onboard, following company safety procedures, and maintaining consistent service standards throughout the contract.
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 global cruise company and part of MSC Group, a privately owned transportation and logistics organization headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The cruise line operates a modern fleet visiting destinations across the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, North America, South America, the Middle East, and other regions. MSC Cruises provides accommodation, dining, entertainment, shore excursions, wellness facilities, and family-focused activities for international guests. Its onboard workforce includes hospitality, marine, technical, entertainment, retail, and administrative teams from many countries. Bartenders contribute directly to the guest experience by delivering fast, welcoming beverage service in bars, lounges, restaurants, and pool areas. Employment generally involves fixed-term contracts, shared crew accommodation, meals, uniform provision, and access to onboard facilities subject to company rules. Exact benefits, wages, and contract conditions depend on nationality, vessel, experience, and the recruiting agency or employment agreement.