Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Chef de Partie
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
A Chef de Partie manages a designated kitchen section, preparing high-quality dishes according to recipes, presentation standards, and food-safety procedures. Candidates should have professional culinary training or relevant kitchen experience, strong knowledge of cooking techniques, hygiene regulations, and ingredient handling. Experience in hotels, restaurants, or cruise ships is usually preferred. The role requires teamwork, organization, speed, attention to detail, and the ability to work calmly during busy service periods. Candidates are expected to maintain consistent quality, control waste, follow instructions from senior chefs, support junior colleagues, and work flexible shifts while living onboard. International hospitality experience and good English communication skills are valuable.
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, hotel-style experiences at sea, combining spacious accommodation, high-end dining, wellness, destination-focused itineraries, and personalized service. Its ships are designed for guests seeking a slower, more sophisticated style of cruising, with an emphasis on privacy, culinary experiences, and contemporary hospitality. Employees work in an international environment and support a premium guest experience across restaurants, suites, lounges, wellness facilities, and operational departments. Culinary team members are expected to deliver consistent quality, creativity, and professional service while following strict maritime, hygiene, and safety standards. Benefits may include accommodation, meals, travel between contracts, training, and opportunities for career development within MSC Group, depending on contract terms and nationality.