PEOPLE

Our number one priority is keeping our passengers and crew safe and well. We are proud of the excellent healthcare we offer on our ships and, even though COVID-19 is no longer the threat it was, we continue to maintain exemplary hygiene practices. We also have a comprehensive safety management system in place and aim to identify risks so we can act before incidents occur. Our crew play a very important role in making our guest experience a success, and we know how important it is to support their well-being.  We provide all the training our people need to do a good job, and support those with high potential who want to grow their careers with us.

Public health

 The COVID-19 pandemic increased awareness about ways to prevent and control infectious diseases on our ships. Although the threat has largely passed and we are able to lift restrictions, we have chosen to make permanent adjustments to housekeeping and general hygiene as set out in our Health & Safety Protocol. Another permanent change is to our medical facilities: the requirement for testing and treatment onboard during the pandemic means we now have much more comprehensive onboard facilities.

Onboard medical facilities: Each of our cruise ships is host to a state-of-the-art medical centre able to assist both crew and guests, in line with CLIA policies. We employ on-board and shore-side doctors and nurses from many different nationalities, all of whom are certified professionals, available around the clock to treat many ailments directly on board. We are aligned with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Health Care Guidelines for Cruise Ship Medical Facilities throughout our fleet. Our onboard teams can manage a spectrum of medical situations ranging from routine general practice cases and medical emergencies to those requiring intensive care. Our medical resources include the ability to perform X-rays, cardiac monitoring, pulmonary ventilation, and medical laboratory devices to assist with the prompt diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Public health and communicable disease control: Most ships in our fleet have a dedicated Public Health Officer (PHO), with others receiving support from travelling PHOs. Their role is to ensure compliance with all MSC public health procedures and the health authority requirements in the jurisdictions in which their ship operates.

Public health

Public health, Sustainability | MSC Cruises

Employee Welfare, Training and Development

Most initial training of onboard employees occurs at our dedicated crew training facilities around the world allowing training in simulated settings with the same equipment as found on our ships.

Our employees also use our extensive library of eLearning materials which include e-books, audio learning and recorded classroom sessions.  

With complex technical equipment onboard, deck and engine teams go through comprehensive technical training and certification, in accordance with all applicable national and international rules and regulations and in compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Whether they work on the Bridge, the engine room, in hospitality, or in a supporting role onshore, all our people receive the training they require to allow them to do an exceptional job.
 

Employee Welfare, Training and Development

Employee welfare

Diversity and Inclusion

Successful steps have led to increased diversity specifically in the Deck department through engaging new officers of diverse nationalities.
  

Our guest-facing crew are provided with training on cultural awareness and sensitivity to various groups, including people with disabilities. 
 
With 120 nationalities across the business, we have a truly international workforce that represents every creed, colour and background

Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion

Talent acquisition

Our previous crew recruitment strategy was to source crew from as few labour markets as possible to streamline the process of recruitment.

As the pandemic eased, we needed to restart operations rapidly just as companies across the industry were doing the same; this resulted in a crew shortage globally.

 

To improve resilience, we adopted a new strategy in 2022, and now choose to recruit crew from as many countries and regions as possible, including several places where the cruise industry has not historically been a significant employer. As a result, we have significantly increased the geographical spread of our workforce, while also contributing to the diversification of local economies by offering a new or additional source of employment.

Talent acquisition

Talent aquisition, Sustainability | MSC Cruises

sustainability reports

Our sustainability strategy is organized around four key pillars: Planet, People, Place and Procurement
Browse our Sustainability reports and find out what are our actions and goals to achieve sustainable cruising.