MSC Cruises document outlines stricter early-resignation rules for crew
Repatriation costs would vary by notice period, while departures during designated blackout dates would remain fully employee-funded.
MSC Cruises has reportedly introduced stricter terms for crew members who resign and leave a vessel before completing their contracts, according to an internal policy document.
Under the document’s cost schedule, employees departing within 10 days of resigning must pay all repatriation expenses. The employee share falls to 66.6% for departures after 11 to 19 days and 33.3% after 20 to 29 days. MSC covers the expenses when departure occurs after 30 days.
The document also states that crew leaving during designated blackout periods must cover all repatriation costs regardless of notice. Those periods include December 15 through January 15, Carnival week, major holiday periods, and July 15 through August 31.
Crew members who voluntarily resign would be classified as former employees and would not qualify for future employment with MSC Cruises, according to the document. It reportedly does not specify whether exceptions apply for medical emergencies, serious family matters, compassionate reasons, or other justified circumstances.
The described resignation process requires a crew member to submit an onboard Change in Contract Period request through the HR officer or director. The department head and ship master must approve it before the crew purser forwards the documentation to the relevant crew HR coordinator and begins disembarkation processing. Separately, MSC’s public crew-welfare information describes compassionate leave for immediate-family situations, including paid travel home, two weeks of unpaid leave, and the option to remain home until ready to return.
