A cruise ship kitchen is a world of its own. Every day it feeds thousands of people — guests in the dining rooms, families at the buffet, crew in the mess — three times a day, seven days a week, while the ship is moving. Costa Cruises, the Italian cruise line based in Genoa, hires cooks and kitchen helpers to keep that operation running, and for someone who enjoys cooking and does not mind hard physical work, it is one of the most practical ways to work in Italy and see the world at the same time.

The job itself depends on the role you are hired for. A cook works on a station in the galley: preparing vegetables, grilling, working the pasta or pizza station, or plating dishes for service. A kitchen helper, sometimes called an assistant cook, keeps the station running — washing and cutting ingredients, cleaning worktops and equipment, carrying supplies, and washing dishes and pots. The busiest hours are the same every day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner service, with preparation work in between.

Life on board is different from a land job. You live on the ship in a shared cabin, and your meals are included. Travel to and from the port is arranged by the company, so you do not have to sort out your own flights or transfers. Contracts usually run for several months at sea, followed by time off at home, and the working day is long — the galley does not close while guests are eating. The upside is real: you save most of what you earn because food and accommodation are covered, and the ship visits ports across the Mediterranean and beyond.

What do you need to get hired? For a cook, the employer looks for real kitchen experience — a year or two in a restaurant, hotel, or catering kitchen — and the ability to work fast and clean under pressure. For a kitchen helper or assistant cook, formal experience matters less; what counts is willingness to work hard, follow hygiene rules, and learn quickly. A food hygiene certificate helps for either role, and any culinary training is a plus. You should also be in good physical health: the work means long hours on your feet, lifting heavy pots, and working in a hot kitchen.

Language is one of the first things applicants ask about. English is needed, because the crew comes from many countries and English is the working language on board. Italian is a plus, worth learning if you plan to stay, because Costa is an Italian company and many senior chefs speak Italian. You do not need to be fluent to apply, but even basic Italian shows you are serious.

There is one requirement that surprises first-time applicants: shipboard crew need basic safety training before joining. This is the STCW basic safety training, the international standard for seafarers, covering personal survival, fire prevention and firefighting, first aid, and personal safety. If you do not already hold it, ask the employer or a recognised maritime training centre how to get it. Do not pay a stranger or an agent for a certificate.

The work permit route matters most for applicants outside the European Union. Non-EU applicants need an Italian work permit, and for this kind of seasonal and contract work that usually means the annual Decreto Flussi quota — the yearly quota the Italian government sets for non-EU workers. The employer sponsors the permit, but places are limited and the timing follows the government's annual process, so apply early. Nobody can promise you a permit, and nobody should ask you to pay for one.

Pay is the question every applicant asks, and no figure is given here because none was verified. Cruise ship pay for cooks and kitchen helpers varies with experience, the role, and the length of the contract. Meals and accommodation are included on board, so your living costs while at sea are low and most crew save a large share of what they earn. Check the salary on the job posting itself before you decide.

So how do you apply? The only safe way is through the employer's own careers page. Costa Cruises hires Chef & Kitchen Staff and assistant cooks through its official careers portal. Visit the Costa Cruises careers portal — the only external link here — and search for kitchen roles. Create a profile, upload your CV, and apply for the role that matches your experience. Shortlisted candidates are usually interviewed by video. Never pay anyone for a job, a contract, or a visa.

Frequently asked questions

What does a kitchen helper do on a cruise ship?
A kitchen helper supports the cooks: washing and cutting ingredients, cleaning worktops and equipment, carrying supplies, and washing pots and dishes. It is physical, fast work, and the usual starting point for a shipboard kitchen career.

Do I need to speak Italian to work for Costa Cruises?
English is needed, because it is the working language on board. Italian is a plus, not a must, and some basic Italian will help you in the job.

What is STCW training, and do I need it?
STCW basic safety training is the international safety standard for seafarers, covering survival, firefighting, first aid, and personal safety. Shipboard crew need it before joining.

How does the work permit work for non-EU applicants?
Non-EU applicants need an Italian work permit, usually under the annual Decreto Flussi quota. The employer sponsors the permit, places are limited — apply early, and never pay anyone for a visa.

Where do I apply?
Apply only through the employer's own careers page. Search the Costa Cruises careers portal for Chef & Kitchen Staff or assistant cook roles, and never pay anyone for a job or a visa.

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