I worked for MSC for three years. It is sort of true that you can sail as much as you want with them, the truth is you will sail more than you want to. MSC, never has enough mates, so what ends up happening is that you never get relieved on time. I was three months over due for a relief one time and missed a wedding because of their lack of reliefs. Don’t believe them if they tell you the problem has been fixed, they claimed that while I was a cadet with them and later when I was actually employed by them.<br><br>On the other hand, the work isn’t bad. You will do things that you will never ever do on a regular commercial ship, you do get more port time than commercial (At least that was the case 3 years ago), and the ships are in fairly good shape. MSC is good for your first company, upgrade your license, see some the world, make some money, and then get the hell out. <br><br>As far as unions, MSC is represented by MMP. AMO is crooked, with lower wages, although they have more jobs than MEBA or MMP. MMP is a great union if you are a captain with a B book, I don’t have any friends that still sail with them, the old guys have that union locked down and getting a job is difficult. MEBA has worked well for several people I know and they all felt that it was pretty well run and decent to work for. When you get out of school you will probably work for all three at some point in your career. Nobody admits it publicly, but that is what usually happens.