American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line in the United States, is looking to add Hotel General Managers to our shipboard team for our 2026 season. American Cruise Lines only operates within the United States and has no more than 200 passenger vessels that create a one-of-a-kind small ship experience. With newly constructed vessels being added to our fleet, it is a great opportunity to join our shipboard management team.
The Hotel General Manager is the senior hotel officer who is responsible for managing the daily guest experience through hospitality, customer service, housekeeping, and food service operations on the ship. The Hotel General Manager supervises and evaluates the shipboard hotel management team and is the primary representative of American Cruise Lines to the guests.
The Hotel General Manager ensures all shipboard employees follow approved company procedures including service standards for dining, culinary, housekeeping, shore excursions, onboard enrichment, guest services, crew morale, and training. The Hotel General Manager is responsible for service excellence and superior guest satisfaction, which is a critical measure of success. The Hotel General Manager is accountable for the performance of all Hotel Department crew members, particularly the Hotel Officers and Executive Chef. The Hotel General Manager is expected to provide gracious hospitality to the guests while being safe, courteous, professional, and efficient.
At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values—Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.
Responsibilities:
- Supervise the Assistant Hotel Manager, Housekeeping Manager, Restaurant Manager, Cruise Director, Excursions Director, Executive Chef & Guest Service Coordinator.
- Hold officers and crew accountable to American Cruise Lines’ standards.
- Comply with American Cruise Lines’ Operations Manual, service standards, and procedures.
- Responsible for assessing the management team and providing immediate corrective feedback.
- Anticipate the needs of guests and crew.
- Respond quickly to guest requests and ensure follow-up.
- Identify and resolve problems immediately and request home office support as needed.
- Ability to speak and present in front of all guests in person using a microphone.
- Management presence during meals services, cocktail hour, and onboard events.
- Oversee food service and culinary operations for guests and crew to include food quality, presentation, service, and timely delivery.
- Ensure Chefs are following approved menus and recipes.
- Oversee crew orientation, scheduling, crew appearance uniform standards, and discipline.
- Lead and direct ship officers in achieving weekly sales goals.
- Maintain impeccable cleanliness in passenger areas and ensure all housekeeping standards are followed.
- Manage shipboard business transactions, accounting, timecards, and home office reporting.
- Responsible for managing all hotel and food inventories.
- Work with the Executive Chef to ensure food and hotel supplies are ordered and received timely.
- Complete daily ship inspection with Mate & Assistant Hotel Manager to generate daily work list and follow up to ensure tasks are completed.
- Create positive crew experiences.
- Coordinate all staff to create specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic game plans in order to provide our guests with a memorable cruise on each of our itineraries.
- Perform bartending duties as needed with other management personnel.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- 3+ years of hotel or food and beverage management experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in business or hospitality management is preferred.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
- Willing to live and work aboard the ship.
- Optimism and a hardworking drive to succeed.
- Cruise industry experience not required.
- Ability to meet moderate physical demands, including lifting, bending, climbing, and long periods of walking or standing.
- Ability to satisfactorily pass US Coast Guard regulated pre-employment drug test and periodic consortium testing. This includes testing for marijuana and other controlled substances.
- Available to travel and work a flexible schedule including 14 to 15 hour days for six to eight weeks at a time.
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.
Work Schedule:
- 7 Days per week while onboard the ship.
- 6-8 weeks working onboard / 1-2 weeks off.
- This is a full-time, exempt position.
Essential Functions:
- Ships experience forces from wind, waves, and currents, prompting them to exhibit six distinct motions known as ship motions. The six motions are surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw. This position requires the ability to live and satisfactorily perform job duties in an environment that is subject to constant motion.
- Ability to work around 12 hours per day.
- Ability to assist in the event of an on-board emergency by quickly climbing up a ladder, opening, and passing through a 20” diameter hatch.
- Ability to stand for your entire shift.
- Ability to frequently lift up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to frequently bend, squat and reach.
- Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time.
- Ability to use stairs frequently.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Competitive daily rate.
- Health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match.
- Continuous growth in the company.
- Covered Expenses: American Cruise Lines provides travel, room and board, uniforms, and training.
Applicant Acknowledgment
By proceeding to apply for the above position, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the description of the job position for which I am applying, I agree that it accurately reflects the essential functions of the position, and I represent that I can complete the essential functions of the position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
American Cruise Lines is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. American Cruise Lines bases all employment decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to protected characteristics, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin and citizenship, age (40 and over), disability (including perceived disability), generic information, military service, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment and employment decisions, including, but not limited to, hiring, selection, job assignment, training, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, and access to benefits.
*Job sites across the nation.
**This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you willing to live and work onboard a ship? Y/N
- Are you a U.S. citizen or green card holder currently residing in the U.S.?
Experience:
- Hotel management: 3 years (Preferred)
- Restaurant management: 2 years (Preferred)
Work Location: On the road
