Captain

American Cruise Lines; Cape Girardeau (MO); On-site; USD 129,000 - 203,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with match

Travel, room and board covered

Bridge simulator-based training

Job summary

American Cruise Lines seeks experienced Captains to lead our U.S. flag fleet. The role involves safe vessel operations across inland and coastal routes and representing the company with professional leadership.

Captains are master mariners with piloting experience in challenging waterways and will oversee deck officers and shipboard engineers. We offer comfortable onboard accommodations, chef‑prepared meals, and access to an advanced bridge simulator for rigorous training and development.

Qualifications

• US Coast Guard Master's license with Near Coastal endorsement (1600 GRT+ preferred).
• Captain experience on coastal and river waterways; minimum 2 years, 5+ years preferred.
• Excellent communication and team-building skills; pre-employment drug testing.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security of passengers, crew, and vessel.
• Operate the vessel in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Lead and develop deck officers and oversee shipboard engineering activities.
• Maintain logs, reports, and administrative records.
• Provide visible leadership through announcements and guest interaction.

Skills

Coastal navigation experience

River navigation experience

Leadership & crew development

Excellent communication

Education

US Coast Guard Master's license (100 GRT with Near Coastal endorsement; 1600 GRT+ preferred)

TWIC credential

Job description

American Cruise Lines seeks experienced Captains to lead our U.S. flag fleet. American Cruise Lines cruise along inland and coastal waterways, including the East Coast, Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers. American Cruise Lines modern vessels accommodate 100 to 200 guests designed for safe navigation and exceptional service.

Captains are responsible for safe vessel operations, adherence to company and regulatory standards, and representing the company as a professional leader. American Cruise Lines Captains are master mariners with firsthand piloting experience in challenging coastal and river waterways. Captains are meticulous professionals, in service to our guests and as examples to our crews.

Captains enjoy comfortable onboard accommodations and chef prepared meals. American Cruise Lines operates our own bridge simulator, enabling rigorous recurrent training and development focused on critical decision-making and advanced piloting skills. American Cruise Lines recruits and retains the best professional mariners in the industry.

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

Ensure safety and security of passengers, crew, and vessel.

Operate the vessel in compliance with company and regulatory standards.

Execute prudent maneuvering, docking, locking, and anchoring.

Conduct daily inspections of all vessel spaces.

Supervise, lead, and develop deck officers.

Oversee Shipboard Engineer.

Coordinates major engineering repairs with port engineers.

Support hotel and culinary teams in delivering five-star guest service.

Maintain logs, reports, and administrative records.

Provide visible leadership through announcements, rounds, and guest interaction.

Work Schedule

• Typical March through November Cruise Season: 4 weeks on / 4 weeks off, some routes 6 weeks on / 3 weeks off depending on fleet needs .
• This is a full-time, exempt position.

Qualifications

• U.S. Coast Guard Master's license: minimum 100 GRT with Near Coastal endorsement; 1,600 GRT or greater preferred.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
• Captain experience on coastal and river waterways: min 2yrs, desired 5yrs with Z-drive experience.
• Excellent communication skills and team-building skills.
• Pre-employment drug test and continual participation in random testing.
• Great Lakes Captain: Route familiarization and recency in all or several areas including: St. Lawrence Seaway, Welland Canal, St. Mary's River, and U.S. port routes in Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

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.
• Access to advanced simulator-based training.
• Covered Expenses: American Cruise Lines provides travel, room and board, uniforms, and training.

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.