Captain

American Cruise Lines; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with match

Travel and training expenses covered

Job summary

A premier river cruise company is seeking experienced Captains to lead their U.S. flag fleet. Captains will ensure safe vessel operations and represent the company professionally. Responsibilities include managing passenger safety and supervising crew. The role requires a U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license and a minimum of 2 years of captain experience. This full-time position offers a competitive compensation package with health benefits and onboard accommodations.

Qualifications

• Min 2 years of captain experience on coastal and river waterways, preferred 5 years with Z-drive experience.
• Pre-employment drug test and continual participation in random testing.
• Great Lakes Captain with route familiarization in St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security of passengers, crew, and vessel.
• Operate the vessel in compliance with company and regulatory standards.
• Supervise and lead deck officers.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Team-building skills

Education

U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license (minimum 100T)

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

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.
• Coordinate 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: 6 weeks on / 3 weeks off or 4 weeks on / 4 weeks off. Additional work periods may be possible during winter months aboard the few vessels operating or repositioning year-round.
• This is a full-time, exempt position.

Qualifications

• U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license: minimum 100T, desired 1600T or greater.
• 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.

Job Disclaimer

*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.