Cook

American Cruise Lines; Beaufort (SC); On-site; USD 33,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Travel, room and board provided

Job summary

American Cruise Lines seeks qualified cooks to join our shipboard team for the 2026 season on America's rivers. You will assist in breakfast, lunch and dinner preparation, working with the culinary team to provide a first‑class dining experience using fresh regional ingredients.

Ideal candidates have at least two years of full‑service cooking experience, knowledge of food safety, and strong teamwork skills. This role requires living aboard and includes travel and meals provided by the company.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of culinary experience in full-service settings such as resorts or hotels.
• Experience cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a high-volume kitchen.
• Familiarity with food safety standards and hygiene practices.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and self-motivation skills.
• Effective leadership and time-management abilities.
• Excellent oral and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with the Executive Chef/Sous Chef to prepare diversified meals from fresh ingredients.
• Organize workload to ensure kitchen processes run efficiently.
• Produce high-quality dishes following established menu choices.
• Adhere to guests' dietary requests.
• Maintain order and discipline in the kitchen during shifts.
• Ensure hygiene and food safety standards throughout all stages of preparation.
• Prepare meals quickly and consistently with quality.
• Enforce food safety standards across operations.
• Communicate clearly with coworkers to support service.

Skills

Culinary experience

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner cooking

Food safety knowledge

Team collaboration

Onboard kitchen experience

Job description

American Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line in the United States, is looking to add Cooks to our shipboard team for the 2026 season on America's rivers. Our shipboard team supports a combined fleet of ships sailing through various itineraries across the nation from contemporary riverboats to paddlewheel queens for a steamboat experience.

Our Cooks are involved with all aspects of food production including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You will work closely with other members of the culinary team every day to ensure that the kitchen operations run smoothly and that all service provided to our guests is flawless. We make it a top priority to offer a first‑class dining experience at every meal. Exceptional cuisine is prepared by cooks who have extensive culinary credentials and training from some of the most prestigious culinary institutes. Using only the freshest ingredients, menus are inspired by regional and local specialties. Your goal will be to utilize the ingredients provided to create a unique array of delicious dishes.

While living onboard, our Chefs enjoy comfortable living quarters and a challenging culinary working environment. Our galleys are well equipped with a spectacular view.

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

• Work directly with the Executive Chef/Sous Chef to produce diversified meals for our guests based off of the fresh ingredients.
• Organize your workload in the kitchen so that kitchen processes run efficiently.
• Produce high-quality dishes that follow up the established menu choices.
• Adhere to all the guests’ dietary requests.
• Maintain order and discipline in the kitchen during work hours.
• Ensure that hygiene and food safety standards are placed as a top priority throughout all stages of food preparation.
• Ensure that all meals are prepared as quickly and deliciously as possible.
• Enforce food and safety standards.
• Communication with coworkers is imperative to all meal services.

Qualifications

Minimum 2 years of culinary experience in full-service resort, hotel, country club or full-service restaurant.

Must have experience cooking breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Familiar with food safety standards.

Possess problem solving skills, organizational skills, and self-motivation.

An effective leader who can effectively control time management.

Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to pass a pre-employment drug test.

Ability to complete a criminal background check.

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 weeks working with 2 weeks of unpaid vacation.

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 multi-task, take direction, and be a team player.

Ability to work with composure under pressure.

Ability to speak, read, and understand basic cooking recipes and adhere to directions.

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.
• 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.

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**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.