Housekeeper

American Cruise Lines; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 46,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel and living expenses covered

Uniforms provided

Training provided

Meals/room on board

Job summary

American Cruise Lines, the largest U.S. cruise company, seeks Housekeepers for the 2026 season to work onboard our ships in a shipboard hotel environment. This temporary role runs for up to 28 weeks, delivering outstanding hospitality and representing our brand with pride.

You will clean and maintain guest areas, assist with events and guest requests, and live and work aboard a vessel during the contract period. Training, uniforms, and meals are provided, with competitive weekly pay.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• U.S. citizen or Green Card holder.
• Pre-employment drug testing required by law.
• Grooming standards apply (tattoos/piercings).

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a clean, safe, attractive guest environment.
• Prioritize comfort and cleanliness of staterooms, facilities, and common areas.
• Acknowledge guests by name and handle inquiries per service standards.
• Vacuum, sweep, and mop floors.
• Organize inventory and stock linen and supplies.
• Clean spills with appropriate equipment and notify maintenance if needed.
• Collect and dispose of trash; clean upholstered furniture and lounges.
• Engage guests kindly and respond to housekeeping requests efficiently.
• May assist with embarkation greetings and special events.

Skills

Hospitality experience

Customer service

Job description

American Cruise Lines, the largest U.S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America’s rivers and coasts. We’re hiring Housekeepers for the 2026 season. You’ll work in our shipboard hotel providing outstanding hospitality and serving as a proud representative of our brand. This is a temporary position where we challenge you to work onboard for 28 weeks.

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

• Responsible for creating and maintaining an environment that is clean, safe, and attractive for our guests.
• Prioritizing comfort and cleanliness of staterooms, facilities, and common areas around the ship.
• Acknowledge guests by name and kindly take action for all housekeeping-related inquiries and service requests according to American Cruise Lines’ service standards.
• Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping floors.
• Organizing inventory and stocking linen and supplies.
• Carefully cleaning up spills with appropriate equipment and notifying managers of necessary maintenance requests.
• Collecting and disposing of trash.
• Properly cleaning upholstered furniture and lounge spaces.
• Creating genuine relationships with our guests and catering to all housekeeping requests in an efficient manner.
• In addition to the routine housekeeping duties, Housekeepers may be required to perform other functions, such as greeting guests upon embarkation, and helping during special events including but not limited to afternoon tea and snacks and participate in evening cocktail parties.

Highlights

• Pay: Wages range from $1,000 to $1,400 per week with additional bonuses. With all major living expenses covered aboard, you have an extraordinary chance to save your earnings.
• Hospitality Experience: This is an introductory position to the cruise industry and a strong foundation for a career in hospitality.
• Covered Expenses: American Cruise Lines provides travel, room and board, uniforms, and training.
• Travel the Country: We have over 50 itineraries, spanning over 35 states in America.
• Crew Connections: Create lifelong memories and relationships with fellow crew members and guests from all over the country.

Qualifications

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and an American citizen or Green Card holder. You must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Under Federal Law and the Department of Transportation, we are required to pre-employment drug test all shipboard employees which includes testing for Marijuana and other controlled substances. To provide safe and conscientious service to our guests, the consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited. All shipboard employees also have emergency and safety functions essential to the safe operation of the ship that are included in your training.

American Cruise Lines has grooming standards that include limitations on visible tattoos and piercings. This is a temporary employment position not to extend beyond 28 weeks of shipboard work. We encourage you to utilize the skills you develop to apply for management positions within American Cruise Lines, but such positions cannot be expected and are not guaranteed.

Successful individuals work well under pressure, keep composure and have a positive attitude. The talent and dedication of American Cruise Lines’ employees have made us America's Leading Small Ship Cruise Line.

Work Schedule

• 7 days per week while onboard the ship, for up to 28 weeks.
• This is a temporary position with no guarantee of future employment.
• This is a full-time, nonexempt 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.

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.