Lead Captain - Scenic Cruise Ships (4w on/4w off)

American Cruise Lines; Island (KY); On-site; USD 148,000 - 258,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Travel, room & board

Advanced simulator training

Job summary

American Cruise Lines seeks experienced Captains to lead our U.S. flag fleet, operating on inland and coastal waterways. Captains are master mariners with piloting experience in coastal and river routes, ensuring safety, orderly navigation, and exceptional guest service.

We provide simulator-based training, onboard accommodations with meals, and a culture built on Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism and Merit as we Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.

Qualifications

• U.S. Coast Guard Master’s license: 100 GRT with Near Coastal endorsement; 1,600 GRT+ preferred.
• TWIC credential mandatory.
• Captain experience on coastal and river waterways: min 2 yrs, 5 yrs with Z-drive desired.
• Excellent communication skills and team-building abilities.
• Pre-employment drug test and ongoing random testing.

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 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.

Skills

Master’s license

TWIC

Coastal & river captain

Strong communication

Team leadership

Job description

American Cruise Lines seeks experienced Captains to lead our U.S. flag fleet, operating on inland and coastal waterways. Captains are master mariners with piloting experience in coastal and river routes, ensuring safety, orderly navigation, and exceptional guest service.

We provide simulator-based training, onboard accommodations with meals, and a culture built on Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism and Merit as we Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.