Shipboard Hotel GM — Guest Experience Leader

American Cruise Lines; Chester (IL); On-site; USD 111,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with match

Travel and housing provided

Job summary

American Cruise Lines is seeking a Hotel General Manager to lead shipboard hotel operations and guest services for the 2026 season. You will supervise hotel teams, ensure dining, housekeeping, and guest services meet standards, and partner with Executive Chef to maintain quality and timeliness across all shipboard functions.

The role demands long hours aboard, strong leadership, and a focus on safety and hospitality excellence to deliver memorable voyages along the U.S. coastline.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hotel or food and beverage management experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Willing to live and work aboard the ship.
• Optimism and a hardworking drive to succeed.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the Assistant Hotel Manager, Housekeeping Manager, Restaurant Manager, Cruise Director, Excursions Director, Executive Chef & Guest Service Coordinator.
• Hold officers and crew accountable to American Cruise Lines’ standards.
• Comply with American Cruise Lines’ Operations Manual, service standards, and procedures.
• Responsible for assessing the management team and providing immediate corrective feedback.
• Anticipate the needs of guests and crew.
• Respond quickly to guest requests and ensure follow-up.
• Identify and resolve problems immediately and request home office support as needed.
• Ability to speak and present in front of all guests in person using a microphone.
• Management presence during meals services, cocktail hour, and onboard events.
• Oversee food service and culinary operations for guests and crew to include food quality, presentation, service, and timely delivery.
• Ensure Chefs are following approved menus and recipes.
• Oversee crew orientation, scheduling, crew appearance uniform standards, and discipline.
• Lead and direct ship officers in achieving weekly sales goals.
• Maintain impeccable cleanliness in passenger areas and ensure all housekeeping standards are followed.
• Manage shipboard business transactions, accounting, timecards, and home office reporting.
• Responsible for managing all hotel and food inventories.
• Work with the Executive Chef to ensure food and hotel supplies are ordered and received timely.
• Complete daily ship inspection with Mate & Assistant Hotel Manager to generate daily work list and follow up to ensure tasks are completed.
• Create positive crew experiences.
• Coordinate all staff to create specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic game plans in order to provide our guests with a memorable cruise on each of our itineraries.
• Perform bartending duties as needed with other management personnel.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Hotel management

Leadership

Customer service

Team supervision

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business or hospitality management is preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

American Cruise Lines is seeking a Hotel General Manager to lead shipboard hotel operations and guest services for the 2026 season. You will supervise hotel teams, ensure dining, housekeeping, and guest services meet standards, and partner with Executive Chef to maintain quality and timeliness across all shipboard functions.

The role demands long hours aboard, strong leadership, and a focus on safety and hospitality excellence to deliver memorable voyages along the U.S. coastline.