Restaurant Manager - 2026

Restaurant Manager

American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line in the United States, is looking to add Restaurant Managers to our shipboard team for our 2026 season. American Cruise Lines only operates within the United States and has no more than 200 passenger vessels that create a one-of-a-kind small ship experience. With newly constructed vessels being added to our fleet, it is a great opportunity to join our shipboard management team.

The Restaurant Manager (RM) supervises the daily restaurant and room service operations. The RM is responsible for managing all Dining Stewards to ensure that all company service standards and procedures are followed consistently. Overall Dining Room guest satisfaction is each Restaurant Manager’s responsibility and a critical measure of success. The RM determines training needs and implements the daily training plan. The RM is expected to provide gracious hospitality to the guests while being safe, courteous, professional, and efficient. The Restaurant Manager reports to the Assistant Hotel Manager.

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

• Supervises the Dining Stewards during meal services, cocktail hour, tea service, room service, evening entertainment, and late-night duties.

• Managers service delivery to provide excellent service from first impression, greeting, speed of order taking, speed of service delivery, quality of service delivery, and last impression.

• Provides timely delivery of food and beverage to guests.

• Provides quality delivery of food served hot or cold.

• Provides attentive service to guests.

• Manages dining stewards’ schedule and approves overtime.

• Provides leadership and serves as a role model for Dining Stewards.

• Communicates and ensures delivery of all dietary requests, special requests, celebrations, anniversaries, birthdays, and other guest requirements.

• Provides feedback and communication to Executive Chef on the quality of food.

• Understands and demonstrates strong knowledge of American Cruise Lines’ dining service standards, work duties, and procedures.

• Holds Dining Stewards accountable to American Cruise Lines’ standards.

• Ensures safe food handling practices in accordance with FDA regulations and American Cruise Lines’ standards.

• Plans and execute the daily training sessions based on service deficiencies observed, guest feedback, and the direction of the Training Department.

• Provides continual on-the-job training to the Dining Stewards.

• Assesses all phases of the dining experience, including pre and post meal processes.

• Provides immediate and direct performance feedback to the Dining Stewards.

• Monitors guest satisfaction during meal services and respond quickly to requests.

• Identifies service problems; resolves immediately; and informs / requests support from the Hotel Manager, as needed.

• Oversees meal service and culinary expediting with special attention to food quality, presentation, service quality, and timeliness.

• Collaborates with Executive Chef for meal services.

• Oversees new Dining Stewards shipboard orientation.

• Maintains proper food and hotel inventories.

• Completes daily dining room inspection and generate cleaning and maintenance lists.

• Strives to improve employee retention.

• Participates in achieving weekly sales goals.

• Perform bartending duties as needed with other management personnel

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management or related field is preferred.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications.

• Minimum 2 years management experience in a restaurant, banquet, or bar operation.

• Strong organizational skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills (English).

• Available to travel and work a flexible schedule including long days for extended periods of time.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

• US Coast Guard regulated pre-employment drug test.

• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Attributes for Success

• Ability to motivate, train, and assess individual and team performance.

• Superior time management.

• Ability to manage and solve problems.

• Sense of urgency in all guests, crew, and home office requests.

• Positive attitude and receptive to continuous performance feedback.

Work Schedule

• 7 Days per week while onboard the ship.

• 6 to 8 weeks working / 1-2 weeks off.

• 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 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.‎

*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.