Job Overview
Employment Type
Full-time
Work Schedule
Standard Hours
Job Description
American Cruise Lines is the largest cruise line operating exclusively within the United States, renowned for offering an intimate and unique small-ship experience along the country’s most iconic rivers. Their fleet includes modern riverboats and classic paddlewheelers that carry no more than 200 guests, ensuring a personalized and memorable journey. With a growing fleet of newly constructed vessels, American Cruise Lines continues to expand its reach, providing numerous opportunities for talented professionals to contribute to the industry. The company prides itself on delivering exceptional service and aims to share America’s story through its voyages on the finest American ships. Their values—optimism, commitment, patriotism, and merit—are deeply embedded in the culture, service, and people of the organization.
The Sous Chef role at American Cruise Lines for the 2026 season is a critical part of their culinary team. This position offers the chance to work aboard some of the country’s premier river cruise vessels, playing a direct role in crafting outstanding culinary experiences for a discerning clientele. The Sous Chef works closely with the Executive Chef and other kitchen staff to produce diverse and flavorful menus that feature fresh, locally inspired ingredients. The role involves overseeing food preparation and presentation during breakfast, lunch, and dinner services in the main restaurant, café, buffet, and hors d’oeuvres offerings, ensuring consistent, world-class culinary excellence throughout the vessel.
This position requires a culinary professional with extensive experience in high-volume, full-service resort, hotel, or cruise ship environments. The Sous Chef must be adept in food safety standards, be an effective leader, and maintain discipline and order within the kitchen. Responsibilities include managing kitchen operations, producing high quality dishes according to established menus, accommodating guest dietary requests, and enforcing hygiene and food safety protocols with utmost priority. The role demands working efficiently under pressure, multitasking, maintaining composure, and collaborating seamlessly with the culinary team to uphold high guest satisfaction scores.
American Cruise Lines offers a competitive daily rate and comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision insurance, and a 401(k) plan with company matching. Additionally, travel, room and board, uniforms, and training expenses are covered, ensuring the team is well supported. The working schedule involves seven days per week onboard with intervals of 6 to 8 weeks aboard followed by 1 to 2 weeks off. This full-time, exempt position requires the ability to live and perform job duties under the physical conditions unique to shipboard environments, including enduring continuous ship motions, frequently lifting, standing for long hours, and managing emergency scenarios onboard.
Overall, the Sous Chef position at American Cruise Lines represents an excellent opportunity for culinary professionals passionate about delivering unparalleled dining experiences while embarking on adventures aboard some of America’s finest vessels. The company’s commitment to quality, authenticity, and excellence creates a rewarding workplace culture driven by respect, teamwork, and dedication to sharing America’s heritage through exceptional service and cuisine.
The Sous Chef role at American Cruise Lines for the 2026 season is a critical part of their culinary team. This position offers the chance to work aboard some of the country’s premier river cruise vessels, playing a direct role in crafting outstanding culinary experiences for a discerning clientele. The Sous Chef works closely with the Executive Chef and other kitchen staff to produce diverse and flavorful menus that feature fresh, locally inspired ingredients. The role involves overseeing food preparation and presentation during breakfast, lunch, and dinner services in the main restaurant, café, buffet, and hors d’oeuvres offerings, ensuring consistent, world-class culinary excellence throughout the vessel.
This position requires a culinary professional with extensive experience in high-volume, full-service resort, hotel, or cruise ship environments. The Sous Chef must be adept in food safety standards, be an effective leader, and maintain discipline and order within the kitchen. Responsibilities include managing kitchen operations, producing high quality dishes according to established menus, accommodating guest dietary requests, and enforcing hygiene and food safety protocols with utmost priority. The role demands working efficiently under pressure, multitasking, maintaining composure, and collaborating seamlessly with the culinary team to uphold high guest satisfaction scores.
American Cruise Lines offers a competitive daily rate and comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision insurance, and a 401(k) plan with company matching. Additionally, travel, room and board, uniforms, and training expenses are covered, ensuring the team is well supported. The working schedule involves seven days per week onboard with intervals of 6 to 8 weeks aboard followed by 1 to 2 weeks off. This full-time, exempt position requires the ability to live and perform job duties under the physical conditions unique to shipboard environments, including enduring continuous ship motions, frequently lifting, standing for long hours, and managing emergency scenarios onboard.
Overall, the Sous Chef position at American Cruise Lines represents an excellent opportunity for culinary professionals passionate about delivering unparalleled dining experiences while embarking on adventures aboard some of America’s finest vessels. The company’s commitment to quality, authenticity, and excellence creates a rewarding workplace culture driven by respect, teamwork, and dedication to sharing America’s heritage through exceptional service and cuisine.
Job Requirements
- Minimum 3 years of culinary experience
- ServSafe Manager Certification strongly preferred
- Familiar with food safety standards
- Problem solving skills
- Self-motivation
- Organization
- Effective leadership skills
- Time management
- Excellent oral communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Ability to pass pre-employment drug test
- Successful completion of criminal background check
- Training and teaching experience
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- Ability to perform essential job functions with or without accommodation
Job Qualifications
- Minimum 3 years of culinary experience in full-service resort, hotel, or cruise ship
- ServSafe Manager Certification strongly preferred
- Familiar with food safety standards
- Must possess problem solving skills, self-motivation, and organization
- An effective leader who can effectively control time management
- Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills
- Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test
- Complete criminal background check
- Training and teaching experience
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation
Job Duties
- Work directly with the Executive Chef to produce diversified menus for our guests using fresh ingredients
- Work directly overseeing the culinary team to produce delicious and presentable café, buffet, and hors d’oeuvres food, maintaining high guest scores in these areas
- Ensure the same level of world class culinary skill and presentation served in the main restaurant is consistent with all food served throughout the ship
- Organize the work in the kitchen so that kitchen processes run efficiently
- Produce high quality dishes that follow the established menu choices
- Adhere to all guest dietary requests
- Maintain order and discipline in the kitchen during work hours
- Make sure that the 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
Job Criteria
Experience
Mid Level (3-7 years)
Job Location
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