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Cruise Waitress Jobs (NOW HIRING)

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Morehead City, NC · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Annapolis, MD · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Ketchikan, AK

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Port Canaveral, FL

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Key West, FL · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Morehead City, NC

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Tacoma, WA

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Providence, RI

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Tampa, FL · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Florence, AL · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Seattle, WA

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Haines, AK · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Biloxi, MS · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Port Angeles, WA · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Juneau, AK · On-site

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Portland, OR

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

American Cruise Lines

Waiter

Pittsburgh, PA

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant providing ...

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Cruise Waitress information

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$6

$15

$28

How much do cruise waitress jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for cruise waitress in the United States is $15.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $11.54 and $16.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a cruise waitress?

Cruise waitresses are hospitality professionals who serve food and beverages to passengers on cruise ships. They work in the ship’s dining rooms, buffets, bars, and sometimes in room service, ensuring that guests have a pleasant dining experience. Their responsibilities include taking orders, delivering meals, addressing guest needs, and maintaining cleanliness and service standards. Cruise waitresses also work as part of a larger hospitality team and may assist with special events or themed nights on board.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a cruise waitress?

To thrive as a Cruise Waitress, you need experience in food and beverage service, basic hospitality knowledge, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with point-of-sale (POS) systems, safety procedures, and sometimes STCW certification for maritime safety is typically required. Exceptional communication, teamwork, and a friendly demeanor are crucial soft skills for creating positive guest experiences in a multicultural environment. These abilities ensure efficient service, customer satisfaction, and adherence to safety standards in the unique setting of a cruise ship.

What are some unique challenges cruise waitresses face compared to land-based restaurant servers?

Cruise waitresses often work longer shifts and serve a much more diverse clientele than those in land-based restaurants, due to the international nature of cruise guests. They must adapt quickly to different cultures, dietary needs, and high standards of service while living and working in close quarters with their team. Additionally, they need to manage seasickness and the physical demands of working on a moving ship. Teamwork and adaptability are especially important, as cruise waitresses collaborate closely with kitchen staff, bartenders, and fellow servers to provide seamless service throughout the voyage.

What is the difference between Cruise Waitress vs Cruise Bartender?

AspectCruise WaitressCruise Bartender
CredentialsFood service certification, hospitality experienceAlcohol service certification, mixology skills
Work EnvironmentDining rooms, passenger service areasBars, lounges, entertainment venues
Industry UsagePassenger dining service on cruise shipsDrink preparation and bar service on cruise ships

Both roles are essential in the cruise industry, focusing on guest service. While a Cruise Waitress primarily serves food and attends to dining guests, a Cruise Bartender specializes in preparing and serving beverages at bars and lounges. Both require hospitality experience and certifications related to food and alcohol service, but their work environments and responsibilities differ within the cruise ship setting.

More about Cruise Waitress jobs

What job categories do people searching Cruise Waitress jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Cruise Waitress jobs are:

Cruise Waitress jobs near you
Infographic showing various Cruise Waitress job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,855 per year, or $15.8 per hour.

Waiter

Morehead City, NC • On-site

American Cruise Lines
Travel Arrangement Services • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about American Cruise Linesexternal

$1.0K - $1.4K/wk

Full-time, Temporary

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Waiter
American Cruise Lines, the largest U.S. cruise company, offers unique experiences exploring America's rivers and coasts. We're hiring Waiters for the 2026 cruising season. You'll work in our shipboard hotel and restaurant 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 providing guests with an elegant and memorable dining experience.
  • Efficiently set-up and break-down breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktail hour including setting tables, arranging linen, silverware, china and glassware.
  • Cater to all culinary requests in an efficient manner.
  • Acknowledge guests by name, escort them to their tables, present food, and beverage menus, suggest particular courses and wines and kindly answer any questions they may have regarding menu items.
  • Efficiently relay orders to the galley, and serve various courses and beverages with care, ensuring that all items look presentable and are properly garnished and decorated before serving.
  • In addition to the routine restaurant duties, Waiters may be required to perform other functions, such as greeting guests upon embarkation, serving afternoon teas and snacks, and cater evening entertainment.

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.
*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.

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