Ship Vessel Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

WHO WE ARE
Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world's most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the "Exhilaration of Discovery".
ABOUT THE ROLE
Our Assistant Chef is also the ship's Baker - a true dual role. You'll work alongside the galley team to prepare fresh meals for guests and crew, while owning the onboard baking: breads, desserts, cookies, and more, made from scratch each day. Beyond baking, you'll handle prep, load stores and provisions, keep the galley clean, and manage dishwashing - the full rhythm of a working expedition kitchen.
Candidates must be genuinely prepared for sustained physical demand in a remote, at-sea environment before applying.
WORK SCHEDULE
Chefs work an average of 12 hours per day, every day, with no days off throughout your 8-week rotation onboard.
LIVING CONDITIONS
Crew quarters are compact and shared - you will bunk with one or two roommates for the full duration of your rotation, with minimal personal space. The vessel operates in remote locations with limited or no port access between expeditions, so cell service and internet may be unavailable for extended periods. You must bring a sufficient supply of any prescription medications, as refills cannot be obtained while underway.
This lifestyle suits people who are adaptable, self-sufficient, and genuinely energized by close-knit team environments and remote travel. If those conditions sound like a challenge rather than an adventure, this may not be the right fit.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is a physically demanding role performed in a moving marine environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and climb steep interior stairs repeatedly throughout a 12-hour shift - including during periods of significant vessel motion. The employee must regularly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds. Work rotates continuously across cabin cleaning, dishwashing, laundry, and food service, often without extended breaks. Work is performed in confined spaces and high-humidity environments including the galley.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Food Preparation
Culinary

• Assists the Head Chef in preparing all guest and crew meals in accordance with Company menu matrix and recipes.
• Cooks and prepares food as a member of the galley staff, with primary responsibility for baking breads and desserts, executing breakfast, and completing other prep as directed by the Head Chef.
• Supports the Head Chef in training and developing Pantry Chefs, fellow Assistant Chefs, and galley stewards in line with Company policies and menus.

Cleaning

• Helps maintain the cleanliness of the galley and food storage areas.
• Adheres to all CDC Vessel Sanitation Program and Health Canada requirements.
• Assists with dishwashing as needed or assigned.

Food Stores

• Assists in loading, handling, and properly storing food and related items to maintain appropriate stocking levels and ensure correct rotation of perishable and non-perishable goods.

Safety & Security

• Participates in onboard safety training, meetings, and drills as directed by the Captain, including fire, abandon ship, man overboard, flooding, and medical emergencies.
• Adheres to the Company's uniform policy to uphold its image, safety, and standards.
• Participates in shoreside training as required by the Company.
• Maintains familiarity with ISM codes and requirements.
• Understands all duties under the Company Safety Management System and Emergency Station Billet.

DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 2 years restaurant or banquet cooking in positions of increasing responsibility, including line cooking and prep work.
• Some baking experience - you don't need to be a trained pastry chef, just comfortable working with breads, desserts, and the like.
• Good time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to get along with co-workers and support a team environment.
• Experience with passenger vessels preferred.

Licenses/Certificates

• USCG Medical Certificate - required
• First Aid/CPR certification (current) - required
• STCW Crowd Management - required
• Maritime Security Awareness - required
• STCW Basic Safety Training - preferred
• Vessel Sanitation Public Health - preferred

Don't have all the required certifications yet? No problem - we'll help you obtain them during onboarding.
$190 - $200 a day
Target base salary for this role is $190-$200 per day, depending on experience and vessel. This reflects your total daily minimum compensation, broken down as:

• $140-$150 base daily rate
• $50 guaranteed daily tip

Any gratuities you earn beyond the $50 guarantee are yours to keep.
Our Benefits
Health insurance including Medical, Dental, Vision
Room and board when scheduled
Travel Day Pay
Travel Expenses Paid
Travel benefits for employees and their family
Uniforms Provided
Training Opportunities
Employment is contingent on the following:
- In compliance with U.S. Coast Guard Regulations, 46 CFR Parts 4, 5, and 16, you will be required to undergo the following drug tests: post-offer prior to start date, random, reasonable cause, and serious marine incident per US Federal guidelines.
- Pre-offer background check; employment is contingent upon the results of this screening.
- Post-offer physical examination; your employment is dependent upon being determined fit for sea duty.
Continued employment is dependent upon consent to and passing these tests.
Lindblad Expeditions continues to highly recommend that all new hires be up to date with all vaccines prior to the first day of employment and getting boosted annually when eligible, including those vaccines that protect against COVID-19. All crew must still comply with all country-specific vaccination requirements.
Communication Skills
Using the English language, this person must have the ability to read, write, and comprehend policies, legal guidelines, correspondence, and memos. Must also possess the ability to effectively communicate--both in writing and orally--with a professional demeanor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee will also be required to write and type. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The physical demands per position are described in the Job Analysis sheet and are available to all applicants upon request.
COMPENSATION STATEMENT
Lindblad Expeditions determines the pay for positions using local, national, and industry-specific survey data. We evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company. Our posted salary range is based on national data and may be refined for a candidate's region/town/cost of living.
For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant's location, level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT
At Lindblad Expeditions, we simply could not do our work without the diverse kaleidoscope of humanity that creates and delivers our remarkable offerings across the planet. As a Company that respects and celebrates the inherent diversity in the places we explore, we recognize the need to mirror that same diversity and all the interconnected perspectives within our organization. We are committed to building a community of different genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, chosen identities, and countries of origin where every person brings their whole self to work and whose skills, talents, and abilities are valued. We believe we can explore further and in a more meaningful way by actively creating a more diverse and inclusive organization where everyone feels they belong.
Lindblad Expeditions is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals seeking employment at Lindblad Expeditions are considered without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, pregnancy, unemployment status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or veteran status.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.