Food and Beverage Jobs on Cruise Ships

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Food and Beverage Manager

The food and beverage manager is responsible for service quality in all areas of the cruise ship that serve meals and drinks. Calculation of costs and expenditures is involved as well. Extensive previous experience is required. Salaries range from $3000 to $4200 per month.

Maitre d' Hotel

The Maitre d' Hotel greets customers, supervises restaurant staff and ensures that top quality standards of service is met. Maitre d' reports to the Food and Beverage Manager.

Previous experience in a similar position is always required. Salaries range from $1700 to $3200 per month.

Executive Chef

The executive chef is responsible for the overall operation of the kitchen area including administration. Oversees the preparation of meals and performs quality control of all food that leaves the kitchen.

Relevant training and extensive experience is required. Salaries range from $3500 to $5000 per month.

Pastry Chef

The pastry chef prepares pastries and desserts. On some cruise ships, the pastry chef has staff working for him/her. He/she is also responsible for the display of the pastries and desserts served onboard.

Previous experience as a pastry chef is required. Salaries range from $1500 to $2400 per month.

Chef de Partie

The chef de partie prepares gourmet cuisine and sauces, manages food displays for buffets and in the restaurants. Extensive knowledge in international cuisine and creativity are required. Salaries range from $1900 to $2400 per month.

Sous Chef

The sous chef is in charge of maintaining food quality. Responsibilities include food preparation and cooking, in close co-operation with the executive chef.

Previous experience is required. Salaries range from $2200 to $2600 per month.

First Cook

Responsible for supervising second and third cooks. Performs duties assigned by chefs. Salary ranges from $1800 to $2400 per month.

General / Second / Third Cook

Duties involve food preparation and cooking under the supervision of the designated chef or cook. Some previous experience is required. Salaries range from $1600 to $2000 per month.

Baker

The baker's responsibilities don't differ from the same position onshore. Previous experience as a baker is required. Salaries range from $1200 to $2000 per month.

Butcher

Cuts, trims and grinds meat. Shapes and ties roasts. May receive, inspect and store meat upon delivery. Salaries range from $1200 to $2000 per month.

Dishwasher

Responsibilities include dish washing and stacking washed dishes. No previous experience is required. Salaries range from $900 to $1200 per month.

Busboy

Assists waiters and waitress in serving meals, clearing tables and delivering meals and drinks. No previous experience is required. Salaries range from $1000 to $1400 per month.

Restaurant / Dining Room Manager

Responsibilities include supervising the dining room wait staff and overall operation of the dining room. Several years of previous experience as a Maitre'd or similar role is required. Salaries range from $2600 to $4000 per month.

Dining Room Head Waiter

Assists the dining room manager in supervising the wait staff. In charge of a large part of dining room. Also takes care of VIP guests in the dining room. Salaries range from $2400 to $3800 per month.

Dining Room Wait Staff

Responsible for serving a section of the dining room with about 30 guests. Previous experience of a similar position is always required. Salaries range from 2400 to $3600 per month.

Café Wait Staff

Serves passengers in the ship's cafés. Previous experience is a bonus. Salaries range from $1600 to $2000 per month.

Buffet Server

Buffet server assists in setting and replenishing buffets and clearing tables. Salaries range from $1200 to $1400 per month.

Cocktail Waiter / Waitress

Serves drinks and takes orders at cocktail parties. A good knowledge of drinks is required. Salaries range from $1600 to $2400 per month.

Bar Staff

Bar staff serve drinks to passengers in lounges and on decks. They also keep the lounges clean. Salaries vary depending on tips.

Bar Waiter / Waitress

Serves drinks to passengers in the bar area. Reports to the bar supervisor. Salaries range from $1600 to $3000 per month.

Bar Manager

The main duty of a bar manager is to supervise bar staff and to make sure that passengers are served alcoholic drinks in an appropriate way. Some accounting tasks must be carried out as well. A minimum three years previous experience is required. Salaries range from $2000 to $3200 per month.

Bartender

Bartenders must be good at mixing ingredients for alcoholic drinks, e.g. cocktails. Other duties include managing bar staff, stocking, and the cleanliness of the bar area. Many passengers like chatting to bartenders, so they need to be extroverts and enjoy socialising.

Previous experience in making drinks is required. Salaries range from $1600 to $2800 per month.

Wine Steward

The wine steward must have a good knowledge of wines and wine culture. He/she must be able to suggest and recommend wines to accompany meals. Salaries range from $1800 to $2400 per month.