Cabin Steward – Onboard Housekeeping and Guest Room Services

cruise ship jobs

Available Locations: cape town, Western Cape

Job Description

Job Summary


As a Cabin Steward, you are the face of housekeeping on board. You will own a portfolio of guest staterooms and crew areas, ensuring they are impeccably clean, well-maintained, stocked, and welcoming—while delivering warm, proactive, and discreet service. You’ll meet strict cleanliness, hygiene, and safety standards (e.g., USPH, HACCP, ISM) and consistently exceed guest expectations in a fast-paced, multicultural, 24/7 environment.




Key Responsibilities



  • Stateroom care: Clean, sanitize, and reset guest cabins (bed making, bathrooms, balconies, vacuuming, dusting) to company standards—twice daily service (morning service & evening turndown).

  • Inventory & replenishment: Maintain and restock amenities, linens, minibar (where applicable), and collateral; report shortages promptly.

  • Guest interaction: Greet guests, respond to requests and complaints promptly, and resolve issues or escalate appropriately.

  • Public areas & crew zones: Support cleaning of assigned corridors, pantries, and crew accommodations when required.

  • Laundry handling: Collect, tag, deliver, and return guest laundry following company procedures.

  • Maintenance reporting: Identify and log technical defects (plumbing, lighting, furniture) for timely repair.

  • Compliance & audits: Adhere to USPH/CDC, HACCP, ISM Code, and company SOPs; pass internal and external inspections.

  • Safety & drills: Participate in all mandatory safety trainings, boat drills, and emergency duties as per the muster list.

  • Administration: Accurately complete checklists, room status logs, lost & found, and incident reports.

  • Team collaboration: Coordinate with Housekeeping Supervisors, Room Service, Laundry, and Front Office to deliver seamless guest experiences.




Required Skills and Qualifications



  • Proven ability to clean and maintain rooms to luxury hotel/cruise standards with exceptional attention to detail.

  • Outstanding guest-service mindset: polite, solution-focused, and culturally sensitive.

  • Strong time management and ability to prioritize under tight turnaround windows.

  • Working knowledge of chemical handling, PPE, and infection-control protocols.

  • Comfortable with manual handling (lifting linen bags, vacuuming, pushing trolleys) for extended periods.

  • Fluent English (spoken & written); additional languages (Spanish, Italian, German, French, Mandarin, etc.) are a plus.

  • Ability to live and work harmoniously in a multicultural, confined shipboard environment.




Experience



  • Minimum 1–2 years in housekeeping or room attendant roles in a 4/5 hotel, resort, or previous cruise ship experience.

  • Prior experience with USPH/CDC or similar international hygiene standards is advantageous.

  • Customer-facing roles with strong service recovery exposure preferred.




Working Hours



  • Cruise ships operate 7 days a week; typical workload ranges 70–84 hours per week (split shifts).

  • Schedules vary based on embarkation days, port days, inspections, and guest turnover.

  • Overtime may be required to meet operational needs and audit schedules.




Knowledge, Skills & Abilities



  • Housekeeping SOPs: turn-down service, deep-clean cycles, mattress rotation, balcony care.

  • Hygiene & sanitation standards: USPH/CDC, HACCP, chemical dilution, color-coding systems.

  • Safety & security: ISM, crowd management awareness, emergency response basics.

  • Interpersonal excellence: empathy, tact, confidentiality, and resilience under pressure.

  • Record keeping: digital/printed checklists, maintenance logs, and inventory counts.

  • Cultural agility: ability to work with and serve guests and colleagues from many nationalities.




Benefits



  • Competitive salary plus service charges/gratuities and potential guest tips.

  • Accommodation & meals provided on board.

  • Medical coverage during the contract and access to ship’s medical team.

  • Flights or travel to/from the ship as per company policy.

  • Uniforms & laundering provided.

  • Professional training & certifications (USPH, safety, service standards).

  • Career progression to roles such as Assistant Cabin Steward, Sr. Cabin Steward, Suite/Butler Attendant, Housekeeping Supervisor.

  • International travel and the opportunity to visit multiple destinations.

  • Crew facilities (gym, recreational areas) subject to ship policy.

  • Paid vacation/rehire bonus depending on performance and company policy.




Why Join



  • Be part of a world-class hospitality team delivering unforgettable guest experiences.

  • Accelerate your career in a structured, merit-based environment with clear promotion paths.

  • See the world while saving money (low living expenses on board).

  • Work in a diverse, multicultural crew that becomes your second family.

  • Continuous skills development in luxury service, hygiene compliance, and safety.




How to Apply



  1. Submit your CV/Resume highlighting housekeeping/hospitality experience and languages spoken.

  2. Include professional references and any certifications (e.g., STCW Basic Safety, Security Awareness/Crowd Management, if already obtained—company may assist if not).

  3. Provide copies of your passport (minimum validity 12 months) and seafarer medical certificate (or willingness to obtain).

  4. Be prepared to secure any required seafarer or transit visas (e.g., C1/D for the USA) per itinerary.

  5. Shortlisted candidates will undergo video/phone interviews, possible skills assessments, background checks, and medical clearance.


Apply now: Send your application to the recruitment inbox/portal indicated by Cruise Ship Jobs (or the authorized hiring partner). Ensure the subject line reads: “Cabin Steward – Onboard Housekeeping & Guest Room Services – Your Name.”