Restaurant Host

Hornblower Group Inc. • Boston, MA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Restaurant Host assists the Restaurant Manager on duty with day-to-day front-of-house activities to ensure consistent quality, service, and guest satisfaction. The role provides hospitality to guests and coworkers while helping maintain a safe work environment aboard a passenger vessel. Hosts help prepare assigned decks, greet and seat guests, coordinate buffets and table invitations, support service teams, and contribute to post-cruise cleanup and inspections.

The position is performed primarily onboard a Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessel, with duties across dining, service, storage, galley-adjacent, and administrative areas. It requires regular movement between decks and the ability to work safely while the vessel is docked or underway, sometimes in outdoor marine conditions. Work schedules may include evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts as operational needs require.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Strong customer service, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain organization, attention to detail, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks or projects at one time.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to listen effectively, assess situations, identify relevant issues, and suggest solutions.
• Working knowledge of computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suites.
• Ability to understand and convey written and verbal information effectively to coworkers and guests.
• Ability to maintain uniform and personal grooming in compliance with appearance standards.
• Availability to work nights, weekends, and major holidays.
• Ability to work for extended periods without sitting.
• Ability to lift furniture and other heavy items.
• Ability to work aboard a moving vessel in varying weather and sea conditions, maintaining balance and stability while underway.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout a shift.
• Ability to navigate stairs, ladders, narrow passageways, and confined spaces onboard vessels.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull supplies, equipment, and inventory weighing up to 40 pounds independently.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach overhead, and perform repetitive motions as required.
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively during operations, guest service situations, and emergency procedures.
• Ability to work safely in a fast-paced environment with moving equipment, wet surfaces, temperature variations, and moderate noise levels.
• Ability to visually inspect service areas, food presentation, cleanliness, and safety conditions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and via radio or other communication devices.
• Successful completion of vessel-specific safety and emergency training.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts as operational needs require.

Nice To Haves

• Previous restaurant experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional hospitality to guests and coworkers.
• Help create and maintain a safe work environment aboard the vessel, with a focus on the safety of guests and shipmates.
• Participate in meetings, including the manager pre-cruise briefing.
• Oversee the setup of assigned decks, including package assembly and placement, side work, and section assignments.
• Greet and seat arriving guests warmly and efficiently.
• Coordinate buffets and table invitations on assigned decks.
• Assist servers and server assistants with table service.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of food and beverage menu items, packages, and POS systems.
• Visit all individuals on the assigned deck and meet group leaders.
• Participate in and lead post-cruise cleanup, assign duties, and ensure side work is completed.
• Conduct a walk-through inspection with managers after each cruise to check deck arrangement and sanitation.
• Check in with managers after cruises to discuss issues or situations and offer solutions.
• Perform additional job duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED