cruise line representative job description

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Welcome To Princess Cruises Careers

We offer a variety of opportunities for highly motivated people who seek a challenging and rewarding career.

More than 1.7 million guests enjoy the Princess experience each year as they travel to 300 destinations around the world. Exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of our success thanks to our team members on land and at sea — the cruise industry’s best. We offer a variety of opportunities for highly motivated people who seek a challenging and rewarding career. Get to know us by exploring our career site. You’ll learn about our history, hear first-hand what our employees love about working for Princess Cruises, and discover the passion we have for giving our guests lifetime memories.

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The following are brief descriptions of some of the main positions aboard cruise ships that will give you a general idea of the qualifications and duties of each job. Shipboard employees are typically divided into departments relating to service, passenger accommodations (sometimes called “hotel administration”), entertainment, general ship maintenance, engine work, and safety. Different cruise lines use variations on these categories, but for our purposes we have divided onboard job descriptions into the areas of Hotel ( Activity/Entertainment, Service/Hospitality, Personal Care ), Deck, and Engineering.

In Focus: Cruise Staff Role (Disney Cruise Line)

A fifth category is Corporate/Office, which includes those jobs commonly available in corporate headquarters. If you want to work in an office environment and avoid a nomadic lifestyle and demanding tourists, this might be the right path for you. Going corporate is a way to get travel benefits and can be your key to a job on board a vessel at a later time, if you so choose.

The majority of corporate offices are either in Los Angeles or Florida. However, New York, Seattle, and various European cities also have their share. If you live in or near one of these cities, you may want to start applying to the companies located in the city near you as it will be easy for you to attend an in-person interview. If you do not live near any of these cities, don’t be discouraged. Much of the application process can be done from anywhere in the world via phone, fax and E-mail. Also, a number of companies conduct traveling job fairs or have staffing agents around the world.

The types of jobs available are wide-ranging and include booking agents, administrative assistants, sales representatives, human resource representatives, and marketing personnel. Plenty of other jobs exist as well.

Hotel Department :

Activity / entertainment department :.

These positions are often synonymous with “cruise staff” and deal with anything relating to passenger entertainment. This department includes hosts and hostesses, cruise directors and staff, disc jockeys, performers, swimming instructors, and shore excursion staff. These positions are considered the most glamorous on the ship, and are probably the most sought-after jobs in the cruise industry.

In Focus: Activities Staff

For more detailed job overviews see: Activity & Entertainment positions and their job requirements.

• Art Auctioneer
• Assistant Cruise Director
• Assistant Shore Excursions Manager
• Casino staff
• Cruise Consultant
• Cruise Director
• Dance Instructor
• Dive Instructor
• Gentlemen Host
• Lecturer/ Special Guest Speaker
• Photographer
• Shore Excursions Manager
• Social Host/Hostess
• Youth Counselors

Entertainment

• Audio Visual Coordinator
• Disc Jockey
• Entertainers
• Production Manager
• Sound and Light Technician

In Focus: Day in the Life of an Automated Systems Rigger Disney Cruise Line

Service/Hospitality Department:

These positions fall under the “Hotel Management” department. These staff members have the responsibility of managing the restaurants, bars, and passenger cabins, as well as shipboard retail concessions like gift shops. Those who serve food or alcohol can make a handsome amount of money from tips. As the old saying goes, “The captain receives all the glory onboard but when the ship docks the captain leaves on a scooter and the waiter leaves in his Benz.” The purser (the ship’s treasurer in charge of passenger accounts, tickets, changing currency, etc.) and his or her staff are also included in this department. For a more detailed overview of Service/Hospitality Positions, Click Here!

In Focus: Beverage Server

Food and Beverage

• Bar Manager
• Buffet Server
• Chef de Partie
• Cocktail Server
• Dining Room Head Waiter
• Dining Room Manager
• Executive Chef
• Food and Beverages Manager
• General Cook
• Maitre d’ Hotel
• Pastry Chef
• Wine Steward
• Chief Purser
• Purser Staff

Housekeeping

• Cabin Steward/ess
• Chief Cabin Steward
• Chief Steward/Housekeeper
• Laundry Staff

Hotel Administration

• Computer Systems Manager/IT
• Gift Shop Manager
• Gift Shop Sales Assistant
• Hotel Manager
• Program Coordinator
• Receptionist

Personal Care Department:

The personal care department can include fitness, beauty, spa and medical services. These positions are important to the passengers who signed up for the cruise to “pamper themselves silly.” More and more cruise ships are updating their spa and fitness facilities as the demand for these services increases. The medical department offers medical services to the passengers and crew. For a more detailed overview of Personal Care Positions, Click Here!

Salon/Spa/Fitness

• Beauty Therapist
• Fitness Instructor
• Hair Stylist
• Massage Therapists
• Spa Attendant

Deck Department:

This department is responsible for maintaining and running the vessel. On large ships, this department usually does not have many entry-level positions open to North Americans. People working in the deck department include deckhands, maintenance workers, engineers, and officers. It is their job to motor or sail the ship, attend to the physical maintenance needs of the ship, and keep it in accordance with fleet regulations and international maritime laws. Officers are in charge of passenger safety as well. For a more detailed overview of Deck Positions, Click Here!

• Able Seaman
• Chief Officer
• First Officer
• Chief Radio Officer
• Quartermaster
• Safety Officer
• Security Officer
• Staff Captain

Engineering Department:

• Chief Engineer
• Chief Electrician
• Assistant Chief Engineer

Office Positions:

These are generally onshore positions in which employees work in the main office arranging cruises or performing general office work. These positions include administrative assistants, booking agents, sales/marketing staff, and clerical workers. For a more detailed overview of Office Positions, Click Here!

• Accounts Payable Staff
• Operations Analyst
• Senior Business Analyst
• Senior Staff Accountant
• Staff Accountant
• Tour Accounting

Administrative/Clerical

• Administrative Assistant
• Administration Manager
• Customer Service
• Human Resources
• IT Lead Developer
• Manager Deployment & Itinerary Planning
• Operations Administrator
• Part-Time Data Entry
• Payroll Clerk
• Software Engineer

Air Operations

• Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) Coordinator
• Pier/Airport Expediter
• Seasonal Air Operations Agent
• Seasonal Corporate Air Ticketing Agent

Marketing/Public Relations

• Account Executive
• Brand Manager
• Field Representative
• Marketing Research Analyst
• Media Relations
• Purchasing Agent
• Vice President of Marketing

Reservations/Sales

• Inside Sales Representative
• Outside Sales Representatives
• Reservations Sales & Service

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At Disney Cruise Line, we create unforgettable memories for our guests at sea. Crew members and officers are at the heart of each experience - bringing magic to life aboard our ships, on the sandy beaches of Castaway Cay, and in our offices around the world. With a little bit of magic, and Captain Minnie Mouse at the helm, our collaborative and diverse team contributes to a long-standing tradition of growth and excellence. Simply put, a career with Disney Cruise Line is an experience as unique as you are.

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Working as a Guest Services Representative on a Cruise Ship

By Sameer Hyderkhan , Senior Guest Services Officer

Please note that the information below is not an official job description and we are not a recruitment agency. The Author’s intention is to provide you with a personal insight into Guest Services Department job positions and guide you through his personal experience in working on cruise ships. 

Hello everyone and welcome! My name is Sameer and I come from the paradise island of Mauritius. Most of you might wonder where this is…  No, it’s not Madagascar, and no, it’s not India either. It’s a small tropical island floating in the middle of the Indian Ocean, just a small dot on the world’s map.

I have worked in the cruise industry for 3 years and it has taken me to many places. Some of you might think why leave the nurturing shelter of a tropical island and go on a ship. The simple answer is – an adventure! I have always been passionate about visiting other places, meeting new people, and learning about new cultures. That’s why, despite being an introvert, I decided to get a job in the customer service industry . I have over 10 years of experience in the field and have worked in Mauritius, Switzerland, and Dubai before joining the cruise industry in January 2017.

The passion for adventure took me to apply for cruise jobs. Among other applications, the Royal Caribbean cruise line replied to my call and I was hired as Guest Services Officer . There are two ways to apply for a cruise job in the Guest Services department:

• There are third-party companies that recruit for the cruise lines, so you can check online these accredited companies within your country if you want to apply. Be careful, though, and do some research to make sure those recruitment agencies are legit.
• On the cruise line’s official website . On my side, I applied directly on the website of Royal Caribbean and I was lucky enough to be called for an interview and eventually get the job.

Suggested article: Working on a Cruise Ship: How to Apply for a Cruise Ship Job?

How to Apply for a Guest Services Officer Position?

As I mentioned, I work as a Guest Services Officer (GSO) for the Royal Caribbean cruise line. My official title is Senior Guest Services Officer , but we’ll get to that shortly.

The selection process for GSO is quite simple. Firstly, there is an initial interview for screening by a representative of the cruise company’s Head Office. A successful interview will lead to an aptitude test which is quite straightforward. Through this test, if you have what they are looking for, you will go through the final interview with one of the Fleet Managers. If you pass that interview, you will be assigned another representative of the cruise company who will assist you gather the paperwork and guide you through the onboarding process until you join a ship.

You will be provided a Letter of Employment (LOE) which you will use to apply, on your own, for the necessary visas. You will also need to get a Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) certification while you’re onboard or before embarking on your first contract.

Note that the paperwork might vary from company to company, and depends on the country the job applicant comes from. You’ll be informed in advance by the cruise line representative of the documentation required to submit before joining a ship.  

Once you join your first ship as a GSO, you normally have a probational period of 90 days during which you will undergo training on the ship in terms of fire and safety, crowd management, general first aid, and a few others. You will also be given a huge amount of papers containing all sorts of questions about ship customer service and customer interactions that you need to finish within 2 months. Normally you are assigned a person from your department who will train you on the work at the reception and guide you through the first few months until you master your job duties.

I used to walk with a huge binder everywhere…. almost slept with it a few times. But once you complete everything, it’s a huge relief and by then you would have learned so much. Of course, it mostly depends on your personal motivation and willingness to work. The sooner you get it done, the better.

Suggested article: New Hire? This is How the First Day on a Cruise Ship Looks Like

Motivation is important!

Speaking of motivation, let’s see how you can grow within the department. Royal Caribbean has good caring for its working staff and has an excellent rewarding system. For example, you get an annual increase of salary of $100 USD. However, COVID-19 has severely affected the cruise industry and this salary increase is temporarily suspended.

What are the Job Positions within Guest Services Department?

So, let’s see the different positions within Guest Services, from highest to lowest:

• Fleet Guest Services Manager – In charge of the Guest Services Department for the whole fleet, meaning for every cruise ship in possession of the cruise company. This person is in charge of taking care of all Guest Services staff, auditing all positions with the department, and making sure that the rules and values of the company are respected at the customer services desk. There are 4 to 5 persons in that role and they travel throughout the fleet to make sure that operations are running smoothly. They have excellent analytical skills and an eye for every detail. If you ever consider applying for this position, be sure to have a high resistance to jet lags!
• Guest Services Manager (GSM) – Each ship has a Guest Services Manager who oversees Guest Services operations from day to day and handles the embarkation and debarkation process. This person also communicates with other department heads on escalated guest issues. They are very quick in problem-solving and usually have years of experience within the company. The contract length for this job position is about 4 months.
• Front Desk Manager – Just like a hotel Front Office Manager, every ship has a Front Desk Manager who is responsible for managing the reception staff, conducts briefings and training for GSOs, maintains staff schedule, assists the team in the escalated situation… You know, when a guest says “I want to speak to a manager”, Front Desk Manager steps in to save the day. Front Desk Managers are very competent and professional and they know how to loosen up a tense situation and make it better for everyone. They usually have an Assistant Front Desk Manager for support but it depends on the size of the ship. Small ships have only Front Desk Manager and no Assistant Front Desk Manager. The contract length is about 4 months.

Specialty Positions within Guest Services Department

These are the positions in charge of some specific tasks onboard a cruise ship:

• Guest Administration Officer – The person in charge of preparing all paperwork to clear the ship for embarkation and debarkation. This is one of the critical positions in the Guest Services Department because the ship cannot dock at a port without the work of this person. The contract length is about 5.5 months.
• Guest Departure Officer – GDO oversees the coordination of the departure of guests making sure that their departure process is smooth and painless. On the side, the Guest Departure Officer liaises with other teams in charge of loading or offloading luggage. The contract length about is 5.5 months.
• Loyalty Ambassador – Onboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ships, the Loyalty Ambassador takes care of Royal Caribbean members’ points and makes sure that membership benefits are delivered as well as their amenities. There are members’ events that take place each voyage and the Loyalty Ambassador assists in preparing these events. The contract length is about 5.5 months.
• Diamond Concierge and Suite Concierge – Onboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Diamond Concierge takes care of Diamond members and Suite Concierge takes care of guests staying in suites. Their task is to make sure their guests have a wonderful experience and get VIP treatment. Some of their duties include making dinner reservations or booking shore excursions. Each of them has his/her own lounge where they can enjoy happy hour and snacks. The contract length is about 5.5 months.
• Group Coordinator – We affectionately call them “Groupi”. They are responsible for taking care of groups on board, meaning that they prepare meeting rooms and events in coordination with the F&B department to arrange service and provision of the food and beverages for the event. Yes, we do have groups onboard like company workers, associations, social groups. The contract length is about 5.5 months.

Guest Services Officer Job Description

The contract length for each of the Guest Relation position is about 5.5 months.

• Guest Services Officer 1 and Guest Services Officer 2 – The main difference between these two positions is that Guest Services Officer 1 is on his/her first contract, while Guest Services Officer 2 is on the second job contract.

The main tasks for both positions are to deliver exceptional service to the guests by successfully handling guest requirements, but also deal with complaints from guests and make sure they are resolved first contact (Yeah, that’s part of the job, part of who we are… excellent problem solvers!).

You will also take payments from guests during the cruise and on debarkation day; therefore, you should have good cash handling skills. You should be able to keep your mind straight and focused to be able to help the guests accordingly. You should be as chatty as you can be to make the guests feel at home.

A kind, caring heart and a mind made of steel are necessary every time you join a ship for a new contract. In the end, it is rewarding and satisfying when you’re able to positively influence the overall guests’ cruising experience.

• Senior Guest Services Officer – You become a Senior GSO when you have reached your third contract. As for Senior Guest Services Officer, the tasks are the same as Guest Services Officer 1 & 2, but now you have seniority and you will be supervising your colleagues, making sure they are working as per cruise line’s guidelines. They will come to you for advice or assistance with a complaint. You will be, therefore, the leader by example.

Believe me, if you had worked in hotels before, working as a Guest relations officer on a ship will be a piece of cake because there are no check-ins, no check-outs, no ‘running the night’ (those who worked the night shift will understand). Your only responsibility is to assist the guests and make sure they are well taken care of. Guest Services staff work for 8-9 hours. On embarkation and debarkation day, it’s around 10 hours. In a month, you should work about 300 hours and not more than that. If exceeded, you will need to provide justifications.

•   Printers – This is one of the most important and busiest parts of Guest Services. The role of a Printer is to ensure that the necessary daily collateral of the ship is printed effectively, accurately, and in a timely manner. For example, they are responsible for the creation and printing of the ship’s newsletter to the guest, menus for restaurants, business cards for the staff, and other pamphlets or flyers needed for daily operations. Therefore, despite working as part of the Guest Services department, other departments of the ship work with them daily. Working as a Printer, you must be proactive, flexible to easily adapt to sudden changes in requests and a high degree of multi-tasking. I have seen these guys at work, and they are always focused but in a good mood and always will go the extra mile to help out however they can.

Guest Services Average Salary and Benefits

Starting salary for Guest Services is around $1900 USD per month, plus you can get some minor commissions on excursions that the team sells. As I mentioned earlier, the duration of the contract is about 5.5 months, and you are paid each month in the contract. Salary increases as you go higher in position.

Check out: 10 Things to Know before Applying for a Cruise Ship Job

You start sharing a cabin with another fellow Guest Services and usually at the Front Desk Manager position you will get your own cabin. At Guest Services Manager, you will get a bigger cabin. Usually, you will have 6 weeks unpaid vacation during which you get your next contract. It could the same ship or a different ship, wherever the waves take you.

Suggested article: Life Onboard a Cruise Ship: 18 Crew Cabins Must-Haves

NOTE: Besides the daily duties, each job position is assigned side duties. For example, besides your regular daily duties, you can be asked to make an inventory of the assets in the front office and back office, refill medical supplies at the front desk, take care of complimentary wine inventories, maintain office supplies, collateral and sanitize supplies (the company is very strict on the proper and regular sanitization of the ship), and other.

The Best Part of Guest Services Job

I love my job because it allows me to get off the ship on port days. You will work every day but each day you will get about 4 hours off which you can use on port days to go out and explore the area (this might depend on the time the ship docks and leave).

I especially enjoyed night shift because when you’re done in the morning, you have the whole day ahead to yourself (if there’s no crew drill happening where you might have half of the day).

Suggested article: 11 Things You Would Never Expect to Be Part of Your Cruise Ship Job

In this particular case, I will advise you to take an excursion and off you go. If you see Katarina (founder of this blog) at the Shore Excursion desk, go to her and she will wisely advise you!

I am proud to have walked the ancient streets of Pompei , went on top of the Temple of Poseidon, swam in the secret river in the underground Mayan caves, I even went to Hell (chill…. it’s a place in Grand Cayman ).

European cruises are much longer (14 days) than the Caribbean voyages (7-8 days maximum) with many stops at different ports. You will discover the different cuisines and amazing locations: have some foie gras on the French Riviera and if the itinerary has overnight stays, which on my side, I got to experience Venice, St Petersburg (Russia) and Ibiza by night. Be good friends with the Shore Excursion staff and they will give you wonderful tips on how you can spend your off-hours in port!

Suggested article: Life of Shore Excursion Staff Onboard a Cruise Ship – Job Description and Daily Duties

However, always be back on time scheduled before the ship leaves. If you’re not there, the ship will leave and you will be left stranded in a foreign land, plus you will have to get your one-way ticket back home on your own.

Working in the Guest Relations Department will allow you to dine or have lunch in the specialty restaurants of the ship at a company discounted cost. You can experience its fine cuisine (I recommend sushi) and the excellent service that comes with it. For those who enjoy healthy workouts, you can use the guest gym at the recommended hours but the ships also have a crew gym where you will have access anytime.

Despite the working hours, you will have time to enjoy yourself and chillax in the Crew Bar, the most important part of the ship for the crew. This is where you can meet up with your friends, colleagues and chat about the day and other things, a place where you can meet new people almost every day, a place where the crew parties are held (theme parties are the best!) and where friendships are formed.

Although it can be hard, demanding, and challenging sometimes, working in the Guest Services Department is an amazing and lifetime experience. If you develop a good sense of maturity and responsibility, and you learn how to well manage your time for recreational activities, working in Guest Services will be a fun and unforgettable experience!

Suggested article: Working on a Cruise Ship: How to Apply for Cruise Ship Jobs?

Find Sameer on Linked In

You May Also Like:

• Life of a Cruise Ship Photographer – Crew Member’s Story
• How to Grow Your Career at Sea – Crew Member’s Story (Part II)
• 10 Things to Know Before You Apply for a Cruise Ship Job
• Life Onboard a Cruise Ship: 18 Crew Cabins Must-Haves
• New Hire? This is How the First Day on a Cruise Ship Looks Like

2 thoughts on “Working as a Guest Services Representative on a Cruise Ship”

Im really interested in working in the guest representative team, because my duty is a hostess cashier in Constance Prince Maurice hotel in Mauritius. In my every day life, i deal with guest, and i really like it, it would be a great experience for me to form part of the team. Hope one day i get my opportunity to come on board

We keep our fingers crossed, go for it! 🙂

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Carnival Culture and Values

Carnival Cruise Line is the most popular cruise brand in North America and operates a fleet of ships designed to foster exceptionally safe, fun, and memorable vacation experiences at an outstanding value. Our company is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. Our focus is on continuous improvement and collaboration. Our employees have a responsibility to be accountable for all actions. We consider the environment in all aspects of our business and have a responsibility to put safety and sustainability first. We live and share a positive attitude that is based on fostering an environment of inclusion, trust, a willingness to listen, openness, and integrity. Doing this helps us to achieve our ultimate goal, which is to include FUN in everything we do!

Position Overview

Set sail on a new career with Carnival, and help us bring the FUN to life aboard one of our fantastic vessels! We’re looking for dedicated individuals to join us as a Guest Services Associate! 

A career with our Guest Services department can be one of the most rewarding. If you enjoy assisting guest and meeting their every need then this is the path for you. From the moment guests board, we need vacation heroes who will help them with any questions or issues that may arise. Our Guest Services Team's enthusiasm and positive attitude mean they are the frontline ambassadors of fun.   

As a Carnival Guest Services Team Member, you will be the focal point of our guest’s experiences onboard. This is one of the most vital positions in the fleet and a big reason why Carnival remains number one!

Position Tasks

• To assist international and domestic guests with the everyday activities on board maintaining guest relation standards and ensuring maximum guest satisfaction.  
• Front desk and phone duty shifts as required ensuring that the highest standards of customer service are provided.  
• Complete duties assigned by the Guest Services Supervisor including, but not limited to Lost Luggage, Lost & Found, Access Services, and Executive Reports as per company guidelines.  
• Handle guest issues or concerns, record relevant details into the shipboard capturing database, and ensure timely resolution and guest follow-up.  
• Provide cash and guest account services such as accepting cash payments, cashing personal or traveler’s checks, or exchanging foreign currencies.  
• Follow established procedures to maintain, safeguard, balance, and reconcile assigned cash float.  
• Assist guests during the boarding and departure process, including establishing onboard credit, selling and printing Shore Excursion tickets, and closing guest accounts.  
• Maintain a service culture throughout the Guest Service team.  
• Conduct oneself professionally and courteously at all times with guests and shipboard employees.  
• Greet all guests with a friendly and sincere welcome, making sure to acknowledge past loyalty when appropriate.  
• Use a positive and clear speaking voice, taking the time to understand all requests in detail.  
• Respond to escalated guest concerns in a considerate, professional, and positive manner by showing empathy and listening actively.  
• Perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with environmental and safety policies.  
• Ensure that proper telephone etiquette is always used; answering calls within 3 rings using a positive tone and clear English pronunciation. In addition, using the guest's name at all times.  
• Employ proper timekeeping and follow the CCL work time recording standards (as per MLC - MARITIME LABOR CONVENTION).  
• Maintain current knowledge of all ship’s regular events and special functions by reviewing all available data to provide guests with accurate and up-to-date information to answer questions and handle any special requests.  
• Maintain current knowledge of voyage memos and relevant e-mail communication to provide prompt updates to inquiring guests.  
• Maintain service and hospitality standards to all guests by extending information as warranted and following up on requests as needed.  
• Familiarize yourself with shore excursions by attending tours and reading the brochures to provide guests with accurate information.  
• Stay current with new company procedures and apply them when necessary.  
• Proper handling and knowledge of operating systems.  
• Display a positive attitude towards Guests and Crew and maintain healthy interdepartmental relations, while ensuring communication channels are followed.  
• Assist guests with Customs & Immigration procedures.  
• Attend meetings, training activities, courses, and all other work-related activities, as required.  

Minimum Requirements:

• A minimum of 2 years of experience working in Guest Relations  or Two years of Front Desk experience, customer service experience, or in a similar environment required
• Must have fluency in English.
• Personify Carnival’s image of a fun and memorable vacation experience by providing friendly, prompt, attentive, courteous, and personal service in face paced environment.
• Possess excellent communication abilities – displaying fluency in both written and verbal skills. A secondary language is a great asset.
• Work scheduled hours at the front desk, and on the phones with the primary focus of extending information as warranted. Document all complaints and concerns from our Guests, and focus on a quick and efficient resolution.
• An ability to perform cash transactions, as well as guide our Guests on various payment options for their onboard accounts (cash, credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and onboard credits).
• Execute various administration duties.
• Actively participate in all of the Ship Safety drills and training.
• Display a high level of Guest Centricity, with the natural ability to engage our guests in social activities.
• Positively contribute to the diverse and energetic team environment. 

Undergo assigned trainings to develop skills & knowledge for the future positions.

Report any equipment malfunction, difficulties & concerns to the supervisor on duty.

Follow additional duties, other than listed in the job description, assigned by management due to the operational needs/shortages/changes.

Ensure beverage stations are full at all times and cleaned daily.

Engage in light conversations with guests always greet them with a smile.

You should have at least 1-2 years of experience in a similar role.

Advanced level proficiency in English is required.

Customer service experience gained in a similar role is required.

You must pass a Seafarers Medical Fitness Examination.

You focus on continuous improvement and collaboration.

Guest Service Associate

House Speaker Mike Johnson survived a motion to vacate. Here's why his job is far from safe

Democrats joined a majority of Republicans on Wednesday to save Speaker Mike Johnson from an attempt by GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove him from the job

WASHINGTON -- Mike Johnson's job isn't safe yet.

In a stunning show of unity in the often divided House, Democrats joined a majority of Republicans on Wednesday to save the GOP speaker from an attempt by fellow Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove him from his post.

But while Democrats in the minority threw the Louisiana congressman a life raft by voting on his side, they made clear they might not do so again. That means the threat for Johnson still lingers as Greene and other lawmakers can at any time call up another motion to oust him.

The episode highlights the increasingly precarious situation for Johnson, who faces the same conservative forces that took down his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, but with an even smaller majority that has forced him to continuously rely on Democratic support to carry out the most basic functions of legislating. Republicans control the House by the barest of margins, 217-213.

Here’s what to know about how the House can remove a speaker and what’s ahead for Johnson:

The current rules of the House allow any lawmaker — Democrat or Republican — to put forward a resolution declaring the speaker's chair vacant. If the House approves the resolution, it has the effect of ousting the speaker from office.

The “motion to vacate” has existed for most of congressional history. But it had never been deployed successfully until last October when a rebel band of Republicans joined with Democrats to oust McCarthy as speaker.

McCarthy’s removal came, in part, as the result of the concessions he was forced to make to win the speaker’s gavel in the first place. Among the concessions was agreeing that a motion to vacate could be triggered by a single member — the threshold that historically has been the norm, but that had been abandoned by Democrats in the majority.

Proponents of allowing a single lawmaker to file the motion said it promotes accountability, noting its long history in the House.

At any point, a member of the House can introduce a privileged resolution — a designation that gives it priority over other measures — to declare the office of the speaker of the House of Representatives vacant.

Once the motion is introduced, the lawmaker sponsoring it can request a vote on the House floor. Such a request forces House leaders to take action within two legislative days.

But there are procedural motions that members of either party can make to slow or stop the process — and that's exactly what happened when Greene called for a vote Wednesday on removing Johnson.

The No. 2 House Republican, Steve Scalise , immediately made a motion to “table” Greene's resolution, which defeats it if successful. The vote to table was fast and overwhelming, with lawmakers voting 359-43 to defeat her effort and keep Johnson in the job.

The speaker had fought for months to navigate an increasingly fractured Republican conference, which has — in effect — been operating in the majority in name only since January 2023.

Republicans unanimously chose Johnson late last year to replace McCarthy after several candidates for the job failed to gain enough support. His conservative bent was seen as a welcome departure by the most extreme members of his party who had accused McCarthy for years of being too moderate.

But Greene, who became a McCarthy ally late in his tenure, has been skeptical of Johnson’s speakership from the beginning. While she criticized her fellow far-right colleagues for toppling McCarthy, she had warned Johnson for months that she would try to remove him in a similar fashion if he were to push ahead with a package to support Ukraine as it battles Russia’s invasion.

“He should not bring funding for Ukraine,” Greene had told reporters.

But Johnson did just that last month when he advanced a foreign aid package for Ukraine to the floor where it was overwhelmingly approved and signed into law.

Other Republicans are also critical of Johnson, including Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, who was a co-sponsor of Greene's resolution to oust him.

It remains to be seen, but the vote Wednesday showed Johnson's job is far from safe.

Without Democratic help, Johnson could have easily been ousted. Eleven Republicans voted to proceed with Greene’s effort, more than the number of GOP votes it took to oust McCarthy last fall. Seven Democrats voted present and all but 32 of the others voted with Republicans to block the effort to oust him.

“Our decision to stop Marjorie Taylor Greene from plunging the country into further chaos is rooted in our commitment to solve problems,” Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said after the vote.

Asked what they might do if there were another attempt to oust the speaker, Jeffries said, “Haven’t given it a thought.”

Some Republicans are frustrated by the threats to Johnson and were dismissive of Greene. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., said of those trying to remove the speaker, “They’re pretty good at getting attention, but they have not been recognized for their ability to get things done.”

He said if they keep pushing to oust the speaker, “I think you can expect more of the same: Failure.”

The speaker of the House, under the rules of the chamber, is required to keep a list of individuals who can act as speaker pro tempore in the event a chair is vacated. The list, which is oddly written by the sitting speaker at any given time, remains with the House clerk and would be made public if the speakership were vacant.

The first person on that list would be named speaker pro tempore and their first order of business would be to hold an election for a new speaker. The House then would vote as many times as it took to elect a speaker.

In the case of McCarthy, the role of speaker pro tem fell to his close confidant Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., the chair of the House Financial Services Committee. He was in the role for three weeks, until Johnson's election.

Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Kevin Freking and Stephen Groves contributed to this report.

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