Port Captain
Journey with us! Combine your career goals and sense of adventure by joining our exciting team of employees. Royal Caribbean Group is pleased to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each offering unique ways to explore the world.
We are proud to be the vacation-industry leader with global brands — including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises — the most innovative fleet and private destinations, and the best people. Together, we are dedicated to turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations for our guests.
The Royal Caribbean Group’s Global Marine Operations Team has an exciting career opportunity for a full-time Port Captain reporting to the Fleet Captain.
The position is onsite and based in Miami, Florida.
At Royal Caribbean Group (RCG), we care about your health, financial security, and overall well-being. That’s why we provide a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support what matters most to you across every area of life: physical, intellectual, emotional, and social. Here’s an overview of the benefits available to you, including but not limited to:
- Cruise and Travel Privileges
- Health and Wellness Benefits
- 401(k) + Employer Contribution (US Only)
- Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Comprehensive Time Off Package
- Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Training & Professional Development
- Tuition & Professional Certification Reimbursement (US Only)
Specific benefits may vary by location and position. See more details about our benefits here.
What does the Global Marine Operations Team do?
The Marine Operations Team at Royal Caribbean Group ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the company’s global fleet. The team oversees navigation, technical operations, safety, regulatory compliance, and crew workforce planning, partnering closely with shipboard leadership and external authorities to maintain operational excellence, meet maritime regulations, and deliver consistently safe voyages across all brands worldwide.
How you can make an impact:
The Port Captain supports the AVP Safety & Nautical (Fleet Capt) acting as his deputy, carrying out the day-to-day Marine operations of the Fleets (Silversea) with particular focus on Safety and Navigation. In total, the Port Captain for Global Fleet Management will support 12 vessels, ensuring that they operate efficiently and effectively within the cruise industry. This role requires experience in a maritime setting, as well as a deep understanding of the unique aspects of working on a cruise ship.
What your day-to-day will look like:
- Coordinates on behalf of Global Marine Operations/Global Fleet Management with internal stakeholders as needed, inclusive of: Human Resources, Newbuild, Maritime Safety Standards, Training, Security and Environmental Stewardship.
- Support Ship Managers for any Marine Class-related issues, inspections, and surveys or any vessel maintenance and safety related reports.
- Oversees and implement Marine injury prevention and workplace safety initiatives.
- Coordinates with Maritime Safety on implementation of corrective actions / lessons learned / GPA discussion and review.
- Monitors Company’s Shoreside training program for all Deck Officers.
- Leads special projects for Marine & Nautical Ops related to safety and navigation.
- Evaluates, interviews and oversees in conjunction with the AVP Safety & Nautical, the hiring of Bridge Officers for the companies under the Global Fleet Management (Silversea).
- Supports the Expedition Department on marine / safety aspects and for relevant permits.
- Supports nautical policies and procedures and promote nautical form to be standardize as far as possible within all the Silversea Fleet.
- Participates in the “Itinerary change committee” and the “Itinerary integrity check committee” meetings for the review of each ship’s future itineraries and change of itinerary feasibility from the nautical side.
- Supports the ships’ captains for all marine aspect and changes in the itineraries within the 30 days.
- Serves as the point of contact for the other departments for nautical issues and queries.
- Implementation, review, and development of Nautical/navigation procedures in conjunction with Royal Caribbean Group.
- Develops technical itineraries for empty voyages / repo and help in the developing of new itineraries in case of change to be made within 30 days of execution or no revenue cruises.
- Reviews the Nautical and navigation related monthly reports.
- Serves as the Silversea representatives in the Nautical WG within Royal Caribbean Group.
- Monitors vessels maintenance and safety related reports.
- Liaises with Technical team on Class related issues, inspections, surveys to ensure repairs, inspections and upgrades are completed in timely manner.
- Monitors vessels stability reports and liaise with Newbuild team for future stability enhancements.
- Serves at the point of contact for any and all Situation Alerts for the companies under the Global Fleet Management (Silversea) with regards to weather, propulsion, fire, collision, grounding or any other Safety of Life at Sea elements that need elevation.
How to achieve success:
- A minimum of 10 years of experience on board of cruise vessels, with at least 3 years in the position of Senior Officer.
- Valid Seamen book and Master certificates.
- Familiarity with Silversea and / or Royal Caribbean Group Navigational and Emergency procedures.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to motivate and lead a team.
- Exceptional leadership capabilities, including the ability to set clear expectations and drive performance improvement.
- Educational background in the Marine field.
- Extensive professional experience in a maritime setting, preferably within the cruise industry.
- Specific certifications or qualifications, such as maritime safety or navigation.
- Understanding of the unique requirements of working on a cruise ship.
- Strong knowledge of maritime safety regulations and practices.
- Familiarity with vessel maintenance and safety procedures.
- Understanding of marine injury prevention and workplace safety initiatives.
- Experience in overseeing and implementing corrective actions and lessons learned.
- Knowledge of Shoreside training programs for Marine Officers.
- Ability to lead special projects related to safety and navigation in Marine & Nautical Operations.
- Experience in hiring and overseeing Bridge Officers.
- Familiarity with routine regulatory issues such as certificate management and safety inspections.
- Understanding of vessel stability reports.
- Proficiency in coordinating with the Technical team on Class-related issues, inspections, and surveys.
- Technical knowledge and skills related to safety, navigation, and maritime operations.
- Strong leadership qualities and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic, multicultural maritime environment.
- Adaptability and flexibility to navigate changing circumstances within the cruise industry.
- Good knowledge on Windows systems, Microsoft Office and Platforms.
We know there's a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters will be glad to provide guidance, and more relevant details to answer any additional questions. Thank you again for your interest in Royal Caribbean Group. We hope to see you onboard soon!
Agency and Third-Party Submissions: Please note this is a direct search by the Company, and applications through agencies and other third parties will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited resumes. Any unsolicited resumes will be considered the Company's property.
It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunity to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, citizenship or immigration status, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Royal Caribbean Group and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to support candidates with disabilities during our hiring process. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at hraccess@rccl.com. This email is for disability-related accommodation requests only.
Nearest Major Market: Miami