Christmas Ship Deckhand/Bartender

Christmas Ship Bartender/Deckhand Job Description:

'Tis the season for the annual Christmas Ship™ at Argosy! Join us in sharing the magic of Seattle from the water and helping make unforgettable holiday memories for our guests (while having a jolly good time ourselves!) Our Christmas Ship™ program brings the holiday spirit to life with Santa, trivia, cookies, and choir performances, and our crew helps make it all happen.

As a deckhand/bartender, you'll assist the Captain in operating the vessel safely, following U.S. Coast Guard regulations. You'll also help create a merry atmosphere on the Christmas Ship by:

• serving guests holiday drinks and treats from our onboard bar
• keeping the ship shipshape and ready for Santa's visit
• bringing top-notch hospitality and holiday cheer to every guest on board
• helping with other onboard duties as assigned

Have bartending or hospitality experience? Awesome, we'd love to have you! New to it? No problem. If you love people, boats, and a fast-paced, festive environment, we'll teach you everything you need to know.

This is a seasonal part-time position that begins November 10, 2026 and ends January 1, 2027.

This position requires open availability for the following dates

• Tuesday, November 10 - Friday, November 13 (mandatory training)
• Availability to be scheduled for 3 onboard training shifts a week for the last two weeks of November
• Tuesday, November 24 (Christmas Ship training and kickoff meeting)
• Christmas Ship sailing dates
• • Friday, November 27 - Sunday, November 29
  • Thursday, December 3 - Sunday, December 6
  • Thursday, December 10 - Sunday, December 13
  • Wednesday, December 16 - Wednesday, December 23
• New Year's Eve / New Year's Day

This position is required to work non-traditional hours, including weekends, evenings, and holidays (excluding Christmas Day). Shifts will generally be between 8 and 12 hours long.

Deckhand duties

• Conduct nautical operations such as vessel mooring, handling mooring lines, casting off lines upon embarking and securing lines upon docking
• Perform safety, mechanical and fluid systems checks prior to departure and while underway
• Perform basic deck and vessel cleaning and maintenance while at dock and underway
• Participate in emergency drills on a regular basis to ensure the highest level of safety preparedness
• Move and set up boarding ramps at various docking locations

Bartender duties

• Take orders, shake up festive cocktails, pour beer and wine, and make holiday drink recommendations
• Participate in the on-board operations of the Christmas Ship™ program, including following cues and procedures during choir performances and other festival moments
• Engage with guests, answer questions, and provide top-notch customer service so every guest leaves with a great Christmas Ship experience

Pay Range
$21.50/ hour plus additional earnings from tips

Benefits

• Gain hospitality and tourism experience while celebrating the season with a fun, supportive team
• Complimentary Argosy tours and onboard discounts, so you can play tourist on your days off
• Discounted ORCA pass (must work an average of at least 10 hours/week)
• Opportunity to become a Regular Variable-Hour employee
• Join in on exciting Argosy employee events, including holiday celebrations with your fellow crew
• Soak in those waterfront views and twinkling holiday lights-- you'll be working on and near the water every day

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, which includes THC, as required by the United States Coast Guard/DOT
• Must maintain good standing in a random drug test program regulated by the United States Coast Guard/DOT
• Must pass a post-offer background check
• Must obtain a Washington State Mandatory Alcohol Server Training (Class 12) Permit and a Washington State Food Worker Permit within 14 days of hire (if not already completed)
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Ability to speak, read, and write clearly in English
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Ability to travel to and from various dock locations

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work onboard a vessel for the entire shift
• Ability to lift and carry up to 55 pounds
• Full range of motion in all extremities
• Ability to climb stairs
• Ability to navigate uneven and shifting surfaces, including vessel decks, docks, and piers
• Ability to step or leap down three feet from a slow-moving platform
• Ability to climb over barriers up to 3.5 feet high
• Ability to stoop and crouch in small spaces
• Ability to swim
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and extreme temperatures, including rain and snow
• Ability to speak in a clear, loud voice
• Willingness and ability to comply with United States Coast Guard mobility and physical standards for deckhands aboard small passenger vessels, per USCG COMDTPUB B 16700.4, NVIC 1-91

Note, the job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug test and background check.

Argosy Cruises is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information about Argosy Cruises, please visit our website at https://www.argosycruises.com/