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/

Work onboard an Argosy vessel for shifts of 8-12 hours
Participate in onboard training and drills including Man-Overboard, Fire, Abandon Ship, and Anchoring
Assist in positioning and assembly of boarding ramps
Provide a positive guest experience throughout the Christmas ShipTM Festival with excellent interpersonal and customer facing skills
Serve guests beer, wine, liquors, mixed beverages, and quick food items
Maintain a well-stocked, safe, and clean bar area throughout each working shift
Check out guests on Revel POS system and the accompanying credit card reader
Maintain cleanliness of the entire vessel at all times
Maintain situational awareness at all times on the boats and on the docks
Offer knowledge of Argosy products
Other duties as assigned

Christmas Ship™ Deckhand/Bartender

Job Description