Galley Careers – National Geographic Quest & National Geographic Venture in Seattle, Washington at Lindblad Expeditions

Galley Careers National Geographic Quest & National Geographic Venture

WHO WE ARE

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world's most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships — and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the "Exhilaration of Discovery."

ABOUT THIS POSTING

This isn't just a chef job — it's a way of life. Our ships operate year-round across some of the most spectacular coastlines on earth, from the fjords of Southeast Alaska down to Baja Mexico and Central America, putting you in a new location every few days. And when you're off the ship, Lindblad's crew travel benefits open the door even wider — many of our galley team use their time off to sail on our international fleet, exploring places like Antarctica, the Galapagos, Europe, and New Zealand.

It's also one of the best jobs out there for actually saving money. While you're onboard, your meals, room, and laundry are all covered — no rent, no grocery bills, no daily expenses eating into your paycheck. You're getting paid to travel the world, doing what you love, with very little to spend it on until you're ready to.

The galley is at the heart of that experience for every guest and crew member aboard our U.S. fleet — the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture — and we're proactive about making sure it's staffed with the right people. Rather than wait for a specific role to open and start a search from zero, we're building a pool of qualified, interested candidates across all of our galley positions — Shipboard Head Chef, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef, Chef de Partie, Line Cook, and Pantry Chef — so we're ready to move quickly when a seat becomes available.

If your application and resume stand out to our culinary recruiting team, we'll reach out to set up a first-round screening — a chance for us to get a better understanding of your experience and goals, and for you to learn more about life at sea. This lets us determine which role, or roles, you'd be a great fit for well before a position actually opens, so we're ready to move quickly when it does.

Candidates must be genuinely prepared for sustained physical demand in a remote, at-sea environment before applying.

WORK SCHEDULE

Galley team members work an average of 12–14 hours per day, every day, with no days off, throughout an 8-week rotation onboard — followed by approximately 4 weeks off. Rotations alternate between the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture, so you'll come and go between the two ships over time. What stays consistent is your galley team: you rotate on and off together, so the people you're working alongside — and living with — stay the same, trip after trip. That built-in consistency is a big part of what makes the galley work.

LIVING CONDITIONS

Crew quarters are compact and shared — you will bunk with one or two roommates for the full duration of your rotation, with minimal personal space. Our vessels operate in remote locations with limited or no port access between expeditions, so cell service and internet may be unavailable for extended periods. You must bring a sufficient supply of any prescription medications, as refills cannot be obtained while underway.

This lifestyle suits people who are adaptable, self-sufficient, and genuinely energized by close-knit team environments and remote travel. If those conditions sound like a challenge rather than an adventure, this may not be the right fit — and that's okay.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is physically demanding work performed in a moving marine environment. Throughout a 12-hour shift — including during periods of significant vessel motion — you'll be required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and climb steep interior stairs repeatedly. You must be able to regularly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds. Work rotates continuously across food service, dishwashing, cleaning, and provisioning, often without extended breaks, in confined, high-humidity spaces including the galley.

THE POSITIONSShipboard Head Chef — $365–$395/day

This is not a desk job — the Head Chef is in the galley cooking alongside the team every day, leading all culinary operations onboard as head of the 6-member crew. You'll be hands-on through the full cycle of meal production, from menu execution and provisioning to plating, while also owning sanitation compliance, food costs, and staff development. Ready to step into any other galley role when the team needs it. Minimum 2 years managing a culinary team; formal culinary training and passenger ship experience preferred.

Sous Chef — $235–$245/day ($185–$195 base + $50 guaranteed daily gratuity)

Second-in-command in the galley and just as hands-on — you're at the Head Chef's side through every guest and crew meal, from butchering and prep to cooking and plating. You'll help train Pantry Chefs and the rest of the team, and you need to be ready to run the galley yourself as Head Chef when the moment calls for it.
Minimum 2 years' experience on a passenger ship culinary team preferred; formal culinary training preferred.

Pastry Chef — $225–$235/day ($175–$185 base + $50 guaranteed gratuity)

This is a hands-on role with real creative license — you're not just executing the same dessert menu night after night. From fresh breads to plated desserts, teatime treats, and dietary-specific items (gluten-free, vegan, allergy-sensitive), Pastry Chefs are encouraged to put their own spin on things and bring new ideas to the table. You'll manage daily production and work closely with the Head Chef on inventory and ordering. Minimum 2 years' culinary industry experience aboard passenger ships preferred; culinary or baking/pastry school training preferred.

Chef de Partie — $180–$190/day ($130–$140 base + $50 guaranteed gratuity)

A key player across both guest and crew dining — you'll work buffet setups, canapés, and action stations for guests, while also taking the lead on crew meals, where you get real creative license to shape what the team eats after a long day. It's a role with genuine influence on morale onboard, alongside strong guest-facing culinary experience. You'll be ready to lead the galley or fill in for more senior roles when needed. Minimum 1–2 years' culinary experience aboard passenger ships preferred; culinary school training preferred.

Line Cook — $175–$180/day ($125–$130 base + $50 guaranteed gratuity)

Preps ingredients, cooks hot dishes, and assists with plating during meal service for both guests and crew, working closely with the Head Chef and galley team. Also supports inventory, provisioning, cleaning, and dishwashing. Minimum 2 years of recent cooking and/or food service experience.

Pantry Chef — $165–$170/day ($115–$120 base + $50 guaranteed gratuity)

A hands-on role that keeps the whole galley running — you'll handle cold food prep from salads and garnishes to dressings and desserts, following recipes and direction from the Head Chef, while also owning kitchen sanitation and galley organization. It's a great entry point into shipboard culinary life, working closely with the whole team and building the skills to grow into more senior roles. Minimum 1 year of recent cooking and/or food service experience.

All rates reflect total daily compensation, including a guaranteed minimum in gratuities where applicable; any tips earned above the guaranteed minimum are yours to keep. Final compensation is based on experience and vessel assignment.

WHAT ALL OUR GALLEY ROLES HAVE IN COMMON

Maybe more than any other department onboard, the galley has to run as one well-oiled machine. You're working shoulder-to-shoulder in the same small kitchen for 12–14 hours a day, then going back to share crew quarters with those same people that night. Rotations move between the Quest and Venture together as a team, so the people you're cooking beside are the same people you're building a life at sea with. Ask any of our chefs why they keep coming back, and the answer is almost always the same: it's the team. That kind of bond isn't just nice to have in the galley — it's what makes the whole operation work.

Every galley role shares these responsibilities:

• Following the Company menu matrix and recipes for guest and crew meals
• Assisting with buffet setups, action stations, and plating during meal service
• Maintaining galley cleanliness and food storage areas in line with CDC Vessel Sanitation Program and Health Canada requirements
• Assisting with dishwashing, inventory, provisioning, and stock rotation as needed
• Participating in onboard safety training, drills, and Emergency Station Billet duties as directed by the Captain
• Supporting a collaborative, team-first galley culture

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR SHIPBOARD GALLEY ROLES

Compensation reflects total daily pay and varies by role and experience:

• Pantry Chef: $165–$170/day ($115–$120 base + $50 guaranteed daily gratuity)
• Line Cook: $175–$180/day ($125–$130 base + $50 guaranteed daily gratuity)
• Chef de Partie: $180–$190/day ($130–$140 base + $50 guaranteed daily gratuity)
• Pastry Chef: $225–$235/day ($175–$185 base + $50 guaranteed daily gratuity)
• Sous Chef: $235–$245/day ($185–$195 base + $50 guaranteed daily gratuity)
• Shipboard Head Chef: $365–$395/day (not included in the tip pool)

All roles included in the tip receive a guaranteed daily minimum in gratuities on top of a base daily rate, with any tips earned above that minimum yours to keep. Final base rate is based on experience, role, and vessel assignment.

$165 - $395 a day