Maritime Crew Service
Targeted Recruitment for Cruise Lines
Carefully selected leaders and experienced professionals for culinary, food and beverage, and hotel operations positions across ocean, expedition, and river cruise fleets.
We do not simply advertise vacancies and wait for applications. We conduct targeted searches, approach suitable professionals directly, and present only candidates whom we have personally interviewed and assessed.
We do not aim to find the most candidates. We aim to find the right ones.
An impressive CV alone does not show whether someone is truly suited to the responsibilities and realities of working at sea.
A career on board requires resilience, leadership, flexibility, intercultural competence, and the ability to perform reliably under demanding operational conditions.
Temporary Chef Agency Limited combines targeted recruitment with more than 20 years of operational experience in the international cruise and hospitality industry.
We understand the requirements of working on board from first-hand experience. Our assessment therefore goes beyond qualifications and previous job titles. We also consider motivation, personality, leadership behaviour, and genuine suitability for a maritime career.
Our Specialisation
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We support cruise lines in identifying experienced professionals and leaders across the following areas:
Culinary
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Executive Chef
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Chef de Cuisine
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Executive Sous Chef
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Sous Chef
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other senior culinary positions
Food & Beverage
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F&B Director
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F&B Manager
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Restaurant Manager
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other senior F&B positions
Hotel Operations
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Hotel Director
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Hotel Manager
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other selected hotel operations leadership positions
We consider additional positions individually and only where they fall within our professional expertise and international network.
Targeted Search Instead of Mass Recruitment
We operate as a specialised boutique recruitment agency. Our objective is not to forward the highest possible number of CVs.
Every search begins with a clear understanding of the position, vessel type, company culture, and the cruise line’s specific expectations.
We then identify suitable candidates within our international network and directly approach professionals who may not be actively looking for a new opportunity.
This allows us to reach experienced individuals who are unlikely to be found through conventional job advertisements.
Our Selection Process
1. Requirements Analysis
We discuss the position, required experience, expected joining date, rotation schedule, and the specific requirements of your fleet.
2. Targeted Candidate Search
We search within our international network and approach suitable professionals and leaders directly and confidentially.
3. Personal Interview
Every candidate is personally interviewed by us. Our assessment goes beyond their employment history and includes:
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professional and operational experience
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leadership style and sense of responsibility
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communication skills and English proficiency
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motivation for working on board
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resilience and realistic expectations
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previous maritime experience
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availability and preferred rotation
4. Document Review
Depending on the position and your requirements, we review the available application documents, employment certificates, written references, appraisals, and relevant maritime documentation.
This may include STCW certificates, a valid seafarer medical certificate, Seaman’s Book, passport, and other required documentation.
5. Structured Candidate Presentation
You will not receive an unstructured collection of CVs. We present carefully selected candidates together with a clear assessment of their experience, motivation, availability, and suitability for the position.
We Recognise Potential That May Be Overlooked in an ATS
Strong candidates may already be registered in a cruise line’s applicant tracking system without having been considered for the right position.
A CV can show professional experience, but it does not always reveal what genuinely distinguishes an individual. Through personal interviews, we identify connections, leadership qualities, and transferable experience that may be overlooked during an automated selection process.
We therefore see our role as more than simply finding candidates. We provide professional judgement: Which candidate is the right match for the position, the vessel, and the company culture?
Preparation for the Selection Process
Suitable candidates are prepared for the next stage of the selection process.
We explain the cruise line’s expectations, discuss the position, and ensure that the candidate has a realistic understanding of the company, rotation schedule, and conditions on board.
This gives both parties a stronger basis for making the right decision. Unclear expectations and avoidable misunderstandings can be addressed before the first interview with the cruise line.
Operational Cruise Industry Experience
Recruitment for the cruise industry is different from conventional recruitment for land-based hospitality businesses.
We understand the long working days, clear hierarchies, international teams, and high guest expectations. We know that professional expertise alone is not enough and that leadership at sea differs significantly from leadership in a land-based hotel or restaurant.
This operational experience enables us to assess candidates realistically and present only professionals whom we can confidently represent.
Flexible Cooperation
We support cruise lines with:
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individual hard-to-fill positions
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confidential executive search mandates
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building a long-term candidate pipeline
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planned fleet or vessel expansions
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seasonal recruitment requirements
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targeted searches for specific culinary or operational profiles
The terms of cooperation and recruitment fee are agreed transparently before the search begins.
Licensed and Responsible Recruitment
Temporary Chef Agency Limited is licensed in Ireland as an employment agency under licence number EA 5687.
We operate in accordance with the principles of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. Candidates are not charged recruitment or placement fees.
Personal data and application documents are treated confidentially and shared only as part of a specific recruitment process.
Let’s Discuss Your Recruitment Needs
Are you looking for an experienced leader, seeking to strengthen your candidate pipeline, or requiring support with a hard-to-fill position?
Tell us which position you need to fill. We will contact you personally to discuss your requirements and the possibilities for cooperation.