At a Glance
- Tasks: Safely operate iconic passenger vessels on the River Thames while delivering exceptional guest experiences.
- Company: Join City Cruises, a leading maritime brand with a strong safety-first culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and free experiences across our brands.
- Other info: Enjoy a great work/life balance with a supportive team and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Be part of a unique working environment on one of the world's most famous rivers.
- Qualifications: 2 years' experience as Captain on passenger vessels and STCW95 certification.
The predicted salary is between 43711 - 52108 £ per year.
City Cruises London UK, Cherry Garden Pier, London, London, City of, United Kingdom
Job Description
Posted Monday 23 February 2026 at 03:00
Hornblower Group is a global leader in experience and transportation.
Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water- and land-based experiences and ferry and transportation services.
City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers dining and sightseeing cruises and walking and food tours through the City Cruises, Walks, and Devour brands.
City Ferry, part of Hornblower Group’s Ferry and Transportation Division, is the largest private operator of high-speed passenger and vehicle ferries in the United States, carrying more than 10 million passengers annually and operating services including NYC Ferry, Puerto Rico Ferry, and other regional ferry systems
Hornblower Group’s subsidiaries include Hornblower Marine, which provides vessel outhaul and maintenance services at Bridgeport Boatworks in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Seaward Services, Inc., a full-service shipping, waterfrontlogisticsand management company that specializes in the operation and maintenance of government and commercial vessels.
Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketingand website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourismand entertainment industries.
Today, Hornblower Group’s global portfolio covers over 10 countries, over 50 U.
S. cities and serves more than 20 million guests annually.
Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Hornblower Group’sadditionalcorporate officesresidein San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada.
For more information, visithornblowercorp. com.
As a Captain with City Cruises UK, you’ll take pride in safely operating our iconic passenger vessels on the River Thames while delivering exceptional experiences to thousands of guests each year.
This is a highly visible, customer-facing role combining professional vessel command with leadership, teamwork and hospitality.
You’ll work with a supportive crew, operate within a strong safety-first culture, and be trusted to represent one of the UK’s most established maritime brands.
Why Join City Cruises?
- Competitive salary of £43,711. Progression to the next grade and salary increase to £52,108 within 3 – 6 months, dependent on a successful training period.
- A unique working environment on one of the world’s most famous rivers
- Great work/life balance on a rotational 3 days on, 2 days off shift pattern.
Earliest start time is 08:15, and latest finish time is 19:05 (winter season) and 20:30 (summer season)
- Ongoing training and CPD, fully funded support to maintain and expand your qualifications
- Clear career progression opportunities within a global organisation
- A strong, inclusive team culture
- Free and discounted experiences across City Cruises and Hornblower Group brands
- Exposure to a wide range of operations, from sightseeing cruises to dining experiences and private charters
- What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Safety & Compliance
- Maintain the highest standards of safety for passengers and crew
- Ensure compliance with SMS, Passage Plan, PLA by-laws and maritime regulations
- Conduct safety briefings, announcements and onboard training
- Vessel Operations
- Navigate and manoeuvre vessels safely on the River Thames
- Oversee mooring, embarking and disembarking procedures
- Complete daily vessel checks, logs and maintenance reporting
- Leadership & Customer Experience
- Lead and support onboard crew, setting a professional example
- Deliver a welcoming, informative and enjoyable experience for passengers
- Act as an ambassador for City Cruises’ RESPECT values and brand
- What We’re Looking For
- Local Knowledge Endorsement (LKE)
- STCW95 certification
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience as Captain on passenger vessels
- (Applicants without an LPV will still be considered. Where necessary, City Cruises will support successful candidates in obtaining this endorsement)
- Experience in hospitality or tourism-led marine operations
- Strong working knowledge of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and DSM or ISM principles
- Thames guiding or commentary experience
- All employees must commit to upholding our RESPECT values. They are as follows:
- Respect We will value, appreciate and respect each other. We will foster diversity and inclusivity.
- Environment We will Respect our planet. We will conserve, protect, and educate. We will practice environmental stewardship.
- Safety #1 We will think and work safely. We will follow safety standards and instructions. We will create a safe and secure workplace.
- Professionalism We will conduct ourselves professionally. We will take responsibility for our actions. We #will own the problem until it is solved.
- Exceed We will continuously improve. We will exceed standards and expectations.
- Communication We will be open and honest. We will choose a respectful approach. We will share information with others effectively.
- Teamwork We will exist to serve others. We will anticipate the needs of others. We will have fun and practice “enthusiastic friendliness”.
As an equal opportunities’ employer, we are committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and do not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
We aspire to create a diverse and inclusive environment. Candidates for employment or promotion will be assessed objectively against the requirements for the position.
- City Cruises London UK, Cherry Garden Pier, London, London, City of, United Kingdom
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Captain - Marine Operations employer: Hornblower
Hornblower is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises teamwork and exceptional customer service. Located in the heart of Greater London, employees benefit from flexible working hours, opportunities for personal growth, and the chance to engage with diverse guests, making every day rewarding and meaningful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Captain - Marine Operations
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like Hornblower.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by Hornblower. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Captain - Marine Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at Hornblower, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at Hornblower and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into Hornblower. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hornblower
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at Hornblower.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to Hornblower.
