Chief Purser for Swan Hellenic Cruises

Chief Purser for Swan Hellenic Cruises

Department: Hotel

Employment Type: Contract

Location: Shipboard

Description

V.Ships Leisure is looking for Chief Purser on behalf of Swan Hellenic Cruises.

Key Responsibilities

• Adherence to the company’s health and hygiene standards in line with the acceptable Public Health sanitation Programs and EU SHIPSAN procedures.
• Ensuring a safe operation and working practice of the Purser Department and any related matters affecting the safety of the ship, guests, and crew.
• Keeping the Hotel Director promptly and fully informed of any occurrence which might affect the navigation of the ship or the safety of persons onboard and/or the quality of services offered to guest.
• Liaise with other departments for the coordination of Purser Department activities and to ensure a smooth operation.
• Ensuring welfare and discipline of all members of the Purser Department. He/she is to ensure that all officers in the department are aware of their social obligations whilst in guest public areas.
• Reporting defects or malfunctions of safety equipment and appliances e.g. expired or empty fire extinguishers, defective fire doors, broken or missing lifejackets, broken fire buttons, safety posters missing, etc.
• Participating fully in safety drills and statutory inspections commensurate to the role and as per Company policies and procedures.
• Ensuring departmental compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention directive on working hours.
• Supporting the Purser Department team in applying correct security measures.
• Other safety responsibilities, as assigned, but not limited to the above.
• Handling all financial transactions including cash handling for the vessel and maintaining all records according to company policies.
• Keep a good tone and promote close relation with all assigned port agents.
• Environmental stewardship is central to this role and the entire operation of the ship. This role will engage in, comply with and promote all environmental regulations and policies, actively working with the Hotel Department and guests to promote sustainability and protection of the environment in all aspects of life on board.
• Making all arrangements, on behalf of the Captain, with the Port Agents for the ship\’s arrival in various ports of call on (such as, but not limited to Arrival Notifications, daily communication with the Port Agents regarding arrival and departure arrangements and requests etc.)
• Obtaining all the appropriate clearance information for guests and crew and ensuring that all documentation is in order so that the ship can be cleared immediately upon arrival.
• Planning, organising and executing the embarkation and disembarkation of guests.
• Managing and overseeing the entire Guest Service operation.
• Supervising of the following ranks: Purser, Receptionist.
• Monitoring and controlling the use of office supplies and other consumables.
• Monitoring all onboard printing and keeping related costs under control.
• Monitoring and controlling wage and overtime for the Guest Service team.
• Monitoring and controlling all Purser Department expenditures to ensure that it stays within the limits of the Consumable and M&R Budget.
• Monitoring and controlling all communication costs (such as telephone, and e-mail).
• Ensuring that all documentation is in order so that the ship can be cleared immediately upon arrival in order for guests and crew to be able to go ashore in a timely manner.
• Obtaining all the appropriate clearance information for guests and crew (such as, but not limited to regulations for the ports, requirements, special declarations, forms etc.).
• Assisting the ship\’s Medical Centre to make all the necessary arrangements for Medical debarks/evacuations as well as onboard deaths.
• Checking and maintaining the quality of all printed materials published for guests and ensuring that it complies with the Company graphic standards.
• Overseeing the onboard printing operation and ensuring that all printed materials are approved before printing.
• Ensuring that all shipboard announcements are kept to a minimum and that all announcements have approval before they are made.
• Ensuring that an accurate guest count is obtained before sailing from each port.
• Ensuring that the guests and crew lists are forwarded to the Company thirty (30) minutes before sailing from each port and also forwarding the counts to the Bridge.
• Obtaining a sailing permit from each port before departure.
• Verifying Port Agent invoices for services provided in each port of call.
• Ensuring that the Guest Manifest is updated and correct at all times and that all Guest passports are secure.
• Coordinating and overseeing the check-in procedure for embarking Guests.
• Keeping the Captain and the Hotel Director updated on embarkation day as to how many guests are missing or have lost luggage and if any departure delays are anticipated due to late embarking guests, missed flights etc.
• Planning, organising and executing the disembarkation of guests at each turnaround port as well as way ports.
• Setting up all embarkation and disembarkation procedures for luggage handing and ticket confirmation.
• Ensuring that ENOAD report is transmitted to the US Coast Guard in a timely manner as per regulations.
• Managing and overseeing the entire Purser Department operation.
• Responding to Guest comments, complaints and inquiries handled by the Guest Service Staff.
• Preparing and submitting Cruise End Reports in a timely manner.
• Training, coaching, counselling, supporting and delegating to the Guest Service Supervisors, Documentation Officer, Senior Receptionists, and Receptionists.
• Guiding the Receptionists and Purser, ensuring they are always updated with relevant shipboard information.
• Monitoring and developing work and vacation schedules for the purser department.
• Conducting performance appraisals for the department.
• Ensuring that the Purser Department Work Registration Forms are completed correctly and handed in to the Hotel Director in a timely manner.
• Promoting the hotel operations values and goals by effectively communicating the corporate vision and expectations downwards.
• Ensuring that company property is always maintained properly and treated with respect.
• Attending and socialising at guest cocktail parties and any other functions per Company policies and procedures including table hosting as scheduled.

Education/Experience/Qualifications:

• Valid STCW certificates
• Seamans Book
• Ship Experience