About this role
Hornblower Group is a global leader in experiences and transportation. Spanning a 100-year history, Hornblower Group’s portfolio of international offerings includes water-based experiences (dining and sightseeing cruises), land-based experiences (walking and food tours) and ferry and transportation services. City Experiences, Hornblower Group’s premier experience division, offers land- and water-based experiences as well as ferry and transportation services. 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 marine services company specializing in the operation, maintenance and repair of government and privately owned vessels. Additionally, Anchor Operating System, LLC, a Hornblower Group subsidiary and independent entity, provides reservation, ticketing and website integration services for clients in the transportation, tourism and 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’s additional corporate offices reside in San Francisco, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; London, United Kingdom; New York, New York; Dublin, Ireland; and across Ontario, Canada. For more information, visit hornblowercorp.com.
Position Summary:
The Host aids the team in the prompt service of welcoming guests to our Dockside Restaurant. Host is hospitable and cordial to guests and coworkers, acts safely and responsibly, and is knowledgeable about the City Cruises Gananoque vessel operating schedule, the 1000 Islands and public amenities. Host will usher guests to tables, provide menus, answer general menu and operation questions, assists with clearing and cleaning finished tables, manage waitlist and aid with general restaurant cleanliness. The successful candidate will personally contribute to the unforgettable guest experience by way of exceptional care for food & beverage, being respectful of decisions made by direct supervisors, be favorably viewed by their peers and be swift and efficient in the execution of their assigned duties.
Please note this is a seasonal/contract position
Crew Benefits:
- Competitive Wage
- Retention Bonus - up to $500.00!
- Complimentary Cruise Tickets & Uniforms
- Crew Recognition Awards
- Crew Referral Bonus - up to $200.00 per referral
- Crew Events
- Paid Training
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide amazing hospitality to guests and coworkers as prescribed in our RESPECT Service System.
- Reports to work on time and for all scheduled shifts, clocking in and out appropriately, in conjunction with managing personal break time appropriately.
- Understands all policies and procedures relating to the crew’s role within the company.
- Maintains uniform in conjunction with a neat, clean, and well-groomed appearance in compliance with appearance standards.
- Welcomes with a warm and efficient greeting of guests, assisting by offering directions to washrooms and providing a table for service.
- Provide guests with menus, cutlery, condiment caddies and water when appropriate.
- Provides information to guests including but not limited to; menu descriptions, dining periods, hours of operation, special events, cruising options, embarkment schedules and local attractions.
- Set up and break down dining room, patio, and service stations as prescribed by supervisor.
- Maintains the flow of the dining room & patio by seating guests via appropriate use of sections, as determined by on duty management.
- Sanitizes’ menus, polish & roll cutlery at host stand, prepares & replenishes’ condiment caddies, water flowers, bus used and unneeded dishes & glassware from tables.
- Maintains the cleanliness and safety of all common areas and service stations; clean up spilled food, drink, broken wares, and garbage. Responsible for the completion of all daily & weekly checklists.
- Maintain the cleanliness & sanitation of washrooms, front walkway, windows.
- Assist with training of new staff as directed by manager or supervisor.
- Following established guidelines, takes initiative on work to be done.
- Any other duties as assigned by the manager or supervisor on duty.
Requirements & Qualifications:
- O.S.S.D. or equivalent as recognized by the Ministry of Education.
- Minimum one (1) year of customer service preferred.
- Previous restaurant experience preferred.
- Smart Serve Certification preferred.
- Energetic, enthusiastic, and self-directed personality is essential.
- Will be closely supervised; accepts all training and guidance on a continuous basis. Passes along best practices and techniques to fellow crew members.
- Strong verbal, written and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of another language in addition to English is an asset.
- Must be able to effectively understand and convey written and verbal information to guests and coworkers.
- Must possess a service orientation – actively looking for ways to help others.
- The nature of the work may be strenuous, and the work environment may be warm. Will work for extended periods of time without sitting.
- Required to lift furniture and other heavy items such as tables and chairs, up and down stairs.
- Ability to work flexible hours and shifts which may include early mornings, late nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Will be required to be available for work on all weekends during July & August including major holidays.
- Ability to reach, bend, stoop, wipe, push, pull, move or lift up to 35 pounds (16 kilograms).
- Non-slip footwear is required to ensure safety in the workplace. Crew members must wear appropriate non-slip shoes during shifts.
- If required, wear additional assigned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (i.e. gloves, weather appropriate dress attire, sun protection)
City Cruises Canada does not use AI technology in any part of the recruitment process.
Hornblower is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of harassment and/or discrimination of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and/or harassment based upon race, citizenship, place of origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex/pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic characteristics, receipt of public assistance and record of offences. City Experiences employment and workplace decisions will be based on company needs, job requirements and individual job qualifications and skills. City Experiences will comply with provincial and federal legislation relating to equal employment opportunities and employment equity.
Other facts
About Hornblower Group Inc.
Hornblower Group is a global leader in transportation and sightseeing, with over a century of maritime and hospitality innovation. Through our City Experiences division, we deliver unforgettable experiences via brands like City Cruises, Walks, Devour, and City Ferry—offering dining cruises, guided tours, and essential ferry services across the U.S., Canada, and the UK.
Our portfolio includes Hornblower Marine, providing vessel maintenance at Bridgeport Boatworks, and Anchor Operating System, LLC, delivering smart reservation and ticketing solutions for travel and entertainment industries.
Operating in 10 countries and 50+ U.S. cities, we serve over 20 million guests annually. Headquartered in Orlando, with offices in San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Dublin, and Ontario, Canada, we’re redefining how people explore the world—by water, by land, and experience.
What you'll do
- The Host is responsible for providing exceptional hospitality to guests upon arrival at the Dockside Restaurant, including welcoming them, providing menus, answering general questions, and managing the seating flow. Duties also involve assisting with table clearing, cleaning, maintaining restaurant cleanliness, and adhering to all company policies and procedures.
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