Housekeeping

Department in Cruise
Ship
 Responsibility for the cabins or staterooms on a cruise ship fall
under the housekeeping department. This division is responsible for
making passengers comfortable while they are in their rooms, and
includes the care of the cabins, room and messenger service, and
laundry pick up and delivery.

 Jobs in the housekeeping department of a cruise line are very similar to the jobs you will find in a five-
star hotel or resort: Cabin Steward / Stewardess (Stateroom Attendant) who clean and do daily
maintenance of the cabins and general housekeeping, Chief (Executive) Housekeeper, Assistant
Executive Housekeeper, Head Butler, Butler, Pool Butler, Head Room Steward / Stewardess.

 There is also a separate division that does the general cleaning and maintenance of the common
areas around the ship and offers jobs for cleaner / utility cleaner positions.
 The laundry on a ship must run almost continually. Bed linens,
towels, tablecloths, and some crew uniforms must be laundered
daily. This division offers cruise line jobs for laundry supervisor and
laundry man / linen keeper.

 Most cruise lines use local recruiters to staff these positions

and candidates are recruited from all over the world.
Housekeeping falls under the hotel department and most of
the personnel is categorized as accommodation crew except
the Executive Housekeeper (head of the department) and the
Assistant Chief (Executive) Housekeeper which are officer
positions.
Housekeeping Personnel
 Chief Housekeeper

• He/She is responsible for supervising the cleanliness of all

passenger cabins and corridors, stairways, all offices and
crew cabins, their recreation areas and corridors, all public
areas including bars, lounges, stairs etc.
• Also the supervision of the laundry, handling of linen and
uniforms is her responsibility.
 AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY SUPERVISION AND TRAINING

• He/She is responsible for the co-ordination of the

Housekeeping Department with other Departments • She develops a continuous inspection program for all
to obtain maximum efficiency. public areas and cabins.
• He/She establishes work routines and work • She ensures that the necessary promotion and
schedules for her staff so that a high standard of information material is available in all passenger cabins.
cleanliness can be maintained.

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

PERSONNEL
• She inspects and controls the standard of
• She establishes on and off duty reporting procedures and maintenance and reports repair requests
schedules the working hours of her staff accordingly. immediately to the Chief Officer.
• She informs her staff periodically about their performance • She instructs her staff to report repair requests
of duties and hands Job Descriptions to new crew immediately and establishes follow-up procedures.
members.
 Assistant Chief Housekeeper
• The primary responsibility of the Assistant Chief Housekeeper is to assist the
Chief Housekeeper in the efficient running of the Housekeeping Department in
line with company standards, rules and regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inspect all designated areas, ensuring guest satisfaction by using provided various check lists/ by area.
• Assist with preparation of work schedules for Housekeeping personnel.
• Ensure that subordinates follow work schedules and complete tasks according to job description and management
instruction.
• Ensure that the Housekeeping crewmembers are well groomed and in proper uniform when reporting for duty.
• Meet new employees and explain the ship rules, regulations and onboard routines.
Training & Development:

• Attend all meetings, training activities or classes related to assigned position as

required.
• Participate in all mandatory trainings without excuse.
• Train and provide guidance to current and potential Asst. Housekeepers.

Safety Responsibilities:

• Possess familiarity with the vessel layout in terms of safety and security.
• Participate in all required safety drills/training.
• Maintain a safe and sanitary environment for all guests and crew members.
• Follow proper procedures and instructions at all times to prevent damage of any kind to ship or
company property.
 Floor Supervisor

• Floor Supervisor will be responsible for maintain guestrooms, working

areas, and the hotel premises in general in a clean and orderly manner.
Also coordinating daily housekeeping operations and maintaining the
housekeeping operating standards.

• He/She are also responsible for supervising room attendants to deliver an

excellent Guest satisfaction and experience. On time to time basis may
also be required to assist the Housekeeping Manager in various activities.
FLOOR SUPERVISOR DUTIES AND
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Organizes and facilitates the room making process.

• Daily allocation of rooms and deep cleaning tasks to team members.

• Responsible for the cleanliness of guest rooms, corridors and heart of the house area of the floor.

• Checks the occupied and departure rooms, giving special attention to guest needs.

• Ensures that the entire operation is performed as per the laid down standards.

• To organise immediately the guest needs under intimation to EHK/Executive.

• Manage guest requests, including VIP amenities and communicating them to the relevant team members
 Head Room Steward / Stewardess

The Head Steward works under the general guidance and supervision of
the Assistant Executive Housekeeper. Supervises the activities of the Utility
Hotel, Crew Stewards, Officer Utilities, Senior Officer Utility, and the Head
Cleaner to ensure clean, orderly and attractive public areas and guest
staterooms. In order to consistently exceed guest expectations and provide the
highest levels of product and services, additional duties and responsibilities
may be assigned as needed.
• Inspects lobbies, atriums, elevators, outlets, stair towers, landings, offices and surrounding areas as
needed.
• Maintains a daily logbook on inspected areas, assignments given to staff, special projects, maintenance
deficiencies and significant events/activities during his/her shift.
• Conducts inventory checks as needed. Sees to adequate storage of supply inventories on assigned decks
and safeguards against waste, shortages, and losses.
• Prepares supervisor report and completes requisition forms for needed supplies.
• Reports maintenance deficiencies that require immediate attention and follows up on their status.
Elevates issues as necessary.
• Reports of any loss or damage of furniture, fixtures or equipment.
Supervises the proper use and care of equipment.
 Housekeeping (Room) Steward /
Stewardess / Stateroom Attendant

• Change bed linens on either “changing day” or as needed. Ensures all linen is fresh clean and in
good condition.
• Remake beds and replace furniture to original locale.· Inspects (for damaged or soiled), removes,
and/or replaces all printed items as needed; room service booklet, signage, laundry bags with
order form, breakfast door menus, permanent collateral, tent cards, etc.
• Dusts the entire room, or as needed, including the dusting or polishing of electrical units and
loose furniture.
• Vacuums the entire room or as needed.
• Cleans mirrors, chrome, glass, windows, window ledges, and other shinning surfaces.
• Collects all stray dishware and removes them if not needed.
Restocks, resets, or removes any amenities as needed. Pays special attention to refilling the
coffee and mini-bar setup.
 ASSISTANT STATEROOM
STEWARD/ESS

• Reporting to the Assistant Housekeeper

• Assist the Stateroom Hostess with the overall cleanliness and upkeep of
Guests stateroom, Suites, corridors and pantries as per cruise line's standards

• Responsible to bring any items required to and from other areas for the upkeep of the sections
• Cleaning bathroom & toilets
• Cleaning of pantries areas to USPH standards
• Cleaning and vacuuming of corridors
• Removal of food trays to designated pantry
• Daily cleaning of stateroom balcony, windows and furniture
• Ice delivery
• Trash/Garbage collection
 HEAD BUTLER

The function of the Head Butler is to train and supervise the Butlers on
board the cruise ship according to the company standards of service and
style. The main duties and responsibilities of the Head Butler include, but
are not limited to:

Reports to the Chief (Executive) Housekeeper

• Ensures that each Butler under his/her supervision reports to their assignment on time and
properly groomed and dressed - clean uniform and proper shoes, name tag, and any other
uniform-related items
• Makes certain that during embarkation all Butlers go to the guest suites assigned to
them, introduce themselves and explain the services they will be offering during the
cruise

• Offers to the suite guests assistance with unpacking of luggage, explains the meal times
and locations, shows and explains the use of life jackets and safety deposit boxes

• Monitors Butler team activities so that all suites are prepared before embarkation with
all the amenities and informational material required, such as cruise line booklets, fruit
baskets, flowers, service menu, food and beverage menu
 CRUISE SHIP POOL & DECK
SUPERVISOR
• The Pool & Deck Supervisor (Head Pool Butler) coordinates and assists with
the activities of Pool Butlers (Pool & Deck Attendants) that
maintain the pool and deck areas in clean and orderly condition. His/her main
duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Reports to the Chief (Executive) Housekeeper

• Responsible for overseeing the opening, maintaining and closing of pool decks,
attachment and detachment of nets over the pools
• Duties will also be assigned in housekeeping when the pool area is closed

• Ensures that deck lounge chairs are stored properly each night and familiarizes himself/herself with
the next day’s weather forecast in order to prepare the pool decks accordingly

• Provides on-the-job training to Pool & Deck Attendants (Pool Butlers) in order to improve their
performance and prepare them for possible career advancement in the future

• Supervises and participates in the pool towel procedures - providing towels to guest and
transportation of towels from and to the laundry facilities
 CRUISE SHIP POOL & DECK
ATTENDANT

The Pool & Deck Attendant (Pool Butler or Deck Steward) maintains the pool
area in clean and orderly condition. His/her duties and
responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Reports to the Pool & Deck Supervisor (Head Pool Butler)

• Maintains a safe, clean and sanitary pool area for guests
• Follows procedures to open and close the pool each day, cleans and picks up
in the evening. Attaches and detaches net over the pool
Works in collaboration with other crew members working on the pool deck (Deck Department, Restaurant,
Bar Department, Galley, etc.) in order to ensure total guest satisfaction

• Empties and cleans waste baskets and ashtrays and transports trash to disposal area

• Greets and welcomes all guests going to the pool area according to the cruise line's standards of service

• Provides and exchanges towels for guests in all open pool deck areas. Folds and transports used towels
to the laundry facilities

• Stacks chairs and transports them to assigned pool or deck areas

• Maintains deck furniture in a clean and orderly fashion

 Laundry Supervisor

• Supervises and evaluates the work of laundry, linen, and sewing room employees;
effectively recommends personnel actions related to selection, disciplinary
procedures, performance, leaves of absence, grievances, work schedules and
assignments, and administers personnel and related policies and procedures.
• Work safely, following proper procedures when using chemical agents and ensure that Housekeeping staff
follow these procedures and are trained accordingly

• Routinely perform daily laundry and/or dry cleaning duties

• Ensure that hallways are clean of debris, mopped, stripped and buffed following company and center
policies and procedures

• Establish cleaning schedules and ensure that the schedules are followed by Housekeeping staff

• Operate and maintain washing machines, extractors, mangles, and presses

• Monitor Inventory of cleaning supplies, terry, and linen

 Assistant Laundry Supervisor

As the Assistant Laundry Supervisor, you will be required to maintain the same
high degree of service and efficiency in the absence of the Laundry Manager.
You will manage a team of associates who have a direct influence on the
cleanliness and comfort of our guests. You will manage Guest Laundry/Dry
Cleaning, Laundry Shop, and Administration. You will manage this key profit
centre to ensure the profitability of the department without compromising
guest service and quality. You will support the Laundry Manager by assisting
in efficient usage of labour, considering business needs, and seasonal trends.
You will also assist in preparing yearly budget for the Laundry Department and
remain fully accountable for revenue objectives.
 Laundry Man / Linen Keeper

Laundry attendants use various techniques to clean clothing and other

textiles and to support the operations of the facilities in which they work.
Laundry attendants usually work in self or full-service laundromats that
are available to the public, or in hotels.

• Sorting, washing, drying, pressing, and folding clothing and other textile
items.
• Removing stains from items using the appropriate procedures.
• Performing minor sewing duties.

• Tracking which items belong to whom.

• Keeping an updated inventory of laundry detergents and sewing kits.

• Tracking maintenance and repairs on laundering equipment.

• Ensuring that the facility remains clean at all times.

• Anticipating and responding to customers' queries, concerns, and complaints.

• Keeping sufficient tokens or change for the washing and drying machines, if required.