Executive Housekeeper – Cruise Ship

About the role

The Executive Housekeeper leads all housekeeping operations aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness, presentation, and guest satisfaction across guest staterooms, public areas, and back‑of‑house facilities.

Key responsibilities

• Maintain brand‑standard cleanliness and presentation in guest cabins, balconies, corridors, officer cabins, laundry, lockers and storage areas.
• Report to the Hotel Director and collaborate with other hotel division heads on cleanliness standards.
• Lead, motivate and coach a diverse housekeeping team, handling guest feedback and requests efficiently.
• Provide classroom‑style and on‑the‑job training, supporting succession planning.
• Coordinate the Housekeeping schedule with shoreside support, monitoring staffing needs.
• Oversee laundry operations, ensuring the Laundry Master has the tools, training and support needed.
• Manage yearly budgets for housekeeping and laundry cost centers, including consumables and revenue streams such as laundry services and floral cart.
• Drive quantitative and qualitative goals for guest satisfaction, quality reviews, employee scores, health inspections and operational audits.
• Stay informed on ship events and special functions to relay accurate information to guests and staff.
• Ensure cleaning equipment and supplies are maintained and that staff are trained in proper use.
• Facilitate departmental meetings, training sessions and clear handover notes to avoid miscommunication.

Required profile

• Professional and courteous demeanor consistent with Royal Caribbean’s “Anchored in Excellence” philosophy.
• Strong leadership and coaching abilities to develop a high‑performing housekeeping team.
• Experience in scheduling, budgeting and managing large‑scale housekeeping or hospitality operations.
• Excellent communication skills for training, reporting and cross‑department collaboration.
• Ability to monitor and improve guest satisfaction metrics and operational standards.

Required skills