Galley Careers – National Geographic Quest & National Geographic Venture

WHO WE ARE

Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world's most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships — and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the "Exhilaration of Discovery."

 

ABOUT THIS POSTING

This isn't just a chef job — it's a way of life. Our ships operate year-round across some of the most spectacular coastlines on earth, from the fjords of Southeast Alaska down to Baja Mexico and Central America, putting you in a new location every few days. And when you're off the ship, Lindblad's crew travel benefits open the door even wider — many of our galley team use their time off to sail on our international fleet, exploring places like Antarctica, the Galapagos, Europe, and New Zealand.

It's also one of the best jobs out there for actually saving money. While you're onboard, your meals, room, and laundry are all covered — no rent, no grocery bills, no daily expenses eating into your paycheck. You're getting paid to travel the world, doing what you love, with very little to spend it on until you're ready to.

The galley is at the heart of that experience for every guest and crew member aboard our U.S. fleet — the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture — and we're proactive about making sure it's staffed with the right people. Rather than wait for a specific role to open and start a search from zero, we're building a pool of qualified, interested candidates across all of our galley positions — Shipboard Head Chef, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef, Chef de Partie, Line Cook, and Pantry Chef — so we're ready to move quickly when a seat becomes available.

If your application and resume stand out to our culinary recruiting team, we'll reach out to set up a first-round screening — a chance for us to get a better understanding of your experience and goals, and for you to learn more about life at sea. This lets us determine which role, or roles, you'd be a great fit for well before a position actually opens, so we're ready to move quickly when it does.

Candidates must be genuinely prepared for sustained physical demand in a remote, at-sea environment before applying.

WORK SCHEDULE

Galley team members work an average of 12–14 hours per day, every day, with no days off, throughout an 8-week rotation onboard — followed by approximately 4 weeks off. Rotations alternate between the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture, so you'll come and go between the two ships over time. What stays consistent is your galley team: you rotate on and off together, so the people you're working alongside — and living with — stay the same, trip after trip. That built-in consistency is a big part of what makes the galley work.

LIVING CONDITIONS

Crew quarters are compact and shared — you will bunk with one or two roommates for the full duration of your rotation, with minimal personal space. Our vessels operate in remote locations with limited or no port access between expeditions, so cell service and internet may be unavailable for extended periods. You must bring a sufficient supply of any prescription medications, as refills cannot be obtained while underway.

This lifestyle suits people who are adaptable, self-sufficient, and genuinely energized by close-knit team environments and remote travel. If those conditions sound like a challenge rather than an adventure, this may not be the right fit — and that's okay.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is physically demanding work performed in a moving marine environment. Throughout a 12-hour shift — including during periods of significant vessel motion — you'll be required to stand, walk, bend, kneel, squat, and climb steep interior stairs repeatedly. You must be able to regularly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds. Work rotates continuously across food service, dishwashing, cleaning, and provisioning, often without extended breaks, in confined, high-humidity spaces including the galley.