Cook Your Way Around the World on a National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture

Posted: Aug 17, 2026

Shipboard Head Chef, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef, Chef De Partie, Line Cook, Pantry Chef

Lindblad Expeditions

Gustavus, Alaska and Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

Wages/Pay
$165.00 - $375.00 / day
Experience Level
Previous experience required
Job Start Date
Oct 01, 2026

Lindblad Expeditions is hiring for its galley team aboard the National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture — small expedition ships that sail some of the most remote and breathtaking coastlines on earth, from the fjords of Southeast Alaska down to Baja Mexico and Central America. This isn't a seasonal gig on land; it's a full-time, rotational life at sea where your meals, room, and laundry are covered, your team becomes your family, and your days off can be spent exploring the world through Lindblad's crew travel benefits.

Position

We're hiring across all galley roles — Shipboard Head Chef, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef, Chef de Partie, Line Cook, and Pantry Chef — building a pool of qualified candidates so we're ready to move quickly when a position opens. Daily pay ranges from $165 to $395 depending on role and experience, with guaranteed daily gratuities included for most positions.

Company Culture

The galley runs as one tight-knit team — working shoulder-to-shoulder in a small kitchen for 12–14 hours a day, then sharing crew quarters that night. Teams rotate between ships together, so the people you cook beside are the same people you build a life at sea with. It's demanding work, but the culture is built on collaboration, consistency, and genuine camaraderie.

Room & Board

Meals, room, and laundry are fully covered while onboard — no rent, no grocery bills, no daily expenses eating into your paycheck. Crew quarters are compact and shared with one or two roommates for the length of your rotation.

Season / Dates

This is a rotational, full-time, year-round position — approximately 8 weeks on, 4 weeks off, alternating between the Quest and Venture.

Where

Vessels operate along the Pacific coastline, from Southeast Alaska to Baja Mexico and Central America, with a new location every few days.

How to Apply

Candidates should be prepared for sustained physical demand in a remote, at-sea environment. Standard certifications (STCW, USCG Medical Certificate, TWIC, etc.) are required, but Lindblad helps new hires obtain them during onboarding if needed.

How to Apply

Apply Now

Contact Info

Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions is the pioneer in the Expedition Travel space, from taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, to opening Galapagos to tourism in 1967, to launching our partnership with National Geographic in 2004. We take our guests to the world’s most remote locations on our fleet of ships and ensure our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”.

Location
Alaska and Costa Rica
Season
Year Round
Staff size
24-43
Housing
Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
Housing details
Shared room aboard the ship
Family housing available
No
Single occupancy housing available
No
Pet friendly
No
Meals
Provided
Cell phone service
Some, ask for details
Internet access
Good
About CoolWorks

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