One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess is the world’s leading international premium cruise line and tour company, carrying millions of guests each year to hundreds of destinations around the globe. We give our guests the Medallion Class experience others simply can’t. The Love Boat promises something for everyone.
The Senior Ship Superintendent at Princess Cruise Line is responsible for overseeing the technical operations, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of assigned vessels. This role involves managing repair and maintenance budgets, coordinating dry-dock and wet-dock projects, ensuring timely certification renewals, and serving as the primary shore-side contact for technical issues. The Senior Ship Superintendent will work closely with the Fleet Technical Operations, Technical Supply Chain, Hotel Technical and other departments across PCL to align technical requirements and ensure compliance. With the higher level of experience, the Senior Ship Superintendent to provide support and advice to the Junior Superintendents as required. The ideal candidate will have a 4-year degree in engineering or engineering management, 7–10 years of progressive shipboard experience (preferably as Chief Engineer or Chief Electrician), and strong project management and communication skills. This position reports to the Fleet Director and plays a key leadership role in supporting operational excellence.
Here’s a summary of what Princess is looking for in the Senior Ship Superintendent - Princess. Is this you?
Responsibilities:
Strategic & Vessel Technical Oversight and Maintenance:
The Senior Ship Superintendent provides strategic leadership for the technical performance and operational readiness of assigned vessels across. This includes monitoring planned maintenance via the AMOS system and ensuring timely execution and accurate documentation. They will participate in PBL meetings assisting the PBL manager to ensure Diesel Engine overhauls are completed on time and that any DG issues are resolved in a timely fashion. They oversee the evaluation and resolution of hotel technical defects, promoting continuous improvement. The role involves verifying and approving requisitions for spares, services, and consumables, and coordinating with the technical supply chain team to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery. The Superintendent supports shipboard staff in maintaining up-to-date certifications and documentation. They also monitor AAQS reports and performance to ensure availability at all times, Cooling Water analysis results, lubricating oil consumption and analysis reports to identify trends and potential issues. Regular ship visits are conducted to assess technical condition producing a written report for each visit with any action plans if required. One of these visits should align with the Annual PSSC Renewal Survey or other key milestones. They lead the development of vessel-specific technical strategies and ensure integration with broader fleet initiatives. This accountability area requires proactive identification of risks and opportunities to enhance vessel reliability and efficiency.
Operational and Budgetary Management:
This role holds full accountability for managing the technical repair and maintenance budgets of assigned vessels, including OPEX and CAPEX planning. The Superintendent leads the annual budget development process and monitors ongoing expenditures to ensure fiscal discipline. They investigate variances, provide justifications, and collaborate with finance to maintain transparency and control. Oversight includes approving requisitions, evaluating cost-effectiveness of technical purchases, and ensuring adherence to procurement protocols. The role requires close collaboration with finance and supply chain teams to evaluate suppliers and assess cost-effectiveness. The Superintendent ensures compliance with company purchasing and logistics procedures. They also support the evaluation of new products and services to enhance operational efficiency. Budget performance is reviewed regularly, and corrective actions are taken when deviations occur. Transparency and accuracy in financial reporting are key responsibilities.
Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration:
The Senior Ship Superintendent serves as the primary technical liaison between shipboard teams and shore-side departments, including Fleet Operations, Technical Supply Chain, Hotel Technical, and Brand stakeholders. They lead coordination efforts to ensure vessel needs are understood and addressed across all functions. The role requires directing cross-departmental initiatives, such as technical upgrades, vendor evaluations, and compliance projects. Delegation of tasks to electrical and hotel interior superintendents is managed with clear expectations and oversight. The Superintendent ensures that all internal and external stakeholders are aligned on project goals, timelines, and deliverables. This collaborative leadership ensures seamless integration of technical operations with broader business objectives.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management:
Ensuring compliance with Global HESS and SMS standards is a core accountability. The Ship Superintendent supports ship staff in maintaining all required certifications and documentation. They monitor renewal schedules and coordinate visits from relevant personnel to ensure timely updates. The role involves reviewing marine casualty reports, audit findings, and non-conformances, and developing corrective and preventive action plans. Coordination with classification societies and flag state authorities is required for modifications and regulatory updates. The Superintendent ensures that all operations prioritize environmental protection and the safety of guests and crew. They also facilitate internal approvals for vessel modifications and ensure proper documentation. This accountability supports the company’s commitment to safe and sustainable operations. Their strategic role in compliance safeguards operational continuity and brand reputation.
Continuous Improvement and Technical Innovation:
The Senior Ship Superintendent drives continuous improvement by analyzing technical performance data and identifying trends in maintenance, defects, and resource utilization. They lead initiatives to enhance planned maintenance execution, reduce recurring issues, and implement innovative solutions. The role includes evaluating new technologies, tools, and vendor capabilities to improve vessel performance and lifecycle management. Delegation of research and pilot testing is balanced with strategic oversight to ensure alignment with fleet standards. The Superintendent also mentors junior superintendents and contributes to leadership development within the technical team. This forward-looking accountability ensures the fleet remains competitive, efficient, and resilient.
Knowledge & Skills:
Problem solving: This role requires advanced problem-solving capabilities to address complex technical challenges that arise in dynamic maritime environments. The Superintendent must analyze performance data, anticipate equipment failures, and develop proactive maintenance strategies to minimize operational disruptions. They are expected to interpret regulatory requirements, audit findings, and incident reports to create corrective and preventive action plans. The role demands the ability to balance cost, time, and safety considerations when planning dry-docks or approving technical purchases. It also involves evaluating vendor proposals, troubleshooting recurring technical issues, and resolving cross-departmental conflicts. The Superintendent must think critically and act decisively, often under time-sensitive and high-stakes conditions
Impact: - The Senior Ship Superintendent has a significant impact on the technical reliability, safety, and financial performance of the fleet. Their oversight ensures that vessels meet or exceed regulatory standards, which directly affects the company’s ability to operate globally without interruption. By managing technical budgets and optimizing maintenance strategies, the role contributes to cost control and operational efficiency. The Superintendent’s leadership in dry-dock planning and execution influences the long-term condition and lifecycle of the vessels. Their work also supports the guest and crew experience by ensuring technical systems function reliably and safely. This role sets the standard for technical excellence and operational discipline within the Fleet Operations organization.
Leadership: This position requires high-level leadership across both direct and matrixed teams, including shipboard engineers, shore-side specialists, and cross-functional partners. While the Superintendent may not have formal direct reports, they are responsible for directing the work of others, including electrical and hotel interior superintendents, during technical projects. They lead dry-dock teams, manage vendor relationships, and coordinate with internal departments to ensure alignment on technical priorities. The role includes budget ownership for assigned vessels and participation in annual planning cycles, requiring strategic financial oversight. The Superintendent also represents the Fleet Director in meetings with senior leadership, cover ERO role when required, vendors, and regulatory bodies when needed. Their leadership is critical to maintaining technical standards, driving performance, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Essential/Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a relevant shipboard role, ideally at the level of Chief Engineer or Chief Electrician.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a shore-side superintendent role with direct accountability for vessel operations.
Proven leadership as the superintendent in charge of dry-docking for technical and/or electrical systems.
Demonstrated involvement in annual OPEX and CAPEX budget development, including oversight and control.
Experience managing and executing contracts for vessel operations and maintenance.
Ability to represent the Fleet Director in meetings with senior leadership, vendors, and external stakeholders.
Experience with new build projects or similar large-scale technical initiatives.
Familiarity with AMOS or AMOS-based applications.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 and data analytics tools such as Tableau.
Completion of a ship superintendency course.
Completion of a leadership development program.
Background in managing both technical and electrical aspects of vessel operations, rather a minimum we would use to recruit into, or expect the employee to continue to hold in their job.
Essential Experience Required:
Deep technical knowledge and operational experience from both shipboard and shore-side roles.
Lead responsibility for planning and executing dry-docking projects, including technical and electrical scopes.
Strong understanding of budget planning, variance analysis, and cost control in a maritime context.
Experience in contract management, vendor negotiations, and compliance with classification society and flag state regulations.
Proven ability to influence shipboard planning decisions and provide strategic recommendations to leadership.
Demonstrated leadership in guiding other superintendents and substituting for senior technical leaders in high-level forums.
Travel: Less than 25% with shipboard travel likely
Work Conditions:Work primarily in a climate-controlled environment with minimal safety/health hazard potential.
Physical Demands: Must be able to remain in a stationary position at a desk and/or computer for extended periods of time.
This is a hybrid position, based in our Miami office. Candidates must be comfortable coming into the office 4 days/week (currently Monday-Thursday).
Princess provides comprehensive and innovative benefits to meet your needs, including:
What You Can Expect
Our Culture… Stronger Together
Our highest responsibility and top priority is compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside employees. Please visit our site to learn more about our Culture Essentials, Corporate Vision Statement and our Core Values at: princess.com/en-us/company-information
Princess is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Princess will provide reasonable accommodation with the application process, upon your request, as required to comply with applicable laws. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process, please contact careers@carnival.com
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Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) is the largest global cruise company, and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of world-class cruise lines and a fleet of over 90 ships. Together its cruise lines – including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn – visit more than 800 ports around the world and account for nearly 40% of the overall cruise market globally.
In 2024, the company’s talented workforce of over 160,000 team members from 150 countries delivered unforgettable happiness to approximately 13.5 million guests by providing extraordinary cruise vacations, while honoring the integrity of every ocean sailed, place visited, and life touched.
Carnival Corporation owns and operates eight destinations globally, designed exclusively for guests of the company’s cruise lines, as well as Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. The company is dual-listed and traded on the London and New York stock exchanges and is included in both the S&P 500 index in the US and the FTSE 250 index in the UK.
