OCEAN - Hotel Purser

Viking Overview

Viking was founded in 1997 and provides destination-focused voyages on oceans, rivers, and lakes around the world. Designed for experienced travelers with interests in science, history, culture, and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers experiences for The Thinking Person®.

Viking has more than 250 awards to its name, including being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans, and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler and voted at the top of its categories by Travel + Leisure. No other cruise line has ever received these same honors by both publications at the same time.

A VIKING LEADERSHIP ROLE

As a Viking Shipboard Leader, you represent Viking’s values and leadership philosophy (Hávamál). You are a hospitality professional who demonstrates passion for excellence, who takes ownership for your areas of responsibility, and who believes in empowering your team with the skills, knowledge, and tools to succeed. You are an exceptional role model for the Viking Family and have strong motivation to achieve the company’s goals and objectives.

You are flexible, stress-resistant, focused, and a committed team member.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Hotel Purser supports the Financial Officer to efficiently manage revenue & costs and guest & crew administration including posting, balancing, and reporting for all guest, crew, and company accounts, in accordance with Viking’s STAR Service Standard.

It is your responsibility to create a friendly, guest-oriented service culture to ensure guest satisfaction and repeat business, which in turn, will increase revenue and profitability of the company.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• In MXP and POS, balance all departmental postings each day and report discrepancies.
• Perform cruise closing, this includes but is not limited to Spa/Shops settlements and auditing all cash floats, once per week; extract all End of Cruise reports and transfer the reports to Head Office.
• Manage the accuracy of the cash book and main safe; together with the Financial Officer and ensure that efficient funds are available; demonstrate ownership of all cruise-related tax duties and assist respective Department Heads, accordingly; undertake cruise roll over and guest check-outs.
• Support the Crew Purser and 2nd Purser Admin with immigration procedures, as necessary.
• Support the 2nd Purser Admin with checking all guest and crew information, including passports, and with controlling the ship’s documents in/out of ports.
• Ensure the daily management of guest accounts through MXP.
• Have in-depth knowledge of all facets of shipboard organization and services, ports of call, and shore excursions.
• Coach and support the Hotel Admin to ensure they have up-to-date information concerning all cruise activities and company policies.
• Together with the 2nd Purser, maintain a good relationship with local authorities at the respective ports of call, to ensure cooperation with all officials whilst onboard.
• Process guest credit card payments for End of Voyage settlements; log all charges and post guest shipboard credits in MXP to ensure accurate accounting; reconcile onboard financials including POS checks, company accounts, MXP postings, etc.; assist Shore Excursions with the posting of tours; assist all revenue outlets with guest queries regarding account issues.
• In conjunction with the Financial Officer, manage the ship’s safe, tasks also include MXP cashbook entries, Daily Revenue Reports, End of Cruise Financial Reports, closing the cruise, and Cash to Master orders.
• Conduct random cash float audits on the Explorers’ Team and Crew Purser.
• Manage the Hotel Administrator to ensure all printing is delivered accurately and in a timely manner.
• Prepare turnaround memos and hold turnaround meetings for the Head of Department involved.
• Assist at check-in on embarkation day and provide daily support to the Explorers’ Desk.
• Lead and support a multi-cultural team, maximizing crew satisfaction, productivity, and retention; meet with Team Leaders on a daily basis for “The Daily Reunion”, to provide feedback & operational updates as well as to ensure that your department is performing to Viking’s STAR Service Standards.
• Provide the necessary guidance/training and information to the Hotel Administration Team, in accordance with company standards and operational needs.
• Provide competent leadership to Heads of Department. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Managing performance, ensuring Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) compliance and onboard training, succession planning, crew communication, and recognition.
• Ensure you always wear the appropriate and task-specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required for your duties onboard. Always use correct lifting techniques to prevent injuries.
• Uphold impeccable grooming standards within your team at all times by complying with Viking’s Image and Uniform Standards; ensure that company property is appropriately secured and protected, and that safe working practices are in place, at all times.
• Positively contribute to achieving/succeeding all operational KPI goals (quality & financial) for the Hotel Department; have full knowledge about safety & security procedures and assist the Hotel General Manager to operate in line with all Public Health and environmental procedures; participate in all training concerning onboard training, safety & security, fire prevention, evacuation exercises as required by the company.