
Youth Host
- Recruiter:
- Holland America Line
- Category:
- Entertainment Jobs
- Positions:
- Host / Hostess, Youth Counsellor
- Published:
- April 12, 2025
Department: Entertainment
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract
Reporting To: Assistant Cruise Director
Description
The Youth Host plays a key role in creating a fun, safe, and engaging environment for young cruisers, overseeing both the Kids Club and teen events. This role is ideal for someone with experience working with children and teens across a wide age range, bringing enthusiasm, creativity, and structure to onboard youth programming. From high-energy themed nights and interactive games to hands-on crafts, sports, and dance parties, the Youth Host ensures that every young guest has a memorable experience tailored to their interests.
Reporting to the Assistant Cruise Director, the Youth Host leads activities in the Kids Club, ensuring all safety protocols and program guidelines are met while fostering a welcoming and inclusive space. This position requires strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills, along with a passion for working with young guests. If you have a background in education, childcare, recreation, or hospitality and enjoy creating dynamic experiences for kids and teens, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impact at sea.
Key Job Responsibilities
Every job requires flexibility, however your Key Job Responsibilities are to:
- Ensure RAAS, USPH and HESS compliance in youth facilities.
- Complete and maintain Child Safeguarding certification.
- Oversee and host activities for kids and teens, including themed nights, trivia, sports, crafts, dance parties, and interactive games.
- Ensure a safe and fun environment within the Kids Club, maintaining compliance with all child safeguarding policies and company regulations.
- Manage daily schedules and coordinate activities to engage young guests while meeting diverse interests.
- Provide exceptional customer service to children, teens, and their families, fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
- Maintain and organize all equipment, supplies, and inventory for the Youth Program, reporting needs to the Assistant Cruise Director.
- Train and oversee Activities Crew assigned to Kids Club, ensuring high standards of engagement and safety.
- Adapt quickly to schedule changes, last-minute adjustments, and unexpected challenges while maintaining a positive guest experience.
- Serve as a brand ambassador onboard, positively representing the company and assisting guests with general inquiries.
- Ensure compliance with health, safety, security, and environmental policies, including RAAS, USPH, and HESS guidelines.
- Make concise, engaging public announcements as needed to inform and excite young guests.
- Maintain a professional appearance in line with company dress standards.
- Assist in other entertainment areas as directed by leadership.
Experience
Minimum Experience:
- Three years of experience working with children ages 2 - 17 in either a school or childcare setting, or similar cruise ship youth hosting experience.
- Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Experience hosting events, activities, or parties.
- Experience using computers for a variety of tasks.

Holland America Line
Holland America Line has been operating for more than 140 years and we are a recognized leader in the cruise industry, operating a fleet of premium mid-sized ships. We believe travel has the power to change the world and we take pride in playing our part in opening minds, building connections, and inspiring a shared humanity. Our fleet of 14 ships visits all seven continents and annually offers more than 500 cruises to more than 400 ports of call in close to 100 countries. Holland America Line crew members are the heart of the operation and work enthusiastically to ensure that each guest has a memorable vacation.
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