Cruise & Excursions Director

American Cruise Lines•Louisiana, MO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

American Cruise Lines is seeking Cruise & Excursions Directors for its 2026 season. This role is responsible for engaging guests both on board and ashore, creating a fun atmosphere through various activities, shows, events, presentations, and communications. Ashore, the role involves managing shore excursions, explorations, and adventures, including vendor communications, upselling, and inventory management. This position requires significant guest interaction, can be demanding with long hours, and needs an energetic, creative individual with polished presentation skills, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for guest satisfaction. The Cruise & Excursions Director reports to the Hotel General Manager. American Cruise Lines is driven by values of Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit, shaping its culture and guiding its mission to 'Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.'

Requirements

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
Enthusiasm, confidence, and a can-do attitude.
Strong public speaking skills.
Strong social skills.
Strong critical thinking skills.
Strong sense of production and presentation.
Basic knowledge of audio/visual equipment required.
Excellent time management and attention to detail.
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.
Ability to live and satisfactorily perform job duties in an environment that is subject to constant motion.
Ability to work around 12 hours per day.
Ability to assist in the event of an on-board emergency by quickly climbing up a ladder, opening, and passing through a 20” diameter hatch.
Ability to stand for your entire shift.
Ability to frequently lift up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to frequently bend, squat and reach.
Ability to work outside during inclement weather, staying agile, and maintaining balance over wet terrain.
Ability to work outside with frequent and direct sun and heat exposure.
Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time.
Ability to use stairs frequently.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in hospitality, tourism, or event management is preferred.
Strong knowledge of U.S. Geography preferred.
Ability to engage guests throughout each cruise.
Superior time management.
Ability to manage and solve problems.
Sense of urgency in all guest, crew, and home office requests.
Positive attitude and receptive to continuous performance feedback.

Responsibilities

Schedule and execute engaging entertainment, enrichment and activity programs that enhance and elevate the guest experience.
Create the Ship to Shore.
Effectively communicate to guests via the shipboard daily program, stage, public address system and one-on-one interaction and socialization.
Be extraordinarily well-versed in the cruising region, ports of call and excursions offered.
Confirm and adjust, as necessary, all shore excursions, explorations, adventures and transfers.
Greet guests as they depart for and return from shore excursions.
Accompany guests on daily excursions as a company representative and brand ambassador.
Coordinate, communicate and confirm all logistics with vendors, coach companies, guides, ground operators and entertainers to ensure timely and smooth service.
Accommodate guest requests, including highly personalized ones such as kayaking, golf tee times, and private transportation arrangements.
Socialize with guests at every opportunity including, but not limited to, mealtimes and cocktail hour.
Make daily midday announcement/update; make every effort to make all PA announcements as the “voice” of the cruise.
Present a detailed Officer’s Introduction and Excursions Briefing to guests at the beginning of every cruise.
Assist in the delivery of the Safety Briefing with the Captain.
Ensure lounges are prepared for activities, events, presentations and shows (lounge configuration, stage set-up, background music, A/V requirements, etc.).
Meet and greet step-on entertainers when they join the ship; conduct sound check and inspect stage set-up.
Oversee excursion inventory and invoicing system; be fully responsible and accountable for system hardware.
Manage launch boat operations with the Mate.
Purchase morning newspapers in port each day.
Oversee, manage inventory and display port information collateral for guests; coordinate with local CVBs to obtain and refresh maps, brochures and other port-/region-specific materials of interest to guests.
Ensure that approved background music is playing in lounges before and after each activity, presentation and show.
Create and update bulletin board daily.
Coordinate weekly office inventory.
Prepare folders and materials for turnaround day.
Inform crew members of daily excursion offerings.
Monitor and evaluate performance of vendors, coach companies, guides, ground operators, motor coaches, entertainers and guest speakers, providing immediate course corrections when necessary.
Oversee company representation at pre-cruise hotels on turnaround day (when applicable).
Meet with Guest Speakers, Guest Instructors and Resident Entertainers at the start of every cruise to review scheduling.
Promote on board sales and brand loyalty program.
Communicate and report regularly to the Home Office as to the status of the cruise, excursion counts, guest issues and recovery, entertainment, enrichment and activities.
Perform other reasonable duties as assigned by the Hotel General Manager.
Perform bartending duties as needed with other management personnel.