Excursions Director

American Cruise Lines • Fort Madison, IA

308d

About The Position

American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line in the United States, is looking to add Excursions Directors to our shipboard team for our 2025 season. American Cruise Lines only operates within the United States and has no more than 200 passenger vessels that create a one-of-a-kind small ship experience. With newly constructed vessels being added to our fleet, it is a great opportunity to join our shipboard management team. The Excursions Director is responsible for engaging guests in each destination through a series of shoreside excursions, explorations, and adventures. As the Excursions Director you are responsible and accountable for all shore excursions and transfer operations, external vendor/operator communications, and brand ambassadorship & representation on excursions. This role has the highest level of guest interaction and can be very demanding, with long hours. The role requires an energetic and creative person with a collaborative team spirit and a passion for guest satisfaction.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in hospitality, tourism, or event management is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Enthusiasm, confidence, and a can-do attitude.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Excellent time management and attention to detail.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. Geography preferred.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

Responsibilities

• Arrange, confirm and adjust, as necessary, all shore excursions, explorations, adventures and transfers.
• Be extraordinarily well-versed in the cruising region, ports of call and excursions offered.
• Accompany guests on daily excursions as a company representative and brand ambassador.
• Coordinate, communicate and confirm all logistics with vendors, coach companies and ground operators 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.
• Present a detailed Excursion Briefing to guests at the beginning of every cruise.
• Communicate excursion changes to guests confidently.
• Oversee excursion inventory and invoicing system; be fully responsible and accountable for system hardware.
• Manage launch boat operations with the Mate.
• Coordinate weekly office inventory.
• Coordinate the collection of arriving packages and confirm receipt with the Hotel Manager & 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.
• Prepare folders and materials for turnaround day.
• Inform crew members of daily excursion offerings.
• Act as company representative at pre-cruise hotels on turnaround day.
• Meet with Cruise Director, 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, and the evaluations of all shore excursions.
• Manage departmental administrative tasks.
• Perform bartending duties as needed with other management personnel.

Benefits

• Benefits package including medical, dental, and matching 401k.
• Complimentary travel accommodations.
• No living expenses aboard the ship (room and board are included).
• Training programs to support you.
• Continuous growth in the company.
• Covered Expenses - American Cruise Lines provides travel to and from your assigned vessel, room and board, uniforms, and paid training from industry experts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree