Excursions Director — Onboard Guest Experience Lead

American Cruise Lines; Marietta (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with match

Competitive daily rate

Job summary

American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line, seeks an Excursions Director to lead shore excursions, explorations and guest experiences aboard our ships for the 2027 season. The role oversees all excursions, transfers, vendor communications and brand representation with high guest interaction.

The position demands energy, creativity, and teamwork, plus long hours. Requires a related degree, TWIC, and strong public speaking, time management and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in hospitality, tourism, or event management 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).
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

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.
• Perform bartending duties as needed with other management personnel.

Skills

Public speaking

Time management

Attention to detail

Enthusiasm

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in hospitality, tourism, or event management

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line, seeks an Excursions Director to lead shore excursions, explorations and guest experiences aboard our ships for the 2027 season. The role oversees all excursions, transfers, vendor communications and brand representation with high guest interaction.

The position demands energy, creativity, and teamwork, plus long hours. Requires a related degree, TWIC, and strong public speaking, time management and organizational skills.