Guest Experience Director: Ship & Shore Adventures

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with match

Job summary

American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line, seeks a Cruise & Excursions Director for the 2026 season. The hybrid role combines on-board guest engagement with ashore excursion leadership, creating a fun atmosphere while coordinating shore experiences across destinations.

You will manage shore excursion operations, vendor communications, and inventory, work with the Home Office, and represent the brand as ambassador.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Strong critical thinking skills.
• Strong sense of production and presentation.
• Basic knowledge of audio/visual equipment required.
• Excellent time management and attention to detail.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. Geography preferred.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).

Responsibilities

• Schedule and execute engaging entertainment, enrichment and activity programs.
• 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.

Skills

Bachelor’s Degree in hospitality, tour

Microsoft Office Suite

Public speaking

Critical thinking

Production and presentation

Audio/visual basics

Time management

Geography knowledge (U.S.)

TWIC credential

Education

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

Tools

Microsoft Office

Audio/Visual equipment

Job description

American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line, seeks a Cruise & Excursions Director for the 2026 season. The hybrid role combines on-board guest engagement with ashore excursion leadership, creating a fun atmosphere while coordinating shore experiences across destinations.

You will manage shore excursion operations, vendor communications, and inventory, work with the Home Office, and represent the brand as ambassador.