Historian/Destination Speaker

American Cruise Lines; Alaska; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel to vessel covered

Room and board provided

Educational opportunities

Job summary

American Cruise Lines, the world’s leading small ship cruise line, is expanding its onboard Historian and Destination Speaker team. You will enhance the guest experience with educational presentations, port overviews, and lively discussions as ships visit America's waterways.

The role requires polished public speaking, deep knowledge of American history and ports of call, and the ability to engage guests across daily activities, from lectures to casual chats, with shipboard PowerPoint support.

Qualifications

• Extremely polished public speaking skills required.
• Excellent and polished presentation skills.
• Extraordinarily knowledgeable of the history, geography, ecology, ports of call, and other points of interest within the cruise itinerary.
• Strong interpersonal and social skills required.
• Must possess a strong sense of production and presentation.
• Must be enthusiastic, outgoing, confident, friendly, sociable, service-minded, and always have a can-do attitude.
• Excellent time management and attention to detail.
• Puget Sound & Alaska topics: Marine wildlife, glaciers, Alaska Native cultures, geology, ecosystems, exploration.
• The Columbia & Snake Rivers: Lewis & Clark, Native American Culture, geology, wildlife & ecology, hydropower & dams.
• Mississippi/Ohio/Tennessee & Cumberland Rivers: Civil War, Louisiana Purchase, river navigation.
• East Coast: New England maritime heritage, Revolutionary War, lighthouses, culinary traditions.
• Chesapeake Bay: Jamestown, Williamsburg, Native American cultures, maritime heritage, Civil War, crabbing & oystering.
• Historic South: Colonial/Antebellum history, Civil War, Revolutionary War, Gullah culture, architecture, Southern culinary traditions.
• Florida: Spanish exploration, Native American history, Everglades, pirates & maritime history, marine wildlife.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily formal presentations (45-60 mins each).
• All presentations should be supported by PowerPoint visuals.
• Provide narration/commentary while the ship is underway from port to port during daylight hours, broadcast over the ship’s PA system to public lounges, outer decks and into guest staterooms.
• Present daily 15-20 min Port Previews and Q&A for all ports of call included on the cruise.
• Participate in daily hosting of Shore Excursions providing coach commentary when needed.
• Dine with guests each evening.
• Be available to guests throughout the day and evening for one-on-one chats and socialization.

Skills

Public speaking

Presentation skills

History knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Onboard storytelling

Job description

American Cruise Lines, the world’s leading small ship cruise line, is adding to its team of onboard Historians and Destination Speakers and is looking for passionate individuals to enhance the onboard experience. Discover the best of America and the country’s most beautiful waterways while visiting the unique cities and towns along the way. American Cruise Lines’ guests are well-traveled individuals looking for a destination-focused adventure, where they will have the opportunity to explore the history, culture and natural scenery of each unique port visited. Our Historian and Destination Speakers play an integral role in the guest experience through educational presentations, underway commentary, port overviews, casual talks and group discussions.

At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values—Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America’s Story on the Finest American Ships.

General Qualifications:

• Extremely polished public speaking skills required.
• Excellent and polished presentation skills.
• Extraordinarily knowledgeable of the history, geography, ecology, ports of call, and other points of interest within the cruise itinerary.
• Strong interpersonal and social skills required.
• Must possess a strong sense of production and presentation.
• Must be enthusiastic, outgoing, confident, friendly, sociable, service-minded, and always have a can-do attitude.
• Excellent time management and attention to detail.

Region-specific Minimum Requirements Include:

West Coast Itineraries (with extensive knowledge of either)

• Puget Sound & Alaska - Topics should include Marine Wildlife, Glaciers & Ice Fields, Native American & Alaskan Native Cultures, Geology, Forests & Ecosystems, Exploration & Settlement, and The Fishing & Seafood Industry.
• The Columbia & Snake Rivers - Topics should include Lewis & Clark, Native American Culture, Geology, Wildlife & Ecology, Wine & Agriculture, and Hydropower & Dams, Mt. St. Helens, the Oregon Trail and River Navigation.
• Extensive knowledge of the Upper or Lower Mississippi, Ohio, or Tennessee & Cumberland Rivers.
• Topics should include The Civil War & Historic Battles, The Louisiana Purchase, Agriculture & Industry, River Navigation, Music & Cultural Contributions, Culinary Traditions, Native American Cultures, Mark Twain & Literature, Floods & River Management, and Architecture & Historic Homes.

East Coast Itineraries (with extensive knowledge of either)

• New England Topics should include Colonial History, Maritime Heritage, The Revolutionary War, Lighthouses & Navigation, Literary & Artistic Contributions, Lobstering & Fishing Industry, Architectural Styles, Whaling, and Culinary Traditions.
• Chesapeake Bay Topics should include Jamestown, Williamsburg & Early American History, Native American Cultures, Maritime Heritage, The Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, The Civil War and Crabbing & Oystering.
• The Historic South Topics should include Colonial & Antebellum History, The Civil War, The Revolutionary War, Gullah Culture & Heritage, Architectural Styles & Historic Homes, Southern Literature, the Civil Rights Movement, Maritime History, Southern Culinary Traditions and Southern Gardens & Horticulture.
• Florida Topics should include the Spanish Exploration, Native American History, The Everglades & Ecosystems, Pirates & Maritime History, Marine Wildlife, Hemingway & Literature, Architectural Styles, and Hurricanes & Weather Patterns.
• Topics should include Native American Cultures, French & British Exploration, The War of 1812, Maritime Heritage & Shipwrecks, Lighthouses & Navigation, Immigration & Industry, Architecture & Historic Cities, Music & Artistic Contributions, Culinary Traditions and Wildlife & Ecology.

Responsibilities:

• Provide daily formal presentations (45-60 mins each).
• All presentations should be supported by PowerPoint visuals.
• Provide narration/commentary while the ship is underway from port to port during daylight hours, broadcast over the ship’s PA system to public lounges, outer decks and into guest staterooms.
• Present daily 15-20 min Port Previews and Q&A for all ports of call included on the cruise.
• Participate in daily hosting of Shore Excursions providing coach commentary when needed.
• Dine with guests each evening.
• Be available to guests throughout the day and evening for one-on-one chats and socialization.

Work Schedule:

• 7 Days per week while onboard the ship.
• Weeks working and living onboard the ship range depending on candidate availability and regional needs.
• Covered Expenses -American Cruise Lines provides travel to and from your assigned vessel, along with room and board.

Attributes for Success:

• Passion for building relationships and speaking about American history.
• Ability to engage guests throughout each cruise.
• Sense of urgency in all guest, crew, and home office requests.
• Positive attitude and receptive to continuous performance feedback.
• Basic knowledge of audio/visual equipment.