Shipboard Cultural Guide

Icy Strait Point - Hoonah Alaska; Hoonah (AK); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Icy Strait Point - Hoonah Alaska seeks a resident cultural interpreter to sail aboard Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady for the full Alaska season. The role involves presenting Huna Tlingit culture, history, and Alaska Native heritage to guests across 16 back-to-back sailings, both through formal presentations and everyday conversation.

The successful candidate will live on the ship from first to last sailing (May 11–September 10, 2027), engaging guests at various sessions, coordinating with the

Qualifications

• Excellent public-speaking ability and storytelling when presenting to guests.
• Strong knowledge of Tlingit culture and Alaska Native heritage.
• Self-directed and dependable; able to work independently aboard ship for the full season.
• Ability to engage diverse audiences and respond to guest questions with tact.

Responsibilities

• Live aboard Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady for the full season (May 11–September 10, 2027).
• Deliver scheduled cultural presentations and narration on Huna Tlingit culture and Alaska Native heritage.
• Serve as a visible cultural presence aboard, handling guest questions and hosted sessions with the ship's entertainment team.
• Coordinate program scheduling, venues, and announcements with Virgin Voyages' onboard team.
• Support port days at Alaska ports, connecting shipboard programs with onshore experiences.
• Ensure all cultural material is approved through Alaska Native Voices, guides, and elders.
• Keep ANV Manager updated on schedule, guest feedback, and issues.

Skills

Public speaking

Cultural knowledge

Independent work

Interpersonal skills

Job description

Position Details

Reports to: ANV Manager

Category: Seasonal, full-season shipboard assignment (May – September 2027)

Location: Lives aboard Brilliant Lady for the full season; 16 back-to-back Alaska sailings, primarily Seattle roundtrips

Pay: TBD

Summary

One Alaska Native Voices guide sails the full Alaska season aboard Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady, living on the ship from the first sailing to the last. As the resident cultural interpreter aboard, the guide shares Huna Tlingit culture, history, and stories with guests across 16 back-to-back sailings — through presentations, narration, and everyday conversation — and connects guests to Icy Strait Point on the sailings that call there.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Live aboard Brilliant Lady for the full season (May 11–September 10, 2027), sailing every itinerary without gaps between cruises.
• Deliver scheduled cultural presentations and narration on Huna Tlingit culture and history, and Alaska Native heritage more broadly, throughout each sailing.
• Be a visible, approachable cultural presence aboard: guest questions, informal interpretation, and hosted sessions as scheduled with the ship's entertainment team.
• Coordinate program scheduling, venues, and announcements with Virgin Voyages' onboard team.
• Support Icy Strait Point port days on the sailings that call there (May 11, August 12, and August 24, 2027), helping guests connect the shipboard program to the onshore experience.
• Share only cultural material approved through Alaska Native Voices, guide, and elder review.
• Keep the ANV Manager updated on schedule, guest response, and any issues throughout the season.

Complete all required ANV and Virgin Voyages training and shipboard embarkation requirements before the season.

• Represent Alaska Native Voices and Huna Totem Corporation professionally at all times while aboard.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of Tlingit culture and history, shared with confidence and care; seasoned presenters preferred for this solo assignment.
• Excellent presentation and public-speaking skills; comfortable addressing large audiences and carrying a program alone.
• Self-directed and dependable — this guide works independently aboard ship for the full season, with support from the ANV Manager ashore.
• Available for the entire season with no gaps: 16 back-to-back sailings, May 11–September 10, 2027.
• Comfortable living aboard a cruise ship for an extended season and adapting to ship schedules, itinerary changes, and life at sea.
• Must meet Virgin Voyages embarkation requirements (identification, medical, and any screening the line requires) [confirm with HR].
• Knowledge of Southeast Alaska ports, wildlife, and natural history is a plus.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Full-time shipboard living and working environment for the length of the season.
• Standing and presenting for extended periods; moving throughout a large vessel in all weather and sea conditions.

Alaska Native Voices is a program of Huna Totem Corporation, a Native-owned enterprise, and offers Native Preference under P.L. 93-638.

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