Shipboard Excursions & Guest Experience Lead

American Cruise Lines; Davenport (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Travel, room and board provided

Uniforms and training

Job summary

American Cruise Lines seeks an Excursions Director to lead shore excursions, explorations and transfers on a ship in the 2026 season. You will be the brand ambassador, coordinating with vendors and guiding guests through ports of call across the voyage.

The role demands energy, creativity, collaboration and a strong focus on guest satisfaction, with long hours onboard and travel between voyages. Prior hospitality event management experience is preferred.

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.
• TWIC credential required.
• Ability to perform 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.
• Manage departmental administrative tasks.
• Perform bartending duties as needed with other management personnel.

Skills

Public speaking

Time management

Attention to detail

Guest engagement

Problem solving

US geography knowledge

Education

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

Tools

TWIC

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

American Cruise Lines seeks an Excursions Director to lead shore excursions, explorations and transfers on a ship in the 2026 season. You will be the brand ambassador, coordinating with vendors and guiding guests through ports of call across the voyage.

The role demands energy, creativity, collaboration and a strong focus on guest satisfaction, with long hours onboard and travel between voyages. Prior hospitality event management experience is preferred.