Shipboard Guest Experience Director

American Cruise Lines; Vidalia (LA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

401(k) with match

Travel, room and board

Job summary

American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line, seeks a Cruise & Excursions Director for the 2026 season aboard our ships. You will be the guest advocate on board and ashore, leading entertainment, excursions, and guest services with energy and a polished presence.

Responsibilities include coordinating ship‑to‑shore programs, vendor management, and delivering engaging briefing and safety content, while ensuring memorable shore experiences across destinations.

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 social 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).
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and execute engaging entertainment, enrichment and activity programs that enhance and elevate the guest experience.
• 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

Public speaking

Enthusiasm

Social skills

Critical thinking

Production & presentation

Time management

Geography knowledge

TWIC

Ability to perform functions

Public speaking

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 a Cruise & Excursions Director for the 2026 season aboard our ships. You will be the guest advocate on board and ashore, leading entertainment, excursions, and guest services with energy and a polished presence.

Responsibilities include coordinating ship‑to‑shore programs, vendor management, and delivering engaging briefing and safety content, while ensuring memorable shore experiences across destinations.