Assistant Shore Excursions Manager

Crew Life at Sea Ltd.; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Crew Life at Sea Ltd. seeks an experienced Shore Excursions Manager to lead and coordinate the onboard shore program. You will develop partnerships with local operators and ensure guests receive high-quality, memorable experiences at port stops.

You will train and supervise a dedicated excursions team, manage budgets, and work closely with Guest Services and Entertainment to deliver seamless experiences. Fluency in English is essential, with flexibility for evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• 2+ years cruise industry experience in shore excursions.
• Strong leadership and communication to manage a team.
• Excellent organization and time management.
• Knowledge of local ports and destinations; experience with operators.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Fluent English; additional languages a plus.
• Flexible hours including evenings, weekends, holidays.

Responsibilities

• Assist Shore Excursions Manager in planning, organizing, and coordinating shore excursions onboard the cruise ship.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local tour operators and vendors to ensure high-quality experiences.
• Train and supervise a team of shore excursion staff including scheduling and performance evaluations.
• Manage the shore excursion budget and monitor expenses to ensure profitability.
• Collaborate with Guest Services and Entertainment for smooth excursion coordination.
• Inspect tour operators and sites to ensure safety and company standards.
• Handle guest inquiries and complaints about shore excursions and resolve issues promptly.
• Stay updated on industry trends and new destinations to improve the program.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Knowledge of ports

Vendor relations

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management or Tourism

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist the Shore Excursions Manager in planning, organizing, and coordinating shore excursions for our guestsonboard the cruise ship
• Develop and maintain relationships with local tour operators and vendors to ensure high-quality and unique experiences for our guests.
• Train and supervise a team of shore excursion staff, including scheduling, performance evaluations, and providing ongoing support and guidance.
• Manage the shore excursion budget and monitor expenses to ensure profitability.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as Guest Services and Entertainment, to ensure smooth coordination of shore excursions.
• Conduct regular inspections of tour operators and excursion sites to ensure compliance with company standards and safety regulations.
• Handle guest inquiries and complaints related to shore excursions, and work to resolve any issues in a timely and satisfactory manner.
• Stay updated on industry trends, new destinations, and excursion offerings to continuously improve the shore excursion program.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a similar role in the cruise industry.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to effectively manage a team.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Knowledge of local ports and destinations, as well as experience working with local tour operators.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
• Fluent in English, both written and verbal. Knowledge of other languages is a plus.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Tourism, or a related field is preferred.