Senior Cruise Operations Consultant

PTY; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discovery Medical Aid (50% company)

Pension Fund (50% company)

International cruise/travel exposure

Opportunity to work in large-scale SA/

Job summary

Unknown Client in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Senior Cruise Operations Consultant to lead on-ground logistics for international cruise ships visiting Southern Africa. The role focuses on coordinating shore excursions, overland programmes, hotel stays, and post-cruise arrangements.

The ideal candidate will manage supplier relations, ensure bookings are ready, and support port operations during vessel calls, with strong English communication and budget experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience within an inbound tour operating or travel operations environment at senior consultant level.
• Strong understanding of travel operations, logistics, and supplier management.
• Excellent knowledge of Southern African travel products and destinations.
• Experience with costing, quoting, and managing operational budgets.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Strong administration and coordination abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing within a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage the operational delivery of shore excursions, overland programmes, hotel stays, turnaround services, and pre/post cruise arrangements.
• Re-quote services and ensure operational feasibility of all programmes.
• Source, negotiate, and manage supplier rates and relationships.
• Ensure all bookings are confirmed and operationally ready.
• Prepare movement schedules, welcome letters, guide packs, and operational documentation.
• Liaise with cruise agents, onboard teams, guides, port managers, suppliers, and operational partners.
• Coordinate and support port operations during vessel calls.
• Manage waitlists, confirmations, amendments, and service changes.
• Process supplier invoices and assist with final client invoicing.
• Maintain service excellence, accuracy, and strict turnaround times.
• Assist with operational problem-solving and emergency support when required.

Skills

English communication

Time management

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Tools

Excel

Job description

Senior Cruise Operations Consultant

Paarden Island, South Africa

• Work Experience Minimum of 5 years' experience within an inbound tour operating or travel operations environment at senior consultant level.
• Job Type Full time
• Industry Travel and Tourism
• Province Western Cape
• Country South Africa
• Postal Code 7405

Job Description

Our client is seeking an experienced Senior CruiseOperations Consultant to join their Cruise Division in Paarden Eiland, CapeTown. This is a hands-on operations role focused on coordinating and managing the on-the-ground logistics for international cruise ships visiting SouthAfrica, Mozambique and Angola.

Please note: This is not a cruise reservations or cruisesales role. The successful candidate will be responsible for operationaldelivery, supplier coordination, logistics management and service executionduring the cruise season.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the operational delivery of shore excursions,overland programmes, hotel stays, turnaround services, and pre/post cruisearrangements.
• Re-quote services and ensure operational feasibility of allprogrammes.
• Source, negotiate, and manage supplier rates andrelationships.
• Ensure all bookings, reservations, and services areconfirmed and operationally ready.
• Prepare movement schedules, welcome letters, guide packs,and operational documentation.
• Liaise with cruise agents, onboard teams, guides, portmanagers, suppliers, and operational partners.
• Coordinate and support port operations during vessel calls.
• Manage waitlists, confirmations, amendments, and servicechanges.
• Process supplier invoices and assist with final clientinvoicing.
• Maintain service excellence, accuracy, and strict turnaroundtimes.
• Assist with operational problem-solving and emergencysupport when required.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience within an inbound tour operatingor travel operations environment at senior consultant level.
• Strong understanding of travel operations, logistics, andsupplier management.
• Excellent knowledge of Southern African travel products anddestinations.
• Experience with costing, quoting, and managing operationalbudgets.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Strong administration and coordination abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectivelywithin a team.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and performunder pressure.
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Strong organisational and planning skills
• Relationship-building skills
• Problem-solving ability
• Time management and deadline-driven approach
• Stress tolerance and adaptability
• Strong commercial awareness and operational knowledge

Ideal Candidate:

• We are looking for a hands-on operations professional whothrives in a busy environment, enjoys managing complex logistics, and has apassion for delivering exceptional travel experiences.
• Candidates with cruise operations, inbound tourism,destination management, tour operating, or hospitality coordination experiencewill be highly regarded.
• Discovery Medical Aid (50% company contribution for mainmember plus one dependant)
• Pension Fund (50% company contribution)
• Opportunity to work within an international cruise andtravel environment
• Exposure to large-scale cruise operations across SouthernAfrica