Cruise Director

Baton Rouge, LA, USA|Travel

Job Overview

Employment Type

Full-time

Compensation

Salary

Range $53,300.00 - $104,200.00

Work Schedule

Standard Hours

Benefits

competitive daily rate

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401K Plan with match

travel expenses covered

room and board covered

Uniforms Provided

training provided

Job Description

American Cruise Lines is the largest USA flagged cruise line in the United States, renowned for delivering unique and intimate small ship cruise experiences exclusively within the US. With a fleet of vessels, each accommodating no more than 200 passengers, they emphasize a personalized and high-quality journey that explores America’s scenic waterways and cultural landmarks. The company prides itself on its core values of Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit, fostering a culture that prioritizes exceptional service and a shared passion for storytelling through travel. As a leader in the cruise industry, American Cruise Lines continues to expand, introducing newly constructed vessels to their fleet, thereby creating new opportunities for professionals who aspire to be part of a dynamic and growing organization.

The role of Cruise Director on board American Cruise Lines vessels is a prestigious and critical position responsible for enhancing the guest experience through planning and executing an engaging and diverse range of entertainment, educational activities, presentations, and social events. The Cruise Director acts as the primary advocate and entertainer for the guests, ensuring a fun and memorable atmosphere throughout the voyage. This leadership role demands an energetic, creative, and polished individual with a collaborative spirit and a commitment to guest satisfaction. The individual will work closely with the Hotel Manager and other onboard departments to coordinate programming and communications.

The Cruise Director's responsibilities include managing all entertainment logistics, conducting daily announcements, greeting guests during shore excursions, and facilitating interaction and social engagement during key times such as meals and cocktail hours. Additionally, the role involves coordinating with guest speakers, entertainers, and excursion directors to deliver seamless programming. The Cruise Director must also be prepared to assist with safety briefings, oversee VIP services, support sales and re-booking events, and occasionally perform bartending duties. This full-time, exempt position requires living and working on the ship for extended periods, demonstrating flexibility, stamina, and a passion for hospitality.

American Cruise Lines provides competitive daily compensation, comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with matching, and covers key expenses such as travel, room and board, uniforms, and training. This opportunity is ideal for candidates with cruise ship experience or those from upscale hotel or resort backgrounds who possess excellent presentation skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and a flair for producing engaging guest experiences. This position calls for candidates who are outgoing, confident, detail-oriented, and able to thrive in the unique environment of a moving vessel while maintaining high standards of service and guest engagement.

Job Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
Previous experience in cruise ship or upscale hotel/resort entertainment or guest services
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
Excellent verbal communication skills
Strong interpersonal and social abilities
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Basic knowledge of audio/visual equipment
Certification or eligibility for Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
Ability to work extended hours including 7 days per week while onboard
Physical ability to handle ship movements and perform essential functions including climbing ladders, standing for long periods, and lifting up to 50 lbs
Willingness to live and work onboard for extended periods
Must have a positive and energetic attitude
Ability to manage multiple tasks and work as a team
Capable of performing bartending duties as needed

Job Qualifications

Cruise ship experience preferred, but candidates with upscale hotel/resort experience will be considered
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications
Extremely polished speaking/presentation skills required
Strong interpersonal and social skills required
Strong critical thinking skills required
Must possess a strong sense of production and presentation
Basic knowledge of audio/visual equipment required
Must be enthusiastic, outgoing, confident, and always have a can-do attitude
Excellent time management and attention to detail
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation

Job Duties

Schedule and execute engaging entertainment, enrichment and activity programs that enhance and elevate the guest experience
Effectively communicate to guests via the shipboard daily program, television, stage, public address system and one-on-one interaction and socialization
Socialize with guests at every opportunity including, but not limited to, mealtimes and cocktail hour
Greet guests as they depart for and return from shore excursions
Make daily Noon announcement/update
make every effort to make all PA announcements as the voice of the cruise
Meet with Excursions Director, Guest Speakers, Guest Instructors and Resident Entertainers at the start of every cruise to review scheduling
Create the daily Ship to Shore
Host Officer Introduction and Excursion Briefing
Assist in the delivery of the Safety Briefing with the Captain
Ensure lounges are prepared for activities, events, presentations and shows (lounge configuration, A/V requirements, etc.)
Confirm entertainers 48-hours in advance
assist entertainers and onboard speaker’s A/V needs
Create and update bulletin board daily
Work with Excursions Director to prepare folders and materials for turnaround day
Act as company representative at pre-cruise hotels on turnaround day
Promote onboard sales and brand loyalty by hosting re-booking events
Oversee proper VIP guest service delivery
Communicate and report regularly to the Home Office as to the status of the cruise, guest issues and recovery, and the evaluations of Guest Speakers, Instructors and Entertainers
Perform bartending duties as needed with other management personnel