What are the responsibilities and job description for the HAL - Cruise Director position at Holland America Line?
Description
The Cruise Director is a key entertainment leadership role responsible for overseeing onboard activities and guest engagement. This position leads the activities team, ensuring a dynamic and well-balanced schedule of entertainment, enrichment, and social programming that aligns with brand standards. As the primary host and brand ambassador, the Cruise Director creates a welcoming atmosphere, delivers engaging presentations, and enhances the overall guest experience.
The Cruise Director partners with the Entertainment Director, and collaborates with hotel operations, marketing, and revenue teams to drive participation in onboard offerings. This role requires strong leadership, organization, and adaptability to manage daily programming, respond to itinerary changes, and maintain a seamless operation. The ideal candidate is an experienced public speaker with a background in hospitality, entertainment, or event management, capable of leading a team in a fast-paced, guest-focused environment.
Key Job Responsibilities
Every job requires flexibility, however your Key Job Responsibilities are to:
- Masterfully deliver engaging, informative, and entertaining Talks, Culinary Demonstrations, Game shows Trivia’s, and Tech Talks.
- Effectively host signature events such as Captain’s Welcome Toast, A City on The Sea and Coffee Chats.
- Manage the ship’s Performers, Presenters, entertainment vendors, and Charters, providing exemplary care and services through honed communication and intelligent leadership.
- Manage the entertainment team, driving employee retention and promoting professional development.
- Manage the daily performance and presentation schedule.
- Oversee daily programming and cruise arc guaranteeing the optimum guest experience over each voyage while maintaining brand procedures and expectations.
- Complete managerial tasks related to the administration of your entertainment team, including time & attendance oversight, in-port manning schedules, performance evaluations, etc.
- Maintain compliance with all health, safety, security, and environmental policies of the Company.
- Shape the cruise experience arc and provide useful information on stage prior to performances.
- Host key guest functions as the brand’s ambassador.
- Actively engage with guests by providing exceptional one-on-one customer service while on the floor.
- Champions the use of the Navigator App experience tools to drive greater onboard revenue and guest satisfaction performance
- Make concise, informative PA announcements.
- Display impeccable dress sense and appearance following Look Book guidelines for the role.
- Provide superior show-going experience that meets the company’s artistic, technical, and operational standards, including presentations in the World Stage.
- Conduct gangway duty to welcome guests to each port-of-call and assist in any port related questions.
- Perform other job-related functions as assigned.
Experience
Minimum Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in business or related field of study.
- Three years of experience in a related guest service focused field.
- Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills both on stage in front of large audiences, and in more intimate quiet settings.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Experience using computers for a variety of tasks.
- Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Knowledge of file management, transcription, and other administrative procedures.
- Ability to work on tight deadlines.
Preferred Experience:
- Prior experience as Cruise Director, Assistant Cruise Director, or senior entertainment leader on a premium or luxury cruise line
- Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a diverse onboard team, with a focus on coaching, scheduling, and performance management
- Strong public speaking, hosting, and storytelling skills with a polished, guest-service–oriented presence
- Proven success curating and executing daily activity programming that appeals to a mature, well-traveled guest demographic
- Experience collaborating cross-functionally with hotel, entertainment, and operational leaders to deliver seamless, high-quality guest experiences
About Holland America Line
Holland America has been showing guests the world’s rare and renowned treasures for over 150 years. The premium cruise line calls on more than 450 ports in nearly 100 countries across all seven continents and offers itineraries ranging from short getaways to around-the-world Grand Voyages. On board Holland America’s perfectly sized ships, guests will find fresh regional cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients while enjoying the cruise line’s award-winning, personalized service. Once the sun goes down, they’ll have their pick of music venues boasting some of the most recognizable names in the industry: B.B. King’s Blues Club; Rolling Stone Lounge; and Billboard Onboard. Holland America is based in Seattle, Washington.
