Cruise Director

Straight Talk. Real Experience. No Bull-ship. 🚢✨

At Cruise Academy, we don’t just teach it - we’ve lived it. Founded in 2017 by seafarers for seafarers, we specialize in maritime training and shipboard recruitment for the global cruise industry.

We tell it like it is - the good, the bad, and the downright exhausting. No sugarcoating, no sales pitch - just real, honest insights from those who’ve been there. Because you deserve to know exactly what to expect before stepping onboard.

We are MLC Certified and proudly audited and approved by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, ensuring the highest standards in training, recruitment, and compliance.

If you're serious about a career at sea, we’ll get you there - the right way.

Position Summary

The Cruise Director is responsible for leading, mentoring, and developing a diverse Entertainment and Activities team to deliver a dynamic, guest-centric entertainment program onboard. Acting as the onboard Brand Ambassador, the Cruise Director hosts major guest-facing events and activities while setting the tone for service excellence, engagement, and professionalism.

This role provides strategic oversight of all onboard entertainment offerings, ensures alignment with brand standards, and fosters a culture that enhances guest satisfaction, team engagement, and commercial performance. The Cruise Director also ensures a safe, healthy operating environment and collaborates closely with shipboard leadership to deliver a seamless and memorable guest experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Entertainment and Activities department, promoting a guest- and teammate-centric culture

• Act as the onboard Brand Ambassador, hosting key events, presentations, and guest-facing activities with confidence and professionalism

• Oversee the delivery of all entertainment products, including youth and teen programs, guest activities, enrichment programming, onboard media, music services, production services, guest entertainers, and special events

• Inspire consistent delivery of high-quality entertainment experiences that exceed guest expectations and reduce friction points throughout the guest journey

• Collaborate with entertainment leadership to design and deliver personalised and engaging guest experiences, sharing best practices and innovation

• Oversee quality assurance standards for entertainment programming, ensuring alignment with operational and brand expectations

• Partner with shipboard leaders to align entertainment development and execution across departments

• Monitor departmental performance and guest feedback, using insights to continuously enhance programming and delivery

• Manage departmental budgets, inventory, and resources in line with financial targets

• Coordinate with technical teams to ensure timely maintenance, repair, and operational readiness of entertainment equipment and venues

• Identify and implement cost-efficiency strategies without compromising quality or guest experience

• Communicate organisational updates, initiatives, and strategic priorities clearly and effectively to the Entertainment team

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Non-Negotiable Requirements

• Previous cruise ship experience in a senior entertainment or activities leadership role

• Substantial professional experience organising and leading events, activities, shows, or theatrical productions in a guest-facing environment

• Proven ability to act as the central, outward-facing host and focal point of entertainment programming

• Confident, charismatic, and engaging stage presence with a natural, controlled, and audience-friendly delivery style

• Demonstrated leadership capability overseeing large, diverse, and multicultural teams

• Strong organisational and coordination skills across multiple entertainment disciplines

• Proven experience managing budgets and controlling inventory

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage guests and lead teams effectively

• Comfort working long hours in a high-visibility, shipboard environment

Strongly Preferred

• Experience overseeing a wide portfolio of entertainment functions (e.g. activities, production, music, youth programs, enrichment)

• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of guest satisfaction drivers

• Ability to balance creativity with operational discipline and compliance

• Experience working closely with technical and production teams

Additional Application Requirements

• Submission of a comprehensive and clearly structured curriculum vitae

• Submission of a short video presentation demonstrating personality, communication ability, and public speaking skills (professional production not required; authenticity essential) - full details provided in the application stage

Contract Details

• Single cabin accommodation

• 4:2 rotation