Cruise Director

The Cruise Director is the leader of the Entertainment Department, managing diverse team members, impacting guest satisfaction using personality, talent, and language ability to communicate and entertain, from small to large social events and on the main stage.

Working with the Hotel Director and the onboard division heads, the Cruise Director is responsible for creating, developing, implementing, and supervising of all guest activities and entertainment onboard the ship. Must be able to incorporate company policies while encouraging and modeling a spirit of teamwork and harmony in the division. Cruise Director must also assist in promoting all revenue areas.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• The Cruise Director is the division head for the Entertainment/Cruise Programs Department onboard the ship. All staff members in the Cruise Programs, Production/Theater, Musicians and Guest Entertainer divisions report directly and through Managers and Supervisors to him/her.
• He/she is directly responsible for the programming and scheduling of all the entertainment, recreational and social activities. He/she establishes and maintains the standard of the social environment onboard.
• The Cruise Director, who works directly with the Hotel Director, is responsible for coordinating all functions of his/her division with the other division heads.
• It is the responsibility of the Cruise Director to help promote and market all onboard revenue areas through announcements, the Freestyle Daily and TV programming, following brand and company guidelines.
• It is his/her responsibility to ensure that each member on his/her staff effectively executes their specific responsibilities in a manner that portrays the integrity and directives of the company.
• It is the responsibility of the Cruise Director to effectively perform in the capacity of master of ceremonies, and to continually train his/her staff to improve their stage work and social capabilities.
• It is the responsibility of the Cruise Director to control, monitor and justify all entries against his/her budget, with the assistance of the Assistant Cruise Director.
• The Cruise Director is responsible for providing feedback to all staff members/entertainers in terms of their overall job performance in a manner that promotes an atmosphere of teamwork and working toward the common goal of guest satisfaction.
• The Cruise Director is responsible for the overall quality of “onboard” TV programming.
• The Cruise Director must serve as an effective liaison between shore side operations and the shipboard personnel.
• He/she must be able to support and promote company policies and procedures while communicating the needs and concerns of his/her shipboard staff.
• It is the responsibility of the Cruise Director to be accessible and approachable to the guests. He/she must be capable of being a patient listener while making the guests feel at home.
• Problem solving and conflict resolution fall under the direct responsibility of the Cruise Director following shipboard guidelines and under the direction of Senior Management.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or as directed. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
• Must be familiar with the Safety and Environmental Protection Policy and the SMS, and carry out the policies and procedures appropriate for his/her position.

DIMENSIONS

• Must be able to lead by example and provide quality management skills for all entertainment services provided on a large passenger vessel that can include 4,000 to 6,000 guests.
• Must be able to work with the Hotel Director and other division heads to effectively promote onboard revenue areas to aid in meeting the revenue goals.
• Must be able to efficiently supervise, train and develop an Entertainment team of up to 148 employees, with the assistance of Department Managers and Supervisors.
• Must be able to create, schedule, manage and supervise all entertainment, recreational and social activities for a passenger vessel consisting of up to 5,000 guests.
• Must appropriately monitor the scheduling of all team members so that all areas are properly staffed at all times while constantly monitoring the staffing needs and budgetary guidelines.
• Must be able to efficiently organize and supervise all areas of responsibility outlined in the Essential Functions.
• Must be able to perform in a proficient manner the forecasting and controlling of the entertainment and cruise programs budgets that can exceed $500,000 dollars and include inventory, supplies, equipment, maintenance and repairs.

NATURE AND SCOPE

• The Cruise Director must lead by example and encourage and model a spirit of teamwork and harmony to all members of the entertainment team and amongst all departments and division heads to create an enjoyable cruise atmosphere for the guests with an emphasis on implementing NCL’s philosophy of STYLE with every interaction with crew members and guests.
• The Cruise Director acts as a liaison between shipside and shore side operations and must provide efficient, open and professional communication to coordinate and fulfill requests by all divisions as needed.
• Accountable for the supervision, training and development of all the entertainment team, while improving weak areas in their performance by suggesting and developing training methods to improve their efficiency, productivity and performance, in conjunction with the appropriate Managers and Supervisors.
• Evaluates the performance of all staff members and regularly implements appropriate action such as promotions, disciplinary actions or recommendations.
• Presents a personable, courteous and approachable manner at all times.
• The incumbent must be able to work in a multi-cultural environment; also, must be able to adjust to changes in schedules, assignments and deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be able to plan, program and implement new entertainment activities
• Minimum of five to seven years previous shipboard management or supervisory experience including social, recreational and entertainment activities is required.
• One year experience in budget planning and accounting procedures is required.
• Intermediate verbal and writing skills in at least one other language such as German, Spanish, French or Italian is preferred.
• Advanced level English verbal and writing skills, including the proper use of English grammar is required.
• Intermediate to Advanced skills in typing and computer software skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Intermediate to Advanced level English verbal and writing skills, including the proper use of English grammar is required.

EDUCATION

• High School Diploma or Foreign Equivalent is required.
• Bachelor’s Degree or foreign equivalent in a hospitality related discipline is required.

ATTRIBUTES

• Stage experience and “stage presence” a must.
• Extrovert, quick and critical thinker, witty, personable, and articulate.
• Must be service oriented.
• Passionate about hospitality and customer service driven
• Must have a professional appearance and good hygiene
• Respect for all co-workers and guests
• Pride in your work by creating positive energy, excitement and fun
• Able to work 7 days a week
• Demonstrate positive behaviors; smiling, being polite and courteous
• Able to develop a camaraderie with team members
• Ability to live in close quarters, share limited space with other cabin-mates

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is Norwegian Cruise Line Holding’s policy not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and marital or veteran status.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.