River Cruises - Cruise Director

Only accepting those with EU status and right to work!

Must speak fluent English

Start date: Immediate

Purpose of the Role
As the Cruise Director, you are the face onboard our European river cruise ships. You hold
overall responsibility for the guest experience, including guest relations, shore excursions,
entertainment, and onboard communication. You ensure our customers feel welcomed, supported,
and inspired from their first day onboard through to the last, delivering an unforgettable holiday that
reflects our brand.

You will oversee the delivery of a cohesive entertainment and activities programme, ensuring that
every guest has the opportunity to engage with the destination, local culture, and the onboard
community. As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will collaborate closely with the
Hotel Manager and other department heads to ensure the seamless delivery of both the onboard
programme and ship operations in line with the standards and brand guidelines.

Key Responsibilities
Guest Relations
• Act as the overall host and brand ambassador, leading the onboard guest experience and
ensuring the programme, customer flow, and service delivery meet Net Promoter Score
targets
• Oversee all customer communications, including public announcements, digital content
updates, and ad-hoc messaging
• Manage and resolve guest queries, complaints, and welfare concerns, delivering proactive
and effective service solutions
• Support customers wishing to upgrade their cabin or make future cruise bookings via the
Contact Centre team
• Hold weekly planning meetings with the Entertainment Team Leader, Hotel Manager, and
Captain to review the operational plan, programme schedule, and upcoming customer needs
• Conduct regular onboard quality audits to maintain consistent service standards and join
virtual meetings with head office teams as required
• Act as a senior leader onboard, collaborating with all department heads to ensure smooth,
integrated ship operations
Entertainment & Onboard Activities
• Serve as the principal host and compère for major onboard events, evening entertainment,
and formal functions
• Deliver engaging presentations, announcements, show introductions, and other guest-facing
content that creates a lively and welcoming atmosphere
• Support the Entertainment Team Leader in coordinating guest entertainers, speakers, and
artists for each sailing
• Maintain a visible presence at core activities to ensure guests feel valued, supported, and
entertained
• Lead, mentor, and inspire the entertainment and activities team, championing a culture of
excellence and guest-centricity
• Drive continuous improvement by gathering guest feedback, coaching team members, and
fostering professional development within your team
Shore Excursions, Transfers & Onboard Sales
• Oversee the delivery of the full excursions programme, ensuring smooth operations and
effective management of all associated equipment
• Work in partnership with the entertainment team to provide engaging pre-destination
information, including port talks and sailing commentary
• Drive excursion and onboard revenue through a strong sales-through-service approach,
contributing to agreed targets across things such as excursion sales, merchandise, onboard
upgrades, and upselling of e-bikes
• Manage excursion inventory, guest bookings, and remaining availability to maximise
participation and revenue opportunities
• Support the entertainment team in the timely and well-organised dispatch of all excursions.
• Liaise with local excursion partners and provide briefings to local guides as required to
ensure consistent delivery quality
• Lead the guest embarkation and disembarkation process, ensuring seamless transfers, warm
welcomes, smooth farewells, and efficient handling of luggage
Crisis & Incident Management
• Serve as a key member of the ship’s emergency response team.
• Deliver safety and emergency announcements and assist with guest movement during
incidents.
• Participate in regular safety drills and ensure compliance with health, safety, and
environmental policies.
• Support the implementation of the River Cruise Emergency Response Plan and contribute to
a culture of safety onboard
To excel as a Cruise Director, you should bring the following experience and capabilities:
• Hospitality & Entertainment Expertise: Background in guest-facing roles, performance, or
entertainment
• Strong Public Speaking Skills: Confident hosting events and engaging large audiences
• Leadership Ability: Skilled in leading diverse teams, making sound decisions under pressure,
and taking charge during incidents or crisis situations
• Excellent Organizational Skills: Proficient in scheduling, planning, and effective problem-
solving
• High Adaptability: Comfortable working with changing itineraries, varied environments, and
evolving guest expectations
• Commercial Awareness: Able to deliver the business vision and uphold brand standards
while ensuring an exceptional experience for both guests and the team
• Target-Driven Mindset: Capable of meeting ambitious customer satisfaction and revenue
goals

Rotations are 6 weeks onboard 2 weeks off. Fee is on a Pro Rata basis. You are only paid for your time when working onboard.