Lead Expedition Operations

This position is on – site in our Royal Caribbean Headquarters 1050

Journey with us! Combine your career goals and sense of adventure by joining our incredible team of employees at Royal Caribbean Group. We are proud to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, and excellent career development opportunities, each offering unique ways to explore the world.

We are proud to be the vacation-industry leader with global brands — including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises — the most innovative fleet and private destinations, and the best people. Together, we are dedicated to turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations for our guests.

Royal Caribbean Group’s Silversea Expedition team has an exciting career opportunity for a full-time Lead, Expedition Operations reporting to the Sr. Manager, Expedition Operations.

Agency and Third-Party Submissions: Please note this is a direct search by the Company, and applications through agencies and other third parties will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited resumes. Any unsolicited resumes will be considered the Company's property.

Position Summary

Lead Expedition Operations is responsible for researching, designing, developing and continuously improving bespoke onshore experiences and remote destination programs worldwide at over 400 locations to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience to all guests. Through skilled destination knowledge and exceptional expertise, in-depth destination research and targeted field scouting, this subject matter expert position researches, explores and validates unique destinations, exclusive premium guest experience, tailored voyage profile, safety, regulatory compliance, competitive positioning, cost effectiveness and sustainable impact while collaborating with Expedition Team, Operations, Marine, Staffing & Training, Permitting, Safety, Marketing, Sales, and local vendors.

This role also conducts destination focused research to shape the Voyage Educational Profile of each voyage and tailor interpretation content for diverse regional realities, blending culture, nature, adventure and local environments, ensuring consistent experience for all guests. Creates and manages a comprehensive database of destination information to support the Expedition Team preparation as well as promotional campaigns of the product and various projects across the company for training and marketing purposes.

This job manages the Expedition Team pre-voyage destination readiness to support exceptional delivery of onshore experience and learning component as envisioned and planned. The Lead provides as well ongoing operational assistance during voyages to secure consistent experience for all guests across the expedition itinerary.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Research and manage lifecycle of onshore experiences for over 400 destinations and remote locations worldwide
• Research and validate bespoke onshore experiences and objective based landings in remote destinations and challenging environments worldwide.
• Identify, assess, and shape unique destination opportunities to deliver ultra-luxury,
• Diverse guest experiences while navigating extreme logistics, safety, and sustainability considerations.
• Create a multi-regional roadmap to continuously grow guest value, innovations and competitive differentiation.
• Lead the engagement with local communities, researchers, and cultural stewards to co-create meaningful, respectful experiences.
• Translate guest insights into tangible unique onshore experiences and objective based landings (walking explorations with cultural interaction, hiking with scope for interpretation, kayaking, snorkeling, wildlife encounters, artisan workshops, cooking classes, community projects, etc.).
• Research and implement accessibility and inclusive considerations for guests with varying physical abilities, ages, and cultural backgrounds.
• Research and develop additional bespoke experiential onshore options to generate revenue and differentiate guest experience and profitability.
• Identify and maximize the inclusion of immersive and interactive guest experiences in the destination programs to elevate guest experience.
• Research and create educational components to shape the Voyage Educational
• Profile that aligns with destination programs and realities to elevate guest experience.
• Create and validate concepts through guest feedback, operational reports, scouting trips, site inspections and onboard vessel visits.
• Create itinerary profile and port-by-port strategy
• From concept to launch capture requirements and research onshore elements that deliver authentic culture, bespoke experiences, meaningful engagement, and safe physical activity.
• Collaborate in the creation of a cohesive vision for innovative expedition itineraries and unique onshore experiences that align with brand, guest needs, destination realities.
• Develop port-by-port strategies that optimize guest experience, educational component, safety, and operational feasibility in respect of local communities, heritage, and destination realities.
• Plan and manage the day-by-day around specific voyage profiles such as wildlife viewing, cultural exploration, adventure activities, and environmental education.
• Source partnerships and develop business collaboration for onshore activities
• Identify and qualify local operators and guides, transport providers, and associated vendors.
• Negotiate and manage contracts, terms, payment conditions, performance criteria, insurance, and licensing compliance for over 100 tour operators and other small vendors.
• Negotiate costs and manage vendor performance, quality, safety standards, and cultural sensitivity practices.
• Coordinate emergency response plans for onshore events, including medical, evacuation, and incident reporting.
• Monitor performance metrics, collect feedback and implement iterative improvements to ensure consistent experience for all guests across the itinerary.
• Support financial management and revenue opportunities
• Collaborate with the Senior Manager to forecast tour costs per port to build the tour budget: 6M+ covering more than 4,000 onshore experiences, contracted with over 100 tour operators and other small vendors.
• Track and manage tour spending, guest satisfaction, and onshore efficiency.
• Adjust costing based on performance data and port-by-port dynamics to optimize profitability.
• Implement high-end optional onshore experiences to elevate guest experience and generate revenue opportunities.
• Oversee real-time voyage operation of the regions of responsibility
• Supervise upcoming port calls, and onshore activity schedules.
• Coordinate changes due to weather, port delays/closures, or guest needs with Expedition Team and all other stakeholders.
• Analyze guest feedback/local partner performance; capture and manage lessons learnt.
• Manage on-the-spot support to the vessel’s-based team.
• Manage tour related data records up to date.
• Support onboard operations with shoreside staff in the most challenging regions.
• Briefings and communications with Expedition Teams
• Conduct comprehensive pre-voyage briefings for Expedition Leaders to clearly communicate port-by-port activity plans and expectations.
• Share any relevant information with the ship’s management to support the operation and the guest’s experience.
• Provide guidelines and relevant documentation/operational reports.
• Plan and conduct targeted scouting trips and business travels
• Plan and execute field research in remote ports and challenging environments; assess accessibility, seasonality, weather windows, and logistics risk.
• Vet the destination and guest experience potential as well as the site feasibility and logistics.
• Develop contingency pathways for destinations with limited infrastructure or volatile conditions.
• Gather the data needed to make go/no-go decisions and shape the itinerary and the shore program. Identify alternative sites in case of weather or port constraints.
• Capture photos, vids, maps, site notes, and key data to compile scouting reports.
• Explore collaboration potential and local economic impact.
• Represent Silversea Expeditions at trade shows, conferences, external workshops, fam trips, etc.
• Manage data loading and storage
• Create and manage a comprehensive database of destination information to support the promotion of the product and various projects across the company for training and marketing purposes.
• Ensure the relevant and correct data, from tour information to tour cost and tour inventory, is available in the database (MXP, Res 2.0, MyAdmin).
• Using AI technology, keep tour and destination descriptions up to date and in line with company strategy to ensure consistent information across each destination.
• Validate and store operational reports (TR, LR, Voyage Reports, etc.)
• Support the commercialization of itineraries and excursions
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales on messaging and launch plans for itineraries and excursions.
• Develop day-by-day product description for promotion of Silversea expedition product.
• Conduct training for sales and frontline teams.
• Provide shore experience related content materials for sales and frontline teams.
• Collaborating in cross-functional Voyage Validation
• Champion itinerary vetting with Marine and Operations Teams and coordinate resolutions.
• Analyze with the other stakeholders within the Expedition Team the onshore activities, validate feasibility and maintain an up-to-date experience portfolio.
• Promote engaging storytelling and clear interpretation goals of each destination to support the enrichment program.
• Align with staffing, training and preparation.
• Collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure permits and permissions are in place.
• Assist the Senior Manager in various projects to ensure continuous improvement, innovation, consistent experience, safety, sustainability, guest satisfaction (NPS) and financial profitability.

Performs other duties as required. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor or management.

Qualifications and Education

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, Tourism, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Geography, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience: 4-6 years in destination management, product development, and cruise operations experience with remote regions strongly preferred.
• 3-5 years onboard experience in shore excursions or expedition department required.
• Worldwide destinations and port expertise.
• Deep knowledge of remote destinations and port operations, shelter logistics, and crisis planning in low-infrastructure settings.
• Remote unique destinations researching skills; exceptional logistical planning, cultural sensitivity, and agile decision-making to unlock premium experiences without compromising safety or brand standards.
• Passionate, dedicated, creative and capable of thinking out of the box.
• International exposure, cross-cultural competence, and experience working with local communities or cultural institutions.
• Strategic thinking and portfolio management.
• Problem solving ability and decision-making mindset
• Communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
• Proficiency in MS Office and familiar with dashboard for analysis and data entry
• English B2
• Fluency in additional languages beyond English; regional language skills are a plus.

Financial & Quantitative Responsibilities

• Negotiate costs with the best cost-effectiveness and highest quality standards
• Ability to forecast costs on a port level to meet the financial goals
• Ability to make analysis and financial driven decisions
• Generating revenue opportunities to enhance the product and profitability
• Data-driven decision making to support KPIs

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those requirements employees must meet to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.  While performing job functions the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, write, review and type reports, compile data, operate a pc, communicate, listen, and assess information.

The employee may move about the office complex, may travel to other office locations, and may lift, push, pull or move 10-15 pounds. This position may regularly travel domestically or internationally. Visual requirements include distant, close and color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

We know there's a lot to consider. As you go through the application process, our recruiters will be glad to provide guidance, and more relevant details to answer any additional questions. Thank you again for your interest in Royal Caribbean Group.  

It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunity to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Royal Caribbean Group and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and to providing reasonable accommodation to support candidates with disabilities during our hiring process. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at [email protected]. This email is for disability-related accommodation requests only.