Assistant Cruise Director

Dates - Contracts avaiable from late 2026 for up to 4-6 months at a time - Future work possible upon successful contract

Job Description

The Assistant Cruise Director is required to assist the Cruise Director in managing the Entertainment Department onboard a specified Marella Cruise Ship. The department consists of a team of Entertainment Hosts, Production Cast Members, a Technical Manager and team of Technicians, a Children’s Host Team, as well as a Musical Director and team of Resident Musicians.

In addition to all resident Crew/Officers within the Entertainment Department, fly on/off Guest Entertainers will also join the department’s complement each week.

As the Assistant Cruise Director and a member of the Entertainment Team, you must make your presence known to the guests and Entertainment Department team members as much as possible. Daily appearances around the ship and hosting of events must be undertaken in order to maximize the Entertainment Team’s profile.

Working alongside the Cruise Director who is overall responsible for the scheduling and programming of events, activities and shows, you must ensure that all guests experience a modern, full and varied entertainment offering. Supporting other departments with revenue generation, assisted by the daily programme and regular advertising is also a vital part of your role.

As Assistant Cruise Director, a large aspect of your role is to input the entertainment programme into the daily Cruise and Entertainment Layouts and ‘Cruise News’ template, ensuring that this programme is made available to the relevant person on board in a timely manner, in order for them to input it into the daily ‘Cruise News’.

Responsibilities

To deliver and promote the entertainment package to an exceptionally high standard.

To deputies for the Cruise Director and act as a ‘second pair of eyes’ for him/her around the ship.

To host a selected number of daily events and activities, including participation in Sail Away and Deck Parties.

To develop new skills. Line management and organization of the Senior Entertainment Host and M-Club Manager their Host Teams, and the visiting Guest Entertainers.

Admin duties include; regular checking of and responding to emails, relevant and appropriate amendments to the entertainment scheduling in response to changing demographics on board, appraisals of the Senior Hosts, and assisting the Cruise Director with investigation/disciplinary paperwork where required. Other admin duties as required by the Cruise Director.

To create and enhance the guest experience on board.

To assist the Cruise Director and oversee all members of the ship’s Entertainment Department.

To uphold and exceed venue expectations.

To ensure standards, product and the professional behavior of the team are at the highest level of the company.

Ensure the updated entertainment programme for each day is completed and issued to the relevant department responsible for the daily ‘Cruise News’ within given deadlines.

To make regular revenue announcements when hosting events around the ship (ie; advertising last minute availability on tours/Shop promotions/Cruise Holiday Store etc) and also encourage the Entertainment Team to do the same.

Assisting the DCM with inputting the programme into the Cruise Layout, give priority to and protect certain Destination Services events, such as Port Showcases and Cruise Holiday Store/Future Cruise presentations within the Cruise Layout, ensuring there is no conflict with light entertainment events.

Personally, and alongside members of the Entertainment Team, assist the hotel operation on challenging days; with gangway assistance and crowd control (ad hoc).

To deliver feedback to the Senior Entertainment Host and support him/her in doing the same with the Entertainment Hosts.

To ensure appearance and grooming guidelines are maintained by all members of the Entertainment Department, at all times.

Interface with the ship’s Management Team.

To uphold the standards set out in your training.

Senior Host development to include: monthly 1-2-1’s, appraisals and development plans.

A position of onboard responsibility will be held with regards to emergency procedures, guest mustering and drills (full training received on board).

Experience & Skillset:

The Assistant Cruise Director should have at least 2 years’ experience in working with diverse and varied entertainment programmes, ideally within a ‘family audience’ cruise ship environment.

Experience managing a team of individuals.

Professional microphone/hosting experience.

A strong knowledge of stage performance.

Experience of revenue promotion through an entertainment product.

Other Requirements:

Must complete STCW training (Safety at Sea, First Aid & Fire Fighting) prior to joining the ship.

Must hold a full passport, valid for the duration of the contract, plus six months.

Must hold a valid ENG1 Medical Certificate.

Must hold a Seaman’s Discharge Book or have completed an application for this.

Strong administration and organisation skills, including experience in using Microsoft Office systems.