Historian/Destination Speaker

General Qualifications

• Extremely polished public speaking skills required.
• Excellent and polished presentation skills.
• Extraordinarily knowledgeable of the history, geography, ecology, ports of call, and other points of interest within the cruise itinerary.
• Strong interpersonal and social skills required.
• Must possess a strong sense of production and presentation.
• Must be enthusiastic, outgoing, confident, friendly, sociable, service-minded, and always have a can-do attitude.
• Excellent time management and attention to detail.

Region-specific Minimum Requirements

• Puget Sound & Alaska: Topics should include Marine Wildlife, Glaciers & Ice Fields, Native American & Alaskan Native Cultures, Geology, Forests & Ecosystems, Exploration & Settlement, and The Fishing & Seafood Industry.
• Columbia & Snake Rivers: Topics should include Lewis & Clark, Native American Culture, Geology, Wildlife & Ecology, Wine & Agriculture, and Hydropower & Dams, Mt. St. Helens, the Oregon Trail and River Navigation.
• Mississippi River (& Tributaries): Extensive knowledge of the Upper or Lower Mississippi, Ohio, or Tennessee & Cumberland Rivers. Topics should include The Civil War & Historic Battles, The Louisiana Purchase, Agriculture & Industry, River Navigation, Music & Cultural Contributions, Culinary Traditions, Native American Cultures, Mark Twain & Literature, Floods & River Management, and Architecture & Historic Homes.
• New England: Topics should include Colonial History, Maritime Heritage, The Revolutionary War, Lighthouses & Navigation, Literary & Artistic Contributions, Lobstering & Fishing Industry, Architectural Styles, Whaling, and Culinary Traditions.
• Chesapeake Bay: Topics should include Jamestown, Williamsburg & Early American History, Native American Cultures, Maritime Heritage, The Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, The Civil War and Crabbing & Oystering.
• The Historic South: Topics should include Colonial & Antebellum History, The Civil War, The Revolutionary War, Gullah Culture & Heritage, Architectural Styles & Historic Homes, Southern Literature, the Civil Rights Movement, Maritime History, Southern Culinary Traditions and Southern Gardens & Horticulture.
• Florida: Topics should include the Spanish Exploration, Native American History, The Everglades & Ecosystems, Pirates & Maritime History, Marine Wildlife, Hemingway & Literature, Architectural Styles, and Hurricanes & Weather Patterns.
• Great Lakes: Topics should include Native American Cultures, French & British Exploration, The War of 1812, Maritime Heritage & Shipwrecks, Lighthouses & Navigation, Immigration & Industry, Architecture & Historic Cities, Music & Artistic Contributions, Culinary Traditions and Wildlife & Ecology.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily formal presentations (45-60 mins each).
• All presentations should be supported by PowerPoint visuals.
• Provide narration/commentary while the ship is underway from port to port during daylight hours, broadcast over the ship’s PA system to public lounges, outer decks and into guest staterooms.
• Present daily 15-20 min Port Previews and Q&A for all ports of call included on the cruise.
• Participate in daily hosting of Shore Excursions providing coach commentary when needed.
• Dine with guests each evening.
• Be available to guests throughout the day and evening for one-on-one chats and socialization.

Work Schedule

• 7 Days per week while onboard the ship.
• Weeks working and living onboard the ship range depending on candidate availability and regional needs.

Attributes for Success

• Passion for building relationships and speaking about American history.
• Ability to engage guests throughout each cruise.
• Sense of urgency in all guest, crew, and home office requests.
• Positive attitude and receptive to continuous performance feedback.
• Basic knowledge of audio/visual equipment.

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