Ashore Excursion Manager: What Is It?

The Shore Excursion Manager is responsible for selecting and lining up various shore excursions for passengers at each stop, as well as ensuring that the package meets the promised standards. This role requires a strong sales background, as the Shore Excursion Manager must be able to sell an excursion or product to customers.

Cruise lines offer passengers short trips and excursions on land, with cruise staff organizing and selling these excursions. The Shore Excursion Manager must possess a keen understanding of the importance of exceptional service to ensure complete guest and team satisfaction while providing strong support. Many U.S. citizens are hired as shore excursion or tour managers (shorex) who may be part of the entertainment department, depending on the company.

The Shore Excursion Manager leads the Shorex Team and manages the onboard Shore Excursion Program, maximizing guest service and revenue opportunities. They are responsible for presentation, promotion, supervision, and arrangement of shore excursions offered in various ports of calls and onboard the vessel. The Shore Excursion Manager also supervises excursion staff, as well as the promotion and arrangement of excursions.

Overall, the Shore Excursion Manager is responsible for the smooth running of the shore excursions operation and the effective management of the department. They will handle and administer the shipboard Shore Excursion program, including sales, port operations, related guest services, financial targets, and overall responsibility for the smooth running of the shore excursions operation.

A Shore Excursion Manager is responsible for all excursion offerings onboard a cruiseship, including administrative tasks and communication with local vendors.


📹 Cruise Ship Job Information: Shore Excursion Manager

Hello Cruisers, I’ve been the Shore Excursion Manager on my cruise ship for three weeks now, and I feal I now have the …


What does on shore excursion mean?

Cruise passengers often opt for shore excursions to explore the local culture and life during their cruise. These activities, run by professional tour operators, allow passengers to fully enjoy their time on shore. Popular activities include watching humpback whales off Alaska’s coast, snorkeling in Bermuda, and exploring the underwater world. These excursions provide an opportunity for passengers to fully immerse themselves in the local culture and experiences.

What is a shore excursion job description?
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What is a shore excursion job description?

The role involves executing tactical plans to achieve revenue and sales targets, collaborating with the Operations and Revenue Team, employing effective marketing strategies, promoting tours to guests, monitoring the Shore Excursion Program, handling guest complaints, achieving guest satisfaction targets, promoting and processing Carnival MasterCard applications, maintaining professional relationships with Tour Operators, assisting with shore excursions, pier and lounge dispatch, participating in safety drills and trainings, and following all environmental and ECP policies and procedures.

Minimum requirements include experience in the hospitality industry, excellent command of the English language, competence in sales, understanding of marketing and promotion methods, revenue analytics, and revenue responsibility. High level of computer skills, including Microsoft packages, and a driver’s license are preferred. The ideal candidate should be approachable, a good listener, enjoy working in small teams, work under pressure, take initiative, have strong execution skills, be resourceful, adaptable, highly confident, and have a sense of fun, energy, and passion.

The position requires a six-month contract with a two-month vacation. The candidate must adhere to United States Public Health rules and regulations, be groomed meticulously, follow waste segregation procedures, and follow the Environmental Compliance Plan.

What does a shore excursion manager do?
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What does a shore excursion manager do?

The Shore Excursions Manager is responsible for presenting, promoting, supervising, and organizing shore excursions in ports of calls and onboard vessels. They ensure guests receive efficient and courteous assistance and manage the Shorex Team onboard. The manager plays an active role in the Emergency Response Organization, focusing on safety, guest, crew, and vessel safety. They coordinate excursions, including audio equipment, and instruct local guides.

The manager manages and coaches the Shorex Team, ensuring smooth dispatch and operation of shore excursions. They have in-depth knowledge of the product, destinations, and procedures, and can handle difficult passengers with grace, professionalism, and rational thinking. They also host and dine with guests and perform other duties as directed by senior management. The manager supervises the sales of the excursion office, takes proactive action to promote shore excursions, and reports any deviations from standards. Minimum experience and qualification requirements for this position are required.

Are shore excursions worth it?

Shore excursions are a great way to make the most of your time in port, but a mix of guided tours and independent exploration can be the most value. Choose the best option based on your budget and interests, and consider both ship-sponsored and independent tour and activity options. If you want to stay on board while your ship is docked in a port that doesn’t interest you, that’s okay. There are several guides to choosing a cruise line, including the 5 most desirable cabin locations, the 8 worst cabin locations, the ultimate guide to packing, the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks, top ways cruisers waste money, and the ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin.

How long are shore excursions?

The duration of shore excursions may be either full-day trips or short-term excursions, contingent upon the length of the visitor’s stay. A full-day tour provides the opportunity to explore the city in depth or to venture beyond the immediate vicinity of the port city.

What is the job of an excursion manager?

The candidate is tasked with the responsibility of providing guests with information regarding ports and tours, ensuring the implementation of the Standard Procedure Manual for shore excursions, addressing guest complaints, and managing the shore excursions team. It is regrettable that the position in question is no longer available. However, applicants may submit their credentials for consideration for other open positions on the company website.

What is an example of a shore excursion?

Shore excursions, such as kayaking, scuba diving, horseback riding, helicopter rides, and skiing, allow passengers to explore their port of call without booking a shore excursion. However, some destinations have complex visa requirements, making it difficult to explore without a shore excursion. For example, in St. Petersburg, Russia, a visa is required for stepping on shore, which requires filling in paperwork and paying a fee. Overall, passengers can explore their port of call without a shore excursion.

What are the disadvantages of shore excursion?
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What are the disadvantages of shore excursion?

Cruise line excursions offer advantages such as traveling with a group of passengers and comparing notes with fellow shipmates. They are also reputable and licensed, unlike independent tours. However, downsides include potential long lines, crowded buses, and long stops at souvenir shops. Port tours can range from free on cruise lines like Viking, Crystal, and Uniworld to over $100 per person for higher-priced options like golf, helicopter rides, seaplane rides, and visits to ancient ruins.

Some lines even offer overnight excursions to swanky hotels or private limo tours. Traditional shore excursions are worth it for exploring sites far from the cruise dock, accessing historic monuments, forts, or castles, and learning more about a region.

What are the disadvantages of shore excursions?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What are the disadvantages of shore excursions?

Cruise line excursions offer advantages such as traveling with a group of passengers and comparing notes with fellow shipmates. They are also reputable and licensed, unlike independent tours. However, downsides include potential long lines, crowded buses, and long stops at souvenir shops. Port tours can range from free on cruise lines like Viking, Crystal, and Uniworld to over $100 per person for higher-priced options like golf, helicopter rides, seaplane rides, and visits to ancient ruins.

Some lines even offer overnight excursions to swanky hotels or private limo tours. Traditional shore excursions are worth it for exploring sites far from the cruise dock, accessing historic monuments, forts, or castles, and learning more about a region.

What does excursion do?

A pleasure or scientific excursion is defined as a brief journey or excursion to a particular destination with the objective of returning promptly. Weekend excursions to mountain resorts serve as illustrative examples of such trips. In the context of physics, an excursion can be defined as the displacement of a body or point from its mean position or neutral value. An unintentional rise in the power level of a reactor may result in its emergency shutdown.

What is the true purpose of shore excursions?
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What is the true purpose of shore excursions?

Shore excursions are activities that highlight the attractions or culture of a destination, often taking place within walking distance of the cruise ship. They can include sightseeing bus tours, guided visits to museums or historic sites, athletic activities, beach days, cooking or dance classes, or day trips to nearby cities. Some excursions are tailored for families, accommodating children, and passengers with mobility issues or disabilities.

Shore excursions can be purchased by cruise lines, independent operators, or third-party tour sellers. However, not all excursions are suitable for everyone and may require a minimum level of fitness.


📹 Cruise Ship Job Information: Shore Excursion Staff

Hello Cruisers, I am happy to say that I am starting a new video series, that will be going over different jobs that you could be …


Ashore Excursion Manager: What Is It?
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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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6 comments

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  • This was very informative, especially the thing about revenue goals for the ports your ship visits. I always wondered what the job title of the person helping people on cruises as they visit the different ports around the islands of Hawai’i. My mom used to work as a sous-chef for Hyatt Waikoloa for several years before upgrading to working on a cruise line. I remember seeing that one vocal person in the mornings by the big banyan tree in Lahaina helping direct traffic from all the tender boats. I would think to myself “What would I do at each port I visited if I only had the day to explore?” Thank you for sharing. Commented. Liked. Subscribed.

  • Hey Trent I just wanted to reach out to you, I have really been enjoying your articles and appreciate all the knowledge you have been sharing. I excepted an entry level position as a restaurant steward and just recently completed my medical. I have been hearing mixed reviews about the amount of Time I will be forced to wait after I complete training before I actually get to start. I am very anxious and excited to start this next chapter. Congrats on your promotion. I am hopeful after a contract or two I will be able to develop myself into a role better suited for my skill set. I also plan on sticking with it for the long haul. I have heard after piney point it would be 4/6 weeks and then someone told me it would be months and I prob wouldn’t get on the ship until fall. I excepted the offer letter back in December. If you could get back to with an honest estimate of a start date I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you hope to see u soon 🌴

  • Thank you Trent for introducing this position, as you said, I barely found any articles and stuff about it. Your article is detailed! I’m about to embarkation next month, luckily I found this one. TBH this article kinda relieved my stress. Another quick question: Have you guys got any tips from customers? Is that a common thing for shore excursion staff?

  • Thank you so much for for that informative and helpful information about the Shore Excursion position. It was one of my top choice role whenever I wanted to work on a cruise line. It’s my first time on your website and I know that you get this question all the time…sorry but what cruise company do you work for?

  • Hi Trent! Thanks for the great information! Do you know if NCL/Pride of America still has to deal with any mask or vaccine requirements? I know international ones still have some restrictions (definitely for crew but also guests sometimes) so I didn’t know if a fully Hawaiian one has any mandatory requirements for guests or crew. And if y’all do, does that affect sales and excursions, customer complaints, etc. if some guests aren’t allowed on certain excursions? Thanks again!

  • Hello, good Day, I appreciate this article I am too interested on working on Shore Excursions, and so I am applying, could you tell me which company are you in? Is it AIDA? I am applying to other companies and they are asking me to learn 2 more languages: So in total I already know Spanish, English, and Intermediate French and was asked to learn Italian. But of course I would like to apply for a company which would require less Languages or a smoother applying process. Thank you in advance.