New Albany
Job Description OUR STORY Victory Cruise Lines, Inc. is a purpose-driven, American-owned and employee-owned, cruise line built on a deep respect for maritime tradition, exceptional service, and the belief that people make the difference. Founded by industry icon John W. Waggoner, Victory Cruise Lines was created to deliver unforgettable journeys while honoring the waterways, communities, and people who make them possible. We proudly operate on the Great Lakes, Canadian Maritimes and Eastern Seaboard offering immersive, culturally rich experiences aboard our intimate vessels. Our guests don’t just travel; they connect—to history, to place, and to one another. And our team members don’t just work here; they help shape experiences that leave a lasting impression long after the voyage ends. Victory Cruise Lines is growing, evolving, and investing in the future—while staying grounded in what has always mattered most: safety, integrity, teamwork, innovation, service excellence, and having fun along the way. OUR VALUES At Victory Cruise Lines, Safety First is non-negotiable—because nothing matters more than bringing our guests and crew home safely. We believe Teamwork is how great things happen, onboard and ashore, and we show up for one another every day. We lead with Integrity, doing the right thing even when no one is watching. We take Service Excellence personally, sweating the details because memorable experiences are built in the moments others might overlook. We embrace Innovation, always looking for smarter, better ways to elevate the guest and crew experience. And yes—we believe work should be meaningful and enjoyable, so we make space to Have Fun and celebrate the victories along the way. We are a hands-on, all-hands-on-deck organization that values humility, accountability, and pride of ownership. Titles don’t define contribution here—impact does. We believe in making an impact that lasts—on our guests, our teammates, and the communities we touch—because the legacy we leave behind matters just as much as the journeys we create. We don’t chase trends; we chart our own course, guided by experience, curiosity, and a relentless commitment to excellence. Victory Cruise Lines is more than a workplace—we are a community of professionals who care deeply about what we do, who we serve, and how we show up for one another. JOIN OUR TEAM If you are a high-performing, values-driven professional who takes pride in your work, thrives in a team environment, and wants to be part of something special—we’d love to talk. At Victory Cruise Lines, you’ll find meaningful work, strong leadership, and the opportunity to grow your career while helping create extraordinary experiences on the water. Come "Celebrate the Victory" with us. THE POSITION The Lakelorian will be an essential member of the Guest Experience & Entertainment team onboard our ships. They represent our brand by continuously enhancing guest experiences through lectures, education, activity, and engagement. It is our strong preference to only hire a candidate with entertainment/lecture/presentation experience from within the cruise industry. Prior experience engaging with guests while living and working onboard a ship is strongly desired. Rich experience in Great Lakes lore and education is required. RESPONSIBILITIES Lecture and Presentation Component • Present company-produced lectures and enrichment programs to crowds of 100-190 guests for 45-60 minutes on a daily basis, • Present at least one program a day for the duration of the cruise, with some days requiring more than one presentation as agreed upon with Senior Lakelorian, • Continually expand knowledge of the enrichment program by using the provided support materials, approved books and Lakelorian Handbook, • Act as ambassador for National Museum of Great Lakes and ensure healthy partnership with them is maintained, • Maintain all onboard enrichment displays and onboard library for guests, • Partner with any special guest lecturers or naturalists to ensure they are comfortable with ship equipment and have all items needed for their success, • Keeping up to date with current issues affecting the Great Lakes, such as environmental policies, climate change, invasive species, and sustainable practices., • Incorporate interactive elements (such as Q&A forums, discussions and quizzes), and maintain flexibility in delivery style to ensure all audience types stay engaged, • Ability to engage with passengers in all settings answering questions and providing additional insights outside of scheduled lectures Guest Experience Component • Act as a social ambassador for the cruise, engaging with guests daily throughout the ship whether scheduled or unscheduled, • Act as ambassador of Victory Cruise Lines, ensuring you provide accurate and up to date information about the cruise and the company, • Answer guest questions and assist guests in any capacity while always maintaining professionalism even when not “on duty”, • Host and/or participate in events/games/activities organized by the Cruise Director (or Hotel Director), • May be asked to host/accompany guests to meals in the dining room as a guest recovery, but this will not be a regularly scheduled event. Direction to come from the Cruise Director and Hotel Director, • Make announcements on the Public Announcement system as required Guest Experience Team Cross-Department Collaboration • Work in collaboration with the Guest Experience Team, ship’s operations, and hotel management teams to ensure smooth and efficient operations, • Work as a unified Guest Experience Team to ensure a seamless guest journey, • Make every effort to assist all departments as time allows and within reason., • Guest Experience Team will not be required to do any store loading, luggage duty, garbage duty, or heavy lifting, • Greet Shore Experience busses as scheduled, assist guests with any questions, distribute information as needed Operational Component • May be required to attend meetings onboard with other ship staff to coordinate scheduling or guest communication, • Assist with the organization and management of the daily schedule by ensuring guest communications are accurate and up to date via onboard application, • Maintain flexibility while onboard as schedules and timing of events may change quickly, • Maintain organization in the Guest Experience office to ensure smooth collaboration with other team members, • Always maintain a clean area on stage, ensuring no liquids, food, or trash is left in any performing area, • Other projects or duties as requested. QUALIFICATIONS Education: • Bachelor’s Degree Required Skills & Abilities: • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, • Strong stage presence with an emphasis on entertainment and educational value, • Ability to deliver compelling and informative lectures or presentations that capture the attention of diverse audiences, • Ability to break down complex information into digestible pieces, presenting information in a way that is both informative and entertaining, • A strong passion for educating others, with a commitment to staying current on, • Familiarity with sound and AV equipment onboard. Training will be provided prior to the start of season, • Strong interpersonal skills and guest service orientation, always maintaining a positive attitude, • Ability to multitask, prioritize, and solve problems quickly, • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, • Ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, always maintaining professionalism, • Willingness to travel extensively, sometimes for extended periods, and work weekends and holidays, • Ability to lift to 30 pounds Experience: • At least 2 years of experience in a similar role involving lecturing to large audiences, • Travel/tourism, educational, or cruise industry experience preferred, • Knowledge about the history, geography, and cultural significance of the Great Lakes a plus *Additional requirements may be required depending on the physical needs of the role OTHER Post Offer / Pre Employment criteria must be satisfied to complete a successful hiring process; this may include, but may not be limited to: drug and/or alcohol screening, physical or other health assessment, background screening, culture index surveys, any other assessments as deemed necessary by the Company for a position This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the position. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Other duties not listed here may be assigned as necessary to ensure the proper operations of the department. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Must have a legal right to work in the United States.