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Excursion Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

American Cruise Lines

Cruise Director

Chester, IL

Meet with Excursions Director, Guest Speakers, Guest Instructors and Resident Entertainers at the start of every cruise to review scheduling. * Create the daily Ship to Shore. * Host Officer ...

American Cruise Lines

Cruise Director

Chester, IL · On-site

Meet with Excursions Director, Guest Speakers, Guest Instructors and Resident Entertainers at the start of every cruise to review scheduling. * Create the daily Ship to Shore. * Host Officer ...

American Cruise Lines

Cruise Director

Alton, IL · On-site

Meet with Excursions Director, Guest Speakers, Guest Instructors and Resident Entertainers at the start of every cruise to review scheduling. * Create the daily Ship to Shore. * Host Officer ...

American Cruise Lines

Cruise Director

Alton, IL · On-site

Meet with Excursions Director, Guest Speakers, Guest Instructors and Resident Entertainers at the start of every cruise to review scheduling. * Create the daily Ship to Shore. * Host Officer ...

HB Travels

Client Services / Travel

Moline, IL · On-site

What You'll Do * Assist Clients- Help travelers plan and book personalized trips, including flights, hotels, cruises, and excursions * Provide Exceptional Service- Maintain communication before ...

American Cruise Lines

Hotel General Manager

Cairo, IL · On-site

Supervise the Assistant Hotel Manager, Housekeeping Manager, Restaurant Manager, Cruise Director, Excursions Director, Executive Chef & Guest Service Coordinator. * Hold officers and crew accountable ...

Arbor Terrace Highland Park

Driver

Highland Park, IL

$20/hr

Your main role will be to ensure our residents travel safely and comfortably to appointments, social events, and excursions. But that's not all! When you're not driving, you'll have the opportunity ...

Arbor Terrace Highland Park

Driver

Highland Park, IL · On-site

Your main role will be to ensure our residents travel safely and comfortably to appointments, social events, and excursions. But that's not all! When you're not driving, you'll have the opportunity ...

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All JobsExcursion JobsExcursion Jobs in Illinois

Excursion information

See Illinois salary details

$10

$16

$19

How much do excursion jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for excursion in Illinois is $16.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $16.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an excursion coordinator?

Excursion coordinators are professionals who organize and manage trips, tours, or outings for groups, often in the context of travel agencies, cruise ships, or educational institutions. They handle logistics such as planning itineraries, arranging transportation, securing permits, and ensuring safety for participants. Their goal is to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience while addressing any issues that may arise during the excursion. Excursion coordinators often act as the main point of contact between clients and service providers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an excursion manager?

To thrive as an Excursion Manager, you need strong organizational skills, destination knowledge, and experience in hospitality or tourism, often supported by a degree in tourism management or a related field. Familiarity with booking systems, itinerary planning software, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools is typically required. Excellent communication, problem-solving abilities, and leadership are soft skills that distinguish top performers in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring seamless travel experiences, guest satisfaction, and effective coordination with vendors and teams.

What is the difference between Excursion vs Tour Guide?

AspectExcursionTour Guide
CredentialsOften requires basic knowledge of destinations, sometimes certifications in tourismTypically requires certification or licensing, strong knowledge of history and attractions
Work EnvironmentGroup trips, outdoor settings, travel-focusedOn-site or walking tours, indoor and outdoor settings, interactive
Industry UsageUsed to describe short trips or outingsRefers to the person leading the tour

While an excursion refers to a short trip or outing, a tour guide is the person who leads and narrates such trips. Excursions are the activities or trips themselves, whereas tour guides facilitate and enhance the experience by providing information and ensuring safety.

What are some common challenges faced by excursion coordinators, and how can they be effectively managed?

Excursion coordinators often face challenges such as managing logistics for large groups, ensuring safety compliance, and adapting to last-minute changes in schedules or weather. Effective management involves thorough planning, maintaining clear communication with vendors and participants, and having contingency plans in place. Building strong relationships with local partners and staying organized can help prevent common issues and ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience for all involved.
What are popular job titles related to Excursion jobs in Illinois? For Excursion jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Excursion jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Excursion jobs in Illinois are:
Excursion jobs near you
Infographic showing various Excursion job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,398 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Excursions Director

American Cruise Lines

Chester, IL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Excursions Director
American Cruise Lines, the largest USA flagged cruise line in the United States, is looking to add Excursions Directors to our shipboard team for our 2026 season. American Cruise Lines only operates within the United States and has no more than 200 passenger vessels that create a one-of-a-kind small ship experience. With newly constructed vessels being added to our fleet, it is a great opportunity to join our shipboard management team.
The Excursions Director is responsible for engaging guests in each destination through a series of shoreside excursions, explorations, and adventures. As the Excursions Director you are responsible and accountable for all shore excursions and transfer operations, external vendor/operator communications, and brand ambassadorship & representation on excursions. This role has the highest level of guest interaction and can be very demanding, with long hours. The role requires an energetic and creative person with a collaborative team spirit and a passion for guest satisfaction.
At American Cruise Lines, we are driven by our values-Optimism, Commitment, Patriotism, and Merit. These values shape our culture, our service, and our people, guiding us as we work together to Share America's Story on the Finest American Ships.
Responsibilities:
  • Arrange, confirm and adjust, as necessary, all shore excursions, explorations, adventures and transfers.
  • Be extraordinarily well-versed in the cruising region, ports of call and excursions offered.
  • Accompany guests on daily excursions as a company representative and brand ambassador.
  • Coordinate, communicate and confirm all logistics with vendors, coach companies and ground operators to ensure timely and smooth service.
  • Accommodate guest requests, including highly personalized ones such as kayaking, golf tee times, and private transportation arrangements.
  • Socialize with guests at every opportunity including, but not limited to, mealtimes and cocktail hour.
  • Present a detailed Excursion Briefing to guests at the beginning of every cruise.
  • Communicate excursion changes to guests confidently.
  • Oversee excursion inventory and invoicing system; be fully responsible and accountable for system hardware.
  • Manage launch boat operations with the Mate.
  • Coordinate weekly office inventory.
  • Coordinate the collection of arriving packages and confirm receipt with the Hotel Manager & Mate.
  • Purchase morning newspapers in port each day.
  • Oversee, manage inventory and display port information collateral for guests; coordinate with local CVBs to obtain and refresh maps, brochures and other port-/region-specific materials of interest to guests.
  • Prepare folders and materials for turnaround day.
  • Inform crew members of daily excursion offerings.
  • Act as company representative at pre-cruise hotels on turnaround day.
  • Meet with Cruise Director, Guest Speakers, Guest Instructors and Resident Entertainers at the start of every cruise to review scheduling.
  • Promote on board sales and brand loyalty program.
  • Communicate and report regularly to the Home Office as to the status of the cruise, excursion counts, guest issues and recovery, and the evaluations of all shore excursions.
  • Manage departmental administrative tasks.
  • Perform bartending duties as needed with other management personnel.

Attributes for Success:
  • Ability to engage guests throughout each cruise.
  • Superior time management.
  • Ability to manage and solve problems.
  • Sense of urgency in all guest, crew, and home office requests.
  • Positive attitude and receptive to continuous performance feedback.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in hospitality, tourism, or event management is preferred.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
  • Enthusiasm, confidence, and a can-do attitude.
  • Strong public speaking skills.
  • Excellent time management and attention to detail.
  • Strong knowledge of U.S. Geography preferred.
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC).
  • Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Work Schedule:
  • 7 Days per week while onboard the ship.
  • 6 to 8 weeks working and living onboard the ship / 1-2 weeks off.
  • This is a full-time, exempt position.

Essential Functions:
  • Ships experience forces from wind, waves, and currents, prompting them to exhibit six distinct motions known as ship motions. The six motions are surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw. This position requires the ability to live and satisfactorily perform job duties in an environment that is subject to constant motion.
  • Ability to work around 12 hours per day.
  • Ability to assist in the event of an on-board emergency by quickly climbing up a ladder, opening, and passing through a 20" diameter hatch.
  • Ability to stand for your entire shift.
  • Ability to frequently lift up to 20 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Ability to frequently bend, squat and reach.
  • Ability to work outside during inclement weather, staying agile, and maintaining balance over wet terrain.
  • Ability to work outside with frequent and direct sun and heat exposure.
  • Ability to live and work on board a vessel for extended periods of time.
  • Ability to use stairs frequently.

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Competitive daily rate.
  • Health, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match.
  • Covered Expenses: American Cruise Lines provides travel, room and board, uniforms, and training.

Applicant Acknowledgment
By proceeding to apply for the above position, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the description of the job position for which I am applying, I agree that it accurately reflects the essential functions of the position, and I represent that I can complete the essential functions of the position.
Equal Opportunity Employer
American Cruise Lines is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants. ‎American Cruise Lines bases all employment decisions on business needs, job requirements, and individual ‎qualifications without regard to protected characteristics, including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin and citizenship, age (40 and over), disability (including perceived disability), generic information, military service, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law. ‎This policy applies to all aspects of employment and employment decisions, including, but not limited to, ‎hiring, selection, job assignment, training, compensation, promotion, discipline, termination, and access ‎to benefits.‎
*Job sites across the nation.
This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position and such duties and responsibilities may change without notice.

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