16 hours a day, $70,000 a year: The turbulent lives of cruise directors

Cruise event directors earn between $68,000 and $110,000 a year and work 16-hour days. The role involves managing entertainment, guest relations, and problem-solving at sea. Companies like Royal Caribbean and MSC are recruiting for the position, which requires experience in management and entertainment.

Behind every successful cruise stands an event director, defined as the social engine of the experience. The annual salary in the US ranges from $68,000 to $110,000, and workdays can last 16 hours. Companies like Royal Caribbean and MSC are looking to fill the role, which requires experience in management, entertainment, and human relations. Kendall Magyar from Carnival Cruise said she takes about a hundred selfies a day with passengers and serves as a travel guide. The work is for periods of four to six months with a two-month break, away from family. Event director David Bentancourt wrote on LinkedIn that the role is about leadership at sea, and includes knowing every port, creating a personalized experience, and managing numerous daily interactions.