Spring 2027 - Cruise Internship Hilton Head Island, SC

Vagabond Cruise | Hilton Head Island, SC

Spring 2027 Internship

About the Internship

Vagabond Cruise is looking for an energetic, creative, and outgoing Social Media Marketing Intern to join our team for the Spring 2027 season in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

This is a unique, hands-on internship that combines social media marketing, content creation, tourism, hospitality, and marine operations. The intern will help tell the story of Vagabond Cruise across our digital channels while also working directly aboard our vessels and experiencing the day-to-day operation of one of Hilton Head Island’s established tour and excursion companies.

This is not a desk-only marketing internship. We are looking for someone who is excited to get out on the water, interact with guests, capture great content, and become part of the Vagabond Cruise crew.

Social Media & Marketing Responsibilities

The intern will assist with content creation and management across Vagabond Cruise's social media channels, including:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

Responsibilities may include:

• Capturing photos and video aboard our cruises and around Harbour Town
• Creating short-form video content, including Reels, TikToks, and YouTube Shorts
• Developing engaging social media posts, stories, and other digital content
• Highlighting our cruises, crew members, guests, wildlife, food and beverage offerings, and special events
• Helping organize and maintain our photo and video content library
• Identifying social media trends and creative opportunities
• Assisting with content calendars and scheduled posts
• Monitoring engagement and basic social media analytics
• Helping develop new ideas to grow awareness and engagement across our social platforms
• Capturing authentic behind-the-scenes content that showcases the Vagabond Cruise experience

On-the-Water Experience

A major part of this internship is learning the operation from the inside. The intern will also work as a Deckhand/Crew Member aboard various Vagabond Cruise tours.

Depending on scheduling and operations, this may include experiences aboard dolphin cruises, sightseeing tours, sailing excursions, dinner cruises, special events, and other seasonal trips.

Deckhand responsibilities may include:

• Assisting with vessel preparation and cleanup
• Greeting and interacting with guests
• Assisting passengers during boarding and departure
• Supporting captains and crew during cruises
• Helping maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment
• Learning basic marine and vessel operations
• Providing excellent customer service throughout the guest experience

Working aboard the vessels gives the intern firsthand knowledge of our products and guests, allowing them to create more authentic and engaging marketing content.

Food & Beverage / Event Experience

The intern will also gain exposure to Vagabond Cruise's food and beverage and private-event operations, particularly aboard our dinner cruises and special events.

This may include assisting with:

• Dinner cruise operations
• Food and beverage service
• Weddings and private charters
• Corporate and group events
• Special-event setup and breakdown
• Guest service and hospitality

This provides an opportunity to gain experience beyond traditional marketing and learn how tourism, hospitality, events, marine operations, and marketing all work together.

Who We're Looking For

The ideal candidate is:

• Currently pursuing a degree in Marketing, Communications, Hospitality, Tourism, Business, Digital Media, or a related field
• Creative and comfortable generating new content ideas
• Familiar with Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and other major social platforms
• Comfortable taking photos and shooting/editing short-form video
• Outgoing and comfortable interacting with guests
• Dependable, organized, and willing to work as part of a team
• Comfortable working outdoors and aboard boats
• Willing to work a flexible schedule that may include weekends, evenings, and holidays
• Excited about tourism, hospitality, boating, wildlife, and the Hilton Head Island experience

Experience with photography, videography, Canva, CapCut, Adobe products, or other editing platforms is a plus, but a strong attitude, creativity, and willingness to learn are equally important.

What You'll Gain

This internship is designed to provide real-world experience across several areas of the tourism and hospitality industry, including:

• Social media marketing
• Content creation
• Short-form video production
• Digital brand management
• Social media analytics
• Tourism marketing
• Customer service
• Marine operations
• Food & beverage operations
• Private events and group sales
• Hospitality operations

Most importantly, you'll have the opportunity to create content based on experiences you're actually participating in — from being aboard the vessels and interacting with guests to seeing how cruises, events, and hospitality operations come together behind the scenes.

Spring Internship: February 19 - May 22nd, 2027

Summer (1) Internship: May 14 - August 14th, 2027

Summer (2) Internship: May 28 - September 4th, 2027