This week Cruise Weekly speaks with Mary
Murrin, Business Development Manager
onboard Tauck’s The Tauck Class Vessels.
How long have you
been working on
cruise ships?
I’ve been working on
river and ocean going
vessels since 1996 and
as a Cruise Director on
European Riverboats
since 2005.
When did you join Tauck?
I joined Tauck in 2008 as a Cruise Director on our
Jewel Class European Riverboats.
What is the best thing about working for Tauck?
Tauck is a family owned company dedicated to
the philosophy of our founder, Arthur Tauck,
Sr – delivering excellent, transformative travel
experiences that bring people together in a
shared sense of anticipation and discovery.
What is your favourite cruising destination?
I have to say I love Amsterdam, Vienna and
Budapest for the big cities on the European
Rivers and the gorgeous Wachau Valley in
Austria for the quaint villages, terraced
vineyards and castle ruins. My favorite for ocean
cruising has to be South New Zealand.
Briefly, what does your job entail?
I am in Business Development for our River and
Small Ship Cruising brands. When onboard, my
roles are to care for the guests and make sure
everything runs smoothly. As Cruise Director, I
act as onboard hostess, concierge, and liaison
with our shore-side suppliers in regard to
Tauck’s land-excursions.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I derive the same amount of happiness working
with our agent partners to grow their business
with Tauck as I feel onboard the ships as the
Cruise Director, working with the guests.
What is the most interesting request you’ve
received from a passenger?
Helping a grandfather complete an antique
chess-set collection was one of my favorite
assignments. Wedding vow renewals are very
special requests, too.
Do you have any embarrassing cruise stories
you can share with us?
I remember once waking up in Vukovar, Croatia
and announcing to the entire ship that we were in
Vidin, Bulgaria.
How do you spend your holidays.vacations
when you return home?
When I’m home, it’s all about family. When you
travel for a living, you live life in reverse…so
going home is the vacation!
