Does anyone have experience working as a Sales Assistant on a cruise ship gift shop.?

[Trinibabe]

I'm seriously considering applying for a job on a cruise ship. I am 24yrs old. I have 3 years experience in retail sale and currently pursuing a Bachelors degree in Marketing. Recently I have been wanting to take some time ff to pursue a job on cruise ship for a while. I'm an extrovert and thrive on social interaction. I would really love the chance to SAVE some money and travel the world at the same time, while I'm still young, single and childless.... lol

I have been doing some research on certain retail companies that are contracted with the major cruise lines eg. Harding Brothers and Starboard Cruise Services. However I can't seem to find any testimonials from people who works or have worked on a cruise, and those shady websites on the internet just provide overinflated enthusiasm and probably incorrect info. I need some insight into the realities of working on board a cruise ship (and with the companies mentioned above in particular) from someone who has had first hand experience on them. I would really appreciate your answers guys and please feel free to add anything that you think is useful.

My questions are:

1. I'm from Trinidad. Do Harding or Starboard hire people from Trinidad or just Europe and the US?
2. What is the salary like with Harding and Starboard? (This is really important)
3. Do you really work 14 hrs a day?
4. I've been hearing a lot of horror stories about bad management and verbal abuse with regards to both companies mentioned above. I have also heard some good things as well. Has anyone had experience with these companies?
5.Will the company pay for my flight out to meet the ship?
6. I've read that "shoppies" get time off when on port, with the exception of some days when they have to assist with restocking. Is this true?
7. What are some tips for preparing a good resume for a position like this?
8. what cruises in particular are best to work with?

Thanks guys !! and don't hold back OK. I welcome all the gory details too. Lay it on thick..I can handle it! lol. I need to seriously way both sides of this in order to make an informed decision. I was even thinking that if all goes well I can come back home and finish my degree then reapply for a better position on the ship, who knows. Life is about choices right?!

P.S. Sorry for such a looooonnnggg post *cringe*

 

[AnjaH]

Hi,
i have not worked in the gift shops but on cruise ships in various positions for a long time.
Some more information you can also find at: www.cruiselinesjobs.com
There are some good Articles about all different kind of subjects - including life onboard.
I will try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge

My questions are:

1. I'm from Trinidad. Do Harding or Starboard hire people from Trinidad or just Europe and the US?
They also employ from outside the US and Europe

2. What is the salary like with Harding and Starboard? (This is really important)
I know that the basic salary is not much - the most is commission. But I really don't know.
In any case, you would start as a Sales Assistant, not a Shop Manager. (Regardless of your experience you had on land) If you are good you can move up to Assistant Manager and then Manager.


3. Do you really work 14 hrs a day?
The shops are closed while the ship is in port. So, unless the shop is getting merchandise, there is inventory to do, a lot of re-stocking of the shop etc and no port manning, it would be less.
The shops open about 30 mins after sailing time - and then are mostly open until midnight.
The bigger the ship, also the opening hours will be longer.
On Seadays the shops are open from 8 am normally. So on those days you work shifts with your co-workers, and yes there you can get to 12 and more hours easily.
However the job in the shops is the one with the most time off - but no days off.

4. I've been hearing a lot of horror stories about bad management and verbal abuse with regards to both companies mentioned above. I have also heard some good things as well. Has anyone had experience with these companies?
Hierarchy has in important place onboard a ship. You will run into people you do not get along with, you have a hard time working with - and you need to follow their orders, because they simply have a higher rank. The good part of working onboard a ship is, that either your or their contract finishes eventually. From my experience, I cannot tell you anything about verbal abuse within those companies. However the sales targets are high and if they are not reached, I am sure there is a pep-talk. Like everywhere, a lot depends on the head of the department/organization....

5.Will the company pay for my flight out to meet the ship?
I am not sure about that - but doubt it. Is there nothing on their website about it?

6. I've read that "shoppies" get time off when on port, with the exception of some days when they have to assist with restocking. Is this true?
Yes. Since the shops are closed. But besides restocking time, there is in-port manning and weekly compulsory crew drills (normally at around 10:00 am) - so after the drill is over and you are not in-port manning and are not told by your department head to work - you can go ashore.


7. What are some tips for preparing a good resume for a position like this?
Highlight your experience on land, read on the website I mentioned above, to get a better idea about life onboard. Your entry speech here was already pretty good

8. what cruises in particular are best to work with?
You will not choose the cruise line. Either one of the companies will send you to where they need you. Basics are all the same - as you can see from above - more seadays is more work. I personally like medium ships a little better (700 passengers) compare to the huge new ones with 5000 passengers.

Hope this helps