Cruise ships, big and small, have onboard boutiques that specialize in a variety of products and employ customer service-oriented sales associates to meet the needs of passengers.
While smaller cruise ships may only have one gift shop onboard, larger ships feature several. For example, the Oasis of the Seas has 13 retail venues that cover more than 10,000 square feet. Sales teams also vary in size with some of the larger ships having over 30 retail staff. Onboard merchandise includes fine jewelry, watches, cosmetics, fragrances, designer clothing and handbags, and duty free items.
Although a couple of cruise lines operate their gift shops in-house, some cruise lines use a concessionaire (third party vendor) to operate as well as recruit, train and employ their shipboard gift shop staff.
For the most part the requirements are similar. Cruise lines want energetic, customer service-oriented individuals with accomplished retail sales and merchandising experience. Hospitality and customer service experience may also be considered. Specialty selling experience in fine jewelry, watches, cosmetics and fragrances, visual merchandising, and promotional skills are a definite plus.
The two main concessions that operate on the majority of the cruise ships in the industry are Starboard Cruise Services and Harding Retail. Harding recruits Sales Assistants, Trainee Managers and Managers. Comparatively, Starboard recruits for the positions of Sales Associate (Fine Jewelry Specialist, Fine Watch Specialist, Beauty Specialist, Visual Specialist, and Promotions Specialist), FAST Track Sales Manager, Assistant Sales Manager, and Luxury Retail Boutique Manager.
Here is an overview on the concessionaire used by each cruise line as well as which cruise lines recruit in-house.
Carnival Cruise Lines – Carnival Cruise Lines uses Starboard Cruise Services as the concessionaire that operates their onboard gift shops. To work for Starboard Cruise Services, interested applicants need to submit their CV and a completed signed application form to one of Starboard’s accredited Hiring Agents worldwide.
Celebrity Cruises – Celebrity Cruises uses Starboard Cruise Services as the concessionaire that operates their onboard gift shops. To work for Starboard Cruise Services, interested applicants need to submit their CV and a completed signed application form to one of Starboard’s accredited Hiring Agents worldwide.
Costa Cruises – Costa Cruises uses Starboard Cruise Services as the concessionaire that operates their onboard gift shops. To work for Starboard Cruise Services, interested applicants need to submit their CV and a completed signed application form to one of Starboard’s accredited Hiring Agents worldwide.
Crystal Cruises – Crystal Cruises uses Starboard Cruise Services as the concessionaire that operates their onboard gift shops. To work for Starboard Cruise Services, interested applicants need to submit their CV and a completed signed application form to one of Starboard’s accredited Hiring Agents worldwide. Crystal Cruises’ employment pages on their website indicates that the recruiting manager name is Aimee Sloan-Schwartz ([email protected]).
Cunard Line – Cunard Line uses Harding Retail as the concessionaire to operate their gift shops onboard. Those interested in applying with Harding Retail need to complete the online application on Harding’s website.
Disney Cruise Line – Disney Cruise Line recruits for the cruise ship job, Merchandise Host/Hostess through their website’s employment pages. The product focus of Disney Cruise Line ships includes, but is not limited to, DCL specialty merchandise, onboard art program, duty-free products, jewelry and cosmetics. Interested applicants can apply online for open job postings, but if there is no job posting, then you can apply through a Disney Procurement Alley.
Holland America Line – Holland America uses Starboard Cruise Services as the concessionaire that operates their onboard gift shops. To work for Starboard Cruise Services, interested applicants need to submit their CV and a completed signed application form to one of Starboard’s accredited Hiring Agents worldwide.
Norwegian Cruise Line – Norwegian Cruise Line uses Starboard Cruise Services as the concessionaire that operates their onboard gift shops. To work for Starboard Cruise Services, interested applicants need to submit their CV and a completed signed application form to one of Starboard’s accredited Hiring Agents worldwide.
Oceania Cruises – Oceania Cruises uses Harding Retail as the concessionaire to operate their gift shops onboard. Those interested in applying with Harding Retail need to complete the online application on Harding’s website.
P&O Cruises – P&O Cruises uses Harding Retail as the concessionaire to operate their gift shops onboard. Those interested in applying with Harding Retail need to complete the online application on Harding’s website.
P&O Cruises Australia – P&O Cruises Australia uses Harding Retail as the concessionaire to operate their gift shops onboard. Those interested in applying with Harding Retail need to complete the online application on Harding’s website.
Princess Cruises – Princess Cruises recruits in-house for the position of Sales Associate for their Princess Cruises onboard boutiques. Applicants for the Sales Associate positions should refer to the “International Recruitment” section of the Princess Cruises’ employment pages for additional information on how to apply. Princess uses a global network of authorized recruiting partners. Please contact the recruitment agency that is closest to your permanent residence.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises – Regent Seven Seas Cruises uses Harding Retail as the concessionaire to operate their gift shops onboard. Those interested in applying with Harding Retail need to complete the online application on Harding’s website.
Royal Caribbean International – Royal Caribbean International has a fleet of over 20 cruise ships. They use a mix between Starboard Cruise Services and Harding Retail. Those interested in applying with Harding Retail need to complete the online application on Harding’s website. Those interested in working for Starboard Cruise Services need to submit their CV and a completed signed application form to one of Starboard’s accredited Hiring Agents worldwide.
Silversea Cruises – Silversea Cruises uses Harding Retail as the concessionaire to operate their gift shops onboard. Those interested in applying with Harding Retail need to complete the online application on Harding’s website.