Art auctioneer jobs on cruise ships are among the most sought after positions for Americans, Canadians, and the British. There are several reasons for this. For starters, Americans, Canadians, and the British have a better command of the English language than many other groups. The positions that require excellent English language skills have a high degree of passenger contact. In addition, the cruise industry caters mostly to the U.S. market, so excellent English-speaking skills are crucial. Individuals from other countries fill many behind-the-scenes positions. Individuals from the Philippines have the strongest behind-the-scenes representation on larger ships.
Other cruise line jobs best suited to Canadians, Americans and the British include restaurant management (fine/gourmet dining), front desk persons (pursers), hosts and hostesses, hair stylists, on-board salespeople, disc jockeys, fitness instructors, youth counselors, lecturers, casino staff, photographers, gift shop and boutique salespeople, water sports instructors, production managers, naturalists, shore excursion salespeople, art auctioneers, cosmetologists, hair stylists, massage therapists, doctors, nurses, and the bar department.
In addition to art knowledge, excellent communication skills, and a strong command of the English language, art auctioneers on cruise ships must have a professional appearance and they must have excellent sales skills. It doesn’t hurt to have a strong taste for money and excellent public speaking skills. Art auctioneers must also be responsible, ethical, and willing to sign a 4-month contract.
Art auctioneers on cruise ships typically earn a base salary plus commission, which amounts to anywhere from $3,700 to 7,000 U.S. per month. Like other cruise ship employees, art auctioneers also enjoy more than free travel to exciting destinations, free accommodations and meals, health insurance, and free air travel to and from the ship.
To apply for art auctioneer jobs on cruise ships, you may contact the cruise ship directly, sign up with a placement agency, or use a service such as Cruise Ship Jobs. To apply on your own, you must choose a cruise line first. Luxury cruise lines such as Holland America, Crystal Cruises, and Silversea usually hire more than one art auctioneer. These types of positions are uncommon on smaller ships and they are not extremely popular on some of the bigger (budget) cruise lines, but they do exist.
Visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official cruise line listings, contact information and websites. Visit the website for each of your selections. Most cruise line websites have a career center or job postings page. Once you have found an opening for art auctioneers, simply follow the application procedure. If the cruise line does not list job openings on its site at all, send a polished cover letter, resume, and photo to the cruise lines Human Resources Department. Keep in mind that all cruise lines will request a photo for art auctioneer positions. The Human Resources Department is located at the cruise lines headquarters. This information is usually listed on the cruise line website. It is important to include the position you are interested in so that it can be directed to the appropriate department manager.
Cruise Ship Jobs service can be found online at www.cruiseshipjob.com. Here, you can download the 2010 cruise ship employment guide; you can read through cruise line profiles; you can find out which ships are hiring and for what positions — and you can even apply for a cruise ship job right online. Please note that this website charges a fee. Remember, you can apply for an art auctioneer job on your own, free of charge, you may sign up with a placement agency for free, or you may use Cruise Ship Jobs’ service for a fee. Good luck!