Gift Shop Assistant Jobs on Cruise Ships

A gift shop assistant or “sales associate” on cruise ships is responsible for selling merchandise and customer service. Gift shop assistants may work on the floor only or they might work on the floor and ring sales. Other gift shop assistant duties include pricing inventory when shipments arrive, arranging and maintaining displays, answering phone calls, and general upkeep of the shop.

Gift shop assistants earn around $1,600-$2,000 per month. Salaries may fluctuate based on bonuses and commissions. In addition to a competitive salary plus commission, gift shop assistants are entitled to shop discounts as well as discounts on products and services on the ship. They also receive free travel to and from the ship, free accommodations and meals, health insurance, and retirement benefits.

To become a gift shop assistant, you must speak fluent English, you must have retail experience, good math skills, and excellent customer service skills. Many gift shop assistants are promoted to assistant gift shop manager after only a few years. When you are ready to apply for a gift shop assistant position, if you have a specific cruise line in mind, locate the lines official website. Visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official listings.

Once you have located the site, visit the website and search around for job postings. Most cruise line websites have a career center or job postings page. If the cruise line lists job openings, be sure to follow the application procedure carefully. If you do not follow directions when submitting your application, potential employers will think you might have a tough time following directions if hired.

If the cruise line does not list job openings on its site, send a polished cover letter and resume to the cruise lines Human Resources Department. The Human Resources Department is typically 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.

For more information about jobs on cruise ships visit Cruise Ship Jobs online. 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. You can apply for a job on your own, free of charge, sign up with a placement agency, or use Cruise Ship Jobs’ service.