Outside sales representatives on cruise ships are responsible for marketing the cruise lines vacations and any specials and deals the cruise line may have available. Outside sales representatives may meet with travel agencies, businesses and organizations in order to promote the cruise line. In addition to in-person visits, outside sales representatives may take part in a significant amount of cold calling and he may act as a consultant for the cruise line.
Cold calls may involve introducing the company and services, along with several follow-up calls which will hopefully lead to an in-person meeting. In person, the outside sales representative will conduct presentations, answer questions, present an agreement or contract to seal the deal, and if necessary, accept payments. Outside sales representatives receive reimbursement for travel expenses and all presentation materials are supplied by the cruise line.
Outside sales representatives may earn anywhere from $25,000 per year plus commission on the low end, up to $70,000 plus commission (and bonuses) on the high end. Some cruise lines may offer a discount on cruise vacations, health insurance, and retirement benefits.
To be considered for an outside sales job on cruise ships, you must have no less than 2 years experience as an outside sales representative in the travel industry. These are the minimum requirements. Most cruise lines prefer 3-5 years of experience working in the cruise industry in addition to a degree in marketing, communications, public relations, travel, sales, or even finance.
If you have the qualifications listed above, you can begin your job search by locating several cruise lines that you might be interested in. Visit the Ships and Cruises Directory for official listings and websites. Visit the website of each cruise line you are interested in 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, simply follow the application procedure. If the cruise line does not list job openings on its site, please 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.