Future Cruise Consultant

Department: Guest Svc

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Reporting To: Guest Services Manager

Description

To consult on and close sales of future cruises, with focus on specific departures (Closed Bookings) as directed by Manager – Onboard Sales, among the guests aboard ship. 
The Cruise Sales Specialist is the face of the company. They play vital roles in ensuring guest satisfaction and promoting the company and services on board. They work closely with the office to generate sales and destination experiences and need to meet company targets set forth.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain desk hours consistent with ship’s itinerary.
• Assist with tour dispatch and disembarkation.
• Promoting destination and future cruise opportunities.
• Make self-available for future cruise sales consultations during office hours and private consultations as agreed with guests.
• Conduct lecture/presentation on future cruise opportunities, with specific mention of shore programs and booking incentives as well as itinerary highlights.
• Coordinate the distribution of In-Suite Promotional material and announcements of lectures in The Herald.
• Maintain current understanding of marketing programs, pricing philosophies, current and future itineraries, and reservations procedures.
• Conduct shipboard tours for travel agents and International Sales Agents visiting or travelling on vessel, as predetermined and advised by the Seattle office, in accordance with the In-Port Function Calendar.
• Distribute Seabourn and Virtuoso Welcome Aboard letter.
• Submit cruise-end report summarizing dates and attendance of presentations, number of private consultations, summary of deposited sales, identification of guests expressing interest in future sales for post-cruise follow-up, general reaction to sales and marketing programs and comments. Also, general reaction to new programs and new itineraries being offered.
• Hosts evening dinner table individually or as directed by Hotel Director, a minimum of 3 times a week.
• Assist as instructed in all shipboard guest activities, i.e., Captains Parties, Club Cocktail Party, etc., to establish a rapport with guests conducive to future cruise, shore and private arrangement sales and to assist with the social needs of the ship.
• Seabourn Welcomes You representative.
• Liaise with Ensemble and Virtuoso hosts for cocktail parties.
• Seabourn Club Representative and loyalty program.
• In charge of suite upgrades and complaints on embarkation day.
• To be familiar with and execute the Seabourn HESS-MS appropriate to their position
  

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Education:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Experience:

• Proficiency at “selling to the affluent” and familiarity with selling techniques.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of current and future itineraries and ports of calls. Knowledge of current marketing programs and pricing philosophies. Knowledge of suite categories.
• Knowledge of history of the product in general.
• Ability to understand the delicate balance required in promoting future cruises during a guest’s current cruise vacation.
• Keen communication skills and the ability to sell future cruises through group presentations and one-on-one discussions.
• Ability to close a sale.
• Ability to submit all paperwork accurately and on time.

Physical & Travel Requirements

Physical Demands:

• For the safety of yourself and others on board certain physical abilities shall be maintained. Must be able to bend, climb, perform repetitive motion, and repetitively heavy lift.
• Must maintain physical fitness to perform tasks associated with job.

Travel Requirements:

• Passport – valid for a minimum of 6 month Flag state issued seaman book
• General flag state or flag state approved marine fitness medical United States C1/D visa
• English Marlin test at minimal score of 80% Pre-employment medical examination

Working on a cruise ship is very different from any land-based occupation. Working hours are longer and work is more intense due to the constant demand of the guests. You have to be very flexible in your working hours, which on occasion might have to be changed due to unforeseen circumstances. The Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 however strictly regulates these.
Apart from the working hours there are strict rules which all members of the ship’s company need to adhere to as stipulated by the Master’s standing orders. You work in close proximity with your fellow crewmembers and therefore respect among all is essential.