So You Want To Be a Port
& Shopping Guide!
Looking for the opportunity to combine travel with work? Our Port Shopping Programs division is expanding into new and exciting itineraries. If you enjoy public speaking and generating creative promotional concepts, this is your chance to travel the seven seas. We’re looking for energetic presenters to showcase the exciting shopping available in ports of call. As a Port & Shopping Guide, you’ll present Port & Shopping Talks and Product Seminars that entertain and educate cruise ship guests to get the most value ashore for their shopping dollar.
The Port & Shopping Guide (PSG) position bears little similarity to anything found on land. The information below will help explain more about what to expect. If you want to take a leap of faith and embark (literally) on a new and exciting position, follow the “Application Procedure” that follows the information below.
Onboard Media (OBM) is a multi-departmental company engaged in the business of publishing for and promoting a diverse list of clients. The President of OBM, Philip Levine, founded the company in 1989.
The promotional program incorporates a contractual relationship with most of the world’s major cruise lines including Celebrity Cruise Lines, Costa Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Sun Cruises.
OBM promotes a lengthy list of retail clients throughout the world’s various ports of call, with a concentrated interest in the islands of the Caribbean. OBM is also involved with the promotion of national and international companies through its Publishing, Video, and Port Shopping Programs departments.
Although OBM is a multi-million dollar company, it still maintains a cooperative, family work ethic. OBM is known for delivering the highest level of quality and service in every aspect of their business. This continued level of excellence is a direct result of OBM’s utilization of the most talented employees in the industry.
The primary function of a PSG onboard the ship is to promote shopping ashore at the duty free stores contracted by Onboard Media. Most of the products promoted are luxury goods: gemstones, fine jewelry, Swiss watches, crystal, electronics etc.
During the port calls, the PSG meets with representatives from the contracted stores to monitor the effectiveness of their promotion and discuss strategies for future promotions.
Below is a more detailed description of these two roles:
1/ Onboard Promotion:
2/ Meetings ashore:
This is not a 9 to 5, time card job. There are no weekends off. Therefore it best suits somebody who likes to work intensively for 3 to 6 months then take several weeks or months vacation.
Though scheduled activities onboard the ship will total considerably less than 40 hours per week, it is up to the PSG to use the remaining time to maximize sales in the stores ashore. This usually involves work during the days and the evenings and will total more than 40 hours per week.
The single most important skill utilized and developed by a PSG is effective communication. Regular live presentations before large audiences require an enthusiastic, persuasive style. The ability to speak clearly and confidently before an audience is an essential attribute.
The PSG carries a high profile onboard the ship and represents stores that carry high-end luxury products. Therefore, he/she must present a polished, professional image at all times to the public and the merchants.
Each week, the PSG meets up to 75 store representatives and as many as 2000 guests. There is also a crew of 500 to 1000 people on each ship. An outgoing, likable personality is a definite must!
The ability of the PSG to successfully generate sales ashore depends on his/her ability to create exciting and effective promotions onboard. There is a great deal of latitude to create new and innovative promotions.
The PSG works simultaneously with several parties: Passengers, Staff and Officers onboard, Merchants and Onboard Media ashore. Excellent organizational skills are required to manage these relationships.
The amount of training varies depending on the itinerary and time available. The standard training schedule includes:
During the training, the PSG is responsible for their own expenses as listed below:
Onboard Media will pay for all hotel accommodation, as well as airfares to training locations outside of Miami.
PSG’s are assigned their own cabin and generally enjoy the same privileges and regulations as staff members.
Base salary for all PSG’s is US $500 per week, paid 5 weeks in arrears. There is also an opportunity to earn commissions on many of the vessels. This is a function of the revenue generated by the PSG.
The PSG is responsible for making their own arrangements regarding the payment of tax. Under their employment classification as an independent contractor (see below), the amount of tax to be paid with depend on such factors as country of residence.
The PSG operates as an independent contractor. Your 12 month contract outlines OBM’s terms of business but does not provide for continuous service. Actual time spent working may span from 3 to 8 months depending on the season.
The following are required for an applicant to be considered eligible for employment:
Application
Procedure:
Send the following items to the address below:
Address:
Attention: Sarah Weber
Director of Operations
Port Shopping Programs
Onboard Media
960 Alton Road
Miami Beach, FL, 33139
Further Contact
