Cruise ship center help..

[minnie56]

Anyone know anything about this company?

I went to talk to an owner today about employment there. It is 100% commission (owner 60% me 40%) and I am just wondering if anyone has heard how hard it is to get established in this field or any stories about cruise ship centers? On one hand it is nice to call my own shots as far as the hours etc...but no benefits...I pay the training fee....I find the customers....?

Thanks...as always!

 

[kellyla]

My sister co-owns a Cruiseship Center(Ancaster-Dundas Cruiseship Center)I am not sure how many consultants there are working in the office(she even has one that works from home in Utah,I believe)She has a consultant who has another side business selling clothes and when she goes to the craft shows and such,she gets business from them.They are allowed to get in on the deals(and there are lots of them)when they have a specific dollar amount of sales.Some get on cruises putting groups together.If you have any questions I can ask her and get back to you.

 

[minnie56]

I do appreciate your help kellyla

I guess my concern is...I am not aggressive at all..so can I sell? It seems you make your own contacts and customers so will I ever make any money at this? I had thought of maybe beginning this part time and when my youngest DD is off to University next year...who knows...maybe I would like more? But how hard is it to achieve anything?

Thanks...as always, I appreciate any tips...

 

[PoohBWV]

I have worked as a TA for a number of years and did at one point look into Cruise ship centres. The 40/60 split is not the best in the industry. You should be able to get at least 50/50 as an independent agent at any agency that uses outside sales agents. You do have to be fairly agressive and defininitely not shy about talking to large groups of people but you can make money. In my opinion the best way to sell cruises is to sell groups but you will need to make contacts with organizations to do this. Hope this helps.

 

[minnie56]

If I have never done this before...who provides training?

Is there a course I should take?

Thanks for all help!!!!!

 

[PoohBWV]

Some smaller private offices will still do training or you can take a travel a tourism course from your local community college.

 

[Debbie]

I talked to my friend who owns two Cruiseshipcentres with her husband. She said that those agents working within the office (40/60 split) bring friends, family and catch some of the walk in clientele. Word of mouth spreads and so does their client list. They attend some of the trade shows, too, I think. Those agents working at home (50/50 split) are more aggressive, since they don't get the opportunity for walk-ins. HTH.