ACADEMY FREELANCERS
TAKE YOUR TALENT
FROM SHIP TO SHORE
USE YOUR CRUISE RETAIL TALENT TO STEP FROM SHIP TO SHORE!
Cruise Retail Academy is about to change the world of cruise retail training forever.
We are building CRA+ Onboard, the biggest network of skilled and experienced freelancers at sea. Our freelancers will represent leading brands onboard with a truly innovative approach to training the amazing retail teams across the oceans in improving the guest experience across the cruise industry.
WHAT IS CRA+ ONBOARD?
CRA+ ONBOARD is an innovative offering from us to help brands further improve their performance onboard. We are building a network of freelancers around the globe to ensure that brands get their training onto as many cruise ships as possible.
Utilizing our cruise retail expertise and our strong network, our freelancers will support a number of brands onboard to strengthen their onboard operations.
We will focus CRA+ in any of the 4 specific areas which are crucial in improving the performance of brands.
Training, Onboard selling, Merchandising and Auditing. Not only this, we are also building a cruise retail mystery shopper program also.
The unique position of the Cruise Retail Academy will allow brands to connect with amazing cruise retail professionals who are looking to step forward on a new step in their career journey.
Make a difference onboard, one ship at a time!
TRAINING
After being trained by a brand, you will step onboard cruise ships in your region to conduct face to face training with the onboard retail team focusing on brand overview, product specific information and novelty presentation. Your goal is to engage, inspire and educate the onboard teams to improve their brand knowledge and ability to deliver improved sales.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Deliver product and sales training to onboard retail crew
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Provide brand insights and support team confidence
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Complete recap reports with photo evidence
TRUNK SHOWS
Deliver onboard trunk shows, brand activations or special events. You will sail onboard specifically to increase sales performances for a brand. Whilst onboard your goal is to also ensure that the team are well trained, the brand events are well setup and sales are optimized. The individual events you will be conducting will be (content here)
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Present the brand throughout a cruise voyage or days specified
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Deliver training, support retail operations, and promote store engagement
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Collect feedback, photos, and performance insights
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MERCHANDISING
Following the brand guidelines, your task is to work with the onboard team to ensure that products are merchandised in line with expected standards, that all marketing materials are relevant, in good condition and up to date and that any novelties or promotional items are correctly displayed.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Ensure visual merchandising aligns with brand guidelines
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Support setup and activation of new ranges or promotions
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Report on compliance and VM quality
AUDITING
You will conduct brand audits working with the onboard team via our special feedback app to ensure consistent brand experience is delivered onboard. Namely you will be checking displays, marketing material, display equipment, window displays and ensuring that all onboard activations are delivered correctly.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Conduct discreet brand experience audits
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Use checklist tools to capture performance metrics
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Compare brand positioning with overall onboard setup
MYSTERY SHOPPING
You will conduct mystery shopping audits onboard via our special feedback app to ensure consistent brand experience is delivered onboard. Namely you will be checking events, activations, cruise programming, displays, marketing material, display equipment, window displays and ensuring that all setup is delivered correctly.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Conduct discreet retail setup experience audits
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Use checklist tools to capture performance metrics
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Compare brand positioning with overall onboard setup
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Feedback to onboard team in real time
HOW DOES IT WORK?
1. Sign up as a FREELANCER today by applying to us on the link below.
2. We will then invite you to an interview first with us, and secondly by the relevant brand.
3. If you are successful, you will be required to take part in a number of brand trainings and upload your documents on your profile. Once signed off, you will have access to our CRA+ HUB portal, where you can sign up to available assignments.
4. Choose your assignment, follow the processes and get paid for what you complete.
WHAT DOES BEING A FREELANCER MEAN?
Being a freelancer means working for yourself and offering your skills and services to various brands on a project-by-project basis, rather than being employed by a single company.
As a freelancer, you are essentially an independent contractor who will manage their own work.
You will send invoices for work completed, and be paid on successful fulfilment of a brief.
Cruise Retail Academy is building a network designed to support freelancers building new opportunities in our industry.
WHO CAN APPLY?
We are looking for experienced professionals who have the following skills:
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Proven retail or training experience (cruise retail experience a bonus)
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Confidence in facilitating sessions or engaging with international teams
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Visual merchandising or sales background preferred (for relevant roles)
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Ability to travel internationally (passport + flexibility essential)
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Tech literate must submit reports via digital platforms (e.g., Safety Culture)
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Strong interpersonal, cultural, and professional standards
WHAT ARE WE OFFERING?
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Your first step from ship life to shore life
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Paid freelance assignments with travel covered
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Training via the Cruise Retail Diploma (E-Academy)
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Brand-specific onboarding and certification
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Access to CRA+ portal for assignment browsing
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Tiered loyalty rewards & seasonal recognition
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Possibility to join brand teams long-term ('try before you hire' model)
IS THIS ROLE FULL TIME?
It depends on how many assignments you wish to collect. We think the best way to look at the cruise retail freelancer role is additional income that can be earned whilst being on vacation, between roles or in supplement to a role you are already doing. Most ship visits will take place as per the cruise calendar, so you will need some level of flexibility to ensure you are able to attend the specific locations.
More questions will be answered for you as you engage into our recruitment process.
NO CHARGES!
Singing up as a freelancer is free of charge. We will never charge you for recruitment!
