How to Be a Vendor on a Cruise Ship
A cruise ship has a maximum passenger’s capacity of 8600 at a time. Imagine this is your consumer market place, where every consumer has a different need, and all of them need something, respectively, all the time. So by becoming a vendor on a cruise ship means you are tapping 8600 consumers base for opportunities to sell your products and services.
This however is easy said than done, because this floating city of 8600 people has demand for goods in large quantity. So arranging supplies for them during entire voyage requires a lot of hard work. It needs to have a chain of suppliers who are willing to provide you with goods and services timely enough, some times months in advance to start of the voyage. If there is a shortage of goods they should be able to quickly meet your demand.
Many of the suppliers have warehouses on the ports so that getting delayed supplies in that case is not possible. Still you should be able to start working to arrange all the supplies at least a month in advance. This is the reason that becoming vendor on a cruise ship is a demanding job and it is not that easy to become qualified for it so immediately.
Instructions
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1
Eligibility or Qualification
Qualification here does not mean that you are required to show an MBA degree, but you have to prove that you have an organisational structure in place, guts, contacts, money and time to become a vendor on a cruise ships. Otherwise this role is not for you. -
2
Pitch Yourself to Purchase Agent
Almost all cruise ships have their purchase agents and they are the people to contacted to become a vendor. Generally there are very busy people and are unlikely to listen to you patiently for even a couple of minutes. So you should ready your sales pitch beforehand and as soon as you contact the person let it out before him/her. This is your chance to plot your case. -
3
Send Supporting Material
When you pitch your idea before the purchase agent you should offer him to send brochures, photos or any other supporting material, and then do it if you receive the slightest nod of approval. -
4
Prevail and Be Persistent
Once you in contact of a purchasing agent try to prevail yourself at that very moment and then be persistent. Keep in consistent contact of these people and keeping pushing your sales ideas. -
5
Consider Hiring Vendor Agent
You many also consider hiring services of a vendor agent. They have good relationship with the ship staff and often purchase supplies for them. Their main job however is to hire vendors for cruise ships and you might have a chance to become a vendor through the agent.
