Cruise Sales Executive, Specialist Holidays Group

Location: Homebased

Function: D2 Sales

Reports To: Head of Sales

Contract Terms: Permanent, full time 39 hours

Specialist Holidays Group (SHG) is a leading specialist travel group, bringing together a family of trusted, expert-led brands that create exceptional holidays for discerning travellers. Each brand combines deep destination knowledge with personalised, high-service experiences — expertise that sits at the heart of everything we do. Our portfolio spans accessible luxury and cruise through Destination2 and Destination2Cruise; ultra-premium, bespoke travel through Sovereign Luxury Travel; the USA, Canada, Caribbean and Latin America through American Holidays; authentic Italy through Citalia; and great-value getaways through Holiday Gems. Together they share one promise: Travel. Expertly Delivered.

In this fast paced, target driven position you will handle customer enquiries and convert calls and other sources/leads into cruise bookings. You will use your excellent destination knowledge and previous experience of dynamic packaging to put together the best cruise holiday to match your customer’s needs, whilst always offering excellent customer service.

• Identify customer needs through effective questioning
• Utilise multiple suppliers and systems to find the most suitable match
• Overcome objections to close the sale
• Ensure all steps are taken to retain the customer and confirm the booking
• Process customer payments securely and accurately
• Operate a variety of supplier websites/systems to confirm different sectors of the booking
• Load details of the holiday accurately into our back-office system
• Achieve and exceed targets
• Ensure all information obtained, inputted, and verified is accurate at all times
• Offer a great level of customer service in order to increase repeat business

• Target-Oriented: Highly motivated by achieving goals, Bonus-driven and thrives in a performance-driven environment
• Meticulous: Maintains exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy across all aspects of the booking process.
• Strong Communicator: Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly and effectively.
• Quick Learner: Adaptable and able to absorb new information swiftly, including systems, products, and processes
• Proactive & Positive: Self-motivated with a can-do attitude, consistently bringing energy, enthusiasm, and initiative to the role.

• Proven track record of consistently achieving or exceeding daily sales targets
• Bonus-driven and thrives on working to targets
• Experience delivering exceptional customer service by professionally handling enquiries, resolving issues promptly and delivering personalised travel recommendations to exceed clients’ expectations.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficient in packaging multiple travel products to create bespoke itineraries
• Previous experience in a travel agency or travel call centre environment
• Experienced in using Global Distribution Systems (GDS)

• Strong knowledge of worldwide travel destinations, with the ability to advise and inspire customers with confidence
• Familiarity with a wide range of supplier websites and booking platforms to source competitive travel options
• Proven ability to sell luxury European, Worldwide or Cruise holidays, tailoring recommendations to individual customer needs
• Highly computer literate, with the ability to navigate systems quickly and efficiently to complete accurate bookings

• GCSEs or equivalent, including English and Maths (minimum requirement)
• Travel and Tourism qualification (e.g. NVQ, BTEC, or Level 2/3 Diploma in Travel and Tourism)
• GDS training or certification (such as Amadeus, Sabre, or Galileo proficiency)
• Sales or customer service training/certification is advantageous
• Additional languages (spoken or written) may be beneficial, especially for international travel sales

• Competitive executive salary and package
• Performance-related bonus
• Contributory pension scheme
• Travel discounts and a range of employee offers and benefits.
• Genuine career progression within a growing specialist travel group.