Ship2Shore Employ bags Starboard as first clientShip2Shore Employ bags Starboard as first client
Ship2Shore Employ, a new company that matches former crew to virtual and shoreside cruise line jobs, secured Starboard Cruise Services as its launch client.
July 6, 2023

A leading retailer at sea, the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton company initially seeks Ship2Shore candidates for traveling visual merchandiser positions.
'These are great jobs for former crew,' said Barbara Cobas, founder and CEO, Ship2Shore Employ. 'Their knowledge of how the retail works on board brings tremendous value.'
The selected candidates for these up to four full-time positions will undergo virtual training with Starboard to learn brand standards and travel to ships in their region on a daily or weekly basis in high-trafficked cruise areas like Mexico, Italy and Spain to continually elevate brands from a visual merchandising standpoint.
'It's a really cool bridge of shore-based and shipboard experience,' Cobas said.
Significant step forward
The Starboard collaboration represents a significant step forward for Ship2Shore Employ, which aims to help change the lives of former crew.
'It gives us a lot of encouragement and validity,' Cobas said.
Starboard 'sets an inspiring example as a leading light in the industry, showcasing their progressive and compassionate approach to hiring new talent,' she continued, commending Starboard President/CEO Lisa Bauer and her team for 'paving the way for diverse and innovative hiring practices within our industry and highlight[ing] the invaluable experience and knowledge of former crew.'
Bauer and Cobas worked together at Royal Caribbean International, when Bauer ran hotel operations as SVP and Cobas held a variety of roles, first shipboard then shoreside, including manager, hotel operations and manager, revenue partners.
Barbara Cobas spoke on a 'Tomorrow's Talent Today' panel at Seatrade Cruise Global in March 2022
'I know what a fantastic leader she is, and her passion for the shipboard employees,' Bauer said.
According to the Starboard CEO, bringing former crew back to fill certain roles is ideal because 'They already understand how the ships operate. They already understand the guest. They understand everything about shipboard life.'
Starboard hopes to have the first Ship2Shore recruits in their new jobs by summer's end.
'No shortage of opportunities'
Bauer believes the partnership will lead to further opportunities for Ship2Shore candidates. Possibiilties could be virtual roles, training positions entailing ship visits, ambassadors for specific high-end brands or traveling district manager.
'No shortage of opportunities,' she said.
Ship2Shore's support for former crew extends beyond recruitment to include professional development services that assist individuals in their transition from shipboard to land-based careers. Services include free weekly webinars covering various topics focused on personal and career growth, such as how to use LinkedIn effectively, personal finance, interview skills and career planning.
Cobas, who addressed Seatrade Cruise Global's 'Tomorrow's Talent Today' panel in March, plans to be at Seatrade Europe in Hamburg Sept. 6-8.
Innovative approach
Beyond Starboard, Bauer thinks Ship2Shore has the potential to support many other companies that need the skills former cruise ship crew bring to the table.
'It's such a complex industry and to be able to recruit people that have that skill set and understand shipboard life and the guest, I think it's a very innovative approach,' Bauer said.
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