Pros
Starboard Group sits at the intersection of cruise, travel, hospitality, and retail—operating a retail business within a vacation setting on ships and in resorts around the world. Working in this space, you quickly see the level of complexity and opportunity that comes with supporting travelers and partners across regions.
One of the most unique aspects of working here is the exposure to a wide range of cruise lines and resort partners across different segments—from mainstream and family-focused brands to premium, luxury, and ultra-luxury. That breadth gives you a broader perspective on different customer profiles, product strategies, and operating models. It’s both challenging and a great learning opportunity.
What stands out to me is the organization’s commitment to innovation within such a specialized space. There is a strong focus on bringing new ideas to life—introducing retail concepts that don’t exist anywhere else, rethinking how guests engage with product, and blending physical and digital experiences in ways that feel fresh and relevant. There is a clear emphasis on incorporating destination-specific elements into the products and experiences delivered to guests, making what we offer more connected to where they are traveling. It’s also one of the more interesting aspects of the role—learning about the unique items, traditions, and pieces that people value from different parts of the world.
Our approach to partnerships is unique within this space. Our partners—both on the account side and across our product and brand relationships—are at the center of everything we do. Teams are structured around specific accounts and segments, allowing them to operate as a true extension of each cruise line and resort brand. That same mindset carries through to our retail brand partnerships, which range from globally recognized brands to small, local artisans. There is a genuine effort to understand each partner’s customer and brand DNA and reflect that in our work, with the goal of creating value for both our partners and their guests.
The organization benefits from a strong mix of experience across cruise, travel, hospitality, and retail, which helps inform decisions and keeps the business grounded in both guest experience and commercial performance. It also gives teams a solid understanding of each partner’s business, which leads to more thoughtful, balanced decision-making.
The team itself is made up of highly talented, driven individuals who take real ownership in what they do. There is a strong sense of pride in the work teams deliver on behalf of each brand, along with a clear level of passion and dedication across both shipboard and shoreside teams. It’s also a performance-oriented environment—people are motivated by achieving, winning, and delivering results, while still focused on creating meaningful experiences for travelers. You see that in how teams support each other and continue to push for better.
To be fully transparent, there is no shortage of work to do. Operating at this scale across multiple regions, partners, and channels requires focus, adaptability, and comfort navigating complexity. For those who enjoy a dynamic environment, that’s part of what makes it interesting.
There is meaningful investment in people—through development, tools, and technology—which helps teams continue to grow and perform. There are also regular opportunities for learning and development, along with fun activities that bring people together and extend beyond the day-to-day work.
I also really appreciate how connected the company is to the broader community. Teams come together regularly to support meaningful causes, which adds another layer of purpose to the work and makes it feel like more than just a job.
Pros:
Innovative and evolving business model
Unique mix of retail, cruise, and resort environments
Strong, talented, and driven teams
Exposure to a wide range of brands and customer segments
Partnership-oriented way of working
Investment in people, development, and tools
Cons
Cons:
Fast-paced environment that requires adaptability
Complexity of operating across global markets and partners
