Behind The Scenes Archives

What Do Yacht Crew Do Off Season?

Looking to start a career as part of a yacht crew but want to know what do yacht crew do off season?

It’s an exciting opportunity. Onboard ‘superyachts’ and other vessels, you’ll get to see the world, experience the thrills of the sea, and meet plenty of guests from all walks of life.

Except, there’s one question we always get asked: what do yacht crew do off-season? Read on to find out!

When is the Yachting ‘On Season’?

The ‘on season’ for yacht crew usually begins around the same time as the peak cruising and charter seasons. That varies from location to location.

In the Mediterranean, the high season covers the summer months, from May to September, when the weather is warm and tourists flock to the region.

In the Caribbean, meanwhile, the high season is the winter months, from November to April, when the weather is cooler. It also helps to avoid the hurricanes! You won’t find much activity from mid-April to July.

During the peak season, yachts find themselves booked up with charters – keeping the crew busy maintaining the vessel, assisting guests, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

But what happens when this is over?

What Do Yacht Crew Do Off Season? Viking Crew Viking Maritime Group

After the hullabaloo of the ‘on season,’ yacht crew suddenly have so much free time, right? The job is over, after all.

Well, not quite. For yachts based in the Caribbean, the months of May, June, and July are key times for repairs, refits, and rebuilds, keeping the yacht crew busy with plenty to do. Not everyone stays on board the vessel for yard periods or scheduled maintenance, but it’s common to help during this period, getting ready for the next season.

In the Med, the off-season is longer and more consistent than elsewhere. Some yachts head across the Atlantic for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (around the end of October) and then cruise the Caribbean waters during the region’s ‘on season.’ Others, however, schedule yard periods, maintenance , and major projects.

Of course, it’s not all repairs and renovations. For many ‘yachties,’ the off-season is a time to look for other work – or to take a much-needed rest on land. Here are some common activities:

Take A Holiday

It’s not unusual for yacht crew to spend six months or more primarily at sea. After such a prolonged time on the water, many yearn to shed their ‘sea legs’ and go on land. That could be heading to a nearby town or out into the countryside for a dose of greenery.

Given that most yachts moor in some of the world’s most idyllic locations – think the French Riviera, the Bahamas, or the Greek Islands – there’s always something to see or do. Plus, because yacht seasons tend to coincide with regular holiday seasons, accommodation and other expenses are often cheaper. So, go book yourself an Airbnb!

What Do Yacht Crew Do Off Season? Viking Crew UK

Expand Your Skills

Yachting isn’t a hobby; it’s a career. The ‘off-season’ is the perfect time to expand your skill set and hit the books. Complete courses that will upskill you come the summer months – that could be about engine repair, hospitality, wing surfing, powerboat handling, navigation and seamanship, and much more.

Spending your rest time building your skills may seem like hard work after time at sea, but the long-term benefits are worth it!

You can view the wide range of courses available at the Maritime Skills Academy, part of the Viking Maritime Group.

Of course, you could simply pursue a hobby. Getting diving qualifications or other adventure-related skills can be both fun and career-expanding.

Get Another Job

Some yacht crew can be looking at a several-month-stretch without any work (or income). Unless you’re a master saver, you’ll need to find alternative employment. Popular options include:

Pursue freelance work, such as freelance photography, writing, or any other skills you possess. Dive instructors, for instance, may contract themselves out to dive schools.
Hospitality & tourism are common alternative jobs and easier to secure than other options. For example, working as wait staff or as part of a hotel.
If a crew member has culinary skills, working as a private chef or in catering services is not uncommon.
Teaching or coaching students in areas such as sailing, diving, or fitness.
Take a seasonal job in a ski resort or other tourist destinations.

Closing Thoughts

Both ‘on season’ and ‘off-season’; the life of yacht crew provides immense opportunities and flexibility. Viking Crew is an industry expert in supporting maritime careers with advice, training, and other opportunities.

Find your perfect job today!

How to Secure Your First Role Onboard Within the Hospitality Industry

Are you wondering how to secure your first role onboard within the hospitality industry?

Well if you’ve previously worked in hospitality – be it hotels, restaurants, event planning, or tourism, applying for jobs in these industries usually involves submitting your CV, attending the interview, and ensuring your references are in order.

But does it work the same for hospitality jobs at sea? And what do you do if you’ve got hospitality experience but have never worked onboard a ship?

Let’s find out!

Common Hospitality Jobs At Sea

Which job opportunities exist in the maritime hospitality industry? Broadly, there are three main options:

Cruise ships function as floating resorts and hotels – with a number of bars, restaurants, theatres, leisure facilities , and more rolled into one. Common maritime hospitality jobs include food and beverage service, housekeeping, entertainment, and guest services.

Specific job examples include restaurant staff, bartenders, chefs, housekeepers, performers, cruise and leisure staff and more.

Commercial ships, like ferries, cargo ships or tankers, also have hospitality support staff. Common positions include chefs, cleaners, and stewards.

Superyachts are privately owned luxury vessels that are either chartered or used privately by their owners. Hospitality jobs at sea on board yachts include all interior positions such as chefs, steward/ess, and purser.

How to Secure Your First Role Onboard Within the Hospitality Industry Viking Maritime Group

How to Apply for Your First Hospitality Job At Sea

Securing your first maritime hospitality job onboard one of these vessels isn’t easy. There’s often a lot of competition. But, if you’ve got previous high end hospitality experience, you can be successful.

Follow these steps to get started:

Step 1: Choose Your Sector

First, you must decide which vessel you want to work on. That will depend somewhat on your skillset. Cruise ships will be your go-to option if you’ve worked primarily in entertainment. Whereas, if you’ve got extensive culinary experience, you can work on board either of these three vessels.

Step 2: Ensure You’ve Got the Necessary Experience

Hospitality jobs at sea aren’t 100% parallel to their land counterparts. However, there are enough similarities that significant experience in the standard hospitality industry can help secure your first job onboard.

That could include working in hotels, restaurants, holiday parks, and other hospitality settings. You should have, at a minimum, customer service experience.

Step 3: Obtain Necessary Certifications

Perhaps the biggest difference from land-based positions is the qualifications required to work on a ship. You’ll want to get these before applying for a job to guarantee the best chance of success.

These include:

STCW Basic Safety Training – the legal minimum requirement for individuals wanting to work for commercial vessels over 24 metres, including cruise ships and superyachts.

You can book this course direct with the Maritime Skills Academy, part of the Viking Maritime Group here: STCW Basic Safety Training (BST)

Seafarers Medical Certificate proves you are fit and healthy enough to work on board a ship. It includes a doctor-administered examination.

Step 4: Prepare Your CV and Covering Letter

Like any job, you must prepare a CV, cover letter, and references. Ensure you emphasise your existing skills in the hospitality industry, willingness to adapt to new conditions, and explain why you want to pursue a career at sea.

Step 5: Apply for Jobs

Again, just as in any other hospitality sector, you’ll need to find and apply for jobs. You’re unlikely to find maritime hospitality jobs listed in the usual job sites. Search for roles at Viking Crew – using our maritime job search portal dedicated to hospitality jobs at sea.

You can also look on our social media for roles we advertise including our LinkedIn group and Facebook group dedicated solely to maritime career opportunities.

Step 6: Prepare for the Interview

If your initial application is successful, it’s interview time. This is likely to be undertaken online, using a video platform. Unlike other candidates, you’ll have to defend your lack of maritime experience. Research the company and showcase your commitment to learning about the industry, as well as building on your current career to date in hospitality.

How to Secure First Role Onboard Within the Hospitality Industry Viking Crew

As with most things in life, passion goes a long way. Talking about your love of the sea or an experience holidaying on board a cruise ship can wow an audience and put you ahead of other, more experienced candidates. You can teach many skills, but passion isn’t one of them!

Step 7: Understand Your Contract

It’s uncommon to live on board your workplace (or for your workplace to travel the world). But that’s part of the deal. Read the contract carefully, understanding the terms and conditions, contract length, working hours, and responsibilities.

If you’re looking for your first hospitality job at sea or would like expert CV advice, Viking Crew is a leading maritime job portal. Find your perfect job today!

What is the difference between crewing cruise ships and super yachts?

What Is The Difference Between Cruise Ships and Super Yachts Viking Crew

Cruise ships and super yachts are both large vessels that are staffed by crew members who make sure things are running smoothly.

Don’t let that statement fool you, though—the experience of working on each vessel is quite different. In this article, we’ll explore some key differences between working on a cruise ship and working on a super yacht.

Let’s dive in!

Cruise Ships vs. Super Yachts: Specifications

The first thing to note is that cruise ships are generally much larger than super yachts. The average cruise ship is about 900 feet (ca. 274 meters) long, while the average super yacht is only about 150 feet (ca. 46 meters) long.

This difference in size means that there are also differences in the number of crew members. A typical cruise ship will have a crew of around 800 to 1,500 people, while a typical super yacht will have a crew of about 10 to 20 people.

Cruise Ships vs. Super Yachts: Work Hours

Another key difference between working on a cruise ship and working on a super yacht is the work hours. On a cruise ship, crew members typically work long hours—up to 10 hours per day—and will have they often have to work on weekends and holidays.

On a super yacht, crew members usually work around 8-10 hours per day, and they typically have more time off, dependant on the yacht’s itinerary. This difference is due in part to the fact that cruise ships carry more passengers and offer more amenities, including:

casinos
nightclubs
restaurants
shops
live entertainment

On a super yacht, on the other hand, the focus is more on luxury and relaxation, so there can be fewer work hours.

Cruise Ships vs. Super Yachts: Work Environment

The work environment is another area where cruise ships and super yachts differ. On a cruise ship, the work environment is fast-paced. There are usually large numbers of passengers, and things do get busy.

On a super yacht, the work environment is typically more relaxed. There is often a higher crew to guest ratio, meaning there are more people to handle the workload. And the fact that there are fewer people in general makes for a quieter atmosphere.

That said, cruise ships typically offer their crew members dedicated crew areas for relaxation, while super yachts typically do not.

Cruise Ships vs. Super Yachts: Salaries

Finally, let’s talk about salaries. Crew members on cruise ships typically earn less than crew members on super yachts.

This is due in part to the fact that super yacht owners are typically looking for crew members with exceptional maritime skills and experience. They are also willing to pay more for luxury and exclusivity.

Of course, salaries vary depending on the specific cruise ship or super yacht, so it’s always best to do your research before applying for a job.

What Are the Requirements for Crew on a Cruise Ship or Super Yacht?

Now that we’ve gone over some key differences between working on a cruise ship and working on a super yacht, you might be wondering what requirements you need to meet in order to work on either one.

For the most part, there are very few formal requirements for entry level positions. You’ll need:

a valid passport
a seafarers medical exam
a STCW Basic Training certificate
a firm grasp of the English language

However, these are the bare minimum requirements. If you’re looking for a higher-level position, such as a management or officer mate position, you’ll need additional experience and qualifications.

It’s also important to note that most cruise lines and super yacht owners prefer to hire crew members who have experience working in customer service.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that many cruise lines and super yacht owners require their crew members to sign a contract. This contract can last for up to 6-8 months, and it can typically include a clause that requires you to pay back the cost of any training the company has paid, should you leave the job early.

How To Land a Job on a Cruise Ship or Super Yacht

1. Find Opportunities

If you’re interested in working on a cruise ship or super yacht, the first thing you need to do is search online for job postings on our website.

2. Complete Your Application

Once you’ve found a job listing that interests you, the next step is to complete your application. Ensure that you have an up to date resume to submit as part of your application.

If there are any requirements that you don’t meet (e.g., STCW Basic Training certification), you’ll need to take care of those before you can complete this step. Luckily, there are plenty of maritime skills academies (such as the Maritime Skills Academy) that can help you get up to speed.

3. Interview and Training

After you’ve submitted your application, the next step is an interview.

For cruise ship jobs, this will likely be a video interview with a hiring manager – but every cruise line is different. For super yacht jobs, the interview process is less systematic.

You might have an in-person meeting with the captain or owner of the yacht, followed by a trial period where you’ll work as a deckhand or stewardess to see if you’re a good fit for the job.

Join a Crew Today!

If you’re interested in working on a cruise ship or super yacht, now is the perfect time to start your job search!

Both industries are booming, and there are plenty of opportunities for motivated individuals with the right skills and qualifications. Just remember to do your research before applying for any job, and don’t forget to complete your STCW Basic Training certification—it’s one of the most important requirements for any maritime job.

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What Do Yacht Crew Do Off Season?