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Where do yachts go in winter?  | Winter Yacht Season Explained 

Traditionally, the yacht season is imagined in the Mediterranean, calm seas and blazing sun. But what happens to yachts and their workers when the weather turns and the Med cools over?  

What To Do Between Yacht Contracts? 

One way ‘yachties’ spend their time during the winter season, is on land. Spending time with family, friends, and pursuing hobbies that were neglected during the working months.  

yacht in the sea

Docking up is also a perfect opportunity to focus on personal and professional development. Renewing STCW and other seafaring qualifications at maritime training centres like the Maritime Skills Academy or working on interests outside of the maritime industry. 

If you are planning to spend the next few months away from the water, discover insightful tips on how best to spend your time in our recent blog.

Mediterranean Winter Yacht Contracts  

Yacht season in the Mediterranean peaks from April to October. The months when the sun is at its warmest and the seas are at their steadiest. 

As unlikely as it may seem, Mediterranean contracts can extend into the winter months. It can be a common occurrence for yachts to keep their summer crew under contract while the yacht is docked and undergoing winter maintenance. Duties may change and accommodation may be rearranged but the general upkeep of the yacht will fall to the crew. 

Some yacht owners may choose to continue voyaging well into the winter months. Requiring a well equipped and prepared crew, to deal with more intense weather conditions. Typically, yachting the Med in winter is a quieter and more relaxed experience because the weather has mellowed and most yachts are turned down for the season. 

Caribbean Winter Yacht Contracts 

Once the Med has chilled over and yacht contracts have come to an end, the majority of yacht owners and crew migrate to the Caribbean for the winter months. Peak season in the Caribbean is November to April, so joining a yacht crew in that area for the winter months is an ideal way to continue working in the industry in the off-season. 

How To Get a Winter Yacht Contract  

The best way to land a contract on board during the winter months, whether that be in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, is to keep your details and documents updated, submitting thorough and high-quality applications for roles that you have relevant experience in. 

image of yachts in marina with palm trees

If you are struggling with creating an up -to- date and well written CV,  browse through our yacht CV guide, Or read suggestions from our yacht recruitment team for standing out as a yacht candidate.  

By signing up to the Viking Crew website, you will have access to all your personal details, documents and CV in one place. This is the best way to submit high -quality applications quickly.  

Winter Yacht Jobs  

Are you looking for a yacht job over the winter season? Search for our current vacancies and submit an application.  

Alternatively, contact our team to see which positions may suit you.  

5 Things Cruise Recruiters Look For In Candidates

Carlos Perez, Cruise Recruitment Manager, during his time working onboard a yacht. Stood on the deck balcony in front of water park.

Continuing our series of top things recruiters look for in candidates, we asked Cruise Recruitment Manager, Carlos Perez, what he looks for in each applicant.

Carlos’s 17 years of experience in the cruise industry, working on board in various departments, allow him to offer the perspectives of a candidate and a recruiter.

Discover how you can improve your CV with Carlos’ advice in our latest article.

1. Discipline

When working on board a cruise ship, following the company’s rules, regulations and guidelines ensures passengers receive the best service possible. Being aware of and prepared to follow uniform requirements, etiquette, and professionalism required by the cruise company will make you a stand-out applicant and crew member.

Given the nature of rotational working, crew members typically work seven days a week. This is something to be aware of when applying for jobs at sea and is something you should be prepared for.

However, this doesn’t mean working onboard a cruise ship isn’t fun. Crew members still get to travel the world and see sights beyond most job roles.

2. Challenges and Adaptability

Life on board a cruise means constant change; new locations, new crew mates, and new passengers. Being adaptable and able to cope with change is essential as life on board is so vastly different from life on land.

Carlos Perez in uniform onboard

3. Communication and being sociable

Being sociable is indispensable. Whilst on board you will meet and work alongside people of all nationalities, languages, religions, and cultures. It is important to keep an open mind and spend time learning about your crew mates. Ships thrive on the collaboration of their crew so getting to know your team personally and professionally will make for a better working environment.

4. Passion

An ideal candidate must have a passion for travel, discovery, and exploration. During the interview stage specifically, it becomes clear which candidates have the passion to succeed on-board. Our cruise clients look for crew that are determined and excited to start their career at sea.

Carlos Perez on board Windstar Cruises

Having a passion for what you do will have a direct and positive impact on your passengers, fellow crew, and the cruise line itself and is what will make you a favourable candidate.

5. Ambition

Working on board a cruise ship gives crew the privilege to see new places, meet new people, and try new things. Demonstrating your ambition in an interview and your application is ideal.

Having a drive for growth and a goal to make a difference within the company you are joining will make you a standout candidate.  Cruise lines and employers are looking for individuals who want to grow and develop both professionally and personally.

Why these qualities?

The qualities of an ideal candidate are subjective to the recruiter. However, these are, in my opinion, the strongest, stand out qualities for a cruise candidate. It is important to remember that recruiters receive many applications and host a lot of interviews. Don’t feel discouraged if you do not succeed on your first attempt.

How can a candidate stand out from the others?

Proactivity is essential during both the application process and your time on board. To stand out from others, you must be the first person to raise your hand, answer the question, think outside the box and to look for the solution rather than the problem.

A great way to display proactivity is to ask for feedback upon the receipt of an unsuccessful application. Using this feedback can give you an advantage for the next position you apply for.

Don’t be afraid to call the recruiter and ask if there is more information you can provide for your application.

Aside from that, letting your personality shine through is the best way to stand out. Every candidate is different and displaying your individuality throughout the process will separate you from all other applications.

What is the best way for a candidate to prepare before applying?

Do your research. With today’s technology, finding out about the role you are applying for, the cruise line and even the recruitment company has never been easier.

Learn about what you are applying for and what the company values are. A recruiter loves to see a candidate that has clearly researched before their application and interview.

Your presence in an interview is very reflective of how you will perform in a job role. Being punctual to the interview, appropriately dressed, and positive makes all the difference. Consider practicing the interview before attending and preparing for questions that may be asked.

Cruise Job Vacancies

Our cruise jobs at Viking Crew are in high demand, so keeping track of vacancies is an essential part of your job hunt. Use our Job Search page to see all our current vacancies and sign up to our newsletter to keep informed with our industry updates.

We hope you are able to use Carlos’ expert advice to improve your cruise job applications and wish you every success with your applications!

5 Key Things Yacht Recruiters Look for in Candidates

Whether you’re new to the maritime industry or are deciding to apply for a new role, it’s fundamental that you’re well prepared and know what the recruiter is expecting of you.  

We asked our Yacht Recruitment Manager, Rebecca Adams, for five key things she looks for in candidates when applying for roles that help them stand out from others and secure their next dream role on board.  

Having worked in maritime recruitment for more than 18 years, Rebecca’s experience solidifies her as an expert when it comes to hiring the correct candidates, and following her advice will certainly lead to better chances of acing your application.  

image of yachts lined up in a marine

1. Confidence in interviews 

Being confident in the industry is a must. Someone who can speak comfortably and confidently to the recruiter will demonstrate a desire for the position. You need to be able to hold conversations with new crew members, your head of department, and your Captain. You may even be working directly with owners and guests and must be able to always show confidence and professionalism.  

2. Enthusiasm  

In such a competitive industry, if you see a position you’d like to apply for, demonstrate your interest by calling the recruiter. Explain why you are the right person for the job and highlight the skills and experience you want to elaborate on. This is also your opportunity to ask further questions and learn more about the role, so we can ensure it’s a good match for you.  This also shows the recruiter that you are interested and have read about the position for which you are applying.  

3. Honesty 

The industry can be surprisingly small. Where reputations and trust are everything, honesty is always the best policy. It won’t take long to determine if someone is stretching the truth on their CV or omitting key details of their past experiences. 

4. Realistic expectations 

Being such a competitive industry, your job expectations must be in line with your experience. For example, a third officer wouldn’t be able to apply for a Captain’s position or a stewardess for an engineer without the correct qualifications and experience.

5. Respect

How you treat your recruiter matters.  It can be frustrating whilst job hunting, and recruiters are there to support you in your search, so be sure to treat them with respect. Working in yachting is a high-pressure, close-knit environment, and how you communicate gives us a good insight into your attitude and professionalism towards your fellow crew members.  

What is the best way to prepare before an application? 

Before applying for a role, ensure that your documents and certification match the criteria outlined in the job advertisement. We advertise the hiring criteria as per the client’s requests or as outlined in the minimum manning document.  

For example, if we have requested that a B1/B2 visa is in hand, it will be because there is no time to apply for one prior to the position starting, and it is essential to the vessel location.  

Or when we are advertising a specific licence, this will be due to the regulations set in the Minimum Safe Manning Document. Therefore, if you are only working towards it, this will not be enough; it needs to be in hand.  

If you are in need of maritime qualifications or refreshers, the Maritime Skills Academy have a wide range of courses on offer. Browse them here.

How to create a CV for the yachting industry? 

Tailor your CV to the position you are applying for, tweaking and elaborating on different aspects where necessary to match the role and job description. Cover letters can also be helpful.  

Attention to detail-make sure that the CV is well presented, spell checked, and contact details are all correct, including references. If you are looking for advice on creating a CV for the yachting industry, read our guide here! 

white luxury superyacht in the ocean

Including a professional photograph is a great way for recruiters to see you are a genuine applicant. However, it is important that this photograph is both professional and recent.  

If, for example, you are using an image that is five years old, and you have had face or neck tattoos in the meantime, then you could be disappointed when you reach the interview stage. 

Yachts can be specific about certain appearance aspects such as tattoos and piercings, so it is essential that these are both visible in your photograph and disclosed in your CV. 

Yacht Job Vacancies

Although the yachting industry is highly competitive, it is also fast paced. Job opportunities come and go quickly so keeping track of the current vacancies will give you the best chance of success. If you would like to keep track of our current listings, visit our job search page.    

We hope that putting Rebecca’s tips into practice will give you the best chance of success and wish you the best of luck with your applications!  

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