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Why Is It Good To Have Marine Fares?

Did you know one of our expert services at Viking Crew is maritime deployment? We have a team of skilled deployment specialists in-house who can help you plan and execute your travel to and from your vessel!

One of the main benefits of travelling when working at sea is the marine fares. Here’s why.

What are Marine Fares?

A marine fare is a special ticket for flights that are exclusively one-way, catering to the needs of maritime industry seafarers and professionals.

A marine fare is likely to give you access to increased flexibility, including cancellation for a minimum fee, rearrangements and changes as well as greater luggage capacity. Marine fares are ideal for seafarers who need to reach their designated destination to board a vessel.

Am I eligible for marine fares?

If you are a seafarer travelling to a vessel for work purposes, you are eligible to receive marine fares. Working for or being contracted by a maritime company or being a spouse or relative of a crew member, can also mean you are eligible for marine fares when travelling to and from the vessel.

How can I prove my eligibility for marine fares?

Make sure to check with the company you are travelling with, as eligibility can vary by company. Typically, you will be required to provide some documentation to prove your eligibility for Marine Fares, including:

Seafarer’s Record Book
A company letter proving your employment on board the vessel
An employment contract
Vantage card (Additional for offshore workers)

How can I get marine fares?

Obtaining and executing your travel with marine fares can only be achieved through specialist travel bookers and providers. Employing a deployment management agency to book these flights ensures your journey is as seamless and affordable as possible. Here’s how!

At Viking Crew, we have a dedicated team available 24/7 to help you reach your vessel with minimal stress and complications.

6 Ways Our Deployment Service Can Save You Time

When it comes to recruitment and deployment in the maritime industry, the smallest details can make the most significant difference. Whether you’re a vessel owner, a management company, or a crew member preparing for your next contract, getting from point A to B efficiently, compliantly, and stress-free is essential.

Viking Crew’s Deployment Service is a trusted extension of our recruitment offering, designed to make life easier for both clients and crew.

Deployment Services For Vessel Owners And Companies

Managing the logistics of deploying crew around the globe can be a complex, time-consuming task. Viking Crew’s Deployment Service takes the pressure off, handling every aspect with precision and care.

1. Compliance and Documentation Logistics Assistance

We ensure all travel, visas, vaccinations, and regulatory paperwork are in place. From flag state endorsements to COVID entry requirements. Keeping the customs and administration process as swift as possible.

2. Cost Efficient Travel Booking

Thanks to our dedicated in-house travel team and industry partnerships, we offer competitive rates for global travel, all while tailoring itineraries to suit your vessel’s schedule. Deployment operations can be unnecessarily costly and stressful, especially when there are so many things to organise.

Employing a deployment service relieves the pressure of making travel arrangements and keeps you covered to reduce the risk of things going wrong. Our service also covers the arrangement of travel to and from the Maritime Skills Academy for those seeking training options.

3. 24 Hour Support

Crew movements don’t run 9 to 5, and neither do we. Our team is on hand around the clock to respond to delays, changes, and emergencies, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations.

Deployment Services For Crew Members

We know that going to sea isn’t just a job – it’s a lifestyle. Our Deployment Service is here to support you through every transition, making travel to and from your vessel as smooth and stress-free as possible.

group of crew members in white shirts sat on deck

4. Personalised Travel Coordination

We handle your travel from home to ship and back again, booking flights, arranging hotel stays if needed, and managing your transfers, so you can focus on preparing for your role. Take some time to chat with our in-house travel specialists for personalised advice and planning, before, during and after the deployment process.

5. Expert Visa Assistance

Whether you need help securing a Schengen visa or navigating a country’s entry requirements, Our team has the know-how to get you where you need to be, on time and with the right paperwork. Our team have the up to date knowledge and years of experience to ensure you have everything you need upon arrival.

6. Peace of Mind

Life happens–flights get delayed, documents get lost, and plans change. With Viking Crew’s Deployment Service, there’s always someone on your side, ready to step in and help. The amazing travel team here at Viking Crew are on hand to answer your questions and ease any concerns you may have.

A Deployment Service Trusted by the Best

We’ve supported thousands of seafarers in getting to and from their vessels safely and efficiently. When you deploy with Viking Crew, you can rest assured that a trusted name in the maritime industry has got your back.

Deployment is more than just a ticket. It’s a journey that requires expertise, reliability, and around-the-clock care. Whether you’re a crew member preparing for your next adventure or a client managing a global fleet, the Viking Crew Deployment Service makes the process simple, safe, and seamless.

Let us handle the details – so you can stay focused on what matters most.

National Careers Week – Heather May And Her Career At Sea

Heather May Career At Sea | National Careers Week

For the second-part of our National Careers Week, we interviewed Heather, who joined Viking Crew in 2024 as a Cruise Recruitment Consultant. Before working shoreside, she worked on board in retail roles and on various vessels, equipping her with the industry knowledge and experience needed to recruit the perfect candidate.

What made you consider a career at sea?

“It all started when I was at college, studying beauty therapy. That was when I was first introduced to the idea of working at sea, as somebody from OneSpaWorld (FKA Steiner) came along and talk to us as a group [about careers at sea].

The career in beauty didn’t work out, but I had that in the back of my mind, and I went into retail, working in a high-street jewellers for a few years. Then, something reminded me of the fact that cruise ships existed. I hadn’t been on a ship before, so I didn’t know what opportunities there were, but I saw there were shops.

At 21 years old, I applied for a position with Harding Retail and had an interview, got the job, and secured a placement.”

Heather pictured top left with crew mates wearing life jackets and neon caps with "Guide" written on them

Was a career at sea always an option for you?

“No, I suppose in the beginning, I didn’t have a particular career in mind, so I didn’t know what all of the options were until they were shown to me, so not necessarily. I just went with the flow when the opportunity and timing to look for something else felt right, and that’s when it cropped up.”

What was your role on board?

“On the first ship I joined (Fred Olsen Boudicca), I worked in the shops. We were quite a small shop team, with four staff members and one manager, spread out over three shops. There was a port shop, jewellery shop and the main boutique. I was mainly focused in the port shop, which held the necessities and essentials, like suncream and chocolate!

Though I already had experience working in a jewellery shop, and had gained a NAG JET 1 (National Association of Goldsmith’s Jewellery Education and Training Stage 1) qualification, there wasn’t an opening for that position when I first went on board, so during my break between contracts I completed additional training to meet the company standards before being assigned my next ship as a Jewellery Specialist!

I then went on my second contract about a month after I’d come off my first, working on board P&O Oceana. This was a much bigger ship and tea, with about 17 crew divided across various shops.

I was focused in the jewellery shop but also covered other specialist positions. I additionally completed an online qualification with Tag Heuer, broadening my knowledge on luxury watches.

It was always fun, as we regularly had trunk show associates on board (somebody from a separate business who comes to set up alternative jewellery.) We often had representative from Australian Opal Cutters and Pearl Divers, so we had incredible rare pears.

I would also give presentations to guests in the lobby, where I would give a talk on tanzanite or diamonds, and we would host VIP guests and private shopping sessions with Champagne, allowing them to try-on the jewellery.

My working pattern consisted of working in the shop when it was open. On a sea day, it would open at 9 a.m. and close at 10 p.m., with an hour break for lunch and an hour for dinner. Otherwise you were in the shop.”

Would you recommend a career at sea?

“Absolutely! It was the best thing. it was so much fun travelling around, and being paid to do it! I met so many lovely people–both colleagues and guests, who I still keep in touch with now.

I met someone on board who was planning a road trip across the USA with a friend the following year, and I thought that sounded fun, “Can I come too?”

I couldn’t quite manage to save the money needed for this big road trip in less than a year, so I finished my contract and worked as a stewardess on the ferries in Dover for eight months. Fortunately, all of my certificates to work at sea were still valid, so I could join straight away. That was a lot of fun as well.

I then went on a two-month road trip to America, landed in Atlanta, Georgia and drove west…”

What opportunities can a career at sea bring for somebody?

“I think it can bring whatever opportunities you want it to bring. You went away and tried something that’s still seen as different. You’ve put yourself out there, experienced working a very tense environment, and proved that you can do it.

The longer you work at sea the better that experience is for you and your future careers. It sounds cheesy, but it’ll make you a better person for it. It’s so incredibly diverse at sea. It will get you out there and experience things. You will better understand yourself and the things you need to work on.”

What was your favourite place you visited?

“I loved the Caribbean cruise; it was a lot of fun! I wouldn’t always know what to do with myself when I wasn’t working, so what I would tend to do, especially on my first ship where there was a smaller group of us, would go on the tours with the passengers on their excursions. they always wanted somebody to be a rep from the shop to make sure what was being advertised was what was being offered, so they’d always be looking for people to join. As a result, I made almost every trip on the Caribbean itinerary.

Heather pictured next to the Little Mermaid landmark in Denmark

Heather pictured holding the Leaning Tower of Pisa

We also sailed to Petra, Jordan, where I snorkelled off the coast of Sharm-el-Sheikh, which was amazing. We also went on a rib safari in the Norwegian Fjords.”

Would you still choose a career at sea if you were a young person/teen today

“Yes, I am so passionate about cruising. It’s such a brilliant thing to work at sea, and now that I’m on the other side, I think it’s a brilliant way to go on holiday, too. I think it’s a fantastic holiday experience because you get to see different places in one trip.

Having this opportunity, knowing yourself, meeting others, seeing paces and working hard, for me it’s a no brainer! Everybody should at least spend one contract at sea – make the most of it!”

What advice would you give to someone deciding on a career at sea?

“Go into it with an open mind and take it all as it comes. Don’t get homesick; home is still there! Make friends and be open to making friends as soon as you step on board.”

Do you think there is still a career after working at sea?

“However long you’re at sea, there’s always something after. Whether it’s related to what you did on board or related to the whole ship, there are roles everywhere.

We’re in a very lucky time where there’s an opportunity to work remotely for cruise ships also. Companies have their head offices in one place, but you can work from anywhere, and even if you don’t decide to do anything with it, it’s still a wonderful experience.”

It was lovely interviewing Heather and seeing where her career took her over the years. To read another account of a career at sea, you can read Viking Crew Cruise Placement Consultant Thomas Bishop’s interview as part of our series for National Careers Week.

Cruise Recruitment

Yacht Recruitment