Viking Crew have been supporting Windstar Cruises’ crewing needs for over 25 years. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, moving crew internationally has become more of a challenge. Therefore, the team at Viking had to get creative with where crew can be sourced from.
The ‘Wind Star’ one of the Windstar Cruises vessels is currently alongside, in Colon Panama. They have reduced minimal manning onboard and have been looking to move the vessel to its next port in the Caribbean and intended to bring a number of crew who are currently on leave back. However, due to current global travel restrictions with flights allowed into Panama, Windstar’s current crew were unable to fly into Panama to join the vessel in time.
As a result, Viking Crew were asked by Windstar Cruises to look for new local crew to join the vessel as soon as possible. This included positions required across Deck, Technical and Hotel departments.
The candidates to be sourced needed to be based locally in Panama. The Placement team searched for candidates who were interested in a career opportunity with Windstar Cruises – firstly on a temporary basis, with the intention that for some this could turn into a permanent career move for them.
Our Viking Crew Placement Team contacted various candidates about this opportunity, using a number of different sources, including local Panamanian Manning Agencies to help with these requirements.
With excellent teamwork and determination Viking Crew have secured 14 candidates within a very short window of time. All Panamanian nationals that were selected are very keen and excited to join Windstar Cruises. Our Crew Management team have ensured that the new joiners are holding the correct documents, have completed the required pre joining COVID-19 PCR test and are ready to join.
All new crew members have been welcomed by Captain Belinda Bennett and her team onboard, and are now settling in, getting a thorough familiarization so they are ready for the ship to sail onto Aruba very soon.
