A New Adventure - Working onboard a Luxury Yacht for the First Time
Working Onboard a Yacht
I was so pleased to be offered the position of Guest "Fitness and Wellness" Instructor on a brand new yacht sailing from Malaga to Miami on her Inaugural cruise. I was very fortunate to have previously worked with the Cruise Director onboard whose recommendation to the Enrichment team secured my place on the yacht.
This adventure is very new to me and the fact that my embarkation port is outside of the UK meant I had to be organised and plan a lot of travelling to get there. I have been so used to a short journey from my home to the port with no worries of planning a travel itinerary. I also had to research for any additional documents I may need to travel. This ever changing world of rules and regulations need to be scrutinised to ensure you are covered to enter and exit the countries you are visiting. When I travel for work, I now have to ensure that my cruise itineraries are stamped by the clearance officer as proof of travel. I also have an app on my phone to calculate my days of travel and the dates of my entrance and exit days around the globe.
Packing for a Working Yacht Cruise
After the challenges of booking trains, taxis, hotel bookings and flights, I had to re-think my packing for the journey. As a rule I never have to worry about the weight and contents of my suitcases, but with flights on different airlines the weight and the size of your suitcases matter when planning your luggage.
I still like to pack my fitness equipment as I feel this adds interest to my classes and encourages guests to keep engaging in the class each day. The equipment also introduces new ideas and techniques to fitness routines encouraging guests to continue their fitness journey once they have returned home.
I pack the day before I travel and lay out all my clothes, toiletries and equipment on my bed. It always looks so much prior to packing but once clothes are rolled and equipment packed in airtight bags it becomes more manageable and the packing begins. I did pack less clothing than usual as the yacht dress code is far more relaxed than the cruise ship. I did however feel at a loss with no sequins or sparkles laying on the bed. The dress code is a smart casual (country casual) approach when dining so it will still feel like I am dressing up for dinner each night.
Travel Day from Home to Port
My travel day started the day before embarkation. My sister dropped me at the train station, which I am very grateful for. The train was on time and I normally book 'first class' on my Trainline app. The cost is quite minimal and there is room to put your cases close to your seat, plus the comfort and guaranteed seat makes the start of the journey quite calming. Once at the airport I checked in my hold luggage and thankfully it was half a kilo under the maximum weight. I made my way through to the departure lounge for a glass of wine and some food.
There is always the worry of cancelled or delayed flights and I keep my eye on the departure boards. My flight was delayed by 1 hour due to inclement weather conditions, which was not a problem. I was due to land in Malaga airport at 9.10pm but I had already checked in with the hotel and the reception desk is manned for 24 hours a day.
The flight departed about 75 minutes late but once airborne the Captain announced there may be further delays due to the weather conditions and an approaching storm. The flight was quite peaceful and relaxing but the landing was a little nerve-racking as we descended straight into the storm. Once on the ground I could see the extent of the storm. Every mobile alarm sounded a Government warning alert to stay safe in the stormy weather and increased flood warnings. The Captain received a round of applause from every passenger with the realisation of this difficult landing.
I was pleasantly surprised with the efficiency of Malaga airport EES system, the quickness at the luggage reclaim area and that my taxi driver was clearly visible and ready for me once in the arrival lounge. I arrived at the hotel around 11pm, checked in and I was in my room and settled by midnight. My check out time was not until 12 noon the following day, so plenty of time to relax and sleep.
Malaga - The Port and Day of Departure
I woke up at 8am and after I had showered, I made sure I packed up my bags and took them to reception. My hotel was so close to the Port so I ventured into the town for a coffee and breakfast. I was not due on the yacht until 1pm, so plenty of time to take a walk and explore.
Malaga Old Town is a beautiful and historical quarter and my hotel was very close to the cathedral. There were plenty of cafes with outside seating and plenty of parks and green spaces. This is quite a vibrant and bustling area with a mix of local people and holiday makers. The Old Town is pedestrianised, so a long walk through the cobbled and tree lined streets was a perfect morning for me. I found a quaint coffee shop with freshly brewed coffee and pastries.
I went back to the hotel and waited for my taxi to arrive. My cases were heavy and the streets were still a little flooded from the night before, so I thought it would be a safer option to book a taxi to the luggage drop off tent.
First Time Onboard the Yacht
So, nerves aside, I registered for embarkation and boarded the yacht. I knew as soon as I stepped on the gangway this yacht was just pure luxury. Not only is she brand new but the decor is tasteful and opulent. The public areas are crisp and clean and the decks are spotless and sumptuous. I registered my details with reception and was taken to my ocean view suite on deck 3 mid-ship. I was pleased about this as the lower decks are the best place to be if the crossing is rough. The Atlantic is renowned for its unpredictability this time of the year.
My suite was quite palatial with a large space for a king size bed, a desk, a media station, a large double wardrobe and plenty of storage. The bathroom was a spacious, spa like sanctuary with marble counter tops and tiles. The shower had a large walk-in rain shower as well as a hand held with multi-jets, ambient lighting and a built-in marble bench. I felt I could have my own personal deluxe spa-day for some pure pampering and indulgence
Once I had unpacked and organised my fitness equipment and class schedules, and the passenger drill had been completed, I had a meeting with the Cruise Director and guest entertainers. With the yacht being so much smaller than the cruise ships there is significantly less staff and crew in the entertainment team. There is a trio of in-house musicians, a sound technician, a craft instructor, a lecturer and myself. The Cruise Director hosted a welcome show for the guests in the lounge and introduced each member of the entertainment team on stage. We all said a few words about ourselves and the classes or activities we would be holding on the cruise and then mixed and mingled with the passengers. It was a chance for us to promote our activities and an open-house for any questions or concerns that the guests may have.
At 8pm there was a deck party as we left the port of Malaga and started our cruise towards the New Year celebrations in the Port of Santa Cruz, Tenerife. There were two sea days across the Atlantic ocean and the Captain announced that we would, thankfully, have a smooth journey.
When I returned to my cabin after the deck party I was pleasantly surprised by an invite to the Captains Table the following evening. This was such a great start for me and a chance to dine with the guests in the main dining room.
Working Life Onboard a Luxury Yacht
My working life onboard the yacht is very different to the cruise ship. Firstly, there are a lot less guests plus the exercise area is smaller. I have been designated a time and space in the lounge area for a morning class and for an afternoon class. This area is not too different to the cruise ship (afternoon yoga space albeit a bit smaller) as it is compact and carpeted. This makes a yoga or floor based class a lot more comfortable for the guests. There is also an amazing and changing backdrop of waterfalls, rivers and lakes which is very calming and soothing. A wonderful ambient atmosphere for a yoga and meditation class.
I have the same space for my chair classes and I love the chairs in the Lounge. They are comfortable for the guests to sit here and exercise with low arms and a movable base. This is ideal if the ship is moving and rolling.
I had already planned an exercise schedule for the Cruise Director so that the guests had a description and time for their classes. This is printed in the daily cruise programme and loaded each day on to their in-cabin T.V.
My exercise classes are totally different on this yacht compared to the cruise ship. The guests are quite a bit younger and the level of fitness is very varied. My schedule included Yoga, Stretch Flex and Core, Legs Bums and Tums, Functional Circuits and Chair Fit. I totally enjoyed the variety of exercise and the different teaching techniques for each class. It has been a while since I have taught such energetic classes and I realised at this point how much I miss this type of teaching. Over the last 3 years my main teachings have been for Yoga and Chair classes only. This was quite an awakening for me and I thoroughly enjoyed this. Perhaps a little awareness that my cardio fitness needs a little improvement.
Embarking in Malaga, Spain, the cruise itinerary included just 2 ports of call. Tenerife for the New Year celebrations and the Bahamas prior to the final disembarkation port of Miami. The cruise was the inaugural cruise of this brand new yacht and a Transatlantic crossing of 12 days. My normal duties would include escorting passengers on excursions during the ports of call, so again, a different style of working for me with the majority of the cruise being at sea. The dress code on the yacht is the same each night (country casual) so there are no formal nights and I didn't have any co-hosting duties.
Activities Onboard a Luxury Yacht
So with just two classes a day I had more time to enjoy the cruise. I decided to join the arts and craft class and followed instruction for my first watercolour painting. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of the class and the fun I had with the rest of the guests. It was a great way to relax and meet new people that I would never have met, if I worked all day in fitness based activities.
I also had a go at the beginners line dancing class and this was lively and witty, especially with my two left feet. The guests on the yacht are very relaxed and just join in the activities 'as and when' they feel they wish to. I notice that the guests are happy to entertain themselves, finding a space to sit and read a book, work on their laptops, enjoy their needle crafts or just general stop for a coffee or chat in one of the eateries or coffee shops around the yacht. Most of the public rooms have great views and my favourite place to sit and work on my computer or just have a sweet cake and coffee was in the Yacht Club. This is located on deck 7 forward, with a panoramic view of the ocean. It really was a place of peace and calm for me.
The Executive Chef demonstrated one of his signature dishes in the lounge. His demonstration showed the guests from start to finish how the dish was prepared, cooked, presented and served. There is a big screen behind the stage area so you could see the intricate details of each stage of the dish. This was then followed by a question and answer session with the Chef regarding the dish itself and questions about his career and how he achieved the position of Executive Chef onboard a luxury yacht.
There were several Deck Parties, weather permitting and I must say that we were quite lucky with the weather for a January crossing over the Atlantic. We had a couple of days of rough sea and high winds so the decks were closed (for safety reasons). Most of the days were warm and sunny with a gentle sea and soft breeze, which is ideal sailing weather. There is the main promenade deck that you can walk around, offering a continuous loop for jogging, walking and strolling around during the quiet times of the day. During the late morning and afternoon, you can find a sunbed and towel waiting for you to relax and soak up the sun rays. You will also find open decks with coffee shops, bars and al-fresco dining areas. There are also smaller decks at the aft-end of the yacht with a few sunbeds and deck chairs that are purely for lounging and relaxation or perhaps a viewing point for the amazing sunrises and sunsets that are notorious on a Transatlantic crossing.
Sunrise over the Atlantic
Did I enjoy this new adventure? Yes I did!! Would I do it again? Most definitely I would.
I have enjoyed teaching the classes as they have been very varied with a mixture of fitness and yoga both active and gentle. The guests are very relaxed and chilled and seem to love the brand of yacht they are sailing on. This was an inaugural cruise and there seemed to be nothing but praise for the officers, staff and crew. This is not always the case for a new vessel on its first cruise, so this was quite an achievement. I found the luxury of the vessel, the friendliness of the officers and crew very pleasurable for my first sail on a yacht with a new company. The passengers were very lovely and supportive too and a pleasure to be with so I hope I will be invited onboard again.
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