What to Expect: In-Season
FIRST DAY OVERVIEW
The first day may feel chaotic and disjointed: As an in-season hire, you will likely be joining the vessel on "Turn Day". This is an extremely busy day. Guests will have gotten off the vessel around 8am and the crew has just 6-8 hours to clean the entire ship, take on all food and supplies and off-load dirty laundry and garbage before the next group arrives. It may seem chaotic but the best new crew members will jump in and help where needed.
Your training happens on the job and you learn on the fly. Patience – with others and with yourself – will help you get through your first days. Be ready to jump in and help out – others will help guide and support you as you learn the expectations and requirements of your position.
Ask questions and pay attention: the quicker you are able to learn your job, the better!
GENERAL INFORMATION
When you arrive to the vessel, check-in with your Hotel Manager for the following:
Berthing assignment (where you sleep and store your things).
Uniforms (if you are new and are not arriving with them).
Hiring requirements that haven't been completed prior to arrival, including completing your I-9 form – be sure you bring appropriate ID as outlined on the Marine Employee homepage (passport is preferred). You will also now have access to set up direct deposit through your Employee Portal, bring your banking information: Account Number and Routing Number.
Vessel familiarization with the Safety Officer. Safety is a primary concern, and all crew new to any ship must complete a safety walk-through upon arrival.
Crew Berthing and Provisions
Keep in mind that packing light and in collapsible luggage is required, as storage space is very limited on board.
Personal items must be removed from the vessel when you rotate off.
The company provides: blankets, sheets, towels, pillows, first aid kits, soap and laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, tools for repair, work vests, and ear protection.
Each vessel has crew laundry facilities.
Crew Meals
All crew meals are provided on board. Check with your Hotel Manager and Chef for specific meal times, and to verify any special dietary requests, restrictions, or needs.
Your Rotation Schedule
During the sailing season, crew members work “rotations” typically consisting of 6 weeks on board followed by a 2-3 week rest period (off ship) depending on itinerary.
Specific details on scheduled rotations will be provided by your department Operations Manager.
Work Schedule While On Board
In-season, crew members work up to 12 hours per day, every day of their rotation, based on operational needs.
Specific details on your precise on board work schedule will be provided by your onboard Manager.
Be Well-Rested
Working on boats is very physically demanding.
Arrive as well-rested as possible.
Come Prepared
Show up to work with everything you need – upon first reporting to work with UnCruise Adventures, don’t count on being able to pick up uniform items or things you need that you didn’t procure prior to arriving the vessel. Please be certain to consult the Uniforms You Supply page and bring the required items with you.
Be On Time
Punctuality is important to deliver the excellent guest service that we are known for at UnCruise Adventures. Plan to report to your assigned vessel within the time frames outlined in the Crew Travel Logistics Policy.
Each day in-season, all crew members should be ready to work at the appointed time for the entire duration of the assigned shift.
Turn Day (In-Season)
Turn Day is hectic—this is normal, be ready to work.
When joining a vessel on Turn Day, you may not be able to move into your crew quarters upon arrival (as the crew member departing may not be completely “out” right when you show up). Instead, you may be required to help bring on ship’s stores, off-load and on-load guest luggage, off-load trash, and clean rooms, decks, windows, etc (depending on your position) prior to unpacking your belongings.
KEEP THIS IN MIND
Everyone wants you to succeed: your arrival is a happy occasion for the crew. It is likely that you are replacing a member of the team who departed unexpectedly due to an emergency, illness, or injury. The crew has likely been short-handed and will be excited that you are on board. However, in-season operations make on-the-job training difficult at best.
You have a steep learning curve. Depending on your experience working in similar positions, it may take you some time amass the skills necessary to perform to your best.
REST IS BEST. Arrive to your ship as rested as possible so that you don’t start out exhausted. Joining a vessel in-season can be challenging and on board work is always physically demanding. Keep in mind that working and living with your teammates will give you plenty of time to get to know each other. In your first days on board (and throughout your rotation) give yourself the gift of rest so that you are able to contribute at your highest level.
Alaska
Southeast Alaska is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the world. It’s rainy. It can also be sunny. Average daytime temperatures during summer range from the mid-40s to the low-70s (Fahrenheit), average nighttime temperatures are typically somewhere between 42F-52F depending.
Warm Weather Itineraries
Baja California is temperate and dry, though it can be fairly breezy from time to time – and it does rain once in a rare while! From November through March, during our sailing season, air temperatures range from the low-40s at night to the mid-70s during the day (Fahrenheit). Water temperatures are typically in the 70s (Fahrenheit).
The Hawaiian Islands experience a fair amount of wind during our sailing season (November through April) air temperatures range from the low 60s at night to the upper 70s to low 80s during the day (Fahrenheit). Water temperatures are typically in the 70s (F).
For all itineraries, be ready for windy days from time to time, potential chilly water, and lots of sun.
Photo Credit: Jackie Burhans & Dai Mar Tamarack