In case you have traveled with Windstar Cruises, you’ll already know that its crew is the key sauce that makes a cruise additional particular. Actually, crew and employees are so vital that Windstar has carved out a brand new job for an govt whose complete position is to prioritize the crew’s welfare and engagement. Amongst her different duties, Teresa Haughey publishes a wonderful Instagram account providing an inside glimpse into what life is like for crew members onboard Windstar’s ships. Simply earlier than she was heading out to board Star Legend (she goals to sail on each ship within the fleet at the very least twice a 12 months) within the Adriatic, she sat down to speak with us.
Your title is crew welfare and engagement supervisor. What does that imply, precisely?
I work alongside our human assets staff in Miami and Seattle to seek out significant methods to reinforce life onboard for our crew. This contains bettering work circumstances, creating social and wellness packages, and fostering engagement. My focus is on connecting with the crew to grasp what adjustments would make a distinction to them to help a constructive onboard expertise that balances their work and their lives.
Whereas I’m onboard, it’s to the touch base with the crew. If we’re going to make enhancements, we want to verify it’s one thing they need and that it’s going to work.
How do you practice for a place that has simply been created?
My profession has advanced in sudden methods!
I started my life at sea in 1991 as a receptionist, with out ever having seen a cruise ship earlier than. I discovered myself in Miami, staring up at one in all Carnival’s large ships — it was each intimidating and thrilling. That first month was a whirlwind of adapting to ship life and dealing with folks from so many various cultures. I used to be initially from a small city within the Lake District in Northern England, the place I hung out within the mountains, tenting and connecting with nature — a completely totally different world from life at sea.
After my first 12-month contract, I knew I had discovered my calling. I cherished touring, studying about totally different cultures, exploring new international locations, and embracing the cruise life-style. As I transitioned by way of varied roles — locations, crew purser, chief purser, and finally resort director — I gained insights into the areas I used to be actually enthusiastic about.
After a short two-year break working in a land-based job in Bermuda, I felt the pull of the ocean once more and returned to my dwelling (at sea), this time with Seabourn, the place I labored for 13 years. Within the position of chief purser/resort director, I may make impactful choices that positively affected company and crew. It was extremely rewarding to be able the place I may assist form folks’s experiences. I ultimately transitioned to Seattle to work in operations, and my journey continues to develop from there. I joined Windstar in 2017 and started this position in 2022.
How did you evolve into your present position?
After years in varied positions, I felt I had reached a degree the place I wished to contribute in a brand new approach. This position permits me to influence the lives of crew members, and I work with an organization that really values its folks. Previously two years, we’ve made outstanding progress, and I’m excited in regards to the initiatives we’re engaged on to additional enhance the crew expertise.
I had taken a step again from the trade a couple of years in the past, then as resort common supervisor. I managed a undertaking to assist traders construct a small resort in Norfolk, England, which we did. Guenter Steinbrunner, Windstar’s company resort common supervisor, asked me if I wish to fill the position of Resort Common Supervisor for a short while, which I used to be very excited to do. This continued into my current position in crew welfare and engagement, which was a brand new position and one the corporate actually wished to put money into.
Greatest highlights through the years?
A significant profession milestone for me was changing into Seabourn’s first feminine resort director. It was an enormous achievement and a defining second not only for myself but additionally for different girls within the firm, because it helped break down obstacles and set a brand new customary. This expertise taught me the significance of illustration and the constructive ripple impact it could possibly have throughout a company. The delight I felt in that position continues to encourage me to champion and mentor girls at sea, serving to them obtain their very own milestones and redefine what’s potential.
Why does this matter? As girls begin seeing different girls make it to the highest of their occupation, they realize it’s potential. At Windstar, as an illustration, we have now Capt. Belinda (Bennett), two feminine employees captains, a pair of resort common managers. Meals and beverage, as soon as a male bastion, has a great stability now, and we’re seeing extra feminine managers coming by way of.
How did your upbringing influence your profession alternative?
I grew up in a vigorous Irish Catholic household with seven siblings, which meant there was by no means a boring second. I loved the fixed vitality, and this helped me adapt nicely to ship life, the place you’re at all times surrounded by folks. You’re employed, play and reside with the identical group, so that you kind bonds shortly. Whereas it may be difficult for some, I discovered the transition simple and the connections I’ve made alongside the best way have been invaluable.
When you find yourself spending time onboard, what are typical methods you have interaction with crew?
I do one-on-ones, we join by way of meals, lunch and dinner, I am going out for espresso, social occasions on board corresponding to karaoke competitors, celebration of Indonesian Independence Day, This 12 months we’re creating a brand new vacation showcase for the crew to concentrate on their very own tradition, sharing experiences from their very own holidays.
Once I go onboard this week (be aware: Teresa traveled with Star Legend in late November 2024), we’ll be making movies of “a day within the life,” the place we take each place onboard, and inform their tales, in three-minute movies, of their work-life stability.
As a result of we’re introducing two new ships within the subsequent two years, we have to step up recruitment. So we wish to share with potential new crewmembers what it’s like on our ships, what it’s prefer to play every specific position, what present crew take pleasure in about their work and play.
Whereas I’m onboard, it’s additionally to the touch base with the crew, to share with our human assets staff how we will enhance their lives onboard. If we’re going to make enhancements — we want to verify it’s one thing they need and that it’s going to work.
We additionally think about month-to-month wellness: taking a look at totally different subjects with our medical and management groups, and focus in on totally different points of life onboard — health courses, psychological well being, hygiene, goal-setting and monetary methods.
How do you handle to have private time onboard? What are one of the best easy experiences?
One of many perks of this job is the chance to discover the world. I attempt to go to the ports the place we dock and infrequently head out with crew members to seize movies and images of them having fun with the native sights — it’s at all times a good time! Even one thing so simple as grabbing a Starbucks with the staff is fulfilling; it’s these small moments that make the expertise particular.
What reminiscences and anecdotes have come out of your experiences working with the crew?
Windstar’s crew is extremely gifted, and I’m at all times blown away by their performances at our crew exhibits, the place they volunteer to entertain the company. The keenness they put into these exhibits is a testomony to their ardour, and every efficiency is humbling to observe. At Windstar, we delight ourselves on being “180 levels from odd,” which suggests going above and past to make a long-lasting constructive influence — a typical our crew embraces wholeheartedly.
I’m usually requested by company how the crew present works. Members of our staff volunteer — as a result of we have now such gifted crew, there are at all times too many, so producers stability the present for every cruise. They wish to be sure we provide totally different sorts of performances and in addition ensure that all members who wish to carry out get that chance. From a crew perspective, they audition with the leisure supervisor, have one rehearsal after which carry out.
The present is an hour. And what all of us like to see, each company and employees, is how proud they’re to showcase their abilities, providing to passengers a special aspect of themselves, an entertaining aspect, and it breaks down the barrier with the company. I get teary each time I am going onboard — and I’ve seen someplace between 50 and 60 totally different crew exhibits!
We placed on different kinds of particular occasions that present totally different views of our crew. For example, when Windstar was within the Philippines and Indonesia, we invited the households onboard to see their office. We placed on a giant buffet, they bought to satisfy managers and colleagues, they toured the ship. For our company who stayed onboard on these days, it was unbelievable. All of them wished to satisfy their households.
What’s your favourite itinerary, and inside that, your high ports of name?
That is at all times a tough query as a result of there are such a lot of lovely locations! However, as a seashore lover, I might say French Polynesia is my favourite. The pristine blue waters and smooth, white sands are unparalleled. Swimming alongside sharks and stingrays is unforgettable, and the native tradition is wealthy and well-preserved, with the folks deeply pleased with their heritage.
How are you and Windstar’s crew connecting on social media?
Social media has turn into a vital software for connecting our groups and sharing our journeys. It permits our crew to see what different ships are doing and helps us inform our story to a wider viewers. I need everybody to expertise the magic of life at sea, and social media offers us the proper platform to showcase that. There’s no safer or extra thrilling strategy to journey the world than with a devoted crew by your aspect.
Verify us out on Instagram (Teresa@seawithWindstar); Fb’s coming quickly.
