Many people believe that lack of money is a barrier to travel, but it doesn’t have to be. There are numerous ways to earn money while exploring the world. For instance, I managed to save over $20,000 for my first trip. However, when I realized I wanted to keep traveling, I had to find a way to earn more. So, I started teaching English in Thailand and Taiwan.
But teaching isn’t the only option. There are plenty of other jobs you can do while traveling. One such job is working as a crew member on a boat and sailing around the world. In fact, two of my friends have done this. Today, I want to share the story of Arielle, who found a job on a yacht to fulfill her dream of seeing the world.
Arielle lives and works on a 40-meter private yacht. After graduating from university in 2010, she left her home in Maryland and moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to find a job on a yacht. She loves traveling by water and gets uncomfortable in landlocked states. She attributes this to her father’s career in the Navy. Although she grew up mostly in one place, she spent a few years in Italy when she was young, which sparked her love for international travel.
Arielle always wanted to travel, but she didn’t want to become just another cog in the corporate machine after school. She was inspired by an older friend who had been in the yachting industry for years. His pictures and Facebook posts made her envious. What convinced her to follow in his footsteps was the opportunity to earn and save money while working and traveling on yachts.
Planning such a big change can be overwhelming, but Arielle was also excited, anxious, sad, and scared. She had a strong support system at home and a friend in the yachting industry who guided her. She started her journey in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, a major yacht hub. From there, she traveled to Western Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, British Columbia, and Alaska on the boat.
To save for her trip, Arielle worked at two restaurants and as a nanny. It was exhausting, but she managed to save a few thousand dollars over 3–4 months. Now, she works on a yacht, which funds her adventures.
Working on a yacht is not as glamorous as it sounds. Arielle lives and works on the yacht as a nanny to the captain’s son. The crew is small, so everyone helps out in all areas. The financial aspect is great because she has little to no living expenses and can save most of what she earns.
Finding a job on a yacht can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. People often overlook this industry, but yachts require whole crews to run and maintain them. Once you know where to look and how to get certified, it’s just a matter of persistence and ambition. Experience in the hospitality field is a plus, and all potential yacht crew members are required to obtain a STCW ’95 certificate, which covers basic yacht training.
Arielle has been on the same boat for the past two years. She enjoys the crew and the itinerary. However, many yachties switch boats from season to season. The amount of time spent in each port varies, but it’s usually a few months.
If you’re considering a similar path, Arielle advises being mentally prepared to spend 24/7 with your coworkers and live where you work. Being clean-cut and having minimal to no tattoos or piercings can be a huge advantage. Motivation and relentlessness can get you a foot in the industry.
Arielle initially committed to this job for one year, but she’s now in her third year. She thinks she has about another year left before she starts a new adventure. Her dream is to study and perfect her French at La Sorbonne in Paris.
Arielle’s story shows that it’s possible to fulfill your desire to travel the world even with limited funds. You just need to think outside the box and use your skills or passion to earn money. Hopefully, her story will inspire you to escape the cubicle and see more of the world.
