Working through the holidays can be tough when you’re far from home, but these yacht crewmembers share how they turn work into something special. As the world celebrates the festive season, many yacht crewmembers are hard at work making memories for guests or yacht owners. “Honestly, I feel this time of year is a challenge for most crew as we struggle with the melancholy of working through the holidays, instead of being home,” said Chef Brittany Adkison, currently on a 36-meter yacht. That’s not to say crew can’t experience holiday magic on board, but it requires more effort. Several crewmembers shared how they go out of their way to add special touches to make holidays memorable on board — and hopefully help ease the loneliness. “We always go all out, turning the salon into a Christmas wonderland and the crew mess into a bedazzled elf barracks complete with stockings, a tiny tree, and enough lights that would put the Vegas strip to shame,” Adkison said. Adkison adds fruits and flowers associated with the holidays to guest areas. “Whether it’s table decor or incorporated into the meal: pomegranates, marigolds, and apples just scream ‘it’s the holidays!’” “We keep it elegant and minimal — the ocean view does most of the decorating for us! Sometimes I’ll add small touches like natural greenery and candles,” Sole Stew April said. “We make it special for the guests: themed table settings, special menus… It’s all about creating that festive spirit, even at sea.” Festive Treats It could be argued that the best part of any holiday is the food. That’s especially true on yachts, where chefs are tasked with creating delicious treats. “I work hard to find out crew’s favorite meals from home and incorporate them as much as possible to make it a little extra special,” Adkison said. “This is the time of year we sometimes like to eat our feelings, so sweets are a must!” Even if there is no way to incorporate more cooking into an already hectic holiday schedule, keeping a few treats on hand can help ease the sting of working. “I always make sure to have artisanal chocolate ice cream on board — it’s a simple indulgence everyone loves,” April said. “I usually serve it with homemade chocolate shavings and a drizzle of salted caramel.” Get Creative Creating holiday cheer isn’t just about food — it’s also about connection. Getting the crew involved in the festivities is a win and helps build camaraderie. “My favorite pastime is having crew come to the galley to help decorate Christmas cookies,” Adkison said. “The assembly line will be set up, and everyone gets to take part in decorations. It’s a messy, glittery, sprinkle explosion, but it always results in a fun bonding break during the season.” Consider fun games and gift exchanges, like Secret Santa or White Elephant. Make it fun by including quirky rules, such as items must be homemade, thrifted, consumable, or capped at $20. “It’s so important to make it feel like home when you’re away on the special holidays,” Stew Emily said. “Spend crew time together — Xmas movies and evenings spent together for the family feel. A festive film will never disappoint.” “We do the classics, like Secret Santa with the crew,” Head of Service Chloe Cheung said. “We try to get the captain or one of the crew to dress up as Santa.” She also shared that the crew has a big Christmas lunch if they’re not on charter. “We decorate the crew mess in the lead-up to Christmas.” Stewardess Nicola shares that they love to do “dirty Santa and Secret Santa,” so that everyone gets a gift. Dirty Santa, she explained, has each person buy one gift, and “we all sit around the crew mess and share and steal from each other.” Emily added that “Christmas jumpers or pyjamas are mandatory!” during those times. For New Year’s, create a fun tradition to review the highlights — or crew mishaps — from the previous year and set a team goal for the coming year, like a fitness or philanthropic challenge. Getting through While holiday charters are just a part of yachting, several crewmembers share their tips to improve the experience for both guests and crew. “You don’t think, you just do,” Adkison said. “At this point, it’s muscle memory, but I absolutely love every second. I do put forth equal effort between boss, guests, and crew to ensure all meals have a little holiday pizzazz mixed in while accommodating everyone’s special requests (crew included).” Staying positive is essential. “Guests feel your vibe: if you’re calm and happy, the whole experience becomes even better for everyone,” April said. “Stay organized, keep your energy up, and don’t forget to enjoy the moment!” When it comes to enhancing crew celebrations, most yachts go above and beyond to do something special. “We always do something extra for the crew — like a nice dinner together. It’s important to celebrate as a team,” April said. “Go above and beyond for crew and guests — happiness is infectious. Everyone will be missing home, so it’s important to make everyone feel at home away from home,” Stew Emily said. “Make time to call home in your breaks or around your shift — a small sense of home will brighten your day,” Navigating this time can also become an incredible crew bonding experience. “The best holiday memories have been because of our amazing crew — the way we work together as a team makes everything better,” Adkison said. “And a huge shoutout to our awesome boss (who I’ve been with for eight years) for letting us go a little crazy with the holiday decor on board.” Whether on land or at sea, the holidays are what you make of them.