Preparing for the 2025 Caribbean Season

For a tropical taste in winter – preparing to set sail to the countless islands in the Caribbean can require quite a bit of time and provisions before you start working the season.

With over 7,000 islands in the area, there’s a multitude of activities and landscapes that will not only appeal to your esteemed guests, but also to you as a crew member! If it’s your first time working the winter season (or 20th time for that matter) then there’s no harm in wanting to take this opportunity to visit certain islands or areas while you’re on board, so consider where your work will take you. Places like Antigua & Barbuda with their hundreds of beaches or Exumas for example – offer a much more quiet experience than busy, touristic islands such as Jamaica or The Bahamas. If on a charter vessel, ask where the yacht usually takes it’s routes during the season or if it specializes in certain places.

If on a private vessel, you may be stationed in one port for a longer period, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for more of an adventure while working.

Speaking of adventure – it’s easy to forget the mundane tasks that need to be done before you acquire work and set sail. Many routes around the Caribbean will often pass through American waters, so make sure you have a valid B1 visa in your passport, with more than 6 months left before your passport expires. This also goes for any First Aid certificate you hold.

If you haven’t done so already, consider also signing up for advancement courses that run in the shipyard periods in many ports globally. While it may be a little late in the year for 2025, take a look at what’s on offer and consider it for 2026 to further you in your career at sea. 

Make sure that you have the right coverage with your own maritime insurance, as well as looking over what the group health insurance looks like with your employer. It’s important to remember that not only do you want a policy that covers you on shore for multiple destinations but also that provides extensive cover in international waters and for things like extreme sports if you are to engage in any during the charter etc.

If you are in charge of any supplies on board, be sure to check that you have adequate spare boat parts for any damages as well as laundry identification supplies like Attach A Tag. Attach A Tag has you covered for uniform and linen identification – we’ve worked with small charter yachts all the way up to large research vessels and yacht supply companies to ensure that no laundry gets mixed up, no matter how large the number of crew on board.

Take a look at our tags & applicators below – simply order online or email us your requirements at: [email protected] for an easy solution with shipping globally.