20/08/2025
Every autumn, it happens. Like birds migrating south, or Brits migrating to Spain for “just one pint,” superyachts begin their glamorous trek from the Med to the Caribbean. The season changes, the waters warm, and crew brace themselves for the great transatlantic shuffle known simply as: the crossing.
But what does that actually mean for crew? And how do you prep yourself for the switch from champagne spray in St Tropez to rum punch in St Barths? Let’s break it down.
The Mediterranean Season: Fast, Formal & Full-On
The Med season (April to October) is everything you’d expect: long lunches at posh beach clubs, constant trips ashore, and guests who seem to believe “do you know who I am?” is an acceptable opener. For crew, that means a highly formal service style, plenty of themed dinners, and a surprising amount of shoe-removal enforcement.
Days are packed with itineraries: Amalfi Coast one minute, Ibiza beach party the next, and Monaco casinos by night. It’s luxury at full throttle, and crew barely get a second to breathe between polishing champagne flutes and fielding unusual entertainment requests (mermaids, anyone?).
The Caribbean Season: Laid-Back Luxury
By December, things shift dramatically. Out go the Michelin-starred table settings; in come water toys, rum cocktails, and reggae playlists. Guests arrive, visibly unclenching from their Med-induced stress, and suddenly the whole boat feels lighter.
Crew find themselves whipping up piña coladas, running beach BBQs, and even being invited ashore to join the New Year’s Eve party. Standards are still high, of course, but service is more relaxed, watersports are non-stop, and locals might paddle up offering fresh lobster. If the Med is high heels and Gucci, the Caribbean is bare feet and salt in your hair.
Top Caribbean Superyacht Hotspots
Bahamas – Exumas
Swim with pigs (yes, actual pigs), snorkel Thunderball Grotto, and hop between cays like you own the place. A favourite for yacht crew who secretly prefer animal selfies to guest selfies.
St Barths (Saint-Barthélemy)
The undisputed capital of superyacht glamour. Park up in Gustavia Harbour for New Year’s and try not to trip over billionaires on the way to Shell Beach.
British Virgin Islands
Calm seas, endless islands, and beach bars that serve painkillers (the drink, not the tablets). Don’t miss The Baths on Virgin Gorda - a granite playground that makes laundry day feel very far away.
The Grenadines
Think sea turtles in Tobago Cays, celebrity sightings on Mustique, and the kind of laid-back island vibe that makes the Med feel like a fever dream.
Antigua & Barbuda
365 beaches (yes, one for each day of the year), lively English Harbour, and pink sand perfection in Barbuda. Even the most jaded deckhand can’t complain here.
Practical Prep: Wrapping Up the Med & Planning the Jump
Visas & paperwork
Make sure you’ve got the right stamps in your passport. The US (for St Thomas) and some Caribbean islands require crew visas (C1/D), while others are more relaxed. Don’t assume your Schengen stay covers you across the pond.
Bags & belongings
Remember the golden rule: pack light. You’ll need different kit (less formal wear, more beach gear), but storage space is still minimal.
Background checks & profiles
Captains hiring fresh crew in the Caribbean want reassurance you’re reliable. Having your checks done and your CrewPass profile updated makes you stand out when jobs land last minute.
Tips for Crew Crossing the Pond
Pack for both worlds
White gloves for the Med, flip-flops for the Carib.
Brace yourself for the crossing
Two weeks of open ocean isn’t for anyone prone to seasickness.
Brush up on cocktails
Guests swap Bordeaux for rum punch faster than you can say “dark ’n’ stormy.”
Background checks aren’t just for guests
Captains want verified crew who are safe, reliable, and ready to work from day one. (Hint: keeping your CrewPass profile up to date means fewer “sorry, who are you again?” moments.)
5. Learn to relax without slacking
Caribbean charters may feel casual, but standards never drop. The trick is finding that balance.
Same Crew, Different Season
Whether you’re polishing silver in Portofino or setting up a beach BBQ in Barbuda, one thing remains the same: crew life is intense, rewarding, and always unpredictable. The Med season may give you glamour, but the Caribbean gifts you soul. And if you’re prepared (and, ideally, pre-checked and approved), you’ll thrive in both.
So as the yachts head west, grab your passport, your best cocktail shaker technique, and maybe a discreet stash of seasickness tablets. The Caribbean season awaits, and trust us, it’s worth the crossing.
