Australian guide Stephanie Haynes has spent the last three years successfully avoiding the winter chill by migrating to the sun-kissed Croatian coastline as soon as the temperature starts dropping in Australia.
As an onboard representative for Sail Croatia, which is a fancy name for tour guide, trouble shooter, entertainment officer and snorkel guide, Stephanie stumbled upon Sail Croatia’s tours while backpacking through Europe. After returning to Australia, Stephanie has since found a new home onboard the cruises and is a central part of the Sail Croatia family. She’s now in her fourth season as an onboard representative and has no plans to leave anytime soon.
Drawn to the idea of breaking away, Stephanie adores the adventures that her European summers on the Adriatic Sea deliver.
“It’s a completely crazy job! You’re in this amazing, idyllic place with a boat full of people from all over the world that are open to new experiences and trying things that they wouldn’t normally at home. My role is to guide them through that!” Stephanie says.
Her days couldn’t be further from the average nine to five. On a good day, she’ll wake up at 7am, and her head won’t hit the pillow until midnight.
In between, she can be found negotiating schedules with the crew, mapping out activities for the guests, taking them to the hot spots on the islands and hidden bays on the water and being the go-to person for any questions the guests have – all while making sure everyone is having a good time.
While this will be broken up with a few calming swim breaks in the picturesque ocean bays, it can make for an intense environment.
“While it’s amazing working on the boats, it can be exhausting! You can’t ever fully let your guard down because you are on the job 24/7.”
Another challenge? Bidding goodbye to her friends and family every year, as she packs her life into a suitcase.
So, what keeps her returning to Croatia every year?
“The people I meet. I work with a local crew who don’t speak much English and my Croatian isn’t the best. I’ve found that as long as you have a positive attitude, everyone is extremely open and welcoming. It’s the same with the locals in the areas we dock at. The friendly, Croatian spirit is contagious.
“I’m also enriched by the guests on the tours. Every week, I meet a new set of people from all walks of life and even though I’m supposed to be their teacher and guide, I also learn from them. If not for Sail Croatia I would have never crossed paths with some of the people I now call my best friends.
“It sounds cheesy but working on the boats has re-stored my faith in humanity.”
Following two seasons on the Sail Croatia’s famous Navigator cruises, full of adventurous young travellers exploring Croatia for the first time, Stephanie started working on the Explorer and Active cruises last year. Completely different from the party boats she started on, these cruises allow her to see Croatia from a fresh perspective - whether it’s hiking through Hvar, cycling under mountain tops in Brac or exploring old town fortresses.
“That’s what I love about Sail Croatia – there’s a different adventure for every kind of traveller. Whatever way you want to see this spectacular country, we can help you find the right way to do it.”
Stephanie is due back in Croatia in May and can’t wait to jump straight into the crystal clear Croatian waters.