If you’ve traveled with Windstar Cruises, you know that its crew is the secret to making a cruise extra special. In fact, the crew and staff are so important that Windstar created a new job for an executive whose entire responsibility was to prioritize crew welfare and engagement. One of Teresa Haughey’s other responsibilities is posting a wonderful Instagram account that gives people an inside look into the lives of the crew aboard the Windstar ship. Just before she prepares to head to the Adriatic aboard Star Legend (her goal is to sail on every ship in the fleet at least twice a year), she sits down to chat with us.
Your title is Crew Welfare and Engagement Manager. What does this mean?
I work with our HR teams in Miami and Seattle to find meaningful ways to improve onboard life for our crew. This includes improving working conditions, developing social and health programs and promoting participation. My focus is on connecting with crew to understand what changes will impact them to support a positive onboard experience and their work and life balance.
When I’m on the ship, my job is to get in touch with the crew. If we’re going to make improvements, we need to make sure it’s what they want and it works.
How do you train for the position you just created?
My career has evolved in unexpected ways!
I started life at sea as a receptionist in 1991, having never seen a cruise ship before. I found myself in Miami, staring at one of Carnival’s massive ships—it was both intimidating and exciting. The first month was a whirlwind of adjusting to life on board and working with people from different cultural backgrounds. I’m originally from a small town in the Lake District in the north of England where I camped in the mountains and connected with nature – a completely different world to life at sea.
After signing my first 12-month contract, I knew I had found my calling. I love traveling, learning about different cultures, exploring new countries, and embracing the cruise lifestyle. As I moved through different roles—destination, cabin crew, chief cabin crew, and finally hotel director—I gained a deep understanding of what I was truly passionate about.
After a brief two years working on land in Bermuda, I once again felt the pull of the sea and returned to my home (sea), this time on Seabourn where I worked for 13 years. As Chief Purser/Hotel Director, I can make impactful decisions that positively impact guests and staff. Being able to help shape people’s experiences is incredibly rewarding. I eventually moved to Seattle to work in operations, and my journey continued from there. I joined Windstar in 2017 and started in this role in 2022.
How did you evolve into your current role?
After many years in various roles, I felt I had reached a point where I wanted to contribute in new ways. This role allows me to impact the lives of crew members and I work with a company that truly values its employees. We have made significant progress over the past two years and I am excited about the projects we are working on to further improve the crew experience.
I quit the industry a few years ago and worked as a hotel general manager. I managed a project to help investors build a small hotel in Norfolk, UK, which we did. Guenter Steinbrunner, General Manager, Windstar Corporate Hotels oneI was asked if I would be willing to take on the role of general manager of the hotel for a short period of time, which I was very excited about. This continues into my current role in crew welfare and engagement, which is a new role and one that the company really wants to invest in.
Biggest highlight over the years?
A major career milestone for me was becoming the first female hotel director at Seabourn Hotels. This was a huge achievement and a defining moment, not just for myself but for other women in the company as it helped break down barriers and set new standards. This experience taught me the importance of representation and the positive ripple effects it can have throughout an organization. My pride in this role continues to inspire me to support and mentor women at sea, helping them achieve their milestones and redefine what is possible.
Why is this important? When women start seeing other women reach the top of their careers, they know it’s possible. For example, in Windstar we have Captain Belinda (Bennett), two female captains, two hotel general managers. Food and drink, once a male bastion, has now achieved a good balance and we are seeing more and more female managers getting involved.
How did your upbringing influence your career choices?
I grew up in a vibrant Irish Catholic family with seven brothers and sisters, which meant there was never a dull moment. I enjoy the constant energy and this has helped me adapt well to life on board, where you are always surrounded by people. You work, play, and live among the same people, so you bond quickly. While this may be challenging for some, I found the transition easy and the connections I made along the way were invaluable.
What is the typical way you interact with your crew when you’re on a ship?
I have one-to-one interactions, we communicate over meals, lunches and dinners, I go out for coffee and participate in social events on board such as karaoke competitions, celebrating Indonesian Independence Day, and this year we are focusing on our own culture for the crew , share your holiday experience.
When I get on board this week (note: Teresa is traveling with Star Legend in late November 2024) we will be doing a “day in the life” video where we will be filming in every location on the ship and telling their story Story, in three parts: a minute-by-minute video of their work-life balance.
Because we are launching two new ships in the next two years, we need to ramp up recruitment. So we want to share with potential new crew members what it’s like on our ship, what it’s like to play each specific role, and how much current crew members enjoy working and playing.
While I’m on board, I also engage with crew members to share with our HR team how to improve their lives on board. If we’re going to make improvements, we need to make sure it’s what they want and it works.
We also consider monthly wellness: working with our medical and leadership teams on different topics and focusing on different aspects of life on board – fitness classes, mental health, hygiene, goal setting and financial strategies.
How do you enjoy your personal time on board? What’s the best simple experience?
One of the perks of this job is the opportunity to explore the world. I try to visit the ports we call and often go out with the crew to take videos and photos of them enjoying the local attractions – it’s always a great time! Even something as simple as going to Starbucks with your team can be satisfying; it’s the little moments that make the experience special.
What are some of your memories and anecdotes from your experience working with the cast?
The Windstar staff is so talented and I am always blown away by how well they perform at our staff shows where they volunteer to entertain guests. Their passion for these performances is a testament to their passion, and every performance is nothing short of awe-inspiring. At Windstar, we pride ourselves on being “180 degrees from the ordinary,” which means going above and beyond to make a lasting positive impact—a standard our employees wholeheartedly embrace.
Guests often ask me how the crew performs. Our team is made up of volunteers – because we have a talented crew but there are always too many people, the producers balance out the shows on each cruise. They want to make sure that we offer different types of performances and that all members who want to perform have the opportunity. From a crew perspective, they audition with the entertainment manager, rehearse once, and then perform.
The performance is one hour. We all love to see, whether it’s a passenger or an employee, how proud they are to showcase their talents and offer a different side of themselves, a fun side to their passengers, which breaks down the barriers with their passengers. I cry every time I get on the boat – I’ve seen 50 to 60 different crew shows!
We host other types of special events to showcase the diverse perspectives of our staff. For example, when Windstar was in the Philippines and Indonesia, we invited families onboard to visit their workplaces. We had a great buffet, they met with managers and colleagues and they toured the ship. For guests who stayed on the ship those days, it was incredible. They all want to see their families.
What was your favorite trip? What are the most common ports of call?
This is always a hard question to answer because there are so many beautiful places! But, as a beach lover, I think French Polynesia is my favorite. The pristine blue waters and soft white sand are unmatched. Swimming with sharks and stingrays is unforgettable, the local culture is rich and well-preserved and the people are very proud of their heritage.
How do you and the Windstar staff stay connected on social media?
Social media has become an important tool for connecting with our team and sharing our journey. It allows our crews to see what other ships are doing and helps us tell our story to a wider audience. I want everyone to experience the magic of life at sea and social media gives us the perfect platform to showcase this. There is no safer and more exciting way to travel the world than with a professional crew by your side.
Check us out on Instagram (Teresa@seawithWindstar); Facebook coming soon.
