Your First 7 Days with ANQOR: How the Buddy System Removes the Stress of Starting Onboard

1. A Warm Start to a New Journey
2. Why the First Week Matters
3. Meet Your ANQOR Buddy
   
4. Your First 7 Days Onboard
   
5. How the Buddy System Supports Your Growth
   
6. The Culture and Community Onboard
7. Why ANQOR Invests in Your First Week
   
8. What New Team Members Often Share
9. Ready to Begin Your ANQOR Journey?
10. Frequently Asked Questions

Beginning your season with ANQOR marks more than a new job. It is a step into a different rhythm of life, often in a new country, surrounded by people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. This shift can feel exciting, but also unfamiliar. ANQOR understands the mix of emotions that come with this change, which is why your first week is shaped with thoughtful structure, calm guidance, and genuine care. From the moment you arrive, someone is ready to guide you, explain what to expect, and help you feel settled, supported, and prepared for the days ahead.

Your journey does not begin with uncertainty. It begins with a welcome.

Working onboard is unlike any experience on land. Your workplace, home, colleagues, and daily routines come together in one setting. You live and work closely with people from many nationalities, each bringing their own ways of communicating and approaching challenges. You follow schedules shaped by guest activities. You adapt to shared spaces, new procedures, and unfamiliar surroundings. All of this makes the first week a crucial moment.

Understanding the Environment

During your first days, you learn how the ship operates, how departments relate to one another, and how your tasks support the wider guest experience. You also learn practical things that are essential for everyday life onboard, such as:

• • how mealtimes work for the team
  • where to find laundry and storage areas
  • what quiet hours look like in shared corridors
  • how the crew communicates across language barriers
  • how morning briefings set the tone for the day

These details might seem small, but they play a major role in helping you feel comfortable quickly.

Adjusting to Shared Life

Living on a ship means adapting to a community-style environment. You share space with colleagues from many countries, each with different customs, habits, and expectations. ANQOR understands how important it is to ease into this environment with guidance rather than confusion. When you understand the flow of the day, the expectations of your role, and the culture of the team, you begin to feel anchored. Confidence grows, and the ship becomes a place where you can work, learn, and build friendships.

A central part of your introduction is your ANQOR buddy: an experienced team member who walks with you through your first week. They are chosen not only for their knowledge but also for their ability to support new recruits with patience, clarity, and kindness.

Your First Point of Connection

A few days before you arrive, your buddy contacts you to introduce themselves. This simple step makes your first day easier because you know exactly who is waiting for you. They will also tell you where to meet, what the first hours will look like, and how to prepare.

Personal Guidance from Day One

Your buddy shows you where you will stay, where to find your meals, and how the layout of the ship works. They walk you through your uniform, equipment, and safety basics so that nothing feels rushed. They also demonstrate how daily communication works — for example, how supervisors lead briefings, how handovers are done between shifts, and how announcements are made when guest plans change.

A Window Into Onboard Culture

Your buddy plays a key role in helping you understand the culture of the ship. They explain:

• • how different nationalities work together
  • how the team supports one another during busy times
  • how to communicate clearly with colleagues who speak different languages
  • how to navigate shared living spaces respectfully
  • how to feel comfortable asking for help

This is where ANQOR’s values come to life — through real interactions, practical support, and a sense of community that grows each day.

Support Beyond the First Week

Even after your initial introduction, your buddy remains nearby whenever you need advice. They understand that learning continues long past the first seven days, and their presence provides stability as you grow into your responsibilities.

The first week with ANQOR is structured to help you feel steady from the beginning. Each day introduces something new while keeping your tasks manageable and your support close.

Day 1: Arrival, Orientation, and Settling In

You meet your buddy and begin getting familiar with your surroundings. You settle into your cabin, receive your uniform, and learn how the rota works. You visit essential areas like the staff restaurant and laundry room and receive information about safety procedures. Your buddy explains what the rest of the week will involve so you always know what to expect.

Day 2: Meeting Your Department

You meet your supervisor, the head of your department, and the colleagues you will work with most often. You learn about the department’s responsibilities, how tasks are divided during different times of day, and how your role supports the wider operation. You observe team interactions and begin recognising faces, which helps the ship feel more familiar.

Day 3: Procedures, Standards, and Role Expectations

Safety and consistency are essential onboard. You learn how to handle equipment properly, how to follow health and safety procedures, and how the department’s standards are maintained. Your buddy shows you how these expectations appear during a normal shift, which helps you understand not only what to do but why it matters.

Day 4: Guided Practice During Real Tasks

You begin taking part in daily responsibilities with your buddy close by. This is where learning becomes practical:

• • preparing areas before service
  • communicating with colleagues from other departments
  • managing small tasks that keep operations flowing smoothly
  • adjusting when guest schedules change
  • staying organised when the pace increases

Your buddy explains each step as you go and offers advice that comes from real experience.

Day 5: Building Your Own Rhythm

You start completing easier tasks independently while your buddy offers support when needed. You begin understanding how the day flows, how to anticipate upcoming tasks, and how to pace yourself during longer shifts. You also learn how the team prepares for key moments, such as guest arrivals, turnarounds, or special events.

Day 6: Supportive Check-In and Development Planning

You sit down with your buddy and supervisor to reflect on your first days. You discuss where you feel confident, which tasks you want more practice with, and how your responsibilities will grow in the coming weeks. This conversation is not an evaluation. It is a chance to check that you feel settled and to guide your development.

Day 7: Confidence, Clarity, and Connection

By the end of your first week, the ship feels far more familiar. You know where to go, how tasks flow, and who to turn to for help. You understand the expectations of your role and feel ready for the weeks ahead. Your buddy continues supporting you beyond this point, but you begin taking more ownership of your responsibilities with growing confidence.

The buddy system is not just emotional reassurance. It is a structured learning tool that helps you build practical skills, understand expectations, and find your place in the team.

Developing Professional Competence

Your buddy helps you learn skills that are essential for working onboard, such as:

• • communicating clearly in a multilingual environment
  • organising tasks in a way that keeps service running smoothly
  • predicting what will be needed before busy periods
  • adapting quickly when plans change
  • managing time effectively during peak hours

These skills become the foundation for long-term growth.

Understanding What Success Looks Like

Clear expectations help you progress faster. Your buddy explains how supervisors measure performance, what good communication looks like, and how teamwork contributes to guest satisfaction. You begin to understand not only what to do, but how to approach the role with professionalism and pride.

Learning Through Real Scenarios

Instead of relying solely on manuals or training sessions, you learn through real moments in the day. Your buddy helps you apply what you learn immediately, which makes the information easier to remember. When something unexpected arises, they show you how to respond calmly and efficiently.

Life onboard is shaped by a diverse, multicultural team. This creates a unique environment where learning extends far beyond your daily tasks.

Working Across Cultures

You meet colleagues from many countries, each bringing different experiences and communication styles. You learn how to:

• • adapt your communication so everyone understands
  • share tasks in a respectful and cooperative way
  • navigate different working habits and approaches
  • appreciate traditions and perspectives that may be new to you

This cultural mix brings energy and character to daily life.

A Community Built Through Shared Experiences

Working onboard means sharing moments that bring the team closer:

• • conversations in the staff restaurant
  • support during busy shifts
  • quiet early mornings preparing for the day
  • laughter during breaks
  • learning words in each other’s languages

These small moments build friendships and create a community where you feel seen and supported.

Teamwork That Feels Natural

Because everyone lives and works in the same place, teamwork becomes part of the rhythm of the day. Departments communicate closely, supervisors stay involved, and colleagues help one another without hesitation. This creates a calm, cooperative environment where you always feel part of something bigger.

ANQOR’s structured introduction is not only about making you feel comfortable. It also ensures the operation runs smoothly and that everyone begins their season with confidence.

Consistency Across the Team

When every new team member receives the same introduction, standards remain steady. Everyone understands procedures, expectations, and communication channels. This reduces confusion and helps the team work in harmony.

Supporting Long-Term Development

Many team members join ANQOR with ambitions for progression. A strong start helps you recognise your strengths, understand how to grow, and see where opportunities may appear later in the season.

Strengthening the Operation as a Whole

When new recruits know their responsibilities and feel steady in their role, the entire operation benefits. Communication improves, service becomes smoother, and the team can support guests with confidence.

New recruits often mention that the buddy system made their first days easier than expected. They appreciated having someone waiting for them, guiding them through tasks, and offering simple explanations that helped them understand the rhythm of the ship. Many say that this support helped them feel part of the team sooner and made the whole season more enjoyable and rewarding.

If you want a place where you can grow, learn, and feel supported from your very first day, ANQOR provides a warm and structured introduction that sets you up for success. With guidance, community, and opportunities to progress, your first week becomes the start of a rewarding season filled with new experiences.

1. What is the ANQOR buddy system?

The buddy system pairs each new team member with an experienced colleague who guides them through their first days onboard. Your buddy helps you understand daily routines, introduces you to the team, explains procedures, and supports you as you settle into your role and living environment.

2. Why do I hear from my buddy before I arrive?

Your buddy reaches out ahead of time so you know who to meet when you step onboard. This early contact gives you clarity about your first moments and helps you feel more at ease before your journey begins.

3. What practical support will my buddy offer during my first week?

Your buddy helps you with:

• • orientation around the ship
  • understanding the rota and daily briefings
  • learning safety and hygiene procedures
  • navigating shared living spaces
  • communication across multicultural teams
  • completing early tasks at a steady pace

Their support ensures you never feel unsure about where to go or what to do next.

4. How does the first week prepare me for working in a multicultural team?

During your introduction, you observe how colleagues from many countries communicate, support one another, and divide tasks. Your buddy shows you how to communicate clearly, how to adapt to different working styles, and how to contribute to a respectful and cooperative environment.

5. Will I still receive help after the first seven days?

Yes. Your buddy remains available after your first week, and your supervisor continues guiding your development throughout the season. You are encouraged to ask questions at any time, especially as your responsibilities grow.

6. What is the daily routine like onboard?

Each day begins with a team briefing where supervisors outline priorities, guest schedules, and any changes for the day. Routines vary depending on the department, but tasks often follow a clear rhythm shaped by guest needs. Your buddy helps you understand this rhythm so you can settle into your role smoothly.

7. How does the first week support career progression?

You begin building essential skills straight away, such as time management, teamwork, communication, and adapting to changing situations. Your buddy and supervisor help you understand expectations and discuss areas where you can grow. This foundation makes it easier to take on new tasks and progress during future seasons.

8. What if I need time to adjust to life onboard?

It is completely normal to need time to adapt to shared spaces, new routines, and unfamiliar surroundings. Your buddy helps you through this adjustment by giving practical advice, answering questions, and explaining how others managed their early days. ANQOR encourages open communication so you always feel supported.

9. How does ANQOR maintain a positive community onboard?

Teams are encouraged to communicate respectfully, support one another during busy periods, and take time to build friendships through shared meals and small daily interactions. Supervisors help maintain a calm, cooperative environment where everyone feels included, regardless of nationality or experience level.

10. Who can I speak to if I have questions beyond what my buddy covers?

In addition to your buddy, you can always approach your supervisor or members of the management team. Everyone is there to support you, and questions are welcomed at any point in your journey.