So, what’s it like to be a woman working on boats in Indonesia?

Well, in my case, I’m not just working on the boat. I’m running the show.

As a cruise director, I’m the one juggling logistics, managing the guest experience, coordinating with the captain and crew, giving wildlife briefings, fielding requests like “Can we go see dolphins right now?” (when there are clearly no dolphins around), and making on-the-fly decisions while pretending I totally got eight hours of sleep last night. (Narrator: she did not.)

It’s a wild, magical job, and doing it in Indonesia, a country bursting with culture, marine biodiversity, and unpredictable weather, makes it even more interesting. Add the fact that I’m a woman in a very male-heavy industry, and you’ve got a job that’s as layered as a mille crepe cake, with occasional sea spray.

Why Indonesia? Why Boats? Why Me?

Indonesia has a way of sneaking into your soul. With over 17,000 islands, it’s like the universe handed boat people a playground and said, “Here. Try not to cry from how beautiful this is.”

You’ve got dramatic volcanoes, coral reefs straight out of Planet Earth, and remote villages that remind you the world is still full of magic. As a cruise director, I get to share these places with guests and make sure their holiday doesn’t turn into a logistical meltdown.

I didn’t grow up dreaming of this job, but I also didn’t expect to trade spreadsheets and office politics for sunrise anchor checks and barefoot briefings. And yet, here I am. Equal parts planner, performer, manager, and sea witch.

**What Does a Cruise Director Actually Do?**

Short answer? Everything.

Longer answer? Everything, while smiling, sweating, translating, troubleshooting, and trying to stay hydrated.

Being a cruise director in Indonesia means I’m:

The one guests come to when they want to know if we can “swing by Bali” (from Komodo… in two days).
The one who designs the itinerary based on wind, waves, and what’s actually culturally respectful.
The one briefing snorkeling spots, arranging village visits, tracking tides, and updating the guest who has asked me 14 times if there will be Wi-Fi soon. (There won’t.)

The captain and I work together closely, and while he’s in charge of operating the vessel, I’m the one calling the shots for the itinerary. If there's a weather issue or a tricky anchorage, he’ll gently suggest a reroute but most of the time, the day’s plan is mine to execute. I’m the bridge between guest expectations and operational reality.

The Magic (and Mayhem) of Sailing in Indonesia

I’m not exaggerating when I say Indonesia is one of the most incredible places to work on the water. This isn’t your average cruise route. One week I might be in Komodo, staring down dragons. The next, sailing through the spice-scented Banda Islands or the mirror-calm lagoons of Raja Ampat.

But she’s not an easy playground. Mother Nature here likes to remind us who’s in charge.

Tides don’t always cooperate. Sudden squalls appear out of nowhere. Sometimes the swell means Plan A, B, and C get thrown overboard and I have to improvise Plan D in real time while explaining to 12 guests why it’s actually a better plan than the original.

It’s part adrenaline, part diplomacy, and part creative storytelling.

Being a Woman in Charge at Sea

Now let’s talk about the part that makes people raise an eyebrow: doing all this as a woman.

There’s still this quiet expectation that a cruise director should be a guy, maybe a bit weathered, maybe a bit bossy. Not a woman tattooed with her favorite sea creatures, squinting at the horizon because she hates SPF 50, and leading with calm confidence (and maybe a cheeky playlist).

But here’s the truth: the ocean doesn’t care about your gender. What matters is whether you know your stuff and whether you can run a tight ship (metaphorically… the literal ship belongs to the captain).

That said, I have experienced:

Being underestimated, especially at first glance. Some guests assume I’m the hostess or the yoga instructor.
Being second-guessed. until I explain why we can’t dive in that bay because of a sudden upwelling or how we’ll time the currents just right for a drift snorkel.
Earning deep respect. once people realize I’m not just “helping out” with the trip. I run it.

There’s a subtle power in doing your job so well that your gender becomes irrelevant. And honestly? I like that kind of power.

The Perks

Despite the long days, unpredictable conditions, and always-salty skin, it’s the best job I’ve ever had for the same reasons:

The views: My office has dolphins. And volcanoes. And manta rays.
The people: From Papuan fishermen to guests from every corner of the globe, the human connections are real.
The lifestyle: No traffic. No concrete. Just tides, stars, and the gentle chaos of boat life.
The joy of hosting: There’s something incredibly satisfying about curating an unforgettable journey for others especially when it involves reef encounters and cultural immersion.

The Not-So-Instagrammable Truths

Instagram shows you sunset yoga on the sundeck. Here’s what it doesn’t show:

Running to help the newbie deckhand the moment you hear the anchor chain drop way too fast because someone forgot to put the stopper and now your heartbeat’s somewhere in your throat.
Your anchor getting stuck in coral or wedged between two rocks, and spending hours trying to free it while silently begging Poseidon for mercy.
Your one and only dinghy suddenly having engine problems while the guests are happily sipping coconuts on a remote beach with no idea that you’re sweating bullets trying to fix it.
Having to mediate between crewmembers mid-argument like some kind of onboard therapist-slash-peacemaker-slash-UN diplomat when deep down you feel like a 5-year-old in a cruise director costume just winging adulthood.
Running out of freshwater halfway through a trip because the watermaker broke, and now you’re rationing showers, dishes, and the crew’s will to live.
Trying to explain calmly that yes, Plan A has become Plan C, but it’s still great, I promise. Look! A rainbow!

Behind every flawless sailing photo is a team problem-solving like crazy behind the scenes. The trick is to make it look effortless, even if you’re duct-taping your way through it with a smile and a cracked sense of humor.

What I’ve Learned (and Keep Learning)

This job has taught me things no MBA or desk job ever could:

How to stay calm when nothing goes to plan. (A useful life skill, by the way.)
How to navigate cultures with respect. (Indonesia is wildly diverse, what works in Sumbawa doesn’t fly in Bali.)
How to lead gently but firmly. (Managing crew dynamics while staying human is an art.)
How to be adaptable AF. When the boat loses power 5 minutes before dinner and you have 14 guests expecting grilled fish and a sunset slideshow? You pivot.

I’ve also learned how to tie 7 different knots, fix the aircon (sometimes), and spot a potential jellyfish sting from 30 meters away. It’s a weird skill set, but it works.

For Anyone Wanting to Work on Boats in Indonesia

Whether you’re thinking of getting into this life or just nosy (I see you), here’s the real talk:

You don’t need to be a maritime veteran. But you do need to be:

Adaptable: Indonesia’s weather, politics, and geography change constantly.
People-smart: You’ll work with locals, expats, guests, and crew from all walks of life.
Problem-solving-oriented: There is no “I don’t know” at sea. Just, “Let me figure it out.”
Not allergic to salt: Emotionally, physically, spiritually.

Would I Recommend This Job?

Yes.
But not for the weak of heart or those attached to air-conditioned offices and consistent Wi-Fi.

It’s for people who are okay with being slightly feral. People who thrive on challenge, who like a life that’s unfiltered and full of motion. It’s for people who want a job that feels alive and aren’t afraid of a little chaos with their coral reef.

Being a cruise director in Indonesia has taught me more about leadership, flexibility, and myself than any other job I’ve ever had. And I’m proud to do it as a woman, especially in a space that’s slowly (but surely) becoming more inclusive.

Got Questions About Boat Life in Indonesia?

Want to know more about working on boats, being a cruise director, or how I once fixed the PA system with a spoon and electrical tape? Drop me a message.

Thank you for reading and now back to happily roaming!

The Wild Truth About Being a Female Boat Crew in Indonesia