Working as a hostess on the La Mar

Esmee works in the Boat Bike tours office during winter, but once the travel season begins, she’s always drawn back to the water. In this blog post, she shares what she loves so much about her job as a hostess on the La Mar.

Back on board for a new season

The new season has begun, and I got to start the first week on board the La Mar. The whole team took a bit of time getting used to things again. But by the time the first guests came on board, our routines were re-established, and slowly the ship came fully back to life.

Getting to know our guests

During the first week, I had incredibly nice guests on board. Four guests even stayed on board with us for the entire week, not joining the cycling tours each day. That meant we got to know each other well, and beautiful conversations naturally arose. That is exactly why I enjoy working as a hostess so much. You meet people from all kinds of cultures, with different backgrounds, and all with their own stories. I find it incredibly interesting to get to know everyone and hear what they bring with them.

The little things that make guests feel at home

I also love giving guests a warm welcome and really pampering them. It is precisely the little things that can make a big difference for our guests: a friendly chat, their favorite beer waiting after a long day of cycling, or a warm welcome when come back on board. I find it special that I can contribute to an unforgettable vacation in this way.

Moments that stay with you

Some moments really stick with me. For instance, I once had a guest on board who really appreciated me. We danced together, and he told me I reminded him of his daughter from thirty years ago. Those kinds of conversations and moments make the job special. The next day, I accidentally locked him outside because I had completely overlooked him on the upper deck. He took it well, though: the next morning, he came and stood in front of me, laughing, and told me that he had simply knocked on the suite doors to get someone to let him back inside. It’s just one example of how people always experience something special on board.

Seeing the journey through guests’ eyes

I also met special people during the tulip tour two weeks ago. There was a lovely family on board: a mother with her two daughters and a son-in-law. What I found so beautiful was that one of the daughters and the son-in-law made little sketches in a sketchbook every day during the tour, capturing everything they saw. Landscapes, villages, and small moments of the day were put on paper. It was truly special to see. Everyone experiences the journey in their own way, and it is precisely those personal memories that make an impression.

Life on board with the tour leaders

It is never boring with the tour leaders I work with either. They always bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to their job. Every morning they passionately explain what the day will bring and, during the bike rides, they patiently and attentively lead the guests. At

the same time, while the guests are cycling and we’re sailing to the next stop, I can listen to my favorite podcast while I work, or turn the music up loud on board – of course, only when there aren’t any guests present!

Why every week feels different

The first weeks of this season were a mix of starting up again, wonderful encounters, and pleasant moments with guests on board. These things make every week on the La Mar different and special.