The Bucket List Crew: Why More Mariners Are Choosing Purpose Over Partying

The Bucket List Crew: Why More Mariners Are Choosing Purpose Over Partying

In today’s maritime industry, a new kind of crew is capturing attention—the Bucket List Crew. This viral trend among yacht and offshore crew members is about choosing life experiences over late-night partying, mental health over burnout, and intentional living over outdated traditions.

These seafarers are shifting the culture at sea, prioritizing their well-being, personal goals, and global adventures while challenging the norms that have long defined maritime work culture.

The Bucket List Crew is made up of crew members who are trading hangovers for healthy habits. Instead of using time off to drink or party, they focus on personal growth, adventure travel, and creating a meaningful lifestyle offshore.

They work hard, but they’re also asking deeper questions:

What kind of life do I want to build?

How do I protect my mental health at sea?

What needs to change in the maritime industry?

Today’s mariners, especially younger crew, are choosing clarity, stability, and self-respect. You’ll find them journaling between shifts, waking up early for deck workouts, saving for personal goals, or hiking and exploring ports on days off.

This isn’t about being “soft”, it’s about being intentional.

Instead of following the “work hard, play hard” mantra, the Bucket List Crew is creating a new path. They’re building resilience, not through destructive habits, but by valuing their time, energy, and mental health.

 

Cassie Mead, a Women Offshore member and keynote speaker at the 2025 Annual Conference, has strong views on the industry’s role in supporting crew well-being.

In a recent Q&A, she shared: “The industry needs to do more than just say the right thing and offer a helpline. People are too ashamed or too scared to admit they need help. Saying you care isn’t enough.”

Cassie highlighted key changes that would truly support mental health at sea, including:

• More shore leave and shorter contracts
• Better rotations for women and service departments
• Affordable crew Wi-Fi to stay connected with loved ones
• Higher food quality and morale-boosting activities like BBQs, karaoke nights, and game nights
• Grace for time zone differences, allowing seafarers to call home during working hours

She also emphasized the unique challenges women face offshore. “Women are still the only ones expected to deal with sexual harassment. And when it’s reported, companies often remove the woman rather than the problem. That has to stop.”

The Bucket List Crew isn’t just a viral hashtag. It’s a growing movement that is redefining what it means to thrive offshore. It challenges outdated views about toughness, productivity, and coping mechanisms.

“People think younger generations can’t hack it,” Cassie said. “But we just don’t have access to the unhealthy vices others once did. We’re not softer—we respect ourselves more.”

This generation is asking for real solutions. They want support systems that don’t just mask the problem, but truly address the root issues, burnout, isolation, inequality, and lack of connection.

If the maritime industry wants to attract and retain talent, it needs to evolve. Supporting the Bucket List Crew is a step toward building a more inclusive, human-centered, and mentally healthy future offshore. 

Here’s what this new wave of mariners is asking for:

• Work-life balance offshore
• Mental health resources with follow-through
• Accountability for harassment and bullying
• Flexible communication with home
• Respect for diversity and inclusion

They aren’t just looking for adventure. They’re looking for safety, dignity, and a career path that doesn’t demand they lose themselves to keep a job.

At Women Offshore, we’re proud to highlight the voices of mariners who are choosing to live boldly and authentically. The Bucket List Crew reminds us all that we don’t have to accept outdated traditions or unhealthy expectations. We can demand more, and we should!

Whether you’re chasing life experiences or navigating rough waters, you are not alone. Let’s keep creating a maritime industry where every voice is heard, every person is safe, and every mariner is empowered to thrive.

If you are having trouble navigating a situation at work, click here to connect with the Women Offshore team for help and guidance.