Let me correct a few misconceptions above. YOU DO NOT WORK. YOU DO NOT WASH YOUR OWN DISHES. you do not, unless you ask to, participate in the running of the ship, food preparation or service, cabin cleaning etc. If you wanted to steer the ship, they would probably let you. Although casual and laid back, you are not paying to work on a Windjammer ship. They have bartenders, waiters, cooks, and cabin stewards (as well as "sailing" crew. There will be an "activities mate" respnsible for some of the fun, travel arrangements, shore "excursions" (to the extent they exist), operates the ships store an hour or two each day as well.