6 months "fun" job

[TheLittlestThings]

If you were 65, single, about to retire, want to travel a bit but can't really afford to do so without being paid.. what would you do? Is it even possible at that age?

Trying to think of ideas for a parent for about 6 months to see a bit of the world and get out of a rut and we are toying with bartender on a cruise ship, bartender in <insert generic holiday resort>, golf caddy somewhere sunny...

Back story they have been in the same job all their life, living alone in the same house for the last 20, love seeing family but need to do something for them. Have just sold their house and no commitments so could pretty much go anywhere or do anything but don't have enough money really to do it without getting paid.

Experience in customer service if that helps..

Cruise ship work great idea to start might not see much of the world exactly but will travel with accommodation and gives time to think and meet people

Campsite warden. Id love to do that. Live onsite and work the reception and maybe the shop. That's my plan!

That was my worry @frozendaisy whether it would be more work and less "play" so to speak but meeting people would be a huge bonus!

@Nodney I like that idea! UK? Or France / Spain type thing?

'Abroad' might have visa issues thanks to Brexit.

Holiday rep for Jet2, Tui etc? Or the cruise ships might be an option, I'm sure that googling would find some info.

Do they have any language skills and what is physical fitness like? When scuba diving abroad I've met a few semi retired dive guides but obviously you need to be qualified and the pay is not good. I expect it is similar for golf caddies, hiking guides etc as well as cruising etc.

Do a TEFL course?

A volunteer role which includes accommodation and food?

What about housesitting? Admittedly unpaid, but if they have some savings (i.e. enough to feed and clothe themselves), you can go to some amazing places for very little in the way of spends.

I bloody love the idea of being a bartender on a cruise ship, though. 😀

Physically probably not up to hiking / scuba diving unfortunately as they would be great..

Definitely googling options but just here for any ideas we hadn't thought of 😃 thanks for replies so far!

Housesitting is such a good shout...

Lots of people around retirement age used to work on the camping/mobile home sites in France and Italy for the summer season for firms like Eurocamp and Canvas. Job involves customer service, cleaning and some basic maintenance. Don't think it's an option for Brits now though thanks to Brexit.

When we went travelling for an extended period a while ago and needed housesitters to look after our house and animals, we found people through this site - they were AMAZING and have turned into lifelong friends!

They're 'digital nomads' - both work as online TEFL teachers, so can effectively work from anywhere in the world - and spend their time moving from place to place, often living in some astonishing houses in amazing places.

We paid to register as 'housesitees' on the site, not sure exactly how it works for sitters, but I definitely had a good experience, as all sitters come with references, insurance etc and I think you can more or less pick your jobs, i.e. if you like /have experience with animals, want a rural or urban experience etc.

Feel free to DM me for more info, if you'd like.

@TheLittlestThings I would have said france but (thanks Brexit) now I think UK. Try asking at the Caravan and Motorhome club. They might have some idea of who need wardens for this season.