Stories from the sea: How M/V Morning Charlotte became a home at sea
Every five years, as required by ship classification standards, vessels enter dry dock for comprehensive maintenance, inspections, and upgrades to keep them safe, efficient, and seaworthy. This time, however, the overhaul went beyond the technical.
When M/V Morning Charlotte left the yard after her latest stay, she carried more than technical improvements. She carried a renewed sense of dignity, comfort, and care for the seafarers who call her home.
For Greg Mc Kevitt, Ship Machinery and Systems Engineer, who led the accommodation upgrade project, it quickly became more than a technical assignment.
“While technical projects can be rewarding, the human aspect of this one is what made it truly meaningful,” said Greg.
And that human aspect is reflected clearly in the voices of the crew themselves. Here’s the stories from the sea…
For a moment, it felt like home
"For a moment, it felt like home," one crew member shared after moving into the upgraded accommodation. Not home as a physical place on land, but home as a feeling. Comfort. Privacy. Rest.
Other crew members highlighted the practical differences:
- "Having my own toilet and bath makes life easier and more convenient."
- "The new cabins have better insulation and softer bedding… it can turn a stormy night into a cozy rest period."
- "Having a more comfortable cabin with proper lighting and ventilation makes it easier to rest and relax."
After long shifts at sea, rest is not a luxury. It’s essential. These upgrades are not simply cosmetic improvements. They represent a deeper commitment to wellbeing, safety, and performance at sea.
A fleet‑wide investment in wellbeing
Morning Charlotte is the third milestone in a broader fleet-wide accommodation program, following Morning Cara and Morning Christina. Several more vessels are already planned.
This is how we commit: not through one-off improvements, but through long-term investment across our fleet.
The foundation for today’s new standard was built years earlier, when our teams gathered direct feedback from crew members to understand their needs. Bigger beds. Better layouts. Greater privacy. Improved lighting and ventilation.
Listening carefully and acting on it - is how we care.
Designed through collaboration
Transforming crew living spaces required collaboration across ship management, technical teams, yard partners, suppliers, and, most importantly, the crew themselves.
Together, they challenged existing standards and reimagined what onboard accommodation could be.
The result is a balance of functionality and warmth, modern, welcoming spaces aligned with Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s brand identity. Wherever our seafarers sail, they experience the same high standard.
As one Able Seaman shared:
"Every time we go into our cabin, it feels like a stress reliever. We can rest well, comfortably."
Another reflected:
"It made my life onboard much more comfortable and less stressful… It creates a home-like vibe and relieves the longing for my family at least temporarily."
A home away from home
For our seafarers, a vessel is more than a place of work. It is where they live, recharge, and prepare for the next voyage.
With these upgrades, Morning Charlotte does not just look different. She feels different.
What was once described as just a workplace has become a space that supports rest, privacy, and wellbeing. A space that feels like home at sea.
This is how Wallenius Wilhelmsen brings its values to life.
We Care for the people who sail our vessels.
We Challenge ourselves to raise the standard.
We Commit to building a fleet where care is not just a word, but something you can feel, every day, on board.
