Crossroads

I went to MPT maritime professional training for my STCW. The rest I had before I went down there. I was in Florida for just under a year. Now, if I ever had the desire to ditch the normal life for a short bit, I would go back down and do a seasonal position, knowing when the end of it is.

You could also go with the smaller boat life which is quite different than the "yachtie" or commercial world. From 50-80 feet vessels are almost a different planet than the larger vessels- no uniforms for one thing. Less people onboard and more of a do it all by yourself world. I left college and started on the marine life as a dive instructor/marine tourism worker. Then I became a captain- all of this while living outside the USA- for over a decade- while still traveling the world. Live on the island and work on the water. Now I captain a 20 meter sportfish (for the last decade) which does travel- but not as much. I'm paid well- but not as much as if I went commercial straight away (but I do know peers who make $300K+ while traveling the globe to fish- NFW can you beat that!); but on the other hand I know I had more fun and believe I had a much better quality of life than if I went commercial or to the yachts. You CAN life with less money while you are in your 20's and single. YOLO- and so do it well and enjoy it. IDK if that path is best for you- but it is out there and do-able.