Being away from home for long periods of time means lots of time spent in hotels, and on the road.

So how can technology make this a little easier for you?

We’ve compiled a list of all the best apps to use in the UK when you’re isolating, or just staying in a hotel!

DIGITAL BOARDING PASSES

Where possible download your boarding pass to your phone, the less handling of paper boarding passes the better! Most major airlines have an app – check out your app store!

LOUNGEBUDDY

If you’re stuck in an airport on a long layover, or your flight is delayed there’s nothing worse than trying to find somewhere to sit, not to mention the expense of drinks, snacks and sometimes even WIFI. Many airport lounges offer day passes, inside you’ll find comfy seats, cleans loos, complimentary snacks and drinks and WIFI – Loungebuddy will show you what’s available at the airport you’re in.

WIFIMAP

Are you conserving your data, or maybe you’ve simply run out – use this app to find the closest free WIFI network to help you stay connected.

ITF SHORE LEAVE

Make the most of your time in Port using the ITF Shore Leave app, find your local seafarers centre, the closest phones, internet access and support wherever you are in the world.

UPGRADE YOUR JOURNEY

When you spend so much time hopping on and off trains, a little bit of luxury wouldn’t go amiss when making those journeys. Seatfrog is an app that lets you bid for an upgrade up to 24hours before your journey and if it is a last-minute job, you can even bid as little as 30 minutes before you depart.

FLIGHT CHECKERS

There is a variety of different apps that are available to help you book the best flights, manage missed connections and find the cheapest deals.  This article compiles the different apps from Sky Scanner to KIWI to make sure you are getting the most out of your journey.

TRAIN TIMES

From live times and disruptions info to split tickets and price alerts for the cheapest tickets, the Trainline app gives you control of your journey. It makes train and coach travel across the UK and the rest of Europe easy.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION

Keep the latest global health information at your fingertips with the official WHO information app. The app updates daily with the latest news, feature stories, fact sheets, disease outbreak updates, and public health emergency information. It is available in the 6 official WHO languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Russian).

It’s available for Apple and Android

KEEP FIT IN 7 MINUTES

Exercises that can be done in your hotel room, or your cabin and requires no specialist equipment, best of all it’s just 7 minutes a day.

INSIGHT TIMER

Your mental health is as important as your physical health – if you need to chill out, get some help to get to sleep or simply want to find a little calm in the storm there are thousands of short sessions in this app may help.

MY FITNESS PAL

This is a great way to make sure you are hitting food and fitness goals by keeping track of your nutrient intake and a log of physical activity from walking to a 15 minute HIIT workout.  My Fitness Pal is free and helps you breakdown your ingredients to help you get the right balance of nutrients your body needs each day.

COUCH TO 5K

If you are on a larger ship with a running track or treadmill, or maybe get a few hours on shore then you can use this app to start running.  Running is not just great for the body but also for the mind.

 

If you’re self-isolating in a hotel room either in quarantine before you join a vessel or while you wait for your Covid test to come back, then you’ll need to find ways to get some food delivered.

DELIVEROO

Doesn’t just deliver you meals from local restaurants but can also bring groceries and supplies!

Alternatively, in the UK there’s also JUSTEAT and UBEREATS – just remember to note that you’re self-isolating on your order and they’ve leave it at your door in a socially distant manner. 

Everyone knows about social media; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Tiktok… but is mindlessly scrolling through these the most relaxing use of your time, and the best use of your data? Here are a few alternatives that you could consider instead, some are free, and some require a subscription.

AUDIBLE

Audiobooks which you can download when you have WIFI and listen to best sellers wherever you are.

SPOTIFY

Download your favourite playlists so you can listen to them anytime.

NETFLIX

It doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg in data usage – if you’re on the 3 mobile network they have ‘all you can eat’ data plans that includes streaming Netflix on your phone.

If you have an Amazon Fire stick you can take this with you to use in your hotel so long as there’s an HDMI port to plug it in to and some Wi-Fi.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Being on a ship presents many opportunities for keen photographers or those who wish to improve their skills.  From amazing seascapes, so many different areas of a ship and docking in new countries, there are so many great subjects to photograph.  Here is a list of some brilliant apps to help take and edit amazing pictures.

DUOLINGO

Can help you learn a new language in as little as 15 minutes a day.

HOUSEPARTY

Face to face social networking, or group video calling, it does use your data though so best keep this to when you’re in a Wi-Fi zone!

TEST AND PROTECT SCOTLAND

This is a free, mobile phone app that will alert you if you have been in close contact with another app user who tests positive for coronavirus. And if you test positive, it can help in determining contacts that you may have otherwise missed while keeping your information private and anonymous.

CHECK IN SCOTLAND

Check In Scotland works with NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect contact tracing system to:

• collect your details
• alert you if you came into close contact with someone at a business or venue who later tests positive for COVID-19

If you get an alert, it will give you some advice about what you should do next.

NHS COVID-19 APP

This is the same as Test and Protect but for England and Wales.

NHS COVID PASS

An NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status

Keeping in touch has never been easier!

Social Media Apps: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and Tiktok are the most popular ways to message publicly or privately and see what everyone back home is up to.

Messenger: WhatsApp and Messenger are both great ways to keep in touch with loved ones when on board and away from home, both are free apps that also offer video calling.

Video: Facetime, Zoom and House Party offer different ways to video call back home for a good old catch up, it’s always great to see someone you love when homesickness hits.

Whether you’re at sea, at home, in quarantine or self-isolating we know that you’re always on the lookout for your next assignment. What better way to prepare for you next application than to create, or update, a digital profile with us?

Using the Clyde Marine Recruitment Jobs App – Ankaa Recruiter you can upload your documents, past work assignments, personal details, next of kin information and key details on your previous jobs. Your profile is held securely in our system and appears in the searches that our Recruitment team make based on location, rank, experience, and availability. Your profiles are then reviewed, and if shortlisted they are shared with our clients who can quickly gather an understanding of your experience and your qualifications. This means you no longer have to send us your CV or write a personal statement – everything we need to know is right there in the profile! If you’d like to create a digital profile click here, to update your existing profile click here… and if you’re unsure of how to make your profile stand out we highly recommend that you read this blog with words straight from our recruiters mouths!