Sue McDonald in the SS Badger’s galley. Photo by Rob Alway.
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — Sue McDonald of Shelby likes to have fun at work. She started working at the SS Badger in 2024 as a galley prep cook, assisting the galley lead cook with preparing meals for the passengers and crew. Sue, who is retired, applied for the job at the urging of her daughter, Tonia Poort, who also works on the Badger, along with several other members of her family.
“This was a great opportunity to be close to my family,” McDonald said. “But, it’s also a great way to meet people. I am retired and this is a great way to stay active, especially since it’s a seasonal position.”
Like many passenger service positions onboard the Badger, the shift is 12 hours, working three days a week.
“It’s a great schedule,” McDonald said. “It’s nice to be able to get all the work done in three days.”
Galley prep cooks assist the lead cook on duty in preparing, serving, and presenting passenger and crew meals. They prepare cold and hot food items in large quantities. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to, unloading of ship supplies, maintaining on-board stock, and cleaning galley areas. The positions are often given an opportunity to present the main course or baked goods to the crew.
“Much of the Badger experience includes good food, whether that’s passengers or crew,” McDonald said. “The galley makes sure everyone is happy.”
Additionally, working on the Badger keeps McDonald close to her family. Her daughter, Tonia Poort, and son-in-law, Steve Poort, and two of her grandsons, Nathan Poort and Luke Poort, work on the ship. See related story here.
McDonald is taking on a different role this season. She is going to work as a clerk in the cruise director’s office.
“I’ll be working more directly with the passengers,” she said. “The work involves answering questions, checking passengers into staterooms, making announcements on the PA, making sure the movies are operating, and also assisting people checking on their pets on the car deck, among other responsibilities. It should also be fun.”
To find out more about jobs onboard the Badger, click here.
The 2025 sailing season begins Friday, May 16. To reserve tickets visit ssbadger.com or call 800-841-4243 Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EDT).
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