How to become A Yacht Stewardess

Setting sail for new horizons takes courage, an adventurous spirit and hard work. Combining the adventure with a job in the hospitality industry also requires specialised skills. As a Yacht Stewardess, you can fulfil your dream of visiting exciting and diverse destinations worldwide while providing yacht guests and owners with five-star services in terms of meals, house maintenance and onboard activities. 

• Junior Stew
• Superyacht Stewardess
• Cabin Crew
• Deckhand-Stew
• Stew-Chef
• Stew-Purser
• Hostess 
• Host 
• Stew

What do Yacht Stewardesses do?

A Yacht Stewardess would typically need to:

• Serve as part of the interior team aboard a yacht and ensure the satisfaction and care of owners and guests by providing top-notch service on owner or charter trips while also maintaining the yacht’s decor 
• Greet guests as they arrive on board the yacht; settle them into their cabins; attend to their requirements throughout the voyage
• Liaise with guests and service staff; convey guests’ requirements to the kitchen staff, deck crew and captain 
• Provide valet services, such as unpacking and making daily plans for guests, while maintaining excellent etiquette, protocols and a can-do attitude
• Motivate, train and instruct lower-ranked stews regarding schedules, rotations, procedures, and guidelines 
• Look after valuable items and surfaces on board, such as artwork, linen, china, and silver & crystalware
• Create and maintain interior inventories through a financial planning system 
• Clean and maintain the yacht’s interior; chalk out staff schedules for cleaning and guest service; organise and keep interior storage areas in order
• Plan and organise creative theme parties, different styles of dinners, cocktail parties, and other guest activities on board; set up bar service
• Coordinate destination experiences carefully, taking care of all details and ensuring that all goes to plan, as far as possible
• Create and care for floral arrangements
• Help the captain with paperwork; update documents with guest information and interior manuals; maintain accounts for the yacht’s interior
• Purchase uniforms and other supplies for the crew; choose, buy and serve items such as wines, cigars and speciality teas.
• Conduct inventory checks of supplies and decor; maintain adequate reserves of supplies to last through the period at sea
• Provide exterior crew support, which requires adeptness at exterior lines and fenders; help in the galley or deck operations; take turns watchkeeping 
• Take charge of safety duties assigned in an emergency.

You will usually share a cabin with other Yacht Stewardesses. Your accommodation is likely to be small but comfortable with an ensuite bathroom. Internet access will enable you to stay connected with loved ones at home. 

Travel and extended absence from home are typical of the career. Besides working on the yacht, you may need to step ashore for purchases such as flowers, cigars and other supplies for your guests and uniforms for your colleagues.

You may expect to be away for six months or more when you begin your first job. A typical day without guests or owners on board starts at 8 am and ends by 6 pm, five days a week if you work full-time. When working for charter or owner trips, you may expect your day to begin at least an hour before breakfast and end similarly after dinnertime. You may work unsociable hours with a full house during peak times, sometimes even up to 15 per day. When there are fewer guests during winters, you will need to carry out maintenance and tidying duties for the cabins.

You may also get a considerable amount of downtime to explore the places you visit. In winter, when there are no guests on board, you would carry out maintenance of the interiors, doing tasks such as laundry.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Yacht Stewardesses can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Yacht Stewardesses are generally employed by:

• Private Yachts
• Charter Yachts 
• Superyacht Recruitment Agencies
• Ex-Yachties
• Crew Recruitment Agencies

Professional associations and organisations, such as the PYA (Professional Yachting Association), are crucial for Yacht Stewardesses interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

The PYA frequently provides career advice, networking events, welfare support, and seminars, which can help you expand the pool of people you interact with and find new opportunities.

• Competitiveness between colleagues and with other yachts 
• Emotionally demanding work that requires constant, patient and tactful interaction with all types of personalities on board
• Physically and mentally demanding work to anticipate and resolve the diverse issues and demands of guests 
• Extended absence from home
• Struggling to make transitions back ashore due to distance and time spent away from relationships 
• Issues with transferring yachting skills to other careers ashore

Work experience in hospitality may not be universally mandatory for aspiring Yacht Stewardess but demonstrates a candidate’s awareness of the need to abide by work rules and possess the requisite skills and expertise.

Any experience on cruise ships or river cruises is helpful. However, even land-based hospitality experience gives you transferable skills that employers value, such as independence, resourcefulness, determination and attention to detail. For instance, you may have waitressed in renowned restaurants and hotels or worked as a housekeeper for boutique hotels and chains. You may be skilled at table and silverware setting and service, bartender or cocktail mixing, flower arrangements, barista, table setting, cooking, childcare and teaching. 

Jobs in advertising, event management, customer service, or nursing or as medically-trained staff, beauticians, hairdressers, nannies or air hostesses can also give you a competitive edge in the employment market. Having played team sports demonstrates your interpersonal and people skills.

If you lack experience, add specialised courses to your resume. When combined with an outstanding work ethic and the right attitude and potential, your skills can land you entry-level roles. 

If you have a chance to work shadow professionals in your field, you may obtain valuable hands-on experience and hear countless stories from experienced Yacht Stewardesses of when they managed to turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.

While formal education is not mandatory to become a Yacht Stewardess, completing a relevant program at a catering or hospitality college may help you find job opportunities. 

Depending upon your place of travel, you would also need to fine-tune your culinary skills and learn popular foreign languages. If available in your location, take entry-level courses that introduce you to interior work on yachts and familiarise you with onboad equipment, processes and protocols.

Certification demonstrates a Yacht Stewardess’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience and training. A combination of education, experience, and testing is generally required to gain certification, though requirements differ from region to region.

A necessary certificate to work on the sea is to gain an ENG1 Medical Fitness Clearance or equivalent in your country. It must be issued by doctors who have been approved by maritime authorities and is meant to minimise hazards at sea. You must also clear a comprehensive physical exam that includes hearing and vision tests. 

You must typically complete an STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) course to comply with an international convention that lays down training standards and protocols for crew working on commercial vessels.

Safety certification, which enables you to work aboard a yacht, includes training in basic firefighting, personal survival techniques, personal safety & social responsibility, basic first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and security.

Although not mandatory, it is helpful to receive international credentials through the Guest Program accredited by the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI).

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. Employees with consistently high performance levels may be eligible for promotion every two to three years. 

To advance in your career, you must display excellent organisational skills and the ability to provide leadership to your team while meeting the expectations of guests. After gaining adequate skills and experience in entry-level roles such as Junior or Green Stew, you may advance to 3rd or 2nd Stew.

From these positions, you may branch out into service or housekeeping and accordingly progress towards the titles and responsibilities of Chief Stewardess, Head of Interior, Head of Housekeeping, Head of Service, or Purser, which are specialised interior and management roles. Sometimes, it is possible to skip a few rungs and end up as a Chief Stew with the right amount of experience with people, places, and environments. You would manage the team, handle client concerns, formulate the budget, and more in such a role.

All through your career, you may continue to mentor your junior crew. You may also diversify into areas of personal care by becoming Spa Therapists, Spa Managers, Massage Therapists, Nail Technicians, and Hairdressers who work on board.

Candidates who pass the necessary health checks, take the STCW course and possess the required hospitality skills and customer service experience may have the best job prospects. Geographical mobility is helpful.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Yacht Stewardess build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to upskill continually, regardless of your age, job, or level of knowledge.

You can engage in a range of in-person or on-screen courses to keep upskilling yourself. Formal qualifications, such as the Guest Program accredited by the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI), train you in luxury service and hospitality. The program takes you through different levels of training relevant to junior, senior or leadership roles.

Progressing at your job could also lead to taking courses in leadership and management or becoming a purser.

The Interior Team on a Yacht

The categories and number of staff members that a yacht needs and the distribution of their responsibilities and duties depend on the type of yacht and its size, and voyage length.

In addition to the deck crew, the interior crew plays a critical role in the success of a trip and guest satisfaction. Typically, the interior crew comprises the purser, chief steward/stewardess, 2nd steward/stewardess, 3rd steward/stewardess, stew/deck, solo steward/stewardess, head of housekeeping, chef, sous chef/2nd chef, cook/stew, cook, nurse, laundry personnel, beauty/spa therapist, masseuse, hairdresser, and fitness trainer. Usually, the chief steward/stewardess reports to the purser.

Superyacht vs Mega Yacht 

While no size specifications set a superyacht apart, these yachts are generally 80 feet long.

The number of passengers a superyacht may host is typically capped at 12 in compliance with the SOLAS Convention (Safety of Life at Sea) established by the International Maritime Organization. 

These yachts consist of numerous pools, gyms, hot tubs, suites, and working spaces. Alongside these facilities, you may find several different bars and dining areas. The yacht also suffices for any requests or needs the crew members might have. 

Many individuals in the business tend to use the terms megayacht and superyacht interchangeably. However, the former could sometimes differ in length, going up to 200 feet.

Motorised Yacht vs Sailing Yachts 

Whereas a sailing yacht comes with sails, a motorised yacht lacks the same. Sailing yachts are usually more private and personal. Their space generally consists of three decks. Unlike a motorised yacht, a sailing yacht often depends on weather patterns. 

Sailing yachts are usually at least 60 feet long and consist of one or two hulls. While motorised yachts can sail to destinations straightaway, sailing yachts cannot do so. 

Skills Required

Exercise a strong sense of responsibility for the wellbeing of your team and guests while also safeguarding yacht property. Build a reliable work ethic and maintain a can-do attitude while tackling high-pressure environments. It would help to balance following directions and working well independently.

You must have the ability to lead and manage the crew working under you and delegate responsibilities to them to present your team as professional and efficient. It is also essential to have excellent communication and guest relations skills to solve tricky situations on board diplomatically. You must be resourceful and open-minded to deal with unique, unexpected situations. When working as a Yacht Stewardess, you must keep yourself updated with the names of popular wines, restaurants, and activities at the destination and at stops on the way. You will deal with a vast range of tasks on board, from flowers and table decor to first aid; therefore, attention to detail is mandatory, as is the ability to meet deadlines.

While financial management skills may not appear relevant, they are a must-have in dealing with inventories and guest-related information. Last but not least, be familiar with the ISM (International Safety Management Code) and ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security) Code protocols.

Valet Services

A valet carries out personal tasks for guests in an official capacity. In the hospitality sector, valet services include more than just taking your car keys, parking your car and bringing it back to you. On a yacht, valet services would typically comprise helping guests pack or unpack their luggage, care for their personal belongings and dress clothes, and organise their daily activities on board.

Microsoft’s co-founder Paul Allen owns a superyacht that can fit two submarines. One of them has the capacity for ten people and can run for eight hours, and the other can be operated via remote control.

If your dream as a young girl was to experience different cities, cultures, and lifestyles while being paid for it, you might find it fulfilling to work as a Yacht Stewardess. Your role can successfully convert one-time guests into loyal customers when done with efficiency and commitment. Since you interact with individuals worldwide, your job can also open new doors. 

Create an impressive CV and keep it updated. Get the best references. Be patient trying to land your first assignment. Keep your first year on the job free from other commitments to ensure your full availability. Build your savings as your yacht may get sold off, or there may be a crew turnover. Pack light as you will shop along the way, but have enough of your favourite products to last a trip. Bring along something comforting that you’re used to. Use a Kindle as your cabin may be too small to stack books.