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How to Get a Job as a Yacht Stewardess

Kate got her start in the yachting industry working as crew. She spent five years cruising the Bahamas, Caribbean, New England, and Central America, then segued that experience into a career in marine journalism, including stints as editor of  Dockwalk  and  ShowBoats International .

If you’re not afraid of hard work, have a knack for hospitality and service, and are a team player, then traveling the globe as superyacht stewardess could be in your future. Here is everything you need to know to land a job as a stewardess on a luxury yacht...

A yacht stewardess (or steward) is an entry-level position in yachting that provides a gateway to a career in hospitality at sea. A stewardess serves a vital role as part of the interior team and is responsible for the upkeep and presentation of the interior of a vessel.

One of the greatest appeals of working as interior crew on a superyacht (other than travel and tips ) is that the role of a stewardess doesn’t require extensive schooling or qualifications. While experience in the hospitality or customer service sector is advantageous, when starting out as a junior steward or stewardess, it is more about having a friendly disposition and being willing to learn and work hard.

“The ideal junior stewardess will have an eagerness to absorb information and learn the ropes properly, the ability to take direction and follow instructions, as well as the confidence to ask questions when clarification or additional instruction is needed,” says Sarah Bester with Northrop & Johnson Crew Services .

What is a Yacht Stewardess?

A steward or stewardess maintains the interior of a superyacht and provides five-star service to its owners and guests. On charter or owner trips, the interior team handles beverage and meal service, housekeeping, and laundry, all with the highest attention to detail. They have the most face time with guests so are responsible for relaying their wishes to the deck department, chef, and captain.

What Does a Yacht Stewardess do?

A junior member of an interior team on a yacht larger than 45 to 50 meters will typically start his or her career in the laundry room and/or in housekeeping rather than in service.

On smaller boats, the stewardess can be a department of one. “If you’re a solo stew you’ll be up early doing it all,” says Alene Keenan, a 30-year veteran of interior work who has literally written the book on yacht service, The Yacht Guru’s Bible. The day starts with opening duties: “setting up for breakfast, preparing breakfast, serving and clearing breakfast, laundry, cabin service, housekeeping duties, more laundry,” lists Keenan. This is followed by lunch service and more housekeeping and laundry, ongoing beverage service, setting up for afternoon activities, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres service, dinner service, cabin turndowns, finishing and returning laundry, and to close the day, pulling dishes, décor, and service items for the next day’s breakfast.

“If you have two or more interior crew, the duties are shared and probably rotated, and start times depend on hours of work and rest,” Keenan says.

• Top Tips For Working as a Stewardess

On larger yachts, the chief stew will provide his or her team with a checklist of duties to perform for each shift. “The routine will generally be the same,” says Chief Stewardess Tracey Bamforth . “You will be allocated a shift, shift duties, and shift expectations. You will wake up and dress in your on-charter uniform, making sure you are presentable, fresh, and on time. It’s important to remember that when the guests are on, your need to manage yourself to the best of your ability: speaking softly, working smartly, being very aware of your environment — for example, not leaving cleaning products out and about and keeping the yacht to its absolute best standard.”

Off-charter is when maintenance, deep cleaning, and inventorying are done in addition to daily laundry, crew mess, and bridge duties.

Who Does a Yacht Stewardess Report to?

This varies depending on the size of the yacht and crew. “Every yacht is unique and could have a different set-up; nothing is black or white,” says Lien Eggermont, senior yacht placement consultant for interior crew at Viking Crew .

Generally, when a stewardess works alone, they report to the captain. When there are two or more in the interior department, the junior would report to the chief stewardess, or with larger teams, they may even report to the second steward/ess. For the largest of superyachts, each interior division — housekeeping, laundry and service — will have their own head of department (HOD), so for example a housekeeping stewardess would report to the head of housekeeping.

What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Yacht Stewardess?

All crew need STCW basic safety training , a five-day course, and an ENG1 medical certificate , and some yachts may also require certification in Food Safety & Hygiene, a one-day course.

On top of these necessities, there are numerous options for yacht-specific interior training, but many chief stews, like Robert, prefer to teach on the job. “Most of the skills you need in yachting, especially in the interior, you learn as you go,” she says.

The amount of knowledge you need going in may depend on when you’re hired. “Early in the season, the HOD will have time to train and teach everything from scratch. Mid-season they don’t have time to hold somebody’s hand — in the nicest possible way — and will need somebody who can hit the ground running,” Eggermont says.

Courses that introduce entry-level candidates to yacht interior work are offered in many countries around the world. “Bluewater hosts some fantastic courses; their Yacht Interior Service courses start at a zero-to-hero course and can really help with a newbie or green stewardess who wants to acclimate and understand the principles and products used on a vessel,” Bamforth says.

Bester points out that additional courses like silver service and WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) can help a candidate stand out. “These courses are an additional investment and thus an indication that the candidate may be more career minded,” she says.

• Recommendations for Entry-Level Interior Crew

“Training has always been a privilege in my mind,” adds Bamforth. “Most newbies starting out will already be stretched from arriving from a new country, trying to find a new role, living in a crew house, and then to expect them to start off with a couple thousand dollars in courses under their belts is somewhat unfair. I believe in the ability to train and trial a newbie and give them the opportunity to show you they have the capacity to work, learn, live in a very close environment with others, repeat the systems they are learning, and, most importantly, have a good attitude!”

Maxine Robert, chief stewardess on 47-meter M/Y Loon , adds, “Having a positive attitude is everything as we live in such close quarters and work very closely with each other every day.”

What Experience Do I Need?

“Many programs will consider junior stew candidates who are green to yachting but come with strong land-based hospitality experience,” says Bester. Eggermont seconds this: “Waitressing in high-end restaurants or hotels, background in events, housekeeper in a hotel or, for example, a boutique B&B. But also candidates who have worked on board cruise ships or river cruises will be considered.”

Keenan points out a wide range of work experiences on land that translate to interior work at sea, listing: “restaurant/hotel work, flower arranging , event planning, retail sales, anything with customer service.”

Furthermore, Bamforth says she considers a potential new hire’s complete background, including things like whether they have finished university — “my thoughts would be that they have a ‘stick it out to the end’ attitude, and an ability to think on their own, which is always a plus,” — or if they played team sports at school — “shows an aptitude for playing nicely with people.” She says she has enjoyed working with hires from a wide variety of backgrounds, from advertising to having a family member who is a florist. “Nurses or medical-trained candidates I find to be extremely empathic and good with other crewmembers,” she says.

How Much Does a Yacht Stewardess Earn?

The entry-level starting salary can range from $2,500 to $3,500 per month, says Bester at Northrop & Johnson. “Charter programs will typically be on the lower end of the salary range due to the additional income crew receive through charter tips,” she says. Eggermont at Viking Crew says the average is €2,500 per month.

Dockwalk conducts an annual salary survey that polls both placement agencies and working yacht crew. According to its most recent 2020 Salary Survey , the low end of the range given by agencies — where most junior crew would start — is between $2,250 and $2,800 per month. Interior crew who aren’t working as the chief or solo self-reported that they made from $3,000 to $4,500 per month, with the bigger bucks being netted on bigger vessels.

The earning potential of interior crew grows alongside experience. At the top of their game, a chief steward/ess on a vessel longer than 70 meters earns $7,000 to $12,000 per month, says Dockwalk ’s wage guide.

“I’d say don’t be too picky as a junior crewmember,” Eggermont says. “If a 90-meter-plus (yacht) offers you a role at €2,000 with potentially an increase after probation or so, I’d say take it. Do a season, do your best so that you get a great reference. You need a foot in the door!”

Related articles:

• What are the Different Crew Roles on a Luxury Yacht?
• How to Get a Job as a Yacht Chef
• Everything You Need to Know About STCW Training
• What is the ENG1 Medical Certificate and Why Do I Need it?

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• Begin a career on a Superyacht
• Career paths
• Become a Steward/ess on a Superyacht

Become a Steward or Stewardess on a Superyacht.

A perfect way to combine work and travel – and you’ll get to spend your time in the sunshine and in some of the most beautiful places in the world.

The Superyacht industry is constantly on the lookout for energetic, hardworking people, male or female, to provide guests and owners with the ultimate holiday experience.

Read on to discover answers to some of the most common questions we’re asked about being a Stewardess on a superyacht…

What qualifications do I need to work on a Superyacht?

• ENG1 medical required by all crew who work at sea. If you are thinking of becoming a Superyacht Steward/ess, then we recommend you complete the ENG1 medical before completing Step 2.
• STCW Basic Safety Training Course  is a set of compulsory qualifications required by all crew who work at sea. You will complete a Sea Survival course, First Aid, Fire Fighting (great fun), and topics on Health and Safety, and Security.
• Get some experience . If you have hospitality experience or you have worked as a Nanny, Beautician, Hairdresser or Air Steward/ess, to name a few, then this will look great on your CV.

How do I get a job on a yacht with no experience?

It’s true that you don’t have to have worked on a yacht to start your career as a Steward/ess (apart from the compulsory qualifications mentioned above!).

Like any new career, though, it is a good idea to get some training in the basics so you can hold your own onboard. All yachts run slightly differently so one size does not fit all. To increase your chances of finding a job the more experience you can get the better.

The more experience you can offer the yacht, the better. So, if you don’t have any transferable skills,  then Flying Fish can help .

How do I find work on a Superyacht?

There are three ways crew find a job.

• Most crew travel to Antibes, France described as the hub of yachting in the Mediterranean.
• Online, we talk a bit more about “going online” below.
• Contacts. If you know somebody that is already working on a Superyacht then through their connections it is possible to find work.

Almost everybody that is looking for a job on a Superyacht travels to Antibes, France. On arrival, crew tend to stay in a crew house such as the  Crew Grapevine  used as a base to look for work.

If budget is a concern then crew join forces and rent an Airbnb between them. The advantage of a crew house like the Crew Grapevine is that the owners (ex-yachties) actively help you find a job.

The way you find a job on a Superyacht is quite unique. From your base in Antibes, you would travel to other ports in the local area, walk the dock and chat to the crew working onboard to see if there are any positions available.

Superyacht crew who have the evening off will go to the local bars to unwind. This is the perfect chance to get to know people that are working on Superyachts and to build connections in the industry.

Learn more about it here

Go online to look for work

All Superyacht recruitment agents post positions on their respective websites. Once qualified, new crew would register with the agency and complete their registration form. You would then get in touch with the agent to start searching for that dream job.

The recruitment agent’s job is to match the right candidate for the job being advertised. There are many recruitments agents out there, a quick Google search for “ Superyacht Recruitment Agents ” will bring up a list.

Facebook is another medium that yachts use to post jobs. To keep up to date is it worth joining a couple of the Superyacht Facebook groups. Yacht crew jobs and Palma yacht group are two examples.

Amelia, who trained with Flying Fish in 2020, gave some good advice:

“Sign up to a few good recruitment companies, make sure you interview with the recruiter first rather than using Facebook. Second, when you have your interview, make sure you ask questions about the yacht. This is because you are not only finding a job but a home and family too, so ask as many questions as possible to make sure it’s the right yacht for you.”

How long does it take to find work as a Steward/ess on a Superyacht?

Over the 12 years that we have been running  Steward and Stewardess courses, most find a job between one to four weeks. We have had customers that have found a job in a day and others that have taken six weeks to find that perfect job.

The time it takes to find a job is down to you. You will need to be proactive, up early, and make sure you are at the front of the queue. From our experience, people who work hard and explore every opportunity will find a job quickly.

Every Chief Stew that calls us for a reference asks the same questions – does the candidate have a  good attitude ? You need to be hard-working, happy to work long hours, and used to mucking in. Have a can-do attitude and a willingness to go that extra mile to help your fellow crew mates.

When’s the best time to look Steward/ess Superyacht work?

Traditionally Superyachts recruit for the Mediterranean season anytime between February to May. That being said, yachts recruit all year round. We have seen many graduates find work in July and August when the season is in full swing.

The next key recruitment period is between September and November as yachts prepare for the Caribbean season. Yachts will cross the Atlantic anytime between December and January to cruise the Caribbean or the US for the winter.

Superyacht crew who have had a busy Mediterranean season may decide to take the winter off, which leaves opportunities for new crew to enter the industry.

How much money does a Steward/ess typically make?

A Steward/ess starting out in the industry can expect to earn €2,000 to €3,500 per month – almost all crew paid in Euros. The salary can depend on many factors, the main one being the yacht’s “crew budget.”

The owner or management company will agree on a budget that the Captain uses to hire crew, which can lead to small variations in the amount yachts pay their crew.

Your salary can also depend on whether you work on a Charter or Private yacht. It is customary for charter guests to tip the crew, the tip is normally around 10% of the charter fee. Chartering a Superyacht can set you back anywhere from €250,000 to €1 million per week.

Tips are split evenly amongst the crew and on average, can be anything from €2,000 – €5,000 per charter.

Is my salary tax-free?

As a crew member (or Seafarer) working on a Superyacht, it is likely that you will be out of the Uk for a significant about of time. Spend more than half of the year abroad then you fall under a specific piece of legislation called the Seafarers Earning Deduction Scheme. As a basic principle, if you are out of the UK for more than 183 days then there is no income tax on income (including tips) from the yacht.

UK Seafarers are required to complete a self assessment tax return each year. Flying Fish are registered tax agents and offer a Seafarers tax service to the yachting industry. We work with hundreds of customers to insure that their Self Assessment tax returns are completed on time.

What is it like working on a Superyacht?

All Superyacht crew work, eat, and sleep onboard. The yacht will become your home, and all meals are provided while onboard. Your contract will specify your duties, salary, working hours, and holiday. The yacht will supply your uniform and provide further training if necessary.

Superyacht crew will be comfortable with being away from their friends and family for long periods of time. For your first job, expect to be away from home for an extended period, which may be six months or more.

There are various roles within the Interior department; Laundry, Service, and Housekeeping. Depending on the size of the yacht will depend on what your role is onboard. For example, large yachts will have a dedicated laundry team, while for a small yacht (35-40M), the Stewardess will do all three.

During a normal week, when there are no guests onboard, you are likely to work five days a week, with weekends off. The structure of your working week will differ from yacht to yacht, but there will be time off to explore and have some well-earned downtime.

What’s a typical working day like for a Steward/ess?

Your working day will typically start at 8:00 am and finish at 6:00 pm, usually six days a week. When on charter, or if the owners are onboard, your work hours will differ. Unsociable hours are common when guests are onboard.

What are the cabin arrangments ?

You will share a cabin with another Stewardess. The cabins are small but comfortable with an ensuite bathroom. There is access to the internet via that yacht’s Wi-Fi system, so you’ll be able to keep in touch with friends and family at home.

 Can I make a career in yachting?

Yes, and many have! Becoming a Superyacht Stewardess can be a career, and what an amazing career it can be. Every Stewardess starts out as a Junior Stew; then, as you gain time and experience onboard you can progress to 2nd Stew, then Chief Stew.

The chief Stew runs the entire interior team, manages the budget, and will be the first point of contact for the guests and owners – not an easy role.

Some yachts will employ  a Purser , which can be best described as the PA to the Superyacht.

Not only is there progression, but becoming a Superyacht Steward/ess offers the travel and adventure we all seek. You will meet some of the world’s rich and famous and make some friends for life.

So, how do I become a Steward/ess on a Superyacht?

This is where we come in. Flying Fish run a two-week Superyacht Steward/ess course that includes all the qualifications and skills you need to get started in the industry. Everything from the STCW Basic Safety Training to our specialised Interior programme, run by an ex-chief Stewardess.

The course is great fun; you will learn loads of new skills and meet like-minded people who, like you, are thinking about a different career path.

Superyacht Steward/Stewardess Course

Become a steward or stewardess on a superyacht.

Becoming a Superyacht Steward or Stewardess is the perfect way to combine work and travel.

The course is suitable for complete beginners or those with experience who are looking to work as a Steward or Stewardess on a Superyacht.

Want to find out more?

Contact our team at Flying Fish today for information on our Superyacht Steward/ess course, life as a Stewardess, qualification advice and much more!

Alternatively, click on our Superyacht Steward/ess course below and kick start your new career today!

The ultimate guide to working on Superyachts

Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess Working on Superyachts

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This working on superyachts guide is a authored by Carryn.

Working on superyachts seems glamorous, right? Your office overlooks crystal clear waters and your job involves stepping into the life of the rich and famous.

Not to mention, you get paid a fortune whilst doing so! But, as with most things in life, there’s more to the yachting industry than what meets the eye.

This guide details all the steps to getting a job working on a super yacht and what life is really like as a yacht stewardess — the good, the bad and the ugly!

Table of Contents

Before I Became a Yacht Stewardess

After 6 months working on a superyacht, is it easy to get a job working on superyachts, connections within the yachting industry, other qualities needed to become a yacht stewardess, the salary for a yacht stewardness, 1. do you want to become a yacht stewardess or a deckhand, role of a yacht stewardess working on a super yacht, role of a deckhand, other positions available for working on superyachts, 2. requirements for working on superyachts, 3. where to get a job: the mediterranean or the caribbean, 4. visa requirements for working on superyachts, 5. working on a private yacht vs a chartered yacht, 6. how to land that job as a yacht stewardess, register with yacht crew agencies, networking with other crew and yacht stewardesses, how much does it cost to work on a super yacht, what is life really like working on superyachts, how i got my job working on a superyacht, 1. how much time do you have to get a job, 2. do you believe in yourself, 3. are you ready to work your ass off every single day, how to become a ski instructor almost anywhere in the world, how to be a travel nanny and work as you travel, how to be an au pair in spain + tips for getting a job, how to work abroad & travel the world, how you can work abroad without experience so you can travel longer.

After graduating from college in South Africa, I jumped straight into the working world and started “adulting”.

After 3 months of long, hard work, with very little pay, I decided that I was tired of being broke and living in debt.

In an attempt to see just how versatile my skills were, I quit my job in search of greener pastures on the other side of the world, France. Here, I began what I thought would be a lifelong career as a yacht stewardess. I was intrigued by the idea of working on superyachts, how glamorous it all was and of course the MONEY.

Working as a yacht stewardess changed my life for the better. When I left for France I was a young, naive college graduate who struggled to find a balance between traveling and being financially independent.

6 months later, which is a lot earlier than I’d expected, I decided to throw in the towel. The money I’d made was amazing yet never gave me the job satisfaction I was actually looking for. I returned home with a new-found love for my country, my family and the smaller things in life.

Working on superyachts put my life into perspective.

It was an extremely personal time filled with self-reflection and allowed me to appreciate and value my own personal skills and work ethic.

Working on Superyachts: The Basics

A superyacht is a large luxury boat that’s longer than 24 meters. These yachts are owned by the rich and famous and often make their way between the Caribbean and the Mediterranean waters.

These superyachts need crew to provide them with that 1st class service. And this is where the thousands of yachties come into play.

People often confuse working on superyachts with that of working on cruise ships. No, they are not the same! Working on a superyacht is a far more intimate job. There can be two to twelve guests on board and you’re at their beck and call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It’s a grueling job that will have you working long hours in confined spaces, but the rewards are far greater than those of the cruise ships.

Yes and no.

The yachting industry is a difficult one to get into, but once you have your foot in the door, you’re guaranteed future work and better positions. However, getting that first job working on a superyacht is the hardest part.

You will struggle to secure a job in advance as most captains and crew agencies want to meet you in person before they hire you. As a result, you need to go to the yachting hubs where you will spend your time job hunting.

Securing a job takes time. For some, it’s a matter of days, but for most, it takes weeks or even months.

The saying “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” never rang so true as it does in the yachting world. If you have connections in the industry, you shouldn’t have a problem getting a job as a yacht stewardess.

The yachting industry is a small one and referrals are the easiest way to land your first job.

Owners want young, good-looking crew running around after them. As a yacht stewardess, your uniform consists of short skirts and tight shirts and you need to look presentable and professional at all times. If you fit this profile of a yacht stewardess, finding a job working on a superyacht will be a lot easier for you.

Your personality and drive also play a huge factor. Captains and owners want outgoing, energetic and friendly crew who will get on well with the rest of the team.

You have very little personal space and whilst conflicts are bound to happen, you will have to master the art of the “smile and walk away” and avoid confrontations with other crew and guests.

So yes, getting a job working on superyachts isn’t easy, but if you have the above points covered, I bet you could get a job!

The starting salary for a yacht stewardess or deckhand is roughly 2,500€ per month. This is with no experience and excludes 10% tips  — which you receive on chartered trips. These tips could quite easily match your base salary. And it’s all tax-free!

You have no rent to pay as you live on board the boat. Your meals are prepared for you by the qualified chef, and you don’t need to purchase any groceries or toiletries.

EVERYTHING is covered. What I saved in 5 months whilst working on superyachts has taken me a full year to make as an English Teacher in Korea !

Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?

How to Work on a Superyacht: 6 Steps

Each of these superyachts needs 6-10 crew who all work together to ensure the smooth running of the luxury vessel. There are many positions available ranging from engineers to chefs but most crew start off as either a yacht stewardess or a deckhand.

As a yacht stewardess or stew, as it’s more commonly referred to, your main tasks are housekeeping and ensuring that the interior of the yacht is properly maintained. You need to provide the highest standards of hospitality and ensure that the guests are taken care of. To put it bluntly, you’re a glorified maid wearing a cute outfit!

Daily Tasks of a Yacht Stewardess

As a yacht stewardess, your daily tasks whilst working on a private yacht include meticulous cleaning of the interior of the boat such as the cabins, toilets and living areas. You’re responsible for all the laundry, ironing as well as flower arranging, and table setting for all meals.

You need to provide a silver service dining experience and make world-class cocktails whenever the guests request. If there are children on board your yacht, you may also be asked to keep them entertained whilst ensuring all your other tasks are completed.

Working Hours

Your days start when the first guest awakes and end when the last guest goes to bed! If they’re out clubbing until 4 am, you’ll have to stay up to welcome them back on board and perhaps serve them drinks upon their return.

There are no free weekends if you’re on charter and you rotate shifts with the other crew, who also work just as hard. Because of this, the hours are long and tiring and if you have demanding guests, you could feel completely broken by the end of it.

The workload and the sort of work changes depending on the season, whether you have guests on board and any maintenance issues.

The deckhand’s position is more geared for men and includes maintaining the exterior of the yacht as well as all the deck equipment. You scrub the boat, top to bottom and it’s a physically demanding role. Tasks include cleaning the engine, painting, and varnishing the deck. You’re in charge of the fenders and ropes as well as the tenders and jet skis.

Perhaps you’re a qualified chef, engineer or beautician. These jobs are also available but with no prior yachting experience, you will struggle to find positions available.

You may want to apply as either a yacht stewardess or deckhand first, and highlight these additional skills in your CV. This is because there are more opportunities for stews and deckhands. Captains will also be reluctant to hire a chef or engineer who’s doesn’t have experience working on superyachts as the demands are different from those of the normal day job.

To find a job working on superyachts, there are a few basic requirements that you need to meet.

STCW stands for Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. There are 5 modules that need to be completed within this required course. These include:

• Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR)
• Fire Fighting
• Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
• Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)

Eng 1 (Seafarer Medical Certificate)

This is an exam to ensure you don’t suffer from any existing medical condition that may deter you from performing your job. You’ll be required to take a urine sample and a doctor will perform a physical exam to ensure you have no issues with your sight or hearing.

Additional Courses to Work on a Superyacht

Once you’ve secured your position, your chief stewardess or captain will conduct proper in-house training to ensure you know how to work on a yacht and complete the tasks to their standards.

The below courses will prepare you for your new job and will add value to your yachting CV, but they are costly and are not a requirement.

• Stewardess courses where they cover interior care skills, silver service, table setting, cocktail service as well as flower arranging.
• Food Safety Certificate Level 2 . This certification applies to crew working on MLC compliant yachts. Service personnel such as chefs and yacht stewardesses working out of the galley will need this food hygiene certification.
• Powerboat Level 2 allows you to ride the tender and is beneficial for deckhands.

There are 2 yachting seasons: The Mediterranean and the Caribbean Season.

Each of these areas has yachting hubs where crew base themselves when looking for work. These towns are filled with aspiring yachties all gunning for the same position. Once the season is complete, your yacht may move to warmer waters or dock in the harbor until the winter season has passed.

The Mediterranean Yachting Season

The yachting season in the Mediterranean starts as early as April where these superyachts start crewing up and the season continues until August. The main hubs to look for work in the Mediterranean include Antibes in France and Palma de Mallorca in Spain.

The Caribbean Yachting Season

The Caribbean season is active all year round with September to March being the busiest months. Ft. Lauderdale in Florida is the main hub which attracts hundreds of crew every year. From here the boats move toward Antigua and St. Maarten in the Caribbean and as well as the Bahamas where guests enjoy the crystal-clear waters and tropical islands.

• Caribbean: If you’re heading to the United States of America, you’ll need a B1/B2 Visa.
• Mediterranean: A Schengen visa is required if you are going to France or Spain.
• Seaman’s Book: Once you find a job working on a super yacht, you need to arrange a seaman’s book. This is recognized as proof that you are working on a yacht and is also a compulsory document when applying for a transit visa.

There are two kinds of superyachts: Private yachts and chartered yachts.

Private Yachts

Private yachts are used exclusively by the owner.

In some cases, the owner may use the yacht a few times a season and so the crew will have a more relaxed schedule. But don’t take this for granted. I spent 5 months working on a private yacht and had guests on board every day!

Chartered Yachts

Chartered yachts are hired by groups of people for a shorter duration.

You usually have a day or two to get the yacht ready for each charter. This means that the guests are always changing, and the routes are very busy. However, it’s standard for the crew to receive 10-20% tips from the guests. Not too bad if you ask me!

So you’ve completed your yachting courses and you’ve decided whether you’re going to the Mediterranean or the Caribbean. Flights are booked, and visas have been organized. Now, you need to get a job working on a superyacht.

Find a Crew House for the First Week After Your Arrival

These crew houses are like hostels catering for new yachties. They are slightly more expensive than other accommodation you can find. However, it’s worth staying in a crew house for the first week while you try to find your way around your new surroundings.

If you’re heading to the South of France, I highly recommend “The Crew Grapevine” which is where I started off.

The crew houses are generally a stone’s throw away from the harbor and the staff working there understand the yachting world and will help you find your feet.

The owners of these crew houses are also highly respected in the industry and if you make a good impression, they may put in a good word for you with a captain they know. The crew houses also include free printing which is great when you have to print out hundreds of CVs.

Reserving Your Spot at a Crew House

These crew houses are extremely popular and because of the uncertainty of the yachting industry, you cannot book your spot in advance. Some people land a job working on a private yacht after 2 days and so they leave the crew house immediately, others only leave after 2 months!

The best way to get into a crew house is to keep in contact with them when you start organizing your trip.

Introduce yourself and let them know your plans. Then, a week before your arrival, mail them each day to see if they have openings available. I received an email confirming my booking the day I landed in France. Talk about cutting it fine!

After your first week, you would know your way around and would have met other yachties. Together you can rent an apartment for the rest of your stay as this is a far more affordable option.

Finding Daywork on a Yacht

Daywork is temporary work on board a superyacht where you help the other crew complete their duties, but you don’t stay on board the boat.

Daywork on a yacht is a great way of earning money and building up your CV whilst looking for a permanent job as a yacht stewardess.

You get paid $100 – $150 for the days’ work and this should be enough to keep you going for a few extra days.

Dock Walking

As the name suggests, dock walking involves walking through the marinas in search of work on a yacht. With a big, friendly smile on your face, you approach the many superyachts and hand your CV over to the crew.

You’ll most likely face rejection as the boats will have crew but hold your head up high and keep going! For tips on how to create the perfect CV, check this post out.

Security at some of these docks has become extremely tight and dock walking is not allowed in some marinas. This is especially true in the US so perhaps you need to look at some of the below options when looking for work on a yacht.

Yachts are interesting locations to work; you’re often plunged into very formal environments, so professionalism is key.

Yacht crew agencies are often the first port of call for captains looking for a yacht stewardess or deckhand. Registering with these crew agencies can be done through an online application where you include your work experience, qualifications, current location and contact details. This is followed by an interview which needs to be done in person.

This is the easiest way to get a job working on superyachts but if you don’t make an impression, they won’t remember you.

Making connections within the industry is of utmost importance when looking for a job as a yacht stewardess. Put yourself out there and find a common interest with other crew you meet. If they like you, they’ll pass your details onto their captains.

But of course, be aware that every new yachtie is looking to make these connections. You need to stand out from the rest and avoid hanging out in spots that only attract new crew.

Getting a job as a yacht stewardess can take days, weeks and even months. However, I firmly believe that this is dependent on the individual. I’ve met people who’ve invested all the time and money into working on superyachts and after a few months, they’ve had to return home as they were unsuccessful in finding a job and so their funds ran dry.

The competition is strong and when you’re at these yachting hubs, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of newbies in the industry. But, your luck can change in an instant.

Getting into the yachting industry is not cheap as your initial expenses are NOT covered. You need to support yourself financially until you get a job working on a superyacht. It’s a big investment, but one that you can pay back within your first month of work.

Cost for these courses vary between countries and all amounts below are estimates.

These expenses include the following:

• STCW: $600-$1,200 for the 5 courses ($900 average)
• ENG1 Medical: $80
• Flights to the yachting hubs in the Mediterranean or Caribbean: $1,000
• Visa: $60-$120
• Accommodation for your first week: $275
• Meals for your first week: $200
• Additional expenses: $100
• Total expense = $2,645

Bearing in mind that it can take weeks, if not months to find a job, your cost for food and accommodation could be considerably higher.

Your first season working on a superyacht will always be tough. Because you have no experience, you’ll most likely take the first job you can find as beggars can’t be choosers. You won’t really know what you’ve signed up for until you start working.

You’re the junior stewardess and everyone else has put in the hours and earned their stripes, now it’s your turn!

You may work a bit longer than the rest, you’ll be put in the laundry room and spend the entire day ironing and you’ll be the one waking up early. You’ll travel to exotic locations with the most stunning scenery. But you’ll only enjoy these views from the portholes of the cabins as there’s cleaning to be done.

But after you have one season under your belt, you’ll have more connections and can pick and choose what sort of yacht you want to work on. You will be able to find out which boats have easier guests and schedules and you won’t need to jump at the first job offer you get.

RELATED: 10 Jobs Abroad With Accommodation (& Without Experience!)

I started my yachting career in Antibes, France. After 3 days of dock walking, I was feeling extremely unmotivated by the sheer amount of crew looking for work.

I had invested so much time and money into getting to France, and financially I only had 2 weeks to find work before I was broke!

It was a beautiful sunny day and a lot of people were going to the beach to relax after a busy week of dock walking. I was torn between taking the morning off or continuing my search for work as a yacht stewardess. Reluctantly, I decided to first go to a few crew agencies and see if I could chat with one of their staff.

I must have made a good impression because two hours later I received a phone call for an interview with a captain. After a successful chat, I accepted the position and a few hours later I was on a train to Italy to start my career as a yacht stewardess working on a private yacht.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Commit to Working on Superyachts

It’s important to put pressure on yourself and set deadlines. Financially I only had two weeks to support myself. This was cutting it fine, but I feel that this pressure is what lead to me finding a job after only 4 days.

You’ll face rejection but will need to keep pushing through in order to secure a job. You’ll also have to justify the initial investment and if you don’t believe that you can cut it in the yachting industry, then perhaps you need to look for something less risky

Some days I worked for up to 18 hours and had very little sleep. My nails and fingers were scarred with blisters and cuts from washing so many crystal glasses. My skin went bad from not seeing the sun, and my legs were developing varicose veins from standing up all day.

But my crew were amazing. We all worked equally hard and supported each other on the difficult days. You might be lucky and find a sweet job with an easy schedule, however, prepare for the worst but this will only make you stronger.

In the end, my experience and the money I made was totally worth it. Think long and hard if you think you’re up for this kind of lifestyle. There are some that stick around and end up with great jobs who get extra tips and even flights to whatever country they want. It’s a fabulous job if you think you’re game for the challenges that come with it.

More Jobs Abroad

Do you have what it takes to work on a superyacht? Do you want to become a yacht stewardess? Let us know in the comments!

>>> Bio

Hey, I’m Carryn! I’m a nature enthusiast and passionate explorer who loves hiking, diving, and adventuring through new countries. My travels have taken me from the peaks of Kilimanjaro to the underwater worlds of Indonesia and have lead me to Korea where I am teaching English. I share my travel stories on my blog, Torn Tackies , where I aim to inspire people to step out of their comfort zone and explore the world that surrounds them.

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Nina Ragusa is an adventurer, messy bun master, breakfast fan, and full-time travel blogger. She's been abroad since 2011 and blogging on Where in the World is Nina? for nearly as long. Nina helps people like you move around the world while making money. She loves talking about how to work abroad and online to travel longer! Read more about Nina

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Hi Nina, thank you so much for the information. I’m looking at doing my course (again) in November. Unfortunately I didn’t pursue the yachting industry the first time I did my course as I started working on the ships. But your insight has really motivated me to try again, so thank you.

Thank you Nina for sharing your info and guiding us, i do have a question though, i am a type one diabetic, and really want to work on a yacht, i am already currently in the Hospitality industry. Do you know whether type one diabetics are allowed to work on yachts?

Great info ! Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I’m looking forward to become a stewardess, I have a question: for working in the Mediterranean Sea it doesn’t matter which Schengen visa? I might have the chance chance to do a German visa, would that work? Thank you again J+

Thank you, Nina! I am heading to Antibes on May 1st to find my first yacht job and I am super excited! I’m always reading online and checking out any information I can in order to prepare, so this blog was a prize to find as it is loaded with fantastic info!

Hope you’re having a fantastic day, wish me luck!

Yes! The best of luck 🙂

Hi nina i have already documents f Seaman book and passport Eng1, food safety and level hygiene level 2

Stcw Sdsd My probllem is only the visa i want to earn already

Can you tell me whats lacking ,

How is the procedure in landing yachts ?

I think sometimes that when i travel my own expense in goin ‘

Like france

I think its too expensive

Or i think in mind that when i applied in us embassy here in philjppines for b1b2 visa

W/out a company yet is hard for me

Coz.i didnt travel yet in any location overseas I have first in mind that i justonly denied for that

Pls can you help me my dear ffriend Can you pls.humbly assist me in my dream career I am a greenie and recently took my iyt yacht card here in manila philippines

Its been an honor to have an indtrument /way like you

On helping othera like me

I want t hear your quick Humbly help my friend

Thank you so much Nina for all of this information! You’ve made me more excited to start my yachting career. I am heading to Phuket next month to take my STCW + Stewardess course, then am hoping to head over to Antibes after to start looking for work by March 🙂

That sounds SO exciting! Have fun 🙂

How To Become A Yacht Stewardess & Have A Career Of Fun

Over the years I have worked in many jobs to keep my travels funded. But by far the best job has been when I worked as a stewardess on yachts. For the avid traveller, there is no better job. If you are sick of working a 9-5, you want to get paid (well) to travel the world and are ready to make incredible friendships, then read on to find out  how to become a yacht stewardess .

While there are  numerous benefits  to this job it can also be a lot of hard work. If you’re not completely sure what yachting is, this post will explain just that and give you 10 easy to follow steps to becoming a yacht stewardess.

This job will absolutely change your life and I’m excited to help you get started. I’ve been off yachts for a couple of years now and I miss it every day. I am still trying to devise a plan to get back on them sometime soon.

Disclaimer:   Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information on my disclaimer  click here .

• 1.1 MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF A STEWARDESS
• 1.2.1 HOW MUCH DOES A YACHT STEWARDESS MAKE
• 2 2. PACK UP YOUR BELONGINGS
• 3 3. QUIT YOUR JOB
• 4 4. ARRIVE AT A YACHTING HUB
• 5.1 WHAT DOES THE STCW 95 AND PDSD INVOLVE?
• 6 6. COMPLETE YOUR ENG1
• 7.1 HOW TO MAKE YOUR CV STAND OUT?
• 7.2 GET THAT CV OUT THERE
• 8 8. NAIL YOUR INTERVIEW
• 9 9. BECOME COMFORTABLE SHARING SMALL SPACES
• 10.1 HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A YACHT STEWARDESS?
• 10.2 DO YOU WANT FURTHER STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO BECOMING A SUPERYACHT STEWARDESS?

1. FIRSTLY, WHAT DOES A YACHT STEWARDESS DO?

“It’s like working on a cruise ship right?” I hear this time and time again – It’s nothing like working on a cruise ship. Cruise ships have 1000’s of crew and 1000’s of passengers. A superyacht although sometimes as big as a cruise ship only has a handful of guests and crew. Our job as a stewardess is to give impeccable, personalised service to our passengers.

Depending on the size of the yacht there are usually under 30 crew members. For example, a 50m yacht normally wouldn’t sleep more than 12 guests and only has 10-12 crew. It is essentially a floating 5-star hotel for the worlds richest people, celebrities and their guests. As a yacht stewardess, you need to predetermine everything the guests will require before you head out to sea and ensure they have the best time possible.

Because of the limited number of crew members, you’ll need to be filling multiple roles. When there are guests on board you could be working 14 hour days or longer. A yacht stewardess will be in charge of three main areas: housekeeping, service and laundry. You also need to look after the crew areas and set up and pack down for crew meals.

One thing I like to tell people about yachting is, “There is no job description”. You will need to be available 24 hours a day and ready for anything the guest requests. While this seems absolutely crazy the benefits make it all worthwhile. Read an  interview with yacht stewardess  Melissa Ryan on why she loves being a yachtie. When there are no guests on, regular working hours are 9-5 Monday to Friday with weekends off.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF A STEWARDESS

• Provide 5-star service ensuring complete satisfaction of guests
• Foresee any items, food and drinks they could want while out at sea
• Set up and provide bar service, knowledge of cocktails and wines
• Perform different styles of meal service depending on guests requirements. From silver service, synchronised to buffet and anything in between.
• Create daily table centrepieces
• Create and maintain floral arrangements
• Host cocktail parties and other events on board
• Provide housekeeping and laundry service for guests and crew
• Be available at all hours of the day and night
• Take turns at watchkeeping and staying on board
• Ensuring the supplies, wines and decor is properly inventoried
• Shopping for crew provisions including toiletries and staff mess foods.

THE BENEFITS OF BEING A YACHT STEWARDESS

Ok! Where do I start? There’s  no more daily commute . Next time you’re stuck in peak hour traffic, think back to this. Roll out of bed after having arrived during the night to a new remote Caribbean island and be at work. Pretty great!

Next, you get to  live with all of your friends . You’ll  never get bored  on a yacht, that’s for sure. When you knock off work for the day grab your buddies and head off exploring that new island. If you’re in the Mediterranean (Med) visit the ancient Greek ruins or pop into a French cafe for a croissant. Maybe you’re in the South Pacific. I hope you like water sports. There’s plenty of time for that.

Working on a yacht will  look great on your CV . You learn invaluable new skills and gain life experience while you’re at it.

You make  great money . Yep, you read that right. Not only do you get to enjoy these amazing benefits, but you also get paid well to do it. Depending on where you are from this could even be tax-free. Most starting wages are upwards of 2500€/month plus in some cases tips.

It’s exciting!  You never know where you’ll be next month, you’re always meeting new people, you get days off in some of the world’s most incredible locations and you will witness the most  unreal sunrises and sunsets.

HOW MUCH DOES A YACHT STEWARDESS MAKE

Check out this table to see the current yacht stewardess salary. All wages are per month in Euros. These are the ranges taken from the  Annual Dockwalk Survey of 2019.

2. PACK UP YOUR BELONGINGS

Have you decided being a yacht stewardess is for you? Congratulations, then this post is for you! The first step is packing up your belongings. You’re moving on to a boat, so  pack as light as possible . Depending on where you go to get your first job (more on this in the next steps) you can pack accordingly.

in the Caribbean, it’s unlikely you’ll be needing heavy winter gear. A light jacket and pair of jeans will be sufficient. If you’re heading to the Med warmer clothes will be useful. Don’t take big bulky sports gear or you might be sharing a bed with them. If possible take a bag which can fold up as opposed to a hard suitcase. On some boats this is mandatory.

3. QUIT YOUR JOB

Yep,  do it ! *Cheers* “Yacht stewardess life come at me”.

Stop guessing what you need to do to get a superyacht job and use this checklist to beat the compettion

4. ARRIVE AT A YACHTING HUB

Now for the fun part. Where do you go to get a job as a yacht stewardess? Being a new crew member you want to maximise your chances of finding a job. How do you that? Yachting has two main seasons – Summer and Winter. At the end of each season, there is usually a lot of crew turnaround. During that time captains and owners need to do mass hiring twice a year. The Northern Hemisphere summer season sees most boats go to the Mediterranean or the North East of the USA. The winter season is predominantly in the Caribbean.

As mentioned above if possible you will want to arrive into the yachting hub at these peak seasons. For the winter Caribbean season, you need to be in  Fort Lauderdale , USA by October/November . For the summer Mediterranean season get to  Antibes, France or Palma De Mallorca in April/May .

There are crew houses designed especially for people like you. People who want to become a yacht stewardess, a deckhand, a chef and people who already are but looking for their next job. These crew houses understand the volatility of the industry and that you may be there for one week or two months.  Stay in a crew house  to alleviate paying bonds and monthly contracts plus meet cool people and unofficially start networking (more on that later).

5. FIND A TRAINING SCHOOL TO DO YOUR COURSES

Now you can’t just jump on a boat. There are a couple of basic safety training courses required before you are legally allowed to work as a yacht stewardess at sea. The first course is Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeeping known as the  STCW 95  or STCW basic safety. You will also need to get your Proficiency in Designated Security Duties ( PDSD ). In the yachting hubs mentioned above, there are multiple training schools to choose from. One reputable company located in both Europe and the US is  Bluewater Yachting .

While you can do these courses around the world (potentially at home). I recommend doing them where you intend to find work. Yachting is all about networking and being in a class with 20 other students instantly connects you with other like-minded individuals. Some I might add could even be a chief stewardess doing her refresher and potentially looking to hire. Hint hint…

WHAT DOES THE STCW 95 AND PDSD INVOLVE?

The  STCW 95  is your basic minimum safety training required to work on a superyacht. There are four components which take five to six days to complete.

1. Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (Basic Firefighting) 2. Personal Survival Techniques (PST) 3. Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR) 4. First Aid / CPR (Basic First Aid) 5. Proficiency in Security Awareness (PSA)

This entry-level course is open to anyone and costs around $900 USD or 1200€ to enrol. While this sounds expensive, you’ll be making your money back in no time. This course is a lot of fun. It’s very practical and the firefighting component gave me so much respect for our firefighters. It’s hot and hard work!

The  PDSD  course is for all seafarers who have designated duties under the ship’s security plan. In the superyacht industry, almost all crew members have designated duties – meaning you need to do this course too. 

This one day course costs $300 USD or 280€. You will learn about different security threats to yachts both in dock and at sea, how to recognise them, the use of proper security equipment and how to maintain your ships security plan.

6. COMPLETE YOUR ENG1

The ENG1 is your ships medical certificate. This is irreplaceable with other medicals no matter how thorough they are. You need to have a document stating you passed your ENG1 to join the yachting industry. There are only a few doctors around the world who conduct this examination so it’s wise to book ahead. Places like Fort Lauderdale can have one month waiting periods during peak season.

7. WRITE A YACHT STEWARDESS CV

Writing a yacht stewardess CV is a lot different from writing a CV for a regular job. Captains receive hundreds of applicants during peak hiring periods. With many of these people having zero experience onboard a yacht, you need to know how to make yours stand out.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR CV STAND OUT?

Start off by adding some colour, not just a heading here and there. I mean big bold blocks of colour. Put in shapes of block colours and overlay with your text. Change up the format.

Oh, another resume that  looks  the same… boring. Next. Oh wow! Whats this column on the left about?  It’s  describing the person and their skills. Hmmm, I’ll keep reading.

While maybe this isn’t exactly how a captain thinks it may as well be. Choose a colour scheme and make it look fun. Just make sure it’s still professional and you can read everything. Make sure you include a picture of yourself and a detailed about me section stating your availability and current location. Add some interests and hobbies, because remember you’re applying for a place in someone’s home as well as a job as a yacht stewardess.

Need help? –  I offer personalised services to help you write your CV.  Please get in touch for my rates.

GET THAT CV OUT THERE

Once you have a great CV outlining why you will be the best yacht stewardess you’ll need to get that CV out there. There are a few ways to do this. Firstly you can sign up for a  crew agency . These agencies take on the new and old crew and work with the yacht captains and owners to find the most suitable person for the role. This is a free service. Never sign up to an agent who is charging a fee.

Another way to get your resume seen is through  networking . Networking sounds daunting but really it’s just about being a nice, happy person and getting out socialising. Before the season starts basically everyone who has anything to do with yachts wants to throw a party to advertise their brand. In short as a wannabe yacht stewardess you get free entry into these lux parties, usually a bunch of free drinks to go with it and now you’re networking. Get out there talk to strangers and make connections. You never know who you’re talking to and if they need an additional crew member.

There are also numerous  online job boards . You can submit your resume directly to some of these or read advertisements from people looking for a yacht stewardess.

8. NAIL YOUR INTERVIEW

As a result of your CV being out there, you’ll be getting all these calls asking for you to come in for an interview. They want you to be one of their yacht stewardess’s! To begin with, you need to  dress the part . Make sure you’re hair is up and neat and you have light minimal makeup on. Wear a polo shirt with either a skirt, skort or shorts that is a respectable length in a navy, black or beige. Most interviews are conducted on the yacht in person, so I wore flip flops to all of mine. This is because once you reach the boat it is yacht etiquette to take your shoes off before boarding.

Tip  – I know a lot of chief stews who look at nails, therefore make sure your nails are well manicured.

A usual interview will start with a tour of the yacht. The person interviewing you will then make sure you understand everything there is to know about the role, the schedule of the boat and about the current crew and their daily habits. While not all interviews are super laid back, as a new crew member, they know you do not have experience on boats. What they want to know is if you will be able to gel with the current crew. Will you be someone they can share a small amount of living space with. Will you be someone who can learn new skills and pick up this new lifestyle. Most importantly, be yourself, be happy and have fun.

9. BECOME COMFORTABLE SHARING SMALL SPACES

If you want to work as a yacht stewardess, you need to learn to share a cabin with someone. Your cabin is most likely a quarter of the size of your current bedroom if not less and add to that it’s shared. Welcome to crew living! This is why you need to pack light. All of your belongings will need to fit in a wardrobe much smaller than what you are used to.

Things to remember when sharing a small space whether it’s your cabin or the crew mess (living area).  Be   respectful  of others belongings – if it doesn’t belong to you, don’t touch it.  Clean up after yourself . There’s nothing worse than living with someone who is a grot.  Be courteous . Your crewmates are working weird hours, don’t be the reason they can’t sleep.

10. ENJOY YOUR NEW LIFE AT SEA!

Finally and most importantly  enjoy your new life at sea ! Being a yacht stewardess is such a special career and there is nothing which compares to it. Savour the  unique experiences  which will present,  see the world  while getting paid, make  lifelong friends , learn  new skills  and enjoy being rocked to sleep by the rolling waves.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A YACHT STEWARDESS?

Actually not long. The required courses and ENG1 can be done in a week. The longest part is the preparation of packing, heading to a yachting hub and then searching for a job. Most people I know found a job within a couple of weeks to 2 months. However, this will vary depending on the time of year you seek work.

DO YOU WANT FURTHER STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO BECOMING A SUPERYACHT STEWARDESS?

Does this sound like something you would like to do ? If yes, then let me introduce you to my book Superyacht Crew. Over the past four years, Melissa Ryan and I have worked onboard yachts in various positions. While you can absolutely follow the steps listed above, but if you would like more detailed help entering the industry than this is  the book for you . Each year more people make the switch to working aboard superyachts. If you are serious about making this career yours then act now.

Superyacht Crew: How to Start Your Career in the Superyacht Industry  is full of information and secrets we learned from our combined years of yachting. This comprehensive guide has helped numerous friends and family members make this dream a reality. Now we want to help  you ! Get step by step instructions no matter where you are in your job search. Gain insider knowledge, use our  yacht stewardess CV examples  and find learn to ask the right questions in your interviews.

My favourite part of the book is the  detailed reference guide . We know the best crew houses, crew agencies and training schools. We either used them personally or have friends who did. Don’t waste time finding misleading information online, use our tried and tested companies to start your career. Do you want to know which doctors do the ENG1? We have listed where you can find qualified ENG 1 doctors around the world.

Make sure you join our facebook group for new yachties and ask us any questions you have.

Click to buy superyacht crew: How to start your career in the superyacht industry today

My name is Erin, the lady behind Curiously Erin. After more than 10 years of travelling and working abroad, I wanted to create a platform where I could share my stories and travels. My goal is to help you live the life you desire and inspire you to travel more.

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What Do Yacht Stewardesses Do? (Daily Tasks Explained)

Are you considering working on a yacht or are you just curious as to what the crew actually do all day long?

What Do Yacht Stewardesses Do? Yacht stewardesses do a wide variety of practical tasks onboard the yacht such as:

• Housekeeping
• Waitressing
• Entertainment
• Crew support
• Maintaining the yacht
• Valet tasks and guest service
• Human resources

Here are more details on the tasks yacht stewards and stewardesses do on a daily basis onboard the yacht.

Table of Contents

1. Housekeeping

Stewards and stewardesses work to help the yacht run ship shape. They will work to keep common areas neat and clean. Laundry might also be part of their day to day tasks.

Detailing and cleaning windows might be some of the responsibilities that they will tackle.

Other housekeeping tasks include:

• cleaning bathrooms,
• making beds,
• washing linens

They’ll need to keep all interior storage areas neat and clean, and also to be able to keep track of inventory and restock as needed.

As guest use supplies, they will make a note of this and help to replenish any necessary materials.

Stewards and stewardesses will spend time polishing, dusting, straightening up and in general keeping house.

Every day they will go in guests’ cabins and clean their space as well as their personal belongings.

They will make sure that make-up containers look brand new, and scrub all the corners down, so the room is spotless and clean

2. Waitressing

Before and after eating, stewards and stewardesses will keep things organized. They’ll assist during meals and cleanup. As well as assisting in picking out what will be eaten, they will serve food to guests and organize the area after meals.

Behind the scenes, stewards and stewardesses work with the chef to create a meal plan that the guests will enjoy.

Stewards and stewardesses will help in selecting and purchasing cigars, teas, or wine, which may require expertise.

With occasional guest dinner parties, they will also assist in planning activities and the menu.

There are five different styles of service that a steward or stewardess will need to master. The first is the English service. This is where a server will transfer food to the diner’s plate.

The other types of service that they must excel in are buffet service and silver service.

3. Entertainment

With guests, they’ll keep high energy and be professional at all times

This role involves maintaining proper etiquette. Stewards and stewardesses may assist guests in planning daily activities both on and off the yacht, including destination experiences. Music, movies, games, barbecues and other entertainment options are all part of the gig.

Some stewards or stewardesses will help in teaching yoga classes or similar projects depending on their personal skills.

A steward or stewardess may have to carry three dishes at a time upstairs.

They’ll need to be expert waitresses, and know how to set tables. This requires knowing which fork goes where and specific settings.

As well as serving and selecting wine, stewards and stewardesses will need to be experts in bartending. This is a part of the job that some will find to be fun.

Drinking is the center of many social experiences onboard the ship. The steward or stewardess will need to be competent in beer knowledge and pairings as well as wines.

They will assist in choosing wines for guests, so expertise in drinks will be a big benefit to them in their career.

4. Crew Support

From writing manuals to safety tasks, yacht stewards and stewardesses work with the crew for better teamwork.

For ships with smaller crews, stewards and stewardesses will have more hands-on duties

They will help to create an informational management system which keeps things in order. All guest documents and information are also part of their responsibilities, including safety manuals.

Stewards and stewardesses will purchase the uniforms for the crew.

They will also make sure that the crew has everything that they need. This includes toiletries, drinks, snacks, and other necessities. They’re in charge of the crew common areas and maintaining these spaces.

5. Maintaining the Yacht

As well as serving guests, stewards and stewardess work to maintain the yacht.

They will be responsible for the crystal glassware, linens, artwork, marbles, fine woodwork, and any other valuables on the ship.

Stewards and stewardesses will work with anchoring, tender driving, assist within the galley or deck operations and mooring procedures. Overall, they’re in charge of cleanliness and creating solutions with guests as well as fellow crew members.

In case of emergencies, stewards and stewardesses have the essential job to maintain security and safety.

This will vary on the size and type of yacht as well as the crew. Much of the training involved to become a steward or a stewardess involves safety courses such as Red Cross certification.

6. Budgeting

One of their responsibilities is to account for interior spending and make budgets.

They’ll need to keep track of expenditures and work with their clients to create a financial schedule that will meet their needs.

This includes a food budget and working with chefs to achieve client’s goals. They’ll also make purchases and decorations according to the budget the client gives them and will decorate according to their requests.

The steward or stewardess will need to be able to assist guests in currency exchange. In many aspects to vessel operations, they will need to be on top of it. This includes accounting and being able to reconcile the accounts. All purchases on the yacht will need to be accounted for.

They will work as the purser.

On larger ships, the purser is a position that deals with finances, such as bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll. They will also make sure that the crew’s certifications are up to date and current.

They will also make sure to take care of delivery contracts and other financial fine points.

7. Valet Tasks and Guest Service

Packing and carrying luggage is part of the job description. They will assist guests in caring for specialty garments. With special purchases, a stewardess or steward will assist in shipping and handling.

Any special requests that guests have, the steward or stewardess will work to bring it to them. They are hands-on and personal with their assistance to guests and work to build relationships as well as to help them get their needs and requests met.

Stewards and stewardesses schedule their days around their guests.

When the guests are up, so are they. Their duty is to lead every service and be the go-to person on the yacht. They will be in charge of securing transportation during excursions.

The average day can be up to 13 hours, and they are actually on call 24/7.

8. Decorating

A stewardess or steward will be responsible for creating an ambiance and overall pulled together look on the yacht. For example, they will select flowers and create table settings to make the yacht look more beautiful.

Other decorations include selecting art and linens. Stewards and stewardesses who have an eye for interior design or decoration will be a fantastic asset for the yacht.

When setting tables, a steward or stewardess should be able to fold napkins artistically, in shapes like rabbits or flowers.

They will color coordinate meals with table settings to create an amazing experience

The chief steward or stewardess is in charge of hospitality on the ship. He or she will need to anticipate the needs of the guests. They’ll need to give instructions to the stewards and stewardesses to achieve their goals.

9. Human Resources

Human resources are one area that the chief steward or stewardess will need to focus on.

The leader is only as good as the team, and they will organize the team that is on the yacht. The chief stewardess is responsible for obtaining these people.

He or she will source the staff. They will also assist in maintaining discipline on the vessel. If crew members are slacking, they will need to fix the situation. The steward or stewardess is responsible for making sure the crew treats guests professionally and with respect.

They will work with the captain with any discipline issues and act with them to make sure that things are going smoothly. The chief steward will help to encourage their stewards and stewardesses and to help energy levels stay high.

10. Self Care

Stewards and stewardesses must take special care to give superior service to their crew and guests, and also maintain their personal appearance. This includes having modest jewelry and to keep on top of hair and makeup if they choose to wear it.

This list of ten duties expected of stewards and stewardesses gives a good overview of everything that it takes to work on a yacht. Whether it’s an entry level steward or stewardess, or a chief steward or stewardess, there are many responsibilities to giving five-star service.

They will work to create a fun and exciting environment and also organize the yacht to the best of their abilities.

From the kitchen to the cabin and everything in between, the steward or stewardess helps to bring all of the details of the ship together, from sunrise to after dinner.

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Yacht Stew/Stewardess Training Courses

Essential stewardess courses to distinguish you in the competitive market.

Essential Superyacht Stew/Stewardess Qualifications:

Certain training courses are essential for you to qualify for employment onboard certain types of yacht and superyachts. Additional training, specific to the role of the steward(ess) is beneficial to those who are new to the industry, would like to refine and broaden their skill set, or to those who would like to progress in their career as a yacht steward(ess).

Below is a list of courses you should complete as essential yacht stew/stewardess training in order to meet the general employment requirements for both private and commercial superyachts.

• STCW Basic Training
• Food Safety & Hygiene Level II
• Proficiency in Security Certificate

STCW Basic Safety Training

In order for you to legally obtain a job on a  commercial  superyacht (over 24m) you have to be certified with all four basic safety training modules, which are as follows:

• Personal Survival Techniques | PST (A-VI/1-1)
• Fire Fighting Fire Prevention | FFP (A-VI/1-2)
• Elementary First Aid | EFA (A-VI/1-3)
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities | PSSR (A-VI/1-4)

STCW Basic Training courses can be booked on an individual bases or booked in combination with other essential deckhand courses. You can  find out more about STCW Basic Training , connect with an  STCW Basic Training Centre near you , or continue to other deckhand safety training courses below.

*Although this is a commercial requirement, it is generally seen as a requirement for employment onboard private vessels by yacht owners, captains, management companies or flag states. Failure to obtain STCW Basic training can severely limit employment opportunities.

Find out more information about the STCW Basic Training

Find an STCW Basic Training Course / school near me

Food Safety / Food Hygiene Level 2 Certificate:

All MLC complaint vessels require staff involved in food handling and catering activities on board to hold a recognised food safety certification. Due to the fact that there are a number of awarding bodies, accepted by different flag states, you are likely to encounter variations in this course. It is important to ensure that a) the course that you choose is MLC compliant and b) accepted by the flag state that you choose to work under. In order to meet the requirements of the majority of flag states, including the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, it is recommended to pursue an MCA approved version of the course.

We have ensured that the training providers listed for this course on My Crew Kit are approved by or accepted the MCA. You can find out more information about the course and find an in class or online version of the class on the link below:

MCA Approved Food Safety / Hygiene in Catering Level II

Proficiency in Security Awareness / Duties Certificate

(STCW A-VI/6-1) & (STCW A-VI/6-1)

In order to work on an ISPS-compliant vessel, an STCW proficiency in security certificate is required. Proficiency in Designated Security Awareness (PSA)  is the minimum requirement, whereas  Proficiency in Designated Security Duties (PDSD)  is required for crew who are designated security duties on such vessels.

Both courses can be done in class or online. *ISPS complaint yachts are commercial yachts larger than 500GT (Usually commercial yachts +50m in length)*

Find out more about the PSA & PDSD STCW Certifications and connect with a training provider, or continue reading about further deckhand training below.

Find a PDSD course 

Additional / Beneficial Yacht Stew/Steward(ess) Qualifications:

These are additional courses and certifications specific to the duties associated with a yacht steward(ess).

Introductory Superyacht Stewardess Course:

This yacht stewardess crash course will better prepare you for the industry and teach you some basic skills and principals. Usually grouped with the above essential courses and offered as a combined training package. Stewardess courses are useful for people with no transferable skills that are unfamiliar with the industry. Although these courses are helpful and should improve your chances of gaining employment, they may not necessarily be accredited or internationally recognised. Although the Syllabus is dependant on the training provider, similar topics are usually covered. These yacht steward(ess) courses are available in both online and in-class formats.

Find a Recommended Superyacht Stewardess Course Training Provider

GUEST Hospitality Steward / Stewardess Training Program:

The G.U.E.S.T Hospitality program is accredited by the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) who are recognised by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). The program provides interior yacht crew with a clearly defined training routes upon which to grow a career upon. The hospitality program, tailored towards the role of the yacht steward(ess) is comprised of three levels of assessment ( Introduction , Advanced & Management Level) as well as specialist modules for specific duties.

The Hospitality Introduction Program is appropriate for entry level crew and consists of four modules that are as follows:

• Unit 23: GUEST Introduction to Yachting & Yachting Life​
• Unit 32: GUEST Basic Housekeeping & Laundry Service
• Unit 02: GUEST Basic Food & Beverages Service
• Unit 03: GUEST Basic Wine, Bartending & Mixology

Additional training, information and topics deemed as appropriate by the training provider in question may be included with the packages and/or modules offered. Both online and in-class training options are available.

Find Out More / Connect With a Training Provider

Hospitality Specialist Training Modules are available for those who would like to refine specific skills.

• Unit 06 | Cigar Services
• Unit 10 | Floristry & Plant Maintenance
• Unit 11 | Barista & Hot Beverages
• Unit 12 | Advanced Wine Appreciation Module 1
• Unit 13 | Advanced Wine Appreciation Module 2
• Unit 14 | Advanced Bartending & Mixology Module 1
• Unit 15 | Advanced Bartending & Mixology Module 2

Power Boat Level II :

Many yachts, especially those less than 50m, may require a stew to drive a tender from time to time, it can, therefore, increase your employability on smaller vessels.

Find a Power Boat II training course

WSET Wine Training

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust provides globally recognised education and qualifications in wines, spirits and sake, for yacht crew who have service-related roles.

Find a WSET Training Centre

Transferable Skills and Training:

Previous jobs or training that you have experienced may be positive to your yachting skill set. Have you worked or training as a waitress/waiter, beautician, hairstylist, makeup artist or masseuse/masseur? Training and skills such as these will compliment your yacht stewardess training and boost your chances of finding a job on a yacht.

Find out more about transferable skills / move to step 3

Find Steward(ess) Training Near you:

Find stewardess training courses in the selected countries below. You can refine the location on the results page.

South Africa 

United Kingdom 

United States

View All Regions

Yacht Steward(ess) Training in South Africa:

Find training courses in Durban or Cape Town , South Africa or connect with a featured training provider below:

Trilogy Luxury Training

Yacht steward(ess) training in the united states:.

Find training courses in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Cape Canaveral & Orlando Florida on the links below or view all stewardess training providers in the United States.

Savvy Maritime Academy

Fort lauderdale, yacht steward(ess) training in france.

Find superyacht stewardess courses in Antibes and Cannes or view all stewardess training providers in France.

Yacht Steward(ess) Training in the United Kingdom

Find superyacht stewardess courses in Antibes and Cannes or view all stewardess training providers in The United Kingdom

Yacht Steward(ess) Training in Spain

Palma de mallorca.

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How to become Yacht Crew ?

How to become a deckhand a stewardess on superyachts, can a yachting career really be true .

Yes. The industry employs 50 000 crew worldwide. For entry level positions no education is required apart from being at least 16 years old, healthy and willing to work hard.

Is Yachtiecareers free ?

Yes, Yachtiecareers also does yacht recruitment, focusing only on junior deckhand and stewardess positions. We are the only agency in the world to offer this service for free for both crew and Superyachts.

We choose Superyachts carefully, that we know will be a good match for you starting.

How much do i need to pay ?

We can kick-start your career, giving you a basic package for only €12, this is giving you an Introduction, E-book and a 100€ award to spend on kick-starting your career, without making a big commitment. To see if it is right for you.

Are these courses for me ?

These courses has been specifically developed by experienced leaders in the Super Yacht industry for you with no prior experience.

The courses gives you the skills and full service with a personal instructor giving you all you need so that we can employ you on board.

Whether you are just starting or looking for your first job. Yachtiecareers is the best place to start.

What is required ?

The only pre-requirement is that you are minimum 16 years old.

Before starting your first job you need to complete a safety course and get a medical certificate. We guide you through the whole process.

What is the Deckhand Job ?

Deckhand is one of the entry level positions you can select. You will work closely in a professional team operating tenders, jet skis and water sports. Being in charge of washing and detailing the exterior parts of the Yacht.

What is the Stewardess job ?

Stewardess is one of the entry level positions you can select. You will work closely in a professional team in charge of the interior providing luxury service to the Owners and VIP guests.

What is my yachting salary ?

Starting salary for entry level positions start from € 2500-3500 per month. Developing your career salaries are over 10 000 euros per month. Yachts also offer very lucrative bonuses, tips and holiday packages.

How do I start working on Superyachts ?

We recommend getting a certified Instructor and Yachtie Careers training and tools to start. This is a proven way that works.

Before starting to look for work, you need the Yachtie Pro course, this will make you ready to work on board and give you the right skills and training.

Once you have this you will together with your personal instructor design your route. We recommend starting in Antibes or Palma.

Why choose YachiteCareers ?

• We are working in leadership postions on Superyachts.
• We have been in the same situation you were in starting, not having the right guidance
• We have made a package and training , making it easy,fun and a succesful adventure starting and getting a yacht job fast. 

What if it does not work ?

After recruiting for junior positions for 10 years, we have designed a step-by-step plan that works. We guarantee that if you follow this plan with your personal instructor, you will be successful.

Or we give you your money back.

Are the yacht courses quality good ?

The first edition was over 5 days of material. But we made it into 5 modules covering what really matters, and what is giving you the job. The rest you can access in our guides and be guided by our experienced crew members.

What is in the yacht training ?

We give you the tools and engaging training to start. Once completed you will be matched with a  personal instructor to make sure you follow or plan that you can ask.

We take care of everything from Visas, to CV writing to job interviews, getting a bank account and signing your first contract.

Is Yachting right for me ?

In my experience, everyone I have met, has always been able to offer something of value to us on board. If you like new exciting experiences, travel, meeting friends and grow as a person, it is the right choice for you.

What Certificates do I need to start?

The minimum certification you need to start is Basic Safety STCW, Medical Certificate and Passport. Yachtiecareers gets you all this but so much more. We give you the training to succeed.

We have a 10-step plan for this, that you will do with your Stewardess instructor. It takes work and effort, but we make it fun and an enjoyable learning experience.

We have a 10-step plan for this, that you will do with your Deck instructor. It takes work and effort, but we make it fun and an enjoyable learning experience

Yes! Please check our job board, for open positions. To maximise your chances, make sure you have our CV, references and training to start.

You will have a personal instructor, and all the right tools and guidance.

 With us failure is not a possibility.

We have included a full training and service package that you need to a good price, saving you money and time.

They will all be a part of your training and completing it. You will learn from each one.

But after the training, we match you with one that suits your location, yacht type and wishes best.

This is where we give you both trainings, but also all the international certifications you must carry on board. You will have a full training week with hotels on the beach in beautiful Croatia, Spain or France, learning , making friends and starting your career in the only and best way possible.

The best options for starting in the industry.

Most of the crew are clueless of what we require on board, and the once that get on board are not ready for the tasks ahead. Our training solves both these problems.

There are to much old fashioned agencies, irrelevant courses and hate on facebook groups giving the wrong advice, with high fees and low level of knowledge.

This is so you do not have to go through the long periods of mistakes, self doubt and struggles we had to go through starting. We guide you all the way.

STCW Yacht Deckhand Training Europe

All stcw certificates and yacht training to get a yacht job as a deckhand (split, croatia).

STCW Yacht Stewardess Training Europe

All stcw certificates and yacht training to get a yacht job as a stewardess (split, croatia).

Do you need help to become a Yacht Stewardess or a Yacht Deckhand ?

Become yacht crew by getting the right qualifications and certificates, how to start working on yachts  .

Simply select your location and position above and get full access to Yachtiecareers Training programme. This gives you all mandatory STCW Basic Safety Certification with a training week in US or Europe. 

How to Get into the Yachting Industry ?

Once you have the basic qualifications (STCW) you can register and apply through any of the reputable recruitment agencies – such as Nordic Yacht Support , Yachtiecareers or Yacrew.com. Another way is to “dock walk” looking for daywork. This involves quite literally walking the docksides where superyachts are berthed – such as Antibes, St Tropez, Palma and other Mediterranean ports, looking for daywork or temporary positions. 

How Long Will it Take to Get a Yacht Job ? 

The Superyacht industry is volatile, things can happen very quickly. You are dock walking and meet a Captain who, because a crew member has left and the yacht is sailing imminently, is looking for a dayworker/deckhand to start immediately, so be prepared to drop everything to come aboard. 

On the other hand a Captain could be looking to recruit crew looking for long term employment (referred to in the industry as “longevity”). The Captain could be looking to build a particular type of person who will be able to work with other crew members as a team. It also depends on the time of year you apply.

What are the basic Entry Qualifications to become yacht crew ?

For employment on a commercially registered superyacht, the minimum requirement for all crew is basic safety training. STCW The basic safety training is known as Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW). This safety training was developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The full course comprises four modules/certificates:

• Personal Survival Techniques 
• Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention  
• Elementary First Aid 
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibility

This is the STCW minimum qualifications to work on ships and on commercial yachts. When you book our Deckhand and Stewardess packages you also get an included STCW Basic Safety Training week in Croatia or Florida to get your full STCW certification and Basic Safety training. 

Our packages above include every STCW certificate, Yacht CV and yacht qualifications you need to become a stewardess or deckhand to work as yacht crew on board. 

Do you need help to star ? If you drop us a message and a Yachtiecareers Instructor will help you out !

We are usually very quick to respond!

Or get in touch where we usually hang out:

Next 2 bookings get 50€   free  when applying code: yachtie50

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Deck Crew Position

Full time female chef.

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200 ton captain.

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Boat Puller

Ultimate Boating Safety Guide 2024: Essential Tips & Legal Advice for Safe On The Water

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Insights from a Professional Chief / Sole Stewardess - Alyson Kehler

Dive into our exclusive interview with Alyson Kehler, a seasoned Chief/Sole Stewardess, as she shares her journey and expert insights into the luxurious world of yachting. Discover the challenges, rewards, and the vibrant lifestyle of a professional yacht stewardess.

How to Hire Yacht Crew: Your Guide to Finding the Best Team for Your Yacht

Looking to hire yacht crew? Find experienced captains, deckhands, engineers, and more with WorkOnYacht.com. Our guide provides you with simple steps to recruit the best team for your luxury vessel. Get started today and elevate your boating experience

Why Post Jobs With Us?

• Targeted Promotion: We consistently promote our platform on top resources like Google Search, Facebook, and Instagram, ensuring your job postings reach the right audience.
• Automated Job Posting: As soon as you post a job on our platform, it is automatically shared on Facebook and Twitter, ensuring immediate and wide-reaching visibility.
• Dashboard Management: Manage all your job postings easily from one place with our user-friendly dashboard.
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• Efficiency: We are straight to the point. Our platform is a real tool designed to connect employers with the right candidates efficiently and effectively.

Why Engage With Us?

• Extensive Job Opportunities: Discover a comprehensive array of positions within the marine and yachting industry, ranging from dockhands to captains, mechanics, and forklift operators.
• Visibility Through Detailed Profiles: Create a detailed profile that will be visible on our platform, allowing companies and yacht owners to find and hire you directly.
• Regular Updates: Stay informed with consistent updates, including new job postings and insightful blog articles.
• User-Friendly Interface: Navigate our platform with ease, guided by our detailed step-by-step instructions.
• Access to a Wealth of Opportunities: Gain access to a broad spectrum of job opportunities within the yachting industry.
• Stay Informed: Subscribe to our platform and receive the latest job updates directly to your inbox.
• Join a Professional Community: Become a part of our dedicated community, focused entirely on the yachting industry.

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‘Below Deck Sailing Yacht' Season 1 Almost Sank the Series

The first season of 'BDSY' traveled some rough seas.

The Big Picture

• Below Deck Sailing Yacht had casting issues and crew dynamics that led to a messy first season.
• The show learned from its mistakes and retooled for Season 2, introducing a new cast that brought magic to the series.
• Captain Glenn and his new trio have become the longest-running and best group within the Below Deck franchise.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht was the second spin-off of the flagship program that was launched on Bravo. The first season introduced viewers to the crew of Parsifall III, a motoryacht with a twist: a big, ol' sail! Led by Captain Glenn Shephard , the first season was filled with the typical yachties that have made fans love the Below Deck programs. They even welcomed a familiar face in Chef Adam Glick to the yacht. With two seasons of Below Deck Mediterranean under his belt, he was meant to help steer the ship to success. But something didn't work. Was it the awkward boatmance between Chef Adam and Chief Stew Jenna MacGillivray ? Was it the real-life couple working on deck, Padget Berry and Ciara Duggan ? Whatever it was, after Season 1, Below Deck Sailing Yacht essentially emptied the bunks of Parsifall III and Captain Glenn returned with an entirely new crew — and the rest is history. Season 1 had growing pains and needed to be retooled in order for Below Deck Sailing Yacht to truly sail off into glory.

Below Deck has been one of Bravo's biggest assets since its 2013 debut. Following the work lives of a crew on a superyacht, Below Deck showcases the highs and lows of one of the most stressful jobs on the planet. Sure, it looks all luxurious and incredible, but the drama is real. Like many Bravo hits, to capitalize on its success, Bravo green lit Below Deck spin-offs. Following Below Deck Mediterranean , Below Deck Sailing Yacht followed the same formula, but it had growing pains that almost kept it docked forever .

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

In a reality TV series, a crew aboard a luxury sailing yacht navigates the challenges of providing five-star service to affluent guests while managing personal dynamics and the unpredictable nature of the sea. Each episode reveals a blend of high-seas adventure and behind-the-scenes drama among the crew members.

'Below Deck Sailing Yacht' Botched Its Casting

Below Deck Sailing Yacht set sail in 2020 in the stunning locale of Greece. With the job tougher than ever and the stakes higher than before, the success of Parsifall III truly depended on the wind in their sails. Beause it came with a new type of vessel for viewers to see, the 180-foot luxury sailing yacht was billed as an even grander once-in-a-lifetime experience. Unlike the flagship franchise's Captain Lee Rosbach and the first spin-off's Captain Sandy Yawn , Below Deck Sailing Yacht relied on an old faithful captain who spent many years aboard the ship. While the others have gone from vessel to vessel, Captain Glenn Shephard's vast knowledge of Parsifall III allowed him to welcome the viewers into his home away from home. Captain Glenn wasn't there to be a reality star ; he was there to do his job, the job he loved to do. To supplement the reality show tropes that make these programs watchable, Below Deck Sailing Yacht had to ensure the rest of the cast was filled with personalities that would be enticing to watch.

Since Parsifall III already had members of the crew on board, the show decided to keep two members of the sailing yacht's crew, casting them as the power couple that they thought fans would fall in love with. Prior to the start of the season, Paget Berry was the yacht's First Officer, the closest position to a Bosun, while Ciara Duggan was a stewardess, working in the interior. But for some bizarre reason, likely for added drama, Captain Glenn pushed Ciara to the exterior to act as a deckhand, which meant she would be working under her boyfriend.

Fans also learned that this would mark the first time the pair ever worked directly with one another in this capacity. Has this ever worked to solidify a healthy relationship? Very rarely. With two familiar faces on Captain Glenn's staff, Below Deck Sailing Yacht brought on a Below Deck alum to help integrate the show into the Below Deck Cinematic Universe. Chef Adam Glick had a whiplash of a journey during his time on Below Deck Med . Often found bickering with Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier , undermining her authority, and going rogue with his meals like putting onions in dishes when the primary specifically put on his preference sheet that he did not want them, Chef Adam was an interesting option to be the familiar face for the franchise to start with. But hey, an angry, temperamental chef is a stereotype for Below Deck so it seemed fitting .

The Interior Team Was a Nightmare on Season 1 of 'Below Deck Sailing Yacht'

Knowing Chef Adam had a rocky relationship with the head of the interior, it was expected that whoever was in charge on Parsifal III would suffer the same fate as their counterpart in the Med. But it couldn't be further from the truth. Jenna MacGillivray was brought on as Chief Stew. She was not the warm and cuddly personality, but had a similar demeanor to the original Below Deck Chief Stew Adrienne Gang . Both women's mission was to assert their authority and had run-ins with many of their colleagues. For Jenna, there was one exception: A second romance bloomed on Parsifall III between Chef Adam and Chief Stew Jenna.

On paper, watching love blossom should warm the hearts, but this duo was toxic, and Jenna left a lot to be desired, as she rarely ever took accountability for focusing on her school-girl romance with Chef Adam over her duties as Chief Stew. The interior team is central to the story, as they spend the most time with the guests on camera. Jenna became unbearable when she fell in love , and things got messy. Her obsession with her relationship over her job almost sank the ship.

With so many questionable choices in the cast, there had to be someone on the crew that could breathe sanity into the Below Deck spin-off. Turning to the interior, Jenna's two stewardesses were Madison Stalker and Georgia Grobler . Madison very quickly became the audience's voice of reason as she saw the chaos on board. She dealt with the brunt of Jenna's frustrations and lack of interest in establishing a working relationship with her. Madison was great at her job, she just never got the praise she deserved. She became the season's punching bag; hence, the majority of her story was filled with Jenna trying to tear her down, and Chef Adam following suit because he had to side with his girl.

When it came to Georgia, the 3rd Stew was clearly unaware of relationship boundaries. It's one thing to have a crush, but when you're living and working with your crush, whose girlfriend is also sleeping feet away from you, perhaps it's best to turn things down a few notches. Georgia's crush on Paget was simply uncomfortable to watch. Her entire journey on Below Deck Sailing Yacht comprised of trying to serenade Paget with the only original song Georgia had in her songbook. What was worse? Paget fed into it — with his girlfriend present! Her flirtation was cringe, and yet it wasn't even as hard as Jenna went for Chef Adam.

'Below Deck Down Under' Is Bravo's Best Kept Secret

'below deck sailing yacht's season 2 cast turned the seri.

On deck, joining Ciara and Paget for half the season, was Parker McCown . He resigned from his position due to his well-being, as his back and forth with Paget was wearing him down. Parker was replaced by Christopher Miller , who was almost a non-existent personality for the remainder of the charter season. He was kind, he worked well, but suffered a back injury that nearly derailed his entire career. Unlike any other Below Deck series, Below Deck Sailing Yacht featured the Chief Engineer as an on-screen character. Byron Hissey was much older than the majority of the crew, so his presence wasn't as drama-filled comparatively. As a character, he was a swell guy, but he just didn't have the aspirations to make good reality television.

Every season of Below Deck features some sort of mess. Maybe it's caused by the elite vacationers or the drama within the bowels of the ship, but the mess of Below Deck Sailing Yacht 's first season was the mess of its cast. Casting is hard; these nine individuals lacked chemistry and didn't gel. There's no predicting how individuals will react — it's the core of the experiment of reality television. The stories that this cast created were ripe for drama, they just didn't play out well.

Thankfully, the show learned from its mistake and retooled the entire second season. The only returning cast member was Captain Glenn. Fans were then introduced to Chief Engineer Colin MacRae , Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher , and First Officer Gary King, and magic was instantly made! Captain Glenn and his new trio have remained with the program since Season 2, are the longest running tenured group within the Below Deck franchise, and make it one of the best in the franchise. The moral of this story is perfection takes time. You won't always catch lightning on the first try. Below Deck Sailing Yacht is proof. They ditched the navy blue polos and opted for those infamous orange ones ; that's how badly they needed to distance themselves from that first season.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht is available to stream on Peacock in the U.S.

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Work On A Yacht

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Yacht Stewardess Training to Work as Interior Crew

September 16, 2018 By Julie Perry

If you are 100 percent confident that you want a crew job in the superyacht industry, then you need to think about training. There are two essentials: Plan on taking a five-day STCW Basic Safety Training Course (which is mandatory) and then a comprehensive three- to five-day yacht steward/ess training course . Once those two weeks are up, your chances of being hired as an entry-level stew are vastly improved… as is your confidence.

I Must Confess…

Yacht stew training was mind-boggling..

When I signed up for yacht stewardess training, I was under the impression that this was simply a course on serving food and being a hostess to the guests. To my surprise, they spent an entire day teaching us nautical terms and familiarizing us with the layout of a yacht. For someone who didn’t have much recreational-boating experience outside of water skiing on lakes in northern Indiana, it was exactly what I needed. (Perhaps it’s news to you, as it was to me, that the various sides of a boat are referred to as port, starboard, aft, and forward.)

We also learned how to tie knots and handle lines because, they forewarned us (as I have you), oftentimes the stew is called out on deck to help the deckhands when the yacht is docking. I took full advantage of the opportunity to become versed in these basic and introductory yachting terms, and the effort wound up saving me from some otherwise embarrassing moments when I took my first job.

In the remaining days, they taught everything from how to serve caviar to how to iron a shirt properly. But it didn’t stop there. In fact, they spent half a day going over cleaning products and which ones to use on which surfaces.

We spent time on how to get out each kind of stain—be it on laundry or interior fabrics. We learned how to fold sheets, make beds, and polish silver. And of most benefit, we learned all about the types and methods of silver service and were even expected to perform our newly acquired skills in the practical portion of the class.

It was a week of heavy learning, but less than a week after earning my certificate, I got my first job.

I am confident that had I not completed the course, I would not have been hired for the position. If you want to know the truth, I think the chief stew on that boat (who, by the way, had not taken the course) pushed to get me hired so she could pick my brain on what I’d learned. And yes, once onboard, I often wondered how any entry-level stew could get away without having this training.

Stewardesses on M/Y “Big Aron” taking a break onboard. Photo by Suki Finnerty of YachtingToday.TV.

Think all this talk of laundry, cleaning, and guest service sounds like back-breaking work? Well, it’s certainly not easy. Being a yacht stewardess is a physically demanding job, if not also mentally challenging when you figure in having to communicate with and get along with so many different types of people in such a confined space. (And by that, I mean getting along with the guests and the crew.)

Take a look at this video, “ Happy Working Stews ,” a 1st Place winner in the Comedy genre of the 2010 Fort Yachtie Da International Film Festival , a fun yacht-crew event produced each year by Crew Unlimited and C U Yacht Charters (happening this year on November 16, 2013). This video was done by Mish Marchio, and is superb. Note: the video doesn’t begin playing until around the :22-second mark:

Makes it look kinda fun, huh? Well, it certainly can be!

So is specialized stew training mandatory? No…at least not yet. But I cannot recommend it highly enough!

The introductory interior and exterior courses, even though these are not mandatory courses, have been developed to give you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to understand what your job entails as a professional steward/ess aboard or deckhand aboard a superyacht.” —Joy Weston, owner and operator of Crew Pacific (Australia) since 2001

One of the main reasons I advocate this training is because it will help you to land a job much faster. Of course, you also have to look at it this way: You want to be as prepared as possible so that you are as comfortable as possible when you accept your first position. You wouldn’t take on a job working at a computer all day if you had no idea how to type, would you? Having specialized stew training prior to taking employment on a yacht will give you confidence that you know what you are doing, and that will be reflected in your attitude and demeanor with your fellow crew and guests.

Check the various training schools’ websites for yacht stewardess training courses (also known as interior crew training ) to see if any are offering package deals where you can sign up for both STCW Basic Safety Training and an Interior Crew Course together at a discount. Remember, you’ll make this money back in the first month of full-time employment. Consider it an investment.

Another way to get started on your way to landing a job as a luxury yacht stewardess is to read my book, “ The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess: Confessions from My Years Afloat with the Rich and Famous ” – 2nd Edition.

Not ready to buy yet? Cool. Simply download Chapter 1 for free by clicking the book cover below:

About Julie Perry

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Texas A&M Galveston to close for days after barge slams into bridge to island

A barge slammed into a bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, spilling oil into the bay, forcing a shutdown of the span and prompting the university on the other side of the bridge to close its campus through the weekend, officials said.

Texas A&M University at Galveston said Wednesday evening that the campus on Pelican Island would be closed Thursday through Sunday , citing an " extended outage of the bridge through the weekend," according to the university announcement.

Aerial images showed that a section of a rail line alongside the bridge appeared to have collapsed, with slabs of concrete piled on the barge.

No injuries were immediately reported at the Pelican Island Causeway after the incident, which unfolded shortly before 10 a.m. CT, the city of Galveston said in a statement .

Two operators were on the barge at the time of the impact, said Spencer Lewis, a spokesperson for the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management.

Lewis said that one of the operators fell into the water but was immediately rescued and that the other remained on the barge and was eventually rescued, as well. The Texas A&M marine unit rescued the operators.

The bridge, which was closed earlier Wednesday, had been reopened as of 7 p.m. CT to slow vehicular traffic, and a large line of cars was trying to exit Pelican Island, Lewis said.

The bridge is open only for outbound traffic, he said.

About 200 people were on the island at the time of the incident, and “substantially more than half” have been evacuated, Lewis said.

About 450 people — most of them students — live full time on Pelican Island. Faculty members and other workers make up the rest of the residents, he said.

Texas A&M University at Galveston is offering accommodations to students and faculty members who live on Pelican Island — which is also home to a fishing pier, a naval museum and other industries — but it also encouraged those who stay on campus to prepare to leave if necessary.

The university, which held its graduation ceremony last week, briefly lost power on campus earlier Wednesday, but it was restored quickly, the school said.

Classes scheduled for Thursday and Friday will either be canceled or held remotely, the school said in its evening update, and it encouraged employees to work at alternative locations. Dining services will remain open until 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The barge that hit the bridge was “carrying a base petroleum product,” the Coast Guard said in a statement .

The city said: “The collision has resulted in an oil spill in the bay. The U.S. Coast Guard is responding and will determine the extent of the spill, as well as initiate the containment and cleanup processes.”

The accident is the latest to plague American bridges and highways.

A container ship hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on March 6, killing six people .

The Fort Madison Toll Bridge , which turns 97 in July and connects Fort Madison, Iowa, with Niota, Illinois, over the Mississippi River, was struck by a barge Thursday .

Two weeks ago, Interstate 95 in Connecticut was closed after a tanker truck filled with gasoline burst into flames and forced the closure of the one of the Eastern Seaboard's most important thoroughfares.

In late March, a family out fishing on the Arkansas River captured video of a barge hitting a bridge near Sallisaw, Oklahoma. And in April, more than two dozen barges broke loose from moorings and floated down the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, striking the Sewickley Bridge .

Galveston fire spokesperson Marissa Barnett said barges go under the bridge multiple times a day.

She pushed back against any comparisons between the Baltimore bridge collapse and Wednesday's incident.

“People have asked if this is like the Baltimore bridge. This is not that,” she said.

CORRECTION (May 15, 2024, 9:24 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the last name of the spokesperson for the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management. He is Spencer Lewis, not Jones.

David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

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Jessica Biel admits Justin Timberlake marriage is a ‘work in progress’ after he kicks off tour

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Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel put effort into maintaining their marriage.

“It’s always a work in progress,” the actress, 42, admitted while appearing on “The View” Thursday.

“It’s constantly trying to find the balance, trying to find the time we can connect.”

Biel, who wed Timberlake in October 2012, made sure to add, “Thank goodness for Zoom and FaceTime! For traveling families — for everybody, really — but for parents who are gone a lot, that’s been really helpful.”

Timberlake — with whom Biel shares sons Silas, 9, and Phineas, 3 — kicked off his Forget Tomorrow World Tour last month. And though his wife and kids have joined him for a few shows, Biel has a busy life of her own.

In fact, the “7th Heaven” star just published “A Kids Book About Periods.”

“Female reproductive health — people’s reproductive health — has just always been interesting to me. Wellness, you know, just all of these things in this space,” she explained on the ABC talk show.

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“It just felt like an important subject to start with to demystify, destigmatize and really open the conversation and learn more and give parents and young people who are about to experience big changes in their bodies a tool and a resource.”

Though Biel only has sons, she feels it is “important” for them and “everybody to know about the changes that our family members and loved ones are experiencing, whether you’re experiencing them or not.”

“I have a period, and I want my boys to understand what I’m going through,” she went on. “And I want them to be supportive for their friends and maybe eventual partners. I just want them to be educated.”

While the “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” star and her husband seem to be in a great place despite their busy schedules, they have experienced their fair share of ups and downs — including when Timberlake was  caught holding hands  with his “Palmer” co-star Alisha Wainwright in November 2019.

Most recently, the former *NSYNC frontman, 43, has been the subject of renewed public scrutiny over his three-year relationship with Britney Spears back in the early aughts.

In her October 2023 memoir, “The Woman in Me,” the Princess of Pop, 42, revealed she  had an abortion  while dating Timberlake because he “definitely  wasn’t happy about the pregnancy ” and “didn’t want to be a father.”

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