what is a yacht stewardess salary

Work On A Yacht

From the Blog Subscribe Now

Official Yacht Stewardess Job Descriptions and Salaries (Including a Salary Chart)

June 12, 2018 By Julie Perry

For some even more straight-from-the-book fun, I present to you below the official job descriptions for the various yacht steward/ess roles. These are pulled directly from The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess Chapter 3—a chapter that actually contains descriptions for each of the positions onboard, from Captain to Engineer, and from Executive Chef to Deckhand. And they are all presented with accompanying salary ranges.

The Crew of Megayacht “Allegria” (2010). Photo by Suki Finnerty of YachtingToday.TV

So if you’re interested in a yachting career in another department outside of a superyacht’s interior, consider picking up a copy of my book to learn more . (The “how to get started” information in Part II of the book really does pertain to most any entry-level position.)

Official Yacht Steward/ess Job Descriptions

Meanwhile, here are your yacht stewardess job descriptions, with a detailed salary chart found at the end of this post:

CHIEF STEWAR/DESS (Annual Salary Range: $39,000–$96,000+)

Job Function —The chief stewardess will carry out his or her duties and responsibilities under the direction and authority of the captain. As the person ultimately responsible for the interior of the vessel and for providing superior hospitality service to meet the owner’s and guests’ expectations, the chief stew will also train and manage any lower-ranking stews under his or her supervision. Excellent service, host/ess, and managerial skills are a necessity, as is having a good degree of creative flair.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the everyday smooth operation of the boat’s interior department, which means being adept in the arts of housekeeping services, laundry procedures and wardrobe management, food and beverage service and cleanup, and entertaining (while maintaining proper etiquette and a high-energy, can-do attitude at all times)
• Responsible for directing, motivating, and training the lower-ranked stews (2nd, 3rd, and so on)—if any are onboard—which includes the assignment and scheduling of rotational duties and implementing Human Resources (HR) procedures and guidelines
• Providing valet services and overall guest care. Note: In the hospitality industry, “valet” refers to any employee who performs personal services for guests (and refers to more than just parking cars, which is what we normally associate it with). With regard to yacht stews, valet services include tasks such as packing and unpacking guests’ luggage, caring for their personal items and specialty garments, and even making daily activity arrangements for them.
• Protecting, maintaining, and caring for valuable interior items and surfaces, such as artwork, silks, china, crystal, linens, fine woodwork, and marbles
• Creating, implementing, and monitoring a financial planning system that includes accounting and budgeting for interior department needs
• Creating, implementing, and maintaining an informational management system of interior inventories and maintenance procedures
• Provisioning to maintain inventory supplies and cover guest usage
• Collaborating with the executive chef regarding meal service for the guests
• Creative planning and quality service of theme dinners and occasional guest parties
• Keeping all interior storage areas organized, orderly, and maintained
• Crew uniform purchasing
• Writing and updating all interior manuals and guest-information documents
• Maintaining and displaying knowledge of international etiquette and protocol
• Watchkeeping in accordance with the list of responsibilities in the crew mess
• Exterior-crew support as needed (requiring proficiency with exterior lines and fenders)
• Selecting, purchasing, and serving fine wines, specialty teas, and cigars, which may require advanced training
• Planning and managing destination experiences proficiently
• Assuming full responsibility for certain onboard safety tasks (as assigned by the first mate) in an emergency

Qualifications —A chief stewardess should possess some type of training and experience in the areas of bartending, silver service, cigar service, and wine presentation and service. (The more extensive a stew’s wine knowledge, the better.) STCW BST certification is now mandatory for a chief-stew position, and previous yachting experience on either charter or private vessels is most always required. It is also recommended that you obtain an ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate, or its equivalent. Floral arranging and table decorating skills prove to be an advantage, while an Advanced/Medical First Aid Certificate or a higher degree of medical training is also a major bonus. In fact, many chief stews are now taking courses to become certified as a yacht’s Medical Person-in-Charge. This requires a seven-day course that will satisfy the standards set forth by the STCW Code A-VI/4, 4.4-4.6, offered at many of the marine training schools. While the new PYA Interior-Crew G.U.E.S.T certification is not mandatory (as of July 2013), it is wise to follow the courses outlined and seek out equivalent intermediate and/or advanced interior-crew training classes, if not sign up for the full PYA G.U.E.S.T course modules.

A Chief Superyacht Stewardess handles the ordering of provisions and other guest amenities for the yacht, which might include things like floral displays that the interior crew is too overwhelmed to handle on its own. While that may sound like an easy task, consider that no matter how many years a yacht stew has been doing this job, he or she will always end up in a new port (sometimes half-way around the world). First, he or she must find a reputable vendor. And not only do fresh flower arrangements need to be ordered, but they must be paid for as well. A chief stew must keep thorough accounting throughout a trip and make sure all vendors and provisioners are paid from the right accounts. Photo Credit: Suki Finnerty of YachtingToday.TV.

STEWARDESS—2nd and 3rd Stews; sometimes referred to as Senior and Junior Stews (Annual Salary Range: $30,000–$54,000+)

Job Function —A 2nd or 3rd stew will carry out his or her duties and responsibilities under the direction and authority of the chief stew and the captain. Individuals holding these positions are responsible for assisting with the maintenance of the interior of the vessel and providing superior hospitable service, in line with the owner’s and guest’s expectations. Hostess skills should be well developed to fully accommodate the owners and their guests while onboard.

• Maintaining interior housekeeping during a trip (detail cleaning) while also being held largely responsible for guest-cabin care
• Laundry, ironing, and other wardrobe maintenance tasks for guests and sometimes crew (when guests are onboard)
• Applying excellent guest service (including silver service) and expert bartending skills when called upon
• Guest care and valet services
• Assisting in the creative planning and quality service of theme dinners
• Assisting with physical product inventories, provisioning, writing and updating checklists, and all other applicable tasks within interior
• Exterior-crew support as needed

Qualifications —This is an entry-level position; while previous yachting experience is not required, it does bring added salary benefits. STCW BST certification is now mandatory for obtaining even entry-level work on a megayacht. It is also recommended that you obtain an ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate, or its equivalent. Table service, bartending, and cocktail-service experience or equivalent qualification are crucial to landing a job—training and certification recommendations for these can be found in Chapter 7 of The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess. While the new PYA Interior-Crew G.U.E.S.T certification is not mandatory (as of July 2013), it is wise to follow the courses outlined and seek out equivalent introductory interior-crew training classes, if not sign up for the full PYA G.U.E.S.T introduction modules.

Yacht Stewardesses at Work Photo Credit: Suki Finnerty of YachtingToday.TV

Dual Positions

On smaller and midsize vessels, where not as many crewmembers are needed (nor is there room for them), the core crew positions listed in the last section are often fused into what I call “dual positions.” An individual hired into such a position will assume a dual role and be expected to wear more than one “hat” during the course of a day.

Here are some examples:

• Deckhand-Stew
• 2nd Engineer-Deckhand
• Captain-Engineer
• Stew-Purser

Steward/ess Salaries

According to Dockwalk’s annual Crew Salary Survey in September 2013 , steward/esses are making a wide variety of salaries these days, and the amount of experience and training they have makes a difference. Of course, the size of the yachts will also be a factor. Compensation for chief stews runs anywhere from $3,450 to $5,650 a month on smaller yachts (80 to 140 feet) to $5,200 to $8,000 a month on yachts over 140 feet. It is very common now to see $65K and $70K salaries, or even $90K+ on the much larger vessels. Salaries for entry-level yacht stewardesses start out between $30K–$43K a year, or $2,500–$3,600 a month.

Base salaries for stewardesses, when compared with those of food and beverage servers, cabin stews, and laundry staff on cruise ships, are slightly higher. But where the potential income differences become dramatic is when you consider the tips one can earn working on luxury charter yachts, or the bonuses and perks afforded the crew on solely private yachts.

Here is a table that sums up salary ranges for the various stew roles within the interior department on a megayacht / superyacht:

Steward/ess Salary Ranges

While annual salary guidelines are given above, again, keep in mind that the ranges are wide because salaries will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the yacht, the use of the yacht (private or charter), the style of boat (power or sail), and what other benefits are available to the crew, such as insurance packages or education reimbursement. Salaries may also vary depending on the specific qualifications of a crewmember, the amount of time the owner and guests use the vessel, and what itinerary will be traveled. Furthermore (and I cannot emphasize this enough), the compensation ranges listed are base salaries and do not reflect tips, if those are applicable.

Yacht Crew Have Got 99 Problems, But Living Expenses Ain’t One of Them

The first thing people always say after I give them the above salary figures: “Gee, is that all? I thought you said it paid well?” And someone will always add, “Oh, well I can get paid that same amount to take an entry-level office job.”

But here’s the kicker: no expenses.

Most all positions on luxury yachts require you to live aboard and travel with the vessel, and therefore, your room and board are completely covered. It is customary and expected that everything you need on a daily basis is provided by the yacht owner—your meals, your uniforms, laundry detergent, linens, and on most boats, even your personal hygiene products, such as soap and toothpaste. Meanwhile, your earnings automatically go into your bank account.

What other job can you take where, at the end of the year, you have nearly your entire salary sitting in your bank account, relatively untouched? Most people in other industries are lucky if they save 1/10 of the amount they earn in a year. Why? Because they are paying rent and utilities, buying and maintaining cars, and purchasing all the clothes they wear to work each day. And let’s not forget groceries.

Ready to find out how to get started one your way to working on a yacht? All the advice you need to land that first yacht job can be found in this guide . Good luck!

Megayacht crewmembers. Photo Source: Suki Finnerty of YachtingToday.TV.

Interested in more advice on how to become a yacht stewardess and what it takes to handle the job? Download Chapter 1 of The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess 2nd Edition here .

September 11, 2013 at 6:01 pm

This is something I really would like to do !! I’m going to check into getting the training !!

[…] some even more straight-from-the-book fun, click here to check out official “job descriptions” for the various yacht stewardess roles on a …, pulled directly from The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess’ Chapter 3. Even […]

[…] as engineers. Then you work your way up to captain, mate, chief engineer, chief steward/ess; and the salaries in those higher-level positions are outstanding, and then you have the tips, […]

[…] then travel around and see the world. Our guest today is Indy native Julie Perry. She worked as a yacht stewardess…and then wrote about it with her first book. Then she wrote a second edition that just came […]

[…] watching the full season of Below Deck, and based on my own experience as a superyacht stewardess, I feel Captain Lee made decisions that a truly professional captain would make. It is also Captain […]

About Julie Perry

Our latest tweets, get our email newsletter.

• Name * First Last
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Yachts for Sale

Selling a Yacht

Tenders    &    Toys

Recent Sales

NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN

Yachts for Charter

Destinations

Experiences

Charter Management

Charter Guide

Yacht Marketing

How to Charter

Superyacht Management

Crew Structure

THE WELLESLEY

Superyacht Construction

New Yachts for Sale

Yacht Design

Yacht Shipyards

Custom Construction

Built on Trust

Heesen 55m Steel

Benetti Oasis

Yacht Shows

News & Blog

Yacht STEWARDESS Jobs

If you are looking for a career which will take you to some of the most beautiful and stunning locations in the world, then why not consider becoming a yacht steward or stewardess. An entry-level position, a yacht steward or stewardess is the excellent starting point for a fulfilling yacht career. What’s more, your salary may even be tax-free, depending on your nation of origin. A central part of the yacht’s interior crew, the primary job responsibilities includes ensuring the interior of the yacht is kept to highest of standard while offering premium guest service to the yacht owners and guests. Yacht steward and stewardess jobs are available on both privately owned yachts as well as charter yachts, which are rented out per day or week.

Yacht steward and stewardess jobs are widely seen as the entry-level route to a fulfilling career in yachting. From this role, one can work their up the ladder into more specialised management or interior positions, like head of interior, chief steward and head of service. Check out our entire yacht steward and stewardess job offering to start your new career today.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A yacht steward or stewardess daily tasks cover general housekeeping, service duties and serving. This includes doing laundry for the guests and crew, preparing and serving drinks, meal service duties, polishing tableware, interior decorations and maintaining the bar. The exact day-to-day job description of a steward or stewardess varies per yacht, type and size of the yacht, as well as the itinerary and season.

A common working schedule for yacht stewards and stewardesses when guests are not aboard is 8 am to 5 pm, with two days off per week. Hours tend to increase when guests or owners on onboard, as yachts run 24 hours a day. 

YACHT STEWARDESS SALARIES

The average salary on charter and private yachts for steward and stewardess jobs starts at €2,400 a month. More senior roles, such as chief steward and chief stewardess, can earn more than €8,000 a month. When working on charter yachts, stewards can also expect to make solid tips. Still, it is easier for junior or novice stewards to gain valuable experience working on private yachts first, as the work pace tends to be slower. 

40m charter yacht searching for a Stew

Stew for a 50m Yacht

Stew needed for a 60m Yacht

Stewardess on 34m private yacht

2nd Stewardess on 50m private yacht

Stewardess on private yacht

Stewardess on a 34m private yacht

2nd Stewardess on 42m charter yacht

Chief stewardess on 42m charter yacht, deckhand/stewardess on 35m motor yacht.

Stewardess on 35m motor yacht

Deckhand/Steward

Stew/nurse on 50m private m/y.

Steward(ess) on 55m private/charter yacht

Sole Steward(ess) on 33m Motor Yacht

2nd steward(ess) on 42m motor yacht.

52m Chief stewardess

A 52m private motor yacht is looking for a Chief stewardess

YACHTS FOR SALE

YACHTS FOR CHARTER

CHARTER MANAGEMENT

[email protected]  

+377 97 77 67 57

Privacy Policy

SEO by The Agency

Yachts for sale

Selling a yacht

Recent Sale

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest offers, news and the finest selection of superyachts.

Yacht Crew Salaries: Complete Guide to What Yacht Crew Earn

It’s no secret that the impressive yacht crew salaries attract most people into the exclusive yachting world.

Junior deckhands or stewardesses can earn starting salaries of $3000 per month. With a few years of experience and some courses to back you up, this amount moves up towards $4000-$4500 per month!

In order to compile this superyacht crew salary guideline, I have taken 10 of the top yachting platforms and used all of their data, combined with my personal experience, to reach an average salary expectation for each position.

Table of Contents

How Much do you Make Working on a Yacht?

Yacht Captain Salary

• 20m-30m: $4000-$7500
• 30m-40m: $5500-$9500
• 40m-50m: $8000-$15000
• 50m-70m: $13000-$19000
• 70m+: $16500+

Requirements of a Yacht Captain

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 years of experience as Chief Officer/Mate and more than 5 years of experience as a Captain for larger yachts
• Minimum level of Qualification: 200ton licence which allows you to drive vessels below 200tons

The Captain has the highest level of responsibility onboard the yacht and hence they earn the most out of all the yacht crew salaries.

Captains are accountable for the overall safety of the yacht, crew members and guests.

They also handle daily operations of the yacht, guests, and owner liaison. They deal with management companies, port control, budgets, human resources, and many more tasks and logistics that make the job demanding and stressful.

On top of this, Captains are required to hold high levels of certifications depending on the size of the yacht they are driving.

Yacht Captain salaries can sky rocket with higher levels of qualifications.

If you are looking to become a Yacht Captain one day I recommend looking into the courses required so you can get started with licenses and sea time. It takes time to get there, but when you do it will be worth it.

Chief Officer Yacht Salary

• 30m-40m: $4000-$6000
• 40m-50m: $4500-$7500
• 50m-70m: $5500-$9000
• 70m+: $8000+

Requirements of a Chief Officer

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 Years
• Minimum level of qualification: Officer of the Watch

The Chief Officer is second in command to the Captain and is responsible for carrying out the Captain’s standing orders.

On smaller yachts, the Chief Officer is referred to as the Mate.

The Chief Officer is responsible for carrying out the safety duties onboard and assisting in the bridge with paperwork and navigational planning.

The Chief Officer is also responsible for leading and managing their deck team, ensuring crew are following their duties as well as managing the water sports and guest activities.

The salary of a Chief Officer depends heavily on the license held.

Bosun Yacht Salary

• Years of experience needed: 2-3 years
• Minimum level of qualification: Yacht Master Offshore
• A yacht Bosun salary can vary between $4000 and $6000.

Responsibilities of a Bosun

The Bosun is essentially the Lead Deckhand onboard. A lead deckhand salary on a larger vessel will be similar to that of a bosun salary on a smaller vessel.

This is an opportunity to step up from being a deckhand and gain some experience in a leadership role. This position is in place for larger yachts so that when the Officer is busy with bridge duties, someone is in charge on deck.

Yacht Deckhand Salary

Years of experience needed: 0

• Minimum level of qualification: None needed, however Power Boat Level 2 and Yacht Master offshore will put you at a great advantage
• Entry-level yacht crew salaries start at $3000 and can go as high as $4000/$4500.

Responsibilities of a Deckhand

A Deckhand is an entry-level role on a yacht.

You need to spend a few years (or less) as a Deckhand in order to learn and gain experience so that you can step up in the ranks and obtain your licenses.

This role will be very hands-on in maintaining the exterior of the yacht. Duties will include cleaning, polishing, varnishing, sanding, caulking, and any other maintenance work required.

Chief Steward / Chief Stewardess Salary

• 30m-40m :$4500-$5500
• 40m-50m :$5000-$7000
• 50m-70m- $5500-$8000
• 70m+: $7500+

Responsibilities of a Chief Stewardess/Steward

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 years
• Minimum level of qualification: Depending on the size of the vessel you may need courses such as Food Hygiene and Safety, Silver Service, WSET, or a Purser course

The Chief Stewardess or Steward is responsible for all the interior operations of the yacht .

They are responsible for managing the interior team, and ensuring the interior of the yacht is maintained to the highest standards. Besides cleaning and laundry schedules , this also includes provisioning for crew and guests, budgeting, accounting, and training of junior crew.

Steward or Stewardess Yacht Salary

• Minimum level of qualification: Depending on the size of the vessel you may need courses such as Food Hygiene and Safety and Silver Service
• Salaries start at $3000 and go up to $6000

Responsibilities of a Steward or Stewardess

A Stewardess/Steward is an entry-level position working within the interior of the yacht.

There are rankings within the interior (2nd, 3rd, 4th Steward/Stewardesses). As you spend more time in the industry, you will be promoted to higher ranks, and with that will come a better salary and more responsibility.

This role covers a range of tasks, including but not limited to housekeeping, laundry, bartending, table scaping, floral arrangements, serving, and hosting guests.

Engineer Yacht Salary

• 20m-30m: $4000-$5000
• 30m-40m: $4500-$6500
• 40m-50m: $6000-$8000
• 50m-70m: $7500-$11000
• 70m+: $9000+

Requirements of an Engineer

• Years of experience needed: 2-4 years in an engineering role onboard as Deck/Engineer or relevant land-based experience
• Minimum level of qualification: AEC

The Engineer onboard is responsible for all mechanical functioning and maintenance of the vessel. This is a very technical role that can pay well as you gain experience and obtain your licensing.

Yacht Chef Salary

• 20m-30m: $4000 – $5000
• 40m-50m: $5500 – $75000
• 50m-70m: $6500-$9500

Requirements of a Yacht Chef

• Years of experience needed: 3-5 years depending on previous experience
• Minimum level of qualification: Food Hygiene and Safety Level 2

The Chef is responsible for feeding the crew 2 to 3 healthy and sustainable meals a day. They are of course required to prepare meals for guests when onboard to the highest of standards.

In their day-to-day tasks, they will be responsible for their own provisioning of the galley, maintaining stocks, cleanliness, and hygiene of the galley.

The salary of the Yacht Chef varies depending on qualifications and experience.

Yacht Crew Salaries for Private vs Charter Yachts

There are two types of super yachts that require crew: Private and Charter yachts. The salaries for yacht crew differ slightly between the two.

Private Yacht

A private boat is owned by a single person or family who uses the yacht for their own purposes. They don’t charter it out and you can expect to have the same guests onboard for the duration of your contract.

The benefit of these programs is that you get to know your guests well so you may find it easier to manage their wants and needs.

You may also benefit from traveling to off-the-beaten-track locations as I have!

For yacht crew working on these private boats, you will usually not receive charter tips.

Charter Yacht

A charter boat is one that gets chartered out by guests. This operates as a business and also means you will have different guests for every trip. 

If you work on a charter boat you can expect to receive charter tips at the end of each charter. These are usually 10%-20% of the charter fee!

Considering these tips can be anywhere from $2000-$5000 per week depending on the size of the yacht, charter boats offer great earning potential and can skyrocket your salary as a yachtie.

Hi, my name is Lisa, a Chief Stewardess in the yachting industry with 10 years of experience, as well as 8 years of hospitality experience prior to that. Being in the yachting industry has been a whirlwind of adventure, growth, challenges and some of the best experiences of my life, and I am excited to share my knowledge and experiences with all of you.

How to Write the Perfect Yacht CV [With Template]

A day in the life of a yacht stewardess.

Keep up to date with Smart Move

How to Become a Yacht Stewardess: Everything You Need to Know About the Job

Posted on: 11/26/2018

The annual salary for a yacht stewardess starts at  around $40,000  plus tips. While that may not seem like a lot to some, while you are living on the ship all of your expenses will be covered by the charter guest.

Being a yacht stewardess is a great way to see the world, meet incredible people, be fed every meal by a great chef, and live a more present lifestyle free of cell phones and constant connection. Away from your family and friends on the open water, you will find peace and adventure.

Read on to learn how to become a yacht stewardess and begin your dream career today. 

How to Become a Yacht Stewardess: The Education Requirements

If you want to land a job as a stewardess, you will need to take some short courses that ensure safety and good service on the yacht. 

If you are looking for an entry-level position, then you will take the most standard courses, while those looking to become a chief stewardess will have to go back to school for further certifications. 

When you are first getting started in the yachting industry, you will need to complete an  STCW certification course   at an academy like the Maritime Professional Training Academy in Fort Lauderdale.

This  course costs   around a thousand dollars and is typically completed over about a week-long time range. 

How Hard is it to Get Hired as a Stewardess?

Getting hired as a stewardess aboard a yacht is generally not considered to be difficult. Once you have your STCW certification, you will be legally qualified to take a position.

In order to get a job, you should move to a major port city. In the United States, nine times out of ten that is going to mean Fort Lauderdale. Your other option is Newport in Rhode Island. While there are other cities in the country where you may be able to find a position, these hotspots are the best place for those new to the industry to scoop up work.

Once you land in the city, you can hit the docks with your resume looking for people who need to fill positions. In this industry, when you need someone, you need them now, so be prepared to start as soon as the next day.

If you have any hospitality experience such as bartending or entertaining guests, this is helpful to list on your resume.

What Time of Year Do They Hire in Fort Lauderdale?

To get hired as a stewardess, you should head to Fort Lauderdale in between seasons. This is where you will find the most stationary yachts giving you the best chance of landing a position.

There are two primary yachting seasons - summer and winter. To get hired for the summer season, you will need to be in Fort Lauderdale between April and June. For the winter season, you should arrive between September and mid-December.

These down-times are when yachts are in port preparing for the next season and you will be able to set up interviews with many different ship captains or owners at one time. 

Those are also the months that you would have off once you become part of a crew while the yachts are repaired and maintained for the next season.

What Do I Do if I Don't Get Hired There?

When you are new to the yachting industry (the term is "green"), you may find it difficult to secure a position. When you begin asking around for advice, many experienced crew members will tell you to head to St. Martin to look for work. 

St. Martin is where many of the yachts head and make a port out of for the season. If you are there you can often find positions that crop up from other stewardesses who didn't work out or were unable to fulfill their obligation.

In order to do this, you will need to purchase a round-trip ticket in order to get through customs. You can cancel your returning flight at a later date if you find a position.

If you choose this route, be cautious when you talk to customs people at the airport. Don't tell them that you are coming to look for work. It can raise a lot of questions and prevent your entry in some cases. Just like how people coming to America aren't able to work, there are similar visa requirements for the island.

However, since you will be hired aboard an international vessel, those laws won't apply to you. But trying to explain all of that to an ornery customs agent isn't the best way to spend your first twelve hours in the city.

Consider Registering with a Crew Agency

One of the best ways to find open positions aboard yachts is by registering with a crew agency. They will be able to pair you up with openings and act as an advocate on your behalf.

Before you hit the agency, make sure you spruce up your resume. You need to sell your abilities and talents to potential captains.

These agencies typically don't require any fee from you to join, so you might as well give it a shot. The agencies are paid by the ship captains once they agree to your placement.

If you go with an agency, you will still need to attend individual interviews and secure the position in the same way you would if you found it on your own. It's just a great way to aggregate leads and provides a lot of exposure for your resume bringing you more potential opportunities.

To stay on an agencies books, you will need to check in with them weekly while you are in between gigs. This is so that they can ensure that you are still available. Once you find placement, you will be required to check out.

Make sure you follow through with doing this or you may find it difficult to work with the same agent when you are in need of work again.

Networking Tips

Once you move to town, you will need to begin by walking the docks and meeting people. Dress professionally and make friends, this is a social industry where the right recommendation can go a long way.

Be proactive and positive while you network. You need to be confident in yourself and your ability to find a job if you want anyone else to believe in you.

Useful Skills to Have

While anyone can find a home aboard a yacht with the right attitude and certifications, there are certain skills that will move you up the hiring list. 

Those that have basic cooking skills, experience babysitting, formal service training, experience working in a bar or food service, mechanical experience, carpentry skills, and diving experience will all find it much easier to find work and they can also help you command more pay.

How to Secure the Most Pay

When you are first starting out as a crew member, your salary is usually a baseline. Over time, as you gain experience, you will be able to command a higher salary. 

Other factors that impact your wage include the size of the boat, the number of responsibilities that you will have, whether the vessel is chartered or for private use, and your ability to make a commitment to being on board long term.

Jobs that offer other benefits like medical and vacation time may offer lower pay as a trade-off, so decide what is important to you before you decide what vessels to head to look for work.

A Note on Commitment

When you step aboard a yacht as a crew member for the first time, you will be very excited and eager to get started. But over time with subsequent charters, you may begin to lose your excitement, especially if your charter guests are particularly difficult or if you get into an argument with another crew member. 

While cruising around the world is a dream come true for many, you have to remember that it isn't a vacation. You will be expected to work hospitality hours, which are long and hard and often go late into the night. 

You will also have to contend with the personalities of the other crew members and try not to step on anyone's toes, both while you're staying in Fort Lauderdale   and on your ship. If you don't have an easy-going personality type, then this may not be the position for you. 

Once you take a job on a yacht, you need to make sure that you finish out your contract if you want to find employment anywhere else. Don't allow gossip,  bad etiquette  and drama to ruin your potential career.

Where to Stay While Finding a Position

Having learned how to become a yacht stewardess, you know your next step needs to be certification and moving to Fort Lauderdale to find a position.

Check out these great listings for a safe, affordable  place to stay .

Got a Question?

Complete our short form for a prompt response and world class tax advice.

Yes please contact me regarding mortgages

By selecting this, you agree to the Privacy Policy .

Sign in to your account

How much does a yacht stewardess make.

If you always dreamt of a career which allowed you to travel around the world, then you may wish to consider applying to get a job on a yacht as a stewardess

While this is an entry level position, it offers the opportunity of starting off a rewarding yacht career.

Here’s all you need to know about the various responsibilities and how much you could make.

Yacht Stewardess like to play Final Fantasy. Are you a fan of Final Fantasy? Do you enjoy gaming? If so, then marine stewardesses the same type of person. One study found that yacht stewardesses are more likely to be gamers than the general population. Whether they're role-playing or playing video games for fun, these ladies like to have some fun in their free time. Gaming is a popular pastime among women and it's no wonder that many stewardesses love it too! Many yacht stewards have a love for video games, and many of them are big fans of the Final Fantasy series. So when their employers offer to send them on a trip to Japan to play the game's latest installment in person, they jump at the chance. Especially after watching the ffxvi trailer . "It was an unforgettable experience," says one stewardess who went on the trip. "The sights and sounds of the game--the music, the graphics--it was all so amazing." Other stewards say that playing Final Fantasy is a great way to wind down after a long day on board.

Sailors on yachts like to play in online casinos because they can enjoy the games without having to leave the comfort of their own vessel. Additionally, online casinos offer a variety of games that appeal to sailors, including slots, poker, and blackjack. Many sailors find online casinos to be a convenient way to gamble while on their yacht. They can log in whenever they want and play for as long as they want without having to worry about dress codes or other restrictions that might be in place at land-based casinos. So if you're a sailor looking for a fun way to pass the time while on your yacht, why not give an Zodiac Casino Rewards a try? You just might find yourself enjoying it more than you thought you would. Sailors can access online casinos from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. This means that they can play while they are sailing around the globe. Online casinos offer a convenient way for sailors to gamble while they are at sea.

Chapters If you have always dreamed of a career that will allow you to travel the world, then you can get a job as a stewardess on a yacht, where you will have enough time to play online casinos and even visit Ireland. Although this is an entry-level position, it offers the opportunity to start a successful yachting career, with plenty of time to relax in the online casino, which is in line with the style of such work. Here's everything you need to know about the various responsibilities and how much you can earn at online casino ireland with real money as a flight attendant on a yacht .

What is a yacht stewardess, what does a yacht stewardess do, chief stewardess, 2nd & 3rd stewardess, deckhand/stewardess, cook/stewardess, yacht stewardess key responsibilities, yacht program & length, qualifications, yacht stewardess salary ranges, how to get a job as a yacht stewardess.

Se você está à procura de um modo seguro e eficaz para financiar suas contas de jogo, "CasinosNoBrasil" é a sua melhor fonte para identificar as casas de apostas que aceitam cartões de crédito . Nossa seleção é rigorosamente avaliada para garantir que só inclua operadores confiáveis que permitem o uso de cartões de crédito como forma de pagamento.

Em "CasinosNoBrasil", nossa prioridade é a sua conveniência e segurança em todas as facetas do jogo online. Por essa razão, nossas indicações de casas de apostas que aceitam cartão de crédito são não apenas seguras, mas também intuitivas, permitindo que você foque totalmente no jogo, sem preocupações com pagamentos e segurança. Além disso, recomendamos que você explore as ofertas no https://casinosnobrasil.com.br/casinos/slottica/ para uma experiência de jogo ainda mais diversificada.

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has had a significant impact on many industries, including the casino industry. One unexpected result of this technology is that yacht stewardesses are now able to earn money in the casino thanks to AI, read more here . Yacht stewardesses are responsible for ensuring that guests on yachts have an enjoyable and comfortable experience. They often work long hours and must be skilled at multitasking and problem-solving. However, thanks to AI technology, they now have a new way to earn money while on the job. AI-powered casino games are now available that allow players to participate in games without being physically present. This means that yacht stewardesses can play casino games while they are working, without disrupting their other duties. They can play games like slots, blackjack, and roulette, and potentially win big payouts.

 As a yacht stewardess you would be working as part of the yacht’s interior department.

Consequently your main responsibilities will revolve around making sure that the yacht’s interior is well maintained.

Your goal should always be to ensure that the highest standards of guest service are provided.

You may find job opportunities of yacht stewardesses on privately owned super-yachts, or on charter yachts that are often rented to important people.

The day-to-day duties of a yacht stewardess will depend greatly on the yacht’s size and type.

The season and the itinerary will also play a role.

For example, if you’re working on a very large yacht, you will be taking care of specific duties.

Whereas on a smaller yacht, you are more likely to be hands-on and involved in most of the galley or deck operations.

General housekeeping and serving duties will be the day-to-day responsibilities of a yacht stewardess.

This includes preparing cocktails and drinks, and maintaining the drinks stock at the bar, and taking care of the meal serving.

You would also need to take care of the tableware and table decorations so that they look in tip top shape.

Other duties include crew provisioning, guest and crew laundry and uniform stocks.

We will delve a bit deeper in what other responsibilities of a yacht stewardess involve further below.

Yacht Stewardess Positions

There are different positions, with the most basic being a stewardess who specifically acts as a cook or a deckhand.

Then move slightly up the ladder by being a junior stewardess, and over time a 2nd and 3rd stewardess.

Until finally reaching the top position of chief stewardess.

Inevitably the roles are similar, but the duties vary.

The chief stewardess will be carrying out duties under the direction and authority of the yacht captain .

As a chief stewardess, you will be responsible for the interior of the yacht.

You will also ensure a superior quality hospitality service is provided all along, both to the yacht owner and to any guests.

Higher responsibility also entails more managerial duties as well as paperwork.

This includes event management, scheduling, guest activity planning, liaison with the galley and financial management.

Being a good multitasker and delegator is essential for this role.

2nd and 3rd stews carry out various duties under the direction of the chief stew and the captain.

They will be responsible for the maintenance of the interior of the yacht, as well as assist in the hospitality service.

Duties include guest care and valet services, and guest-cabin care.

The 2nd and 3rd stews will also need to take care of the laundry, ironing and any other wardrobe tasks.

Exterior crew support may need to be provided.

Assistance in inventory management, including provisioning, and taking care of checklists will often be deemed necessary.

2nd and 3rd stews may also be required to assist in the planning of dinners and other activities.

While these roles are at a lower level than those of a chief stew, it is still necessary that one has the necessary qualifications as well as possess the skills that ensure the best possible accommodation of the yacht’s owners and guests.

The stewardess will need to be responsible for all basic tasks of interior maintenance of the yacht as well as guest service.

A stewardess may be working solo, or combine the role with another position, depending on the particular job description and yacht.

Junior Stewardess

A junior stewardess will often be focusing more on tasks such as meal service and bartending, cabin detailing, laundry and valet services.

This is a dual position, whereby one will act both as a deckhand and a stewardess.

This is quite normal on smaller and mid-sized vessels as there will typically be fewer crew members required.

Besides, there will be less room for them on the yacht.

Similar to the previous post, in this case one will be required to assume a dual role.

In this case the roles are those of a cook as well as a stewardess.

As mentioned earlier, the main responsibility is to ensure that the interior department is running smoothly.

There are various things involved in this, such as housekeeping services, food and beverage service, laundry, wardrobe management and entertaining.

Valet services may also be required from time-to-time.

This includes personal services to the guests, such as packing and unpacking luggage, caring for their personal items and taking care of any daily activity arrangements.

A yacht stewardess will also need to ensure that valuable items inside the yacht are well taken care of, or safeguarded.

This includes china, crystal, artworks, linens etc.

A chief stewardess will need to take care of the financial planning of the interior department, and so some accounting and budgeting knowledge is preferred.

Another role revolves around inventories, as it is important to ensure there are well maintained inventory supplies, while making sure that provisioning is taken care of accordingly.

From time to time it will be necessary to see to the selection and purchasing of certain items such as cigars, fine wines and specialty teas.

It is very important that a yacht stewardess sees to the proper organisation of storage areas in the yacht, as these will need to be well maintained and arranged.

As a yacht stewardess you will need to take care of the planning and management of destination experiences.

Besides these important day-to-day duties, you will also need to be responsible for the direction of any lower ranked stews.

As well as guiding them, you will also need to ensure that they are properly motivated and trained as necessary.

Rotational duties will need to be assigned, so human resource management and planning is another role of a chief stewardess.

Yacht Stewardess Salary Factors

The salary of a yacht stewardess depends on various factors.

The amount of experience that one has, and the training and qualifications that one possesses have an impact on salary.

Another determining factor is the size and type of yacht one works on.

Whether it’s a charter or private superyacht, or a power or sail yacht, affects the salary ranges.

For instance, a chief stewardess will typically have a salary in the range of $3,000 and $5,250 per month on a smaller yacht (between 80 and 140 feet), while one working on a larger yacht of over 140 feet could have a salary of over $7,000 a month.

As a general rule the base salary of an entry level stewardess starts at around $26,000 per year.

However it could also be around $35,000 annually, depending on the factors mentioned earlier.

Apart from the base salary, there are also various other additional benefits that could be added to the salary package.

These could include bonuses, tips, insurances, training costs and flight expenses.

Also, since as a yacht stewardess you would be living on board the yacht, there will also be the provision of meals and accommodation on board, as well as uniforms, linens and other sundries.

The yacht program refers to how the particular yacht is used by the owner.

There are yacht owners who reserve the yacht solely for their personal use, while others also decide to charter it, or lease it to others.

In the former case, the time abroad will vary depending on the occasional vacation period of the owner.

It could be a circumnavigation or only an annual departure.

Whether the yacht is a power or sail will also have an impact on the staffing requirements.

Sail yachts are generally termed as casual programs, and often there will be shared positions.

The vessel length is another determining factor.

On board a smaller vessel, the positions of the cook and deckhand for instance, will be taken care of by a steward.

On the other hand, on a superyacht there will generally be a fully staffed interior.

As with any other job, the more experience one has, the better the chances of getting a higher level position.

A junior position on a large yacht is considered to be a great first job to acquire experience.

You will be able to gather a lot of experience and direction from those who will be at a higher rank, and this will accelerate your learning curve.

Often after just a year in an entry level position, a stew may be able to reach the level of performance that is deemed necessary to move into a 2nd stew job.

Generally after around five years, and subject to professional performance, one can also manage to become a chief stew.

There are various qualifications which are considered as a must to work as a yacht stewardess.

The STCW Basic Safety Training certification has become a mandatory qualification if you work as a chief stewardess.

You will need to follow various courses in order to improve your chances of getting a job as a yacht stewardess.

There are accredited programmes which are designed to not only offer key skills and training, but also inspire and support the person who is aspiring to embark on such a career.

There is the new PYA Interior Crew G.U.E.S.T. certification which, while not being compulsory anymore, is still considered as an asset.

You may also find other equivalent introductory training classes that focus on interior crew training.

It is also recommended that you have the ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate , or an equivalent to it.

An Advanced or Medical First Aid certificate or some form of certification in medical training is highly recommended.

A yacht stewardess will also require certain specialised qualifications such as in areas of food handling, bartending, wine presentation and serving, silver service and table and flower decorating.

As noted earlier, a yacht stewardess’ salary ranges vary considerably depending on the individual’s experience and qualifications, as well as on the type and size of yacht.

A cook, deckhand and junior stewardess will generally start at a base salary of between $1,750 and $3,000 per month.

A stewardess, on the other hand, can expect to make anything in between $3,000 and $4,750 per month.

A 2nd stewardess can expect a similar salary, but with the possibility of earning even up to $5,250.

A chief stewardess can make between $6,000 and $8,000 monthly.

Higher salaries can be expected the bigger the yacht one is working on is.

The best way to try to get a job as a stewardess would be to register with a crew recruitment agency.

In this way you can increase your chances of being notified of yacht recruitment opportunities.

You can also look up yacht stewardess job opportunities online or alternatively, go dock walking.

If you are an energetic and service oriented person, who loves visiting new places, then you should seriously consider a stewardess job.

While it could prove to be quite demanding, and you will need to be on your feet for several hours, it is a very interesting and rewarding job.

The key to succeed at such a job is to be willing to give a high quality service with a smile, pay attention to details, be adaptable, as well as willing to exceed expectations.

Needless to say, good communication skills and people skills are essential.

If you have questions about a career in yachting, we would like to hear from you.

Simply get in touch with us today or let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: Any advice in this publication is not intended or written by Marine Accounts to be used by a client or entity for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party matters herein.

Also on Marine Accounts

What is STCW Basic Safety Training?

If you're considering a career in the yachting industry, gaining a STCW Basic Safety Training certificate is a must. Read our article to learn more about this course and what it entails.

Patrick Maflin

ENG 1 Medical Certificate - A Guide for Seafarers

If you're planning a career yachting, having a valid ENG 1 Medical Certificate is a must to prove you are fit and healthy to work at sea. Find out more about this health certificate and how to get one.

How Much Do Yachties Make?

Working at sea as a yactie allows you to engage in a truly unique employment position. In this article we explore what being a yachtie means and how much income you can expect to make.

How to Get Into Yachting

Working on a superyacht has numerous appealing features, with various tax advantages associated with such a career move. But how do you get into yachting? Read our comprehensive article to find out.

Before you go...

You're about to visit a page on our legacy site. We're currently in the process of updating all our tax tools and while this page is still active please return to the main Marine Accounts site after completition.

Refer a friend and receive £50!

Upon successful completion of the referral the cash will be transferred to you.

Impartial training and careers advice

Call us: +441983 280 641

+441983 280 641

• 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

How to become a yacht stewardess? The fundamentals of the job

The job of a stewardess on a yacht is growing more and more , just like the global demand for crew members. Although the stewardess position may seem the most accessible, it remains a passionate and demanding job.

Indeed, the job of stewardess on a boat is one of the most diversified and versatile in the maritime industry . In addition to the role of service and reception, a stewardess must ensure the safety of passengers on board alongside the captain/skipper; and be trained to react in case of emergency.

In this article, Capt’n Boat lists the prerequisites for the position of stewardess on a yacht, and the missions that are entrusted to her.

1. What is a stewardess on a boat?

A stewardess (or hostess) on a yacht is a person in charge of the reception and comfort of the passengers on board , whether it is a yacht, a sailboat, a cruise ship or any other type of boat.

The word comes from the Latin “hospes”, which means “host” or “guest”. Over time, the meaning of the word “hospes” has evolved to also include “person who welcomes guests”.

The term “hostess” is therefore used to refer to a person who takes care of the guests or passengers of a ship, ensuring their comfort and well-being during their stay.

The duties of the stewardess may vary depending on the type of boat and the company, and will be detailed later in the article.

2. What professional training to become a stewardess on a boat?

In order to be a stewardess, only one certificate is required: the Basic Safety Training Certificate (BST) .

Obtaining the BST consists of 4 courses:

• Individual Survival Techniques,
• Basic firefighting training,
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibility,
• Medical First Aid.

The BST is valid for 5 years. Without this training, you cannot work as a stewardess on a boat.

An ENG1 certificate is also required, delivered by a doctor approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

There is no “degree” as such to become a stewardess on a boat. However, it is recommended to have experience in customer service or in the hotel industry. For stewardess/cook, some shipowners may require a Food Hygiene and Safety Training .

Of course, the best training is experience! Improve your skills on the job, go to sea, do missions! It is with experience that you will improve!

3. Qualities and skills expected from a stewardess on a boat

As a stewardess on a boat, it is important to have the following qualities in order to best manage customer requests:

• Communication skills : Be able to communicate effectively with passengers and crew.
• Service skills : Have a helpful and friendly attitude towards passengers to respond to requests quickly and efficiently.
• Organizational skills : Be organized to plan daily tasks, including cleaning of cabins and common areas, food and beverage supplies, and work schedules.
• For stewardess/cook => Culinary skills : Be able to prepare simple and varied meals to suit guests’ tastes and dietary restrictions.
• Safety knowledge : Yacht stews must have a basic knowledge of onboard safety procedures and be able to provide instructions to passengers in case of emergency.
• Ability to work as a team : With crew members and other personnel on board.
• Patience and resilience : Stewardesses must be able to deal with challenges and difficult situations that may arise on board, while remaining calm and professional.

Proficiency in multiple foreign languages is a major asset for this type of position.

➡ On Capt’n Boat, we regularly have requests for English, Italian or Spanish speaking stewardesses for sailboat/catamaran cruises.

Sign up if you haven’t already and find stewardess assignments all over the world! 👇

Of course, there are other qualities and skills, so don’t hesitate to put them forward in your seaman CV . The more versatile and adaptable you are, the better your missions will be!

4. The missions of a yacht stew

The stewardess is an important member of the ship’s crew and her main role is to take care of the passengers . Indeed, she makes sure that she is available to answer the customers’ requests and ensure their comfort on board. This includes:

• The reception of the passengers,
• preparation of the cabins,
• serving meals and drinks,
• organizing activities for customers,
• maintaining the cleanliness of the boat,
• management of supplies and stocks,

She also ensures the safety on board, with the other members of the crew.

It is important to note that the role of stewardess can vary depending on the size and type of boat, as well as the type of clientele. In some cases, you may also be responsible for preparing meals as a stewardess/cook.

Most of these missions correspond to the job of hotel staff, but here on a floating hotel!

Furthermore, depending on the size of the boat, the stewardess may have to work with a crew. This difference will have an impact on the number of tasks and may place you as the manager of the team on board.

5. Salary of a yacht stewardess 

The average salary of a stewardess on a ship depends on many factors, such as experience, the size of the ship, the area of navigation, the type of clientele and the duration of the service at sea. In the West Indies, Spain and Greece, the remuneration of a stewardess is around 200€/day. In France, it is about 250€/day. (Indicative daily wage based on the market standards observed).

As an example, for a one week cruise from Corfu (Greece) on a Lagoon 42 catamaran, count ~ 1400 €.

For a stewardess/cook, this remuneration is higher. You are free to negotiate your salary according to your past experiences.

Working as a yacht stewardess is a rewarding work experience. Although there is no specific background required, experience in the hospitality industry can be a plus.

If you like customer relations, teamwork, and above all, have a liking for the sea: this job is for you! An affinity with the maritime world is obviously required: you will be housed on the boat, so you will certainly be subjected to the swell and potential bad weather!

Register on Capt’n Boat and find missions all over the world!

Related Posts

100% growth in 2023 for the 3rd consecutive year – Capt’n Boat makes the review

Skipper Jobs: How to find Capt’n Boat missions easily

Cruise in Sardinia With a Skipper: Antoine’s Logbook

I make up to $5,000 a month as a yacht stewardess. I landed the job right out of college and love that I get to save money while traveling the world.

• Emery Wallerich is a yacht stewardess based in South Florida.
• She started the job right out of college and fell in love with the lifestyle immediately.
• Her dream job takes care of her living expenses, which allows her to save money and invest.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Emery Wallerich, a 24-year-old yacht stewardess based in Florida, about her job. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I first heard about yacht stewardesses while I was on a trip home in Tacoma, Washington, during my last year of college. A woman who worked as a chief stewardess on a super yacht was staying in my parents' rental property, and as soon as my mom heard what her job was she said, "Do not tell my kids about this. They'll do it in a heartbeat."

My mom was right. I got the details from the woman, graduated, moved to Florida, and at the age of 22 started my career as a yacht stewardess. 

My mom was worried that I'd never visit home since I'd be living on a boat in different countries, but she made me promise I'd visit every few months and very quickly came around after one of my first employers let her visit me and come aboard the yacht.

I'm currently working for a family in a private, permanent job on a three-level, 141-foot yacht based out of South Florida, though we're currently sailing around the Caribbean. I've also had temporary jobs on other yachts that lasted between three weeks and six months. 

I'm the second stewardess on board, working with the chief stewardess and third stewardess

Along with the chef, we make up the staff taking care of the yacht's interior. I make the beds, serve meals and drinks, bring out sunscreen and towels, wipe down showers, vacuum rooms, run karaoke night — just generally make sure the family and their guests have a tidy yacht and are taken care of at all times. 

Related stories

The three "stews" take shifts and stagger days off. I cover the late shift and go to bed when the family does (maybe 1 or 2 a.m.) and get up eight hours later. I take a two-hour break after running lunch service and then help the chief stewardess run dinner service.

When I'm on, I try to be nearby and available to the family without crowding them. If they have to go looking for me to ask me for something, I'm not doing my job. 

There's also the exterior crew on board: the chief officer, the captain, the deck hand, the bosun (the deck hand's boss), and the engineer. They keep the outside of the yacht clean, bring the family to the beach or on a trip into town on a smaller boat called a tender, and bring them water toys to hang out in the water off the yacht. The staff all uses radios to communicate with each other constantly.

The pay varies on each charter, but I typically make around $4,200 to $5,000 per month, and I put about half of it into savings and investing

I'm able to save so much since my housing, food, and even toiletries are completely provided for by my job. I've already moved up in salary in my first couple of years. A chief stewardess, the highest level and most experienced of the stewardesses, can easily make $100,000 per year.

I started a TikTok account two and a half years ago to share my love of yachting with other people and it's grown to more than 337,000 followers. I do receive small payments from the TikTok Creator Fund for views on my videos, but I see the app less as an income stream and more as a way to put my degree in digital communications to good use and show that life on a yacht isn't all drama like the reality show "Below Deck" makes it seem.

While the financial side is great, my favorite part of the job is the travel

I've been to six or seven countries on yacht jobs already, and the family I currently work for is planning to go around the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Mediterranean this year. I also love meeting and working with crew members from different cultures, countries, and backgrounds — the chef on my current yacht is from Italy.

If it sounds like a dream job, it is. I'm grateful that my mom wasn't able to stop that stewardess from telling me about it back home and that it turned out to be the perfect fit for me. Next stop: the British Virgin Islands.

• Main content

How to Become a Stewardess on a Superyacht: A Guide

• April 3, 2023

Working as a stewardess on a superyacht is an exciting and rewarding career that can offer a unique lifestyle and the opportunity to travel the world. However, breaking into the industry can be challenging, and candidates must have the right skills and qualifications to succeed. 

In this guide, we will explore what it takes to become a stewardess on a superyacht.

Qualifications

To be considered for a stewardess position, candidates must have certain qualifications. A high school diploma or equivalent is required, and many employers prefer candidates with a college degree. 

Candidates should also have a valid passport, a seafarer’s medical certificate, and a basic safety training certificate.

While some employers may hire entry-level candidates, most prefer those with some experience.

Candidates with experience in hospitality, customer service, or the luxury industry are desirable. Experience working on a yacht or in the maritime industry is also beneficial.

In addition to the required qualifications, candidates must undergo training to become a stewardess on a superyacht. Training programs should cover topics such as interior yacht operations, housekeeping, laundry, and service. 

Stewardesses on superyachts must have a range of skills to succeed in their roles. Excellent communication skills are essential, as they must interact with guests and crew members from various backgrounds. 

Stewardesses must also be detail-oriented and have strong organizational skills to keep the interior of the yacht clean and tidy. Other skills required include the ability to work well under pressure, adaptability, and the ability to multitask.

Roles and Responsibilities

Stewardesses on superyachts have a range of roles and responsibilities. One of the primary responsibilities is to ensure that the interior of the yacht is clean and tidy. This includes cleaning cabins, making beds, and doing laundry. 

Stewardesses are also responsible for preparing and serving meals and drinks, including setting tables and serving food and beverages. They may also be responsible for managing inventory, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment.

Career Progression

Many stewardesses on superyachts use the role as a stepping stone to other careers in the yachting industry. 

With experience and additional training, stewardesses can progress to roles such as chief stewardess, purser, or even captain. Others may choose to move into roles in the yacht management or brokerage sectors.

Salary and Benefits

Working as a stewardess on a superyacht can be a lucrative career, with salaries ranging from $46,000 to $66,000 per annum per month. Salaries may be higher for more experienced stewardesses or those with additional qualifications. 

In addition to a salary, stewardesses on superyachts may receive benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, and the opportunity to travel the world.

Finding a Job

Finding a job as a stewardess on a superyacht can be challenging, but there are resources available to help. Many yacht crew agencies specialize in placing candidates in stewardess positions. 

These agencies can help with everything from creating a resume to finding job openings. Candidates may also find jobs through job boards or by networking with industry professionals.

Becoming a stewardess on a superyacht is an exciting and rewarding career that offers the opportunity to travel the world and work in a unique environment. While breaking into the industry can be challenging, candidates with the right qualifications, experience, and skills can succeed. By undergoing training, building experience, and networking with industry professionals, candidates can increase their chances of landing a job as a stewardess on a superyacht.

Kickstart your superyacht career with Yachtie Careers. We offer stewardess training to help you broaden your horizons in your journey as a stewardess. Subscribe to our mailing list to be the first to know about any upcoming yacht job offers.

Yacht Deckhand Premium STCW

Yacht Stewardess Premium STCW

Yacht Stewardess Full STCW

Superyacht Deckhand Full STCW

Top 10 best places to find a Yacht job in the Med 2024?

Yacht Stewardess Salary 2024

Yacht Deckhand Salary 2024

Best superyacht training in germany – yacht crew.

Top 5 Best things about working on Yachts

How it is like working on yachts for the german crew, superyacht crew training europe.

2 next bookings get 50€ free.  Use free code “yachtie50” at checkout.

2 next bookings get 50€ free. Use free code “yachtie50” at checkout

Get free yacht cv and yacht job offers