How Do You Become a Stewardess/Steward On a Yacht?
The allure of the open sea, exotic destinations, and the luxury of superyachts draw many to the profession of a yacht stewardess or steward. It’s a role that combines hospitality, meticulous attention to detail, and a love for travel into one exciting package. If you’ve ever wondered how to start your journey in this exclusive industry, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the steps to becoming a certified yacht stewardess or steward, covering essential qualifications, the reality of the job, and much more.
What Does a Yacht Stewardess Do?
Serving as an essential crew member on a high-end leisure yacht, a yacht stewardess/steward, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the onboard experience for guests. Responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks aimed at ensuring guest comfort, including but not limited to, meal preparation, serving beverages and food, upkeeping the yacht’s interior cleanliness, and fulfilling any particular guest needs. Additionally, you might be tasked with orchestrating social gatherings on the yacht and offering bespoke concierge services. The role demands exceptional customer service abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and the capacity to thrive in a dynamic, upscale setting.
What Qualifications Do You Need To Be a Stewardess/Steward On a Yacht?
The foundation of a successful career on a superyacht is built on a combination of formal qualifications and hands-on experience. At a minimum, aspiring stewards and stewardesses should obtain the following certifications:
- STCW 95+10 Basic Safety Training: A mandatory certification for anyone working at sea for any crew members working on foreign-flagged vessels, covering basic safety procedures, firefighting, and sea survival techniques.
- Food Safety and Hygiene: A Level 2 certification is often required to ensure you can safely handle and prepare food.
- Silver Service & Interior Training: Specialised training that teaches the high standards of personal service expected on luxury yachts.
- ENG1 Medical Certificate: This is mandatory for all crew members working on Superyachts to prove you are fit to work at sea.
Where Can I Complete These Qualifications?
STCW 95 – https://www.superyacht-crew-academy.com/
Food Hygiene Level 2 ( MCA approved ) – https://mycrewkit.com/listing-courses/food-hygiene-online/?_search_category=training-schools&_search_course=food-hygiene-online
Silver Service & Interior Training – https://www.superyacht-crew-academy.com/courses/professional-superyacht-interior-crew-package/
ENG1 Medical Certificate: – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mca-approved-doctors-overseas/mca-approved-doctors-overseas
For AMSA Medical: https://www.sonichealthplus.com.au/services/legislative-medicals/maritime
Is It Hard to Be a Stewardess on a Yacht?
While the job comes with the opportunity to visit breathtaking locations and work on some of the most beautiful vessels in the world, it’s not without its challenges. The role demands long hours, flexibility, and the ability to maintain high standards of service under pressure. However, for those with a passion for excellence and a love of the sea, the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
How Do You Become a Certified Yacht Stewardess?
Becoming a certified yacht stewardess or steward involves more than just obtaining the necessary qualifications. It’s about building a portfolio of skills and experiences that make you stand out. Networking within the industry and gaining experience through day work or entry-level positions on yachts can be invaluable. Additionally, many opt to complete professional yachting courses offered by specialised training academies like SCA, which are designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career.
What Is the Salary of a Yacht Stewardess?
Typically, a junior stewardess can anticipate earning between USD $3,000 and USD $3,500 monthly, with the exact figure largely influenced by the vessel’s size. This range is generally applicable to individuals new to the stewardess role or those with limited experience in the position.
As one progresses and accumulates more experience, potentially advancing to a second stew position on a larger yacht and assuming additional duties alongside the chief stewardess, the expected monthly income can rise to between USD $3,500 and USD $5,500. The salary at this intermediate level is contingent upon the yacht’s dimensions, as well as the individual’s training and certifications.
In the top-tier position of chief stewardess, where the breadth of responsibilities significantly expands to encompass the majority of the interior crew’s tasks, the salary range can span from USD $5,000 to over USD $9,000 per month. This reflects the demanding nature and extensive obligations associated with the role
Can My Land-Based Skills Be Transferred To Superyachting as a Stewardess/Steward?
Of course , there are plenty of land-based skills that will really help you stand out and potentially help you land a job sooner.These skills below are some of the common skills that can be transferred to a Superyacht role:
Hospitality & Guest Service: Experience in hospitality ensures you can provide exceptional service, making guests feel at home and attending to their needs with professionalism and care.
Event Planning: Your ability to plan and execute events means you can organise unforgettable experiences for guests, from intimate dinners to lavish parties.
Barista & Bartender: Skills in crafting beverages, from morning coffees to evening cocktails, add a touch of sophistication and personalisation to the guest experience.
Housekeeping: Meticulous housekeeping standards are essential for maintaining the pristine condition of the interior, ensuring every space is welcoming and comfortable.
Nanny: Experience in childcare allows you to offer dedicated and professional care to guests’ children, ensuring they are safe, entertained, and well-cared for.
Yoga Instructor: As a yoga instructor, you can lead sessions that enhance guests’ wellness and relaxation, contributing to their overall experience of luxury and rejuvenation.
Floristry: Your floristry skills can beautify the yacht’s spaces, creating inviting and refreshing environments through the artful arrangement of flowers.
Cooking: Culinary skills enable you to contribute to the yacht’s dining experiences, whether it’s assisting in the kitchen or preparing special meals for guests with dietary preferences.
Can Yacht Stewardess Have Tattoos?
The yachting industry is known for its strict presentation standards, and visible tattoos can sometimes be a barrier to employment. However, attitudes are evolving, and many yachts now adopt a more flexible approach, especially if tattoos can be easily covered. It’s always best to check the specific policy of the yacht or management company you’re applying to.
Each yacht has its own unique culture and policies, particularly when it comes to tattoos. While some yachts are more lenient, embracing both small and large visible tattoos, others may enforce strict policies against them. It’s important to be transparent about any visible tattoos you have. However, there’s no need to disclose tattoos that are not visible.
How To Become a Yacht Stewardess/Steward in Australia?
While the foundational training is much the same, AMSA ( Australian Maritime Safety Authority ) requires crew working on commercial vessels within Australia to have an AMSA COST STCW.This can be confusing for some as they have almost the same units of safety training as the MCA approved STCW certificates which crew generally have when they want to work overseas.
To keep things simple if you are want to work in Australia on private & foreign flagged vessels here in Australia you can use your MCA approved STCW 95 issued by the marshall islands which SCA offers, this would allow you to still work here on private & foreign-flagged vessels in Australia then giving you the option to head overseas later when you gain more expereince.
If you wish to only work in Australia on commercial vessels eg charter boats , tour boats etc… you should obtain an AMSA COST.
What Should I Do Next To Become a Yacht Stewardess/Steward?
The next step is to complete your training and decide whether you want to head overseas or remain in Australia, we advise students to gain some temp work here in Australia if they can before heading overseas as it’s always good to have valuable experience in the progressively competitive industry that is Superyachting.
How Do I Find Superyacht Job Position Listings?
The best place to look is on crew agency websites or job search platforms like Yotspot which has a large number of job listings you can look through, create a profile and update your account with your CV and all your certificates then you will be able to apply for jobs.
Below is a list of almost all the crew agencies from around the world which you can sign up with to increase your chances of landing a job. It is a lot of work creating profiles and uploading documents, however, it could increase your chances of being connected with the right job at the right time.
Are There Facebook Groups That Post Job Listings?
Yes, there are multiple facebook groups that post job listings all the time , its great to sign up with as many as you can to increase your chances of finding a job.Please note : make sure to clean up your Facebook profile before signing up to the groups as future employers may see your profile and you want to make a good first impression.
Some groups include:
Where Can I Book My Courses?
To book your Superyacht courses head to the link below , we offer an interior training package that will not only give you the mandatory safety training but the essential skills and knowledge to start your career as a superyacht stewardess/steward.
A career as a stewardess or steward on a superyacht offers an unparalleled opportunity to combine your love for the sea with a passion for hospitality and service. By obtaining the right qualifications, gaining relevant experience, and continuously striving for excellence, you can embark on a rewarding journey in this exclusive industry. Whether you’re drawn to the adventure, the challenge, or the luxury lifestyle, the world of superyachting awaits.
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