Be a superyacht steward or stewardess
Considering working in superyacht hospitality?
Are you a young person working in the hotel/hospitality industry but looking for something more? Then you’re already well-placed to transfer your skills into the superyacht industry. With the expansion of wealth in places such as India, Russia and China, the superyacht industry is full of employment opportunities.
Job role
Those who want to spread their wings and see the world will find the lucrative world of superyacht ‘interior’ a good career move in terms of earning money, travelling, and upskilling to provide superior levels of service onboard.
Are you attracted by the thought of providing 7-star service onboard the world’s most elegant superyachts? Perhaps you are looking for a more lucrative alternative to university, or you need something fulfilling to do on a gap year? If you like the sound of the hospitality industry and want to begin your career, this could be the life for you.
What is the role of a Steward or Stewardess?
Steward or Stewardess is an entry-level position – you will be under the supervision of a Chief Stew. Your duties depend on the size of the yacht and the crew, and the workload depends on the yacht size, time of year and whether there are any guests.
What are the day to day tasks?
Day to day, your role and responsibilities will vary. Your duties will include everything from providing meals and drinks, silver service, laundry and flower arranging to taking care of guests. Fundamentally, your job will be to ensure that the interior of the yacht is pristine and that the guests are happy at all times.
Forget the idea of “work hours”… work can come at any time, day or night. Days are often long and hard, but your time off will be well worth the wait. Be open minded, flexible and ready to accept new and varied challenges each day.
Personality traits
What kind of person do I need to be?
You’ll need to be hardworking, enthusiastic, energetic and a perfectionist with a love of luxury and a desire to see the world. You will engage with the yacht owners and guests more than any other crew member so you will need to be sociable and confident.
Skills required
What skills or experience are required?
There are no specific qualifications, but a background in food and drink, hospitality and catering or customer service is an advantage.
Yacht Stewardess:
On a small yacht there may be just one Stewardess. As well as housekeeping, you could be expected to help with anchoring, mooring and deck operations. On a larger yacht there can be upwards of five Stewardesses whose job is to keep the yacht pristine at all times. Basic duties could be cleaning, bartending and close attention to housekeeping details; on larger yachts there may be a separate Head of Housekeeping.
As a Steward or Stewardess you must be prepared to work hard and be friendly and presentable at all times. Previous experience of hospitality is useful but most important is a can-do attitude and the ability to think on your feet. Your training will give you a level of expertise and attention to detail and so provide you with transferable skills; you will be well-paid and work in some of the world’s most prestigious locations. You will be able to network with a wide range of influential people which could provide opportunities you may never have dreamed of!
What other roles are there?
Other roles including Head of Housekeeping may oversee the entire interior department and reports directly to the Captain. Extra responsibilities could include arranging guest trips and obtaining currency for different locations. Skills will usually have been developed through experience as a Stewardess – you will need meticulous attention to detail, discretion and an ability to anticipate the requirements of every guest.
Benefits
How much could you earn as a Hospitality Steward/Stewardess?
For this entry level role, you will earn a great wage of on average €2,500 per month (tax free), often with generous tips on top! With clear career progression along a structured route, there’s plenty of opportunity to make this a rewarding, lifelong career.
Purser:
On small yachts the role of Purser is covered by the Chief Stewardess but on larger yachts, a Purser is often employed separately to manage finances and recruitment. Duties include bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, managing the inventory and organising supplies. The Purser also coordinates delivery contracts and manages guest transport to events and venues. On larger yachts where Chief Stewardess and Purser are separate roles, a Purser can earn between €7,000 and €8,000 per month.
| Job type | Low range | High range |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Stew | €2,500 | €7,000 |
| Experienced Stew | €2,500 | €3,000 |
| Junior Stew | €2,200 | €2,500 |
*These salary guidelines are based on the current yachting market as of January 2018. Actual salaries will always vary depending on a candidate’s specific experience, training, certification, and additional skills – as well as a particular yacht’s needs. Data provided by Camper & Nicolson International
Career prospects
What career prospects will there be for me?
Working in this elite industry will teach you skills you wouldn’t learn in an average hospitality role. You will be networking with a wide range of influential people from all walks of life, opening up opportunities you may never have dreamed of! Your training will enforce a level of expertise and attention to detail that will set you up for any career. Skills are highly transferable into many industries.
There are excellent career opportunities for well-informed, hard-working stews who are passionate about their work. As you become more experienced you could move into a Chief Steward or Stewardess role, or perhaps become a purser if you’re interested in the finances and general management of the yacht and its crew.
Why should I do my hospitality training at UKSA?
If being a Steward or Stewardess sounds perfect for you, or someone you know, tell them about UKSA. We’re a maritime training provider based right on the waterfront in Cowes and we offer a range of courses that will give you the qualifications, information and contacts you need to start work in the superyacht and wider maritime industry.
Our Superyacht Stewardess Training Course lasts just three weeks and will teach you the specific hospitality skills needed onboard a superyacht. The course is taught by industry-renowned Vanessa Hodgson who has designed the perfect training programme to send you into the superyacht industry armed with the essential tools to excel.
You will receive a range of qualifications including food safety, fire prevention and first aid, and you will receive training for the ENG1 medical certificate and STCW basic safety training – both are mandatory for crew on large yachts.
Feel supported during and after your training
We have a support service provided exclusively for UKSA career course graduates. It includes:
- an exclusive online recruitment service;
- practical help with your CV;
- the provision of your online profile for employers to view;
- access to top industry employers, industry knowledge and wide-ranging careers support;
- one-to-one professional mentoring throughout your course.
Our Industry Guidance team will support you through all aspects of your training – the team began their careers at UKSA and so have insider knowledge of the industry. We believe in offering more than just a syllabus and exam passes – we aim to put you in the best position possible at the end of your training to ensure success in your chosen career.