Become a steward/ess on a Superyacht
Working on a Superyacht as a Steward or Stewardess is becoming the career path choice for many who would prefer a job at sea to one on land.
Working on a Superyacht as a Steward/ess is becoming the career path choice for many who would prefer a job at sea to one on land.
It’s 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?
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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.
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!
