If you have ever dreamed of working on a yacht, you’ve probably wondered just what goes into it. The best way to learn about this type of job is to talk to someone who has experience in the field. We talked to a chief stewardess who works on the AvYachts luxury fleet, Elizabeth Stone. She gave us an inside look at what it is like to work on a luxury yacht. Read on to find out the scoop!
Before Stone started her job as a chief stewardess on the luxury fleet, she worked in hotels and restaurants as a server and a bartender. To work on a yacht, applicants must take a test known as the Designated Security Duties, or STCW-95. Stone also took a class that taught the basics of working as a stewardess on a super yacht. While not required, she also took classes on wine appreciation, floristry and plant maintenance, and Silver Service.
Stone believes that real-life experience is what really prepares you for a job as a stewardess. She states that you need to be creative and innovative at times, as well as an incredible planner. Stewardesses often have to make last-minute changes to their menus if a guest decides that they want to try something that wasn’t previously on their guest preference sheet. It often takes creativity to make the necessary changes in a pinch.
Another issue stewardesses have to deal with while out on the ocean are weather changes. Since the weather can be unpredictable, it is important to make changes on the fly to keep all guests happy. Stone says that there is always a “plan B” written into their itineraries to make sure changes can be made quickly and smoothly if the situation calls for it. The company she works for is often able to make special connections at the destinations they travel to in order to provide one-of-a-kind experiences to their guests.
Stone believes that the long hours are one of the most challenging aspects of working on a yacht. The entire crew must be on call 24 hours a day. The average shift for yacht workers is 15 hours or more. It’s a challenge to work so closely together for so long, especially when you must live with your co-workers in small quarters on the ship. It’s also important to know how to multitask at all times. Many guests request meals and amenities at all hours of the day and night, and it is the responsibility of the stewardesses to ensure these needs are met with a smile.
Working on a yacht doesn’t just equal hard work. There is time to have fun and enjoy yourself when you aren’t attending to the needs of your guests. As a member of the staff, you will get to experience beautiful, exotic places that you may not have seen otherwise. Meeting new people and experiencing different cultures are two major perks of working on a luxury yacht. While the lifestyle may not be for everyone, it can be a very interesting and rewarding job for the right person.