Yacht Steward(ess)

A yacht service professional who provides hospitality and assistance to guests while they are onboard a private yacht.

The Role of a Yacht Steward(ess)

A Yacht Steward(ess) is a hospitality professional who provides personal service to a yacht’s owners and guests, and also manages the interior of the vessel.

A Yacht Steward(ess) is an essential part of a yacht’s crew, as these are the team members that guests will primarily interact with throughout their journey. Primary responsibilities include preparing common areas and cabins, greeting guests and assisting with luggage and personal belongings, conducting safety briefings and demonstrations, serving food and beverages, providing entertainment and coordinating with other staff. A senior Yacht Steward(ess) is called a Chief Steward(ess) and is also responsible for managing other interior staff and for handling additional administrative and operations duties, such as communicating with guests before and after the journey, inventory management, budgeting, etc.

Experienced yacht crew will significantly elevate a principal’s travel experience by providing highly personalized service, professionalism and discretion throughout their journey.

Job Description

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

All yacht crew should have completed their secondary education, with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree contributing to higher compensation.

Experienced Yacht Stewardesses typically have 3+ years of yachting or equivalent service experience in fields such as food service/catering, hospitality or personal assistance. (A Yacht Stewardess’ duties can easily be taught on the job, so yacht specific experience is not necessarily required.)

SKILLS

Exceptional customer service skills to provide personalized and discreet service to guests while always anticipating their needs
Natural ability to balance being attentive while not impacting guests’ privacy
Top-notch food service and bartending skills, as well as an ability to prepare a variety of dishes/snacks
Knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards
Ability to communicate effectively with guests and other staff
Maintaining a neat and professional appearance at all times

CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING

All yacht crew, regardless of their position, are required to have completed:

STCW Basic Safety Training

One-week course that educates crew on personal survival, firefighting/prevention, first-aid, personal safety and security awareness
Must be renewed every 5 years

ENG1 Seafarers Medical Certificate

Issued by medical personnel in the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and certifies that yacht crew are healthy and fit enough to work in a maritime environment
Must be renewed every 2 years

Yacht crew also need a valid passport and possibly a visa if the vessel will be sailing overseas. Career-minded stewards may have vessel-specific training, additional certifications or skills in food preparation or service, bartending or customer service.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities for a Yacht Steward(ess) vary greatly depending on the size of the boat, the presence of other staff and a principal’s expectations. Common duties include:

Assisting passengers with boarding and disembarking, handling their luggage and accommodations
Interior housekeeping and care for guest cabins throughout the voyage
Laundry, ironing, and other wardrobe maintenance for guests, as well as crew (when guests are on board)
Bartending, table and other forms of guest service, including creative planning and service for themed dinners/events
Protecting, maintaining, and caring for valuable interior items and surfaces, such as artwork, silks, china, crystal, linens and woodwork
Keeping interior storage areas organized, orderly, and maintained
Monitoring physical product inventories, provisioning, writing and updating checklists and all other tasks within interior
Maintaining and displaying knowledge of yacht etiquette and protocol
Watchkeeping in accordance with the list of responsibilities in the crew mess
Exterior-crew support if needed (requiring proficiency with exterior lines and fenders)
Assuming full responsibility for certain onboard safety tasks (as assigned by the first mate) in case of an emergency
Completing paperwork and reports as required by Chief Steward(ess) or Captain

In addition to the above duties, a Chief Steward(ess) may also be responsible for:

Oversight of the yacht’s interior department (housekeeping, laundry, wardrobe, food and beverage and entertainment)
Directing, motivating, and training junior Stewards, which includes the assignment and scheduling of rotational duties and implementing HR procedures and guidelines
Implementing and/or monitoring a financial planning system for accounting/budgeting and an information management system for interior inventories and maintenance for the interior department
Provisioning to maintain inventory supplies and cover guest usage
Collaborating with the executive chef regarding meal service
Creative planning and quality service of theme dinners and occasional guest parties
Crew uniform purchasing
Writing and updating interior manuals and guest-information documents
Selecting, purchasing, and serving fine wines, specialty teas, cigars, etc.
Planning and managing destination experiences proficiently

ATTRIBUTES

Characteristics of a successful Yacht Steward(ess) include:

Customer service skills

Above all, a successful Yacht Steward(ess) will be someone who exhibits the highest level of skill in personal service. It is a Yacht Steward’s job to create a pleasant and satisfying travel experience for guests during their journey, so a Yacht Steward(ess) will be responsible for communicating effectively, listening actively, anticipating guest needs and building rapport while not impacting a guest’s privacy throughout their journey. Customer service skills can also help a Yacht Steward(ess) deal with challenging situations, such as guest/crew emergencies, mechanical issues or demanding clients.

Flexibility and adaptability

Flexibility and adaptability are an important quality for private Yacht Steward(ess) as they need to be able to react quickly to changing itineraries/destinations and requests from passengers. Yacht Stewards should be capable of working both independently and as part of a team, learning quickly and delivering high-quality service in any circumstance.

Organizational skills

Yacht Steward(ess)es are fully in control of their guests’ experience while they are onboard and need to ensure guests have what they need to enjoy the voyage. This includes planning ahead for food service, serving cocktails, snacks and meals on time, making up rooms and handling laundry and other routine tasks efficiently and boarding and de-boarding passengers in a timely manner. A Yacht Steward(ess) should excel at handling competing priorities and performing under high pressure conditions, creating a calm and enjoyable environment throughout the yacht.

COMPENSATION

Salaries for Steward(ess) and Chief Steward(ess) positions vary greatly based on the following factors:

Experience/certification requirements
Size of the yacht
Use of the yacht (private vs. charter)
Style of boat (power or sail)
Percentage of time the yacht will be occupied
Type, length or destination of itineraries
Number of crew present or under management
Other benefits being offered

Salaries typically fall within the following ranges:

Steward(ess): $3,000 – $5,000 per month
Chief Steward(ess): $6,000 – $10,000 per month

Components of a Yacht Steward’s compensation include:

Base salary

A fixed amount received for performing duties as agreed upon. A Yacht Steward’s base salary is dependent on the needs of the employer as well as the qualifications of the Steward(ess).

Tips

Tips are only customary when a private yacht is on charter, not when a principal is onboard themselves. On charter trips, guests typically tip yacht crew between 5 – 20% of the charter fee. There are situations, for example, if the guests are a guest of the principal, where tipping is not expected, or where a gift (e.g. treating the crew to a dinner) is more appropriate. Any tip given to the yacht’s crew should be handed directly to the Captain at the end of a trip, so it can be split evenly among the crew (including the Captain).

STANDARD BENEFITS

Yacht owners are responsible for living expenses for yacht crew while they are onboard, including crew accommodations, meals and frequently used toiletries. Modest yachts or those with modest staff may not need to provide a full range of benefits to staff. For experienced employers, yacht crew typically have access to the following corporate-style benefits (or receives a stipend to obtain such benefits themselves):

Medical, dental and vision

Standard health benefits help employees stay healthy, reduce absenteeism and ultimately increase productivity.

Retirement savings account

401k, thrift savings plan or simple IRA, especially with employer matched contributions, shows your employees your commitment to their future.

Paid time off

PTO allows your employees to take time off from work for various reasons, such as vacation, sickness, personal matters or holidays.

Travel/miscellaneous expenses

Expenses incurred when travelling to and from the boat, or while on work-related travel. These costs are typically covered by a crew budget/allowance and can be paid through a company credit card or reimbursed directly.

OTHER BENEFITS / "PERKS"

Additional benefits are often included to enhance the attractiveness of an employment offer, as well as encouraging long-term employment. Such benefits include:

Education

Tuition reimbursement, scholarships/savings plans for those with college-aged children

Professional development

Encouraging and covering an employee’s participation in training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or professional certifications

Health and wellness

Healthy food, beverages or snacks offered
Paid or discounted gym memberships or fitness classes
Access to wellness programs with counseling services, health screenings, substance abuse treatment, etc.
Life and disability insurance

Employee assistance

Financial counseling
Legal advice
Transportation reimbursement or allowance

Charity

Volunteer opportunities
PTO days for community service
Charitable match program

Family benefits

On-site childcare or childcare reimbursements
Parental and family medical leave

Workplace

Remote work/flexible hours
Employee recognition programs, awards or rewards

REPORT STRUCTURE

Depending on the size of a yacht, a Yacht Steward(ess) will either report to a Chief Steward(ess) or directly to the Captain. A Chief Steward(ess) always reports directly to the Captain. Chief Stewards are responsible for managing all subordinate interior staff.

Have Questions?

Luxury on the High Seas

A Yacht Steward(ess) is the epitome of hospitality, ensuring that every aspect of your experience aboard is effortless and luxurious. From managing the interior spaces to providing attentive service to guests, they guarantee a smooth and enjoyable journey. With a keen eye for detail and a dedication to excellence, a Yacht Steward(ess) enhances your time on the water.

Looking for a top-tier hospitality professional to elevate your yacht experience? Let us match you with a Yacht Steward(ess) who will bring the highest standard of service to your voyage.

“Our Yacht Stewardesses provide exceptional service and attention to detail, ensuring every aspect of your time on the water exceeds expectations.”

Adam Cook

Managing Director, Old State Staffing

Service that Enhances Every Nautical Mile

Why You Should Consider a Yacht Steward(ess)

A Yacht Steward(ess) ensures the highest standard of service for you and your guests, paying close attention to every detail, from housekeeping to guest services. Their professionalism and expertise guarantee that all your needs are met with a personal touch. A Yacht Steward(ess) can help: