Yacht steward / stewardess job: pay and skills

Yacht steward / stewardess

Provides interior service on private and charter superyachts: housekeeping, laundry, food and drink service, and guest care. Standards are set by owners who expect luxury-hotel polish in a much smaller space, with flowers, table styling and pressed linen all part of the brief. Many UK crew start by doing their safety courses and dockwalking in Antibes or Palma at the start of the Mediterranean season.

A real shift

On charter the days are long and unpredictable, from early breakfasts to late-night drinks on deck, with guests' wishes taking priority over rotas. Between charters the interior team deep-cleans, restocks, details every surface and catches up on sleep. Living in shared crew cabins means discretion and good humour matter as much as skill.

Skills that matter

Silver service
Housekeeping to high standards
Discretion
Mixology
Adaptability

Qualifications

STCW basic safety training
ENG1 medical
Food hygiene and interior training courses

Where it leads

Yacht steward / stewardess
Chief stewardess
Purser
Yacht interior management

What we'd ask on the show

The superyacht season
Discretion and power
Tips that can outstrip salaries

Work as a yacht steward / stewardess? Come on the show