A professional woman who works as a member of a private yacht’s crew is referred to as a “yacht stewardess.” Her responsibilities vary depending on the size of the yacht and the number of people on board. She is in charge of maintaining the boat’s interior as well as attending to the personal needs of its passengers. Many people consider the lifestyle of those who work on yachts to be both glamorous and physically demanding. For someone interested in becoming a yacht stewardess, there are a variety of professional training programs and guides available.
A luxury yacht, also known as a “super yacht,” differs from a commercial cruise ship in most ways. Many are privately owned and used for personal purposes, while others are part of charter companies. Depending on the size of the yacht, crews of less than ten or as many as 100 people may be required. Because the number of passengers on a luxury yacht is typically smaller than on an ocean liner, the service is also more personalized. Many of them have three to five decks and are either motor boats or sailing yachts.
The yacht stewardess has the most direct contact with the passengers of all the crew members. She attends to their specific needs, such as taking note of their food preferences and arranging recreational activities for them. The yacht stewardess also prepares and maintains the guests’ living quarters, which may include making beds, cleaning bathrooms, and performing other housekeeping duties. Laundry and ironing clothes, as well as coordinating such services with other crew members, could be additional responsibilities. She may also provide toiletries or any other items that the guests require while on board the yacht.
A yacht stewardess’ typical housekeeping duties also include tending to the rest of the yacht and ensuring that the public areas are clean and appealing. She may be the only stewardess or part of a group reporting to a chief stewardess, depending on the size of the crew. Even when the boat is not in use, the crew may remain on board to ensure that it is well-maintained and ready to welcome guests. Some yacht stewardesses have interior design backgrounds and can assist in the decoration of yachts according to the owners’ preferences. Others have public relations skills and could help advertise a yacht charter company, for example.
It is not usually necessary to have a specific academic or professional background to work as a yacht stewardess. Most applicants, however, must complete some required training before being hired to work on a yacht. Personal safety and first-aid procedures, as well as basic firefighting, are frequently covered in the training. It might also help if you have good customer service skills and are familiar with proper etiquette.