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Below Deck Med's Hannah Ferrier Reveals How Much A Chief Stew Really Makes

Contrary to popular belief, reality stars aren't always rolling in dough. Sure, you have the Kardashians of the world who have managed to make a fortune from their reality stardom, but you also have stars who make significantly less, like Jill Duggar who revealed she wasn't paid to appear on Counting On .

While we don't know for sure how much the cast of Below Deck Mediterranean makes, we do know that former cast member and chief stew Hannah Ferrier earned a pretty decent salary. The Bravo star revealed in a tweet that a chief stew makes "around €5000 per month with no expenses." Since they sleep on board the yacht, their housing and living costs are covered.

That's a little over $6,000 per month — not too shabby, especially when you remember that most, if not all, of that money can go to paying off debt or to savings.

A chief stew can make a lot of money in tips

Then, of course, there are the tips. Below Deck 's Kate Chastain told ET that yacht crews typically receive a pretty hefty tip on top of their base salary. "On a yacht of that size, [a good tip] would be $5,000 a person, for seven days of work," she said. "Five grand a crew member, usually. Our charters are a little bit shorter, just so we can make the show, [but] everything else is exactly the same. So, it's prorated. We usually get around $2,500, $2,000. Anything less than $1,000 would be depressing, which sounds crazy, doesn't it?"

One thing reality show chief stews likely don't get, though, is much money for appearing on Below Deck Med . Mark Cronin who, per his IMDb , produces several shows including Below Deck Med , revealed in a Reddit AMA that the Below Deck cast "get paid a very little bit extra for being on TV," so it's safe to assume that it's probably the same for Below Deck Med stars. He did add, though, that "some of the multi-season stars" saw a salary boost after a while.

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Clients Interior Superyacht Industry Insights

Chief Stew salary survey 2023 2 October 2023

chief stew chief stew salary chief stewardess crew salary survey superyacht salaries

In an ongoing research campaign to uncover salary and package information of superyacht Heads of Department, Quay Crew has carried out another survey among Chief Stews.

Collecting over 100 detailed responses from 40m to 100m+ yachts, the analysis contains detailed comparisons between yacht size and usage, with specific reference to rotational vs full time roles and associated pay.  

The key findings are:

• The current average salary across all yacht sizes for a Chief Stew is €7,237.
• More than two-fifths of Chief Stews are on time time-for-time rotation, with a further 13% on some form of rotation.
• Although 45% of those surveyed receive an annual pay rise, less than half of them do as part of their contract.
• Over a third do not get a pay rise or haven’t yet had one on their current yacht and are not sure if they will.
• One in five Chief Stews do not get a bonus, while a third receive a 13th-month bonus.
• Over half (54%) get annual pay rises, but only 16% are contractual, while 30% are inconsistent and unpredictable. 
• The most common pay rise amount when given is between 2.1 and 5% of their previous salary (46%).
• Time-for-time rotation often comes with a salary sacrifice, which is not aligned with current Chief Stew expectations.

Caroline Clarke-Jack, Director at Quay Crew, commented:

“The findings in this survey give an indicative overview of Chief Stew salaries and packages, and definitely reflect the roles we work on, with the exception of a few unicorns we get every now and then which is most likely due to those Chief Stews being onboard for some time.

“Overall, salaries are where would expect them to be and there’s definitely been a shift in the last year with yachts giving similar leave packages to Chief Stews as other HODs. Rotation is certainly more common now.”

Caroline continued:

“What does make for interesting reading, however, is the salary expectations of Chief Stews looking for rotation versus the reality.

“A lot of candidates we speak to for Interior HOD roles think €8,000 per month with time for time rotation is a good place to start and we always advise this is high. And the findings support this.

“In fact, this survey demonstrates that by seeking time for time rotation, you sacrifice a slightly higher salary compared to those with 3:1 / 2:1 / 4:2 rotation.

“For Chief Stews wanting to move into the rotational market, I would advise they make rotation the non-negotiable element and review everything else on a case-by-case basis. Bear in mind, if you have been with your previous owners for five years in a full-time role, you will likely have to take a pay cut in return for rotation.”

We are currently working on Captain and Chief Engineer. If you want to take part or be able to access these reports, please sign up to our new client portal here.

About the author

Caroline Clarke

Chief officer salary survey 2023, how to recruit your rotational counterpart – chief engineer.

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Official Yacht Stewardess Job Descriptions and Salaries (Including a Salary Chart)

June 12, 2018 By Julie Perry

For some even more straight-from-the-book fun, I present to you below the official job descriptions for the various yacht steward/ess roles. These are pulled directly from The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess Chapter 3—a chapter that actually contains descriptions for each of the positions onboard, from Captain to Engineer, and from Executive Chef to Deckhand. And they are all presented with accompanying salary ranges.

The Crew of Megayacht “Allegria” (2010). Photo by Suki Finnerty of YachtingToday.TV

So if you’re interested in a yachting career in another department outside of a superyacht’s interior, consider picking up a copy of my book to learn more . (The “how to get started” information in Part II of the book really does pertain to most any entry-level position.)

Official Yacht Steward/ess Job Descriptions

Meanwhile, here are your yacht stewardess job descriptions, with a detailed salary chart found at the end of this post:

CHIEF STEWAR/DESS (Annual Salary Range: $39,000–$96,000+)

Job Function —The chief stewardess will carry out his or her duties and responsibilities under the direction and authority of the captain. As the person ultimately responsible for the interior of the vessel and for providing superior hospitality service to meet the owner’s and guests’ expectations, the chief stew will also train and manage any lower-ranking stews under his or her supervision. Excellent service, host/ess, and managerial skills are a necessity, as is having a good degree of creative flair.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the everyday smooth operation of the boat’s interior department, which means being adept in the arts of housekeeping services, laundry procedures and wardrobe management, food and beverage service and cleanup, and entertaining (while maintaining proper etiquette and a high-energy, can-do attitude at all times)
• Responsible for directing, motivating, and training the lower-ranked stews (2nd, 3rd, and so on)—if any are onboard—which includes the assignment and scheduling of rotational duties and implementing Human Resources (HR) procedures and guidelines
• Providing valet services and overall guest care. Note: In the hospitality industry, “valet” refers to any employee who performs personal services for guests (and refers to more than just parking cars, which is what we normally associate it with). With regard to yacht stews, valet services include tasks such as packing and unpacking guests’ luggage, caring for their personal items and specialty garments, and even making daily activity arrangements for them.
• Protecting, maintaining, and caring for valuable interior items and surfaces, such as artwork, silks, china, crystal, linens, fine woodwork, and marbles
• Creating, implementing, and monitoring a financial planning system that includes accounting and budgeting for interior department needs
• Creating, implementing, and maintaining an informational management system of interior inventories and maintenance procedures
• Provisioning to maintain inventory supplies and cover guest usage
• Collaborating with the executive chef regarding meal service for the guests
• Creative planning and quality service of theme dinners and occasional guest parties
• Keeping all interior storage areas organized, orderly, and maintained
• Crew uniform purchasing
• Writing and updating all interior manuals and guest-information documents
• Maintaining and displaying knowledge of international etiquette and protocol
• Watchkeeping in accordance with the list of responsibilities in the crew mess
• Exterior-crew support as needed (requiring proficiency with exterior lines and fenders)
• Selecting, purchasing, and serving fine wines, specialty teas, and cigars, which may require advanced training
• Planning and managing destination experiences proficiently
• Assuming full responsibility for certain onboard safety tasks (as assigned by the first mate) in an emergency

Qualifications —A chief stewardess should possess some type of training and experience in the areas of bartending, silver service, cigar service, and wine presentation and service. (The more extensive a stew’s wine knowledge, the better.) STCW BST certification is now mandatory for a chief-stew position, and previous yachting experience on either charter or private vessels is most always required. It is also recommended that you obtain an ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate, or its equivalent. Floral arranging and table decorating skills prove to be an advantage, while an Advanced/Medical First Aid Certificate or a higher degree of medical training is also a major bonus. In fact, many chief stews are now taking courses to become certified as a yacht’s Medical Person-in-Charge. This requires a seven-day course that will satisfy the standards set forth by the STCW Code A-VI/4, 4.4-4.6, offered at many of the marine training schools. While the new PYA Interior-Crew G.U.E.S.T certification is not mandatory (as of July 2013), it is wise to follow the courses outlined and seek out equivalent intermediate and/or advanced interior-crew training classes, if not sign up for the full PYA G.U.E.S.T course modules.

A Chief Superyacht Stewardess handles the ordering of provisions and other guest amenities for the yacht, which might include things like floral displays that the interior crew is too overwhelmed to handle on its own. While that may sound like an easy task, consider that no matter how many years a yacht stew has been doing this job, he or she will always end up in a new port (sometimes half-way around the world). First, he or she must find a reputable vendor. And not only do fresh flower arrangements need to be ordered, but they must be paid for as well. A chief stew must keep thorough accounting throughout a trip and make sure all vendors and provisioners are paid from the right accounts. Photo Credit: Suki Finnerty of YachtingToday.TV.

STEWARDESS—2nd and 3rd Stews; sometimes referred to as Senior and Junior Stews (Annual Salary Range: $30,000–$54,000+)

Job Function —A 2nd or 3rd stew will carry out his or her duties and responsibilities under the direction and authority of the chief stew and the captain. Individuals holding these positions are responsible for assisting with the maintenance of the interior of the vessel and providing superior hospitable service, in line with the owner’s and guest’s expectations. Hostess skills should be well developed to fully accommodate the owners and their guests while onboard.

• Maintaining interior housekeeping during a trip (detail cleaning) while also being held largely responsible for guest-cabin care
• Laundry, ironing, and other wardrobe maintenance tasks for guests and sometimes crew (when guests are onboard)
• Applying excellent guest service (including silver service) and expert bartending skills when called upon
• Guest care and valet services
• Assisting in the creative planning and quality service of theme dinners
• Assisting with physical product inventories, provisioning, writing and updating checklists, and all other applicable tasks within interior
• Exterior-crew support as needed

Qualifications —This is an entry-level position; while previous yachting experience is not required, it does bring added salary benefits. STCW BST certification is now mandatory for obtaining even entry-level work on a megayacht. It is also recommended that you obtain an ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate, or its equivalent. Table service, bartending, and cocktail-service experience or equivalent qualification are crucial to landing a job—training and certification recommendations for these can be found in Chapter 7 of The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess. While the new PYA Interior-Crew G.U.E.S.T certification is not mandatory (as of July 2013), it is wise to follow the courses outlined and seek out equivalent introductory interior-crew training classes, if not sign up for the full PYA G.U.E.S.T introduction modules.

Yacht Stewardesses at Work Photo Credit: Suki Finnerty of YachtingToday.TV

Dual Positions

On smaller and midsize vessels, where not as many crewmembers are needed (nor is there room for them), the core crew positions listed in the last section are often fused into what I call “dual positions.” An individual hired into such a position will assume a dual role and be expected to wear more than one “hat” during the course of a day.

Here are some examples:

• Deckhand-Stew
• 2nd Engineer-Deckhand
• Captain-Engineer
• Stew-Purser

Steward/ess Salaries

According to Dockwalk’s annual Crew Salary Survey in September 2013 , steward/esses are making a wide variety of salaries these days, and the amount of experience and training they have makes a difference. Of course, the size of the yachts will also be a factor. Compensation for chief stews runs anywhere from $3,450 to $5,650 a month on smaller yachts (80 to 140 feet) to $5,200 to $8,000 a month on yachts over 140 feet. It is very common now to see $65K and $70K salaries, or even $90K+ on the much larger vessels. Salaries for entry-level yacht stewardesses start out between $30K–$43K a year, or $2,500–$3,600 a month.

Base salaries for stewardesses, when compared with those of food and beverage servers, cabin stews, and laundry staff on cruise ships, are slightly higher. But where the potential income differences become dramatic is when you consider the tips one can earn working on luxury charter yachts, or the bonuses and perks afforded the crew on solely private yachts.

Here is a table that sums up salary ranges for the various stew roles within the interior department on a megayacht / superyacht:

Steward/ess Salary Ranges

While annual salary guidelines are given above, again, keep in mind that the ranges are wide because salaries will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the yacht, the use of the yacht (private or charter), the style of boat (power or sail), and what other benefits are available to the crew, such as insurance packages or education reimbursement. Salaries may also vary depending on the specific qualifications of a crewmember, the amount of time the owner and guests use the vessel, and what itinerary will be traveled. Furthermore (and I cannot emphasize this enough), the compensation ranges listed are base salaries and do not reflect tips, if those are applicable.

Yacht Crew Have Got 99 Problems, But Living Expenses Ain’t One of Them

The first thing people always say after I give them the above salary figures: “Gee, is that all? I thought you said it paid well?” And someone will always add, “Oh, well I can get paid that same amount to take an entry-level office job.”

But here’s the kicker: no expenses.

Most all positions on luxury yachts require you to live aboard and travel with the vessel, and therefore, your room and board are completely covered. It is customary and expected that everything you need on a daily basis is provided by the yacht owner—your meals, your uniforms, laundry detergent, linens, and on most boats, even your personal hygiene products, such as soap and toothpaste. Meanwhile, your earnings automatically go into your bank account.

What other job can you take where, at the end of the year, you have nearly your entire salary sitting in your bank account, relatively untouched? Most people in other industries are lucky if they save 1/10 of the amount they earn in a year. Why? Because they are paying rent and utilities, buying and maintaining cars, and purchasing all the clothes they wear to work each day. And let’s not forget groceries.

Ready to find out how to get started one your way to working on a yacht? All the advice you need to land that first yacht job can be found in this guide . Good luck!

Megayacht crewmembers. Photo Source: Suki Finnerty of YachtingToday.TV.

Interested in more advice on how to become a yacht stewardess and what it takes to handle the job? Download Chapter 1 of The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess 2nd Edition here .

September 11, 2013 at 6:01 pm

This is something I really would like to do !! I’m going to check into getting the training !!

[…] some even more straight-from-the-book fun, click here to check out official “job descriptions” for the various yacht stewardess roles on a …, pulled directly from The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess’ Chapter 3. Even […]

[…] as engineers. Then you work your way up to captain, mate, chief engineer, chief steward/ess; and the salaries in those higher-level positions are outstanding, and then you have the tips, […]

[…] then travel around and see the world. Our guest today is Indy native Julie Perry. She worked as a yacht stewardess…and then wrote about it with her first book. Then she wrote a second edition that just came […]

[…] watching the full season of Below Deck, and based on my own experience as a superyacht stewardess, I feel Captain Lee made decisions that a truly professional captain would make. It is also Captain […]

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Chief Stew Salary Breakdown on a Super Yacht

Curious about the Chief Stew role on a superyacht? This article highlights the key responsibilities and skills essential for this vital position.

This article also explores the financial aspects, such as salary ranges and factors influencing income. Additionally, it covers the perks that come with the job, which can significantly enhance living expenses.

If you’re considering a career as a Chief Stew or a deckhand, or simply want to learn more about this fascinating role, keep reading to discover what it takes to thrive in this high-pressure environment.

Key Takeaways:

• A Chief Stew on a superyacht is responsible for overseeing the interior operations and guest services on board.
• The duties include managing the interior crew, maintaining cleanliness and service standards, and ensuring exceptional guest satisfaction.
• The average salary for a Chief Stew ranges from $60,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on yacht size, type, experience, and location.

What is a Chief Stew?

The Chief Stew, or Chief Stewardess, is a crucial position aboard a superyacht. This role is often seen as the cornerstone of the service team within the luxury yacht industry.

The Chief Stew ensures smooth operations and creates great guest experiences on board. This role involves managing the interior crew, overseeing the Chef, and guaranteeing that guests receive exceptional service that aligns with a luxurious lifestyle.

Moreover, the Chief Stew crafts unforgettable experiences for guests, making this position highly desirable for those pursuing a career in this competitive field.

What are the Responsibilities of a Chief Stew?

The responsibilities of a Chief Steward extend beyond supervision. They include essential functions related to onboard service, crew management, and maintaining the luxurious environment where guests are hosted.

What are the Duties of a Chief Stew?

The primary duties include:

• Overseeing the daily operations of the yacht’s interior.
• Ensuring that all areas are maintained to the highest standards.
• Providing exceptional service to guests.
• Managing the overall aesthetics and cleanliness.
• Meticulously setting up for meals and organizing events to create memorable experiences.
• Training crew members, including entry-level staff, to maintain service excellence.
• Effectively managing inventory to ensure all supplies are readily available and well-organized.

The Chief Steward balances a hands-on approach with strong leadership skills, fostering a cohesive team environment. This collaboration ensures that all members, including the Chef and deckhand, are committed to achieving the highest levels of guest satisfaction.

Ready to set sail on your adventure as a Chief Stew? Discover how to start your journey today!

What Skills are Required for a Chief Stew?

To excel as a Chief Stew, one must possess a diverse skill set, including:

• Great people skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Experience in hospitality
• Leadership abilities
• Effective communication
• Problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail

These skills are critical for effectively managing a crew and ensuring that guests enjoy a seamless experience aboard, especially in the high-pressure context of yacht charters. Leadership is key, as it involves guiding team members while fostering a positive work environment. Strong communication skills are essential for conveying guest preferences and swiftly addressing issues, enhancing overall service.

Problem-solving capabilities are vital for quick and effective responses to unexpected challenges, maintaining smooth operations. Attention to detail is also crucial, as even minor nuances can greatly impact guest satisfaction. Training and hands-on experience in roles like stewardess are important for succeeding in such dynamic settings.

How Much Does a Chief Stew Make?

The income of a Chief Stew can vary considerably based on several factors, including:

• Size of the yacht
• Demands of the charter

As a result, there is a wide range of average salary expectations within this profession, often influenced by the yacht’s specifications and work location.

What Factors Affect a Chief Stew’s Salary?

Several factors can influence a Chief Stew’s salary:

• Complexity of the services provided
• Individual’s level of experience
• Specific country or region of employment

Larger vessels typically offer higher salaries due to the increased responsibilities associated with managing a larger crew while ensuring exceptional guest experiences. Working in high-demand areas, such as the Mediterranean or Caribbean, can significantly enhance remuneration due to the competitive nature of the luxury yacht sector.

The demand for skilled professionals in the industry is also an important consideration; a surge in charter requests during peak seasons may lead to salary increases or bonuses, reflecting the challenges and opportunities faced by seasoned personnel.

What is the Average Salary for a Chief Stew?

The average salary for a Chief Stew typically ranges from:

• Average salary: $3,500 to $7,000 per month
• Tips may add an extra 10% to 20% of the charter fee
• Example: A $100,000 charter fee can lead to an additional $10,000 to $20,000 in tips

Tips can be a game changer, significantly boosting overall earnings. Various yacht sizes and luxury levels can result in discrepancies in salary brackets, affecting both base pay and potential for greater contributions from guests. Understanding these dynamics is essential for anyone contemplating a career within the charter industry.

Thinking about a career as a Chief Stew? Dive in and explore the exciting world of luxury yachts!

Do Chief Stews Receive Tips?

Chief Stews typically receive tips from guests, which may significantly enhance their income and serve as an indicator of the level of service provided during the charter. This reinforces the importance of delivering high-end service.

Moreover, their direct interactions with guests mean that the tips earned may also be shared among the entire crew. This fosters teamwork and camaraderie aboard the vessel.

Generally, tipping etiquette within the yacht industry suggests that guests consider the quality of service when determining their gratuity, which typically ranges from 10% to 20% of the charter cost.

This financial acknowledgment serves to motivate the staff to uphold excellent service . It also has a considerable impact on the overall earnings of individual crew members, whose base salaries may be relatively modest. Consequently, the magnitude of these tips can create a significant difference in their annual income, underscoring the importance of excellent service in enhancing both guest satisfaction and the financial well-being of the crew.

What are the Benefits of Being a Chief Stew?

Serving as a Chief Stewardess offers numerous advantages, including:

• Opportunity to travel to prestigious destinations
• Unique experiences in high-end service roles
• Free meals and accommodation

These benefits significantly enhance the overall attractiveness of the position, making it ideal for those seeking a career in the yacht industry.

Do Chief Stews Receive Free Accommodation and Meals?

Chief Stews typically receive complimentary accommodation and meals while onboard . This significantly lowers living expenses and allows them to allocate a greater portion of their earnings towards personal investments or leisure activities .

Many roles in this industry offer competitive salaries that align with the level of expertise and responsibility required.

Enhanced benefits, such as health insurance , retirement plans , and performance bonuses , further augment the financial package. This ensures that the Chief Stew benefits from not only a substantial salary but also a safety net that promotes long-term financial stability in their career.

These factors collectively create an exciting and rewarding career path, appealing to individuals looking to thrive in the yacht industry.

What Other Perks Come with the Job?

In addition to complimentary accommodation and meals , Chief Stews benefit from a variety of perks that enhance their professional lifestyles. These include:

• Opportunities to travel to exotic locations
• Participation in exclusive events within the yachting industry

These experiences allow them to immerse themselves in diverse cultures and provide invaluable networking opportunities with high-profile guests and industry leaders.

By attending yacht shows and luxury events , they can establish connections that may lead to future employment or collaborations, thereby advancing their professional development.

Working on a luxury yacht offers insight into the inner workings of the industry , enhancing their skills and bringing them closer to the latest trends and innovations in yacht design and hospitality . This prepares them for growth and advancement opportunities.

What is the Career Progression for a Chief Stew?

The career progression for a Chief Stewardess can lead to various advanced positions within the yachting industry. This presents numerous opportunities for professional growth and development .

Consider exploring a rewarding career in the yachting industry!

What Other Roles Can a Chief Steward Move Into?

A Chief Steward can advance into various roles within the yachting industry, such as yacht manager or director of hospitality . They can utilize their skills and experience to further their careers.

Chief Stewards have valuable experience in crew management and guest services . This background prepares them to handle the challenges of advanced roles. For example, transitioning into a yacht manager position requires exceptional organizational skills , proficiency in financial management , and operational oversight .

In the role of director of hospitality, outstanding interpersonal skills are essential to enhance guest experiences and ensure impeccable service delivery. The ability to foster relationships with both clients and crew , along with a strong problem-solving aptitude , developed through years of leadership, makes the transition from Chief Steward to these senior positions achievable and advantageous.

Are There Opportunities for Advancement?

There are numerous opportunities for advancement within the yachting industry for Chief Stewards , especially for those who pursue further training and certification.

Exploring specialized certifications can truly boost your skills and marketability! Consider the following:

• STCW Basic Safety Training (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping)
• Interior Management Diploma
• Wine Knowledge
• Culinary Expertise

Engaging in targeted training programs that focus on areas such as service excellence can distinguish individuals in a competitive job market.

Plus formal education, cultivating a strong network within the industry is invaluable. Establishing relationships with fellow professionals, attending yachting events, and joining industry organizations can provide essential connections and insights, ultimately leading to potential job opportunities and mentorship for career advancement.

How Can Someone Become a Chief Steward?

Becoming a Chief Steward requires a combination of training , qualifications , and relevant experience in hospitality roles. Aspiring candidates must comprehend the steps required to attain this esteemed position.

What Education and Training are Required?

To become a Chief Stewardess, individuals generally require formal education and training in hospitality , along with specific certifications that demonstrate proficiency in high-pressure service environments .

The educational journey typically begins with a dedicated hospitality degree, imparting foundational skills in customer service , event management , and team leadership . Aspiring Chief Stewards should also consider specialized training programs, such as the STCW .

Hands-on experience in various culinary settings , accommodation services , or luxury yacht environments can significantly enhance one’s qualifications. This experience establishes a strong foundation for effectively managing a cabin crew and fostering positive guest relations aboard a yacht.

What Experience is Needed to Become a Chief Steward?

Gaining relevant experience in entry-level positions, such as a stewardess or deckhand , is essential for aspiring Chief Stewards. This establishes the foundational skills required for this demanding role.

The daily responsibilities associated with these positions, including managing guest requests and upholding high standards of cleanliness and organization , provide a critical foundation for future success. Each interaction with guests and crew members enhances vital communication and teamwork abilities , crucial for supervising staff and ensuring a seamless service experience.

As individuals advance through various roles, including service or housekeeping positions , they develop a diverse skill set that prepares them to tackle the multifaceted challenges faced by Chief Stewards. This hands-on experience enhances confidence and deepens their understanding of hospitality operations , establishing a strong basis for leadership excellence .

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A Chief Stew is the Head of the Interior department and a whose role is to lead the delivery of top-tier hospitality on board a yacht.

A Chief Steward or Stewardess is the Head of the Interior Department onboard a yacht. Reporting directly to the Captain, the Chief Stew is responsible for the interior management of the vessel and for providing superior hospitality service to owners and guests onboard, which often requires anticipating their needs and desires. To achieve this, a Chief Stew manages a team of yacht Stews .

What does a Chief Stew do? | Chief Stew Job Description

As the Head of the interior, a Chief Stew is not only responsible for the maintenance of the interior and the whole team that comes with it, but they are also the first point of contact for the guests onboard. Subsequently, a Chief Stew is responsible for making their luxury yachting experience unforgettable.

The responsibilities of a Chief Stew include:

Ensuring the everyday smooth operation of the boat’s interior department

Management of a team of yacht Stews

Interior crew hiring, training and management

Interior department budget management and accounting

Provisioning and inventory management

Crew uniform purchasing

Ensuring guest satisfaction by providing constant impeccable service

Organising guest activities and parties

Executing flawless meal service for the guests

Flower and table decorations

Collaborating with the Head Chef regarding meal service for the guests

Maintaining, and caring for valuable interior items and surfaces, such as artwork, silks, china, crystal, linens, fine woodwork, and marble

Creating, implementing, and maintaining standard practice procedure manuals

Collaboration with shipyard contractors

Soft and hard skills required to be a Chief Stew

The Chief Stew onboard a yacht is extremely skilled in five-star hospitality, various service styles and interior maintenance, in addition to possessing extensive wine knowledge. They are responsible for guest satisfaction onboard and must have the ability to anticipate yacht owners’ and guests’ needs and exceed their expectations. 

Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential to success in this position, as well as team management and fiscal administration. This role typically requires at least three years of experience in the superyacht industry.

The skills of a successful yacht Chief Stew include:

Superb organisational skills

Strong leadership and management skills

Ability to assign duties and delegate crew on projects

Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills

Ability to assume a confident yet discreet manner with guests

Excellent knowledge of all types of service and housekeeping including laundry

Wine, cigar, barista and cocktail-making knowledge

Plant care skills

Extensive etiquette knowledge

Table decorating skills

Flower arrangement skills 

Excellent knowledge of products used to maintain the interior

Knowledge of activities and restaurants in popular yachting areas

Passion for creating unforgettable experiences for the guests

Attention to detail

Problem-solving skills

Budget management skills

Ability to stay calm under pressure

Mandatory certificates needed to work on board a yacht 

All crew members regardless of position and seniority need to have a valid STCW Basic Safety Training certificate, along with a recognised Seafarers medical certificate, the most popular being the ENG1 which is issued by an MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) professional medic. 

Without these two certificates, it is not possible for crew to work on board a yacht and a Recruiter will not be able to assist you in finding work onboard a yacht. For more information about mandatory certificates please visit our Mandatory Certificates Guide .

Are you ready to secure a Chief Stew position onboard a yacht?

Become a member of YPI CREW and connect with our recruiters so they can guide you through your job search. 

Each of our recruiters is specialised in crew placement for a particular department and they will do their best to get you an interview on board a yacht. They will also advise you on how to best present your experience and skills and prepare for a yacht job interview.

YPI CREW TEAM

Ypi crew recruiters in charge of chief stew recruitment.

Louise Overend

Interior Recruitment Team Leader

Annabelle Huvelin

Interior Recruitment Specialist

Let’s get started. Call us on +33 (0)4 92 90 46 10 or email us.

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How much does a yacht stewardess make.

If you always dreamt of a career which allowed you to travel around the world, then you may wish to consider applying to get a job on a yacht as a stewardess

While this is an entry level position, it offers the opportunity of starting off a rewarding yacht career.

Here’s all you need to know about the various responsibilities and how much you could make.

Yacht Stewardess like to play Final Fantasy. Are you a fan of Final Fantasy? Do you enjoy gaming? If so, then marine stewardesses the same type of person. One study found that yacht stewardesses are more likely to be gamers than the general population. Whether they're role-playing or playing video games for fun, these ladies like to have some fun in their free time. Gaming is a popular pastime among women and it's no wonder that many stewardesses love it too! Many yacht stewards have a love for video games, and many of them are big fans of the Final Fantasy series. So when their employers offer to send them on a trip to Japan to play the game's latest installment in person, they jump at the chance. Especially after watching the ffxvi trailer . "It was an unforgettable experience," says one stewardess who went on the trip. "The sights and sounds of the game--the music, the graphics--it was all so amazing." Other stewards say that playing Final Fantasy is a great way to wind down after a long day on board.

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 As a yacht stewardess you would be working as part of the yacht’s interior department.

Consequently your main responsibilities will revolve around making sure that the yacht’s interior is well maintained.

Your goal should always be to ensure that the highest standards of guest service are provided.

You may find job opportunities of yacht stewardesses on privately owned super-yachts, or on charter yachts that are often rented to important people.

The day-to-day duties of a yacht stewardess will depend greatly on the yacht’s size and type.

The season and the itinerary will also play a role.

For example, if you’re working on a very large yacht, you will be taking care of specific duties.

Whereas on a smaller yacht, you are more likely to be hands-on and involved in most of the galley or deck operations.

General housekeeping and serving duties will be the day-to-day responsibilities of a yacht stewardess.

This includes preparing cocktails and drinks, and maintaining the drinks stock at the bar, and taking care of the meal serving.

You would also need to take care of the tableware and table decorations so that they look in tip top shape.

Other duties include crew provisioning, guest and crew laundry and uniform stocks.

We will delve a bit deeper in what other responsibilities of a yacht stewardess involve further below.

Yacht Stewardess Positions

There are different positions, with the most basic being a stewardess who specifically acts as a cook or a deckhand.

Then move slightly up the ladder by being a junior stewardess, and over time a 2nd and 3rd stewardess.

Until finally reaching the top position of chief stewardess.

Inevitably the roles are similar, but the duties vary.

The chief stewardess will be carrying out duties under the direction and authority of the yacht captain .

As a chief stewardess, you will be responsible for the interior of the yacht.

You will also ensure a superior quality hospitality service is provided all along, both to the yacht owner and to any guests.

Higher responsibility also entails more managerial duties as well as paperwork.

This includes event management, scheduling, guest activity planning, liaison with the galley and financial management.

Being a good multitasker and delegator is essential for this role.

2nd and 3rd stews carry out various duties under the direction of the chief stew and the captain.

They will be responsible for the maintenance of the interior of the yacht, as well as assist in the hospitality service.

Duties include guest care and valet services, and guest-cabin care.

The 2nd and 3rd stews will also need to take care of the laundry, ironing and any other wardrobe tasks.

Exterior crew support may need to be provided.

Assistance in inventory management, including provisioning, and taking care of checklists will often be deemed necessary.

2nd and 3rd stews may also be required to assist in the planning of dinners and other activities.

While these roles are at a lower level than those of a chief stew, it is still necessary that one has the necessary qualifications as well as possess the skills that ensure the best possible accommodation of the yacht’s owners and guests.

The stewardess will need to be responsible for all basic tasks of interior maintenance of the yacht as well as guest service.

A stewardess may be working solo, or combine the role with another position, depending on the particular job description and yacht.

Junior Stewardess

A junior stewardess will often be focusing more on tasks such as meal service and bartending, cabin detailing, laundry and valet services.

This is a dual position, whereby one will act both as a deckhand and a stewardess.

This is quite normal on smaller and mid-sized vessels as there will typically be fewer crew members required.

Besides, there will be less room for them on the yacht.

Similar to the previous post, in this case one will be required to assume a dual role.

In this case the roles are those of a cook as well as a stewardess.

As mentioned earlier, the main responsibility is to ensure that the interior department is running smoothly.

There are various things involved in this, such as housekeeping services, food and beverage service, laundry, wardrobe management and entertaining.

Valet services may also be required from time-to-time.

This includes personal services to the guests, such as packing and unpacking luggage, caring for their personal items and taking care of any daily activity arrangements.

A yacht stewardess will also need to ensure that valuable items inside the yacht are well taken care of, or safeguarded.

This includes china, crystal, artworks, linens etc.

A chief stewardess will need to take care of the financial planning of the interior department, and so some accounting and budgeting knowledge is preferred.

Another role revolves around inventories, as it is important to ensure there are well maintained inventory supplies, while making sure that provisioning is taken care of accordingly.

From time to time it will be necessary to see to the selection and purchasing of certain items such as cigars, fine wines and specialty teas.

It is very important that a yacht stewardess sees to the proper organisation of storage areas in the yacht, as these will need to be well maintained and arranged.

As a yacht stewardess you will need to take care of the planning and management of destination experiences.

Besides these important day-to-day duties, you will also need to be responsible for the direction of any lower ranked stews.

As well as guiding them, you will also need to ensure that they are properly motivated and trained as necessary.

Rotational duties will need to be assigned, so human resource management and planning is another role of a chief stewardess.

Yacht Stewardess Salary Factors

The salary of a yacht stewardess depends on various factors.

The amount of experience that one has, and the training and qualifications that one possesses have an impact on salary.

Another determining factor is the size and type of yacht one works on.

Whether it’s a charter or private superyacht, or a power or sail yacht, affects the salary ranges.

For instance, a chief stewardess will typically have a salary in the range of $3,000 and $5,250 per month on a smaller yacht (between 80 and 140 feet), while one working on a larger yacht of over 140 feet could have a salary of over $7,000 a month.

As a general rule the base salary of an entry level stewardess starts at around $26,000 per year.

However it could also be around $35,000 annually, depending on the factors mentioned earlier.

Apart from the base salary, there are also various other additional benefits that could be added to the salary package.

These could include bonuses, tips, insurances, training costs and flight expenses.

Also, since as a yacht stewardess you would be living on board the yacht, there will also be the provision of meals and accommodation on board, as well as uniforms, linens and other sundries.

The yacht program refers to how the particular yacht is used by the owner.

There are yacht owners who reserve the yacht solely for their personal use, while others also decide to charter it, or lease it to others.

In the former case, the time abroad will vary depending on the occasional vacation period of the owner.

It could be a circumnavigation or only an annual departure.

Whether the yacht is a power or sail will also have an impact on the staffing requirements.

Sail yachts are generally termed as casual programs, and often there will be shared positions.

The vessel length is another determining factor.

On board a smaller vessel, the positions of the cook and deckhand for instance, will be taken care of by a steward.

On the other hand, on a superyacht there will generally be a fully staffed interior.

As with any other job, the more experience one has, the better the chances of getting a higher level position.

A junior position on a large yacht is considered to be a great first job to acquire experience.

You will be able to gather a lot of experience and direction from those who will be at a higher rank, and this will accelerate your learning curve.

Often after just a year in an entry level position, a stew may be able to reach the level of performance that is deemed necessary to move into a 2nd stew job.

Generally after around five years, and subject to professional performance, one can also manage to become a chief stew.

There are various qualifications which are considered as a must to work as a yacht stewardess.

The STCW Basic Safety Training certification has become a mandatory qualification if you work as a chief stewardess.

You will need to follow various courses in order to improve your chances of getting a job as a yacht stewardess.

There are accredited programmes which are designed to not only offer key skills and training, but also inspire and support the person who is aspiring to embark on such a career.

There is the new PYA Interior Crew G.U.E.S.T. certification which, while not being compulsory anymore, is still considered as an asset.

You may also find other equivalent introductory training classes that focus on interior crew training.

It is also recommended that you have the ENG1 Seafarer Medical Certificate , or an equivalent to it.

An Advanced or Medical First Aid certificate or some form of certification in medical training is highly recommended.

A yacht stewardess will also require certain specialised qualifications such as in areas of food handling, bartending, wine presentation and serving, silver service and table and flower decorating.

As noted earlier, a yacht stewardess’ salary ranges vary considerably depending on the individual’s experience and qualifications, as well as on the type and size of yacht.

A cook, deckhand and junior stewardess will generally start at a base salary of between $1,750 and $3,000 per month.

A stewardess, on the other hand, can expect to make anything in between $3,000 and $4,750 per month.

A 2nd stewardess can expect a similar salary, but with the possibility of earning even up to $5,250.

A chief stewardess can make between $6,000 and $8,000 monthly.

Higher salaries can be expected the bigger the yacht one is working on is.

The best way to try to get a job as a stewardess would be to register with a crew recruitment agency.

In this way you can increase your chances of being notified of yacht recruitment opportunities.

You can also look up yacht stewardess job opportunities online or alternatively, go dock walking.

If you are an energetic and service oriented person, who loves visiting new places, then you should seriously consider a stewardess job.

While it could prove to be quite demanding, and you will need to be on your feet for several hours, it is a very interesting and rewarding job.

The key to succeed at such a job is to be willing to give a high quality service with a smile, pay attention to details, be adaptable, as well as willing to exceed expectations.

Needless to say, good communication skills and people skills are essential.

If you have questions about a career in yachting, we would like to hear from you.

Simply get in touch with us today or let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: Any advice in this publication is not intended or written by Marine Accounts to be used by a client or entity for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party matters herein.

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• Steward/ess

About the Steward/ess

The stewardess onboard a superyacht is a hard worker with a positive, can-do attitude that takes instruction well and has an impeccable attention to detail. No detail is overlooked by a successful yacht stewardess (i.e. towel folds, perfectly ironed pillow cases). A friendly, professional character with guests is essential as is discretion and maintenance of guest privacy. This candidate will have one year of experience on a yacht or very strong experience on shore.

Job Responsibilities

• Setting stewardess schedules for guest service and cleaning
• Interior cleaning and maintenance
• Interior inventory
• Interior accounting
• Liaison with guests and service - meals and bartending
• Liaison with galley for meal services
• Orchestrating guest activities
• Boat stowage for sea
• Assisting with lines and fenders on deck
• Assisting captain with ships paperwork

Required Skills

• Ability to delegate
• Good communications, organization and diplomacy
• Vast knowledge of wines, service and housekeeping
• Knowledge of restaurants and activities in cruising areas
• Familiar with ISM and ISPS protocols
• Knowledge of flower and table decorations
• Attention to detail
• Financial management

Salary Modifiers

• Experience in five-star establishments (i.e. Michelin star restaurant, fine hotel)
• Wine certification
• Tender driving certification
• Limited computer skills

Position Statistics

Career path, chief stewardess, head of housekeeping, second stewardess, laundry stewardess, junior stewardess.