My new job as a stewardess in a large luxury yacht

This new experience showed me so many things that I decided to list them for you

18/05/2017 - Updated on 20/06/2017 20h28

As you already know, my first full-time job as a yacht stewardess was aboard a 30-meter-long engine boat. I was working Solo – as us stewards say –, which means I was the only stewardess on board. This was a private boat, which means it was always used by the same family and had no fixed port. Our travels took place on the southern Pacific area to places such as Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.

My second job, which I started working in May, is on a 60+ meter boat – double the size of the first one. Here, we are five girls, one of them being Chief Stewardess and the four others being stewardesses. Usually, boats determine a hierarchy among yacht stewardesses. However, on this boat, we were all doing the same job. Everything is made in a shift system in which you're responsible for a specific area on each day, such as the Crew Area, Laundry Area or the Extra Work List. If you finish your tasks first, you must help the others. This seems obvious, although it's not how things work in all boats. Our work schedule here goes from 7:00 AM to 04:00 PM, with an hour-long break for lunch.

It sounds like I'm lying, but, regardless of the size of the boat, the amount of guests is always the same: 8 people. Of course, a lot changes between a 30-meter boat and a 60+ meter boat besides the size. But... take my word for it. For a person that did not take the yacht stewardess course before entering the segment, like me, working with four other girls and finding out that all the work I did as a Solo Stewardess in the three previous years was correct.... this filled my heart with joy.

I remember that I always questioned everything I did, whether I was actually doing it right. Even though I had worked in hospitality for two years before working on boats, I knew that the service standard in yachts was much higher than in a restaurant. That doesn't mean I had nothing further to learn. On the contrary! This new experience showed me so many things that I decided to list them for you. Perhaps you'll give me feedback with your experiences in new jobs.

See more: How to became a yacht stewardess

Talk less. Listen more
This is possibly one of my greatest challenges. I love talking, sharing my opinion and debating. I love improving any task I have to do. However, I knew that, in this new job, the one thing I did NOT want was to talk too much and lose the opportunity of learning more.

We are in this world to learn, always
Do you ever get the feeling that you've learned all there is to learn in this life? No? Me neither, thank God! I'm sure that I'll die learning. The day I think I learned everything – which I doubt will come – you can lock me up in a home, because I'll be crazy!

Organization shall always make you a good employee
Remember when I told you that we lacked hierarchy in this new boat? All of it works because the Chief Stewardess is extremely organized. Although the amount of guests is the same between boats, I had no hard time managing. First, because the yacht space wasn't so big; second, because I made an effort to be organized, from my daily tasks to my table decorations. I always wanted to know where everything was located and kept things in place. Organization shall always work for you.

Respect existing routines in your new job
Although I had over three years of experience as a yacht stewardess and started this new job with a girl that had never worked on boats, I never, ever felt superior compared to her. Our skill sets may be different, but the work area and the routine are all new for us both. Sure, if something can be executed more efficiently, one can make a suggestion. Be wary of suggestions, however. Be sure that you have understood how everything works and that your new way of executing the task won't be in anybody's way. Also, be certain that everybody agrees with you!

Be proactive
As Dave Weinbaum used to say, "If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort".

Now go forth and be happy! Life is too short for you not to try new things. What isn't challenging won't transform you!

tags: sabrina nogueira,comissaria de iate,stewardess,steward,trabalho dos sonhos

Comments (5)

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Rineeem 19/05/2017, às 06h00

Hi! Congrats on the new job. I have just started my first season in SOF on a 48m M/Y and am so far loving it. All the best

The Yacht Stewardessem 20/05/2017, às 08h25

Hi Rinee, thank you very much for your comment. Glad to hear you're also loving your new job. How could we not, right? :) x

Likaem 25/07/2017, às 11h47

Hi!! While reading your post my heart was bumping fast,as every single word relates to me...I started to work as solo stewardess on 30m/y, for the first time and like you have the same thoughts running through my head. And still have a lots of questions with no one to answer yet.. Do you think I can chat with you and talk about this ? This is my email a.analika@gmail.com please let me know . I would really appreciate this ))

Likaem 25/07/2017, às 11h47

Dave Weinbaumem 07/08/2017, às 09h46

Great article--even the quote~

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