If you’ve watched Below Deck, you know that it basically takes a village to keep a yacht running smoothly. Each position on a yacht is unique in its own way, but stewardesses are essential in terms of guest service. Stewardesses are mainly responsible for maintaining the yacht interior and providing an extraordinary level of customer service.

The number of stewardesses on a yacht depends on the yacht size. Some yachts have only one, while others have a minimum of five. There are basic duties of a stewardess, but then there are also moments that they just have to roll with the punches. From providing top-notch service to arranging extravagant guest accommodations, there is never a dull moment in this career.

So, what does it mean to work as a yacht stewardess?

Each day varies on a yacht. Depending on the season, guest preferences, yacht size, and more, the workload will differ. To be successful in this position, it is necessary to be able to lift at least fifty pounds daily, be energetic, and be able to perform hands-on duties. The responsibilities of a stewardess include, but are not limited to:

• Interior management
• Stowage
• Organizing guest activities
• Cleaning
• Maintaining inventory

Other crew members, such as the bosun and deckhands, do share some of these tasks, but for the most part, it is the responsibility of the stewardesses to make sure that they get done.

Time Management – Especially on a superyacht, there is an exceptionally high level of service that must be provided. Because of all the chores that need to get done, it is vital that you have noble time management skills.

Positive Attitude – It is essential that you put personal issues aside and put on a happy face for this job, as it can affect the tip of the whole crew.  

ENG 1 (Seafarers Medical Certificate) – This is a required certification of health from an endorsed maritime doctor.

STCW Basic Training – Standing for “Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeeping,” this is imperative to learn safe work practices, emergency procedures, and more.

Bartending Experience – This is helpful to have, especially if you are down a crew member or the other stews lack this skill. It’s no secret that many charter guests tend to let loose and consume plenty of alcohol during their charter, so it doesn’t hurt to be able to serve them to the best of your ability.

Stewardess salaries do vary based on experience, yacht size, and more. The present salary range for a chief stew is $4,500-$9,000 (not including tips), while entry level stews tend to earn between $2,700 and $3,200 (not including tips).