An Interview with Sole Superyacht Stewardess Esther Busuttil
From the tiny island of Malta, by way of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and just about everywhere in between — Esther Busuttil brings a warmth and gentleness that is sure to win you over. We sat down with her to talk travel, cocktails, world cruises, and the dream she is now living.
Star sign? Taurus.
Where are you from? The island of Malta.
How did you come to spend time in the South of France? The first time I found myself in the South of France was back in 2007. I had done my STCW95 in Australia — where I had been travelling for two and a half years — and was told it was the place to be if you wanted to find work on superyachts.
How long have you worked in the superyacht industry? Since April 2007. I took a year out and started again in October 2008.
What are your biggest accomplishments? Landing my very first yacht job as a sole stewardess — with no previous experience and a busy season ahead of me — was a real accomplishment. The other was deciding I wanted to go somewhere far and travel for six months, so I went to Australia entirely on my own. I had always wanted to do the full loop, and I did — even though it meant stopping to find work, accommodation, and transport along the way. I had the most extraordinary time of my life with the most wonderful people, and it carried on through New Zealand, Fiji, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. I returned home three years later.
Can you work under pressure? Yes — and I am good at it.
What is the most difficult situation you have faced? The guests had ordered two piña coladas, two mojitos, and two espresso martinis. They then declared the piña coladas so good that they wanted six more — made exactly the same way, identical ratios. The problem? I had a single tin of coconut milk left, so there was no chance of replicating them perfectly. I explained the situation and promised to restock on my next shopping run. (For the record — their preference sheet stated they did not drink much, and the spirits they had pre-ordered were still sitting unopened. The best-laid plans!)
Interview with Sole Super Yacht Stewardess Esther Busuttil
What are your pet hates? I have none.
Tell me about the last time you felt anger at work. I asked a crew member to nip up on deck and check whether the boss was awake while I grabbed some breakfast. Instead, he disappeared into his cabin for a lie-down. That tested my patience.
What do you do in your spare time? Any kind of exercise, especially if I can get off the yacht. And a stroll around the village or city whenever we have just docked somewhere new — exploring a new country never gets old.
What makes you laugh? Good comedies. And the odd jokes from crew on board — once they start, they simply do not stop.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I would love to have my own business — perhaps a little coffee shop, or something I have not yet dreamed up.
Favourite holiday destination, and why? Anywhere the sea is clear and turquoise, the sand is white, and there are palm trees all around. I adore that contrast. I would spend my time on a deck chair with a good book and a cocktail in hand — priceless. On a completely different note, I also love New York. Full stop.
Where do you like to shop? Where don’t I like to shop? I love Sephora in the US — they give you so many samples to try before you buy. Macy’s, Whole Foods for anything organic, and Guess for clothes.
Can you recommend a product or service for fellow stewardesses? Vinegar and water mixed in a spray bottle works wonders. And if you have time between charters, add a drop or two of Murphy’s Oil Soap to a bucket of warm water, wipe the furniture clean, then wipe off with the vinegar-and-water mix to remove any residue.
What do you enjoy most about your job? Everything! I love the travel side of it, especially on a world-cruise yacht. Most people daydream about sailing in paradise — I was one of those people, and now I am living it. Words genuinely cannot describe the beauty of sailing through pristine waters: through a fjord surrounded by nature itself in the Saguenay Fjord National Park, or along the sculpted coastline of Maine. Of course you are still working hard, and the guests always come first, but the joy I feel out in that wide-open space is something else entirely. Sitting comfortably in front of a computer ashore has never had quite the same effect on me!
What training was required for this role? First and foremost, the STCW95 — mandatory then and now. Beyond that, I had a part-time job back when I lived in Malta where we ran a lot of functions requiring silver service. That involved a great deal of training, and the experience genuinely helped me land that first job. I am very glad I was part of that team. Speaking several languages is also a real advantage.
Any vocabulary specific to your role? “Detailing” is a very common one. “Provisioning” is another.
What do you read daily? Anything about health and physiology — antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, skincare, and the idea that we truly are what we eat.
If you could change one thing about your education, what would it be? I would have finished my degree first and then started working on yachts — rather than abandoning my studies to take a rather lousy job in between.
What inspires you? People with a real drive for life. People who step out of their comfort zone, who are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their dreams. Positive people, always.
Thank you, Esther — here’s to clear turquoise seas, that future coffee shop, and many more fjords ahead.
