Mar 28, 2015 | The Chief Stewardess, The Superyacht Stewardess
Time Management for Superyacht Stewardesses
If there is one skill that separates a good stewardess from a truly exceptional one, it is not silver service technique or wine knowledge or the ability to fold a fitted sheet. It is time management.
The interior of a superyacht is a relentlessly demanding environment. Guest arrivals, cabin turnovers, meal service, laundry, provisioning, flowers, maintenance schedules, crew briefings — all of it happening simultaneously, all of it to the highest standard, all of it invisible to the guests. The stewardess who manages her time well makes it look effortless. The one who does not makes everything harder for everyone around her.
The good news is that time management is not a personality trait you either have or you do not. It is a skill. And like every other skill in this industry, it can be learned, practised, and mastered.
Focus: One Thing at a Time
In an environment where everything feels urgent, the temptation is to try and do everything at once. This is one of the most reliable routes to doing nothing particularly well.
The more completely you focus on the task in front of you, the faster and better you complete it — and the faster you move on to the next one. Divided attention produces divided results. A cabin that takes forty-five minutes when you are distracted takes twenty-five when you are not.
Identify what needs your full attention and give it exactly that. Everything else waits its turn.
Delegate: You Cannot — and Should Not — Do It All
Many stewardesses, particularly those who care deeply about standards, fall into the trap of trying to do everything themselves. The result is a burnt-out stewardess, a team that never develops, and a workload that is permanently unmanageable.
If you are a chief stewardess or second stewardess: delegation is not a shortcut — it is leadership. Identify which tasks genuinely require your attention and which can be assigned to a capable team member. Freeing yourself from tasks that others can handle well gives you the space to focus on the work that actually requires your expertise.
If you are a junior stewardess: this applies to you too, in a different direction. If you are overwhelmed, say so. Let your superior know clearly what you are working on and where you are in the list. A chief stewardess cannot redistribute a workload she does not know is unmanageable. Speaking up is not weakness — it is professional communication.
Prioritise: Hardest First
Procrastination is the enemy of every well-intentioned to-do list. It creeps in for understandable reasons — the task is unpleasant, the crew is tired, or there is a genuine lack of confidence about how to approach something. But the task does not disappear because you have avoided it. It simply sits there, gathering weight and anxiety until it becomes more difficult than it ever needed to be.
The solution is counterintuitive but consistent: do the hardest or least enjoyable task first. Tackle the challenging work when the team is fresh, focused, and has the mental energy required to do it properly. Once it is done, everything else feels more manageable, and you have eliminated the low-level stress of knowing it is waiting for you.
Save the routine, familiar tasks for later in the day when energy naturally dips. Reserve the creative and complex work for the morning.
Set Goals: Make the Day Deliberate
A day without a plan is a day that manages you rather than one you manage. Goal-setting does not need to be elaborate — it simply means beginning each day, watch, or preparation period with a clear understanding of what needs to be achieved and in what order.
Effective goals on board share a few characteristics:
- They are realistic — achievable within the time and with the resources available
- They are specific — not “sort out the linen room” but “reorganise and inventory the linen room before the 1400 charter briefing”
- They are assigned to the right person — the crew member with both the skill and the capacity to do the task properly
- They are written down — a goal that exists only in your head is far easier to lose track of than one on a list
At the end of each day, review what was completed and what was not. Anything unfinished either carries forward to the next day’s plan or requires you to assess honestly why it did not happen — and address whatever caused that.
Meet Deadlines Early: Break It Down
Deadlines on a superyacht are rarely flexible. Guest arrival at 1600 means the yacht is ready at 1600 — not 1610. A dinner service for eight begins at the time agreed, not when the team feels prepared.
The stewardesses who consistently meet their deadlines are not the ones who work the fastest. They are the ones who break large tasks into smaller, manageable components and begin early enough that they are not racing at the end.
When a significant deadline is approaching — a charter changeover, an owner arrival, a formal event — map out every task involved, assign each one, and work backwards from the deadline to create a realistic schedule. Leave buffer time. Something always takes longer than expected. On a yacht, something always goes differently than planned.
Rushing produces mistakes. Planning produces standards.
Stay Organised: The Environment Reflects the Mind
A cluttered, disorganised workspace is not simply an aesthetic problem. It is a time problem. Every minute spent searching for a product, a tool, or a piece of equipment is a minute that was not spent on the work itself.
A few habits that make a measurable difference:
- Start each day with a clear workspace. Before anything else, ensure your working area is clean, ordered, and ready. A clear environment produces a clear mind.
- Keep tools and products in their designated places. If everything has a home and everything is returned to it after use, you will never waste time looking for anything.
- Maintain an up-to-date schedule. Whether you use a physical planner, a whiteboard in the crew area, or a shared digital tool — keep it current. Cross off completed tasks. Add new ones. Review it at the start and end of each working period.
- Avoid the time thieves. On a vessel where standards are high and time is limited, the phone stays away during working hours. Personal messages and social media have their place — and that place is not the middle of a cabin turnover.
Manage Stress: It Is a Time Problem Too
Chronic stress is not simply unpleasant — it is operationally damaging. A stressed stewardess makes more errors, communicates less effectively, loses focus more easily, and takes longer to complete tasks than a rested, well-balanced one. Stress and poor time management feed each other in a cycle that is genuinely difficult to break once it takes hold.
The most effective time management tools are sometimes the simplest ones:
- Sleep. Fatigue is one of the most significant impairments to focus, judgement, and efficiency. Protect your rest periods with the same discipline you give to your working ones.
- Eat properly. A body running on caffeine and missed meals does not perform at its best. It is not possible to maintain high standards with low fuel.
- Move. Physical exercise — even twenty minutes of activity on a port day — clears the mind, reduces stress hormones, and resets focus in a way that nothing else does.
If the triggers of stress on board can be identified — a particular dynamic, a process that consistently breaks down, a communication gap between departments — address them directly where possible. Managing around a known problem indefinitely costs more time and energy than solving it once.
A Final Word
Time management aboard a superyacht is ultimately about respect — respect for the guests who deserve a seamlessly run interior, respect for your crew whose workload is affected by how well the team plans and communicates, and respect for yourself and the standards you have worked hard to build.
You will not always get it perfect. Long charters, difficult guests, unexpected situations, and the sheer relentlessness of life at sea will challenge even the most organised stewardess. What matters is the intention, the system, and the discipline to return to both when things go sideways.
Plan the day. Prioritise what matters. Do the hard things first. Delegate with confidence. And protect your rest as fiercely as you protect your service standards.
The hours you have are the hours you have. Make them count.
Mar 21, 2015 | The Superyacht Stewardess
The Superyacht industry is all about service and striving for excellence in service. This can not be more pertinent for the Superyacht stewardess. So what words come to mind when you think of excellence in service? Let me share with you a few that come to my mind:
| Friendly |
Welcoming |
| Approachable |
Adaptable |
| Happy |
Pro-active |
| Gentle |
Caring |
| Accommodating |
Talented |
| Intelligent |
Responsible |
| Reliable |
Empathetic |
| Respectful |
Skilful |
| Knowledgeable |
Discreet |
| Helpful |
Focussed
|
Excellence in Service & The Superyacht Stewardess
I could go on, but you get the idea… Achieving excellence in service to me means giving the guest more than what they anticipated, but no more than what they are willing to accept.
Being a superyacht stewardess, your main focus is on the guests and how they are enjoying their holiday. Sure, you have your daily duties to attend to; however, these skills are not that hard to master. What is important is finding the right tone with your guests and understanding how much service your guests are willing to receive.
When I was working my way up in 5*hotels, one of my jobs would be to meet the VIP guests, check them in and be their point of contact within the hotel.
Whilst my superiors were happy with my customer service skills, I never really understood the concept of the ” VIP guest”… For me, all guests were important regardless of their socioeconomic status, the position held or their political influence.
Working on superyachts supported this premise, as we all know that superyacht owners are UBER wealthy, the charter guests are super rich, but what about friends of the owner or the family of the charter guest???
As it turns out, they acted and behaved just as expected… Just like guests! My point here is that you should treat everyone with the same respect and strive to offer everyone excellent service whilst they are on board. Endeavour to make all of your guests feel like VIPs.
Now, this is not to say that everyone should receive the same service….NO! People are individuals and as such, as a superyacht stewardess, should adapt to each individual’s need.
The culture of delivering world-class service stems from the Captain who supports his team in whatever way he/she can. For the Chief Stewardess, this is her area to shine…educating and guiding the other stewardesses, so that they may learn what it means to be able to deliver a world-class level of service.
Customising your service skills to your guests’ needs ensures that you are on the right path to delivering a world-class service. The best way to do this is to make all your guests feel like VIP guests.
For example, if you are trying to engage your guest in conversation… asking too many questions… Being too enthusiastic or too pushy may leave your guest feeling smothered, which let’s face it is simply annoying…
The important tip here is to give as much service as your guest is willing to receive! Another recommendation is to do a little cultural research about your guests. Educate yourself about cultural habits, food and beverage preferences and social etiquette. This way, everyone wins.
So to conclude here is a summary of my top tips for achieving excellence in guest service:
- Treat everyone like a VIP
- Learn the cultural and social habits of your guests
- Remember that everyone is unique, so adjust your service to their individual needs.
Everyone deserves to receive excellent service whilst on board. Even if they may not outwardly show it, your guests will appreciate the efforts that you go to for them, and they may even leave you a tip 🙂
P.S.
You can find a comprehensive section of this very topic in my book…….. The Stewardess Bible
Thank you for reading my article on “Excellence in Service & The Superyacht Stewardess
Mar 7, 2015 | The Chief Stewardess, The Superyacht Stewardess
The following article is an excerpt from my new book:
” The Stewardess Bibles Guide to Achieving Excellence in Service”
Module One.
We’ve talked about the fun aspects of working on a Superyacht, so lets just for a minute look at what the work actually is. As a Superyacht stewardesses your job description is basically domestic help. Yes I know many people do not like the idea of being called domestic help especially those who have good educations; however , cleaning, serving, and taking care of someone’s personal effects is in essence domestic work.
You can find traces of domestic workers way back in history, however from the point of this chapter we will focus on the period from the mid 1900’s where the business of household domestic staff was booming in both Europe and in North America.
The conditions faced by domestic workers has varied over the years and from household to household. Traditionally people who took on the work as a domestic worker came from poorer socioeconomic situations, and depending on the individual’s skill set would evolve into a hierarchical system. Individuals would get paid for the services that they performed, however with no real legal protection many were taken advantage of. The only real advantage of becoming a domestic worker was on the provision of food, clothing accommodation and a modest wage. Service was based on an apprenticeship system with room to advance over time through the ranks. Domestic servants were divided into upper and lower classes.
The upper servants carried out duties such as:
- Butler
- Footman
- Governess
- Skilled cook
- Head housekeeper
- Lady’s maid
- Horse trainer
- Chauffeur
- Butler
- Librarian
- Grounds keeper
- Nanny
- Secretary
- Masseur
- Au pair
- Valet
The lower servants carried out the following duties:
- Kitchen maid
- Scullery maid
- Lackey
- Handyman
- Laundress
- Nursemaid
- Wet-nurse
- Pool boy
- Stable boy
- House maid
- Knave
- Boot boy
- Dog walker
Historically most household servants lived within the house, in an allocated area usually called the staff quarter. The accommodation was often substandard accommodation. I.e. The kitchen, the basement or in the attic. They wore simple yet presentable clothing and it was not uncommon for workers work between 16-18 hours a day.
So how does the super yacht industry compare to the above historical overview?
Well many aspects of historical service still may be applied to the super yacht industry, however the notable difference lies within the people involved; both the owners of the yachts, and the staff who crew the yachts. Whilst a limited amount of research has been done on this topic I will rely on my own experience and personal thoughts hypothesize the differences.
Owning a super yacht requires a great amount of wealth, a super yacht is very visible, very public. A super yacht is international a thing of beauty to be shown off the rest of the world. Therefore many owners of super yachts want beautiful people top to match their beautiful yacht.
In addition to the ‘ego side’ of owning a super yacht and Unlike the domestic work force who have very little if any legal right at all to rely on; the super yacht industry is protected by strict rules and regulations under international maritime law and as such has industry standards to adhere to. Such as salary standards, and work regulations, and accommodation standards.
The staff who crew these amazing vessels are very different from traditional domestic workers. In general they come from wealthy Western countries and are highly educated. They generally flock to the docks of the Mediterranean sea and USA Florida, in search of travel, sunshine and good salaries. In addition to this the super yacht industry has incredible high standards and as such offer many training programs, which ensure that the crew on board are highly skilled, trained, efficient workers.
Furthermore I believe this to be the main difference between historical domestic workers and super yacht crew;. Professional yacht crew make a conscious choice to work in domestic service. They are not forced to work in service if they chose not to. This makes a huge difference in their self esteem, personal development and career advancement, resulting in high standards and excellence in service.
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Case study: No action required here just food for thought:
A few years ago I was hiring new crew in Antibes France for the upcoming Mediterranean summer season. I required 2 new junior stewardesses.
The salary on offer was 2500 Euro per month, plus the usual medical , 1 month paid holiday and 1 economy class return flight home per year.
Throughout the season I had to constantly reprimand one of the stewardesses. She was new to the yachting industry, so had absolutely no experience. Training and support were consistent and ongoing, however I was met with a barrage of belligerence, criticism, tiredness, tardiness and laziness.
After some time the summer was going ok, the interior team of 4 was settled in and getting on with the tasks at hand. One day the 4 year experienced Phillipina stewardess came to me in tears after a personal incident which recently occurred at home. After a quiet conversation I was horrified and appalled to find that she was being paid only $500 per month. To end the story without further deliberation, the captain rectified the situation with the management company, The Phillipina stewardess was paid $2500 per month her personal situation at home was helped and I had to be satisfied with the outcome.
I say satisfied because one stewardess was hard working , Keen to learn, had years of experience and was a pleasure to be around. On the other hand I had to deal with what was like a temperamental teenager who would throw a tantrum at any given moment, and who was paid more simply because of the color of her skin and the way she looked.
This made me think of the injustices in the world and how far has domestic service really come over the years?
Mar 6, 2015 | The Superyacht Stewardess
Alternatives to swearing like a sailor.
Dear Crew,
I found this on Graduate Fasttrack (from a social media site) and I thought that as the season has just begun, it would be a perfect time to share with you this letter.
Please note that I am a big big fan of interpersonal communication and I think that it is very important to be able to express your feelings when you talk with your fellow crew member’s.
Therefore, try adopting some of the suggested expressions below
|
Instead of saying: |
Try Saying: |
| 1 |
You don’t have a f***ing clue, do you? |
I think you could do with more training |
| 2 |
She’s a f***ing power-crazy b*tch |
She’s an aggressive go-getter |
| 3 |
And when the f*** do you expect me to do this? |
Perhaps I can work late (again) |
| 4 |
F*** off a*se-hole |
I’m certain that isn’t feasible |
| 5 |
Well f*** me backwards with a telegraph pole |
Really? |
| 6 |
Tell someone who gives a f*** |
Perhaps you should check with… |
| 7 |
Not my f***ing problem mate |
I wasn’t involved in the project |
| 8 |
What the f*** |
That’s interesting |
| 9 |
No f***ing change mate |
I’m note sure this can be implemented within the given time scale |
| 10 |
Whythe f*** didn’t you tell me that yesterday? |
It will be tight, but I’ll try to schedule it in |
| 11 |
He’s got his head up his f***ing a*se |
He’s not familiar with the issue |
| 12 |
Oi, f*** face |
Excuse me, sir? |
Remember that for most you you, your summer season has just stated.
So when you are ready to throw someone over board, just remember to adopt a little mantra, to help you calm your mind and stay in the now.
My mantra was: Its just a bad day not a bad life:
Wishing you all a successful summer season and calm seas.
K.x
P.S. If you feel you can contribute further to this list then please feel free to add your comments below.
Don’t forget to claim your copy of The Stewardess Bible before the price goes up. Offer ends 30 June 2014
Forget The Swear Jar.Alternatives to swearing like a sailor.
Nov 20, 2014 | Interior Crew Interviews, The Superyacht Stewardess
An Interview with Rookie Stewardess Annick Suplicy
Every great chief stewardess starts somewhere. In this series, The Stewardess Bible speaks to the crew who are living the early chapters — the ones still figuring it out, still finding their sea legs, and doing it beautifully anyway. Meet Annick Suplicy: junior housekeeper, Capricorn, and proof that the best careers are rarely the ones you planned.
Star sign? Capricorn.
Where are you from? Born in Spain, raised in Brazil.
Where do you call home these days? My family is in Brazil, but since January I have been living in Spain — so home is a little bit of both right now.
How long have you been working in the superyacht industry? Ten months.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far? I am still junior, so nothing enormous yet — but being invited to temporarily join another boat belonging to my owner, working in the Seychelles, was a pretty special moment. I did not expect it, and it meant a great deal.
Can you work under pressure? I assume it is very hard. I still have to work on controlling my mood when things get intense — I am honest about that.
What is the most difficult situation you have faced? Dropping my Biological Sciences degree because I was deeply unhappy, without having any idea what to do next. At the time it felt like a failure. Looking back, it was one of the better decisions I ever made.
What are your pet hates? People being ironic or passive-aggressive with me. Chewing with an open mouth. Shouting. Slamming doors. None of these are negotiable for me.
Tell me about the last time you felt real anger at work. When a few crew members started complaining — purely for the sake of complaining — about some organisational improvements I had put in place. It was frustrating because the changes were genuinely for the better. I had to remind myself not to take it personally.
What do you do in your spare time? Honestly? I am in quite a low-energy season of my life right now, so I have been staying indoors more than I probably should. But when the energy is there, I love going out for a really good dinner. And whenever the opportunity presents itself — diving or snorkelling. Every time.
What makes you laugh? Good times with friends. And booze — with friends.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Chief stewardess or purser on a great vessel with a good rotation system. Something that lets me keep travelling properly, not just passing through ports.
Favourite holiday destination? I do not think a single favourite exists for me — I love too many places. But give me a good breeze, sunshine, excellent diving, and amazing food, and I am completely happy. The sea is always the answer.
Where do you like to shop? Small local shops. Things made nearby, by real people. I am not a mall person.
Can you recommend a product or service for fellow stewardesses? I am too new to be handing out advice just yet — ask me again in a few years.
What do you enjoy most about your job? The combination. A hospitality role that also moves you around the world, constantly introducing you to new places and people. It is genuinely unlike anything else.
What training did you need for this role? My position is junior housekeeper, so beyond the STCW and ENG1, nothing additional was formally required. That said, I chose to invest in a five-day interior course before I started — and I am glad I did.
Any vocabulary specific to your role that you would share with aspiring crew? Nothing is coming to mind right now — perhaps that is a sign I need to pay more attention!
What do you read daily? Health blogs, the news, and fiction e-books when I can. I always have something on the go.
If you could go back and change anything about your education or student years — would you? I honestly do not think I would. I dropped Biology in my second year, graduated in Product Design, and worked in that field for just over two years before ending up here. At the time it all felt rather chaotic. Now it makes perfect sense. Those experiences taught me who I am and led me exactly where I needed to be — and I am genuinely happy. You cannot argue with that.
What inspires you? Travelling, without question. And what I mean by that is everything travelling contains: the new cultures, the languages, the people, the exposure to ways of living that are completely different from your own. It is the best thing in the world. It is why I am here.
Thank you, Annick — here is to the Seychelles, the sea, and whatever extraordinary chapter comes next.
Oct 21, 2014 | Interior Crew Interviews, The Superyacht Stewardess
An Interview with Superyacht Nanny Arielle Maia
Not every member of a superyacht crew works in the interior or on deck. Some of the most fascinating roles on board are the ones guests never see. Arielle Maia is a superyacht nanny, three years into a career at sea, and the writer behind the blog Little Mermaid At Sea. We caught up with her to find out what life really looks like from her corner of the yacht.
Where are you from? Annapolis, Maryland, USA.
What do you do in your spare time? I love anything that keeps me active. Lately I have got really into boxing — we have had a few months on land and I joined a recreational softball league too, which has been brilliant fun.
What makes you laugh? Everything, honestly. I can find something funny in almost any situation. But get me and my best friends together and we will turn absolutely anything into comedy.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Still in the travel and hospitality industry in some capacity. I have been giving some thought to hotel management lately, so something along those lines feels right.
Favourite holiday destination? That is a genuinely difficult question. I have always wanted to see the Greek islands and the pyramids in Egypt — but everywhere I have been in Europe makes my heart happy and I would go back in a heartbeat. You really cannot beat good bread and cheese with a view.
Where do you like to shop? Zara, Aritzia, and Madewell — but honestly, I probably spend most of my money in independent health food shops. I love trying new health foods and wellness trends.
What inspires you? Travelling, without question. Every time I arrive somewhere new I feel genuinely invigorated — there is a kind of high that comes from new sights and experiences that makes me see the world with fresh eyes every single time. I wish more people felt that way. I think it would do a great deal of good.
How long have you been in the superyacht industry? I completed my STCW in autumn 2010 but did not start working officially until a year later, so three years now.
What has been your biggest accomplishment? Finishing university and discovering my own independence. Both felt enormous at the time, and I am still proud of both.
Can you work under pressure? I think I actually work better under pressure. I love being busy, and I am generally good at compartmentalising and keeping a level head — which helps enormously in this industry.
What is the most difficult situation you have faced? Learning to accept my own flaws and limitations. We are all human — we have different strengths and weaknesses — and spending years berating yourself for the weaknesses rather than building on the strengths is exhausting and counterproductive. Learning to genuinely like who and what I am was a big challenge for a long time.
What are your pet hates? Passive aggression. I cannot stand it.
Tell me about the last time you felt real anger at work. I am not really someone who gets angry easily, but I think most crew will relate to what happens during a long shipyard period. Being stuck in one place for months — especially when the timeline keeps extending — can feel genuinely stifling. You have to actively work at keeping a good attitude so you do not become a miserable person to be around.
What do you enjoy most about your job? The sense of family we have on board. We are a small crew — just six of us, including the captain’s son — and we have all been together since the yacht launched. When you are so far from your actual family and friends, that closeness means everything. The travel is also, obviously, extraordinary.
Can you recommend a product or service for fellow stewardesses? We have been in the shipyard for months so my mind is not exactly sharp on this one — but oddly, all I keep thinking about is the tea tree oil cleaner our stewardess uses on the vents periodically. It is extremely pungent in person, but from a distance I have become strangely nostalgic for the smell of it. Make of that what you will.
One piece of advice for fellow crew and nannies? Take each day one at a time, but always be prepared. There is no point stressing about what is or is not coming. Give your best every single day, go to sleep knowing that you did, and let that be enough.
Introducing: Little Mermaid At Sea
Tell us about Little Mermaid At Sea. It was actually born over a farewell dinner with two of my closest friends. The original idea was simply a blog to keep family and friends at home updated on what I was getting up to on board and in my travels. It quickly grew into something much bigger after generating unexpected outside interest. Now I write about almost everything related to life on board, travel, and the specific experience of being a nanny aboard a private yacht.
When did your love of travel begin? My father was in the US Navy and we were stationed in Naples, Italy during the first few years of my childhood. I have essentially been saving for the next trip ever since.
What do you read daily? A handful of travel blogs I follow regularly, plus news — it is easy to get absorbed in the yacht bubble and lose track of the world. Beyond that I have been working through biographies and autobiographies lately. I find people and their interpretations of their own lives endlessly fascinating.
If you could change one thing about your education, what would it be? I always planned to study abroad in France and it did not happen due to circumstances outside my control. I studied French all the way through university and I still intend to live in Paris at some point and study at La Sorbonne. It is not off the table — just delayed.
What is the strangest thing you have encountered in your travels? I write an occasional blog series called Fun Fashion Friday, covering unusual fashion trends from around the world. The instalment that got the most attention — and that I personally found the most surprising — was about the prevalence of couples wearing matching outfits across parts of Asia. I even spotted a couple in matching swimwear in Hawaii. I genuinely could not believe it was commercially available.
One travel tip? Do not over-plan. Some of my best memories have come from simply wandering — no itinerary, no guidebook, just seeing where the day takes me. You never know what you will find when you stop trying to find it.
Thank you, Arielle. Find her at Little Mermaid At Sea — travel, life on board, and the occasional matching swimsuit.
