The Stewardess Bible Talks to Superyacht Stewardess Amy Dawes
Adventurous, well-travelled, and refreshingly candid — Amy Dawes has spent six years criss-crossing the Mediterranean, opened her own yoga studio, learned fluent Spanish, and very nearly come unstuck on the slopes of Snowdon. We sat down with her for one of our more entertaining crew interviews to date.
Where are you from? I am Australian, but I usually base myself in Argentina when I am not working on yachts.
What is your current position on board? I am 3rd Stewardess on my current vessel, though I have previously worked as 2nd.
How long have you worked on yachts? This will be my fourth Mediterranean season over the past six years.
What did you like and dislike about your last job? I loved that the owners were late risers and that the yacht was almost always in port — it meant I could get off board and go for a run every morning. What I disliked was how little we actually travelled; we spent weeks at a time in Cannes alone.
How did you get into the industry? In 2007, while travelling through South America for twelve months, I met a New Zealand girl in Peru who told me about working on yachts and the good salaries on offer. Towards the end of my travels I had a return flight booked to Europe, so — with no real idea what to expect — I jumped on a plane to Palma, landed in a crew house, and started learning what I needed to do. A couple of days later, CVs in hand, I went for a dock walk. A few minutes after that I had my first interview, and I was moving on board as a junior stew. It happened that fast.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I would like to move back to Australia at some point, and perhaps even start a family. That said, I love the hospitality and service industry, so I would like to combine that with my passion for yoga, alternative therapies, health, and nutrition — ideally working front of house at a health resort back home to gain some experience before exploring my own business opportunities.
What are your biggest personal accomplishments? Learning fluent Spanish, and opening my own yoga studio. Both took a great deal of work, and I am proud of both.
Can you work under pressure? Absolutely. Hospitality is fundamentally about working under pressure and managing your time well, and there are no exceptions to that during a stewardess’s busy season.
What is the most difficult situation you have faced? Losing the trail on a late summit attempt on Snowdon — I found myself climbing almost vertically up falling slate, with a rescue helicopter hovering over my shoulder watching our every move. I genuinely thought we might not make it. That, and my first season on board, living in such close quarters with so many people of different cultures, interests, and personalities. It is a bit like a Big Brother house — all the ups and downs included — and you learn an enormous amount about yourself, if you take the time to reflect on what is happening around you.
What bothers you? Negativity, more than anything. It is like a rotten apple in a barrel — it affects everyone in close proximity, and sometimes well beyond.
Tell me about the last time you felt real anger at work. I know there are moments in every season when everyone snaps, but a single specific instance of anger? I honestly cannot recall one — so it clearly cannot have been that important. Either that, or the eight months of travelling before this job did me a world of good!
What are your long-term career goals? As I mentioned, I would like to move into resort work in health and alternative therapy, and eventually open my own business. Time will tell. Honestly, I do not like to plan too far ahead. I would much rather enjoy the present, learn everything I can, and take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves along the way. Where that leads, nobody knows — and that is exactly what I love. The freedom to adapt.
When and why did you set these goals, and how are you preparing for them? Getting married earlier this year, to someone outside the industry, made me question the instability of yachting and reassess my future. I find organisation and business planning come naturally to me, so I am using my time to network, learn from people and experiences, pursue personal study — and, of course, put a few coins in the piggy bank along the way.
What do you do in your spare time? I love being in the sun, travelling, running, yoga, and eating. That last one is probably why I enjoy working on yachts so much.
What makes you laugh? Good company, every time.
What makes you cry? Sad films — and sympathy crying!
What is your favourite colour? It depends on the day. I love colour — anything bright. No blacks, greys, browns, or blues for me, thank you.
What do you think of the term “stupidess”? Used to describe a dim stewardess, I suppose? Like most terms of that kind, it depends entirely on context. I would be the first to laugh at myself for a daft mistake, and if someone said it in that spirit I would not think twice. But if it were said in a chauvinistic way about stewardesses in general, it could be quite offensive.
Have you heard the crew talk about the “stewie bum,” and how do you feel about it? Ha! Yes — I am growing one as we speak. You have got to love the incredible food we get on board during a season. I enjoy a bit of banter; nobody is perfect, so give it right back to them. They are not gods, after all.
Have you ever met anyone famous? I have never spent any real time with anyone famous, but working on yachts and in restaurants I have certainly served a few celebrities. The thing is, I do not watch much television or read gossip magazines, so I am usually entirely oblivious to who they actually are.
What is the most embarrassing thing you have ever done? Without going into detail… let us just say it involved a boyfriend, an intimate moment, and my father. I will leave it there.
The most embarrassing thing you have seen someone else do? I could not possibly say — in case they ever stumble across this on the internet!
How do you find working on a new build project? I really enjoy it. It is wonderfully busy, with interesting things happening every day. There is far more organisation and office work involved, which I love, and the best part is that you can set everything up exactly the way your department wants it. I have learned a great deal about brands and suppliers, and have taken on some of the chief stew’s responsibilities while her hands have been tied up with administrative work.
What is it like being based in Vlissingen? I have had some fun times in town these past few weeks. Vlissingen is close enough to Amsterdam and Belgium to make for interesting trips on days off. On a sunny day, the alfresco dining in town and along the coast is lovely — though in general it is a touch too cold and windy for my liking. I am desperate for some Mediterranean sun!
Favourite destination, and why? Oh, I could not possibly choose just one. I have spent the last ten years travelling to more than forty-five countries, and every single place holds its own magic and happy memories — sometimes for the location, sometimes for the people I was with or met along the way, sometimes for the culture and the food. In general, I am drawn to developing destinations for their simplicity and natural beauty, and because the locals are so often warm, happy, and generous with their time.
Thank you, Amy — here’s to Mediterranean sun, new business ventures, and never quite knowing where the road leads next.
