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We recently connected with a newly appointed Chief Stewardess in yachting who recently completed the Advanced Service and Chief Stewardess Course with Kim from KDW Training. The Chief Stewardess shared her journey and motivations for being in yachting, along with some key takeaways from the course that are now guiding her in her new role.
“I am a 28-year-old South African, and before yachting, I studied fashion. I have always loved everything about fashion - the textures, the craftsmanship, and how clothing can be a form of self-expression. Coming from such a competitive industry made my transition into yachting slightly easier, especially when it came to the laundry department, attention to detail, and communicating with high-profile guests.
I started as a 3rd Stewardess on a heavily chartered 45m motor yacht. My first day was an 18-hour shift at the Cannes Film Festival with 150 guests - a true ‘thrown in at the deep end’ experience! Since then, I have worked on yachts ranging from 45m to 60m, both private and charter. My biggest learning curve came when I took on a 2nd Stewardess role on a 57m private yacht, serving high-profile guests. After five years in yachting, I have now stepped into my first Chief Stewardess role on a 34m yacht.”
“I felt I had reached a point where I needed to expand my skills and knowledge as a Chief Stewardess. I wanted to be prepared for anything that the future might bring, and I also hoped to gain confidence in my ability to lead a team and provide a more polished service.”
“The coursework, combined with Kim’s instruction, has made me much more confident with my administrative skills. I now know how to set up the interior and create guidelines for my team that are both efficient and manageable. I have also learned valuable skills in managing conflict and guiding a team, even when individuals have different ways of working.”
“All of them! I believe you never stop learning, and there is always a new or better way to do something. The only downside was that the course felt too short - I wanted more time with Kim and more information to absorb! As I am relatively new to the Chief Stewardess role and working with a smaller interior team, the management skills were especially important to me. I now have a much better grasp of how to handle various situations and how to prepare my interior manuals and procedures for a smoother season.”
“I have learned how to better organise my interior, set up schedules for my team, and create step-by-step task lists to ensure nothing is missed. The course also covered recruitment - how to interview and select the right candidates - as well as strategies for effective communication and conflict resolution. My service skills have been refined, and I now feel confident in passing these on to my team.”
“It has helped tremendously. There were many aspects I hadn’t considered before, particularly regarding setting up operating procedures and inventories in a way that makes sense and keeps everything organised.”
“Yes, definitely! I now feel much more comfortable with table settings and the back-of-house preparation needed to ensure smooth service.”
My leadership abilities are much clearer to me now. I have a new understanding of how to direct a team with many different personalities and work styles. I know now that the key to effective management is making sure everyone is in synch and, at the same time, allowing each team member to grow. I want the girls to play to their strengths and be the best they can be. They are not perfect, and I am not perfect, but we are really trying.
“I have already recommended it to many Chief Stews I know. We have various support groups on social media where I post about the course to spread the word.”
“This course has given me the tools to stay ahead in the industry. Many interior crew either don’t know about these courses, as they are not compulsory, or don’t take them if their vessel doesn’t provide for them. Completing this course has set me apart and given me the confidence to apply for any job I am capable of doing. Much of the coursework is directly relevant to current trends and standards, particularly the sections on accounting and administration. For anyone aspiring to become a Chief Stewardess or Head of Department, I highly recommend this course as the perfect jump-start to becoming an organised and polished leader.”
If you want to take your yachting career to the next level, you can’t overlook the importance of professional development. That means investing time and money into structured training. For this stewardess, the Advanced Service and Chief Stewardess Course were game-changers that used training to drive a serious uptick in standards, as well as improvements in leadership skills and a more profound overall guest experience.
To elevate your yacht career, take a look at our interior training courses at Bluewater and see how you might fine-tune your skills and become a standout in the yachting industry.
