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Is it better to work on a yacht or cruise ship?

Crew members on cruise ships typically earn less than crew members on super yachts. This is due in part to the fact that super yacht owners are typically looking for crew members with exceptional maritime skills and experience. They are also willing to pay more for luxury and exclusivity.



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Cruise ship crew life can be intense: long hours, no days off for months, lots of rules, demanding guests, small living quarters and little to no privacy. But working on ships also allows you to travel to places some only dream of while making some amazing connections with fellow seafarers from all over the world.

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Although there are opportunities across the globe, getting a job on a super yacht is very competitive. It's a great lifestyle for the right person and a lot of people are looking to join the industry.

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But, none of this comes easy. Working in the yacht industry takes hard work and dedication but comes with some massive payoffs. If you're interested in other travel jobs in hospitality, look into becoming an overland tour guide.

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Guests pay for the charter The charter guests you see on the show are genuine charter guests. They pay their own money to secure a space within the six weeks of filming time each season. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars to charter any of the superyachts featured in the series.

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There is an enormous amount of pressure that crew members deal with every single day at sea. It is essential to maintain sanity and a clear mindset when working on cruise ships, regardless of the daily difficulties and high-stress levels that life on board the ship inevitably brings.

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There are no holiday entitlements, but crew members can choose when they take the six- to eight-week break that automatically comes with longer contracts.

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Yes, staff do have sex with each other, as well as occasionally with clients onboard and even with the actual owners of the boats when they return. Abbie told The Tab that everyone has sex out there: “It 100 per cent happens, although it's supposed to be forbidden so it is always kept away from the captain.

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There is no guarantee of full-time employment. If you're looking for year-round employment with regular hours, then think carefully before becoming a yacht crew member. Most jobs are temporary - six weeks here, two weeks there - and you may find yourself with down time (and bills to pay) between jobs.

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The highest-paid deck crew salaries were for captains, reflecting their pivotal role and the large amount of responsibility that they assume. In 2021, captains on a 100-metre-plus (328-foot) yacht were paid an average salary of around €18,000 (c. $19,600) per month, plus a discretionary bonus.

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Personal assistant/estate manager/private chef They also tend to have luxurious homes across the world, which all need a dedicated team to help run them. Many jobs after yachting include working for UHNWIs, in a role such as personal assistant, housekeeper, estate manager, butler, or private chef.

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But what is the average age of a yacht crew? Students who train with SYSA with the intention of starting a career aboard superyachts are typically between the ages of 18 and 30, with an increasing number in their late 20s and 30s.

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The most common entry-level jobs on a yacht are some variation of:
  • Yacht Stewardess / Steward.
  • Deckhand Yacht Jobs.
  • Cook / Chef Yacht Jobs.
  • Stew / Deck / Cook Yacht Jobs.


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Whether the yacht is chartered or privately owned will all contribute to your monthly pay packet; your basic salary will be the same whether you work on a charter yacht or a private boat, though on a charter, you will generally receive tips; this usually around 10% of your monthly salary, or it can range between €1,500 ...

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