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The Insiders' Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess:
Confessions from My Years Afloat with the Rich and
Famous,
by Julie Perry
Chapter 6                 The Recipe for a Great Stew
                -- The Skills and Traits Required to Get Hired --

Recipe for a Yacht Stew: The Prime Ingredients
    Personal Attributes Assessment
    People Skills
    Positive Attitude
    I Must Confess...I had to bite my sassy tongue at times.
    Team Player
    Proper Etiquette
    Appearance
    Discretion
    I Must Confess...I watched Naomi Campbell watch TV.
    Observational and Listening Skills
    Problem-solving Skills  
    I Must Confess...I once bribed some customs officials.
    Organizational Skills
    Flexibility
    I Must Confess...No matter how prepared I tried to be, I was caught off guard a lot.
Transferable Ingredients from Your Previous Recipes
    The Excavation of Your Work History
    The Obvious
    The Not-So-Obvious  


Chapter 7                       Learning the Ropes
                -- Essential Training for Entry-Level Stews --

STCW '95 Basic Safety Training (BST)
    A Quick Background on the STCW '95 Code
    STCW '95 Basic Safety Training (BST) Standards    
The STCW '95 Basic Safety Training Course
    I Must Confess...I sorta freaked out during a fire school drill.
    Why We Can't Call STCW '95 Basic Safety Training "Mandatory" for Every Crewmember
    Cost of STCW Basic Safety Training Courses
STCW '95 Basic Safety Training Schools
    STCW Training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
    STCW Training in Antibes, France and Palma de Mallorca, Spain
    STCW Training in Other Parts of the U.S. and Canada
    STCW Training in the United Kingdom
    STCW Training in Australia
Specialized Stew Training
    I Must Confess...Stew training was mind-boggling.
    Interior Crew/Stew Training Schools in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
    American Yacht Institute (AYI) Stew Training
    Other Seminars Offered at American Yacht Institute
Interior Crew/Stew Training Schools Outside the U.S.
    Stew Training Courses in the Mediterranean
    Stew Training Courses in Australia
Suggested Classes for Quick Training
    Bartending
    Floral Arranging
    Wine and Food
    Massage


Chapter 8                      Picking Up Anchor
                   -- Choosing and Moving to a Hiring Port --

The First Big "To Do" – Choose a Hiring Port
    To Move or Not to Move? There Is Very Little Question. (MOVE!)
    Hiring Port Options
What Criteria Do I Use to Choose a Hiring Port?
    Seasonal Decisions
    Passport and Visa Considerations
    Important Information for Non-U.S. Job Seekers
The Skinny on Hiring Ports
    Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA
    Antibes, France
    Palma de Mallorca (Majorca), Spain
    Newport, Rhode Island USA
Finding a Crew House in Your Hiring Port
    Crew Houses and Your Budget
    Crew Houses and Networking
    Crew Houses and Convenience
    Crew Houses and Day Working Leads
    Booking Crew Accommodations
    I Must Confess...My own crew house experience was tough to leave.
Crew Housing Lists   
    Fort Lauderdale Crew Housing
    Antibes Crew Housing
    Palma Crew Housing
    Newport Crew Housing
What to Pack
    A Quick Word on Valuables
    Clothes
    Computer
    Cell Phone
    Miscellaneous Items to Consider


Chapter 9                      Let the Job Hunt Begin!
                 -- Crew Agencies, Day Working, and Networking --

Crew Agencies (Employment Agencies)
    The Advantages of Using Crew Agencies
    Crew Agency Hiring Process
It's Not Easy Being Green...
    Be Persistent
    Show You Are Eager and Dedicated to Your Quest
    Be Patient
Get Registered
    Crew Agencies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
    Crew Agencies in Antibes, France
    Crew Agencies in Palma de Mallorca, Spain
    Crew Agencies in Newport, Rhode Island
    Crew Agencies West Coast, U.S.
    Training Schools Placement Assistance
Day Working
    Day Work Pay
    Using Day Work Pay to Network
    How Day Work Can Lead to a Permanent Job
    How Day Work Can Help You Build Your Portfolio  
    How to Find Day Work  
    Make Up Business Cards  
Dockwalking – For Temporary or Permanent Positions  
    I Must Confess...I screwed up my first time day working...(and I even took my
                               toothbrush!)   
Job Advertisements  
    The Trade Publications  
    Internet Crew Agencies ("Cyber Agencies")  
    Online Bulletin Boards and Chat Forums for Crew  
    Public Job Boards in Yachtie Bars (and other places people post)
Networking – Making Connections and Meeting the Right People  
    Get Out and About in Port  
    Networking in Fort Lauderdale  
    Networking in Antibes  
    Networking in Palma
    Networking in Newport
    Events to Attend


Chapter 10                          Fit to be Hired
      -- Résumés/CVs, Interviews, and Accepting Your First Job! --

Résumés/CVs
    Is it a Résumé or a CV, and What the Heck is the Difference!?
CV Strategy
    Getting Started: Reflect and Brainstorm
    Advice: Consider Your Audience
Anatomy (What to Include)
    Head Shot Photo
    The Basics: Contact Details and Personal Information
    Objective and Summary Statement
    Qualifications/Skills Summary
    Education and Training
    Employment History/Work Experience
    Honors/Activities/Special Skills
    Interests
Tips for CV Construction
    Layout
    Style
    Writing Quality
    Content
Sample CV
References
    The Power of the Written Word
    How to Submit Your Reference List
    Prepare Your Contacts
    Some Final TIPS on Obtaining References  
Interviews
    Interviewing with Crew Agents
    Interviewing with Captains or Other Hiring Representatives
    Interview Questions for Crew to Ask Captains or Other Interviewers
Deciding Which Type of Job You Want
    Motor Yachts vs. Sailing Yachts: Which Do You Choose?
    Charter Yachts vs. Private Yachts
    Bigger Yachts vs. Smaller Yachts
    Level of Service  
    American Flag vs. Foreign Flag Yachts


Chapter 11           All Aboard
                     -- Life "Out There" --

Moving Onboard
    What to Bring
    Cabin Fever (Crew Accommodations)
    Fitting in With the Crew
    Uniforms
    Romantic Relationships Onboard
    I Must Confess...I dated a fellow crewmember.
    Dealing with Seasickness
    I Must Confess...I got seasick on a couple occasions.
Work Schedules
    No Guests Onboard – Work Hours, Breaks, and Meals
    Guests Onboard – Work Hours, Breaks, and Meals
    I Must Confess...I played hooky from work one afternoon, while we were on charter.
Behavior Guidelines
    Personal Hygiene
    Smoking
    Alcohol Consumption
    Drugs
Keeping in Touch with “Back Home”  
    Phone
    Email
    Banking and Bills
Changing Jobs and Crew Turnover
    Boat Hoppers
    Changing Jobs
Money Management
Life After Yachting
    Future Possibilities
    I Must Confess...I worried about what I would do "after."

Conclusion

Thoughts on Being a Yacht Stew
    I Must Confess...I grew to love the sea.

Appendix A – Understanding Yacht Measurements
Appendix B – A Sample Mediterranean Itinerary
Appendix C – Culinary Terms
Appendix D – Sample Lunch and Dinner Menus
Appendix E – Guest Profile: Charter Review Example
Appendix F – Worldwide Yachting Publications to Check Out
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Preface  
Acknowledgements
Introduction
   Welcome Aboard!   
   More Good News: Yacht Crew Jobs are Plentiful Right Now!
   A Quick Note on Gender and Terminology
   How to Use This Guide
   Now for What You Won't Find...
   Setting Sail for New Horizons
Part I
"THE
WHAT INDUSTRY?"
Chapter 1          Shhh...I've got a secret.  
                      -- Luxury Yachting Defined --

"Is That Like Working on a Cruise Ship?"
    Cruise Ships vs. Luxury Yachts – A Vast Sea of Difference
    I Must Confess...We yachties sort of frowned upon what life might be like
                               aboard the ol' cruise ships.
    Why Work on a Cruise Ship When You Can Work on a Luxury Yacht Instead?
Yacht Definitions: The Superlative Confusion
    Luxury, Mega, Super, Giga Yachts...and How They Differ
    Yacht Classifications Chart
A Yacht’s Interior
    Floating Cribs
    Your Future "Office"
Who Onboard Can Afford All This? (The Owners, the Guests…and Their Money)
    Owner-ship
    Eye-Popping Price Tags
    Keeping the Ship Afloat
    I Must Confess...I knew very little about the high society life when I entered
                               yachting.
    Charter-ship
    The Chartering Types  
    I Must Confess...It was amazing what some of our guests deemed a necessity.  
                                   
Oh, the Places You'll Go (The Travel)
    The World is Their Oyster...and Their Playground
    'Tis All in the Seasons
    It's the Journey That Matters...But the Destinations Are Nice, Too
    I Must Confess...I had never even heard of some of the places I made it to working
                               on yachts.
Mum's the Word (The Crew)
There's No Business Like Boat Business (The Industry)


Chapter 2     What Has Yachting Done for Crew Lately?
                                   -- (a.k.a. The Benefits!) --

The Job Market and Its BOOM
    The Building Boom
    Crew Shortages –
A Crisis?
(Drum Roll): The Benefits
    Salaries to Savor
    Tips Ahoy!   
    Are Strictly Private Boats Strictly Salary?
    Crew Packages Come with Big Benefits
The Perks  
    Globetrotting in Yachting – The Travel
    I Must Confess...Times in port, with no guests onboard, are spent living life to the
                               fullest.
    Making Connections – The People  
    Gaining a Family Away from Home – The Crew
    Living on a Yacht – The Lifestyle  
    Random Perks
    I Must Confess...Sometimes, I felt more fortunate than the guests.
Resist Temptation – Your Saving Grace
    I Must Confess...I spent a little too much of my earnings on playtime—but I didn't
                               always regret it.


Chapter 3            There's No "I" in CREW
                 -- Meet Your Fellow Crewmembers --

A Portrait of Captain and Crew
    The Key Ingredient = The Crew
    I Must Confess...The pressure can be exhilarating.
    Types of Crew Employment
Crew Make-up
    Departmental Fundamentals
    Onboard Hierarchy (Chart)
    Crew Numbers and Examples
Positions and Responsibilities
    Administrative Department
            CAPTAIN
            PURSER
    Engineering Department
            CHIEF ENGINEER
            ASSISTANT or 2nd ENGINEER
    Exterior Department
            FIRST MATE/OFFICER
            BOSUN or 2nd MATE
            DECKHAND(S)
    Galley Department
            EXECUTIVE CHEF
            ASSISTANT CHEF (SOUS CHEF)
    Interior Department
            CHIEF STEWARDESS
            STEWARDESS – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
    Dual Positions
    I Must Confess...I chose to use the more formal, British pronunciation for my new
                                       job title of "Stewardess."


Chapter 4       Around the World with a Silver Tray
                   -- What Becoming a Yacht Stew Entails --

Endless Chores Earns You Distant Shores
    I Must Confess...Before I became a yacht stewardess, I was the least
                               domesticated of any person I knew.  
    If You Get Overwhelmed, Don't Jump Ship
    Julie from The Love Boat Ain't Got Nothin' on a Yacht Stew
    As a Yacht Stew' You Might Be Expected to Be A:
    Guests Onboard vs. No Guests Onboard
The Big Three: Service, Housekeeping, and Laundry
Service
    Main Meal Service
    Styles of Service
    Menus
    Lending Help in the Galley
    I Must Confess...I always made it a point to befriend the chef.
    Table Setting and Napkin Folding
    
I Must Confess...I sucked at napkin folding.
    Washing Dishes and Polishing Silver
    Wine Service (Sommelier Skills)
    Bartending
    Beverage Provisioning
    Serving Snacks and Hors d’oeuvres
    Other Types of Service
Housekeeping
    Cleaning, Dusting, and Vacuuming (Hoovering)
    
I Must Confess...Those %#@&!* GOLD SINKS…They were the bane of my
                               existence!
    Making Beds and Other Cabin Care
    
I Must Confess...I tried on a pair of guest's shoes.
    Guest Heads
    A Day in the Life of a Stew on Housekeeping Duty WITH Guests Onboard
    
I Must Confess...I once cleaned a bit too thoroughly.
Laundry
    What Gets Done (Can you wash this?)
    Stains
    Folding and Ironing
    
I Must Confess...I skimped on the laundry because I knew bed sheets could be sent
                               out to the dry cleaners.
Rotation Example


Chapter 5      A Stew's Job Is Never Done
                        -- Beyond The Big Three --

Host/Hostess (with the Most/Mostest)  
    I Must Confess...I was overwhelmingly star-struck by a guest once (and only once).
    A Brief Word on Stew Panache
    Concierge and Valet/Personal Assistant
    Entertainer and Activities Director/Party Planner
    Party Planning Checklist
    Theme Night Suggestions
    I Must Confess...I had my fair share of party debacles...one of the most disastrous
                               being the "Academy Awards Night Gone Awry."
Guest Care
    Tending to Seasickness
    Psychiatrist
    Childcare
    I Must Confess...I told the kids too much. (I'm not good with kids.)
    Nurse
    Privacy Protection
    Safety
Household Management
    Inventories and Maintenance Logs
    Hiring Contractors and Staff
    Stowing for Sea    
    Stowing for an "Out of Water" Experience (The Shipyard)
    Interior Manuals
    Shopping
    I Must Confess...I loved shopping for the boat.
    Guest Profiles
    Sample Breakfast Notes
Back-Up Deck Crew
    Docking and Handling Lines and Fenders If Needed
    The Decks
Crew Care
    Crew Areas
    Crew Mess
    Watch Duty
    Crew Cabins
    Crew Uniform
Special Skills
    Massage Training
    Floral Arranging Know-How  
    Cooking Abilities
PART II
GETTING HIRED
The Quick Start Guide:
The A to Z of How to Become a Yacht Stew
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Work On A Yacht, LLC
234 SW 19th St., Ste. #3
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
1-954-761-1674
Info@WorkOnAYacht.com
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