I always wanted to travel so I started on cruise ships as a bar waitress in 2012. I worked my nine-month contract with not a single day off and saved all my money to buy a ticket to Fort Lauderdale so I could walk the docks and secure my first yachting job.
The best part of being a stew is being able to plan big parties, events, tablescapes, cocktails and theme nights — anything that lets me be creative and bring the wow-factor.
My biggest challenge has also been the biggest achievement of my career. I was handed the reins to refit and outfit the whole interior of the vessel — from choosing all the hard and soft furnishings, redesigning the galley and salons to creating new merchandise and uniforms. There were some days when we had all the contractors on board at once and it felt like the yard period would never end, but the launch of Stay Salty into the charter world has been such a rewarding achievement and I feel so grateful I got given the opportunity to take on this project.
I’ve always loved interior design, so I hope one day to land up pursuing my passion either in homes or yachts. Yacht interior and design really interest me, and I would love to apply my knowledge of working on yachts with the functionality and design of them.
If you’re looking to progress, it’s important to show initiative. It shows me that you are learning in your position and that you feel confident in the role. My job is to share the knowledge I have so that my team can succeed with or without me one day.
My advice to new crew would be to persevere. It might not come over night and there are a lot of crew looking for the same position you are so be friendly, be a hard worker and be a sponge to all the good aspects of the crew around you. Your reputation is everything so have fun in your new adventure but remember this industry is small, so you don’t want a drunken night’s mistake to keep you from getting the job you want.