Your Crew

The crew is, arguably, the most important factor in any luxury yacht charter. Your crew is there for you. They love getting to know their guests and sharing their favourite locations. The charter crew have been personally chosen by the yacht’s owner for their skills and personality. The number of crew on board will be dependent on the size of the yacht but to ensure impeccable service, many yachts will have more crew than guests on board.

There are many different roles that make up the crew. Here we have outlined the make-up of the crew.

Captain

The Captain is the highest ranking authoritative figure on board and is responsible for the yacht, the crew and you. The Captain will be in discussion with your broker to draw together the itinerary that meets your requirements. He/she will have personal experience of the best places to visit and most importantly, the othe-beaten-track anchorages for you to enjoy. Many Captains also hold their own qualifications in water sports such as being dive masters or kite surfers. Make the most of their expertise to get the most out of your charter.

The Captain is also responsible for the crew, which means if you are experiencing any problems, be it with the boat or a member of the crew, you should direct it to the Captain. Please do not take matters into your own hands.

Chef

The Chef is certainly considered the most memorable by many charter guests. Their food will provide lasting memories that can be enjoyed with family and friends. Many of the yacht’s chefs are award winning and some have even been awarded Michelin stars. The Chef will ensure that dietary requirements are met by following the Preference List which shall be sent to you prior to embarkation. By filling this list with as much detail as to your likes and dislikes the Chef will be able to plan and prepare meals for the entire party to relish.

Chief Stewardess & Stewardess

The Stewardess is responsible for the interior of the boat with the Chief Stewardess leading the interior crew. She will most likely be a member of the crew you will have the most contact with as she is there to ensure that all charter guests are happy and have their needs not only meet but surpassed. As well as this, the stewardess will ensure that cleanliness of the yacht is maintained as well as ensuring laundry and housekeeping duties are fulfilled. Some Stewardesses may also hold qualifications in other areas, such as massage, from which you can benefit. For special requests, such as themed events or early morning wake up calls inform the Stewardess.

On some smaller yachts, the role of the Chef and Stewardess are combined into the role of Hostess. The Hostess will maintain the yachts interiors and provide fantastic service to guests. She/he will also create simple meals for guests to enjoy.

Deck Crew

The Deck crew, often referred to as Deck Hands, are there to help the Captain in the running of the yacht as well as assisting with water sports and activities. On smaller yachts the Deck Hands will also lend a hand with service, acting as waiters or bartenders in the evenings.

Engineers

Often out of sight during the charter, the engineers are solely responsible for ensuring the yacht is running as it should be. They will predominantly be below deck however, they may help with tenders and water toys.

Please, at any time, feel free to ask them any question you might have or ask their advice as to places to see and visit.

Do let them know your wishes, remarks on service on board, instructions, thoughts or comments. It is much easier if you communicate directly with them than through intermediates. Please, do not hesitate to ask / tell them anything; do not worry how they will take possible criticisms. They are trained professionals and be sure that they will rather hear any possible complaint or a critic from you in time to correct their mistakes or improve your experience, than from your charter agent after the charter has finished.

Crew Gratuity

At the end of a charter, it is common practice for the Crew to be given Crew Gratuity. The Crew Gratuity is at the client’s discretion, but it is customary and expected. The crews on board yachts (of any size) work very hard to ensure that every detail is thought of, looked after and that all guests have an unforgettable charter; they are highly appreciative of these tips.

 When thinking about how much to give, the general rule is that 10%-15% of the basic charter rate is the industry standard on the Mediterranean and in the Caribbean it is 15%-20% of the charter rate. Some guests may feel the need to tip individually, particularly if they have spent a lot of time with a member of the Crew however, please do not forget the members of crew who are out of sight such as the engineers, without whom the yacht would not run smoothly.

To pay your Crew Gratuity, you can bring cash however, many do not feel comfortable carrying large amounts of cash with them and prefer for their broker to transfer the gratuity for them. This is possible but please be aware that there may be a small charge for this.