Interior Department
Yacht Stewardess Jobs in Fort Lauderdale
Salary & Compensation
| Vessel Size / Role | Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Stewardess (first role) | $42,000 – $54,000 | Entry; housekeeping + service focus |
| Stewardess (1–3 yrs experience) | $54,000 – $72,000 | Table service, guest interface |
| Senior Stewardess / 2nd Stew | $66,000 – $84,000 | Laundry lead, training junior crew |
| Chief Stewardess (30m–50m) | $72,000 – $90,000 | Full interior management |
| Chief Stewardess (50m+) | $84,000 – $108,000 | Team of 2–5, owner relationship |
Day-work rates for experienced chief stews run $450–$550/day. Charter tips are a significant income component — senior stews on active boats report $8,000–$20,000 annually in tip income. Figures sourced from Dockwalk Salary Survey 2024–2025.
Required Certifications
STCW Basic SafetyAll seafarers; 5-year refresh
ENG1 MedicalMCA-approved doctor; 2-year validity
WSET Level 2 (Wine)Strong differentiator for mid/senior roles
Silver Service CertificateFormal table service training
STCW Crowd ManagementRequired on vessels carrying 12+ guests
Medical Care at Sea (MCA)Required for vessels on international voyages
Career Progression
- Junior StewardessHousekeeping, laundry, provisioning assist. No experience required beyond STCW Basic and a strong work ethic.
- StewardessFull table service, drinks service, guest communication. 1–2 years on board. WSET Level 2 pursued here.
- Senior Stewardess / 2nd StewDepartmental lead in chief stew's absence. Training and scheduling junior crew. Laundry and inventory ownership.
- Chief StewardessManages the full interior department. Owner and guest point of contact. Responsible for all guest experience delivery.
- Hotel Director (100m+)Top tier. Director-level with separate housekeeping, service, and wine teams. Equivalent to a boutique hotel GM.
Why Fort Lauderdale
- Highest density of active charter yachts in the Atlantic fleet — consistent year-round interior work
- Multiple crew training schools offering STCW, WSET, and yacht-specific hospitality courses
- Fort Lauderdale dockside culture means word-of-mouth placements move fast — local presence matters
- Proximity to Miami's hospitality industry provides a large talent pipeline of hotel-trained candidates entering yachting
- Strong interior crew community and social networks (Fort Lauderdale Crew Centre)
Looking for this role? Or hiring for it?
We place crew across all six departments — permanent positions, daywork, and emergency 24-hour placements.
Apply as Crew → Submit a Placement Request