What a summer!

Well, I have finally survived my summer season with charters that drew to a close 3 weeks ago now. Looking back on the start of our season, it all seems not only so far back – but feels like such a blur!

My first charter

Our first charter brought us to Croatia, the home of Game Of Thrones – extremely hot summers and such great scenery! We had a very lovely American couple on board for 2 weeks with some guests and family joining them throughout the trip. It was such an amazing charter. I am so glad that these 2 were my first ever charter experience guests because I could not have asked for a more open, patient and kind couple!

It wasn’t always smooth sailing though. There was a few hiccups along the way with a few people I started the season with now no longer working with us – its sad but the grim reality of the yachting industry – we are all replaceable at the snap of a finger!

my second charter

Our second charter was still based in Croatia. Im so happy we stayed there because the scenery was just so stunning. This time a well known American personality who brought family with him to spend the week. Honestly as bizarre and over the top they were, I really wished we had a longer charter with them. The hardest part for me being the early stew was waking up at 5am with the primary guests son who stayed on American time to take business calls. I loved the routine I was able to get into and how I knew every morning he would want coffee, banana and even more coffee. It made it easier after a few days.

This charter was a unique one. The family were still very new to the whole world of yachting and I felt like they were too scared to be themselves until nearer the end, which was obviously going to be too late to have major fun. I feel like they could have been told to let their hair down from the get go – but for them I know going forward they will know they can just get onboard, feel at home and have so much fun from the start.

Coming from private yachts into the charter world is such a whirlwind to begin with. Personally is feel like I have more fun on charter – I am drawn into craziness and bizarre so I for sure loved the experience we had.

my third charter

The third and final charter we had was a very long 3 week one – British family, who had guests on and off every 3 to 4 days! They were returning guests from the previous year – but this was a whole new interior team for this season! It was a strain on a very small interior team, but we were able to pull everything off extremely well. This guests were used to high end life and wanted to feel super important, which is totally what they are paying for. They were very nice and loving the vibe until the smallest incident would happen then the primary guest would blow up at the chief stew. It was a little intense, he would apologise the next day and then repeat the process every single time. Regardless of how wealthy you are, you should still have poise and elegance in dealing with others in life. Something a lot of wealthy humans seem to not have. I will say they were great guests when they were great and it was a crazy charter regardless.

Looking back on the season, I know I have closed that first charter season being more confident and more full of knowledge that will keep me growing in the industry. I have loved working on a charter boat and so glad I have been chosen for this amazing position. We are currently in shipyard mode at the moment until mid November where we will head to the Caribbean for a winter season. I have never been to that side of the world and I am so excited to go there.

Being a stew onboard can be very hard, especially when there is such a spotlight on your department from other departments. However, I have learnt very well that the best way to prove yourself is via the work you do.

Out of the 3 charters we had, all 3 of them left amazing feedback about me to the captain. This is great news for me as I know I am a valuable asset now. But I will never let that go to my head and act better or bigger than anyone. Keeping a level head is the most important thing I can do going forward. From the 3 charters we have, 2 of them are already booking to come back again next year! What an amazing result and what a great feeling knowing we done so well that they want to come and experience it all again with us!