Behind The Yacht: Making The Most Of Your Yacht Charter Crew
While a luxury yacht provides an incredible platform to explore some of the world's most amazing destinations, behind the experiences, it's the team onboard that makes yachting vacations incredible.
Onboard each luxury charter yacht within our IYC fleet, a finely tuned team of dedicated professionals delivers seven-star service around the clock. Working discreetly in the background, the crew onboard anticipates each request and moment before it arrives. Whether it's overseeing the itinerary, serving Michelin-level meals and signature cocktails, delivering expert watersport instruction, or leaving every inch of the yacht spotless, the crew make it happen.
Unlike standard luxury services ashore, yacht crews have the training, intuition, and understanding to know what you need and when you need it. For guests, small gestures of respect, open communication, and good etiquette go a long way in creating the best atmosphere on board. Here is how to make the most of your yacht crew to enjoy an exceptional yacht charter:
The Role Of The Crew: Who's Who?
The setup and size of the yacht will depend on the structure and the number of crew members on board. Generally, smaller yachts have a smaller crew-to-guest ratio, whereas larger yachts can have a crew of 30 or more, often exceeding the number of guests onboard.
A yacht crew hierarchy begins with the Captain. The Captain has the final authority and overall responsibility for the yacht and guests, including itinerary decisions, safety, logistics, and managing the rest of the crew. Generally, a captain will only change an itinerary if the weather and, therefore, the safety and comfort of those on board will be impacted.
On larger yachts, the Captain will be supported by a selection of Officers and a Purser. An Officer will assist with navigation, safety, and overall management. The Purser manages the administrative, financial, and other logistical factors to ensure smooth operation.
Yachts of all sizes will have an interior team of Stews who handle and manage all aspects of the interior, from service and housekeeping to laundry duties. Onboard, they will also be responsible for setting the table and decor at mealtimes, as well as liaising with the Chef regarding menus and setups. Stews will understand what the guests need when and work with other departments to ensure the day runs smoothly. The Chef creates menus for all meals and snacks, taking into account guests' preferences and dietary requirements.
There will also be a Deck team on board to manage and maintain the exterior. Depending on the size, this will be made up of a Bosun and Deckhands. This team is responsible for the yacht's image, exterior maintenance, driving and managing the tenders, and all the watersports. Many Deckhands also double up as watersports instructors. In the background, Engineers and ETOs onboard yachts keep all the yacht's systems running smoothly, from the entertainment systems to the engines themselves.
Onboard Etiquette: What Are The Unspoken Rules?
A yacht is not just your luxury vacation space but also a working and professional environment where luxury hospitality is delivered. Finding the correct balance between relaxation and respect means everyone on board can enjoy a comfortable atmosphere. One key rule is to understand boundaries; crew areas are private workspaces, and respecting this helps the crew continue their work uninterrupted. Social boundaries are another subtlety. Crew members are there to make you feel as comfortable as possible, but they are also professionals with limited downtime. Therefore, treating them with kindness and politeness is essential, and acknowledging their efforts goes a long way.
When asking for something, whether it's a snack, a drink, an extra towel, or a trip in the tender, keep your request kind and courteous. Typically, communicating through the Chief Stew or Captain is best, as they can then direct your request to the correct crew member who can help. At the end of a yacht charter, tipping is an essential gesture of appreciation for the crew, ranging from 10% to 20% of the charter fee, and is allocated to the Captain for fair distribution.
More From The Blog
Whether you are considering yacht ownership or planning a charter experience, understanding the crew structure onboard is essential. The crew plays a significant role in ensuring the smooth and seamless operation of the yacht, providing exceptional service and creating memorable experiences for all.
Throughout the winter, there are numerous occasions for celebrating, from Thanksgiving and Christmas to Valentine's Day. Whether you are planning a festive holiday, a milestone birthday, or a special event, a yacht is the perfect platform to host. From a New Year's Eve in St Barths, Christmas cruising The Bahamas, a luxury winter escape to Dubai, to celebrating an occasion off the beaten track in the Seychelles, the possibilities are endless on a luxury yacht charter.
Our IYC consultants take pride in selecting the best charter yachts that can accommodate the most suitable itineraries, catering to specific groups, ages, and preferences. Last year, when two family groups approached us for a southern Caribbean adventure, it was the perfect opportunity to get them on board the 164' (50m) Heesen yacht, ELA.
Guest-Crew Connections: How To Communicate Effectively
Before a charter, every guest will have the opportunity to complete a pre-charter preference sheet, detailing likes and dislikes, interests, and other personal information. While this is extremely important to ensure excellent service, preferences should be communicated throughout the charter, and an open, ongoing conversation about how the trip is going is recommended.
Encouraging polite feedback is helpful for the crew to understand if they are delivering the best service for you and to help them tailor the experience even more, whether that be to the Chef about a meal or the Stew about the inside comfort. This is also relevant to service; the more the crew understands about you, the more intuitive the experience will be. Asking the crew for local recommendations and trusting them for suggestions on activities can also enhance your trip.
When communicating with the Captain, guests should feel comfortable asking questions or sharing insights about the yacht and itinerary. However, as they are the authority, it is essential not to challenge them and understand that any changes made are being done for their comfort and safety.
The Human Touch: The Secret To Successful Charters
When a respectful rapport is established on board, this results in a better atmosphere and overall experience, making the yacht a place where everyone enjoys being. Mutual respect between the crew and guests not only enhances service but also improves the overall yachting experience.
Be comfortable asking the crew questions; the crew loves sharing their knowledge and showing interest, which helps create a better bond when onboard. Making sure you appreciate the finer details and meaningful touches the crew arranges is important, and this gratitude goes a long way. Guests who treat their crew as professionals and value the charter crew often find themselves back for a repeat trip due to the positive atmosphere and experience they had onboard.
Throughout the IYC fleet, our charter crews make every moment exceptional. Contact our team to find out what yachts are available for charter and who they have onboard.