All roles/Interior/Host / Hostess
Interior
Host / Hostess
The host or hostess is the guests' main contact on board, learning their preferences, planning their days and making sure every department delivers. It is the role that turns a good trip into a personal one.
- Department
- Interior
- Reports to
- Chief Steward / Chief Stewardess
- Yacht size
- 60m to 150m+
- Contract
- Seasonal or permanent
- Starting pay
- €3,500 per month
What the job is
A host or hostess is the guests' main point of contact on board. You learn names, preferences and moods, then make sure the whole crew acts on them. On larger yachts and busy charter programmes this is a dedicated position inside the interior team, separate from the housekeeping and laundry rotas. You meet guests at the passerelle, give the welcome briefing, plan each day with the principal or charter lead, and keep everyone informed as plans change, which they will.
Much of the work is coordination. You book restaurants ashore, arrange beach clubs and car transfers through the agent, set up water toy sessions with the bosun and plan picnics with the chef. You sit between the guests and every department, so a passing comment at breakfast about a birthday becomes a cake, flowers and a playlist by dinner. You also host in the literal sense: showing guests round the boat, playing games with children, or leading a wine tasting on the aft deck.
It is still an interior role. Expect to help with lunch and dinner service, dress themed tables and cover a watch when the team is stretched. Charter days run 14 to 16 hours and you are visible for almost all of them. The best hosts are calm, discreet and good company without ever overstepping. Languages help a great deal, especially French, Italian, Russian or Arabic, depending on the yacht's clients. Most of these positions sit on yachts of 60m and above.
What makes a good one
- Reading guests and anticipating needs
- Event and itinerary planning
- Clear cross-department communication
- Discretion and confidentiality
- Second language fluency
A day in the life
- 07:00Interior briefing with the chief stew. You run through the guest preference sheet, last night's notes and today's plan.
- 08:30Greet guests at breakfast on the upper deck. Confirm the morning swim stop and take requests for the afternoon.
- 09:30Call the agent to confirm a lunch table ashore in Porto Cervo and two cars for the boutiques. Brief the tender driver on timings.
- 11:00Set up the water toys session with the bosun and deck team. Stay on the swim platform with towels, drinks and sunscreen for the children.
- 13:00Escort guests ashore by tender for lunch. Settle details with the restaurant manager and keep the boat updated by radio.
- 16:00Back on board, plan a surprise anniversary dinner with the chef, florist and deck crew. Choose the table setting and music.
- 18:30Host sundowners on the sundeck and walk two guests through a short champagne tasting.
- 20:00Support dinner service, then check in with each guest about tomorrow's plans and any changes.
- 23:30Write up preference notes for the team and hand over to the night stew.
Pay by country
Monthly salary for yachts of 60m to 100m, before charter tips. Charter tips commonly add 10 to 15 percent of the charter fee, shared among crew. Larger yachts and strong language skills push pay higher.
- France and Monaco
- €3,500 – 4,800
- Spain
- €3,500 – 4,800
- Italy
- €3,500 – 4,800
- United Kingdom
- £3,000 – 4,100
- USA (Florida)
- US$3,800 – 5,200
- Caribbean
- US$3,800 – 5,200
- UAE
- AED 14,000 – 19,000
- Australia
- A$5,800 – 8,000
- New Zealand
- NZ$6,400 – 8,800
Required
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- PDSD (Proficiency in Designated Security Duties)
- Food Safety Level 2
Recommended
- PYA GUEST interior courses
- WSET Level 2 Award in Wines
- Medical First Aid
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
- RYA PWC
Visas
- Schengen visa
- US B1/B2 or C1/D
- Australian MCV for Australian cruising
Where it leads
Host / Hostess jobs open now
Questions crew ask
How is a host or hostess different from a stewardess?
A stewardess splits time between housekeeping, laundry and service. A host focuses on the guests themselves, planning their days and coordinating every department, though you still help with service when needed.
Can I get this job with no yacht experience?
It is possible with a strong background in luxury hotels, VIP hospitality or events, plus your STCW and ENG1. Most captains still prefer at least one season as a stewardess so you know how a yacht runs.
Do I need to speak another language?
It is not always required, but it makes you far more employable. Many charter and private yachts look for French, Italian, Russian, Arabic or Mandarin to match their regular guests.