If you are based in the Netherlands — Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, or anywhere else in Holland and you are thinking about becoming a yacht stewardess, you are in a good position to make it happen. The Netherlands has a strong maritime culture, Schiphol Airport connects you to Split in under two hours, and Split — where we run our STCW training — is a direct flight of under two hours. We have helped crew from the Netherlands and Holland get their certificates, build their CVs, and find their first contracts on superyachts across the Mediterranean and Caribbean. This guide covers exactly what you need, in the right order, and what the career actually looks like from the beginning.
What Does a Yacht Stewardess Actually Do?
A yacht stewardess is responsible for the interior of the yacht and the guest experience on board. On a superyacht, that means maintaining the cabins and communal areas to an immaculate standard, delivering five-star food and beverage service, managing laundry, supporting the Chief Stewardess during charter events, and generally making sure that guests — often high-net-worth individuals and their families — have a seamless, exceptional time on board. It is a demanding job that requires attention to detail, composure under pressure, and genuine hospitality instincts. It is also one of the best entry points into the superyacht industry, with fast career progression and strong earning potential from the start.
The role is open to anyone — men and women — who have the right certifications and the right attitude. There is no requirement to have a hospitality background, though it helps. What captains and chief stewardesses look for is someone who is professional, adaptable, and genuinely motivated to be there.
What Certificates Do You Need?
To work legally as paid crew on a commercial yacht, you need two things before anything else: an ENG1 medical certificate and STCW Basic Safety Training. These are non-negotiable — without them, a captain cannot hire you. Once you have these, the stewardess-specific training sits on top.
ENG1 Medical Certificate
The ENG1 is your medical fitness certificate for sea service. It is issued by a maritime-approved doctor and confirms you are physically fit to work on a vessel. The appointment takes 30 to 40 minutes, the certificate is issued on the day, and it is valid for two years. From the Netherlands, you can get the equivalent MLC medical certificate from an approved Dutch maritime doctor — you do not need to travel to the UK for it. We cover everything about the ENG1 and its international equivalents in our ENG1 guide for yacht crew.
STCW Basic Safety Training
STCW is the international seafarer qualification that every crew member on a commercial vessel must hold. It covers firefighting, sea survival, first aid, and personal safety — five days of practical training that gives you the foundation for working at sea. From Amsterdam, the most efficient way to complete your STCW is with us in Split, Croatia — a two-hour direct flight from Schiphol. Split is a beautiful city, the training runs over a week including your stewardess course, and you leave with everything you need to start applying for jobs. You can read more about what is included in our STCW Basic Safety guide.
Stewardess Training
On top of STCW, the YCA stewardess training covers the practical skills that get you ready for life on board — silver service, wine and cocktail service, housekeeping to superyacht standards, crew etiquette, and understanding how the interior hierarchy works. This is what transforms a certified candidate into someone a Chief Stewardess actually wants on her team. We include this as part of our stewardess packages, so STCW, stewardess training, ENG1, CV writing, and job search support all happen in one place rather than being scattered across different providers and countries.
How Long Does It Take and What Does It Cost?
The full certification — STCW plus stewardess training — takes one week in Split. You fly in, complete everything back to back, and leave certified and ready to apply. The cost depends on which package you choose. Our Full Stewardess STCW package covers everything in one price with no hidden extras — STCW, stewardess training, ENG1, crew accommodation in Split, CV writing, and job search support from the moment you finish. The Stewardess Premium package is the same but with additional one-on-one coaching and expanded job placement support.
From Amsterdam, factor in a return flight to Split (typically €80–€180 from Schiphol depending on timing) and you have your total investment. Compared to the earning potential on your first contract, it pays back very quickly.
What Do Yacht Stewardesses Earn?
This is one of the most common questions we get, and the honest answer is that the money is genuinely good — especially compared to hospitality roles on land. A junior or third stewardess starting their first contract earns between $2,500 and $3,500 per month, with accommodation, food, and travel covered on board. As you move to second stewardess after a season or two, that rises to $3,500–$4,500. Chief stewardesses on 40–50m yachts earn $5,000–$6,500 per month. On larger yachts of 60m and above, chief stewardess salaries reach $7,000–$10,000 and beyond. On top of base pay, charter yachts pay crew tips — typically $500 to $2,000 per week during a busy charter season. For a full breakdown see our yacht stewardess salary guide.
Where Are the Jobs — Not in Amsterdam
The superyacht industry is based in the Mediterranean, not the Netherlands. The main season runs from April to October, with the fleet spread across France, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Montenegro. After the Med season ends, many yachts head to the Caribbean, Dubai, or Southeast Asia. This is the lifestyle that comes with the career — you follow the fleet, and the fleet moves around the world. For crew from Amsterdam, this is actually an advantage: you are already comfortable travelling, you likely speak multiple languages (a genuine asset on board), and you are used to a professional, international environment.
When we finish your training in Split, we do not just hand you a certificate and wish you luck. We advise you on where to go based on the exact time of year you finish — whether that is heading straight to Antibes to dockwalk the marinas, registering with crew agencies in Palma, or timing your arrival in Greece for the early season. Read our guide to the best time to find a yacht job in the Med for a full breakdown.
How We Help You Get the Job
The certificate is only half of it. The part that actually gets you hired is having a great CV, knowing which agencies to register with, understanding how to dockwalk confidently, and having someone in your corner who knows the industry. When you train with Yachtiecareers, we write your CV as part of the package, take your crew photo in Split, connect you with the right agencies, and stay available via our WhatsApp crew community for ongoing support after you leave. We train 20+ stewardesses and deckhands every month — our instructors, Antonija, Ivana, Charlie, and Charlotte, are all working or recently working Chief Stewardesses who know exactly what hiring captains and chief stews are looking for.
If you are unsure which package is right for your situation, the best thing to do is book a free call with us. We will go through your background, your timeline, and what makes the most sense. There is no obligation and no sales pressure — just an honest conversation about how to get you on a yacht. You can also read what our students say on our reviews page.
