I work on a superyacht AMA

[belowdeckyoubet]

I was thinking about describing my job in an abstract way, it's very hard to do. So, I work on a big white boat, like you see on the tv. AMA

How old are you, where did you learn to be a chef and did you work in any swanky restaurants before the yacht?

@Isla2021 yes, I have both. It takes a lot of juggling. Below deck is purely scripted drama

@Okbussitout I don’t understand the question

@KittyFilter I’m in my 40s. Learned to be a chef many years ago and have worked in some great restaurants, yes!

Why is Croatia the most amazing place you've been? thought about holidaying there but can't really understand the attraction- best bits?

Is a murder at sea really perfect? Like have you heard of people being thrown overboard dead or alive and not being heard of again?

How often do you come home?

@Astressie Croatia is just so beautiful. I have spent many a summer there. It is incredibly expensive, but it is old world charm without too much modernisation.the water is amazing - as amazing as it is the the Caribbean, but the place comes with history. The only things to do in the Caribbean are drink and sunbathe. If you want the most magical place, that would be the Azores

@IamtheAuthority um, never thought about it. Not a common occurrence at all. I come home maybe twice a year

OMG! Your job sounds idyllic! Do you per chance need any 64 year old deck hands🤔.......I’m so envious, wish I was younger and braver!

I'm great at peeling potatoes and can bake. Can I come too?

What sort of salary do you earn, OP? Are there any other perks besides all the travel?

Do people in the industry chat about /follow the Below Deck series?
I briefly worked in yachts in the med as a summer job (not super yachts though)a long time ago and I am gripped by it! Not by the rather staged drama but just by the superyachts and the scenery etc.
But it is a bit shocking how weak some of the crew are - I can't imagine it is like that in the "real world"- surely superyacht crew are all very experienced?

Do you ever have really awful crew on? Any good stories?

What do you do when the owner isn't onboard? Do they send other guests over or do you have long stretches with not much to do?

Oh Croatia is on my bucket list. What was your favourite thing there?

What about your personal life? Do you have a family?

@Hadenoughofbloodycovid haha - there's no age limit! but the work can be gruelling

@MrsBDarcy those skills are always useful. as is making beds and washing dishes!!

@HollowTalk its up in the 6 figures. The perks include not paying for anything if you don't want to - all your food, toiletries, uniform, healthcare, repatriation are covered. And your laundry is done too...

@KeyboardWorriers haha - we do only t say how ridiculous it is! Not everyone is experienced, but as long as you are willing to work hard, that doesn't matter. Professionalism and PMA are the key attributes. Crew who crate drama are never employed for long. If you mess up, your bags are packed and you're gone the next day. when the owner isn't on, its just Monday to Friday, 8 - 3. There's always something to do...

@moanieleminx I would definitely recommend a small town outside of Dubrovnik called Cavtat - and Dubrovnik itself. The cable car is amazing. Also, Split is a much prettier version of Rome, and not as populated. We went on a really good ATV day that was up in the mountains between Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina. Would really recommend that. And Hvar! and a trip into Montenegro. But take heaps of cash with you as you would be shocked at the expense.. I do have a family, it takes a lot of juggling and sacrifice.

Don't you have to work after 3 pm?

Do the guests pay a set fee to be on the boat and to get all their whims attended to or do they pay a base rate + additional for any extras?

Have you ever had a female captain?

You say you have to share a cabin, so how do you deal with the total lack of privacy? I need my space, so that would drive me mad after a single day.

Do you ever have guests with kids, and how do the kids cope being at sea? Do they play up? I've been asked to be an on-board nanny a few times, turned down due to the fear of seasickness, but the thought of being stuck on a boat with kids climbing the walls (or worse, the railings!) is off-putting enough.

Do you need any extra staff? Got a RYA skippers licence & ICC, qualified as an accountant and excellent at PA. Very tall and classical too. Downside, over 55 now It's okay, it's a rhetorical question, I can but dream...

Here's hoping to be able to sail later this year around the Med.

@HollowTalk not on downtime, no

@Saoirse7 the charter rate is a flat fee - that gets you the boat and the crew. Everything else is extra. Like everything, fuel, food, dockage, alcohol etc. And then the tip

@jay55 no I have t!

@Susie477 you get used to it. To be honest, you don't tend to hang out in your cabin. In normal times, you can do what you want after work. Exercise, go to the beach, go shopping etc. You sleep in your cabin, that's all really

Why do you do that job as opposed to a chef in a restaurant? Considering the sacrifices it has in regards to family

Do you ever have porta potties on your boat?

Do you cabin share with the same person long term?

I'd be terrible at sharing & wouldn't wish myself on anyone, but I might manage it if I was good mates with the bunkie.

Different person every trip, not so much...

@FurrySlipperBoots yes, some do come with children. The deckhands play with them in the water, take they on the jet skis etc. I’ve never seen them get too out of control. Whatever happens, you can take them ashore. Even if you re at anchor, the boys will run you ashore in the tender. I recommend you give it a go!