Unsung Heroes: A day in the life of a globetrotting 180-foot super yacht chief stew
Sailing around the world in a yacht is a bucket list adventure — but what if you're the crew and not the guest? Are The Exumas still just as gorgeous?
For starters, don't believe everything you see on "Below Deck" — the life of a yacht's chief stew (short for chief steward/ess) is nonstop. Up at the crack of dawn and the last to call it a night only once the boat is spotless, these crewmembers work tirelessly to meet every request of their guests.
That's why we're profiling this unsung hero of the travel industry to find out what it takes to pull chief stew status on the open waters.
Unsung hero: Maxine Robert, 30, chief stew aboard the 180-foot superyacht Loon
TPG: How did you get into being a crew member on a yacht?
MR: I grew up in South Africa. A friend of mine there went into yachting straight out of high school. He went to Palma de Mallorca and we'd hear his stories about the travel and the money you can make. My parents wanted me to study first, so I went to Cape Town and did a degree in psychology and business management. As soon as I finished my degree, my best friend and I left for Europe. We had the idea to try to crew for yachts for a year to get enough money for our travels. Our friend from South Africa helped us get into working on a boat. Nine years later, we are both still in yachting and working as chief stews.
TPG: What does a typical work week look like?
MR: If we’re not on charter, I typically have a Monday to Friday work week with daily duties I’m in charge of, focusing on a different part of the boat’s interior upkeep every day.
I also do a lot of accounting in addition to provisioning for the crew and for upcoming charters. It’s my job to make sure the boat is fully stocked for everybody on board at all times, that the crew’s uniforms are all ready. There are many things to take care of.
When we’re on charter, I’m in a service role full-time with our guests, getting them everything they need. I get up around 6:30 in the morning and we roll from coffees into breakfast, lunch, cocktails, dinner and so on.
Behind the scenes, of course, there is always so much going on, too. I’m responsible for the boat’s interior. It’s my job to make sure the cabins and common areas are in perfect condition at all times. I manage a team and there’s constant laundry, vacuuming the cabins and many other tasks to do when guests are out on an excursion. Then we are there to welcome them back on board with a cold towel and drink, of course. At the end of the day, the service onboard falls on me as the chief stew, so it’s nonstop when we’re on charter.
TPG: What is your favorite part of the job?
MR: That’s easy: The travel. The places you can see on a boat are incredible. We get the chance to travel to so many different places. I’ve done the Caribbean islands, with St Barths probably being one of my favorites. The Mediterranean season is a great one. There are some amazing places in Europe including Zakynthos, in the Greek Islands. I think the Exumas in the Bahamas has to be one of my all-time favorites. The yachting industry allows us to travel to places that would take me years to try to cover all on my own.
Related: These are the best times to visit the Caribbean
If you fly to the Bahamas or come here on holiday, you might come to Nassau and maybe get out on a day tour to see the swimming pigs. Half of these Exuma islands we see on Loon charters are places I wouldn't have even thought to come to. Even though we are working most of the time, we still always get a day off before a charter or a day off after to explore where we are.
TPG: What is your least favorite part of the job?
MR: The most challenging thing is being away from family and not living a normal life. People think we are living the life because they see the photos we post. But they don’t realize that all the things we miss out on back home with family and friends take a toll.
I can’t just fly back to South Africa on a whim for a niece or nephew’s birthday or a best friend’s wedding. We never go home for Christmas, since that’s the busiest time for charters. We miss out on a lot when it comes to family and friends, that’s definitely the hardest part of being in this business.
Related: The ultimate guide to The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
TPG: What’s the one thing you wish more people understood about your job?
MR: I wish people knew the hours that we actually work. Sometimes guests may not even realize it. They’ll head off for the day and say “Enjoy your time off and having the boat to yourself,” which is really sweet, but we don’t actually have time off until we go to sleep at night. Our guests are paying a lot of money so we want to make sure they have the most amazing time. We don’t want them to see the challenges.
When they leave the boat, we spring into action vacuuming, fluffing cushions, preparing everything so it will be perfect for their return. Even our friends don’t realize all the work that goes into things behind the scenes on a yacht.
TPG: What’s something anyone can do to be a better traveler in 2021 and beyond?
MR: With the whole COVID-19 situation, I think now is the time to put our feelings about the vaccine aside and just get it done and move on with things...I think that getting vaccinated is going to be the best way, moving forward, for all of us to get get back to normal and start traveling again.
Related: What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines in the US
TPG: Are there any VIP-type treatments a guest could score from you for good behavior?
MR: Loon is a superyacht, and everyone gets the VIP treatment onboard. We offer a 10-star service. So we make sure that every single guest, no matter how young they are, gets that VIP level of service every moment of their stay with us. No request is too much.
TPG: How does working in the hospitality industry change your idea of travel, or going on vacation?
MR: The level of service we strive for and deliver on Loon definitely spoils us on land. When we go to order a coffee in a cafe or something, we get anxious when it takes too long. Everything in yachting has to happen very quickly for the guests. If someone orders a coffee or cocktail you run and get it. You don’t ever want the guest to be waiting too long for anything. So we have a very high standard when we go back on land. If I’m at a five-star hotel then I expect that level of service. But, of course, if I’m somewhere else more relaxed I also understand what I’m getting there. It's funny, too, when you go into a yachtie’s home on land you’ll often find everything perfectly labeled and organized. We get used to a certain lifestyle and standard, for sure.
TPG: If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would it be and why?
MR: The French Polynesian islands. It’s been a dream of mine to take a boat there. I was a surfer back in South Africa and I kitesurf, too. And those islands have great surf and they also have the beautiful waters like you find in the Bahamas. They have great diving, too...That's my dream. To get on a sailboat and go to French Polynesia to explore.
Related: Complete guide to sailing from Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
TPG: Tell us about the best vacation you’ve ever taken, or the best place you’ve ever traveled.
MR: That’s a tough one for sure. I love road-tripping through Colorado, it’s so beautiful up in the mountains. Bali is also high on my list, too. I would go there every year if I had the time.
But the best vacation I’ve taken would have to be to Mauritius. My dad’s side of the family is Mauritian. We’ve gone every year since I was little, always as a family. There’s everything there. You can surf. It’s got one of the best kite-surfing beaches in the world and some really great hiking trails, too. Mauritius is a very chilled-out island but also a place you can be very active. It’s the best of both worlds.
Photo courtesy of Motor Yacht Loon
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.