As 2025 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to review a yacht crew checklist and make sure you’re ready for a successful 2026 season. Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced crew member refreshing your skills, understanding the common yacht crew roles and having a simple yacht crew checklist can help you hit the ground running. Common Yacht Crew Roles Explained [...]
Common Yacht Crew Mistakes to Avoid for a Successful Career Onboard Starting a career in yachting is exciting, but green crew often face a steep learning curve. Many early-career missteps can slow your progress, damage your reputation, and cost you opportunities. By understanding common yacht crew mistakes and how to avoid them, you can set yourself up for long-term success, build trust with captains, [...]
Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show: Career Benefits Beyond Job Hunting The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is known as one of the biggest events in the yachting industry. Many crew members attend when they are looking for their next job, but the truth is the show offers so much more than just job opportunities. Even if you are settled into a role or not [...]
Dependable yacht crew members are the foundation of any successful voyage. Captains don’t just look for skill. They look for consistency because reliability is everything onboard. Showing up on time, being ready to contribute, following through on your responsibilities, and going above and beyond in all you do is what makes you a crew member that captains can trust. Why Reliability Matters at Sea [...]
Best Places to Live for Yacht Crew: Where to Start as a Greenie If you’re just starting out in yachting, one of the most important choices you can make is deciding where to live. The best places to live for yacht crew aren’t just beautiful — they’re filled with opportunity, community, and chances to connect face-to-face with captains and fellow crew. As a green [...]
STCW, ENG1 & the Basics: Your Guide to Getting a Yacht Job If you’ve ever dreamed of working on the water, getting a yacht job might be your ticket to adventure. But before you land that first role, there are a few key certifications and steps you need to take to get yacht-job ready. At Cotton Crews, we’ve helped hundreds of green crew get [...]
Embarking on a career in the yachting industry is both exciting and competitive. To secure your dream position, it's crucial to excel in interviews. These yacht job interview tips will guide you through the process, ensuring you know all the tips and tricks to make a lasting impression. Research the Yacht and Role Before your interview, gather information about the yacht's size, itinerary, and [...]
Life at sea is an adventure, but can also be incredibly demanding which is why crew wellness onboard is so important. Long hours, tight quarters, and the physical and mental challenges of working onboard can take a serious toll on crew wellness if not actively addressed. Forward-thinking yacht owners, captains, and management companies know that investing in crew wellness onboard is not just the [...]
In the competitive world of luxury yachting, boosting superyacht crew salaries is directly linked to experience and certifications. At Cotton Crews, we emphasize the importance of continuous professional development to enhance both service quality and earning potential, ensuring that crew members are well-equipped to advance their careers. The Impact of Experience on Salaries Accumulating hands-on experience is a pivotal factor in boosting superyacht crew [...]
Making a Great First Impression as New Yacht Crew: Essential Tips Stepping onto a yacht for your first job is an exciting moment, but it also comes with high expectations. The way you present yourself and interact with the team from day one can set the tone for your entire career. Making a great first impression as new yacht crew is crucial to establishing [...]
Yacht Job Networking at PBIBS: How the Cotton Crews App Can Help You Secure Your Next Position The Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) is a must-attend event for anyone in the yachting industry. Whether you’re an experienced crew member or just starting out, yacht job networking at PBIBS provides excellent opportunities to connect with professionals and secure your next position. Why is PBIBS [...]
Entering the yachting industry as a first-time crew member can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can successfully launch your yachting career. With numerous roles, career paths, and industry-specific jargon, it’s essential to understand how to stand out in a competitive job market. Whether you're aiming to become a deckhand, stewardess, or chef, landing that first position is all about preparation and [...]
The Caribbean yachting season offers an incredible chance to launch or grow your career in the vibrant yachting world. Imagine navigating turquoise waters aboard a superyacht, propelled by ambition and surrounded by a skilled crew. That is more than a vision for deckhands and stewardesses—it’s attainable with the proper preparation and connections. Cotton Crews is your partner in reaching this goal. With extensive experience [...]
If you're hoping to land your first position as a new yacht crew, there’s no shortage of opportunities. The winter season in South Florida and the Caribbean is busy, bringing an influx of yachts and a high demand for dedicated crew members. As a new “green” yachtie, getting started in this unique field requires more than simply securing a position. It’s about showing up [...]
Starting your first job as a crew member opens doors to exciting opportunities within the luxury yachting industry, offering travel, career growth, and teamwork. The global yacht market is projected to reach $74.83 billion by 2028, highlighting the growing demand for skilled crew members. To capitalize on this growth, aspiring crew should make South Florida their base during the winter hiring season, as it's [...]
How the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Can Boost Your Yachting Career: Networking and Job Opportunities Picture this: the sun is setting on the sparkling waters of Fort Lauderdale, and you’re standing on the deck of a stunning superyacht, gazing out at a world of possibilities. Your dream of working aboard a luxury vessel could become a reality at the Fort [...]
Networking Your Way to a Superyacht Job at FLIBS: How the Cotton Crews App Can Help You Secure Your Next Position The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) is the perfect opportunity for job seekers looking to break into the superyacht industry. With more than 1,300 vessels, FLIBS offers unparalleled access to captains, crew managers, and yacht owners. It’s your chance to network onto [...]
How Experience and Certifications Boost Superyacht Crew Salaries Working on a luxurious superyacht brings the thrill of exploring stunning destinations while attending to the world’s elite. Yet, beyond this glamor, there’s a more practical concern–earning a competitive salary and moving up the ranks. Starting roles may offer a modest paycheck, but experience and certifications can significantly elevate your earning potential. Whether you’re a deckhand [...]
Superyacht Career Advancement: How to Maximize Your Salary For many, the superyachting industry is more than just a job. It's a calling that offers incredible opportunities to see the world, work in luxury environments, and rapidly advance your career. But how do you go from entry-level roles like a deckhand or stewardess to more senior positions such as first officer or chief stew? The [...]
Interview & Land Your First Yacht Job Landing your first job in yachting can be tough, so we’ve laid out some tips to make it a little easier. First things first don’t just be on time, be early! The last thing you want is to keep the captain or whoever it is interviewing you waiting, that will give the impression you don’t value their [...]
The Do's and Donts for Yachties Don't miss these suggestions for a seamless experience with your new crew. Good crew moral is essential for any yacht to run smoothly. Some captains would even say that the crew getting along with each other is top on their priority list. It can be challenging to get along with everyone you’re working with considering the [...]
What To Expect on Your First Charter A Day in the Life of a Stew No matter what boat you’re working on, some things will always be the same when you’re a stewardess on a charter yacht. For example, be prepared to always start your day early and finish late. If there’s one thing charter guests know how to do its keep [...]
Landing a Job in Yachting Landing your first job in yachting can be a little tricky at times so we at Cotton Crews wanted to share a few tips on how to get hired. Our first tip would be to make sure you have a well-developed and organized CV. If you are unsure that your CV [...]
What is Day Work? If you’re just starting out in yachting day work is where it’s at! Working on a super yacht can be extremely misleading when it comes to the required workload so its absolutely recommended to day work before signing on for a permanent position. Day-working is kinda like the substitute teacher of yachting. You [...]
So You Want to be a Yachtie... The first question most yachties hear when they tell someone what they do for a living is, “How did you find that job?” The yachting industry is very small and demands a lot so you should definitely know what you’re getting yourself into! Making the Move [...]
Yacht Crew Expectations Some tips and obligations you should be prepared to adhere to while applying for positions and when attending interviews. CV Preparation: A CV is the first impression the captain or crew agent gets of you and it is important to make sure yours is organized and contains relevant information. This includes your: Personal information (name, recent photo, [...]
Superyacht Job Myths Before you pack your bags we wanted to bust some of the myths that are associated with finding a job on a superyacht these days… The Instagram photos, snapchats and reality television shows can be misleading depictions of what it’s really like to working on [...]
Yachtie Guide: building the perfect yacht CV Your yacht CV is your first impression and with only 3-6 seconds to grab your future Captain’s attention, you want to make it perfect! Yachting is a highly competitive industry. When a Captain puts out a request for a new crew member they often receive over 15 CVs for that one position. So think [...]
