​Working as a hairdresser or hairstylist on board a superyacht is an amazing way to travel the world, take your career to another level, meet amazing friends for life, and work with some of the most discerning clients in the world. 

 

It’s usually yachts larger than 50m that employ hairdressers, and your role will always include stewardess duties. ​​​

​

What does the role involve?

You will likely be the only hairdresser on board, so you will need to be confident in your skills and be able to maintain your working area, products, and SOPs. On some yachts you will just be required to do guest hairstyling when they are on board, on other yachts you may be required to do cutting, colouring and barbering for both guests and crew. 

 

Even on large 100m+ yachts, you will still have stewardess duties and these may be up to 95% of your job, so this job is only for you if you don’t mind cleaning and have a great eye for detail. 

 

What skills/experience will I need? 

• A professional hairdressing qualification, plus solid salon experience in cutting, barbering, colouring, and styling.

• Excellent customer service skills – you’ll be serving some of the richest people in the world

• A valid STCW Basic Safety Training certificate, and a recognised Seafarers medical certificate, such as an ENG1 issued by an MCA Professional Medic. 

 

Extra desirable skills include:

• Housekeeping experience e.g. chambermaiding in a hotel or cleaning experience

• Service experience e.g. waitering in a restaurant or bar work

• Other beauty skills such as makeup, manicures/pedicures, facials and massage 

 

Character and attitude needed to work on a yacht

Working on a superyacht can be physically and mentally challenging. You’ll need to be:

• Resilient and independent You will need to be comfortable being away from your friends and family for long periods of time

• Hardworking and energetic Days can be long and physically demanding. If you’re a clock-watcher or need to have weekends to recharge, this won’t be the environment for you. 

• A team player and sociable You will be working and living in close quarters with the rest of the crew. You’ll need to be comfortable taking direction from your head of department and be open to learning. 

• Adaptable Itineraries and trip dates can change all the time, you need to be comfortable with this unpredictability

• Love travelling and being on the water If you suffer from motion sickness, this won’t be the job for you (although a little is OK - some very large yachts are extremely stable, and even the most experienced sailors can suffer from seasickness sometimes!)

 

What’s the average salary? 

Salaries vary depending on the yacht, however entry-level Hairdresser/Stewardess roles start at 3250€ per month, and might rise to 5000€ per month for someone with several years of yacht experience. 

 

Many yachts will also offer an annual bonus, and if you are lucky enough to find a job on a charter yacht, you will also get a share of the tips which can be very sizable. Candidates don’t often get work on a charter yacht for their first job, and are more likely to get these roles once they have at least a year of yacht experience and good references. 

 

Keep in mind that you won’t be paying for any accommodation, food, or flights to/from home, so if you’re smart with your money you should be able to save most of your salary whilst having some great adventures. 

 

How much holiday and time off will I get? 

Holiday allowances also vary – busy, dual-season yachts may offer annual holidays of 60 days (often described as a 5:1 rotation), 90 days (3:1 rotation), and senior roles can sometimes get 180 days holiday (e.g. 2:2 rotation).  

 

Some quieter private yachts may be single-season and offer seasonal contracts, with a minimum of 2.5 days holiday per month, often to be taken at the end of the contract.

During the summer season, when there are guest trips, you may be working for 12hrs a day for many weeks without a day off. During quieter periods such as during shipyard periods, you may get weekends off and be working more normal 8am – 5pm hours. 

 

How easy is it to get a job? 

Getting your first yacht job can be a challenge, however having extra skills such as hairdressing will make it much easier. 

 

It may also be easier for you to find work as interior crew if you:

• Are fluent in English

• Have a passport from UK/Europe/US/Canada/Australia/New Zealand

• Are in your 20s or 30s

• Have no visible tattoos

• Have proven longevity in your previous roles

 

Don’t panic if you don’t fit the above criteria – if you have the right attitude, skills and character, and are determined and tenacious, it’s still possible to find opportunities.

​

I'm in! What's my next step? 

Register with Angels On Board and we will do our best to support you in getting your dream Hairdresser/Stew job!