An Interview With Chief Stewardess Lisa Thomson

What attracted you to a career in yachting and what were you doing before this?
It was all quite accidental! I was in the third year of my Languages and Tourism Management degree in Edinburgh which included studying abroad. After a stint at Lyon University, I wanted to improve my language skills so I found work in a bar in the South of France where I made a few “yachtie” friends who, soon after, asked me to lend a hand on charter. I gladly accepted and discovered my passion for hospitality, guest interaction and working at sea. In 2010, after graduation, I completed all the relevant courses and found work as a stewardess on a small yacht. I couldn’t wait to start travelling and meet new people!

How did you secure your first position in the yachting industry?
I was lucky because the yacht I helped out on before officially starting my yachting career was hiring a stewardess for the season, so they took me on and I was able to get 8 months of experience under my belt.

What was the itinerary of your first superyacht?
It was a 30m yacht based in Port Grimaud that travelled around the Med spending most of its time in the South of France and northern Italy.

Did the yachting industry match your expectations?
It was more! At first, I wasn’t sure if I would make a career out of it, I was most intrigued to see the world, save some money, and meet new people but I gained so many more skills and found something I loved doing!

Can you give us a quick overview of your journey since you began to work at sea?
I started working on smaller boats (around 30m) as a junior stewardess in 2010 where I learned about the fast-paced life at sea; simultaneously juggling service, cabins, and laundry was often stressful but gave me a solid backbone and understanding of the industry. I did that for about 2 years in the South of France and then moved up to the 50m range, trying out both sailing and motor yachts as an “experienced stewardess”, exploring the Med and USA and becoming familiar with all the yacht hot spots. These experiences allowed me to share my knowledge with the junior crew and train to the very high standards expected on this size of boat. I learned about all things interior, from service to cleaning, laundry and detailing. I then stepped up to the 60+ meter range and became a second stewardess learning valuable managerial skills required to become the department head, a role I held for 2 years in Monaco before stepping up to Chief Stew in 2018. Throughout my years in the industry, I have been based in several parts of the world, from the South of France - Cannes, Antibes, Nice to Monaco, Northern Italy - Imperia, Genoa, San Remo, Malta, Turkey - , USA - Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach & Maine, Costa Rica & Dominican Republic, Antigua & Sint Maarten.

Who or what motivated you to further your qualifications and progress in professional yachting?
After becoming a second stewardess, I asked my Chief what I could do to progress more. He recommended doing wine & cocktail courses since I was more confident in housekeeping &laundry than service. Through the courses, I discovered a huge passion for all things wine!

We have followed your journey and your passion for wine is inspiring. Can you tell us a little more about it?
I took the WSET level 2 wine course, cocktail courses and had already completed a 5-day silver service course in my journey to becoming 2nd stew. I found the wine course particularly fascinating, which opened up a door to a whole new world I didn’t know existed. It wasn’t just the tasting aspect, but the theory that fascinated me. Understanding how wine became a specific style, quality and price based on different factors amazed me and I followed this passion. I took level 3 just before I stepped up to become a chief stew already knowing I would attempt level 4 if I got the chance! In fact, I was the only person brave enough in my level 3 class to go for level 4. So far, I have completed 95% of the diploma comprised of open response exams covering various topics, a research paper, a closed book exam, wine tastings and theoretical exams. 


In your opinion, what skills are essential for a good Chief Stewardess?
Communication, management skills, time management, patience, a positive mindset, upbeat and can-do attitude, an approachable and understanding attitude, motivation, and passion!

What are some of the best things about managing a team?
It’s a very rewarding experience to see the rest of your team progressing and exceeding the standards you require and expect from them. When you see your team show initiative and utilise skills you have taught them, it’s gratifying. Some stewardesses I have worked with have since gone out and completed their WSET courses because of my tuition and passion for wine which led them to develop an interest in wine. What a nice feeling!

When done right, offering true luxury hospitality to superyacht guests is an art. Is there any wisdom you could share to point the new yacht crew in the right direction?
It’s important to have an open and positive mindset, especially for a charter boat… No charter is ever the same and being quick to adapt to the different needs and requests of each charter is an art. You can go from a very relaxed family-oriented charter to a late-night party charter in just 48 hours. Being able to adapt to that and knowing that nothing is ever routine is important. of course, you should love your job, but service with a smile goes a massive way! Being bubbly and genuinely enjoying guest interaction makes a huge difference to a guest’s holiday! I have had countless charter guests who have praised the crew for this, it really does make the world of difference.

What have been some of the highlights of your career to date?
Passing the wine exams has been without a doubt a highlight. The owner of the yacht I currently work on is very into wine and so it is a real pleasure working for lovely people who can understand and appreciate my hard work and even encourage it! Exploring remote areas of the world has been a highlight too. Spending Christmas in Costa Rica, sailing through the Corinth Canal, and seeing breathtaking scenery along the way. Meeting wonderful guests too like Tina Turner was a real highlight for me - she was great. Above all, meeting the crew on each boat I’ve worked on and the friendships I have made for life is something I’m so grateful for.

What have been some of the lowlights & what did you learn from these situations?
The hardest points in my career have been when I didn’t achieve a goal. As a junior stew, I was once told that I wasn’t good enough and although it was a real low point, it just made me a stronger person and gave me the push to become the person I was told I wasn’t good enough to be! I wanted to prove to them and myself that I could do it, so I took everything on board that I was told and really pushed to change it. I worked longer hours, I listened to what I was being taught, I took courses where I felt I lacked the knowledge, and I really matured from then on… I made a point of showing that I was good enough!

What impact have these situations had on your current management style?
I would say that I manage my team differently having gone through that experience. While some people need a bit of a push if they are underperforming for whatever reason, I am a true believer in delivering this in a way that doesn’t put others down. It is important to have a happy and well-functioning team, which you can only achieve by leading by example. Listening to and understanding others and passing on your knowledge with the right attitude and manner makes a huge difference in how positive your team is. I’ve always had a bit of a sarcastic personality and sometimes a bit of silliness and fun is needed in challenging times and often helps motivate the team more, which I feel I didn’t get back when I started.

What makes a good crew?
Good crew members work very well together and act as a team, helping other departments out and being an all-rounder. An outgoing personality and can-do attitude as well as being adaptable and a quick learner make you a quality crew member. 

If you could turn back time, is there any advice that you wish you could have given your X-year-old self before you stepped onboard your first yacht?
I’d like to think I mastered the industry in the way I hoped I would. Back in my early 20s, I didn’t have a goal of what I wanted out of the industry, or how long I wanted to work in the industry, and I didn’t push to step up in my roles as quickly as others had. Having clear goals about what you want out of the industry I’d recommend, but otherwise, I feel really proud of where I am now in my yachting career and hope to inspire others to do the same!