Which roles actually take first-season crew
- Deckhand — the main entry point. Physical work, early starts, and training on the job under a bosun.
- Junior stewardess or steward — the interior equivalent. Hospitality experience ashore helps considerably.
- Crew chef — if you are already a trained chef, this is a genuine route in without yachting experience.
Engineering and officer roles require certification that takes years, so they are not realistic entry points regardless of aptitude.
What you need before you arrive
STCW basic safety training and a valid ENG1 medical. Both must be done before anyone will consider you, and both take time to book. Powerboat Level 2 for deck, or food safety certification for interior, will help but are not blockers.
Budget for accommodation for four to eight weeks. Crew houses in Antibes and Palma are the standard option and are also where you hear about work.
Timing
This decides more than anything on your CV. Yachts hire before the season starts, not during it.
- Mediterranean: be there March to May.
- Caribbean and Florida: be there October to November.
An honest account of the first season
It is harder than most people expect. Long hours, physical work in heat, sharing a cabin, and very little time to yourself during guest trips. Some people find their first season is also their last.
The people who stay tend to be the ones who arrived without illusions: they wanted to travel, save money and take on responsibility early, and they were prepared for the work that goes with it.
What actually gets you hired
Not your CV. Being present, being available immediately, being easy to work alongside, and doing day work well enough that someone recommends you. Almost every first permanent job comes through a recommendation from someone who has already seen you work.
When you are ready, register your CV and read the CV format guide first.