Testimonials, Comments and Feedback for Australian Superyacht Crew Training
Cristie F, Interior Crew student
I had reached a stage in my life where I didn't know what I was doing, wasn't happy in my job or where I was living. Fortunately I found out about a totally new and exciting career working on yachts. I did all my research and found that the Australian Superyacht Crew training academy had all the answers.Enrolling in the stewardess course was a no brainer: I had no hospitality experience so I had to start from scratch learning what to do to become a stewardess. I learnt so much that I don't know how anyone can go out looking for a job as a stewardess without doing this course “ even if they had prior hospitality experience! I learnt everything from how to make a bed and lay a table properly, to making the best coffee, knowing my wines and writing the perfect CV. There is a lot of competition, so having these skills (and confidence) definitely gave me an advantage!
Within 2 weeks of landing overseas I got my first job on a yacht and I have never looked back! Donna and Richard have been not only an inspiration but an amazing boost to get me where I wanted to be. To anyone thinking about becoming a member of the yachting industry, you need to do their courses!"
Fran M: 4-yr experienced Senior Stewardess:
Amazingly, after almost four years in the yachting industry, to say I have learnt a lot this past week, is an understatement on a grand scale! As well as gaining overdue and much needed advice, training and skills to progress to the next level as Chief Stewardess, I have walked away with the reaffirmation of what I absolutely love about the Superyacht industry and everything it encompasses: a level of service that is unique, polished and bespoke. Australia is fortunate enough to have such fabulous leadership and mentoring on offer through Australian Superyacht Crew Training, ensuring crew are aware of what to expect, with guided practicals and hands-on demonstrations. I hope this course will become compulsory for future crew being introduced to the industry. Interior yacht crew currently do not have any set standard, which is how I started off. Having done the course (after all these years), I now realise that simply applying previous hospitality skills does not automatically provide the elite level of service that Superyacht guests expect. I have often found that even Chief Stewardesses do not always hold any formal training (this has been the case on three of the four yachts I have worked on!) so it can become a cycle of inadequate service, misguided information, poor judgement and lack of awareness of the finer points. If the Queen has formally trained staff as a pre-requisite, why shouldn't Superyacht owners and guests?
Thanks again. It really was an amazing course and I am now looking forward to applying my enhanced knowledge and also doing your Distance Ed. Senior Management course.
LAURA H, Interior Crew student
"This year has been a huge learning curve for me; it's been my first time to Europe, my first time living out of home and my first job onboard a yacht. I took a chance and packed up my life in Australia to pursue a career in the yachting industry, so that I could see the world, earn a reasonable amount of money and broaden my experiences. I spent two days in Antibes looking for a job before I was on a train headed to Saint Tropez to work onboard the gorgeous M/Y BlueBird, I haven't left since.It's been a full-on but fantastic summer; I've learnt so much about myself, about different people and cultures; I've seen so many new and exciting places, made friends from all over the world, have developed my skills relevant to the job and more specifically have managed to break records with how quickly and efficiently I can iron (my Mum's going to love me!).
For other people just starting out in the industry, I cannot recommend the Australian Superyacht Crew Training enough, it's been invaluable. Donna and her team have provided me with a great understanding of what the role of a stewardess would entail, of what to expect of life onboard, how to perform daily duties, valuable information about food, wine, service, cigars, (you name it! that course covers it!) and I suppose you could say the confidence to travel to the other side of the world and pursue this career.
I am so grateful for the enthusiasm, support and knowledge that the ASCR&T Interior Crew course has given me; basically the means to pursue my dreams! Thank-you."
RACHEL J, Interior Crew student
"I love yachting “ what an amazing life! What a great decision to have made. I can highly recommend a Superyacht career! All thanks to Donna & Richard and their team at Australian Superyacht Crew Training for the excellent interior crew course. I felt confident and thoroughly prepared: understood the scope of the role and what to expect. It put me streets ahead because I was able to perform from the start!
On another note, I have really appreciated the ongoing assistance and mentoring that I have received from ASCT which has made a big difference in my yachting career so far.
You've got my vote: and I've recommended this very professional Superyacht training school to many. Thanks again." Melissa Y, Chief Stewardess/Purser
I've been a Superyacht stewardess for over 10 years now, 8 of them at a senior level! I have hired some girls that had done the Interior Crew course from Australian Superyacht Crew Training. Since my experience with these stewardesses was so positive, I thought that the calibre of training must be excellent. Out of curiosity on one of my visits home I dropped in to meet the trainers and wound up sitting in on a course! WOW even I learned a great deal ¦ yes even after all these years on the job..! The training was so hands one much better than other training I've attended!
Everyone needs to do some professional training in this industry, especially now that there can be quite a lot of competition for jobs. Australians are lucky: not only will you have the opportunity to fill the gaps in your knowledge and up-skill to a higher level, but you will feel and look more confident as well.
I am positive that senior crew doing the hiring people like me are far more likely to decide in your favour if you've got a course like this under your belt.
Keep them coming ASCR&T you are doing a great job preparing people for the Superyacht industry! Kim (Interior course student)
I just had to tell you that I am loving France!!! I arrived in Antibes last Friday and after spending the weekend networking with new friends at the crew house and looking around the fabulous town of Antibes, I officially started dock-walking and job hunting on Monday. It's very busy here at the moment with lots of fresh people seeking work. I can see it's a very competitive industry although I happy to say that I have scored 3 days work in just my first week! I got a job on my second day of dockwalking on a small sail yacht in which I detailed it in preparation for the owners to come onboard. Over the weekend I got to practice my silver service skills on the VIP friends of the owners whilst working for the McLaren Mercedes Race team. It was an amazing weekend and I even got offered job opportunities from it so they must have liked my service! I just received another call and I will be doing some day work in Nice tomorrow onboard an Australian owned Superyacht, so I am very excited about that!! I just want to thank you again for all the advice and help you gave me. Your course was so inspirational and I am so excited about gaining a full time position in this industry. I'll keep you postedÂAdam (Induction course student)
Well done [ASCR&T] for such a brilliant course thank you for the wealth of knowledge that you imparted! Your professionalism, great experience and highly valuable information and networking, set the industry standard.Richard and Donna Morris have put together an excellent package that I believe will benefit anyone who has the right attitude and gives it a go thanks again! [We are pleased to say that Australian Superyacht Crew Recruitment placed Adam in a Deckhand position a week after his course! Congratulations Adam!!] Natalie (Interior course student)
"I found the course very enjoyable and thoroughly informative. It was extremely relevant and gave me a broader understanding of exactly what to do and expect! I have so much more confidence now! You presented the course fantastically and made me feel very welcome in the group. Rhonda (the assistant trainer) was lovely and helpful too. I really appreciated that I could ask anything, be myself and receive responses quickly and in depth! I would absolutely recommend this course. I am sure that others would appreciate all the practical elements of the class also, particularly the wine lecture and tasting "I learned so much that I had no idea about! THANK YOU ."Alan (Induction course student â a few months after his training.)
"Thank you so much for thinking of me for the job on the MY in The States. Ordinarily I'd be delighted except that I was able to acquire a position onboard a 58m MY based in Monaco pretty much straight away after arriving in Europe. I was extremely fortunate with job-hunting. The captain of my yacht says he knows you and Richard. He's a really nice guy and the rest of the crew are fantastic! Thank you so much for your help with my C.V. Everyone who saw it commented on it! the business cards were a hit as well!! Thank you again for thinking of me for the position in The States. We'll stay in touch."Sam (Deckhand Package 2 student a few weeks after his training.)
"Hi, I just wanted to send you a quick update to let you know that I got a job! After only three and a half weeks of dock-walking (and rejection haha!) and a little bit of good old daywork I landed a Deck/Stew role on a 32m sailing yacht!! Whoohooo I'm really excited! They offered me the job this morning and are flying me from Nice to Dubrovnik tomorrow morning. WOOOSHKA “ it's all happened at breakneck speed!! The previous Deck/Stew had to leave urgently so I was a little lucky there I guess like you said: "timing is everything" and so is tenacity! The owners aren't onboard for a month so I'll have some time to learn the ropes, then we will be sailing Croatia, Corsica, Spain and across the Atlantic to Florida in September. This is all a really exciting opportunity for me and I am hugely relieved to have my foot in the door. And now the hard work begins! Thank you for your time and training over the past few months! It has been invaluable. I'll keep in touch now and again. All the best! Au Revoir!"India (Interior Crew course student “ a few weeks after her training.)
"Hey Donna, Just thought you would be interested in hearing how my first month has gone living and working on my first Superyacht! I think I somehow managed to find the busiest yacht out there, but also the nicest, most beautiful brand new yacht!! and the best ever crew! Thanks again for the amazing training!!!!! I'm so glad I did the course because from the minute the guests arrived we have just been running the whole time and neither of the other stews had a chance to teach me anything! so I just tried to remember all you had said and improvised otherwise and somehow made it work.Veneta (Service course student a few months after her training.)
"I hope you are well. Your training on the Gold Coast looks like fun! I'll be telling people about it..! It's funny how many Aussies I've met in the Med. and the Caribbean that are associated with you! I'm finally on my way home for a short stay before heading off back to Miami! I love working in yachting and have managed to work my way up to 2nd Stewardess on a 190ft Trinity, motor yacht. I hope that your training business is going well - you deserve success. The course has definitely helped me in many situations that arise with guests. I can say that I've only forgotten the napkins once and was saved by the skin of my teeth (ha ha) thanks to your excellent suggestion of working with lists and ticking all the boxes! Thank You."Georgie (STCW95 & Interior course student)
"The training more than met my expectations! I loved all the practical aspects. There were so many opportunities to practice the theory (and make it real). I feel more confident for when I am working on a Superyacht (in Europe next month!). I would highly recommend this to others (and have already!) and they too are very excited to participate in one of the future courses. Thank you for a wonderful week “ I loved every minute. Your enthusiasm was amazing and you have inspired me to be the best stewardess I can be. I can't wait! [We are pleased to say that Georgie found a great job 10-days after arriving in France, as a stewardess on a 50-metre motor yacht.! Congratulations Georgie!!]Lesley (STCW95 & Interior course student)
This course was great. There was a lot of information, but the hands on kept it interesting and fun! I would definitely recommend this course as the training not only introduces you to the Superyacht industry but the team [at ASCR&T] go above and beyond to help find students a job in the industry. I couldn't have met better people to get me started and help fulfil my goals. Your hard work and dedication shows! [We are pleased to say that Australian Superyacht Crew Recruitment helped Lesley find a job immediately as a stewardess on a 34m motor yacht.! Congratulations Lesley!!]Kirralee (Interior course student)
Thank you very much. I have had such an amazing and invaluable experience and an incredible insight to working on a Superyacht! I loved the hands on valuable lessons and very helpful manuals. I am very excited to put this practice into action. Charmaine (Service course student)
I thoroughly enjoyed the [2-day Service] course and have gained a lot of valuable and useful information from it. I very much appreciate the opportunity that this represents and I thank you for your time and effort: you guys are stars!! [We are pleased to say that Charmaine has found work as a Stewardess. Congratulations!]Prudence (Interior course student)
Thank you SO much for the Stewardess course! Last year I did a course and I wanted a refresher. Your knowledge and attention to detail far exceeded my expectations. Many questions were answered without needing to be asked! I really feel that itâ„¢s the superior course with a high level of quality and information. The differences I noticed were considerable; your course offers far more superior products and equipment, plus up to date/latest information. Most importantly you offer a very Ëœhands-on experience having Superyacht equipment available in the training venues, where one can experience a more realistic feel for what is used onboard.
Lastly, I would like to note that my overall experience during the week, listening and interacting with the other students and being encouraged by the more experienced Stews and assistant trainers, has positively reinforced my serious decision to make a career change. I am now confident and very excited about moving forward. I wish ASCR&T much success in also helping others gain the skills they need in order to achieve their goals and dreams, like myself. [We are pleased to say that Australian Superyacht Crew placed Prue in a Stewardess position on a 50m motor yacht shortly after the course! Congratulations Prue!]