What Are Chief Steward & Chief Stewardess Jobs?

A Chief Steward, or Chief Stewardess, typically works on a cruise ship, a yacht or a superyacht. They are a department head and are responsible for ensuring that the guests onboard receive first rate food and service, and that all of their needs are catered to satisfactorily. A Chief Steward or Stewardess is expected to perform five star (and above)service at all times.

But that’s just scratching the surface of what Chief Stewardesses and Stewards do on a day to day basis, so in this article we will take a closer look at a Chief Steward’s duties and responsibilities.

From the outside looking in, it can seem that cruise ship jobs and jobs on superyachts are exciting and glamorous but the reality is that, although crew get to travel for a living and see some exotic locations, the work they do is tiring and physically demanding.

And that goes for everyone from the front of house crew on cruise ships such as Stewards, entertainers, bar and wait staff, and retail workers to the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes, like the ship’s garbage and waste operators, electricians and plumbers.

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So let’s take a look at what a Chief Steward or Stewardess does on a ship.

a woman working in a Chief Stewardess job arranging cutlery on a table in a cruise ship restaurant

What are Chief Steward and Stewardess jobs on yachts and cruise ships?

A Chief Steward or Chief Stewardess - often shortened to Chief Stewis the head of the interior department on a yacht or cruise liner. Below the Chief Stew will be a Second Steward/Stewardess, a Third Steward/Stewardess, a Steward’s Assistant and so on, depending on the size of the vessel. The Chief Stew reports directly to the Captain.

Together, these Stewards and Stewardesses are responsible for making sure that meals are served in a timely and efficient manner, all whilst adhering to silver service standards. They are also tasked with ensuring that passenger and crew cabins, as well as public areas on the inside of the vessel are kept spotlessly clean and tidy.

What are a Chief Steward’s duties and responsibilities?

As well as managing their team, the Chief Stewardess or Steward has a long list of duties. These will depend on the type of vessel (for example, duties of a Chief Stew working on a cruise ship could vary from those of a Chief Stew who works on a mega yacht.) But generally speaking, a Chief Steward will:

Serve meals and snacks to a silver service standard.
Serve drinks and tend bar.
Prepare the cabins for guest arrival.
Oversee the cleaning and maintenance of cabins and other interior areas.
Arrange trips, beach picnics, parties and any other events required by a yacht’s guests.
Take inventory, purchase, receive and issue supplies, stores and equipment needed for their department.
Keep records of costs and hours/shifts worked by their crew.
Recruit and manage interior crew members.
Ensure that guests / passengers are happy at all times.
Ensure that their personnel adhere to their allocated shift times and schedules, produce the desired results, and are well groomed and in the correct uniform when on duty.
Train and motivate crew members in their department.
Order flowers and arrange floral displays.

Some duties of a Chief Steward may overlap with other crew members. For example, a Chief Stew on a yacht may work with the Cook to plan menus.

In fact, the Chief Steward or Stewardess will normally need to work closely with the Chief Cook or Executive Chef, and may come into contact with other crew members who work in the vessel’s galley (kitchen) such as Sous Chefs and Messmen.

These duties and responsibilities can include:

Supervising and helping out in the dishwashing area of the galley during busy periods.
Being familiar with the timings relating to events concerning food and beverages, such as tours of the galley and cooking demonstrations.
Assisting with the loading of provisions when they arrive on the dock.
Ensuring the Chief Cook, or whoever is in charge of the galley, is made aware of any broken equipment, or of any issues with anything that may affect the safe and efficient running of the galley.

What skills does a Chief Stewardess or Steward need?

Probably the single most important skill that a Chief Steward should possess is his or her attention to detail. This is especially true of Stewards working on yachts and superyachts as they will be expected to preempt a guest’s requirements and provide them with the desired service before the request is even made.

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It goes without saying that in any customer, guest or passenger-facing role, excellent people skills are a must. Indeed, five star (and above) service is expected at all times, as is discretion - particularly when working on a yacht which may very well be hosting celebrities and/or the very rich.

A Chief Steward/ess must also be extremely well organized, computer literate, have good administration and accounting skills, and of course be a good manager of people.

First rate communication skills are a must, and being multilingual is also an advantage as is having an extensive knowledge of food and drink, particularly wine.

What personal qualities should a Chief Steward have?

Anyone who is looking for an easy ride is advised to steer clear of jobs working at sea. No matter whether you’re a Junior Electrician or an Able Bodied Seaman on a cargo ship, an excavator driver on a bulk carrier, the Master (Captain) of an oil tanker, a carpenter on a cruise ship, or a Chief Stewardess on a superyacht, seafarer jobs are not for anyone who is afraid of hard work!

The Chief Stew on a yacht will be at the beck and call of the guests and will need to be prepared to work night shifts. This is not the 9 to 5 life!

A successful Chief Steward will be flexible, cheerful, polite, hardworking and willing to rise to the challenge - whatever that, often unique, challenge may be.

How do you become a Chief Steward or a Chief Stewardess?

The good news is that there are no specific qualifications needed to become a Chief Steward or Stewardess. The majority of Chief Stews are most likely to have worked their way up through the ranks - quite literally in the case of jobs on ships!

For example, a Steward’s Assistant will work their way up to become a Third Steward who will work his or her way up to becoming Second Stew and so on. See below for more details on this.

Having said that, a background working in hospitality, food and drink, or even customer service will be a big advantage for anyone who is looking to work on a cruise ship or yacht.

Many companies will require Chief Stewards (and Second and Third Stews etc.) to have their STCW Basic Safety Certification, which is a prerequisite for anyone working in jobs at sea.

Career progression in the Stewards Department on a cruise ship

Here’s a breakdown of the typical career progression within the Stewards Department on a cruise ship. (Note: it goes without saying that the Stewards Department on a yacht will have a lot less crew.)

Entry-level positions

These positions are usually where newcomers start their careers, gaining experience before advancing to higher ranks.

Utility Cleaner / Housekeeping Attendant

Responsible for general cleaning of public areas, corridors, crew areas, and sometimes guest accommodations.
Entry-level role that requires little to no experience, though hospitality or cleaning experience is a plus.

Cabin Steward / Cabin Attendant

Responsible for cleaning and maintaining guest cabins.
Prepares beds, replenishes toiletries, vacuums, and ensures overall room tidiness.
Provides personalized service to guests (e.g., towel art, turndown service).
Must be professional, efficient, and customer-friendly.
Typically requires prior housekeeping experience, either on land or at sea.

a woman working in a Cabin Stewardess job making a passengers' bed

Mid-level positions

After gaining experience in entry-level roles, stewards can progress to positions with more responsibility and leadership duties.

Assistant Chief Cabin Steward / Assistant Housekeeper

Supports the Chief Cabin Steward in overseeing housekeeping operations.
Assists with training and supervising cabin stewards and utility cleaners.
Ensures housekeeping standards are maintained in assigned sections.
Typically requires 2-3 years of experience in housekeeping.

Public Area Supervisor

Responsible for the cleanliness of public spaces such as lounges, dining areas, and hallways.
Supervises a team of cleaners or attendants assigned to public areas.
Conducts inspections to ensure cleanliness meets company standards.
Reports maintenance or repair needs in public areas.

Senior-level positions

These are supervisory and management roles, often requiring several years of experience and strong leadership skills.

Chief Cabin Steward / Chief Housekeeper

Directly manages cabin stewards and assistant housekeeping staff.
Ensures guest accommodations meet luxury cruise line standards.
Handles inventory control of linens, cleaning supplies, and amenities.
Coordinates cleaning schedules and special housekeeping requests.
Typically requires 3-5 years of experience in housekeeping leadership.

Assistant Executive Housekeeper

Assists the Executive Housekeeper in managing the entire housekeeping team.
Oversees both cabin and public area housekeeping operations.
Monitors guest feedback and works to improve service standards.
Handles scheduling, supply orders, and team management.

Executive Level Positions

These are the highest-ranking positions in the Stewards Department, responsible for overall operations and quality control.

Executive Housekeeper / Hotel Services Manager

The highest-ranking housekeeping officer onboard.
Manages all housekeeping, laundry, and public area teams.
Ensures compliance with cruise line cleanliness and safety standards.
Works closely with the Hotel Director to enhance guest experience.
Typically requires 5+ years of housekeeping management experience, often with prior leadership in a hotel or cruise environment.

a woman working in a Chief Steward job briefing her interior team

Breakdown of career advancement towards Chief Steward

The Chief Steward, Executive Housekeeper or Hotel Services Manager (depending on the company and the type of vessel) is the overall boss of the Stewards Department. Here’s a breakdown of a typical route to the top.

Utility Cleaner / Housekeeping Attendant	General cleaning of public areas
Cabin Steward / Cabin Attendant	Cleans and maintains cabins
Assist Chief Cabin Steward / Assist Housekeeper	Supports Chief Cabin Steward with tasks, helps with training
Public Area Supervisor	Supervises the cleaners in public areas
Chief Cabin Steward / Chief Housekeeper	Manages Stewards, controls inventory, schedules shifts and rotas
Assistant Executive Housekeeper	Assists Chief Stew/Exec Housekeeper, oversees cabin and public operations
Executive Housekeeper / Hotel Services Manager / Chief Steward	Overall responsibility of department and guest experience, compliance with cleanliness standards

Bonus: specialized roles in housekeeping

Some cruise ships have specialized positions within the Stewards Department that provide alternative career paths to the rank of Chief Steward. For example:

Laundry Supervisor – Oversees laundry operations for guest and crew uniforms, linens, and towels.
Butler (luxury cruises only) – Provides exclusive, high-end service to VIP guests and suites.
Florist (luxury cruise lines) – Creates and maintains floral arrangements and decorations onboard.

How to advance in the Stewards Department

While some people working on cruise ships and yachts are happy to remain in an entry-level role, others will be keen to work their way up through the ranks - quite literally. Here’s how you’ll have a better chance of climbing the maritime career ladder in the Stewards Department.

Gain experience – Start in an entry-level role and focus on improving efficiency and customer service.
Develop leadership skills – Supervisory roles require team management and problem-solving abilities.
Complete training and certifications – Many cruise lines and crew staffing agencies offer training programs to help employees advance.
Be proactive and professional – Show dedication, a positive attitude, and excellent attention to detail.

a man working in a Chief Steward job handing a guest a cold towerl they board

Final thoughts on maritime careers in the Stewards Department

A career as a Chief Steward, whether on a cruise ship or a super yacht offers plenty of opportunities for those who are willing to work hard. And for those who are starting their maritime career as a cabin steward or utility cleaner, there’s a clear path to reaching senior management positions - like Chief Stew or Executive Housekeeper.

If you’re passionate about hospitality, organization, and customer service, this career path can provide long-term stability and opportunities to work on luxury cruise ships and other vessels worldwide!

What are some other seafarer jobs?

If working in a hotel or fine dining restaurant type environment, but at sea appeals to you, finding employment as a Steward/ess and working your way up the ladder could be a great option.

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However there are some completely different jobs at sea that you might also like to think about. From Shipfitters who will need welding skills to Pumpman jobs which involve ensuring the pumps and pipes on an oil tanker are working correctly to engineers on a superyacht to children’s entertainers on cruise liners.

Or if you prefer the idea of working on deck, instead of in the interior or galley, you could find out more about starting out as a Deck Cadet or Deckhand then working your way up to become an Ordinary Seaman, Able Seaman, Bosun, Third and Second Officer and then Chief Officer.

Or perhaps you have an interest in all things mechanical. If so, being a Junior Engineer then Third, Second and finally Chief Engineer could be the life for you. To get started in the engine department you could also take a look at some of the entry level cargo ship jobs such as Electrical Cadet, Engine Cadet, Wiper, Oiler or Motorman.

Whatever maritime career path you pursue, one thing is for sure and that is that working on a ship can be hard work and it can throw some unique challenges (and weather conditions!) at you. But it is also rewarding and can be a great gateway to other roles within the marine industry.

Read the previous article in this series:Everything You Need to Know About Ship’s Plumber Jobs

Read the next article in this series:Everything You Need to Know About Electro-Technical Officer Jobs

This article was originally published on April 28th 2022 and updated on May 6th 2025