TYSA is a platform for professional growth, with a focus on heart, hospitality, and hands-on support. Learn more about the platform, its founder, and how you can level up your career.
In a crew market that’s more competitive than ever, standing out means more than holding the right certificates—it means showing up with confidence, polish, and real-world skills that translate into exceptional guest experiences. That’s exactly why we’re such strong advocates of The Yacht Stew Academy, a training platform that goes well beyond the basics.
Founded by seasoned chief stew Gemma Hulbert, The Yacht Stew Academy offers a rare mix of professional excellence and personal mentorship that we believe every yacht stewardess (and steward) should know about.
Why We Recommend It
At Reardon Yacht Consulting, we place crew across a range of programs—from private family vessels to dual-season charter yachts—and we consistently notice the difference when someone has trained through The Yacht Stew Academy.
Their confidence, service knowledge, and readiness to contribute from Day One stands out. And that’s what makes you stand out to captains and owners.
Meet the Founder: Gemma Hulbert
After years working as a chief stew on some of the world’s top private and charter yachts, Gemma saw a clear gap in the market. Interior crew were often expected to hit the ground running—with very little formal support to build their confidence or sharpen their service standards. Instead of just talking about the problem, she created the solution: The Yacht Stew Academy, a flexible online platform designed to help crew at every stage of their career thrive, not just survive.
Her vision is simple: accessible, accredited training with real-life support. And she’s made that vision a reality for hundreds of crew members around the globe.
She was kind enough to give us some of her time to tell us a little bit more about what inspired her and how she sees the future of training and support for yacht crew:
RYC: How do you think training has evolved for interior crew in the last decade, and what’s still missing?
TYSA: Training has evolved significantly. We’re now seeing more specialised courses in service, leadership, and emotional intelligence, which is fantastic. There’s also a growing recognition that soft skills, mental health, and effective communication are just as critical as technical abilities. At our academy, we’ve embraced this by offering flexible, online GUEST-accredited courses with 1-to-1 mentoring throughout, ensuring that students get personalised guidance and support.
However, one area that still needs development across the industry is consistency and real-world simulation. While our courses use assignments and exams to bridge that gap, nothing quite compares to the pace and pressure of a live charter environment. It’s an ongoing challenge, how to replicate that level of intensity and teamwork in a remote or classroom setting—but it’s something we continually strive to reflect in our content and mentoring approach.
RYC: If someone only had time for one course or area of development this season—what would you recommend and why?
TYSA: Leadership training, hands down. Whether you’re an experienced or second stew aiming to move up or a chief stew managing a team, strong leadership transforms everything, from crew dynamics to guest experience. There is also significant power in learning more about your leadership style as an individual and how you best learn and receive direction. It’s not just about giving orders; it’s about effective communication, empathy, and establishing a positive tone. A well-led team is more resilient, happier, and ultimately more successful. It’s also important to note that leadership skills are incredibly transferable, applicable in every industry, not just yachting, allowing you to invest in yourself not only now, but also for years to come.
RYC: You’ve built a really loyal and engaged community. Why do you think that’s resonated so strongly with your members?
TYSA: Because it’s real, our community is built on honesty, relatability, and shared experience. We don’t sugarcoat the challenges, and we celebrate both the big and small wins. Our goal is for all our students and community members to feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s also a space where questions are welcome, growth is encouraged, and no one feels like they have to pretend to know it all. That kind of authenticity resonates.
RYC: If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?
TYSA: Trust your voice. Early on, I frequently doubted myself, especially in leadership roles. I thought I had to fit a specific mould or do things a certain way. However, the truth is that your perspective, values, and instincts are valid. The sooner you trust yourself, the sooner others will too.
What TYSA Offers:
GUEST-Accredited Training with More Support
Yes, you can technically take a GUEST-accredited course through any number of training schools. But here’s what sets The Yacht Stew Academy apart: you’re not doing it alone.
Gemma’s courses include direct guidance, community access, and tailored advice for applying what you’ve learned in real-world scenarios. From silver service and floral design to leadership, wine, and laundry protocol—everything is built around elevating your practical skill set and your confidence. Her teaching style blends textbook precision with insider knowledge, giving you more than a certificate—it gives you a professional edge.
Membership Model: Big Value, Small Investment
The Academy offers both à la carte course options and a membership model, which gives you access to a growing library of training materials, downloadable templates, how-to guides, and community support. The monthly fee is incredibly reasonable, especially when compared to the cost of standalone training days at traditional schools.
Think of it like your professional gym membership: low monthly cost, big long-term benefit, and the kind of consistency that builds real results. It’s one of the best value-for-money investments a crew member can make.
Stand Out—No Matter Where You Are in Your Career
Whether you’re brand new to yachting or already running the interior team, The Yacht Stew Academy has something for everyone:
- Green crew will find foundational courses, interview tips, and service basics that make stepping onboard for the first time far less intimidating.
- Experienced crew can sharpen advanced techniques, develop leadership skills, and learn how to train others—crucial steps toward stepping up as Chief Stew.
- All crew benefit from a support system, led by someone who knows the pressures of this industry and genuinely wants you to succeed.
Learn More
Ready to take your career to the next level—or help a junior team member do the same?
Visit The Yacht Stew Academy and explore the course library, membership options, and Gemma’s thoughtful approach to professional development. Whether you’re polishing cutlery or prepping for promotion, this is one investment in yourself you won’t regret.
