All roles/Dual roles/Steward / Spa Therapist
Dual roles
Steward / Spa Therapist
You run the interior as a steward and deliver massage, facials and beauty treatments to guests on board. One crew member covering both saves a cabin and gives smaller yachts a proper spa offer.

- Department
- Dual roles
- Reports to
- Chief Steward / Chief Stewardess
- Yacht size
- 35m to 80m
- Contract
- Seasonal or permanent
- Starting pay
- €3,500 per month
What the job is
This is a dual role found mostly on yachts between 35m and 80m, where there is a treatment room or a converted cabin but no space for a dedicated spa team. You work as a full member of the interior, doing service, housekeeping and laundry, then switch to therapist when a guest books a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure. The owner gets spa treatments without adding another crew cabin, and you get paid more than a standard steward.
On charter the spa side often takes priority. Guests book treatments around their day, so you might give a deep tissue massage at 10:00, serve lunch on the aft deck, then do a pedicure on the sundeck before sunset drinks. The Chief Steward plans the rota so your treatment slots are covered, but you still pull your weight on turndown, cabins and dinner service. Flexibility matters more than having one perfect specialism.
You also own the treatment space. That means stocking product, tracking oils, towels and disposables, cleaning and sanitising equipment, and keeping a record of each guest's preferences, allergies and medical notes. Many yachts use one spa brand, such as ESPA or Natura Bissé, and you may be asked to learn their protocols. When there are no guests, you join the interior on deep cleans and inventory, and often give crew treatments, which does wonders for morale.
What makes a good one
- Massage and facial technique
- Silver service and housekeeping
- Calm, discreet guest manner
- Treatment room hygiene
- Juggling two rotas in one day
A day in the life

- 07:00Set up breakfast on the aft deck with the second steward and check the guest preference sheet for allergies and coffee orders.
- 08:30Prepare the treatment room. Warm the bed, lay out towels and robes, check oils and set the music and lighting.
- 09:30Give the principal guest a 60 minute deep tissue massage, then note pressure, focus areas and products used in her guest record.
- 11:00Strip and reset the treatment room, start a load of spa linen and help finish the morning cabin service.
- 13:00Serve a long lunch on the sundeck, clearing plates and topping up rosé and water while the yacht is at anchor.
- 15:30Do a manicure and pedicure for two teenage guests on the aft deck, working around the shade and the swell.
- 17:30Restock product, log what you used for reordering, then take a short break before evening service.
- 19:30Help with sunset canapés and dinner service, then do turndown in two guest cabins.
- 22:30Confirm tomorrow's treatment bookings with the Chief Stewardess and finish your shift once the guests retire.
Pay by country
Monthly crew salary on yachts of 35m to 80m. Charter tips are shared across the crew and can add a significant sum per trip. Some yachts pay a small bonus per guest treatment.
- France and Monaco
- €3,500 – 4,500
- Spain
- €3,500 – 4,500
- Italy
- €3,500 – 4,500
- United Kingdom
- £3,000 – 3,900
- USA (Florida)
- US$3,800 – 4,900
- Caribbean
- US$3,800 – 4,900
- UAE
- AED 14,000 – 18,000
- Australia
- A$5,800 – 7,400
- New Zealand
- NZ$6,400 – 8,200
Required
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- Recognised beauty or massage therapy qualification (CIDESCO, ITEC or VTCT Level 3)
Recommended
- PYA GUEST interior courses
- Food Safety Level 2
- PDSD
- WSET Level 2
- Spa brand product training
- Hot stone or reflexology certificate
Visas
- Schengen visa
- US B1/B2
- C1/D
Where it leads
- Junior Steward / Junior Stewardess
- Steward / Stewardess
- Steward / Spa Therapist
- Spa Therapist
- Spa Manager
Steward / Spa Therapist jobs open now
Questions crew ask
Do I need yacht interior experience as well as a therapy qualification?
It helps a lot, but many captains will hire a qualified therapist with hotel or spa experience and train the steward side on board. A season of service or a PYA GUEST course makes you a far stronger candidate.
How many treatments will I do in a day?
On charter it is typically two to four treatments a day, more if the guests love the spa. With the owner on board or between trips it can be very few, and you work mainly as a steward.
Do I need to bring my own products and equipment?
No. The yacht normally supplies the treatment bed, product and linen, often from one spa brand. Most therapists bring their own small tools and you may be asked to suggest products when the spa is set up.