In the world of yachting, time is the most valuable currency we have. As a stewardess, you are constantly juggling a million moving parts including service, housekeeping, laundry, guest requests, and general crew duties. If you lose track of five minutes in one area, the entire day can spiral out of control.
I have always been an “on time” person. Growing up in the modeling industry while simultaneously working in food and beverage taught me early on how important other people’s time is. I live by the phrase: ten minutes early is on time, and on time is late.
As I have grown, I have actually become more “time anxious” because it truly bothers me when others are late. To me, chronic lateness feels disrespectful. It sends a message that their time is more important than mine. In a career like yachting, being on time is not just a suggestion. It is crucial.
The Life of a Junior Stew
As a junior stewardess, time management is a survival skill. Take laundry for example. You have to switch loads the very second they are done so the clothes do not stay damp and get moldy. Moving quickly also prevents wrinkles and gives you the best chance to catch a stubborn stain before it sets.
Guest requests are their own category of urgency. When a guest asks for something random, you need to make it happen right away. From the viewpoint of a customer, there is nothing worse than being left wondering if the crew forgot about you or got sidetracked.
Managing the “Time Anxiety”
Over the past two years, my time anxiety has led me to arrive at places twenty minutes early at a minimum. I am totally okay with this. I find it is much better to be fully prepared and have those extra minutes to chill or decompress rather than running around. There is truly nothing worse than the cortisol spike and stress of being late.
The Mallorca Wake Up Call
Even with my best efforts, I have had my fair share of mishaps. When I first got into the yachting industry in July 2025, I went over to Palma de Mallorca to get my STCW and my ENG1. That also happened to be the same week I got a new phone and switched from an iPhone to a Nothing Phone.
On my second day of classes, which started at 8 am, I found myself still in bed at 10 am. My roommate had to wake me up. Absolute terror struck me when I realized my alarm never went off because my charger was faulty and my phone was dead. I called an Uber and made it there eventually, but even a year later, I feel a sense of visceral dread when I think back to being that late for something so important. It was a massive learning lesson that I carry with me every day on the interior.
How I Stay on Track
I have found that being “over-prepared” is the only way to stay sane in this industry. Whether it is double checking my alarms or prepping my uniform the night before, those small habits make the difference between a smooth charter and a chaotic one. The proof is in the pudding.
Do you struggle with being on time, or are you part of the “twenty minutes early” club like me?