That’s fantastic - becoming a host is one of the most exciting ways to spend a summer at sea. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1: Apply to Quarterdeck Host Academy
All Yacht Week hosts are trained and recruited through Quarterdeck Host Academy. This is where you learn the essentials of hosting life on board: cooking in a yacht galley, planning meals for different diets, managing budgets, and keeping guests happy and energised all week long.
What we look for in applicants
You don’t need to be a professional chef to succeed, but you do need to show:
Relevant experience in hospitality, cooking, or guest-facing roles.
Adaptability: life on a yacht is dynamic and sometimes unpredictable.
Energy and positivity: guests remember the vibe you bring as much as the meals you serve.
Team spirit: you’ll be working alongside a skipper and other crew, so collaboration is key.
How to get accepted
A strong application includes:
A clear CV highlighting hospitality, customer service, or kitchen experience.
A cover letter that shows why you want to join Yacht Week and what makes you stand out.
Make sure your Quarterdeck profile is filled out fully — including your Work Experience and Work Availability (your availability calendar). This is one of the main things we look at when assigning work.
We prioritize applicants who are available for a full Mediterranean season (June–August). That doesn’t mean you won’t be considered if you’re only available for part of the season — but the more weeks you can commit to, the greater your chances of getting accepted and receiving more assignments.
Why? Because the Med season is where most new hosts start their careers, and it gives us the best chance to see your skills in action across different charters. Hosts who are flexible and can commit to more weeks are easier to place, and usually get more consistent work.
What happens after Academy
If you pass Academy, you become eligible to work as a Quarterdeck Host. You don’t need to apply again — simply keep your Work Availability updated in your Quarterdeck profile, and we will actively look for suitable assignments for you across Yacht Week and other Quarterdeck charter work.
We generally aim to offer successful graduates a minimum of around 5 weeks of work across the season, and often more. However, this is not guaranteed, and passing Academy does not guarantee a specific number of weeks or an immediate placement — we can only assign work when we have confirmed demand and a suitable match.
Assignments depend on many factors, including:
your availability (peak weeks have the most demand):
destination needs and booking volume (which can change)
work permits / right to work for that destination (if required)
guest language preferences (some trips request specific languages)
the type/size of yachts available and the crew profile needed
overall staffing balance, performance, and last-minute operational changes
If you pass Academy, you’ll typically start in the destination where you completed academy.