Yes. All new skippers must attend Skipper Academy, regardless of prior experience.
The Academy is not only about sailing skills — it’s where you learn Quarterdeck’s ethos and standards, and what makes Yacht Week unique. You’ll practice handling yachts up to 56 ft, med mooring, anchoring, and docking under pressure. But just as importantly, you’ll learn how to lead crews, communicate effectively, and deliver an outstanding guest experience.
Skipper Academy also prepares you for working in a team of 10–100 skippers and hosts, operating together during some of the most complex flotilla maneuvers in the world — including circle rafts, med mooring with multiple yachts at once, and large-scale events at sea. This level of coordination requires not only seamanship, but also strong social skills, adaptability, and teamwork.
From 2025, we run Academies in Croatia and Greece, giving you the chance to experience the routes, meet our multicultural team, and join a professional community of skippers and hosts who set the standard for Yacht Week.
If you already have extensive sailing or professional yachting experience, you should still apply and upload your full qualifications, sailing log, and references. In some cases, we also work with private charters that require more seasoned skippers. For these roles, we may arrange an interview and reference checks to ensure the right fit.
Even with experience, Skipper Academy is the essential bridge between your sailing background and the unique skills needed to succeed in the Yacht Week environment.