Meet Chief Stewardess: Harikleia Vlahaki

We asked Chief Stewardess Harikleia Vlahaki about her experiences as a seafarer:

Why did you aspire to become a chief stewardess?

I was initially drawn to working on yachts as I love the sea, travelling, and helping people through customer service. As time progressed, my organisation skills, eye for detail, and enthusiasm to accommodate passenger needs led me to this role as chief stewardess.

Further, I recognised that I could apply my studies in sociology to this role which motivated me to continue developing by studying at the Merchant Academy.

What are your main duties on board?

Sharing the same vision with my team and accomplishingd the required work to achieve it is my main duty. On a daily basis, a chief stewardess needs to be able to delegate work and manage the team of stews. In addition, collaboration with the Head Chef is important regarding meal service for guests, organising the galley and provisioning. Hotel budget management, crew uniform purchasing, decoration, maintenance and repairs are also among my duties.

What do you believe are the most important qualities for a chief stewardess to have?

This position requires enthusiasm and negotiation skills; one must be both a team player and a leader when required.

A chief stewardess’ main role is to hone the ability to anticipate guests’ needs and exceed their expectations. To achieve this, as I mentioned, you need a good team alongside inspiration to bring new ideas for better service.

Additionally, one needs problem-solving skills, the ability to stay calm under pressure and excellent communication and organisational skills.

Finally, the ability to assume a confident yet discreet manner with guests.

What aspect of your role do you most enjoy?

I love the creative side of my position, where I can use my expertise to renew and redecorate the vessel. My greatest joy comes when my guests have had an enjoyable trip full of amazing experiences on board and on land. It is a great feeling when I can anticipate what the guests might want and make it happen.

What is your favourite location to visit?

Greece, of course. It’s surrounded by amazing islands, and despite how much I have travelled so far, I am yet to see all of them. I’ve crossed the seas around the world, but a place I always want to return to is Kalamata, the place where I was born, combining sea and mountain – for me, it is heaven on earth!

Discover more members of our crew or learn more about yacht crew recruitment. If you have specific requirements, contact us and we will be glad to assist.