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Elite Yachting
From the Ferrari in Miami to the Sauna cabin: The truth about life on board a 120-meter yacht.
Going from a 26m yacht to a 120m superyacht is like going from camping to the Ritz.
My biggest contract lasted three years—three years serving an ultra-demanding German owner, Mr. S.
How do you last that long in such an intense environment?
The "No Limit" Budget
On a yacht this size, the word "no" doesn't exist.
The owner wants French croissants while we're docked in Italy? I send the helicopter.
He spots a black Ferrari in Miami Vice on TV? A week later, it's waiting on the dock (and since he didn't like the manual gearbox, guess who got to run errands in it!).
In the galley, it was an absolute dream: professional kitchen, vintage wines (venison with Chambertin 1961), ice sculptures… I had the time of my life.
Isolation (The Price of Success)
But beware—success can go to your head.
After constant praise from the owner and his wife (my photo even hung in their living room!), I grew confident. Too confident.
I became arrogant with the crew. The result? The Captain and owner found a radical solution: they converted the yacht's sauna… into a private cabin for me.
I was the Chef, isolated in my own "chalet," cut off from the rest of the team to avoid further clashes.
Why did I last three years?
- Excellence: I never compromised on quality. Every plate was perfect.
- Adaptability: From extravagant birthday parties to 6 a.m. sandwich runs (the ones that got me temporarily fired!).
- Loyalty (despite everything): Even after firing me for insolence, the owner rehired me when we randomly crossed paths at La Mamounia in Morocco.
The lesson for you:
On a mega-yacht, you're not paid just to work. You're paid to excel—and to withstand the pressure. If you're truly good, they'll forgive you (almost) anything. But never forget: you remain an employee, even if you're the one driving the Ferrari.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HeadChef Aber
Aber has spent years inside the demanding world of luxury yachting — from the deck to the operations that run behind the scenes — and knows exactly what separates a stalled career from a hired one. Today he channels that experience into Freelance Yachting, the platform connecting elite crew with the opportunities they deserve. But he hasn't stopped at industry expertise: Aber has moved into technology, designing and building AI-powered tools that give crew a genuine edge — from certification roadmaps to CV analysis and profile verification. Part operator, part mentor, part builder, he brings a rare combination of sea-level insight and modern tooling to every professional he works with.
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"Brutally honest and incredibly thorough CV audit. Showing how to translate heavy commercial engineering into yacht-ready language was pure gold. No fluff — just a crystal-clear roadmap."
"THE ROUTE gave me a much clearer understanding of the transition from merchant navy to yachting. Making the most of my existing CoC, rather than starting from scratch, was particularly valuable."
"Beyond my expectations. A real eye-opener — directing and educating me every step of the way. I'm so glad I showed interest."