Stewardess of the Month:
Carolina Twilley, stewardess on Shalimar.

How did you first get involved in the industry?
I was back home [Brazil] going to university for computer science when I got a job offer to join a yacht in Fort Lauderdale that was going to the Caribbean, so I thought I would close school for a semester and come to the Caribbean for the first time.

How have things progressed since, and where has the job taken you?
I started as a solo stewardess on a 105 foot private yacht, traveling the Caribbean and the East Coast of the U.S. from Florida all the way up to the state of Maine’s border with Canada; before I knew it I had been on that boat for three years. I couldn't see myself away from the industry, traveling, getting to know new places and having a paycheck every month. At the same time, I met a good friend who I got along very well. This friend left my boat and got a job as relief captain on another boat. After 18 months, I got a job offer on his boat as chief stewardess. By then, we were dating. So I resigned my first boat to join his 120 foot private charter based in the Caribbean. Today, we are married and he captains the boat. We've been in the industry for six years non stop.

What have been the high points?
I love sunsets. I got to see the most beautiful sunsets, go diving, and watch the colorful fishes of the Caribbean, beautiful beaches, unique islands.

And the low points?
When we have guests onboard, it's long hours of work, sometimes back to back charters. You don't have a place to call home, but after a while you feel at home in the Caribbean. You can't really have friends or family to come and visit because we just don't know when we are getting the next charter or maybe the owner’s onboard.

What advice would you give to a new stewardess?
Remember that your guests are ‘spoiled’ people, so always try to think of what they are expecting from you, even before they ask for it. It's nice to have it available; they might even say, "You read my mind".

And give your best, be ready to work hard, have a big smile 24/7. Your mood will be observed by your guests - a happy crew means happy guests.

Do you have any particular time saving techniques?
My time saving technique is after a charter - within the next three days I try to have the boat nicely cleaned, ready for an "out of the blue" charter, so that way I know I can take my days off without worrying too much.

What do you plan to do next after stewardess?
I still consider going to school for computer science; I really enjoyed it. And maybe have a normal life, land based, not far from a beautiful beach or a place where I can watch the sunset. I can't picture myself in a big city without beaches .

What are your favorite destinations?
St Maarten, I can't deny; it's a fun and diverse island, but from a yachting perspective, I like white bays - the BVI, The Baths, Tobago Keys, St. Lucia and St Vincent are also beautiful from the boat. Lastly, Harbor Island in the Bahamas .

What’s the most common complaint among ‘stewies’?
It's long hours of work and they miss their home or their companion, but once the charter is over and they get their tip... they forget about it!