The Antigua Charter Yacht Show: An Insider’s Guide for Superyacht Crew

The Antigua Charter Yacht Show is where charter yachts, brokers, agents and managers get to do a significant part of their annual networking. But what about superyacht crew? How can they make the most of this intensely busy industry event? Let’s find out.

What is the Antigua Charter Yacht Show?

The show is an annual event that is typically held in early December. It’s aimed primarily at the luxury charter yacht industry, rather than the private superyacht sector. As such, it’s where charter boats and their managers can woo brokers and, through them, their clients.

It also gives vendors, suppliers and crewing agencies an opportunity to visit yachts and meet with yacht managers to secure contracts and place crew.

Finally, it’s a key event for the superyachting press. It’s where they can visit boats, talk to industry figures (including superyacht crew themselves) and build relationships.

And a lot of this activity takes place on board the yachts moored at the event. In other words, if you’re among the crew on one of the yachts at the event, you’re going to be very busy. Not only that, the level of your professionalism is going to be under a microscope like never before.

All hands on deck

You only have to look at the first official event at the 2025 Antigua Charter Yacht Show to know crew are in for a very busy few days: a crew wellness hike and breakfast. It’s a deep breath before the storm.

What follows for the next three days can only be described as a luxury yacht hosting marathon. Your boat will be visited by charter brokers and agents, press, crew agencies, vendors and show sponsors, all of whom will need special attention.

You’ll be showing brokers and the press around the yacht, and introducing them to any crew they want to speak with. Vendors will arrive wanting to talk to specific crew members relevant to the service or product they sell.

As crew, you’ll be expected to show the yacht in the best possible light. Your energy, smile and knowledge is what will make the visit memorable for brokers. It’s going to influence how they speak about the boat to their clients. Your job is to make sure they leave the boat with the best possible impression.

And if you’re working on board one of the boats that has entered the chef and steward/stewardess competition, you’re going to be particularly on your toes throughout the event. You’ll need to be prepared for a short-notice visit from the judges, who will assess the quality of a specially prepared meal and service. You’ll have 30 minutes to impress them with food, table design and service. As if you didn’t have enough on your plate already. Pun intended.

On the show’s final day, just when you’re exhausted from three days of hosting, your yacht may be making a series of mini-cruises around the island with brokers on board. More pressure to impress.

Show your professionalism

You’ll have gathered that the event is intense. That means, for the crew of the yachts attending the show, that this is a fantastic opportunity to show your worth and your mettle.

Rule no. 1: remember that your performance at the show will make a direct contribution to the charter success of your boat in the coming Caribbean season. The boat’s reputation is in your hands and everyone who comes on board will be scrutinising every detail. You thought guests were demanding? Try the people who vet luxury yachts on their behalf.

But if you put in a top performance during the show, your superiors will notice. As they will if you fall short.

You’re in a competition with other boats at the show, and with yachts the brokers and agents have visited elsewhere. If you do your work at the show with the mentality of someone who cares about the boat’s reputation, you’ll be highlighting yourself as a valuable team member, someone the yacht should keep, encourage and reward.

Your best behaviour shouldn’t only be confined to the boat. At the end of each day, you’ll want to blow off some steam and unwind. And you must do so. Just don’t overdo it. You have to put in another tip-top performance the next day. We’ve all heard stories of crew who weren’t in the best state after a few drinks the night before.

How existing crew can get the most out of the show

Apart from being the most professional version of yourself possible during the show, there are a number of other things you can do to further your career, both on board a boat or in a shore-based position.

For a start, you’ll be surrounded by crew from other boats, giving you a superb networking opportunity. Make the most of it to learn from more experienced crew, find out about positions that might be opening up for experienced crew like you, and generally build your circle of contacts who share your professional background and interests.

A strong professional network is a source of valuable information that will help you build the skills you need to progress higher up the ladder and make you more confident during contract negotiations.

In addition to fellow crew, you should also seek out the crewing agents who will be attending the show. They will be as interested in talking to you as you might be to them. After all, they want to be able to offer their clients reliable, experienced crew. That’s you.

Whether you’re talking to fellow crew or crewing agents, have a clear idea in mind of the next step in your career. Know what you want and talk to people about it.

Don’t be pushy. Instead, ask their advice on the best way to achieve that next step. Most people naturally want to help others. At the very least, you’ll get practical advice, about working in the Caribbean especially. And you may even get lucky and find yourself talking to the person who can make the next step in your career happen.

One of your key responsibilities during the event will be showing visitors around the yacht. You’ll be speaking directly to industry professionals who can help you further your career. So do your best to make a good impression.

But beware. Your priority is to represent the boat, not yourself. If you represent the boat well, you’ll also be representing yourself well.

Go for the awards

While it will add stress and pressure to your time at the event, it’s a good idea to participate in the show’s competitions for chefs and stewards/stewardesses.

Awards carry currency in any industry. Being the winning chef or part of the winning stew team is something that will put you at the top of the list when you’re looking for your next position.

So it’s worth your while to convince the boat manager or captain to let you enter. Remember, it makes the boat look good to be in the competition and draws extra eyeballs as well. Both of which are solid business reasons for taking part, regardless of the outcome.

You’ll also be earmarking yourself as a proactive crew member who has the boat’s interests at heart. Just don’t let the competition take from the care and attention you give to visitors on board.

Looking for a way into the industry

So far, we’ve only spoken about crew already working on board the yachts attending the show. How suitable is the show for people trying to break into the industry or looking for work after the close of the Mediterranean season?

First of all, you need to understand that many of the yachts that work in the Caribbean are US flagged. That means you’ll need to be eligible to work in the US and be tax registered if you want to work on one of those boats.

That’s not to say there aren’t boats in the Caribbean that won’t accept non-US crew. Just be aware of this limitation.

Secondly, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be able to get on board a yacht to speak to someone about work during the show. To board boats, you’ll need an attendee badge and there isn’t one for an ‘I’m looking for a job’ category. Besides, the boats will be far too busy dealing with ticket-holding show visitors to have time to talk to you.

Thirdly, in terms of cost, the week of the yacht show is the worst time to visit Antigua. Hotels and hostels will be charging a premium, if they aren’t already booked out. Book early to get the best deals and budget well in advance.

How to use the show to get your first or next job

All of that said, the show does offer opportunities to get a foothold in the Caribbean luxury yacht sector.

For a start, crewing agents will be there. You can find out beforehand who they are on the Antigua Charter Yacht Show’s website and make contact with them beforehand to set up a meeting.

The show will also give you an opportunity to network with crew of all levels at the onshore side events and in the bars surrounding the marinas. Getting to know people in the business is one of the best ways to hear about work and upcoming opportunities. After all, you want to join the superyacht community. Well, for six days, a chunk of that community is going to be in Antigua.

On top of which, if you are unfamiliar with the Caribbean yachting scene, you’ll get a crash course.

Will a single visit to Antigua get you into the business? Doubtful. But if you’re serious and you’re willing to put time, effort and money into going where superyachts and crew are, it’s worthwhile including Antigua in your travel plans.