I'm a chef living on a superyacht – this is what life below deck is REALLY like. And from 16-hour workdays to “absolutely no privacy” is anything but “permanent vacation”

Abbi Robertson, 31, spent seven years working on luxury superyachts. In addition to traveling to “incredible countries,” she says there’s a lot of hard work. READ MORE: Luxury and budget on Norwegian cruise ship Viva
By Jessica Hamilton
Published: 1:32 p.m. GMT, 16 March 2024 | Updated: 1:44 p.m. GMT, March 16, 2024

Rub shoulders with the rich, travel to the world's most exotic locations, and live for free on luxurious ships - working aboard a superyacht can sound like a dream job.
But life below deck has its challenges, according to Abbi Robertson, a superyacht chef who spent seven years sailing the high seas.
Beneath the glamorous surface, the seasoned boater reveals he spends months away from his family and 16-hour workdays - and that there is nothing has no privacy.
The 31-year-old, from Buckinghamshire, spoke to MailOnline Travel about the ups and downs of the job. “I wouldn’t change my experiences for anything, but you have to accept that there are downsides to this lifestyle,” she said.
Abbi began her superyacht journey in 2017, shortly after giving up a stable job as a project manager for a folding door company. She had no plans other than “maybe go travel a little” and fell into this lifestyle by chance.

Travel Mar 18, 2024 0 13 Add to Reading List

I'm a chef living on a superyacht – this is what life below deck is REALLY like. And from 16-hour workdays to “absolutely no privacy” is anything but “permanent vacation”

Abbi Robertson, 31, spent seven years working on luxury superyachts. In addition to traveling to “incredible countries,” she says there’s a lot of hard work. READ MORE: Luxury and budget on Norwegian cruise ship Viva

By Jessica Hamilton

Published: 1:32 p.m. GMT, 16 March 2024 | Updated: 1:44 p.m. GMT, March 16, 2024

Rub shoulders with the rich, travel to the world's most exotic locations, and live for free on luxurious ships - working aboard a superyacht can sound like a dream job.

But life below deck has its challenges, according to Abbi Robertson, a superyacht chef who spent seven years sailing the high seas.

Beneath the glamorous surface, the seasoned boater reveals he spends months away from his family and 16-hour workdays - and that there is nothing has no privacy.

The 31-year-old, from Buckinghamshire, spoke to MailOnline Travel about the ups and downs of the job. “I wouldn’t change my experiences for anything, but you have to accept that there are downsides to this lifestyle,” she said.

Abbi began her superyacht journey in 2017, shortly after giving up a stable job as a project manager for a folding door company. She had no plans other than “maybe go travel a little” and fell into this lifestyle by chance.