Sophie Thornton

Under the guidance of the lead service and chief steward, I have had the invaluable opportunity to not only oversee service operations but also to revamp and manage all aspects of back-of-house systems. This includes conducting research and ordering for wine and spirits, training the team in service excellence, curating food and wine pairings, ensuring guest satisfaction, managing inventories, implementing SOPs, creating work lists, delegating tasks, scheduling, and collaborating closely with the chefs. These responsibilities expand when both the lead service and chief steward are on leave, requiring me to assist in filling both roles during guest trips and throughout shipyard periods.

During my time as 2nd Stewardess onboard MY Kisses, I delivered personalized and attentive service to the owners and their guests, promptly anticipating and meeting their needs to maintain a high level of satisfaction. This was shown by my invitation to the owners' residence on multiple occasions to oversee service alongside their household team and collaborate with their private chef for events and large dinner parties. Additionally, I managed housekeeping operations, ensuring seamless cabin preparation and turnover between guest arrivals and departures, while maintaining cleanliness and organization in both crew and guest areas. I was able to support the Chief Stewardess in handling administrative tasks such as inventory management and liaising with suppliers to meet guest demands. I also took charge of scheduling and coordinating daily duties for the interior team, ensuring smooth operations, and independently managed guest meal services working alongside the chef in the absence of the Chief Stewardess. My reliability and capability were further shown when I was trusted with the full responsibilities of Chief Stewardess, whilst she was on leave, successfully leading the team during guest trips and shipyard periods.

M/Y Polar Star, a heavily utilized private yacht, hosted trips lasting from 6 weeks to 3 months. During my time onboard, I rotated through housekeeping, service, and laundry roles. I assumed the role of head housekeeper for a 6-week trip with 13 guests, guiding and training a new stewardess along the way. The yacht operated dual seasons, with a 3 month trip in the Mediterranean and a 2 month trip in the Caribbean for Christmas and New Year. As part of a 5-person interior team, I actively participated in meal services, beach barbecues, and guest parties, delivering personalized service with confidence. The housekeeping department maintained meticulous standards, and I often worked unsupervised, demonstrating efficiency and reliability. Collaborating with crew members, I expanded my skill set in both interior and exterior tasks. Additionally, I was entrusted with updating inventories and schedules, as well as overseeing cabin refits during two extensive shipyard periods. I am eager to apply my acquired skills and knowledge from my time aboard M/Y Polar Star to future endeavors.