Host Academy
Become a professional host. Get placed. Get paid.
Host Academy trains you, in one intensive week, to run the hospitality that guests remember, whether that’s aboard a charter yacht, in a private villa, or in a ski chalet.
You will learn to deliver an excellent breakfast and lunch every day, plus a couple of dinners a week, to the standard clients pay for. Pass the course and you join our roster of hosts, ready to be offered paid assignments through the season based on availability, performance, and demand.
Courses Dates
2026 Courses
Croatia
15 - 22 May 2026
Croatia
22 - 29 May 2026
Greece
19 - 26 June 2026
2027 Courses
Croatia
14 - 22 May 2027
Croatia
21 - 29 May 2027
Greece
4 - 12 June 2027
The Host Academy course fee is €1,050, but this does not reflect the true cost of the program. The training is intensive, hands-on, and resource-heavy to deliver, so the real cost of running it is much higher. Quarterdeck runs the academy at cost price, with no margin, and absorbs the difference to keep world-class training within reach of the people who want to do this work.
Because of this, we only accept applicants who can commit to the summer season and who we believe have the skills and potential to pass the course. In practice, that means being available to work with us in the Mediterranean for at least two of the three summer months (June, July, and August). This ensures our resources are dedicated to those fully committed to becoming professional hosts.
This is an intensive and challenging program. Passing is not a given. We invest in training those who are serious about stepping into this role, and in return, we expect dedication, preparation, and a willingness to meet the high standards required.
Host Academy — Your Gateway to Life at Sea (and Beyond)
Host Academy is your gateway to an exciting season at sea. Designed for those looking to work as a professional host with Quarterdeck, this program gives you all the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the role.
From cooking delicious meals on board to creating incredible experiences for your crew, you’ll learn everything it takes to be an exceptional host, all while exploring some of the world’s most stunning destinations.
Most of our work is on the water, which is where the majority of our hosts spend their season. The hospitality and cooking skills you build here travel well, though, and the same training is a strong foundation for those who want to move into private villa or ski chalet hospitality, where we also place hosts and chefs.
Host Academy is a mandatory step for anyone wanting to work with us. If you successfully complete the course, you’ll be offered the chance to join our team for the season.
Is this course for you?
Are you an experienced and confident cook?
Passionate about hosting and making guests feel at home?
Outgoing, social and love working with people?
Excited to work on a sailing yacht and explore stunning destinations?
Ready to make lifelong friendships while living and working at sea?
Most of all—are you up for an adventure?
If that sounds like you, don’t wait—apply now and join us for an unforgettable summer!
What you can expect from us
- One-on-One Mentoring and Tuition
- Shore-Based and Practical Lessons
- Course Materials and Tools
- Crew Management Training
- Basic Sailing Skills
- Local Tours and Team Building Activities
- A great week of sailing and learning with like-minded people
What we can expect from you
- Fluent in English
- Relevant Service Industry Experience (bartender, waitress, ski host or similar)
- Culinary experience
- Social skills
- Positive Attitude
- Availability During Peak Period (June-August in the Med)
If you do not have the required experience please checkout our Training and Partner Schools page. The recommended training will help you gain the experience required to attend Host Academy.
Academy Format
The 7-day training program takes place in Trogir, Croatia, providing hands-on experience in a real sailing environment. Each yacht is led by a dedicated instructor and shared by four skipper students and four host students, ensuring a dynamic and immersive learning experience.
Course Breakdown
Full days of on-water practical training, visiting key islands and perfecting essential skills. Each day is dedicated to developing hands-on expertise, from sailing techniques to yacht management. Evenings are a mix of relaxation and team-building activities, creating a strong bond with your fellow crew members.
This is your moment to shine. You'll showcase everything you’ve learned throughout the week through a series of practical hosting challenges and a final oral examination. It’s the culmination of your training—your chance to prove your readiness and professionalism as a Yacht Week host.
- Approximately 90% of participants pass, though this can vary between 80–100% depending on the group.
- If you don’t pass, don’t worry—it simply means you likely need additional experience or training before being approved to host on 40–50+ foot yachts with paying guests. We strongly encourage anyone who doesn’t pass due to insufficient practical skills to apply again, or reach out after gaining more hands-on experience (with documentation).
- Our priority is ensuring every host is confident, capable, and ready to deliver a top-tier guest experience.
IF YOU PASS
Course Outcomes
Successfully completing the Host Academy equips you with the skills and experience needed to work on future charters with us.
- Work Opportunities – Students who pass the Academy will be offered assignments with Quarterdeck, based on availability, performance, and demand.
- Flexible Scheduling – You decide when you want to work! After setting up your account, you can select your available weeks, and we’ll assign as many charters as possible—giving you the freedom to accept or decline.
- Competitive Pay – Most first-season work comes from events and flotillas. For this work you invoice €400 per week for your first two assignments, which is how the €400 academy subsidy is paid back, and €600 per week from your third assignment onwards. Private charter assignments, when they are offered, start at €950 per week and can be higher for larger yachts or villas or more senior roles. If you would rather not have the reduced rate at the start, you can pay the full €1,450 (€1,050 + €400) upfront, and then earn the full rate from your first week.
- How much work to expect – We aim to give every host at least five weeks in their first season, and it is typically six to ten. The exact number depends on several variables, above all how many assignments Quarterdeck receives from its partners, as well as your availability, performance, and flexibility (openness to cabin bookings, whole-yacht charters, and smaller yachts). For what you can expect to earn, see: How much will I earn my first season?.
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Standard Charter Schedule – Our charters follow the industry-standard check-in/out times: Check-in: Saturday between 15:00 – 18:00
Check-out: The following Saturday by 08:00 - A Global Network of Opportunities – After completing a few assignments, you gain access to our Quarterdeck Alumni Network, a community of 1,000+ skippers, hosts and industry professionals. Many use this network to secure winter season opportunities in the Caribbean and beyond.
- A note on the right to work – Quarterdeck cannot obtain or sponsor Schengen-zone work permits or visas. Securing the legal right to work in your destination is your own responsibility. If you are not an EU or EEA citizen, please check the requirements well in advance of the season. For the full picture, see our guide: Visas and work permits for Skippers and Hosts.