Exceeding expectations
Antonia Baljak explains to Frances and Michael Howorth how happy she is to be cruising on the Sanlorenzo yacht Valentina II as Chief Stewardess
What made you join the superyacht industry? I was born in sight of the sea and lived my childhood in a Croatian fishing village. The sea is in my blood, I have always wanted to work on boats and six years ago, my dream began when I started my adventures and took my first job on board.
What attracted you to the industry?
I had a background working in hospitality but had a desire to travel. I was fed up with the same old same old and wanted something new each day. I know there are no fixed working hours but every day is different and always interesting.
What was your first superyacht and when did you join her?
The first yacht I joined was Mavera, a 32 metre Benetti as the sole stewardess. I stayed with her for four enjoyable years and two years on my next, so Valentina II is my third yacht and I joined her quite recently.
Why did you join the interior crew rather than the deck crew?
I like to handle details and the interior is all about details. I like to decorate with flowers I have an eye for it and I know that as the Chief Stewardess, I have the freedom to express myself in much the same way an artist does.
What do you most like about your current job? I like everything about it. What may be a problem for someone is not a problem for me. I get on with the job in hand.
And least like?
Bad weather when it happens. It can make life difficult for crew and uncomfortable for guests. But this is one thing we cannot control.
What is your favourite restaurant or bar in the Mediterranean and why is it special?
I like to spend quiet time on my own each day if I can and when I am in Porto Montenegro I head for Big Ben. It is a café bar outside the port but right on the sea front. The food is good, the staff are super friendly and it is not too far from the boat.
42 | SUMMER 2023 | ONBOARD
Which is your favourite Mediterranean shop and why do you like it?
Valentina II is home ported in Porto Montenegro, and you can find everything you need right here. It is a big port, but everything is just around the corner and very modern. Some crew find it a little quiet, but I really like it because of that. There are no specific shops I immediately head for, but it is certainly my favourite port on the Mediterranean.
Do you have a pet hate and if so what is it? If I had to say anything in answer to that question it would be guests who do not know where to draw the line. As crew we are there to serve them and I respect and understand that, but some guests think they have purchased the crew when they charter a yacht. Common courtesy costs nothing and no matter who you are, I believe everyone should respect those around them.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of working as a stewardess on a yacht?
Do not join this industry unless you are prepared to sacrifice your personal time, space and lack of privacy. You need to be aware of this before you join or it will come as a big shock to you. It is certainly not all glamour and the work is hard but rewarding. I would also add that you must learn to do everything with a smile on your face no matter how hard you find that. I say you must have a banana on your face because a smile will disarm every situation.
What makes you stand out as a stewardess?
I always perform at one hundred percent even when I don’t feel like doing so. I know that’s my job, it is what I was hired to do and it is up to me to make things happen. It is also up to me to show the rest of the crew how to act and perform when onboard.
What would you like to do when you cease working on superyachts?
I don’t see a time when I will want to leave the sea but if I had to, I expect I would work in yacht charter or sales or maybe even in port management. When it comes to my time to retire, I guess I will still stay by the water and go to live somewhere like Genoa. I think it is like Milan on the sea.
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