Hostess on Board: An Essential Role in Yachting Charter

On the deck of every luxury yacht exploring the hidden coves of Dalmatia, there is always a person who transforms the guests’ journey into a series of unforgettable moments – such a person on the Adriatic is Spomenka Ćuže, not just a charter hostess but the soul of every Croatia Yachting Charter voyage. Her work is the foundation of impeccable service, and the love she holds for the sea, guests, and tradition combines the most important values of modern nautical tourism. To the wider nautical audience, as well as future travelers of Croatia Yachting Charter, her story offers a unique insight into the key role of a hostess on board. It reveals the strong connection between the beauty of the Adriatic and the top-tier service provided by Croatia Yachting Charter.

As already mentioned, Spomenka Ćuže, a longtime and experienced charter hostess at Croatia Yachting Charter, is one of those rare individuals whose warm smile and professional approach truly mark a journey along the Adriatic. Raised in a maritime family, she developed a close bond with the sea and the skills necessary for life and work on the water from an early age.

For Spomenka, being a hostess on board is not just a professional obligation but a way of life that combines traditional values, hospitality, and the contemporary demands of nautical tourism. Through her stories and experiences, we discover the everyday reality behind the scenes of a luxury vacation, as well as the complexity of organization on board and the small but crucial details that remain in the lasting memory of Croatia Yachting Charter guests and make them gladly return season after season.

Can you briefly tell us how you started your career in nautical tourism? 

Spomenka: "I inherited my love for the sea and nautical affairs from my family – I come from a seafaring family and have been surrounded by stories of boats, the sea, and life on water since I was a child.

Thanks to those family recommendations and positive experiences, I decided to embark on this path myself and try my hand as a hostess. That decision turned out to be a great success because this job gives me a combination of working with people, organizing, and enjoying the natural beauties of our coast."

What does a typical working day look like during the season?

Spomenka: "The day begins early, around 6 a.m. – I go for fresh groceries, handle the provisions, and prepare breakfast. After that comes tidying up, followed by lunch preparation, often including fresh snacks or cocktails to enjoy on the deck. The afternoon is reserved for light cabin cleaning and additional preparations for the evening. When the guests leave for dinner at a restaurant on land, I have time to rest and recover for the next day. Every day is dynamic but well-planned and fully adapted to the guests' needs. "

What do you consider the most important in providing top service to guests at sea? 

Spomenka: "The most important thing for me is that guests feel comfortable, relaxed, and safe throughout the entire journey. My goal is to enable them to experience our coast authentically – to visit more islands and hidden bays than they would manage on their own. The service on the boat must be warm, personal, and unobtrusive, so that guests can truly enjoy their vacation without any worries."

What kinds of dietary habits, wishes, or challenges of guests do you most often encounter, and how do you handle them? 

Spomenka: "Every week is a new story – guests come with different dietary habits and wishes, so I encounter various diets: gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and various allergies. I need to communicate all these requests in advance and then carefully plan the menu and procurement so everything is ready ahead of time. I always strive to make all guests feel that their needs have been considered and that the food on board is tasty and varied."

How important is communication and teamwork with the captain and the rest of the crew?

Spomenka: "Communication is key for a good atmosphere on board. Teamwork and mutual respect make everything run smoothly, even in unforeseen situations. Good communication ensures harmony within the crew, which guests feel. When we are all coordinated, this reflects on the level of service we provide – guests feel safe and relaxed, and the boat operates as a perfectly synchronized system. "

How do you plan procurement and kitchen organization when on a week-long cruise without regular access to stores? 

Spomenka: "I mostly cooperate with reliable family farms (OPGs) and local suppliers, arranging deliveries of fresh and quality ingredients. At the beginning of the week, I prepare a detailed meal plan and a list of required ingredients so that everything possible is procured in advance. This leaves room for flexibility and some improvisation, depending on guest wishes or seasonal offers. "

Do you have an anecdote or special experience that remains in your fond memory? 

Spomenka: "One that remains especially vivid is a family from Sweden I accompanied during a cruise who became so enthusiastic about Croatia that they returned the following year with a wider circle of friends. At the end of the week, they all organized a small “thank you” celebration on the boat, with music and a communal dinner. Moments like these show how fulfilling and beautiful this job can be."

In your opinion, why is the position of hostess an indispensable part of the top service offered by Croatia Yachting Charter? 

Spomenka: "The hostess plays a key role in making guests’ stay on the boat as comfortable and carefree as possible. We take care of everything – from food, drinks, and cleanliness, to details like preparing excursions or recommending restaurants. This enables guests to completely relax and not think about logistics, but to enjoy every moment of their vacation. That discreet but present support makes the difference between a good and a top experience."

Can you describe how you take care of the comfort and satisfaction of each guest during the cruise? 

Spomenka: "I approach each guest individually, listening to their wishes and needs – whether it’s a morning coffee exactly at 7:15, a favorite fruit smoothie, special music for the evening on deck, or a hidden beach they want to visit. I try to anticipate needs before they are even expressed. Comfort means both physical and emotional security, and satisfaction comes when the guest feels that someone is there for them without needing to ask."

Spomenka Ćuže is living proof that in the world of nautical tourism, alongside the boat, sea, and captain, the real star of every cruise can be the hostess who, through dedication, warmth, and professional approach, adds an extra dimension to a luxury Adriatic vacation. Croatia Yachting Charter can be proud to have such a force in its ranks that guarantees guests not only safety and service but also an unforgettable experience of the sea and islands. For every nautical enthusiast and sea lover, Spomenka’s story is an inspiration and an invitation to enjoy all the beauties that the Croatian coast offers – with a smile and attention that will not be forgotten.

Importance of the hostess on board

The role of the hostess on board cannot be overestimated, as she is the heart of every nautical journey and the key link that connects comfort, safety, and the impression of luxury for every guest. The hostess is the one who ensures that every detail, from the perfectly prepared breakfast to the clean cabins to the discreet organization of daily activities, is at the highest level. Her presence allows guests a genuine rest because they are freed from everyday worries and obligations – everything they need is always prepared, without requiring additional effort or planning on their part.

Besides operational tasks, the hostess is a trusted person who, with knowledge of local specifics, gastronomic offerings, and hidden bays, crafts a unique experience of the Adriatic tailored to each guest. 

Her approach – listening to wishes, habits, and needs – makes passengers feel valued and specially cared for, as if they are among friends on the boat, not just service users.

A good hostess, with professionalism and warmth, creates a safe and friendly atmosphere, which is especially important at sea, where guests are often exposed to a new environment and long for a feeling of home. Cooperation with the crew and the captain further guarantees smooth operation of the boat and unobtrusive, yet present support at every moment of the voyage.

Ultimately, without a hostess, the delicate human dimension that makes a luxury cruise intimate, carefree, and truly special is lost, which is why guests gladly return and recount their memories from the boat as the most beautiful days of their vacation. The role of the hostess is therefore indispensable: she turns every boat into a floating home and every journey into a series of unforgettable moments.