12 years, 1 bagel and a lifetime of memories

Originally from South Africa, Robyn Genever-Stuart has been a constant presence in the yachting world for over a decade. Her trademark blend of professionalism, humour and warmth has lit up the decks she’s worked on. With twelve solid years in the industry and a career that’s taken her from dry bagels to breathtaking Norwegian fjords, Robyn is the kind of person you instantly want on your crew as your chief stew, therapist and dance partner, all rolled into one.

Before yachting came calling, Robyn’s journey began in the UK where she worked in hospitality as a receptionist, in housekeeping and food and beverage, before eventually returning home to South Africa to study psychology. “That didn’t last long,” she admits with a laugh. “Three months in, I dropped out and signed up for a diploma in Adventure Tourism Management. Think scuba diving, mountain biking, rock climbing plus the business side of it.” It sounded thrilling, but when she found herself stuck behind a desk during her internship, the urge to try something new took hold.

That “something new” was yachting.

“One chat with my best friend about a couple of mutual friends who’d done a yachting season, and four weeks later we’d packed up our lives and were on a flight to Antibes.” Robyn wasn’t alone; her best friend, her now-husband, and two other friends joined the leap of faith. It wasn’t just a new career; it was a full-blown adventure, and Robyn was all in.

It didn’t take long for her to find her stride. Her second boat, M/Y Charisma (now Explora), became a defining chapter. “I was there for four and a half years, it was, still is, my boat family. Back-to-back charters, full-on schedules, but more importantly, full hearts. The best Chief stew, the best Captain, unforgettable memories.” It was also where she worked her way up to 2nd Stewardess, before being lovingly — yet firmly — nudged into her first Chief stew role. “My chief stew told me, ‘You’re ready to fly.’ And she was right.”

The best parts of yachting? For Robyn, it’s all about the people. “You meet incredible guests and crew from every corner of the world. You learn their cultures, their traditions and someone is always there. It’s like an extended, floating family.” Of course, the trade-off is missing important moments back home like weddings, funerals and birthdays. The kind of milestones that tug at the heartstrings no matter how glamorous your location.

When things get tough, Robyn turns to movement, mindfulness and the occasional ten-minute bathroom escape. “Even if it’s just squatting in the cabin doing air punches or having a silent scream behind the laundry door, you’ve got to find a release,” she jokes. “Crew morale is everything. Keep the energy light, flip the negativity into something positive, be silly, make people laugh. That’s my go-to strategy.”

Spoiling guests comes with the job, but for Robyn, it’s more art than science. “Anticipate their needs before they even know what they want. That’s where the magic happens.”

But ask her what really grinds her gears? “Chewing gum. I don’t want to see it. I don’t want to hear it.” Noted.

Of course, no career comes without a few memorable mishaps, and Robyn’s infamous “bagel incident” has become legend. “It was my first charter in service. I placed one guest’s breakfast down and then…the other guest’s bagel slipped right out of my hand and down her back. Thankfully, it was a dry bagel with no cream cheese casualties, and the guests were kind. But I was dubbed ‘Bagel Breakfast Girl’ for the rest of the trip.”

Despite the occasional flying carb, Robyn has amassed a portfolio of incredible destinations. Norway remains a standout. “Absolutely breathtaking. Every corner feels like you’ve stumbled into a painting.” Looking to the future, the South Pacific and Antarctica still sit high on her bucket list. “There’s so much of the world still to see.” Galapagos is another destination she has been very blessed to go to in a yacht, She was just there recently and feels incredibly lucky to have ticked it off her bucket list.

Looking back, she’s immensely proud of her journey, especially completing her Purser certificate and climbing the ladder at her own pace. “Twelve years in this industry is an achievement,” she says with a wink. “I’ve worked hard, I’ve learned even harder and I’ve done it all in a way that’s true to me.”

Her advice to those considering a life at sea is heartfelt: “Work hard, play hard but be kind. To others, and to yourself. Take it all in. The places, the people, the anchorages. And whatever you do, don’t lose your sense of wonder.”

Not all boats are the perfect fit for everyone, so Robyn shares more personal advice for crew “When you get hired on a new boat, you are testing out the boat as much as the boat is testing you out, don’t be shy to walk away if it doesn’t align with you! You want to be happy on the boat you are working on and if you aren’t happy, it is okay to hand in your resignation, be brave but most of all, be fearless!”

Asked what she’d tell her 20-year-old self, Robyn smiles. “Never change. But keep learning.”

And the future? She’s got a plan. “I want to build my dream home back in South Africa and hopefully secure a rotational Purser position in a few years. That, for me, would be the perfect end to my yachting chapter.”

Whether she’s leading a team, lifting spirits, or making guests feel at home, Robyn brings a rare mix of heart, humour, and grit to everything she does. “I love this life,” she says. “The sea has taught me more than any classroom ever could.”

Even though Robyn admits to being a home bunny, for the time being she prefers to continue to travel the world and see places she hasn’t yet seen! “I want to do more things to fill up my cup! I’ve hiked Mount Kilimanjaro, done a 28-day juice cleanse, trained as a yoga teacher in India, and seen the Beatles ashram. For as long as I can, I will keep going and following my heart and dreams and I never want to stop exploring!”

From breakfast bagels to bridge-deck sunsets, Robyn Genever-Stuart isn’t just surviving yachting; she’s thriving in it, one unforgettable moment at a time.