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In our Life After Yachting feature, Superyacht Content spoke to Carmen Preda, founder of CapseaYachting! With extensive experience in the yachting world, she’s worked in a variety of roles on a variety of yachts & Cruise Ships! As well as this, she’s now busy running her own business, which offers Yacht Crew Training, Super Yachting eBooks, CV & Consulting, Recruitment & Placement, Yacht Charter and many more! Read on to find out more about Carmen and how she navigated her transition from sea to shore.
How long did you work onboard? What was your role and which yachts did you work on?
I started yachting in 2009 and began working on a superyacht as a Stewardess/Massage Therapist. Later on, I specialised in my role as head of service, head of housekeeping, Spa Stewardess, Cook/Stewardess, Deckhand, Skipper, Spa Manager, Chief Stewardess. I even was the Butler/PA for a royal family so I was part of the staff team working for them onboard which meant I had my own guest cabin!
I worked onboard until 2015.
Throughout my time, I worked on anything from small yachts – around 35m – to larger yachts of over 100m. New Builds 126m & 147m LOA as well. I travelled all around the world and worked onboard the yachts O’mega, Duke Town, Casta Diva, Ti’a Moana, Nina J, Maryah, Topaz, Naia, Sima, World is Not Enough, Lucky Me, Altitude etc. As well as this, I worked on a cruise ship in the SPA for a while.
When did you leave the Superyacht industry and what were your reasons for leaving?
I loved working on superyachts so if you ask me now if I want to do it again, I would say yes. Because it’s a lovely life.
The main reason I left was to start my own business. Helping yacht crew with trainings, but also work on recruitment and placement & yacht trips. I also wanted to set up my private life because it’s a little bit complicated onboard, you know, to make everything work.
Before leaving, did you plan an exit strategy?
No. Because there were not many sources to find, that would help me find out what to do.
But I started to think about my knowledge and experience and thought: What should I do? How to put in a package?
When I told some friends about my plans to start my business, they laughed at my idea and I was quite disappointed. But I was ambitious and I trusted myself a lot. I told myself that I don’t need to know anyone’s feedback because I know who I am and that my background is very strong. Now I am happy that I had inspired some of them and working on super yachts and some of them they open them own business and they are successfully too.
So I worked about 16 – 18 hours a day to speed up the process and see how my dream come true easy easy. And so I did it. And I’m so happy.
I know how many thousands of Euros I had to invest in my trainings and my business in yachting and I know my background that is very strong and working in all the areas and the fields put me now of who I am and so with my ambition and with my hard working I succeed.
Nothing’s easy, but the most important is to to like what you are doing and help other people change their lives for the better.
Most important lesson you learnt as a crew member that you now apply to day-to-day life on land?
Not to forget who you are first. To be a modest person.
It doesn’t even matter if you are working in a top environment – the richest people I’ve met still act like a normal person.
What is your current job role, and where are you based?
I’m the founder of Capsea Yachting. I brainstormed this business and I am in charge of all sides.
I have people with whom I collaborate on, meet those who do my courses and have a one-on-one session. Everyone has a different background, different education. So we set up their profile and help to create a super CV for them because I know what is good for them and how to put all together.
I’m in Romania, but work remotely because I’m also travelling due to yachting events. I like to travel. So wherever there’s an Internet, I’m there! I don’t like to stay too much in one place. I get invited to be part of so many events in yachting, and in the maritime business as well. And I go to events like the Monaco yacht show, so I go to all all these shows and and so on.
Can you tell us more about Capsea Yachting and what you do on a day-to-day basis?
At Capsea Yachting, no two days are the same. My daily routine is a mix of work, staying healthy, and enjoying my hobbies. I love cooking and doing sports.
My schedule is pretty fluid. Some people call it a “666” routine with six hours for work, six for myself, and six for friends & family, six for sleep. But every day brings something new and unexpected.
Like recently, an international yachting industry newspaper needed an urgent article from me. I don’t have a typical 9-to-5 job; my workweek runs from Monday to Sunday. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work. Staying connected with my students is super important, especially when they need advice. I make sure to be there for my students, helping them out whenever they face challenges. I respond to emails, messages, and Zoom calls as quickly as I can. It’s all part of the job, and I love the variety it brings. So, that’s a glimpse into my day at Capsea Yachting. It’s unpredictable, challenging, and exciting, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The good, the bad and the ugly parts of transitioning from yachts to shore?
The good part is that I always wanted to open a business!
The bad part…maybe that I’m not on a yacht everyday! Even though I have the chance to visit yachts a lot and I can go wherever I wanted, I think it is time for other people to have their time on a yacht now. It’s nicer this way.
What is the hardest struggle you have faced since leaving the industry, and how did you overcome it?
Maybe working on my business strategy, but I wouldn’t say I have struggled.
In Romania, we don’t have a superyacht industry. We have only small boats or big cargo ships and cruise ships… But there’s a new marina coming in Romania which is gonna be very ready soon. Good news.
Read more: Life After Yachting: Tracey Boston From Our Faceless Crew, Upskilling Crew!
Did you have any other career options in the back of your mind when you were considering your life after yachting?
Of course.
Working in a a crew agency, or new build projects in a shipyard, or working in an office as a yacht broker, captain. Yeah, there are many possibilities which I still welcome. Why not? But I think for the moment, at Capsea Yachting, we are trying to grow bigger and bigger with new services and employee.
If you could return to the start of your yachting career, would you change anything?
Absolutely not, because we cannot change the past. We live in the present but we don’t know what’s going to happen in the future!
What kind of positive changes would you like to see in the industry?
I’d love to see some positive changes in the industry, starting with salary growth. Since I started, wages haven’t increased much, and it’s high time they do across all departments on board. Another key change is fostering
a positive attitude and hard work among the crew, avoiding drama and negativity.
After salaries, investing in education is crucial. Without it, advancing in your career and getting better pay or a higher position is almost impossible. Sure, some people are happy where they are, but many want to earn more and advance their careers. Education makes a huge difference on a CV. It sets you apart from others.
What does success mean to you and what is your career vision for the next 5 years?
Success means different things to different people. For some, it’s about becoming rich and feeling successful because of their wealth. For me,
success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the positive impact you have on people’s lives.
Changing lives for the better is my idea of success, and I work towards that every day. When you make a difference in people’s lives, financial success often follows. It’s also about being happy, healthy, and doing what you love. In terms of my career vision for the next five years, I aim to employ more people in my business, expand our services, and offer more to the industry.
Lastly, can you share 3 pieces of advice for crew members thinking about their life after yachting.
Three pieces of advice for crew members thinking about life after yachting would be…
First, take an online personality and career test. I took this one: https://www.123test.com/career-test/ This can help you figure out what jobs might suit you best. Many people feel lost after yachting because they’ve worked in various roles but haven’t found what they’re good at or suited for. These tests can provide valuable insights that education systems or parents may not have guided you to do.
Second, stay positive. Leaving yachting can be a big change, but new opportunities will come.
Third…stay happy. Keeping a positive outlook and finding joy in new experiences is important.
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