Quarterdeck Reviews 

I gained more practical hands-on experience and confidence during Quarterdeck Academy’s one-week course than my whole yachtmaster. You will get a ton of practice doing the things actually expected of a skipper, like close quarter maneuvering, docking, engine checks, and med-mooring. The instructors give you the space to practice and make mistakes, and learn from those mistakes and grow. I can’t recommend this course enough and quarterdeck is an awesome company if you want to work for the yacht week. It’s changed my life from the friendships, skills, travels, and career I’ve been able to pursue, all thanks to quarterdeck! ❤️

The instructors are friendly, easy to learn from, and clearly know their stuff (shoutout to Jake!), and I would love to become one eventually. The training is very hands-on, practical, and fun, and you really build confidence on the water in real-life situations. Highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn sailing, improve their skills, or later work as a QD skipper. I literally met friends for life and that’s why I keep coming back every year!

Working as a host at Quarterdeck has been a genuinely positive experience. The team environment is supportive, well-structured, and focused on delivering high-quality service. Quarterdeck places a strong emphasis on creating memorable guest experiences, and it’s rewarding to be part of a team that takes pride in that. Overall, Quarterdeck is a great place to work if you value teamwork, professional growth, and a fast-paced hospitality environment.

Quarterdeck is an incredible company that educated me into the yachting industry. From building my confidence, to developing skills and sailing the Adriatic Sea. The host academy and instructors are highly trained and professional to give you a realistic week experience with all you need to know, when with guests. The layout and structure of quarterdeck from applying to working is thorough and reliable. I thank quarterdeck for the opportunities it has given me!

The most effective yachting course I've ever done and incredibly fun. I made friends for life.

Quarterdeck enabled me to break in to the yachting industry and work for the Yacht Week during the past two seasons. By passing their Skipper Academy I gained valuable experience and a piece of formal training that is well respected in the world of professional yachting. Attending QD Academy has been one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life, for which I'm very grateful.

Imagine living in a dream where every week you get to spend your time on the water with dozens of old friends, while simultaneously making new friends and new memories. Yacht Week is honestly the time of year when I’m the happiest and each year I count down the months until I can go back again and see all my friends faces. I became a skipper after experiencing life on the water with this company a few years ago, and since then have never doubted my decision to keep going back. It’s more than just sailing, it’s being part of a family. Hope it continues forever :)

Went as a sailor and returned home as a skipper.
During the Academy I learned everything I needed to know to become a professional skipper. We practiced Mediterranean docking, anchoring, MOB-manoeuvres and other docking manoeuvres. We practiced every day until we could do it in our sleep. This academy teaches you how to lead as a skipper and manoeuvre as one

Got great lessons from their instructors during the academy which allowed me to jump-start my career in yachting. Thank you QD!

This company is professional and reliable.The learning environment is motivating, and the instructors really know how to share their knowledge in the best possible way.If you’re thinking about taking one of their courses go for it!!You won’t regret it. You’ll gain a lot of valuable knowledge, as well as amazing experiences, new friends, and memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Highly recommended!

I've been with QD for 3 years now and it's been a live changing experience. From taking you in and giving you a thorough training, making you confident on the water, to delivering amazing assignments, meeting people you will never forget. Quarterdeck invests in their people and enables skippers and hosts to give people unforgettable experiences on the water.

I had a fantastic time sailing with Quarterdeck. The instructors were professional, patient, and truly passionate about sailing. The course was well-structured, hands-on, and gave me the confidence I needed on the water. Highly recommended for anyone looking to advance their sailing skills!

After many years of sailing I had chance to get even more professional training by QD. They cover not only all aspects of sailing, but also teaches how to be a great team player which is a must and kind of differs them from other ordinary trainings.

I’ve been sailing smaller boats for a long time. A friend got me exited to join the academy to become a Yachtweek skipper. You go in to the course thinking you know a lot but quickly learn that there is a world to learn.

The skills of the instructors is awesome and i’ve had the most fun this first summer as a skipper of many to come.

Working for QD quite literally changed my life. I began as a host and a season later I decided to become a skipper. I came straight from my Yachtmaster to skipper academy. The amount you learn not only on academy but by actually doing the job having the incredible support from all the QD staff to gain further confidence in yachting is priceless. What I especially like about QD is their support for women to thrive in the industry as skippers/captains in a very male dominated industry. I feel so lucky that working through them has taken me to places like Croatia, Italy, Turkey and Tahiti. The community I’ve found through QD has turned into a huge circle of friends I know I’ll have for life and I’ll cherish that forever, working for QD is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

I learned a lot from the team at quarterdeck. Maneuvering techniques that have helped me to this date with developing my career.
To this date I’m still in touch with those I came across during my training. And that’s probably what I value most, professionally and socially.

Quarter deck is a great way to get your foot in the door for a yachting job. Lucky to be surrounded with such talented and experienced peers. There is opportunity for growth within the company, and you can build a network of people in the maritime life.

Great seasonal job!

My passage through Quarterdeck has been of absolute professionalism and seriousness. Would recommend anyone (I actively do actually) do their courses to build up trust and experience on the yachting industry.

I started my career in the industry with Quarterdeck after successfully completing their Host Academy, which gave me the foundation and confidence to get my foot in the door. I later earned my Yachtmaster certification and returned the following season as a skipper after passing their Skipper Academy.

Today, I’m captaining a luxury catamaran in the Caribbean, and I can confidently say that Quarterdeck played a huge role in getting me to where I am. I would highly recommend working with them to anyone looking to grow in this industry.

The goat of all sailing schools and your gateway into the best job in yachting: Yacht Week!
Great instructors, incredible boats and locations. Highly recommend.