A young couple in their early twenties left their minimum wage jobs behind to travel the world on £22million superyachts where they are earning up to four times their previous salary.
Kyle Forster, 20, and Phoebe Robinson, 21, did short courses to learn how to work on yachts and took jobs as crew members on a £22,700,000 yacht in France last year. Kyle was working as a lifeguard and Phoebe was a B&B worker before they left for life on the ocean.
They now work up to 17 hours a day – but spend their free time in hot tubs, snorkelling with turtles, and exploring the Mediterranean. Since their first job in early 2024, the pair have earned a combined £45,000 which is tax free due to special rules for those working at sea.
Kyle, who is from Poole, Dorset, said: “We feel very lucky. We’re getting paid well and having so many incredible experiences. We both felt a bit stuck, and neither of us was enjoying things as they were. I’d never in a million years have thought I’d be able to go from doing something so plain to doing something so vibrant that brings me so much joy.”
In 2023, Kyle paid £2,500 for a two-week course in the Isle of Wight where he learned how to clean yachts, be a lookout, drive a motorised dingy, and pull a water ski. Meanwhile, Phoebe paid £3,800 for her three-week course after seeing a post about working on superyachts on Instagram.
The pair met in Antibes, France, in March 2023 while looking for their first jobs – and began working on a ferry in Portsmouth. At the start of 2024 they applied for superyacht jobs on Facebook and took roles on a multi-million pound 40-metre motor yacht moored in France.
Kyle said: “I’m so glad I found this. I wouldn’t switch for anything else now. I’m so happy. This isn’t a gap year or a little blip – we both want to keep doing this and work up to captain.”
They earn about 2,500 Euros a month each and have all their expenses paid, including food, accommodation, and travel – and have twice received a further 2,000 Euros each in tips for one week of work, they said.
Phoebe, from Marlborough in Wiltshire, said she never knew what she wanted to do at school, and was encouraged by her family to think outside of her comfort zone. “I’ve had the most amazing experiences. We’re basically being paid to travel the world. We feel very fortunate,” she said.
They were later flown to Palma, Spain, to work on a 27-metre sailing yacht worth £5.5million, which they sailed around the Mediterranean, visiting countries like Montenegro, Croatia, and Italy. They enjoyed water taxis in Venice, volcanic islands like Stromboli, and watching dolphins play at the front of the boat.
Kyle and Phoebe spent February cruising the Caribbean – where they got two hours off each day to snorkel with turtles and do water sports. “We did so much in that one month that it felt like three – it was truly amazing,” Phoebe said.
Working on yachts is hard work, Kyle explained. “You get amazing views and experiences but no days off, so by the time the season is over you’re ready for a rest, but it’s still amazing!” he said. “Plus it doesn’t come easy. In January 2024, we must have applied for over 1,000 jobs.” However, they wouldn’t change the experience, Phoebe said, adding: “You really miss a boat when you move on: it’s become your home and your life.”