Professional Diploma in Luxury Yacht Management
Prepare to administer and operate high-end pleasure craft: finance, technical upkeep, crew coordination, regulation and guest experience. A private online professional programme with a Navalis Institute certificate.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Professional Diploma in Luxury Yacht Management?
This diploma prepares you to excel in the administration and operation of high-end pleasure craft. You acquire the key skills for financial management, technical maintenance, crew coordination and the regulatory compliance specific to the luxury yachting sector, together with the tools and strategies to optimise the client experience and secure the profitability of the operation.
Its practical approach, based on real case studies and management simulations, is combined with specialist knowledge of the legal, insurance and tax aspects of yacht management. It is a private online professional programme with a Navalis Institute certificate, designed for yacht owners and their representatives who want to optimise the management, maintenance and operation of their vessel.
Programme highlights
- Practical approach: real case studies and management simulations to apply what you learn.
- Specialist knowledge: in-depth coverage of the legal, insurance and tax aspects relevant to yacht management.
- Leadership skills: development of the competencies needed for effective team management and decision-making.
- VIP experience: skills to deliver exceptional service on board and exceed the expectations of the most demanding clients.
- Network of contacts: access to leading professionals and companies in the luxury yacht sector.
- Flexibility: online format with interactive resources and personalised support.
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Luxury Yacht Management
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Fundamentals of Integrated Luxury Yacht Management
- 1.1. Characteristics of the international yacht, superyacht and megayacht market and the evolution of the luxury yachting sector
- 1.2. Yacht types by size, propulsion, range, and private, commercial and charter use
- 1.3. Organisational structure of yacht management and the relationship between owner, captain, crew and management company
- 1.4. Roles of the operations, technical, financial, human resources, safety and guest services departments
- 1.5. The yacht life cycle from acquisition, commissioning and operation to refit, sale or retirement
- 1.6. Direct, outsourced and specialist yacht management company models
- 1.7. Design of management systems geared to availability, safety, confidentiality and operational excellence
- 1.8. Structure of yacht management
Operations, Navigation and Itinerary Planning
- 2.1. Annual operations planning taking into account season, availability, maintenance and owner preferences
- 2.2. Itinerary design and coordination of port calls, marinas, anchorages and international destinations
- 2.3. Management of fuel, water, provisions, spare parts and other resources needed during passage
- 2.4. Coordination with shipping agents, marinas, authorities and local suppliers
- 2.5. Documentation for arrivals, departures, customs, immigration and international operations
- 2.6. Planning of operations with auxiliary craft, tenders and recreational equipment
- 2.7. Contingency management for weather, itinerary changes, breakdowns and port restrictions
- 2.8. Season and destination planning
Technical Management, Maintenance and Yacht Refit
- 3.1. Organisation of preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance of yacht systems and equipment
- 3.2. Management of engines, propulsion, electrical generation, air conditioning, hydraulics and auxiliary systems
- 3.3. Inspection and care of the hull, superstructure, decks, interiors and high-end finishes
- 3.4. Computerised maintenance management systems, technical histories and condition indicators
- 3.5. Planning of haul-outs, surveys, shipyard work and major maintenance periods
- 3.6. Management of refit, modernisation, technology upgrade and interior renewal projects
- 3.7. Control of contractors, budgets, quality, deadlines and technical acceptance of completed work
- 3.8. Management of haul-outs and shipyards
Crew Management and Human Resources
- 4.1. Department structure and professional profiles in deck, engineering, interior and specialist services
- 4.2. Recruitment, hiring, onboarding and administrative management of international crew members
- 4.3. Organisation of rotations, watches, leave, rest periods and manning planning
- 4.4. Leadership of multicultural teams and coordination between departments on board
- 4.5. Training, competency assessment and professional development of the crew
- 4.6. Management of conflict, discipline, wellbeing, motivation and talent retention
- 4.7. Development of internal standards of conduct, presentation, confidentiality and professional excellence
- 4.8. Crew contracts and payroll
Luxury Hospitality and the Owner and Guest Experience
- 5.1. Principles of luxury hospitality applied to private and high-end charter operations
- 5.2. Design of personalised experiences according to guests' preferences, cultural profiles and expectations
- 5.3. Organisation of interior service, housekeeping, laundry, protocol and personalised attention
- 5.4. Food and beverage management, menu planning, premium provisions, wines and drinks on board
- 5.5. Organisation of private events, water activities, excursions and destination experiences
- 5.6. Professional handling of special requests, incidents, complaints and last-minute changes
- 5.7. Protection of the privacy, discretion and confidentiality of the owner, family and guests
- 5.8. Service to the owner and guests
Financial Management, Charter and Yacht Administration
- 6.1. Preparation and control of the annual operating budget of a luxury yacht
- 6.2. Management of fuel, crew, maintenance, insurance, berthing and provisioning costs
- 6.3. Accounting systems, expense control, purchase authorisations and reporting to the owner
- 6.4. Fundamentals of commercial operation through charter and season planning
- 6.5. Coordination between owner, yacht manager, broker, charter manager and client
- 6.6. Management of contracts, deposits, operating expenses and settlements in charter operations
- 6.7. Financial and operational indicators to assess costs, utilisation, availability and asset performance
- 6.8. Budgets and expense control
Safety, Compliance, Risk and Sustainability
- 7.1. Maritime safety management and operational responsibilities applicable to private and commercial yachts
- 7.2. Emergency planning, firefighting, abandon ship, man overboard and medical assistance
- 7.3. Physical protection, access control and security of owners, guests, crew and assets
- 7.4. Cybersecurity, communications protection, connected devices and confidential data on board
- 7.5. Management of insurance, incidents, claims and risks associated with international operations
- 7.6. Environmental management of fuels, waste, water, emissions and recreational activities
- 7.7. Energy efficiency strategies, reduction of environmental impact and transition to sustainable marine technologies
- 7.8. ISM Code and safety management
Applied Final Project in Luxury Yacht Management
- 8.1. Selection of a reference superyacht and definition of its ownership, operation and annual usage profile
- 8.2. Design of the management structure, crew organisation and allocation of responsibilities
- 8.3. Preparation of the yacht's annual cruising, maintenance, haul-out, charter and availability programme
- 8.4. Development of the operating budget, purchasing system, financial control and owner reporting
- 8.5. Design of the hospitality model, protocol, gastronomy, activities and personalised guest experience
- 8.6. Preparation of the integrated plan for safety, contingencies, compliance, privacy and sustainability
- 8.7. Presentation of the final project
- 8.8. Presentation and defence of an integrated yacht management plan with technical, operational, financial and service quality assessment
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Luxury Yacht Management
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Professional Diploma in Luxury Yacht Management
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Luxury Yacht Management
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Luxury Yacht Management
The luxury nautical tourism sector.
The programme covers the annual operating budget, control of fuel, crew, maintenance, insurance and berthing costs, accounting and owner reporting, charter operation, and financial and operational indicators.
Online with live sessions; a hybrid option for work placements through partnership agreements.
It focuses on the operational management of a luxury yacht.
The safety and compliance module covers maritime safety, the ISM Code, emergency plans, cybersecurity, insurance and environmental management, with attention to private and commercial operations.
No. The programme admits profiles with a related degree in Business Administration, Tourism or Marketing, or with experience in luxury hospitality, events or similar services. The admission interview will confirm the fit.
No. The programme is studied entirely online and does not include work placements; Navalis Institute does not arrange internships or jobs.
Through practical exercises, management plans, standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, micro-tests and an applied final project in yacht management.
More programmes in Ports and marinas
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- Profile: a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Tourism, Marketing or a related field; or proven professional experience in luxury hospitality management, events or similar. Experience in luxury services with direct VIP client contact is an advantage.
- Language: sufficient command of the language of instruction; basic technical English is recommended (B2 or higher), and a second language is an advantage.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection to follow the sessions and interactive resources.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enrol
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.