Georgia Downs

Former Head of Housekeeping · Founder · Creative

Location: London (by way of Australia)
Years in Yachting: 4
Last Role: Head of Housekeeping, SY Black Pearl

Georgia Downs is someone whose journey into yachting feels both unexpected and completely aligned. Originally from Australia and now based in London, Georgia spent four years in the industry, most recently as Head of Housekeeping onboard the sailing yacht Black Pearl.

What makes her story even more special is that Georgia and I actually grew up in the same area back home in Australia — and knew each other well before yachting ever entered the picture. Watching her path unfold, both at sea and beyond, has been a full-circle moment.

Since leaving yachting, Georgia has channelled her experience into building her own ventures, including Caviar People, a luxury caviar brand, and Georgia Downs Hair, offering pop-up salon services rooted in her background as a hairstylist. Her journey is a reminder that yachting doesn’t just open doors — it shapes you for what comes next.

Interior Design

✳︎

New Construction

✳︎

Renovations

✳︎

Remodels

✳︎

Commercial Design

Interior Design ✳︎ New Construction ✳︎ Renovations ✳︎ Remodels ✳︎ Commercial Design

Her Story

I came into yachting through an unexpected door, my background as a hairstylist. While working in a salon in Sydney, a client invited me to join her boat in the Whitsundays pre-COVID to do her daily blow-dries, just as I did for her in the city.

After completing my training, I met crew who were heading to Europe, and I felt a clear pull that my path was bigger than Australia.

A fun fact — the day before I got my first yacht job, I was sitting in Antibes spiralling slightly, convinced I’d made a huge mistake. Naturally, I called my psychic (who is very much on speed dial) and asked her what was going to happen. I’d only been there five days and she told me, very calmly, that I wasn’t getting a job in Europe — which absolutely crushed me.

I was already mentally booking my flight home when, almost immediately after hanging up, an agent called and said, “We’re flying you to Miami next week, you’ve got a job crossing back to Barcelona.” You honestly couldn’t make it up. If the universe ever wanted to prove that timing is everything, that was the moment.

  • On days off, balance for me always started with self-care — no exceptions. A blow-dry, Pilates, a facial… something that made me feel like myself again.

    I loved finding the happy medium: starting the day doing something good for my body and mind (usually somewhere wildly out of my budget), then meeting the crew later for a proper day off.

    Meditation was a huge non-negotiable, as were my angel card readings. In housekeeping, we pulled a card every morning meeting to set the tone for the day. It lifted morale, created alignment, and honestly brought the team closer.

    Yoga, Pilates, and crew workouts were also big for me — there’s something about sweating it out together that really bonds people. And then there are the small rituals: taking time to do my hair, looking put together, feeling good in myself. For me, if you look good, you feel good — and that’s essential in a high-stress environment like yachting.

    • Angel Card deck — grounding, personal, and a morale booster

    • Headspace app — for meditation and quick mindset resets

    • Hard water shampoo — especially if you have extensions (girls, you know)

    And without giving too much away… shampoo and conditioner designed specifically for hard water hair are on the way. Yachting girls — 2026 is calling.

2025

London

Cavier People X Odd Muse

“Communication was top-notch and the final outcome was even better than we imagined. A great experience all around.”

Former Customer

What She Wishes Every Crew Member Knew

These will be some of the best days of your life — and everything is what you make of it. If you want to go into yachting and have the time of your life, do it. Travel, say yes, experience everything… but also be smart with your money.

To any young person who doesn’t quite know where they’re headed, I always say: go yachting, even if it’s just for a year or two. You see the world on someone else’s dime — which, let’s be honest, is the closest thing to a sugar daddy you’ll ever get.

That said, it does come with rules. Mine are simple: don’t sleep with married men, don’t sleep with crew you wouldn’t seriously date, and never underestimate anchor eyes. This isn’t a 9–5 — you don’t go home at the end of the day. These people become your family, so put in effort. Be kind, gracious, and generous.

Yachting is a very small industry. One good impression can carry you for life; one bad one can quietly close doors. Be yourself — don’t fake it — but always be kind.

Gym: Monte-Carlo Beach Club Gym
Coffee / Restaurant: The Regent (in the port) — perfect for people-watching
Beach: Waikiki Beach Club, Montenegro — unreal water, flawless service, and somehow still affordable

Final message to crew

Something you want people to feel or take away.

Yachting is the most wild, iconic ride you’ll ever take. The people you meet, the places you go, the experiences you have, money literally can’t buy it. I met all of my best friends, the godmother to my future children, and formed friendships that will last a lifetime. The networking, the owners who still look after you, these are priceless, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

Yachting shapes you, for good and sometimes the hard lessons and it taught me that “no” is rarely the final answer. If you want something, go get it, whether it’s a guest request, a career move, or a personal goal. It’s a lifestyle that tests you, teaches you, and transforms you.

Now, having left the industry and started my own ventures  I realise just how much yachting prepared me. It gave me the mindset, resilience, and drive to level up in ways nothing else could. Honor yourself, know when your time is done, but soak in every insane, unforgettable moment while you’re in it. It’s life-changing, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Georgia Downs

Get In Touch

If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your project. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.