GUEST / IAMI Certification, Explained
If you've looked at any interior job listing or stewardess course, you've seen “GUEST” or “IAMI GUEST” attached to it. Here's what it actually is, how the levels work, and whether you really need it.
What IAMI and GUEST actually are
IAMI — the International Association of Maritime Institutions — is a global network of maritime training providers and colleges. GUEST is IAMI's training framework specifically for yacht interior crew, one of several divisions IAMI runs alongside deck, engineering and other maritime training. When a course or job listing says “IAMI GUEST”, it means the training is accredited under that framework — it's the interior department's equivalent of an MCA- or STCW-recognised ticket, even though it isn't a government regulator.
How the levels actually work
GUEST training runs from a generalist entry point through to role-specific leadership qualifications:
Entry level
GUEST I (Introduction)
The starting point for anyone new to yacht interior — hospitality basics, guest service etiquette, cabin care and an introduction to silver service. Almost always bundled with STCW in entry-level interior packages, since both are expected before your first day on board.
Advanced
GUEST II (Advanced Service)
For crew with a season or so of experience. Builds on GUEST I with more advanced service standards, wine and beverage service, and the detail-level housekeeping and valet skills that separate a junior stew from a senior one.
Leadership / Certificate of Competence
Head of Department CoC bundles
Role-specific bundles for experienced interior crew moving into supervisory positions — Senior Steward/ess, Head of Service, Head of Housekeeping, Spa Management, and Chief Steward/ess. Each combines several numbered GUEST “Units” (leadership, interior administration, mental health awareness, plus the specialism itself) into one qualification, and each has its own sea-time and experience prerequisites.
Interior splits into distinct specialisms once teams get bigger — see our guide to Interior's Service, Housekeeping, Laundry and Spa tracks for how that plays out day to day.
Real, sourced GUEST courses we track
Not an abstract description — actual courses, grouped by level:
Entry level
Advanced
Leadership CoC bundles
Specialist units
Do you actually need it to get hired?
Not legally — GUEST isn't an MCA or flag-state requirement the way STCW and an ENG1 medical are. In practice, though, it's the industry standard: agencies and boats overwhelmingly expect it, which is why almost every entry-level interior package we track bundles GUEST I alongside STCW as a matter of course, not as an optional extra.
Frequently asked questions
What does GUEST stand for?
GUEST is the interior-crew training framework run by IAMI (the International Association of Maritime Institutions), a global network of maritime training providers. You'll sometimes see it expanded as “Guidelines for Unified Excellence in Service Training”, though IAMI's own materials mostly just use the acronym without spelling it out, so treat that expansion as commonly cited rather than officially confirmed.
Is GUEST certification legally required to work in yacht interior?
No — unlike STCW or an ENG1 medical, GUEST isn't an MCA or flag-state legal requirement. It's an industry-standard credential that crew agencies and boats overwhelmingly expect in practice, which is why almost every entry-level interior package on this site bundles GUEST I alongside STCW as standard.
What's the difference between GUEST I and GUEST II?
GUEST I (sometimes called Introduction) covers entry-level hospitality, guest service and cabin care — it's the starting point for anyone new to interior. GUEST II (Advanced Service) builds on it with more advanced service, wine and beverage, and detail-level housekeeping skills, aimed at crew with some season's experience already.
What is a GUEST Certificate of Competence (CoC)?
A CoC is a role-specific bundle for experienced interior crew moving into leadership — Senior Steward/ess, Head of Service, Head of Housekeeping, Spa Management or Chief Steward/ess. Each bundles several numbered GUEST units (leadership, interior administration, mental health awareness, plus the specialism itself) into one qualification, with its own sea-time and experience prerequisites.
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