From Superyacht Spa to Bali Bliss: How Laura McKnight Rewrote Her Life

“You don’t need a big bank account or a fancy car to be happy. You can have very little and still be really happy.”

— Laura McKnight

After more than a decade in the high-speed world of superyachts, spa therapist Laura McKnight made a radical pivot. From the grey skies of Southampton to the golden light of Bali, her journey charts a bold reinvention rooted in burnout, boundaries, and a desire for something more.

It all started in the spa of a five-star hotel, where Laura first treated cruise ship guests—an experience that eventually led her onto ships herself. But life on cruise liners was far from glamorous: long hours, no base salary, and often days with no income if passengers went ashore.

“There were days I worked from 8 to 8 and earned nothing,” she recalls. “But I was 19, I had no expenses, and I got to see the world.”

Her transition to yachting came through a friend in the industry who described the life she could have—better pay, better tips, better treatment. It took a year of research and saving before Laura made the leap, flying to Antibes and finding a job within a week.

From Cotton Buds to Community

On her first yacht, Laura quickly learned the difference between cruise ships and the meticulous, luxurious detail expected at sea.

“Cleaning skirting boards with cotton buds and dirt from doorknobs with toothpicks—nothing could prepare me for that level of detail,” she laughs.

But she also found something else: family. The close-knit nature of yacht crew life offered more than structure and salary. It provided a deep sense of camaraderie.

“We were sharing meals, sharing experiences, and supporting each other. That community stayed with me.”

Her first yacht even brought her full circle—docking in Portsmouth, where her mum dropped her off for her very first day.

Burnout in Paradise

Eventually, Laura found herself on another vessel—one that would define much of her twenties. Twelve years. Three of them in chaos.

“My self-esteem plummeted. I was burning the candle at both ends. And I knew I wasn’t being myself anymore.”

Like many yacht crew, Laura got swept into the lifestyle: long hours, longer nights, and constant motion. Even on leave, she found it hard to slow down. That’s when she searched for something to anchor her. Something healthier. Something hers.

She turned to yoga.

A Leap of Faith to Bali

Google led her to Bali. Without ever taking a class in person, Laura signed up for a month-long yoga teacher training retreat.

“I bought a stack of yoga DVDs, practiced on deck, and just went all in,” she says.

What started as a way to stretch and stay fit became a transformative, life-altering shift. She kept going back—to learn more, feel better, and rediscover herself.

Then the unexpected happened: her yacht was sold. Her position dissolved. And standing at another crossroads, Laura made a decision.

“I only had half a suitcase of yoga clothes. I had no visa, no job. But I decided to stay.”

And the universe responded. The yoga studio that ran her training offered her a teaching role on the spot.

From Yacht Crew to Retreat Creator

Today, Laura lives in Bali full time. She teaches at some of the island’s top studios—and now she’s building something deeply personal: a wellness retreat for yacht crew.

“Even after leaving yachting, many of us are still hardwired into go-go-go mode. I wanted to create a space where crew could truly rest.”

Her upcoming retreat is designed with yachties in mind: yoga, traditional Balinese healing, sound therapy, nature immersions, and something most crew rarely get—freedom and rest.

“It’s not just about yoga. It’s about reconnection—with yourself, your passions, and what lights you up.”

What She Wants Every Yachtie to Know

Before signing off, Cherise asks Laura what advice she’d give to women working in yachting today. Her top three:

1. Be smart with your savings.“Don’t fall into the trap of golden handcuffs. Save wisely so you can leave when you want to.”

2. Use your leave to explore passions.“Start discovering what life outside yachting could look like while you’re still in it.”

3. Learn your middle path.“Find your balance. Know when it’s time to rest. And listen to your intuition—it’s always speaking to you.”

“Follow your fun,” she adds. “That’s what my mum always told me. And it’s never led me wrong.”

For Laura McKnight, fun just happens to look like jungle hikes, yoga flows, ocean swims—and helping others find peace beyond the yacht.