below deck yacht chef salary

You Won't Believe How Much a 'Below Deck' Charter Chef Makes

Nov. 16 2020, Published 3:45 p.m. ET

The life of a yachtie seems like a dream job. Working onboard a state-of-the-art vessel, being surrounded by the bluest ocean, and getting to explore exotic locations are just some of the perks of working onboard a luxury mega-yacht. 

But as any seasoned fan of Below Deck can tell you, it’s not all stunning locations and water slides.

Pulling at least 16-hour shifts while attending to every whim of charter guests and being filmed around the clock is just another day in the life of a Below Deck yachtie. But while the team indulges every ridiculous request from their ultra-rich clientele, they are well paid for their hard work — especially the chefs, who have to meet all kinds of demands even when the weather is too rough for the exterior crew. 

So, what is a Below Deck chef salary like, as the sole person cooking onboard?

What is the Chef’s salary on 'Below Deck?'

Captain Lee is back helming My Seanna for another season of Below Deck set in the Caribbean. With the departure of his long-time right-hand woman, Chief Stewardess Kate Chastain, he’s got a whole new crew to whip into shape. 

But one person who already seems to have everything under control is the yacht’s new chef: Rachel Hargrove.

This predominantly self-taught chef has quickly made a mark with her unflappable attitude and calm demeanor even in the face of the most demanding guests. Rachel keeps her galley in order and is experienced in a lot of different cuisines from around the world, which hopefully means she won’t get thrown by a request for vegan food… Ahem, Kiko.

But just how much does a talented chef like Rachel make? Charter companies pay each crew member a base salary, which depends on the size of the boat, the number of charter guests, and the professional role of the yachtie. 

On top of this base pay, cast members in the Bravo show also get additional tips and a small appearance fee from the network. 

According to the average salary rates for super-yacht chefs, they are estimated to make a base salary of anywhere between $85,000 and $100,000 for a standard charter season. The chef's specific rate would be determined by their professional qualifications, the ship’s itinerary, and the number of charter guests on-board — but they get to keep all the money they make since crews earn a tax-free income. 

'Below Deck' star Chef Ben Robinson.

In addition to the generous salary, the Below Deck chef would also benefit from the tips that guests leave at the end of each charter. On Below Deck , the crew customarily receive a tip that’s around 5 to 30 percent of the charter base fee, depending on the level of service and pampering that the guests receive. 

All told, Captain Lee's chef could potentially walk away from the season with over $100,000 for about six weeks of work. 

And since the Below Deck crew doesn’t work an entire yachting season, which is usually between four and five months, it’s entirely possible for the chef to finish out the season on another yacht and make even more money.

Sounds like we’re all about to quit our day jobs for the life of a yachtie!

Tune in to new episodes of Below Deck on Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo.

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‘Below Deck’: The Crew Members’ Salaries Revealed

Below Deck follows the lives of the crew members who work and live aboard the luxury yachts during the charter season. They’re often known as “yachties.” They can make lots of money if they do a good job. As fans know, they earn most of their money from their combined tips.

A lot of factors can play into those tips. The charter guests may be impressed with the food and entertainment. Or, they may love the service they received during the charter. Of course, these same factors can ruin their chances if they have a green crew or if the food service isn’t as good as expected.

How much do the crew members earn?

According to a new report, the average deckhand can make from $60,000 to $66,000 per year. On Below Deck Season 9, Jake Folger, Rayna Lindsay, and Wes O’Dell are the current deckhands on the show. Though they have a green crew, they’re already raking in the money.

When it comes to the interior team, the second and third stews also earn $60,000 to $66,000 per year. In the current season, Jessica Albert is the third stew. Now, they’re down one stew. Jessica abruptly quit her job. She just wasn’t interested in the job anymore. She also couldn’t stop thinking about her sick grandparents.

There is no boatswain in this cast. Yet, the position does exist and has been featured in previous seasons. This is Eddie Lucas’ first charter season working as a first officer. In Season 8, he worked as a boatswain. The average boatswain earns $66,000 to $72,000 per year, while the first officer earns $90,000 to $95,000 per year.

More Below Deck salaries revealed

Apparently, the chief stew makes a lot of money. Maybe it’s because they interact with the guests the most. Heather Chase is the chief stew on Season 9. The average chief stew earns $72,000 to $84,000 per year. Heather made her big debut this season, but she hasn’t been well-received by fans. She’s also made controversy for saying the n-word .

The yacht chef also earns $72,000 to $84,000 per year. Chef Rachel Hargrove returned to the series after a challenging Season 8. She quit in the middle of the season and came back the following day. This season has been her redemption season and it’s worked well in her favor.

Keep in mind that the crew members earn huge tips. The average is $15,000 per person , on top of their salary. Not bad for six weeks of work. But it’s also an emotionally and physically demanding job.

What are your thoughts on the crew members’ salaries? Are you surprised to learn how much they make? Sound off below in the comment section. Below Deck Season 9 airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.

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Cast Off to Cash: Uncovering the Salaries of 'Below Deck' Crew Members

Crew members on the Bravo reality show 'Below Deck' may not be paid as well as stars of other Bravo shows. How much do they make? Let's get into it.

Apr. 28 2023, Updated 1:06 p.m. ET

Here's how much the 'Below Deck' crew makes in salary per episode.

The 'below deck' yacht crew's salary plus tips is allegedly lower than pay for other bravo stars..

Fans of Bravo TV’s reality yachting program Below Deck have likely wondered whether the show’s crew and cast members are paid well for their efforts. The show follows superyachts that have been chartered to travel in beautiful locales. Below Deck looks at how the guests behave on board and how the crew members get along. How much does the crew from Below Deck make?

Those of us who merely watch from our homes and smartphones may daydream about the luxury of cruising the Mediterranean or other warm locales with an attentive crew. Even being part of the crew of the hit show may sound appealing, but does the talent get paid fairly for their hard efforts at keeping these superyachts going and fulfilling customer demands?

Let's find out!

Below Deck premiered in 2013 and has led to several spin-offs in different locations. Below Deck: Mediterranean was the first to follow the original reality show, and in 2020, Below Deck: Sailing Yacht hit television sets. In 2021, spin-offs Below Deck Adventure and Below Deck Down Under were created.

The Below Deck franchise relies on “yachties,” or crew members, who keep things running. Specific roles on board include captain, first officer, deckhands, bosun, chief engineers, chef, and steward/stewardesses.

According to ShowStarNews , cast members must sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) about their salary. Some sources say that cast and crew who complete a full season receive $5,000.

All cast members divvy up tips from guests who charter the yachts, which Chief Stewardess Kate Chastain claimed was about $5,000 for a week-long charter and $2,000–$2,500 for a three-day charter.

I’ve managed to get hooked on Below Deck. Googling “chief steward salary” and planning my escape to live a yacht life round the Med. First stop Sorrento. — Vitt (@Vitt2TsNoC) April 23, 2021

Crew members of 'Below Deck Down Under' ham it up for the cameras.

Some former Below Deck crew members have publicly criticized the network for paying the crew and cast less than similar shows like those in the Real Housewives franchise. Eddie Lucas, a former cast member, said they were paid more than “normal yachties” but not near what the Real Housewives stars earned.

“There is somebody monetizing off of the show, but it’s definitely not us. Below Deck — regardless of it being the most popular show on Bravo — we are the lowest-paid cast members,” Lucas told the New York Post.

Other previous cast and crew members of the Below Deck franchise commented after Lucas's remarks on pay discrepancy. Jessica More, of the Below Deck: Mediterranean , said, "Yep 👏 I see all facts in his statements." Ciara Duggan, from Season 1 of Below Deck Sailing Yacht, remarked that Lucas was "not wrong" about cast pay. Another former cast member, Tiffany Copeland, commented that she wished they received residuals when reruns are aired.

Crew and cast members with more celebrity power can also likely use that to negotiate higher salaries for their work on the show.

ShowStarNews estimates salaries on board by role:

Deckhand: $24,500

First Officer: $28,250

Bosun: $25,250

Chief Engineer: $32,000

First-time chief stewardess: $24,000–$26,000

However, in non-reality-TV situations, crew members on a yacht are paid relative to the size of the vessel as well as to their responsibilities on the vessel. Crew Finders, a yachting recruitment company, estimates salaries of $192,000–$228,000 for a Captain on a vessel between about 160 and 190 feet long.

A Below Deck chef in their first season on the show might earn about $29,000 for one season. However, as Crew Finders noted, a chef on a chartered yacht of the typical size for Below Deck, a chef might earn close to six figures ($96,000–$108,000).

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Here’s How Much the ‘Below Deck’ Cast Actually Makes

Each cast member has a different position on the boat, and on the show, so their salary is based on their role. Let’s take a look at how much different Below Deck staff can make, and some note-worthy tip moments throughout the season.

How much the third, second and chief stews make

Being a stew on the ship means wearing many hats, and the higher you rank the more responsibility you have. Second and third stews make approximately $5,000 a month, and up to $50,000 per charter season if they move from boat to boat. The chief stew makes about $5,500 to $6,000 a month and up to $75,000 a charter season.

Related: ‘Below Deck’ season 9 trailer teases the new captain, an old rivalry and budding romances .

The Below Deck chefs make a pretty penny

One of the most important crew members is the unsung hero in the kitchen — the chef. Chefs on board make around $7,000 to $10,000 a month, depending on their culinary training and professional experience. Chefs who work all throughout the charter season can make up to $95,000 .

Related: The wildest ‘Below Deck’ chefs over the years .

The deckhands and bosuns get paid for their hard work

Bosuns and deckhands are of the most essential crew members, as they’re in charge of maintaining the ship’s deck, docking, and other operations. A deckhand makes about $3,500 to $4,500 a month, and up to $50,000 a season. Bosuns, who are in charge of the deckhands, make approximately $5,000 a month and up to $52,000 a season.

See also: Interview: ‘Below Deck Sailing Yacht’ star Daisy Kelliher on clashing with Chef Natasha and more .

The captain gets paid the most

It’s no surprise the captain is the north star of the crew, so naturally their salaries are the highest. The most experienced yacht captains can make up to $210,000 a season, but typically they make between $120,000 and $150,000.

You might also like: Shipping the ‘Below Deck’ cast: our fantasy (and real-life) couples .

End-of-charter tips are an added bonus

Each charter ends with a tip, and the amount is entirely dependent on the guests aboard, the service, and the length of the trip. Crew members that work a six-week charter can make up to $ 5,000 per person , on top of their salary.

Related: ‘The Real Housewives of Miami’: then and now .

Generous tippers make a big difference in pay

Over the seasons, the crew has seen a varying level of tips. Each cast member usually walks away with a couple thousand after each charter, but a few extra generous guests have come through. One of the highest on the show was a $35,000 tip left behind by one of the more controversial guests on board, Timothy Sykes.

Related: Interview: Heather Dubrow on coming back to ‘RHOC’ and being ambushed by Nicole James’ lawsuit .

Low tippers are always a disappointment

Of course, if you’ve worked in hospitality you’re familiar with the bad tipper for no reason. The worst tip on the show was from a family who constantly fought and complained for the duration of the charter. They left a $5,000 dollar tip to be dispersed among the whole crew. Captain Rosbach has said it was one of his biggest disappointments by a guest on the show.

See also: All the hottest new celebrity couples of 2022 .

Show fees, sponsorships and appearances can provide a bump in pay

Of course, the crew is not just a crew, but a cast, which means they also get a fee for appearing on the show. While the exact amount of how much each cast member is paid is unknown, it’s assumed it’s a couple thousand dollars an episode. Additionally, being in the spotlight means the cast will also find opportunities off the boat to get social media sponsorships, and profitable appearances.

Watch Below Deck Mondays at 9 ep and stream your favourite Slice shows on STACKTV  through Amazon Prime Channels or the  Global TV app .

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The 'Below Deck' Crew Works Hard For Their Pay

It's lucky to find a well-paying career that doubles as a passion, and many people have to settle for one or the other, even reality stars. So how much does the crew of Below Deck make? They all seem to love the sea, though their salaries don't compare to those of the rich and famous people who charter their services. But being a steward or a deckhand seems like a great job. Flexible schedules, plenty of time outside, and the shot at some major tips all combine to make this a perfect career path for anyone who loves boats and can manage service with a smile.

The crew that's actually featured on Below Deck succeeds and fails to various degrees, but their profession is one that takes a certain combination of skills and makes Captain Lee's plane ticket policy totally necessary. Once you hire someone for a charter, you're stuck with them until it ends. If you've ever been worried about your performance review at work, at least be thankful that you're not marooned at sea with an angry boss. Anyway, the actual salaries vary depending on the different jobs available to the crew. But the best way to ensure that you get paid well is to provide amazing service, because that $1,000 bonus at the end of each charter is what everyone is working towards.

Yacht Captain: Lee

According to a reference guide by Luxury Yacht Group, which provides salary ranges for all yachting roles quoted here, a captain can make from $7,000 to $20,000 a month, depending on experience and the size of their yacht. The Eros is 160 feet (on the large side), while Captain Lee's Bravo bio says he has 20 years of experience, and has had his captain's license since he was 35. So he probably makes closer to that $20,000 figure.

Chief Stew: Kate

Kate, as the chief stew, takes on a significant amount of work above and beyond the normal duties of a steward. And she's had years of experience, so I'm willing to bet she maxes out LCG's estimate of $9,000 a month.

Bosun: Eddie

Back on the deck crew, a bosun will take home somewhere in the range of $3,000-$6,000 a month, which seems low compared to the amount of responsibility Eddie's taken on managing the deck crew, though he could have a unique rate due to that.

Engineer/Deckhand: Don

Don seems pretty insistent on the difference between an engineer and a deckhand, especially because he feels that an engineer usually doesn't have to listen to the bosun. Luxury Charter Group has an estimate for exactly that role, proving it must be somewhat common in the yachting community. Turns out Don is probably making between $3,000-5,000 a month.

Second Stew: Amy

As Kate's second in command, Amy, qualifies for somewhere between $2,500 and $5,000 per month, depending on her experience and what she was able to negotiate, because Amy's ability to sweet talk must make it easy for her to coax even the toughest yacht hiring service into a few dollars more.

Third Stew: Rocky

She probably makes about $2,500 per month, which could be equal to other crew members depending on where they fall in their various salary ranges.

Deckhand: Connie/Emile

Connie might be the hardest working person on the ship, and yet her estimate is $4,000 a month, based on LCG's cross section of yacht size and experience. Emile has less experience than Connie, so he's probably making closer to $2,500 per month.

Ship Chef: Leon

Leon is an incredibly experienced chef, but he hasn't been getting along with the rest of the crew because he doesn't have the same yachting experience as many of the others. But that doesn't stop him from earning up to $12,000 a month, which may explain his "F the haters" mentality so far. Let's hope that figure is enough to bring Ben back.

Basically, when a yachtie is working, for the most part they are making a good a salary. But as Below Deck has demonstrated, the hours can be very long, charters can be scarce at certain parts of the year, and getting fired can happen at any time. Build experience and work on a large boat of a challenging size, however, and you will find that the life of a charter yacht crew member can be a great way to make a living.

Images: Virginia Sherwood/Bravo (9)

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This Is How Much The Below Deck Cast Makes

This is how much the below deck cast makes in a season, what are the below deck crew salaries, what is captain lee's salary, how much does it cost to charter a below deck yacht, more from work & money, r29 original series.

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'Below Deck's Kate Chastain Explains How Yacht Tipping Actually Works (Exclusive)

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Yacht life definitely pays.

Week after week on Below Deck , viewers see the crew clean up with giant wads of cash left behind by the charter guests as a "tip" for their work -- and chief stewardess Kate Chastain tells ET, it's not faked for reality TV.

"On a yacht of that size, [a good tip] would be $5,000 a person, for seven days of work," she reveals. "Five grand a crew member, usually. Our charters are a little bit shorter, just so we can make the show, [but] everything else is exactly the same. So, it's prorated. We usually get around $2,500, $2,000. Anything less than $1,000 would be depressing, which sounds crazy, doesn't it?"

Below Deck charters typically last two or three days, but Kate says the crew puts in the equivalent of five days of work to jam-pack the experience with a week's worth of fun.

"We're working not just eight-hour shifts, it's like, we're working pretty much around the clock," she notes. "All the days start to blur together. And during the tip meeting, Captain Lee [Rosbach], will say what we got and I'm always like, 'Is that good? I don’t know anymore… $3,000, are we happy with this?'"

To put this in perspective, those tips are on top of a fee for charting the yachts. Kate previously revealed to ET that it costs about $150,000 a week to take over the ships.

The tips come on top of a regular salary, which differs based on job. A chief stew, reportedly , earns between $62,000 and $75,000 per charter season on a Below Deck -sized yacht (most of the vessels on the show are in the 150-foot range). Second and third stews would make about $50,000 a season, a chef between $70,000 and $95,000, while a captain would earn $120,000 or more, a bosun about $52,000 and deckhands between $40,000 to $52,000.

Kate says there is one part of the tip process seen on the show that might just be for TV -- how the tip is delivered. On the show, the crew stands in line to send off the guests, with the primary charter guest handing over an envelope of cash to Captain Lee. Kate notes that the lineup is standard, but the envelope handoff isn’t.

"There's always a lineup, just 'cause it's polite," she says. "Like, even in Downton Abbey , they all line up. So, I think it's a tradition that’s been around for hundreds of years, but sometimes, I think, instead of traveling with so much cash, they wire the money."

"So, it's not as dramatic," she continues. "But I've had charters where we anchored in the British Virgin Islands, the guests had left, we're eating leftover lobster, drinking leftover champagne, counting our stacks of cash. I felt pretty special at that moment."

Below Deck airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht Salaries Revealed and See How it Compares to Motor Yacht Pay, Plus Captain Lee Reveals Which Captain’s Job is Harder

The Below Deck crew members are raking in the cash, but which yacht crew makes the most?

In the first season of Below Deck Sailing Yacht , the crew made a total of $143,000 in tips for a six-week season, allowing each yachty to pocket $16,000. That’s a nice chunk of change for a mere six weeks, but that amount is considered mid-range compared to what other crews have received in the franchise. For instance, Captain Lee Rosbach ‘s season five crew took home $56,650 each in tips alone.

According to one yachting source, crews working on motors yachts, such as the ones featured on Below Deck and Below Deck Mediterranean , tend to make more in tip money , and they also earn higher salaries than sailing crews. Motor yachts require a higher level of formality, which is one reason for the difference in pay.

“Motor yachts are more formal regarding uniforms, owner and guest relations, and job requirements,” according to the source as reported by Showbiz Cheat Sheet . “That is why the salaries are higher.”

For example, a deckhand on a sailing yacht earns around $3,250 per month while someone with the same position on a similar size motor yacht will bring in about $4,000 per month. This difference also applies to the stewards as a motor yacht stew makes about $3,300 monthly while a sailing stew will earn around $2,500.

As for captains, it’s unclear what Captain Lee, Captain Sandy Yawn , or Captain Glenn Shephard are making. According to Luxury Yacht Group , yearly salaries range anywhere from $48,000 to $310,000, but the amount completely depends on experience and the size of the vessel.

Although Captain Lee likely receives a higher salary than Glenn, Lee claims that Glenn’s job is more difficult.

“Sailing vessels are a lot of work, but we usually have more crew on same size motor yacht, but I would say sailing on a big sailboat is harder,” he explained to a curious fan on Twitter on March 1.

Sailing vessels are a lot of work, but we usually have more crew on same size motor yacht, but I would say sailing on a big sailboat is harder. https://t.co/kDTlloKxE5 — Captain Lee (@capthlr) March 2, 2021

The Below Deck Sailing Yacht crew does have one big advantage, though. They are typically able to spend more time exploring the beautiful surroundings than those on a motor yacht.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht airs Monday nights on Bravo at 9/8c.

Photo Credit: Laurent Basset/Bravo

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How much do the cast members of Below Deck make per episode?

• Israel Salas-Rodriguez
• Katrina Schollenberger
• Published : 8:33 ET, Jun 25 2021
• Updated : 8:33 ET, Jun 25 2021
• Published : Invalid Date,

BRAVO'S reality series Below Deck follows the lives of the crew members who work and reside aboard luxury yachts - known as "yachties" - during charter season.

Season two of Below Deck Mediterranean airs Monday, June 28.

According to Refinery 29 , the case of Below Deck make quite a hefty salary for doing their jobs working on "yachties".

The outlet reports that on a yacht the size of the My Seanna, a second and third stewardess earns an average of about $5,000 per month.

A chief stewardess brings in around $5,500 to $6,000 per month, and the chef on the boat could make about $7,000-$10,000 a month, depending on experience and training.

The deckhands usually make around $3,500-$4,500 a month, while a bosun would make a little bit more at approximately $5,000 a month.

However, that's not including tips the whole crew receives from guests on the boat.

Throughout the season of Below Deck , the crew reportedly bring in around $15,000 per person in tips for about six weeks of work.

Which Below Deck star recently revealed she's gay?

Below Deck's Isabelle "Izzy" Wouters came out as gay after her fellow Bravo star, Braunwyn Windham-Burke, revealed she is a lesbian.

Wouters revealed the news while poking fun at the men who tried to hit on her without knowing she was actually gay.

Along with two pictures, she  wrote : "The face of the straight men who slide into my dm’s when I say – HELLO MY NAME IS IZZY AND I AM OUT AND PROUD."

She ended the post with several hashtags, including "out and proud."

Wouters coming out as gay happened a few weeks after  Windham-Burke revealed she was a lesbian , becoming the first out housewife.

How can I watch Below Deck Mediterranean?

You can watch every episode a week early on  Peacock , with episode one on there right now.

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Bravo has teased that the Below Deck Med crew will experience "a serious crisis" before the first charter that will be "a shocking franchise first."

They also said that the Lady Michelle yachties will encounter a wedding, a medical emergency, and a major storm all within the course of a single charter season.

We'll also see one of Captain Sandy's biggest blowups ever, which fans may be surprised to see directed at Malia.

• US Explainers

How Much Does The Below Deck Cast Get Paid?

"Below Deck" just sailed through the Caribbean for its 10th season on the biggest and most luxurious motor yacht in the show's history. "Set on the luscious island of St. Lucia, with crystal-clear waters and dramatically tapered mountains, the Pitons are sure to excite even the most discerning guests," Bravo teased about the latest installment (via NBC Universal ).

Ever since the show first aired in July 2013, it's been a runaway success for the network. This is no surprise, given all the drama, feuds, fights, bed-hopping, scandalous relationship drama , and picture-perfect locations each season. The show has proven such a hit that it's spawned a franchise with sister shows such as "Below Deck Mediterranean" and "Below Deck Sailing Yacht." Still, despite the ever-growing number of spin-offs, in a survey, fans told Nicki Swift that they thought the original was still the best "Below Deck" franchise .

Over the seasons, cast and crew have come and gone, but Captain Lee Rosbach has held steady at the helm, steering through the turquoise, glittering seas throughout every season. And who can blame him? Working on an opulent and extravagant yacht while it sails through some of the most stunning vistas in the world is a job that many would do for free. However, the reality show members get all of the pleasure and some of the pay. But, how much does the "Below Deck" cast really make?

The Below Deck cast either make bank or earn 'peanuts'

Some say reality TV doesn't pay, and that's true in certain cases. "Exposing your personal life to national scrutiny isn't always that lucrative," MoneyWise reports. "In fact, some cast members earn absolutely nothing for their TV appearances." They note how much "The Bachelor" contestants make for laying their souls bare — which isn't that much in the grand scheme of things.

However, that's not the case for "Below Deck." Depending on the crew's longevity and rank, they can earn serious bank, or just "peanuts." Salaries are strictly secret, but US Weekly has quotes about their moolah from various cast members. "While we do get paid better than a normal yachtie, of course, we are still not getting paid what people like the Housewives are making," First Officer Eddie Lucas said to the New York Post . He claimed he was paid "peanuts" in comparison, which was annoying "because [they're just] going out to dinner and fighting." As opposed to sailing and fighting, presumably.

Jessica Moore, Ciara Duggan, and Tiffany Copeland weighed in on the show's Instagram fan page , and they all seconded Lucas' claims. "Would be nice to get residuals when reruns air, at least!" Copeland wrote. However, Captain Sandy Yawn from "Below Deck Mediterranean" begs to differ. She told US Weekly it's all down to "negotiation" skills, and hers must be stellar, as The Things estimates, she's worth a staggering $400,000. But Captain Lee Rosbach and Chef Ben Robinson are apparently worth even more than that.

Captain Lee and Chef Ben are the cream of the Below Deck crew

Captain Lee Rosbach and Chef Ben Robinson are the highest-paid of the "Below Deck" cast. It's not surprising Rosbach is up there, given he's been on the show since its debut. According to The Things, he's worth a tidy $800,000, but Robinson leaves the skipper in the shade. Despite being part of the franchise for only six years, The Tab reports the chef is worth $2.5 million. And he's not shy about showing off the trappings of his wealth. Robinson regularly posts on Instagram to ensure everybody knows about his rock star lifestyle. "My 40th ... After a long day, I have finally adjusted," he captioned a video of himself in a Versace dressing gown, sipping on a glass of fine wine, and puffing a cigar. It's hard out here for a former reality TV chef!

As for Rosbach, it seems that, sadly, his earning spree may have come to an abrupt end after the captain made a shocking exit during Season 10 of "Below Deck." People reports that Rosbach's worsening health issues forced him to jump ship mid-sail. He'd been struggling with nerve pain before taking the helm but thought it was just temporary. Not so, unfortunately. "My injury, it's getting worse. The left side of my body, I don't feel anything," he admitted during an on-camera confessional, sharing that he was unable to "do a god d**** thing about it, and it's hard."

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How Much Does The Below Deck Crew Really Make In Tips?

The cast of Below Deck have the best jobs in the world — even when guests are rude, or things go wrong, they're still on a yacht in the middle of the ocean  (making the reason Abbi Murphy left even harder to understand) . Aside from starring on the hit Bravo show and making an above-average living wage on top of it, the crew enjoys the benefits of tipping from all those high-end clients.

Many things may be faked for the benefit of viewers at home, but the giant wads of cash the crew are left with at the end of each charter seem legit. At least, that's according to chief stewardess Kate Chastain. And, let's face it, nothing gets past her. 

Below Deck yachties can earn thousands in tips

Speaking to ET , the Below Deck stalwart explained that tipping is not just for the cameras. "Our charters are a little bit shorter, just so we can make the show, [but] everything else is exactly the same," she revealed, advising a decent tip on a big yacht would be around $5,000 per person for a week of work. "It's prorated," she said, "We usually get around $2,500, $2,000. Anything less than $1,000 would be depressing, which sounds crazy, doesn't it?"

Bosun João Franco from Below Deck Mediterranean previously told  Cheat Sheet  that crew members can earn up to $45,000 in tip money alone, noting, "On charter boats, tips can be as much as €4,000 [about $4,400] per person, per week and in some cases even more." However, Decider revealed the season 5 crew of Below Deck made a whopping $168,000 in tip money, clearly beating their Below Deck Med buddies, who earned $155,000 for their highest-earning season. 

Kate Chastain's biggest tip jaw-droppingly huge

The crew's regular salary differs, with a chief stew like Chastain earning around $62,000 to $75,000 per charter season, on a Below Deck -sized yacht, according to Crewfinders . Second and third stewards earn about $50,000 per season, a chef between $70,000 and $95,000, a bosun about $52,000, deckhands between $40,000 and $52,000, and captains up to $210,000. That means Captain Lee is really raking it in .

There is one part of the tipping process that's engineered for the show, however, and that's the line-up at the end of the charter, during which the crew anxiously awaits their payment, usually delivered via a fat envelope of cash. "There's always a line-up, just 'cause it's polite. ...But sometimes, I think, instead of traveling with so much cash, they wire the money. So, it's not as dramatic," Chastain advised.

During an appearance on the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, Chastain revealed her biggest tip to date, telling the hosts, "In December of 2013, I made $19,000" over the course of three charters.  

Recommended

Below Deck Med’s Chef Johnathan ‘Jono’ Shillingford sounds off on Captain Sandy Yawn and Elena Dubaich

Chef Johnathan “Jono” Shillingford has weighed in on Below Deck Med Season 9, including some issues he endured with Captain Sandy Yawn and Elena “Ellie” Dubaich.

There’s no question that the chef has had some trouble finding his footing on the Mustique yacht.

As Monsters and Critics previously reported, Jono spoke out on that topic, declaring it the “worst charter of his career.”

After Jono made another mistake during Trishelle Cannatella’s charter, Captain Sandy had a backup chef ready.

However, all that was nothing compared to the drama he endured when Ellie woke him up to help make late-night snacks, and the captain scolded her.

Now, the chef has commented on what happened on the show with Captain Sandy and Ellie.

Below Deck Med’s Chef Johnathan ‘Jono’ Shillingford reacts to Captain Sandy Yawn having a backup chef

Last night, Jono appeared on Watch What Happens Live, where a virtual fan wanted to know his thoughts on Captain Sandy’s having a replacement chef ready to go in case he couldn’t cut it.

“Honestly, a little shocking. Because I had no idea that was happening,” he expressed.

While he may have been shocked at Captain Sandy’s decision, he understood where she was coming from.

“But, to be fair, she’s a yacht captain, and she has to look after the boat. And if that’s what she has to do, then I respect her decision,” Jono stated.

Later in the episode, Jono clarified that he has mad respect for Captain Sandy and had difficulty finding faults with her in one of Andy Cohen’s games.

Along with dishing about the captain, Jono had some things to say about Ellie.

Chef Johnathan ‘Jono’ Shillingford weighs in on Elena ‘Ellie’ Dubaich waking him up on Below Deck Med

On the first charter of the season, Jono messed up and didn’t make the late-night snacks the guests wanted.

When Ellie went to wake him up, Jon refused, basically telling her she could whip up some sandwiches and snacks. Jono addressed the incident on WWHL

“I think I was so exhausted from the day before. I just thought if I wake up now, I don’t know how I’ll get up in a few hours to make breakfast,” Jono stated.

The chef went on to add, “It was a tough call. It really was. Probably one of the hardest calls of my career. But usually, you do wake up and make the late-night snacks. This time, it was just, yeah, a really tough call.”

Even though he and Ellie clashed some, Jono doesn’t feel that she belittled Bri Muller . Below Deck Med fans know Ellie has gotten a lot of backlash for her behavior toward the stew.

Only time will tell if Below Deck Med’s Chef Johnathan “Jono” Shillingford will make it to the end of Season 9.

Jono has undoubtedly improved, and we are rooting for him, but he’s landed on Captain Sandy Yawn’s radar, and that’s not a good thing.

Below Deck Med airs Mondays at 9/8c on Bravo. Seasons 1-9 are streaming on Peacock.

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How Much Do Below Deck Crew Members Get Paid?

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

The Below Deck crew gets the best of both worlds when they are filming since they get paid by the boat they are working on for their actual jobs and by Bravo for filming. At times, the network has lowballed certain reality shows, with the TV personalities often arguing for a raise. Each nautical franchise features familiar faces and new ones as seasons change.

The High Seas series originally premiered back in 2013 with an inside view of how the other half vacationed. It isn’t always smooth sailing for the crew of each ship. However, soaking up the fresh air while sailing the high seas of a tropical local doesn’t sound all that bad, minus the bratty charter guests, of course. Die-hard fans can’t help but want to know how much a deckhand makes compared to a chief stew. We are about to find out.

Below Deck Salary

According to Refinery29 , on a boat like My Seanna, which is an 185-foot yacht that sleeps 12 charter guests and 12 crew, the crew can walk away with quite a chunk of cash. For simply performing what is required of them, a second and third junior stew who either works on turning over the laundry or table scaping would make $5,000 per month. A chief stew’s salary could be as high as $6,000 per month since the face of the interior.

The chef, arguably the most temperamental on the ship, yet most needed to feed the hangry guests, makes about $7,000-$10,000 a month. Still, all is dependent on their particular training and experience. While the deckhands usually are pocketing $4,500 per month, the bosun earns $5,000. We would have thought the deck crew would have earned a bit more since they were out in the elements and in more danger.

Oh Captain, Our Captain, How Much for a Captain?

Bravo has yet to disclose just how much Lee Rosbach , Sandy Yawn , Glenn Shephard , or any other of the captains make, but we can make an educated guess.

Crew Finder International predicts that a captain with Captain Lee’s expertise could make around $150-$210,000 a year. Not too shabby! Captain Sandy also would be in the same earning bracket. If any of the captains make appearances or publish books, as the Colorado native has, that adds to their income.

How Much Does Each Crew Member Get per Episode

While the exact number is unknown, some fans of the nautical series believe that Bravo could be paying each crew member a few thousand per episode. While that is pennies compared to the Real Housewives stars, with some earning one million dollars per season , it still is a nice drop in the bucket for a yachtie who is itching to save their earnings.

Even though viewers see most of the crew members sporting designer items on their nights out, it is important to note that the charter season doesn’t last long. Most of the time they have to be in a money-saving mindset.

Don’t Forget About the Tips

More importantly, each crew also earns tips after each charter, which fans love to see at the tip meeting. For years, viewers have watched crew members of Below Deck Mediterranean , Below Deck, and Below Deck Sailing Yacht earn anywhere from $18,000 to $25,000 a charter in tips.

Depending on how many ways the tip needs to be split, that’s potentially another $1,500 USD in their back pockets at least. If the crew is working a six-week charter season, that can add up to at least another $15,000 to their annual income.

The Perks of Yachting

Along with the large salary, there are actually some pretty great perks to working on a superyacht. Crew members get to earn a tax-free income, live and work abroad, travel to exotic locations, and have no monthly bills, such as electricity and water. The yacht often provides work-related transport for the crew, food and drink, uniforms, and other living expenses.

The job aboard on the motor boat also comes with generous vacation allowances and great bonuses, which are at least 10% of the charter fee. So, if you’re looking for a new job or career change, becoming a yachtie might be the way to go.

TELL US – DO YOU THINK THE BELOW DECK CREW GETS PAID ENOUGH?

The post How Much Do Below Deck Crew Members Get Paid? appeared first on Reality Tea .

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Does the Crew on Below Deck Med Get Paid? How Much Do They Make?

‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ follows the crew of a luxury superyacht that travels to various Mediterranean destinations. While on a trip, the staff is responsible for everything, whether it be the proper functioning of the yacht or attending to their guests. With the crew working hard behind the scenes, fans have often wondered if they are compensated monetarily for their service. Well, we come bearing answers!

Does the Crew on Below Deck Med Get Paid?

Yes, the crew on ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ gets paid to appear on the show. Bravo pays the crew similar salaries to what they make as professionals in their field. However, the network refuses to stop there and instead goes above and beyond to ensure the staff’s comfort. For starters, each crew member receives free lodging quarters throughout the voyage. They also don’t have to spend a cent on food.

Besides the fixed salaries, the crew manages to get hefty tips from the affluent guests for their commendable service. These handsome tips add to their main income as a crew member of the yacht and a cast member on the show, which earns them a pretty penny at the end of the sailing season.

How Much Do the Cast Members of Below Deck Med Make?

According to reports, spending a season on ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ as a member of the crew would net you quite a sizeable income. The deckhands are the lowest paid staff members on board and still make a handsome $3,500-$4,500 per month. Above them is the bosun who makes around $5,000 a month in line with the second and third steward(ess). Furthermore, the chief steward or stewardess nets an average income of approximately $5,500 to $6,000 per month.

The chef primarily earns depending on their experience, which could be anywhere between $7,000-$10,000 per month. The captain is the highest-ranking official; therefore, they receive a whopping $150,000 to $210,000 in a single year. The undisclosed fee that each staff member receives from the network for being a part of the show is added to the salary mentioned above. Also added are the numerous tips the staff makes throughout the voyage.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Kate Chastain, a former cast member on ‘Below Deck,’ said , “On a yacht of that size, [a good tip] would be $5,000 a person, for seven days of work. Five grand a crew member, usually. Our charters are a little bit shorter, just so we can make the show, [but] everything else is exactly the same. So, it’s prorated. We usually get around $2,500, $2,000.”

Thus, with each member of the crew receiving around $15,000 in tips for six weeks of work, it is a considerable buff to their base income. Additionally, ‘Below Deck Mediterranean’ propels the staff into the limelight, and the newfound fame is often used by many to land sponsorship or partnership deals on social media thus, leading to more wealth.

Read More: Why Was Lexi Wilson Fired From Below Deck Med?

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Trishelle cannatella breaks silence on below deck med appearance after cast is accused of faking poor performance.

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20 Best Reality TV Shows Right Now

Below deck med star withholds shocking news from captain sandy after allegedly faking poor performance, below deck med: ellie's is starting to shed her villain status (are she & bri no longer feuding).

• Trishelle from MTV's The Real World joins Below Deck Med as a guest, sharing behind-the-scenes drama and production interference.
• Trishelle didn't want themed activities, but production pushed it. She also defends Chef Jono amid recent backlash.
• Viewers are criticizing alleged fake drama on Below Deck Med; as a result, more authenticity is needed to enhance the show.

Below Deck Mediterranean recently hosted The Traitors winner and MTV reality TV legend Trishelle Cannatella on a charter, and after seeing the way things played out on screen, she spoke out about her experiences . Trishelle, originally a cast member on The Real World: Las Vegas in the early 2000s, joined in on the Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 charter before her time on The Traitors began. Mustique’s crew was hosting a friend of Trishelle’s who’s also a reality TV alum, Brittany Brower, and a group of other guests. During their time aboard Mustique, things weren’t as they seemed on screen.

"I didn’t want to do anything themed"

In a recent exchange with a fan on X (formerly Twitter), Trishelle revealed that Below Deck Mediterranean’s production staff tried to push the drama along and regularly interfered with their charter, as well.

In response to a fan who was asking about production interference, Trishelle explained, “Oh trust me I didn’t want to do anything themed…but it was sort of suggested. They did have other fun things for us.” While Trishelle shared she was more interested in the water toys, like a large inflatable slide, she was hesitant to ask for them, especially with production suggesting more relevant themed activities.

Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.

Trishelle Cannatella Slams Below Deck Med Backlash Against Chef Jono

Chef jono doesn't deserve criticism, according to trishelle.

Later on, when one of her social media followers criticized Johnathan "Jono" Shillingford on X for supposedly being a bad chef, Trishelle came to the Below Deck Med star's defense, saying Johnathan " wasn't bad " because a lot of the food she and her fellow charter guests were served was on the request sheet . She even said that " some of what he put out was the best I've had ." Unfortunately, not everything made it to air, she noted. Trishelle probably isn't paying close attention to social media and Reddit to see the accusations made against various crew members and the producers.

However, she's doing her best to come to their defense when necessary. Someone else pointed out that Johnathan's performance has come under fire lately, which came as a surprise to Trishelle , who called the chef sweet and acknowledged that he has so much pressure placed on him as a chef of a yacht like the Mustique . " He handled himself very well ," she said, adding that everything Johnathan made for the guests was so much better and more luxurious than what people typically serve guests at home. As a result, any criticism against the chef is not warranted at all.

Is Producer Interference Ruining Below Deck?

While Trishelle and the group she was with on Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 had their fair share of genuine experiences aboard Mustique, she made it clear that their time spent putting together a fashion show or attending a themed dinner party was more production-curated than requested by her party. Viewers have complained about production interference on Below Deck Med for years , and some have stopped watching. Many feel that some of the drama is manufactured, like when crew members are set up to fail because the crew isn’t fully staffed, or the guests are given directives to be difficult.

Even though the production aspect of Below Deck Mediterranean, as well as all the shows in the Below Deck franchise, is necessary, the amount of interference that viewers see play out on the air is startling . While many are interested in the drama of Below Deck, a lot of it comes from production playing a role in creating situations that aren’t necessarily authentic to what’s actually happening. Even though the drama on Below Deck Med is an interesting part of the series, the production interference itself may not be worth it when it comes to telling the story on screen.

Two Below Deck Med season 9 stars in particular have come under fire in recent weeks for allegedly faking their poor performances on the Mustique . Chef Johnathan has been the topic of much speculation over his duties in the galley. He keeps failing to live up to the typical expectations that a chef on a luxurious yacht should be surpassing. Captain Sandy Yawn has already reached out about having a backup chef on standby in case she needs to fire him. Bosun Iain MacLean has faced the same accusations when it comes to his duties with the exterior crew.

With guests like Trishelle speaking up about their experiences on Below Deck Mediterranean and the rest of the franchise, it’s becoming more clear what’s real about the series, and what’s manipulated. Although there should be some production interference suspected on most reality TV shows, the majority of the content on Below Deck is typically expected to be far more real. Instead of interfering with the stories on Below Deck Mediterranean to make them more dramatic, their production team should focus on the authenticity of what’s happening aboard Mustique , as the crew has enough drama to create quality content.

Below Deck Mediterranean airs Mondays at 9 p.m. EDT on Bravo.

Sources: Trishelle /X, Trishelle /X, Trishelle /X, Below Deck /Instagram

Below Deck Mediterranean

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Below Deck Mediterranean is a Bravo reality television series that follows a crew that works aboard a gigantic superyacht during the busy season. The show highlights the challenges of the crew as they serve their high-end clientele. Each season tackles new locations, such as Greece, Croatia, Italy, and France, with some repeating.

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Chef Johnathan Sounds Off on Captain Sandy Possibly Replacing Him with a Backup Chef

The Below Deck Mediterranean chef admitted that he "had no idea" that Captain Sandy had a backup chef waiting. 

Since joining the Mustique crew on Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9 , Chef  Johnathan Shillingford  has encountered his fair share of struggles in the galley, from  cooking eggs an hour early  to serving the guests sponge cake (which Aesha Scott pointed out is the "most boring" of all the cakes).

How to Watch

Watch Below Deck Mediterranean  on Mondays at 9/8c and next day on  Peacock . Catch up on the Bravo app . 

As a result, Jono had a sit-down with Captain Sandy Yawn about his performance. Sandy ultimately decided to give Jono another shot to prove himself, but she texted about getting a backup chef just in case things didn't work out. "In the past, I've given second chances," she shared in an interview on Season 9, Episode 3. "The one thing I'm not going to wait on is finding another chef, just in case he doesn't come through."

Jono, however, didn't realize that Sandy had someone on standby until he watched the show back.

On the July 15 episode of  Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen , Jono shared his candid reaction to learning that his boss was getting ready to replace him. "Honestly, [it was] a little shocking [be]cause I had no idea that that was happening," he explained.

However, Jono doesn't fault the Florida resident for keeping her options open.

"But, to be fair, she is a yacht captain, and she has to look after the boat," he continued on WWHL . "And if that's what she had to do, then I respect her decision."

Here's What You May Have Missed on Bravo:

Captain Sandy Reveals a "Huge Red Flag" About Chef Jono as He Worries His “Job Is at Risk”

A High-Profile Guest Has Major Complaints for Captain Sandy: "This Is What You Give Us?"

Below Deck Med Season 9’s Chef Is... an Architect? “Fake It ‘Til You Make It”

Chef Johnathan thought he was going to be fired on  Below Deck Med Season 9

After struggling to please the guests and Captain Sandy, Jono wasn't sure if he would get to stay on board Mustique for long. But on Season 9, Episode 7, which aired on July 15, Jono felt, for the first time, like he was going to keep his job on the boat. 

"I almost packed my suitcase after the sh-tty second charter," Jono said in an interview on the episode. "I think now I can put all the Givenchy back in my closet, honey."

As he explained, his background in architecture has helped him to take in negative feedback. 

"I'm no stranger to resilience..." he said in an interview. "I think my training has definitely conditioned me to improve with criticism. It's definitely made me stronger."

Watch new episodes of Below Deck Mediterranean on Mondays at 9/8c on Bravo. Stream the next day on Peacock. 

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Below Deck Mediterranean

• Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen

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WWHL: ‘Below Deck Med’s Chef Johnathan Shillingford Says Capt. Sandy Yawn’s Decision To Have A Backup Chef Was “Shocking”

Where to stream:.

• Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen

Ryan Serhant Says He Was “Authentically Surprised” When Andy Cohen Announced ‘Owning Manhattan’ On ‘WWHL’

Andy cohen calls out savannah chrisley for promoting “law and order” while parents todd and julie chrisley “are both in jail”, andy cohen confirms much-needed “rebrand” of ‘rhonj’, ‘wwhl’: andy cohen admits to telling caroline brooks’ hairdresser to “get the hell out”.

Chef Johnathan Shillingford was thrown off by Capt. Sandy Yawn ‘s decision to have a backup chef locked and loaded in the wakes should she have to replace him.

The Below Deck Mediterranean star video-called into the Bravo Clubhouse for Monday night’s (July 15) episode of Watch What Happens Live , where a virtual fan asked how he felt about Yawn being prepared with his potential replacement.

“Honestly, a little shocking,” he admitted. “Because I had no idea that was happening. But, to be fair, she’s a yacht captain and she has to look after the boat. And if that’s what she has to do, then I respect her decision.”

Yawn likely didn’t want to repeat her Season 4 fate when she fired Chef Mila Kolomeitseva (the first female chef in Below Deck history) for her subpar meals, leaving third stew Anastasia Surmava in charge of the galley until Chef Ben Robinson was able to step in.

Shillingford also opened up about the controversy surrounding his refusal to wake up and make some late-night snacks — even though they were on the charter guest’s preference sheet.

“I think I was so exhausted from the day before. I just thought if I wake up now, I don’t know how I’ll get up in a few hours to make breakfast,” he said. “It was a tough call. It really was. Probably one of the hardest calls of my career. But usually you do wake up and make the late-night snacks. This time it was just, yeah, a really tough call.”

The chef also admitted that he felt “a lot more sympathetic” toward second stew Ellie Dubaich, who was left to take care of the guests when he refused to leave his bed, while watching the show back.

“I had no idea that that situation was happening and it was so demanding,” he said. “I think, you know, it wasn’t personal at all. Unfortunately, it kind of unfolded that way.”

Watch What Happens Live  airs Sunday through Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on Bravo. New episodes are available to stream the next day on  Peacock .

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EXCLUSIVE: Below Deck Med’s Joe Bradley and Nathan Gallagher on Bromances, Boatmances, Bands, and Captain Sandy Yawn’s Leadership

By Amy DeVore

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9 has gifted us another bromance in Joe Bradley and Nathan Gallagher . Immediately, these two accent-heavy skilled deckhands bonded, leaving us with multiple scenes of giggling (and subtitles) in return. From working underneath a not-quite-ready-to-lead Bosun, all the way down to their messy boatmances, these two have endured as one. We just sat down with Joe and Nathan, who are currently running amok in New York City, to chat about their bond, relationship statuses post-filming for Season 9, music, and who they respect the most onboard their yacht.

The bruhs of Below Deck Med

Joe Bradley and Nathan Gallagher countdown the top 5 things they love about each other! pic.twitter.com/Wr9ZRuFxrN — Watch What Happens Live! (@BravoWWHL) July 9, 2024

As Joe and Nathan told Reality Tea, their friendship took zero time to build. This is because they’re “the same caliber of person,” according to Joe. Their friendship started “from the get-go. You just know when you’ve got a boy by your side, and that’s my boy right here,” he added, pointing at a smiling Nathan.

“We just fed off each other’s energies,” Nathan agreed. Joe then explained that if he didn’t have Nathan, he’d likely not “have had the same experience on Motor Yacht Mustique. Judging by what you’ve already seen , if I didn’t have this guy, I’d probably crumble,” he gushed. “If I didn’t have this guy, I’d crumble as well. We’d be apple crumble,” Nathan joked. Punny as hell.

The potential future firings that still lie ahead

Joe and Nathan are struggling with Iain Maclean . Therefore, suspicions are arising about Iain’s possible firing. We know that these two cannot speak on this, but we still had to ask.

Shooting us down, Joe encouraged us to “wait and see.” But Nathan chimed in, teasing that what we will see is “a very good watch.” Feeling intrigued, we asked Joe to blink three times if a Bosun promotion was in his very near future. This caused another bromance sesh, which we happily allowed. Love is love.

“We don’t blink,” Nathan quipped, coming to the rescue of his buddy. Laughing, Joe added, “We just close our eyes simultaneously.”

Speaking of struggling crew members, we next broached the topic of Chef Johnathan Shillingford . “On a personal level, the crew food is amazing. Not one day did we go without food,” Joe answered, calling Chef Jono a true “professional.”

However, Nathan noted that in watching his season, he’s seeing the issues at hand, but he’s also loving how his costar is stepping up to handle his business. “It’s nice to see Jono improve as he goes along. He’s took on the criticism quite well. He’s had meetings with Captain Sandy [Yawn] on the bridge, and he hasn’t shriveled up and panicked,” Nathan recounted, proud of his fellow Below Deck Med Yachtie.

Joe and Nathan’s other boatmances

These yachties know that boatmances are harder than bromances. As for Joe, his love triangle with Bri Muller and Elena Dubaich is heating up, which Elena touched on with Reality Tea a few beats ago. Right now, Elena has Joe blocked. On Elena, Joe remained polite and mum.

But he does still speak with Bri, revealing that they FaceTimed recently. Overall, “we love Bri” Nathan explained.

As for Nathan, on Watch What Happens Live, he teased that soon, Gael Cameron is giving in to her attractions. We brought this up, needing further intel, but our man shot us down. “I’m a teasy kinda guy,” he laughed, making Joe giggle. But, he does admit that “we won’t be disappointed” on what is still to come.

Even still, form an orderly queue, everyone. Because as Nathan notes, they are both now “single and ready to mingle.”

They’re getting the band back together

As we all just saw, Joe’s a genius on the keys. Shockingly, he’s “had no formal training.” Joe’s “self-taught,” and now, Nathan wants in. As Joe explained, “he [Nathan] wants to learn how to do the DJ, and I want to learn how to play the saxophone.” Moving forward, “that’s going to be our trade,” Nathan interjected.

Speaking of talents onboard, “what a voice he [Chef Jono] has, Joe expressed. “I thought I was musically inclined. That man pisses all over me,” he laughed. Reality Tea told Joe to add Chef Jono to their band (and also us, because why not), so yeah, that’s probably not happening.

Joe and Nathan love Captain Sandy Yawn

“What a power woman that is,” Joe says, referencing Captain Sandy. “I’ve been delegated lead deckhand, and that’s my first lead deckhand role. And for her to be my captain, and to put me at ease when I’m under pressure … she’s a Godsend,” Joe gushed, when asked about his boss.

Nathan agrees with Joe on this. “Affirmative. Smart. Clever. Knows how to hold a conversation. She’s good. She’s amazing,” he added.

When we asked if there was any other Captain that they’d like to film with, they both stressed that for them, it’s Captain Sandy or Bust . “Captain Sandy, all day long,” Nathan stressed.

Digging further, we asked if they were still in touch with their former superior. “I’ve sent a few memes. She’s liked them. So she’s engaged,” Joe chided.

The boys’ final drops of tea

When yachting becomes meh, both might consider a career as a “yacht broker.”

If Joe could choose anyone from the entire Below Deck franchise to film with, he’d pick “ Luka Brunton .” As for Nathan, “Throw anyone at me. We’ll have a good time,” he joked.

Both of these boys want to return. “I’ll start this afternoon,” Joe laughed, as Nathan giggled, saying that he’d even take on the role of a Stewardess if needed.

Most importantly, if anyone is considering getting into this field, both these men say “do it,” because “it’s a good life.”

This interview has been edited for conciseness and clarity.

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9 continues Mondays at 9/8c on Bravo.

TELL US – ARE YOU ENJOYING BELOW DECK MED SEASON 9? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE JOE AND NATHAN RETURN IN FUTURE SEASONS?

Amy is a former teacher who used reality television as a form of escapism during her decade spent in the classroom. In addition to education, she also studied improvisation and sketch writing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in NYC. Being able to combine reality tv and writing is chefs kiss. Therefore, you can find her here often, writing on all things Bravo.

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This New Yacht Is Sailing to Gorgeous, Lesser-known Ports in the Caribbean Sea — and I Was on Board With 'Below Deck's' Chef Ben

E merald Cruises' new Emerald Sakara ship brings guests to smaller ports in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, with an onboard marina and the occasional Bravo-lebrity.

With a couple dozen guests looking on, chef Ben Robinson was showing how to slice and dice a fresh red snapper. “You kind of feel him — but you don’t fondle him,” said Robinson, the fan favorite from the Bravo reality show Below Deck, who’s always ready with a quip. As he pulled a perfect filet off the bone, he explained how to salt the fish and that there’s no more important relationship than the one you have with your fishmonger. “My advice is to always be friendly,” he noted. “I like to support my mom-and-pop [businesses]. If you become familiar with them, they’ll say, ‘Hey, I got this in this morning.’”

The cooking demo, which also featured a ceviche how-to and tips on knife sharpening, was one of many “Chef Ben” moments on my trip aboard Emerald Sakara . It’s the newest 100-passenger vessel from Emerald Cruises, which launched in the fall of 2023, a sibling vessel to the Emerald Azzurra .

During an eight-day voyage in March from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, the reality personality was definitely one of the star attractions. Robinson spent several evenings in the galley, creating special dishes such as a panko-crusted veal striploin stuffed with pesto.

He also hosted a well-attended Q&A about his life in the kitchen — and spent plenty of time connecting with fans, many of whom booked the trip specifically to chop it up with Below Deck alum.

“We definitely booked because of Ben,” said Shannon Welnel , a Montana-based travel advisor who had lots of praise for his cuisine — and the yacht-like atmosphere on board the 100-passenger ship. Other guests I spoke with admitted they hadn’t seen much Below Deck, but were intrigued by the chance to chill with a Bravo-lebrity.

Emerald Sakara

• With a max of just 100 passengers, Emerald Sakara feels at times like a private yacht, with no lines and no crowds, and outstanding service from a highly experienced crew.
• Minimalist rooms recall the stripped down aesthetic of Miami Beach or Mykonos, Greece, with pops of color from Missoni Home accents and a sleek-yet-functional bathroom with plenty of storage space.
• While this small ship has but one restaurant and one poolside cafe, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to meals, whether you’re hitting the breakfast or lunch buffet or choosing from the dinner menu.
• The onboard marina, which is open in favorable weather conditions, offers watersports and swimming off the stern of the ship.
• Easy to understand and mostly inclusive pricing covers meals, beverages at mealtime, many tours, and surprisingly speedy Wi-Fi.

The intimate-ship vibe was also one reason the chef wanted to hop aboard. “This definitely has more of a yacht vibe than any other [ship] I've been on,” Robinson told me one afternoon. “A hundred passengers is not a lot,” he said. “I've been on boats with 2,500 passengers, and you really do feel like you're anonymous. But here, the service is great, and you really are treated as an individual and someone important. And you kind of lose that on the big boats.”

While Robinson doesn’t have immediate plans to join another Emerald cruise, he told me that there were plenty of parallels between his life on megayachts and what the Sakara offers its guests. “It’s been incredible,” he said.

I had to agree. The Sakara certainly has much to offer, both in spite of its smaller size and because of it. While it’s available to book by the cabin, like any cruise ship, it still manages to feel at times like a private yacht, particularly when it sails to less-commonly visited ports such as Culebra, on Puerto Rico, or St. Bart’s. In the latter, we dropped anchor near Eric Schmidt’s yacht, Whisper , and had the whole day to explore the glitzy island and its capital, Gustavia. (After a drive around in the morning, I managed to catch the beautiful sunset from the lovely little Shell Beach, right in town.)

“The benefit of being on a small cruise ship like this one is that we can enter small ports and areas where others can’t,” said Robert Kuznin, the captain of Sakara , who previously worked with several cruise lines, including Paul Gauguin, Seabourn, and Virgin Voyages. “For example, when we dropped anchor in Esperanza Bay,” he explained about our stop at the island of Vieques, “there were only two meters under the keel — and that was the shallowest I’ve ever been!”

The ability to go places that larger ships can’t was also on display one morning on St. Kitts, one of the final stops of my trip. It was still early in the morning, but already four mega-ships were docked in Basseterre, the island’s capital. Instead of tying up next to them on the busy cruise pier, we dropped anchor just off the beach in South Friar’s Bay, a long sweep of sand in the island’s southern reaches. There were no crowds to contend with, no paperwork hassles, no touts offering dodgy cab rides. A five-minute tender ride to the beach was all it took to meet our local guide. Time from leaving the breakfast buffet to our first stop? About 25 minutes. Even the most efficient mega-ship would struggle to make that happen — and they can’t drop anchor right off the one of the best beaches on the island. 

Other moments aboard Sakara felt like something out of Below Deck . One afternoon, I made my way to the yacht’s marina, a platform at the stern stocked with lounge chairs, refreshments, and water toys such as a floating trampoline and inflatable sea kayaks. I jumped off the stern into the Caribbean and then tried out the ship’s Seabob, a floating gadget that’s like a cross between a Jet Ski and an electric scooter.

As I continued my joy ride, I could see another vessel anchored just north of us. Turns out, it was David Geffen’s private yacht , Rising Sun . Of course, we were there first.

Here’s a closer look at all the amenities of the Emerald Sakara , which sails seasonally in coastal waters in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea.

The Staterooms

Welcome to your starship: the stripped down, white-and-gray cabins on Sakara feel sci-fi chic, particularly when the accent lighting is switched on. They’re also, thankfully, spacious and super functional, with ample storage space (including a safe), a small minibar, a coffee station, and a clever headboard built-in that’s a great spot for your charging devices and water bottle. Most of the 50 rooms and suites have verandas; ocean-view staterooms are the exception. Bathrooms are just big enough, with plenty of storage, and are stocked with Espa products and a hair dryer. My cabin, 421, was a 300-square-foot balcony suite toward the aft of the ship on deck four: I never once heard noise from the surrounding cabins or in the hallway, though I did occasionally notice sounds and vibrations from the vessel, something that is common on even the largest of ships. A note on power plugs: my stateroom had U.S.-style outlets throughout as well as USB-A charging ports on either side of the bed, a nice touch.

Bars and Restaurants

Because Sakara is smaller than most cruise ships, it can’t compete on sheer volume of bars and restaurants. Still, the food on board is solid. La Cucina is the only true dining room, with both indoor and outdoor seating; it has somewhat limited hours compared to the round-the-clock dining options on bigger vessels. That being said, I certainly didn’t go hungry: a breakfast buffet is complemented by traditional à la minute options such as omelets and pancakes; lunch is also buffet style with a carving station. Dinner is more restaurant style, with options from an ever-changing daily menu plus always available classics such as Caesar salad, shrimp cocktail, grilled salmon, and spaghetti bolognese on offer. (Many dietary restrictions and preferences can be accommodated.)

On my voyage, chef Robinson put together several special plates, including what might’ve been the best dish of the week: a sesame-crusted seared yellowfin tuna with celeriac puree. The Below Deck star also put together a panko veal striploin roulade one night and, another evening, offered a citrus-cured hamachi with, in a touch of molecular gastronomy, “mango spheres.” Elsewhere on board, a poolside cafe, Aqua Café, has quick bites like burgers and flatbreads, as well as sweets and coffee pulled from a Cimbali espresso machine. The cocktails served in the Amici Lounge and the Sky Bar were consistently excellent, mixed by a talented team of pros who’ve previously worked on Seabourn ships and in some of Dubai’s top hotels. One weaker spot was the selection of wine on board: pours at mealtimes are included, but they didn’t rock my boat. A short list of “chairman’s wines,” available at extra cost, included a couple by-the-bottle finds such as 2013 vintage Cristal ($650) and some mid-tier Bordeaux and Burgundy options.

Where Emerald Sakara Sails

Though small, this ship isn’t an expedition yacht. Rather, it’s specifically designed for warm-weather coastal cruising, meaning it spends the lion’s share of its time in places such as the Caribbean and, in the Northern Hemisphere’s summer months, the Mediterranean. My trip aboard was spent entirely in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, where passages between ports were short and the seas were often calm. (We did occasionally encounter some swells of up to two meters, or 6.6 feet. I saw many guests wearing medicated patches to prevent motion sickness throughout the trip.) Sakara typically spends a season of several months in a given region, with a variety of cruise lengths offered, ranging from six to 24 days. In 2024, the ship will spend April through November in the Mediterranean. Sakara will return to the Caribbean at the end of the year, through April 2025.

Shore Excursions

Tours off the ship were a strong suit for Emerald, at least on my voyage. Most stops offered a variety of activities, ranging from a simple transfer to a nearby beach to a full-on, multi-hour tour. Usually, I found myself ashore with a very small group of folks — fewer than a dozen — and all the guides Emerald arranged were true pros. Passengers raved about a kayak paddle through the bioluminescent bay on Vieques, something I sadly didn’t try myself. I did, however, enjoy a short guided hike on the island of St. John, to the pristine beach along Salomon Bay, which was all but deserted. The organization of excursions felt flawless to me, thanks no doubt to the crew and shore excursion manager, Pilar Atencio. Worth a mention, too, were Atencio’s detailed briefings on what to expect each day. While these sorts of “port talks'' are common on ships of all sizes, they felt particularly useful on Sakara because of how intimate our groups were; many passengers made a point of attending the pre-dinner talks every night, for info on what to expect about our anchorage, historical background on each island, and detailed info about what each tour offering would entail.

Amenities and Entertainment

Call it small but mighty: Sakara has all the essentials, which is a bit of feat for a ship this size. A cozy spa has wellness and beauty treatments, as well as a small hairstyling and facial studio; morning yoga and stretching are available on deck. The fitness center, with a few cardio machines, a Peloton bike, and a variety of weights and other gear gets the job done. The smallish pool and a top-deck whirlpool were lovely — though I spent most of my time in the ocean: the Sakara ’s marina deck is a key feature, and it was open several afternoons during my trip. It’s like the greatest pool party you’ve ever been to, complete with piña coladas, sea kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and a trampoline, right off the stern of the ship. It is, truly, as much fun as it sounds like, though it is subject to the whims of weather and ocean currents. Also available in some destinations are e-bikes from Gocycle, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis; during my trip, several guests gave them a spin on the island of Vieques. Sakara also carries a ton of snorkeling gear and beach towels, which passengers can borrow whenever they like. In terms of performances, this isn’t the vessel for Broadway-style shows, but guitarist Jamie Ferguson and voyage director Nathalie Millet added plenty of live music to the trip.

Family-friendly Offerings

The youngest passengers I spoke with on my cruise were in their 20s — and they were traveling with their parents. Sakara is perhaps the perfect ship for families traveling with adult children, since it offers such a diverse array of activities to suit different tastes and activity levels, while visiting intriguing destinations. The ship is also intimate enough that everybody can gather easily for meals — or a swim off the stern — without fighting the crowds common on larger vessels. On the other hand, Sakara is probably not the best choice for families with younger children: there’s no kid-specific programming, and you’re likely to be the only ones aboard with little ones. “Emerald Cruises yachts are recommended for people aged 12 and up, and they must be accompanied by and share a cabin with an adult aged 18 or [older],” a spokesperson shared with T+L.

Accessibility

Sakara is probably best described as somewhat accessible: the ship has elevators to all decks and the crew was, on my trip, very accommodating to those with mobility challenges. There are handrails throughout, and bathrooms feature shower grab bars. That being said, several areas of the ship — the outdoor dining terrace, for example — require navigating at least one step even once you’ve reached the deck in question by elevator. “Due to the nature and size of the ships, wheelchairs and scooters are not allowed to be used on board,” a spokesperson told T+L. When the ship is at anchor, it’s only possible to go ashore by tender or Zodiac, both of which could be challenging for those with limited mobility. As Emerald’s FAQ explains: “Guests with limited mobility will require help from a companion, since the crew is limited.” Also of note: many announcements are made only by loudspeaker with no hearing-impaired alternative.

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Why  Below Deck  Guest Trishelle Cannatella Is "Not Ashamed" of Her Nude  Playboy  Pics

Below deck mediterranean  guest trishelle cannatella got candid about her time posing for  playboy , saying she's proud of how good she looked..

Trishelle Cannatella  is happy to talk about what she's done in the real world.

While enjoying a stunning vacation as a guest on this season's  Below Deck Mediterranean , the reality star addressed her past posing for  Playboy  after the topic was brought up by fellow guest  Marsha   Doll  on the July 8 episode.

Marsha was curious if any of the other guests had "ever seen" photos of Trishelle from her time as a  Playboy  model. And instead of shying away from her past, the 44-year-old doubled down on how proud she is.

"I'm definitely not ashamed of it," she replied to the group, "because I looked good."

And Trishelle—who has been  married to fighter pilot  John Hensz  since 2017 —took a moment to compliment her looks, adding, "My boobies are generational."

Before beginning her career as a reality TV contestant, she spent several years posing for  Playboy , as well as for its online Playboy Cyber Club. And while these days she's more well known for her onscreen challenges, the  Real World   star has definitely been an open book about her past—including her dating life.

In fact, during a 2021 visit to  Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen , the host asked  The Traitors  alum if she'd ever hooked up with  Leonardo DiCaprio . And while she was shy to answer at first, she did give the real answer while playing a game of Never Have I Ever, taking a huge swig of her drink when Andy said, "Never have I ever hooked up with Leonardo DiCaprio."

Andy was obviously delighted by the declaration, clapping and replying, "Yes! Good for you."

But Trishelle had a different take on things, joking, "Good for him!"

For more from this season's cast of  Below Deck Mediterranean , keep reading.

Captain Sandy Yawn

Hometown: Bradenton, FL·

Birth date: Feb. 23·

Zodiac sign: Pisces·

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 36·

Favorite off-boat activities: "Snowboarding, skiing and playing in the water."

What is your wildest charter guest story from your career?

"I had guests shooting water balloons from a massive slingshot on deck into a crowd during the Cannes Film Festival. The guests were also dressed for a red carpet.·"

What was your first impression of Mustique?

"I was excited to run it because it was built in the same shipyard as the White Star, the vessel I became captain on in 2003."

Favorite place you’ve been on charter/place you traveled?

"I love the south of France and the Amalfi Coast."

What’s one thing about working and living on a boat that would surprise people?

"The show reveals it all, so no surprises there."

Chief Stew Aesha Scott

Hometown: Tauranga, New Zealand

Birthdate: Nov. 27

Zodiac sign: SagittariusYears of experience in yachting: 8

Favorite off-boat activities: "I love hiking, yoga and reading. Additionally, I love sipping a cocktail in the sun while reading a book. It’s probably my favorite activity."

What do you do in your off time in your room on the boat? "I’m usually so busy going over orders or preferences for the next charter guests. I try to send a message to Scott or nap if I can. Even 10 minutes of closed eyes is a dream.

"What is the best place on the boat to find privacy? "Privacy doesn’t really exist on a boat. Cleaning a guest bathroom is probably the most privacy I’ll get and I often enjoy quiet time in there. Otherwise, when I’m in the shower."

"Stews don’t spend much time outside. When you finish a season people are always shocked that we aren’t tan. 'But you work on a boat!?' We work inside and don’t see much sun and definitely don’t swim until the season is over."

Sum up this season in three words: "Management skills tested."

Deckhand Gael Cameron

Hometown: Sydney, Australia

Birth date: May 14

Zodiac sign: Taurus· Years of experience in the yachting industry: 3

Favorite off-boat activities: "Free diving, scuba diving and eating."

What Bravo shows do you watch?

" The Housewives ."

"I have had an entire group get dropped off a day charter only to find they left someone behind with their head in the toilet."

"Thailand. The water is beautiful, the food kills and the atmosphere is buzzer."

"As much as it seems like a dream job, there are sacrifices we make. We’re away from our friends and family for years at a time sometimes and maintaining a healthy long distance relationships can be very challenging."

Stew Bri Muller

Hometown: Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Birthdate: April 22

Zodiac sign: Taurus

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 3

Favorite off-boat activities: "Anything that involves getting in the water, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, tubing, going down slides and jumping off the sun deck."

Special skills: "I did a course on manicures and pedicures, but never got the certification due to lack of time before yachting again. I can do nails, though."

"So many crazy things have happened that crazy stories for other people are just normal day to day occurrences for me. I’d probably end up with a lawsuit if I had to tell you."

"On charter, my favorite place has been the U.S. Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. I got to swim with dolphins and snorkel in my free time…a literal dream."

"Believe it or not, but land sickness is a thing after spending a lot of time on a yacht. Your world rocks for maybe three days after hopping off the boat."

Stew Elena Dubaich

Hometown: Škofja Loka, Slovenia

Birth date: July 5

Zodiac sign: Cancer

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 8

Favorite off-boat activities: "Weightlifting and gaining back the muscle mass I normally lose during a charter season."

Special skills: "I’m a massage therapist, personal trainer and yoga instructor. I love teaching guided meditations (Yoga Nidra)."

"I was invited by the yacht owner to go on my first helicopter ride overlooking the British Virgin Islands. I felt incredibly blessed in that moment."

"The coolest place I’ve been to on a yacht was Cuba. Greenland, Patagonia and the Amazon River have also really stood out to me. As far as my own travels, I’ve really enjoyed Taiwan."

"How hard it is to stop yachting and get used to 'regular life.' It’s an addictive lifestyle as there’s few things to worry about—accommodation, food, laundry—as it’s all taken care of. Leaving that behind and coming back to regular life is a very hard transition for most of us."

Bosun Iain Maclean

Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa

Birth date: March 21

Zodiac sign: Aries

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 5

Favorite off-boat activities: "I like going to the gym, hiking, kloofing, surfing, jolling, music festivals, hanging out with friends and family and going to the beach."

Special skills: "Being friendly and positive all the time."

What was your first impression of the Mustique?

"In need of some good maintenance, but a good-sized strong ship with solid bones."

Favorite place you've been on charter? "Ponza and Palmarola, Italy."

"Honestly, I find that the job as a whole surprises most people that aren't in the industry."

Chef Johnathan Shillingford

Hometown: Roseau, Dominica

Birth date: July 7

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 7

Special skills: "Twerking, singing, cooking all the food and design. I’m also great at accents."

"Real Housewives , Queer Eye , Top Chef and Project Runway ."

Who do you miss most from home when you’re traveling for work?

"My mom. Gilly is my rock and the best cheerleader anyone could ask for."

"She’s a cute, big, old girl who maybe needs a face lift."

"I love French Polynesia and the Tuamotu Islands. Both are, literally, heaven on Earth."

Deckhand Joe Bradley

Hometown: Alicante, Spain

Birth date: March 18

Zodiac sign: Pisces

Favorite off-boat activities: "Rock climbing, go karting, motorbikes, the awe of sunsets, dancing, playing the guitar, piano and swimming."

Special skills: "I play the guitar, piano and speak fluent Spanish."

Who do you miss most from home when you’re traveling for work? "The most beautiful, kind and powerful woman this world has to offer … my mother."

What is your wildest charter story from your career?

"There was a Catamaran crash in Italy. A huge Catamaran lost power and crashed against all the boats."

What are the smallest tips you’ve ever gotten?

"I had a guy onboard who owned a nut packaging company and I got a packet of nuts. They weren’t even salted."

Deckhand Nathan Gallager

Hometown: Burtonport, Ireland

Birth date: June 19

Zodiac sign: Gemini

Years of experience in the yachting industry: 2

Favorite off-boat activities: "Everything to do with boats!"

Special skills: "Making people laugh."

" Below Deck franchise and Summer House ."

What do you do in your off time on the boat?

"I enjoy travelling on my time off. I’m currently saving for a house in Spain, so my time off is limited."

What are the biggest and smallest tips you’ve ever gotten?

"The tips I got while on the Mustique are the biggest. I’ve never received tips like that in my life."

"You can make friends with people you’d never make friends with in normal life."