Anya_B
Step into the captivating world of Below Deck and its spin-offs, where reality TV meets the high-stakes drama of luxury superyacht charters. Get a tantalizing glimpse into the chaotic "below deck" life, as a professional crew navigates demanding guests, personality clashes, and relationship drama. Brace yourself for the perfect recipe of 21st-century TV entertainment.
The guests on the show are real charter guests who use their own money to book their experience. Chartering the featured superyachts can cost tens of thousands of dollars, with discounted rates during filming. The guests are seasoned charterers, not actors, ensuring an authentic and unscripted production.
In addition to the charter fee, guests also contribute to the tip given to the crew at the charter's conclusion. Typically, this amounts to 15-20% of the original weekly charter cost (not the discounted rate). However, some guests opt to give a lower tip amount.
While the charter guests cover the expenses associated with the superyacht, Bravo includes their airfare in the production budget. This means that Bravo covers the cost of flights for each guest, adding an appealing perk to the charter experience.
Guests that have enjoyed Below Deck charters previously have revealed that they were not able to play their own music on board. This might seem odd, but there’s actually a very simple explanation for it.
A significant number of songs are licensed, meaning a fee needs to be paid each time it’s broadcast on TV. If guests were able to play any songs they liked, Bravo would rack up a huge bill.
It may come as a surprise, but there are designated areas on the yacht that are strictly off-limits to guests. One of the yacht's staterooms is transformed into a control room for production purposes, and the master suite is occupied by the crew. These areas are never shown on camera and are inaccessible to guests for obvious reasons.
To minimize damage to the floors or decking, it is customary for both crew members and guests to refrain from wearing shoes on board.
As a result, crew members are often depicted with dirty feet, not due to poor hygiene, but rather as a consequence of their work on a luxury superyacht. Walking barefoot all day takes its toll, and this is a reality of life on board.
Producers carefully evaluate each cast member's long-term involvement, considering factors like personality, popularity, and personal circumstances. Departing doesn't mean a permanent exit, as invitations to return are possible based on changing circumstances and viewer demand. While the captain and chief stew are usually retained, no cast member has an indefinite contract.
The charter company responsible for the featured superyacht pays each crew member a base salary. The amount is dependent on their position, experience and the size of the boat.
A chief stew can make upwards of $62,000 (c. €64,000) for one season.
Aside from their regular salary, Bravo compensates crew members with a modest fee for their participation in the show. This compensation acknowledges the fact that their personal lives are captured on camera throughout the six-week filming period.
When working on board, the cast members don't have to worry about paying for their living expenses. Everything is taken care of, allowing them to potentially earn a substantial amount of money during their time on the show.
