In the realm of maritime luxury, the quest to offer yacht charter guests the perfect night's sleep has become an art form, one which luxury bed and linen supplier, CC Design, has fully committed to.
It’s well documented that the Below Deck cast enjoy a number of perks from working on board. From cruising around some of the most beautiful locations in the world to the impressive salary they make from each charter – all while making a name for themselves on TV – it’s fair to say they benefit greatly from appearing on the show.
But the job isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
There are a number of secretive rules the cast must follow from the first day of filming to the last, ensuring they live up to the expectations of both the charter guests and the producers.
From sacrificing all privacy for several weeks straight to pretending the cameras aren’t there, the cast give a lot in return for the perks they receive.
Yachting Pages lists the 15 rules the Below Deck crew members must adhere to for the duration of their time on the show.
Viewers of Below Deck might be under the impression that the cameras don't actually roll all day, every day. The crew must get some time to themselves, right?
Wrong. To be on the show, each crew member has to accept the fact that the cameras are on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There's a camera crew on board, and there are a number of hidden cameras around the yacht – including in each person’s cabin.
The crew members have to accept that privacy doesn’t exist on board - it’s a reality TV show after all. This means there are cameras everywhere.
The bathroom is the only location where the crew aren’t filmed, so they do get some solitude in there. However, if more than one crew member enters the bathroom at any given time, the camera team are permitted to follow them in.
Interestingly, the crew members don’t even have the ability to turn off their cabin light. Once they are ready to turn in for the night, they have to make it clear to the production team via their in-cabin camera.
Bravo, the US TV network behind Below Deck, pay to use each season's superyacht for six weeks. This means all filming for the show must be completed within this timeframe.
No filming extensions are permitted given the costs that would be accrued.
The fourth wall is important to Bravo, so during filming the crew are not allowed to interact with any member of the production team. This includes not looking directly at the cameras.
The crew are also not permitted to mention Bravo while filming, for a number of legal reasons.
Contrary to how it may seem on screen as the drama unfolds, the crew’s duties are of optimum importance. They have been hired for their expertise and are therefore expected to fulfil each of their duties... with no exceptions. The job comes first.
The captain knows best. What they say goes.
None of the crew – or indeed the production team – can go against his/her orders. If they decide that high winds prevent sailing/docking, it's based on their expert judgement. Of course, it would be a shame for the charter in question to grind to a halt, but the safety of all concerned is of paramount importance.
As part of the contract each crew member signs prior to the start of their Below Deck employment, they commit to informing production of any medical conditions and prescribed medication.
There was controversy in season five of Below Deck Mediterranean when chief stewardess Hannah Ferrier failed to disclose her prescribed anxiety medication and was fired.
Contracts state that 'the Company' can request a drug test at any time. Drugs are not permitted on board.
All crew members must use the appropriate titles for their superiors in front of charter guests. The captain must be referred to as such during charters, as respect and hierarchy are important in the yachting industry. If the crew treat their superiors with due respect, guests will too.
Whilst it may look like all the yacht’s crew are included in the show, the boat’s first officer and engineer are not generally seen on screen. They stay on board to ensure the smooth running of day-to-day operations, but don’t typically get involved with any of the charter drama.
It’s important that each crew member is present, in their ‘whites’ (white uniform), for welcomes and send-offs. They must be present when the tip is handed over at the conclusion of the charter.
One of the golden rules is that crew members must be sober when the yacht is not tied to the dock. This is outlined in maritime law and expected of all individuals.
Captain Sandy Yawn, from Below Deck Mediterranean, has explained that any personal drama going on between the crew must be kept (ahem) below deck to ensure it doesn’t impact the experience of the charter guests upstairs.
The cast interviews provide much-needed insight and context to viewers. Each crew member is invited into the interview room at the end of a charter to pass comment on everything that has happened. Cue the drama.
Crew members are expected to be honest with producers, particularly regarding past relationships with colleagues.
In season two of Below Deck Mediterranean, Adam Glick and Malia White attempted to conceal their prior relationship, but the truth came out in the end. Almost nothing can be kept secret from producers in the long run, largely thanks to social media and the press.
There you have it. These are the 15 rules the Below Deck cast must follow to fulfil their contractual obligations on the show. If they perform their job well and keep on the right side of producers, they give themselves the best opportunity of being invited back for future seasons. If they don't, they are likely to be cut adrift!
Read more Below Deck articles in our dedicated library. Alternatively, if you're inspired by the thought of working on a yacht, you can search for a Crew Agent near you.
In the realm of maritime luxury, the quest to offer yacht charter guests the perfect night's sleep has become an art form, one which luxury bed and linen supplier, CC Design, has fully committed to.
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