It’s one of the most talked-about reality shows on the water. From high-drama guests to picture-perfect destinations, Below Deck has introduced millions to the world of yacht charters. But how close is it to the real thing?
After 25+ years in the yachting industry, we’ve seen it all: the good, the glamorous, and the downright chaotic. And while the show gets some things right, there’s a lot the cameras don’t show.
If you’re curious about how Below Deck stacks up to a real charter experience, you’re in the right place.
Here’s our insider take.
The yachts from Below Deck: some truth, some adjustments or selections for the show
True: the yachts featured in Below Deck are real yachts that are indeed usually available for charter
Yes, the yachts featured in Below Deck are indeed real yachts that are usually available for charter.
They’re not props or stage sets, these are genuine vessels, often operating in high-end charter markets before, during, and after their time on the show.
Less true: Many of the yachts featured in Below Deck have been refitted and/or renamed for the show
Production teams often request modifications to better suit filming, and names are changed to protect the privacy of the yacht owner and past charter clients.
So even though all yachts in Below Deck are real yachts, they might be offered for charter under a different name or they might be slightly different than what you see in the show when you are onboard.
Key difference between Below Deck and “real yachting”: not all boats are superyachts
Below Deck showcases the upper end of the market, typically yachts 45 meters and up, with full teams of deckhands, stews, chefs, and engineers. This is of course a true market, but a niche one in the overall yachting industry.
In reality, the majority of yachts available for charter are smaller and may come with just a captain and chef, or even be self-catered (we call it “bareboat”), depending on your budget and preferences.
Read also: Below Deck : The main yachts of the reality show
The crew: Below Deck and real crew life onboard are… quite different
True: The crew is there to attend to customers’ needs
The crew in Below Deck is always attentive to their guests requests, even the most odd, last-minute, or over-the-top ones.
This is actually close to what is happening on a real yacht charter.
Their job is to make the guests’ experience seamless and memorable, no matter how demanding the client may be.
Less true: The crew is almost always less dramatic on a real charter
A normal charter company hires crew for personality fit, skills, and discretion, not to ensure drama like a TV show would.
Below Deck needs entertaining television, so crew members are often selected not just for their qualifications, but for how well they’ll perform on camera and create “good TV.”
In real life, a yachting company wants to avoid drama at all costs. It’s not good for the guests, not good for the crew turnover and bad for the yacht reputation.
Our expert view on the crew in Below Deck vs “real yacht charter” crew
In real life, charter companies and/or yacht owners try to hire crew that they can trust with their guests and work with long term.
Reputation matters. Clients expect professionalism, consistency, and privacy, which means most crews are discreet, adaptable, and drama-free. At least as much as it can humanly be.
The turnover in the yachting industry can be very high for some jobs. Qualified and/or experienced crews don’t want to bother with drama during their work day. When things between the teams and owner / charter companies are doing well, they stay on the same yacht for years.
Read also: 6 THINGS ABOUT ST DAVID BELOW DECK SUPERYACHT (PRICE, LOCATION, OWNER)
Are guests from Below Deck the standard in the yacht charter world?
What’s true: some yachting guests can be very demanding
Many guests do have very luxurious, and sometimes “unique” expectations.
From specific flower arrangements to last-minute theme parties or rare wines, high-end charter clients often have detailed requests.
That’s part of delivering a tailored, luxury experience that is very true and quite well depicted in Below Deck.
What’s less true: most guests are polite and calm
Very few guests are as extreme in their behaviour as what’s displayed on the Below Deck TV show. The dramatic outbursts, tantrums, or intentionally provocative behavior?
That’s the exception, not the rule, and often encouraged (or edited) to keep viewers hooked.
In over 25 years as a chartering company, we are pleased to have to deal with these behaviours only a handful of times.
From our experience: people charter yachts to relax and have fun, not fight and bully
In real life, most yacht charter guests simply try to relax from day one and are very respectful to the crew in the vast majority of charters.
Most clients are families, couples, or groups of friends just looking to disconnect and enjoy quality time on the water.
The relationship with the crew is therefore typically warm, friendly, and built on mutual respect.
A big part of providing a good experience and the right crew actually comes beforehand, during the planning of the charter and the provisionning of the yacht. If these steps have been done correctly, there is little room for arguments and crisis to erupt and it should be smooth sailing until the last day of the charter.
Are the sailing destinations picked in Below Deck true yachties destinations ?
True: Most destinations featured in Below Deck are true staple sailing destinations.
The show films in iconic charter hubs like the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and more recently, places like Norway and Australia, all very popular with real charter clients and yacht owners alike.
So if you’ve been struck by a destination featured in Below Deck, you can totally charter a yacht in the destination and experience it yourself, without the TV crew and the drama.
Less true: It’s not always so easy to move in-between destinations as in Below Deck
You can’t always jump from one destination to the next without proper planning and weather routing.
On the show, it sometimes looks like you can spontaneously decide to cruise to the next island or port, but in real life, routing depends on weather, permits, distance, and local regulations.
In real life: your yacht broker and the captain will prepare your itinerary
A broker, along with the captain, will help you pick a destination and an itinerary that truly matches your expectations.
Whether you’re after secluded bays, cultural stops, water sports, or nightlife, a well-planned itinerary balances guest preferences, safe cruising conditions, and local knowledge.
Read also: WHO OWNS THE SUPERYACHTS IN BELOW DECK
What Below Deck doesn’t show well that are inherently a part of a successful yacht charter
Refit cycles: many yachts need refit once in a while
Yachts of this size often undergo extensive refits, sometimes lasting months, to stay up to standard. It’s part of the lifecycle of any vessel, but not something viewers ever see.
It could be interesting for someone into sailing, but probably less for the general public that is mostly interested in Below Deck for its luxurious opulence and constant drama.
Safety checks: a yacht requires a lot of maintenance to be safe
A yacht might look like a floating hotel, but it’s still a vessel at sea. Fire drills, life-saving equipment, engine checks, and compliance with maritime safety codes are critical before any departure. Yes, even superyachts can sink, so safety isn’t optional.
Obviously, this wouldn’t be the most entertaining part of a TV show, but it’s a part of what the crew and the management company do regularly before sending guests at sea.
Provisioning the yacht: not the most visual, but an important part of chartering a yacht
Provisioning a yacht for a charter is extremely important, especially for big yachts such as the ones featured in Below Deck. That part is unfortunately very long, quite draining for the charter company, and not exactly very TV-friendly.
Food, wine, flowers, cigars, water toys… these things don’t magically appear when you are at sea. Your broker and crew coordinate everything, often weeks in advance, to ensure a seamless experience once you’re onboard.
Paperwork: not great for TV shows, but an important part of a real yacht charter
Chartering a yacht involves contracts, insurance, flag regulations, port permits, visa requirements, tax obligations, and mooring bookings.
None of this would be very appealing on a TV show (although there is a bit of drama here and there) but it is mandatory for a smooth trip.
It’s invisible to guests, not shown in Below Deck, but absolutely essential.
Crew logistics: in real life, crew need to rest and be trained
From travel arrangements to crew rotations, training, and certifications, crew management is an ongoing job.
The team you see onboard is just the tip of the iceberg, there’s a whole system behind them making sure everything runs efficiently.
The crew need to go to your destination (they are not all locals..), they need to be hired, they need to be trained and they need to rest from times to times like in any other job.
What our clients and people in the sailing industry usually think of the Below Deck serie
Most clients are glad that a normal charter is never as chaotic as Below Deck
Our 1st time clients are usually glad that a normal charter isn’t like Below Deck.
Real charters run smoothly and professionally, with crews focused on making guests feel relaxed and cared for, not caught up in drama or conflict.
Our crew is happy to never really experience the level of drama Below Deck crew seem to have
The crew is usually relieved that real yacht life isn’t as dramatic as it looks on Below Deck.
Most professionals value teamwork, respect, and smooth operations over conflict, and prefer a calm, efficient work environment rather than the constant tension the show portrays.
The professionals of the yachting industry are split when it comes to Below Deck
Some charter companies and brokers appreciate the exposure it gives yachting and how it brings new interest to the lifestyle that we all live and enjoy.
Others feel the show’s drama paints a misleading picture that’s far from the everyday reality of charter life and even far from the world of sailing.
In our opinion, both are true.
Yachts featured in Below Deck are some of the best vessels in the world, and it’s great that the general population can see the know-how that comes from this industry and the level of service it brings. Who knows, some people might get into yachting or start considering training to be a crew after the show.
The drama in Below Deck is unfortunately a necessary evil when it comes to TV, and although it doesn’t represent our industry and even less our charters, at least it brings fresh eyeballs onto our world.
Final words as a broker since 1999 if you intend to charter a yacht for the first time after seeing Below Deck
If you’re considering chartering a yacht for the first time after watching Below Deck, remember that not all available yachts are superyachts.
There are yachts of all sizes and budgets in almost every destination, so there’s something for everyone.
We’re here to help you navigate your options and find the perfect yacht and itinerary that fit your needs and make your first charter experience truly unforgettable.
