During a recent episode of the popular reality series Below Deck, a group of charter guests attempted to forgo tipping the crew, marking a rare moment in the show’s history. The incident unfolded on August 18, 2023, when Captain Kerry and the crew aboard the yacht St. David faced an engineering issue that prevented them from leaving the dock, forcing the crew to find alternative entertainment for the guests.
As the yacht remained stationary, Captain Kerry reached out to the yacht agent to discuss a potential discount for the guests, stating, “I am just trying to work out a number that we can discount these guys because we didn’t burn fuel.” He suggested a 20 percent discount for the charter, all while the guests debated whether to leave a tip at all.
One of the guests expressed their thoughts on the tipping situation, saying, “No tip is not a reflection of our group. It is a reflection of the circumstances.” The episode revealed a growing tension as guests grappled with the impact of the yacht’s inability to sail on their tipping decisions.
Later in the episode, the primary guest addressed Captain Kerry directly, acknowledging the crew’s hard work. “You guys have been great, by the way. We have been completely happy but normally when something is significantly wrong — like the boat not leaving — that isn’t a small matter,” he explained. Despite the praise, he indicated uncertainty about the group’s willingness to provide the standard gratuity.
Captain Kerry defended the crew’s service, stating, “End of the day, it is the service industry. The house makes a mistake — the staff shouldn’t suffer.” Despite his efforts to negotiate compensation at the start of the charter, the gratuity received fell short of expectations. Ultimately, the guests provided a total of $19,000, translating to $1,461 per crew member, which Captain Kerry deemed inadequate given the circumstances.
The crew’s compensation is a topic of interest among fans of the show. Chief steward Fraser Olender recently shared his expectations for tips during the charter season, stating on a June episode of SiriusXM’s Reality Checked, “If we are not getting between $20,000 — I’ll scrap that. $25,000 to $30,000 for the time we’ve done.” Olender emphasized that this expectation remains constant regardless of the charter’s duration, advising potential guests to reconsider their plans if they cannot meet this tipping standard.
Since its debut in 2013, Below Deck has gained popularity, showcasing the lives of crew members working on luxury yachts during charter seasons. The cast not only earns a salary for their work but also relies heavily on tips from guests to supplement their income.
The ongoing discussions about tipping practices on the show highlight the evolving dynamics between guests and crew, as well as the expectations surrounding service in the luxury yacht industry. New episodes of Below Deck air on Bravo every Monday at 20:00 ET, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
