During the latest episode of Below Deck, which aired on August 18, 2023, a group of guests attempted to forgo tipping after the vessel encountered an engineering issue that prevented it from leaving the dock. This unprecedented situation left Captain Kerry and the crew of the St. David in a challenging position, as they had to keep entertainment options afloat without taking the yacht out to sea.
As the crew scrambled to engage the guests, Captain Kerry reached out to the yacht agent to discuss a potential discount. He expressed his belief that the guests warranted a 20 percent discount due to the circumstances, highlighting that the charter had not utilized fuel, which typically contributes to operational costs. This conversation coincided with the guests’ deliberations over whether to leave a tip at all.
One guest commented on the situation, stating, “No tip is not a reflection of our group. It is a reflection of the circumstances.” This sentiment was echoed later in the episode when the primary guest took Captain Kerry aside to address their dissatisfaction. “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 remarked.
Despite the guests’ praise, Captain Kerry maintained that the crew should not suffer due to the yacht’s operational setbacks. “At the end of the day, it is the service industry,” he stated. “The house makes a mistake — the staff shouldn’t suffer.” He pointed out that the gratuity received was significantly lower than he expected, noting that the guests ultimately provided a tip of $19,000, which equated to just $1,461 per crew member.
The Below Deck franchise, which debuted in 2013, provides a glimpse into the lives of crew members working on luxury yachts during charter season. Cast members receive salaries for their work on the boats and additional income through tips. Recently, Chief Steward Fraser Olender shared his expectations regarding tips during a June episode of SiriusXM’s *Reality Checked*. He stated, “For a tip on our charter season, the minimum I would expect [where] you won’t see me crack a smile,” adding that he anticipates amounts between $25,000 and $30,000 for his services, regardless of the charter’s duration.
As the episode concluded, the tension between guests and crew underscored the complexities of the service industry, particularly in high-pressure environments like luxury charters. The crew of St. David faces the challenge of providing exceptional service even when circumstances beyond their control hinder the experience.
“If you can’t or if you’re not coming with that to be expected, just don’t bother. Maybe just go on a cruise,”
Fraser advised potential guests, reflecting the high expectations that come with chartering luxury yachts.
Below Deck airs on Bravo every Monday at 20:00 ET, with new episodes available for streaming on Peacock the following day.