super yacht crew tips

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Captain & Crew Gratuities (Tips): How much?

Everything you need to know about tipping etiquette on a yacht charter

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By Editorial Team   24 January 2023

You’ve just enjoyed the luxury yacht vacation of a lifetime and now you want to thank the crew for helping to make your time onboard so memorable, but what is the accepted amount? And how should you pay it? 

In this article:

Who gets the tip?

Seasons and destinations, when do i pay it, how do i pay it, need more advice.

Tips are usually discretionary based on the level of service you have received, but there is a bit of a grey area with regards to how much. Read our guide on everything you need to know about crew gratuities on your luxury yacht charter.

The superyacht industry is a service-based industry at its core, with a crew of highly-trained professionals at your disposal for the entirety of your vacation. As such, tipping them for a job well done is customary practice on a yacht charter. 

Most charter yachts distribute the tips equally between each crew member, regardless of their role. This is because it takes a team to ensure the overall success of a yacht charter, rather than any particular individual. 

It can often be tempting to tip the most visible crew members, such as the stewardesses and deckhands, however less visible crew members, such as the crew chef or engineer, work just as hard behind the scenes to make the charter a memorable experience for both you and your guests.

The worldwide yachting association (MYBA) has made things a little easier by issuing tipping policy guidelines that recommend a gratuity of between 5 to 15% of the base charter cost, with 10% being the standard based on a week-long yacht charter. 

However, it’s important to remember that cultural differences can sometimes come into play when it comes to gratuities. For instance, an American crew will expect a tip of no less than 15%, whereas a European crew are usually content with a tip between 5 to 10%.

Often the amount to tip can vary depending on the season and destination of the charter. For example, the most popular time to charter in the Mediterranean usually coincides with their high season, and as such the gratuities tend to be higher commensurate with the yacht’s base charter fee, whilst the winter rates in the Caribbean season are generally lower. 

That said, in the Mediterranean the gratuites are generally worked out at the lower end of the recommended percentage, while tips for charters around the US and Caribbean are often calculated at the upper end of the scale. So, it all balances out in the end!

Obviously, the amount to tip is entirely at your discretion, and if you feel you have received top-notch service from the crew throughout the charter, then by all means reward them for all their hard work. Conversely, if you are in any way disappointed with the level of service you have received then the tip should reflect that.

It is customary for any tipping to take place at the end of the charter and to be presented to the captain (see below), who will then divide it among the crew. 

On smaller charter yachts, the tip is typically collected amongst the guests and presented to the captain for distribution, but the crew gratuity can also be deducted from the Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA) at the end of a charter, with any credit balance from the APA to be returned to you. 

Alternatively, to avoid carrying large amounts of cash the crew gratuity can be held in escrow with your on-shore broker for distribution once the charter has ended, subject to your agreement.

For more advice about tipping etiquette on your luxury yacht charter, please speak with your preferred  yacht charter broker .

For any further information about booking or chartering a luxury yacht, please take a look at our  comprehensive advice guides .

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Should I Tip Yacht Captains & Crew? Helpful Facts (With Examples)

If you are preparing for a trip on a yacht, you need to know the unwritten rules of tipping the captain his crew.

Should You Tip Yacht Captains & Crew? It’s common practice to tip the crew on a yacht. It is advised to tip between 5-15%, depending on how satisfied you are. It is recommended wait with the tip till the end of the trip. Leave the tip with the captain and trust that he/she will split it among the crew how he sees fit.

Here’s everything you need to know about tipping your captain and his crew on a yacht charter.

Table of Contents

Should You Tip The Yacht Crew?

More often than not you should make sure to tip.

Your yacht captain and crew put in a lot of work for all of their guests. Since the captain and crew successfully navigated the ship for you (without going full Titanic on all the guests) a monetary ‘thank you’ is the least you can offer.

Not tipping on a yacht is tantamount to not tipping at a restaurant – a very fancy restaurant – after ordering a twelve-course meal.

It is tacky and cheap and does not leave a good impression on the yacht captain or their crew. This is especially true if you have made a lot of special requests of the crew or were somehow more demanding than other guests.

The captain and crew will do everything in their power to make your experience a great one.

It’s not their style to make any complaints on the matter and they’ll serve you with a smile. If they do all this for you and then you stiff them on the tip, that’s like saying that all of their hard work and extra attention was equal to nothing to you.

It’s bad form. Make sure to tip.

How Much Should You Tip?

Now that we’ve answered the question of whether you should tip, how much are you expected to tip?

Once again, this depends on a few different things.

For example, some yachts are part of the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association. They issued a set of recommendation guidelines that set the standard for tipping. The reason they set these standards is that some guests tipped somewhere near 25% on a regular basis.

Certain captains and their crews grew accustomed to the larger tip amount and grew dissatisfied when tipped less.

In response, the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association set forth general expectations for tipping in order to rectify the situation.

Due to these guidelines, the customary tip expected from your yacht captain and crew falls between 5% and 15%. This is also around the same amount you can expect to pay in gratuity in an American restaurant.

Despite these guidelines, less or more may be appropriate depending on your cruise experience. For example, the best captain and crew will do all in their power to make your experience a great one.

From early morning wake up calls to making your dinner again when it isn’t prepared the way you expected, they are there to serve.

These kinds of captain and crew should be thanked properly for their hard work. Stiffing them on the tip is a slap in the face and looks terrible on your part.

Then again, maybe your captain and crew behaved in a begrudging manner. Maybe they argued or made snide comments when you mentioned your dissatisfaction with the food. If they’ve made countless mistakes and put forth little (or no) effort to correct them, then it’s fair to consider a low tip.

However, I do strongly advise against not leaving a tip at all.

If they docked you safe at shore, then that is at least one small thing for which to thank them.

When leaving your tip, try to be as fair as possible and remember that some of the behind-the-scenes crew did not get a chance to interact with you. They may have made every effort to be hospitable and not tipping takes away their well-deserved reward.

When In Doubt… Ask Your Broker

Your broker should be able to direct you toward the most appropriate tip for your situation. They’ll probably have a better understanding of all the details and will likely be able to give you their expert opinion.

In fact, they’ll probably know how previous trips on your yacht with your captain and crew have gone in the past.

They’ll have a pretty good idea on how much of a tip is expected on your particular cruise and will be able to steer you in the right direction to a fair tip.

Location, Location, Location

Depending on where you traveled, the yacht captain and crew could expect a higher or lower tip.

In the Caribbean and the United States, the tips are expected to be on the high end. But if you’re in Europe, the price point on a tip is a bit lower.

Again, it’s clever to ask your broker about the best practice and what is expected from the crew.

Tipping Depends On Length Of Trip

Was it a three-day cruise? Or did you ride that yacht for a full month?

Because that will make a difference in the amount of your tip.

Think of it as you would staying in a hotel or having groceries/food delivered to your home.

Every food delivery is a tip. In three days, you’ve given the delivery person $15. When you order food every day for a month, though? Altogether, quick math says that’s a $140 tip!

It works the same way on a yacht. The delivery man and room service has been there every day – tip them as such!

What Did You Pay For The Charter Fee?

The amount of the initial fee for the cruise is the first thing to which you should look. It won’t tell you exactly how much to tip, however. Five to fifteen percent of the initial charter fee is acceptable for a less-than-stellar yacht experience.

If you had a phenomenal trip, you’ll need to take that into consideration, too.

When your yacht captain and crew went out of their way to provide you with the best experience possible, that’s worth a little extra. (And you should also take into account the previous points concerning length of stay.)

When Do You Tip?

If you’re like me, you want to tip everyone as soon as they give you great service. The bellman, the waiter, the taxi driver, the receptionist…

You get the point.

Though your heart may be in the right place, your good intentions are more harmful than helpful.

This is because a lot of your experience was possible due to people who work behind the scenes. People you are unlikely to meet on your voyage (like chefs) contribute to your experience but never have the chance to impress you face-to-face.

Leaving tips for the room service or your bartender (as individuals) is not considered fair or proper etiquette. The crew onboard a yacht works as a team and the experience you received is a result of the collective efforts of everyone.

You would not have the exact same experience if some of these behind-the-scenes crew members dropped the ball.

So, save your tip until the end of the cruise.

To Whom Do I Give My Tip?

You want to give your tip directly to the captain.

The captain will then distribute your tip among all their crew so that it’s fair.

Now, bear in mind that not all the crew members may receive a portion of your tip .

That’s right.

Although I said earlier that giving individuals tips throughout the yachting experience is a bad idea, there are exceptions. The captain aggregates the tip among eligible crew members and these can vary from crew to crew. Check with the captain to see which crew members you are encouraged to tip for their service outside of the end-of-journey gratuity.

The tips also aren’t necessarily divided with an even hand among the crew, either.

Some crew members played a more prominent role in your experience than others, after all. The chef and dining team likely put in more work than your housekeeping personnel, for example.

Did you know that the chef is one of the first crew members awake and at work on the ship?

The chef works all day to feed the guests prime cuisine, on their feet in a hot kitchen the entire day. The chef is often the last one back in their bed at night, too. This crew member probably deserves a bigger piece of the pie than the person who changed your sheets, right?

Auto-Gratuity

Thankfully, yacht captains understand that tipping can be turbulent waters for a lot of their guests. In response to the confusion, many cruises use a suggested tip on the end-of-voyage bill to make their expectations as clear as possible.

At checkout, you can adjust this tip to be higher or lower depending on your perception of your experience.

So, now you know a lot more about tipping the yacht captain and crew for the next time you board a cruise.

Remember that all yachts are different and expect different things, but thanks to the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association, you at least have a base from which to start.

If nothing else, remember that leaving a tip of some denomination is better than stiffing the captain and crew outright. Many crew members depend on the guests’ gratuity, so try to think of them when leaving your tip!

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How much should you tip on a superyacht charter?

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• Tips on a Superyacht Charter

How much you should leave as a tip is still one of life’s mysteries. Whether it’s the bell man, a waiter or hairdresser, it’s often difficult to know just what to give as a thank you for their services. Sailing on a superyacht charter doesn’t really make this particular issue any easier although it is customary to give the crew a gratuity at the end of your vacation. Here’s some info about ending your trip on a high note and what to offer as a tip.

An acceptable amount to tip

Generally, tips range from 5% to 15% of the basic charter fee. This obviously depends on the yacht and the location. If in Europe, tips are usually more towards the lower end of the scale while in the US or Caribbean they tend to head towards the higher end.

Any official guidelines to take note of?

Years ago, lots of charterers started to leave tips of 25% or more which made certain crew expecting the same from all guests. They were often disappointed when smaller amounts were offered and didn’t hesitate to voice their opinions about the fact.

This lead to the MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association) issuing a policy about tipping. This stipulated as guidelines that 5%-15% should be the range of tips given to crew and any other on-board staff.

These guidelines were accepted as the norm and also gave charterers an idea of what to leave, making everyone happy. Ask your broker whether these MYBA policies apply on the particular yacht you’re interested in chartering, well in advance.

What percentage should I give?

Remember charter crew work 16-18 hours each day from dawn to midnight. They do work very hard to make sure all guests are well looked after while providing a top-class service. Taking this into account should give you a good idea of the percentage of tip to give.

Tipping etiquette

There’s an unspoken rule that all tips should be given to the captain. He will then divide the amount between the crew so everyone receives a fair share. Remember that some crew work in the background so you might never see them in person.

Should I give some crew more than others?

If a member of the crew has paid special attention to you and ensured you have had a wonderful vacation, is it fair to give him or her a large tip? The answer is, not really. All crew work together as a team and should be offered the same cash tip as each other.

The importance of the crew

With superyachts available to charter coming in all different sizes, they need to carry the right number of crew. Smaller vessels usually operate with just a captain and a chef who can also double up as a deckhand. Larger superyachts and some mega charter yachts often have as many as fifty crew members. Mid-size charter yachts, i.e. 30-60m in length, can carry between six and fifteen crew.

Although crew are professionally trained to know all there is to know on a charter, they also have interchangeable roles. These roles fall into five categories of what the crew can and can’t do while on board. It’s essential for guests to understand just what each member of the crew offer.

The captain who usually has four gold stripes

The captain has the ultimate responsibility for the yacht he is sailing and what he says, goes. This is the rule of the sea and no-one should question it unless they want to end up on shore instead of being out on the ocean.

Do make sure the captain knows where you would like to sail to and your preferences while on board. He or she will do everything they can to grant all of your wishes, within their capability of course. The captain can also suggest a fantastic itinerary for you. After all he has years of experience in sailing to the best exotic destinations or the most interesting locations.

It's inadvisable to ask for the impossible. Some things just cannot be changed for instance, times of leaving a certain dock to another harbour at an unearthly hour. The captain has to think about the tide turning usually mid-morning when the harbour entrance might be too shallow to enter.

Take notice of the captain’s weather advice too. Don’t argue your case with him, he knows best especially when the weather may turn. Again, with years of experience behind him, he is a charter captain who knows just what can happen if sailing in rough seas. Seasickness isn’t much fun so if the forecast isn’t too good, it’s best to stay at anchor until the weather clears.

The onboard chef

Another very important person on board is the chef. He or she is responsible for all meals cooked under his or her supervision. Being flexible means the chef can change from preparing a five-course gourmet dinner to simple on-deck barbecue food or even jam sandwiches for the children.

Before booking a yacht charter vacation, find out about the chef and his or her expertise. Take a look at sample menus to make sure everyone in your party is catered for especially if there are any vegans. If for instance a chef has a leaning towards Asian cuisine, it won’t be much fun if you don’t enjoy noodles or sushi. Let the charter broker know well in advance what you like to eat and drink. There should be preference sheets to fill in so there won’t be any issues once you set sail.

Remember the chef has to rise early in the morning to start preparing breakfast and all the day/evening meals. Lots of people prefer to eat late in the evening so the chef will still be on the go late at night.

Deck crew who operate and maintain the vessel

The first officer, who is second in command to the captain, to the deck hands have responsibility running the tenders and handling the dock lines. Sometimes deck crew may double up as bar tenders or servers of evening meals, so they also work long hours. One of the crew might be the person who launches jet skis or other water toys when asked. Others operate the tenders to and from shore while some are on board to keep the vessel looking spotless at all times.

If you need any kind of help while on vacation, don’t be shy to ask a member of the deck crew. Most of them have walkie-talkie radios and if he or she isn’t the right person to sort your issue out, someone else can be contacted quickly to come to your assistance. Something as small as moving a lounger into the sun is better to be left to one of the crew as sliding such a piece of furniture could scratch the expensive deck.

Interior crew

Although the name “interior crew” sounds a bit odd, these members of staff will serve you whatever you want while you are on one of the outside decks. The chief steward or stewardess oversee the interior crew and a team of stewards/stewardesses. 

The teams responsible for replacing used sheets with fresh bedding, towels, cleaning the cabins and living areas are more like hotel staff. They will turn your bed down in the evening, maybe place a chocolate on your pillow, help with missing buttons or clean up a spillage on one of your outfits.

Make sure the interior crew know about any specific requests like extra pillows or towels. You may wish for water in the fridge or an early wake-up call. If so, do ask in good time.

The engineers

Last but by no means least are the unsung heroes, the engineers. These members of the crew ensure engines are running properly while taking care of the ancillary systems too. They spend most of their day and evening below deck and usually wear overalls so you can identify them.

The engineering crew might even take the place of tender drivers or help with the water toys, but as a rule of thumb they are often unseen on deck.

Remember when the vessel is in dock or at anchor, the engineering team are still on duty. Yacht systems are working constantly, day and night.

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Tips Ahoy! Crew Tips on Luxury Charter Yachts

August 26, 2013 By Julie Perry

If you are watching Bravo TV’s Below Deck , then you’ve obviously followed the Honor crew’s weekly anticipation of their charter-tip money—and in many of the episodes, even their overwhelming disappointment in how that played out (or rather, paid out). It has raised a lot of questions among fans within social channels, including one of the most common I’ve seen: what is considered a “good” tip for a charter-yacht crew similar to Motoryacht Honor’s?

Tip distribution time on Bravo TV’s Below Deck. Photo Credit: www.BravoTV.com

Good base salaries and no expenses—those are big benefits for yacht crew working in the superyacht industry. But indeed, where you can make an even bigger financial score is with guest tips on yachts that charter.

In my book, The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess , I devote an entire chapter to discussing yacht-crew benefits and what is to be expected when one goes to work on various categories of luxury vessels. This overview includes private-only yachts vs. charter yachts , sailing yachts vs. motor yachts , and even what is to be expected among the various types of employment—from freelance crew to full-time crew , and the increasingly common rotational-crew opportunities.

(That’s all in Chapter 2. Meanwhile, you can download Chapter 1 for free now to learn all about the luxury yachting industry: who owns superyachts, how much they cost, and what type of people own vs. charter them.)

Indeed, tip money on heavily-booked charter yachts can equate to boatloads of extra cash for the crew. Just not always.

Essentially though : On charter yachts like Bravo’s Honor, when the owners are not using the boat, other guests can pay a fee to use the vessel for what is usually one to two weeks at a time. (Not to say that 3-6 week charters aren’t also common.) Now here’s a big benefit to working on this category of boat: Charter guests usually tip 10–20 percent of the charter fee to the crew, which can be between $1,000–$4,000 per crewmember for a week, on top of their healthy salary!

This means that, even for entry-level crew who start out at a $30–$43K base salary, if you can land a job on a charter yacht, you could earn an additional income of $10–$20K a year in crew tips… In fact, I once made $18,000 in tips in one summer Mediterranean season alone!

Just think: If the boat you work on costs $25,000 a day to be chartered, and you have the guests onboard for, say, 10 days, then that means they paid $250,000 to rent that vessel. And that’s before paying for food, fuel, and docking fees; but tips are factored on the base fee. Even if they only tip 10 percent, that’s $25,000. If you have a crew of 10, when the tip is divided equally, you EACH receive $2,500 in tips on top of your salary… All for 10 days of work (albeit hard work and incredibly long days).

There is one small hitch, though. And this is perhaps something the Honor crew needed to be more realistic about when criticizing even the lower end generosity of their charter guests:

I don’t want to give any false illusions that tips are guaranteed, nor do I want you to think they will always be super generous. I’ve received tips that sent me into shock (big ones), and I was tremendously let down on a few occasions.

Try the outcome of a 42-day charter that cost the guests well over a million dollars, but where my 12-person crew only received $2,500 each. When you think about it, that tip could have been upwards of $10,000-$15,000 per person. I will never forget our voyage back to San Remo the day those charter guests left us in Civitavecchia (Rome). No one on the crew spoke. In fact, no one spoke for over 24 hours. Call it shock, call it depression, call it “oh my gawd, why in the HELL do I put myself through this agony!?”… but like every other let-down in life, you move on. The charter after that lined our pockets with a 22% tip off a 20-day charter. So in the end, things evened out.

Let’s Ask the Experts

To give you the most accurate scoop, I decided to ask one of the top charter brokers in the business, Debra Blackburn Boggio of Fraser Yachts Worldwide , to comment on how guest tips are handled. A charter broker is the person who books and handles all the logistics of a chartered trip; he or she deals directly with the guests (or in most cases, the guests’ personal assistants).

My question to Debra:

“I know the topic of tips can be a sensitive one, but if you feel comfortable commenting, a common question I receive from people looking into this industry is about the additional compensation they might expect by taking a job aboard a heavily booked charter yacht. Is tipping guaranteed, is there a standard, and how does the effort a crew puts into a charter affect the gratuity that is given at the end of a trip?”

Debra Blackburn Boggio:

Debra Blackburn Boggio Charter Broker for Fraser Yachts Worldwide

“Tips are a touchy subject… We brokers recommend a guideline for tipping. Americans are a tipping nation, and therefore the standard of 10–15 percent of the charter fee is what we recommend. However, most countries around the world do not have a tipping environment. Therefore, these clients are not prepared to offer this level of tip, so they expect to offer less, and do. Also, as yachts are getting larger and more expensive, it becomes unrealistic to think that a charterer would spend $350,000+ expenses for a week aboard a yacht, and then give over $50,000 to the crew just as an extra thank you.

“Since a gratuity is a gift, it is absolutely at the discretion of the client, and no matter what we recommend, the client will still give what he or she feels is appropriate. In some cases that is 5 percent, in some it is 20 percent. A crewmember cannot expect a guaranteed 15 percent every time a charter is aboard. My advice to any new people in the industry is expect nothing, and whatever you get will be a bonus.

“Hard work is noticed. I recently had a charter client who told me, ‘The rest of the crew did okay, but so and so, the stewardess, went above and beyond, so we left her an extra tip.’ Clients are always watching. These are the most wealthy, successful people in the world. They did not get that way by being unaware of whom they surround themselves with…”

A big thanks to Debra for her expert insight. (That was pulled directly from Chapter 2 of The Insiders’ Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess , by the way.)

From my experience working on a heavily booked charter vessel, while the tips can vary from 5–20 percent, we most often found they averaged out to 10 percent by the end of a season. Given that the charter fee was so high for our vessel, it meant a lot of extra money. With the tips I made in one season, I was able to pay off my college loans, have some money to play and shop in ports, and I never even touched the salaried income that was wired into my bank account each month by the owner.

In reality, a 164-foot Benetti megayacht like M/Y Honor charters for a LOT more money than what the participants on Below Deck were chartering her for. In reality, Honor is called M/Y Cuor di Leone, and she charters for between $25,000 and $35,000 PER DAY, depending on the time of season. That makes sense to me since she’s the sister ship to a vessel I worked on for over a year and a half. (You can read more about the original M/Y Honor, which was christened as M/Y Lionheart back in 1999, in this post here .)

But, the “guests” on Bravo’s television show Below Deck were able to vacation aboard this palace on water for well under what she would normally cost ( they got her for $50,000 for just the 3 day charter —a steal really, especially considering I know few megayachts that will charter for any length of time under 7 days). So viewers really shouldn’t look too closely at what these guests felt they needed to tip on a vessel of this caliber; I can assure you, they are not the same caliber of guests I recall being able to afford a vacation like this. Nor can I really say certain members of the crew probably earned a higher-end tip. For those who did, that sucks for them. But remember, it’s a team effort. You are only as good as your weakest member.

I wish the crew of Honor better luck in Season 2, where hopefully they’ll get members capable of more hard work and less attitude. Meanwhile, the REAL yacht-crew industry is keeping its fingers crossed that some members don’t stick around to make those hard-working professionals who respect their guests and take pride in their job/industry look bad.

Moral of the story: Tips are EARNED, kids.

August 26, 2013 at 9:04 pm

yes yes yes! I don’t understand why they are all so shocked at the time of pay out since the charters are so steeply discounted! It’s not the typical situation by any means.

I agree with you also about the crew for next season. More experienced workers to reflect well on the rest of us, please! Have fun tonight :)

August 28, 2013 at 12:36 pm

Thanks for the comment, Arielle! I suppose the non-experienced crew do make for more drama, therefore I understand where the “Below Deck” producers were coming from in wanting to get a good mix. On a positive note: Perhaps the juxtaposition of good crew behavior vs. bad crew behavior is what will make for a better training tool for “real reality”‘s crew.

I guess also for the purposes of the show, we shouldn’t expect that they’d be able to pull the true type of guest who’d normally travel aboard vessels like M/Y “Honor.” Maybe now that the show has exposure, more of those will come forward for Season 2. Not that I foresee THAT level of money wanting to put themselves out there like this (in other words, I doubt we’d see any Russian mafia, oil sheiks, or the type of industry tycoons who care more about shunning attention rather than attracting it), but I imagine there are some serious money characters out there who don’t mind this kind of spotlight. Case in point: have you seen “The Queen of Versailles” documentary? (good grief)

I’ve always felt that to realistically explore the upstairs/downstairs world of superyachting in a television format, you need to do it as a scripted drama. Reality shows are never truly reality for a number of reasons. And as you know, it is a fascinating subject to explore. To truly fit a “Downton Abbey”-esque comparison like how Bravo TV is spinning “Below Deck,” you need to witness more of the guests’ inside world. To me, that’s best done as a scripted drama. I imagine that would be ripe for a lot of social commentary, not to mention human character trait/interaction analysis.

I still can’t help feeling like this crew life juxtaposed with guests on these extravagant boats, traveling all over the world, is the most sure bet, killer idea for a show. Concept: It’s not about the wealth. It’s about the character of a person. On “Below Deck,” we pick up lessons in that by witnessing the crew. But I’d like to see more of the master-servant dichotomy explored. Then again though, I’m a “Downton Abbey” fanatic, so I’m looking at things through that lens. In the meantime, I appreciate “Below Deck” for the entertainment, and yes, as a training tool for current and future crew. From the crew tips perspective, the “Honor” crew didn’t fly the flag all that well, but hey, it teaches us a lot.

Thanks again for dropping by! I hope everyone checks out your wonderful blog over at http://www.LittleMermaidAtSea.com to read about your journeys as they’re happening! Such great perspective from someone out there experiencing this world and all its facets — good and bad.

August 28, 2013 at 6:43 pm

I totally agree about the scripted show idea! I’ve long felt the same way…

September 4, 2013 at 7:15 am

I never understand when crew complain about the tip they receive. They are still getting paid and it is their job to service guests whether they are owners or charterers. As a chef, a charter means more fun and being able to showcase the recipes I’ve learned and highlight the food. I love the added excitement of a charter. Victoria Allman Author of: SEAsoned: A Chef’s Journey with Her Captain

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How To Tip Your Yacht Charter Crew [Travel Guide]

A guide for tipping a successful yacht charter..

Tipping is normal for Americans. We tip after dining at a restaurant, getting a haircut, or riding in a taxi. But for those in Europe, Australia, and Asia, tipping is a big question mark and often not customary as it’s not factored into their daily life. Yet, even for Americans, tipping at a larger scale — say, for a yacht charter — can also raise a few questions. What’s an adequate amount? Who do you tip? Do you have to tip in cash?

Whether you’re chartering a catamaran for a day in Key West or yachting for a week in the Mediterranean, here’s everything you need to know about tipping your yacht charter crew.

How to tip on week-long charters?

Booking a week-long charter in the Caribbean means plenty of sun, relaxation, and fun on the water. But as with staying at an all-inclusive resort, there are people who contribute to the overall enjoyment of your vacation. The captain, stewardesses, deckhands, and chef are all committed to a successful yacht charter. They make sure you’re comfortable, safe, and well-fed, and usually work odd hours to do so.

The Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA) set a guideline so that tipping yacht charter crew isn’t so ambiguous. According to MYBA, yacht tips should be between 5% and 15% of the total cost of the charter. This rule of thumb applies primarily to the European yacht market as those travelers tend to tip less than those in the United States or the Caribbean where 15% to 20% gratuity is closer to the norm.

This guideline provides charter brokers and their clients with a reference point before embarking on the yacht charter. Tipping charter crew — as much as it’s dependent on the quality of service — also depends on the guests’ nationality, location of the charter, and chartering experience of the guests. First-time charterers from France may tip differently than a seasoned charter client from New York.

As a charterer, ask your broker if the yacht you’re booking supports the MYBA recommended guidelines. Then you’ll know what is expected before your vacation.

How to tip on day charters?

There’s not a specific guideline for tipping on day trips, such as a catamaran charter, as they often range in length from 4 to 8 hours. The captain and crew work as they would on a term charter by preparing the vessel, planning the route, welcoming and hosting charter guests, and ensuring the safety of everyone on board. It’s customary to tip between 10% and 20% of the base rate of the day charter. A broker may or may not be involved in the booking process, so you have to remember at the end of the day that a tip is suggested for hard work and a job well done.

How to tip on event charters?

Yacht charters hired for private events are a bit different than a typical day or week-long charter . Event charters are commercial and usually booked for weddings, corporate, or other social events. When hosting a private event on a boat, you may hire additional event staff such as servers, caterers, entertainers, or bartenders who are separate entities from the captain and yacht crew.

The captain’s job is focused on the logistics of travel, navigation, and safety, while the event staff is focused on the guest experience. There’s not a standard guideline as it’s advised to use your discretion based on the level of service you experienced among hired teams, so generally tip between 10% to 20%.

Is there a tipping etiquette on yachts?

As with tipping in other industries, the tip should be proportional to the service you received. It’s an expression of satisfaction and a job well done. Yacht crews usually go above and beyond and work about 16-18 hour days. A professional c r ew will always perform their duties to a high standard as your safety and hospitality onboard the yacht is their priority.

The crew works as a team, so it’s not customary to tip or recognize a specific crew member. The tip should be given directly to the captain at the end of the charter experience. He or she will divide the amount among the crew, including deckhands, stews, engineers, and chefs.

Do you have to pay in cash?

The big question — how do you pay for a tip if you don’t want to carry a large sum of money with you on vacation ? You can tip the captain via cash, check, or wire transfer. (Although check and wire transfer isn’t advised as it may not get to the crew until a few weeks later.)

When you book your luxury yacht charter , there’s an Advance Provisioning Allowance (APA), which is an additional amount of money set aside (on top of the charter fee) to be used for consumables during the charter including food, wine, and fuel. Charter brokers usually suggest a high amount up front as a cushion so that expenses don’t run over in the middle of your holiday. At the end of your charter, the captain should sit down with you to discuss what was spent and what’s leftover from your APA. So if you’re left with $5,000 in your APA, you can use that as part of your tip. Talk to your charter broker ahead of time to learn more about different options for leaving a tip.

Yachting is one of the safest ways to travel during the COVID-19. Yet no matter where you’re from, tipping can be confusing, especially in the instance of a charter experience. Gratuity to yacht crew can be anywhere from a couple hundred to thousands of dollars. Whether it’s for a week-long charter or quick day trip, ask your broker ahead of time about what’s expected for tipping the crew. Consider a private yacht for your next holiday — contact Denison Yachting to book your next superyacht charter.

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'Below Deck's Kate Chastain Explains How Yacht Tipping Actually Works (Exclusive)

'below deck's kate chastain explains how yacht tips actually work (exclusive), jennifer connelly says she's 'ready' for 'top gun 3’ (exclusive), nicholas galitzine wants to go on tour with boygenius or lana del rey (exclusive), 'american idol' honors late alum mandisa with special tribute, gabrielle union credits 'the power of no' with her youthful appearance (exclusive), anne hathaway on choosing sobriety and motherhood connecting her to 'the idea of you' (exclusive), chilli gives sweet reaction to matthew lawrence refusing to shower, bow wow shares rare look at daughter celebrating major milestone, watch billy joel sing 'uptown girl' to ex-wife christie brinkley, inside wwe diva erika hammond and tech billionaire's over-the-top egypt wedding, why maddie ziegler turned down ‘dance moms: the reunion’, vanessa lachey shares sweet way her daughter cheered her up after 'ncis: hawai'i' cancellation, travis kelce calls taylor swift his ‘significant other’ to cheers at charity gala, sophia bush makes red carpet debut with ashlyn harris at white house correspondents dinner, nicole kidman ‘thrilled’ by response to her viral amc ad (exclusive), jane seymour reveals her top 3 beauty secrets (exclusive), britney spears and dad jamie settle financial dispute in conservatorship case, ryan reynolds on why ‘welcome to wrexham’ has been a ‘beautiful’ and ‘heartbreaking’ journey, jojo siwa defends abby lee miller as she reunites with 'dance moms' cast (exclusive), 'ahs' alum lily rabe praises kim kardashian's 'fantastic' performance in 'delicate' (exclusive), hailey bieber's unexpected reaction to husband justin's crying selfies, the 'below deck' chief stew reveals what yachties consider a good tip… and what they don’t..

Yacht life definitely pays.

Week after week on Below Deck , viewers see the crew clean up with giant wads of cash left behind by the charter guests as a "tip" for their work -- and chief stewardess Kate Chastain tells ET, it's not faked for reality TV.

"On a yacht of that size, [a good tip] would be $5,000 a person, for seven days of work," she reveals. "Five grand a crew member, usually. Our charters are a little bit shorter, just so we can make the show, [but] everything else is exactly the same. So, it's prorated. We usually get around $2,500, $2,000. Anything less than $1,000 would be depressing, which sounds crazy, doesn't it?"

Below Deck charters typically last two or three days, but Kate says the crew puts in the equivalent of five days of work to jam-pack the experience with a week's worth of fun.

"We're working not just eight-hour shifts, it's like, we're working pretty much around the clock," she notes. "All the days start to blur together. And during the tip meeting, Captain Lee [Rosbach], will say what we got and I'm always like, 'Is that good? I don’t know anymore… $3,000, are we happy with this?'"

To put this in perspective, those tips are on top of a fee for charting the yachts. Kate previously revealed to ET that it costs about $150,000 a week to take over the ships.

The tips come on top of a regular salary, which differs based on job. A chief stew, reportedly , earns between $62,000 and $75,000 per charter season on a Below Deck -sized yacht (most of the vessels on the show are in the 150-foot range). Second and third stews would make about $50,000 a season, a chef between $70,000 and $95,000, while a captain would earn $120,000 or more, a bosun about $52,000 and deckhands between $40,000 to $52,000.

Kate says there is one part of the tip process seen on the show that might just be for TV -- how the tip is delivered. On the show, the crew stands in line to send off the guests, with the primary charter guest handing over an envelope of cash to Captain Lee. Kate notes that the lineup is standard, but the envelope handoff isn’t.

"There's always a lineup, just 'cause it's polite," she says. "Like, even in Downton Abbey , they all line up. So, I think it's a tradition that’s been around for hundreds of years, but sometimes, I think, instead of traveling with so much cash, they wire the money."

"So, it's not as dramatic," she continues. "But I've had charters where we anchored in the British Virgin Islands, the guests had left, we're eating leftover lobster, drinking leftover champagne, counting our stacks of cash. I felt pretty special at that moment."

Below Deck airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.

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How much does yacht crew make in tips.

• May 30, 2022

Do yacht crews get tips?

On average how much does yacht crew make in tips ?  If you are working a 1-week charter trip you will get tipped between 5%-15% of the weekly charter price. This is industry standard and could be more and less depending on the charter guests.

But, just how generous will your typical yacht crew tip be on your first boss or charter trip ? While you may have read past stories about yacht crew receiving staggeringly large tips for their work aboard a superyacht. In general, brokers advise tipping between 5%-20% , depending on the yacht and the location. It is usually towards the lower in the Med than the US and Caribbean to make tips as yacht crew.

There are many factors that come into consideration when yacht owners and guests decide to tip at the end of their time on board, including the attitude and demeanour of the crew on board. Other contributing factors may include crew going above and beyond in their work, and the culture and customs of the guests themselves.

As with any job and service, the charter guests decide how much or as little as they like to tip the yacht crew, depending on their personal feelings as to whether they received value for money during their charter or trip. But, just how are you going to make sure you get a good tip. Here are some key tips to to find out how much yacht crew makes in charter tips ?

Make a lot in Yacht Charter tips.

Follow this guidelines to make sure your first Boss and Charter trip is successful and to really find out how much does yacht crew make in tips.

Tip 1. Internet usage

Internet is primarily for the guests and Owners. We use satellites on board for internet use and the speed with many crews on board can be limited. Avoid streaming services and large downloads. Be considerate to another crew. And think twice before posting to social media about yacht operations. The IT department is responsible for this service and they can track all the usage. If you abuse it you might be banned.

Tip 2. Charter tips for Yacht Crew – Owner and guest Relations

Around the guests act professional, good appearance and friendly. When interacting with guests do this t0 receive charter tips as yacht crew.

• Be discrete and diplomatic, even if the guests are rude, deal with it with respect.
• Never challenge the guest, in case a problem call your HOD or Captain.
• Do not comment on either guests or crew in any bad way.
• Keep the noise down at all times, walk on your toes and do not slam doors.
• Keep yourself updated and communicate with other departments about guest whereabouts. To ensure the guests are not disturbed and so that vacant areas can be cleaned while the guests are away. 
• Do not bang equipment, use tool that causes noise and think about if the area where you currently are is good for vacuuming or not.
• Do not run or panic on board (or you won’t find out how much does yacht crew make in tips )
• No personal phones on deck
• Never wear headphones for music Keep your radio volume low but make sure you can hear all messages coming through.

What is the salary for yacht crew before tips ?

The average yacht salary for a brand new Junior Stewardesses working on yachts before tips is ranging from 2400€-3200€. Yachts based in the US with a US dollar salary generally pay a bit more, which is good for crew in 2022 considering the dollar/EUR exchange rate.

The average yacht salary for a brand new Junior Deckhand working on yachts before tips is ranging from 2400€-3200€. Yachts based in the US with a US dollar salary generally pay a bit more, which is good for crew in 2022 considering the dollar/EUR exchange rate.

Both the salary for Deckhands and Stewardesses are an average salary and will depend on: 

• Yacht Size (20-180m)
• Yacht Type ( Sailing/Motor)
• Yacht Ownership (Private/Charter)
• Holiday Packages/Tips and Bonuses

Summary – How much does yacht crew make in tips?

To calculate exactly how much you will make in salary and tips working on a Superyacht as a Junior crew members you need to take all the above parameters into account.

Example 1 – Salary for a Junior Deckhand on a 100m Private Yacht

•  Starting Salary 2800€
• Holiday Package 3 months on 1 month off – Total 120 days of per year.
• Tips – No Tips, private use only
• Yearly Bonus 5000€

Total Salary and bonuses: 38 600 € Paid Holiday: 120 days

Example 2 – Salary for a Junior Stewardess on a 45m Charter Yacht

•  Starting Salary 2200€
• Holiday Package 38 days leave per year
• Tips – 3000€ average per week. 10 weeks of charters 30 000 in tips.

Total Salary and tips: 56400€ Paid Holiday: 38 Days

This is an example that shows how much ending salaries can be, and you as a crew member when choosing yacht and position have to keep in mind the working hours and holidays as well, compared to the salary and tips on board.

Get qualified to work on yachts and make tips as yacht crew.

In the Superyacht packages for Deckhands and Stewardesses you get all qualifications and Yacht crew training in on training bundle to start working on Superyachts and find out exactly how much does yacht crew make in tips ? You also have the option on finding a yacht job on a private yacht that sometimes do charters. Since you will also work for private owners you can except a better holiday package and bonuses from the Owners. Generally your salary will be higher but your charter tips for yacht crew not as frequent.

Claim 50% off offer below:

Yacht Deckhand Premium STCW

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Yacht Stewardess Full STCW

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Top 10 best places to find a Yacht job in the Med 2024?

How to Become a Yacht Deckhand Australia

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Do I need a visa to work on Superyachts ?

Dockwalking Yacht Crew guide

Superyacht crew training europe.

30% Off only during April on all Deckhand and Stewardess Training only.

Get free yacht cv and yacht job offers

$10k/mo On The Side — Sharing What You Already Know

Did you know you could build a business teaching others how to do your job?

After spending 9 years working as a yacht crew member and captain, traveling to over 60 countries, the former  engineer  decided to turn his niche career experience into a fast-growing online course business— Superyacht Sunday School.

Now, it has grown into a full-time business earning  $10K/month .

(Sign up for Hugo’s free superyacht training  here !)

Tune into Episode 602 of The Side Hustle Show to learn how to:

• build your audience with free valuable content
• turn followers into email subscribers
• boost sales through live virtual trainings and webinars
• monetize your expertise with courses, one-on-one mentoring, and memberships

Add the Full Interview to Your Podcast App

Add to your podcast playlist —>  Apple Podcasts  |  Spotify

Get your personalized money-making playlist  here !

A stumble into yachting.

Hugo didn’t grow up dreaming of working on boats. In fact, he admitted he couldn’t even swim when he first discovered the yachting industry.

It happened by chance while he was backpacking through Southeast Asia and met someone working as a yacht crew member. The more he learned about the job and lifestyle, the more appealing it became—especially the opportunity to get paid to travel the world.

As Hugo shared,  “It’s really common for people to have envy towards your job and ask you, ‘How did you get into it?'”  He was constantly fielding these kinds of questions from others interested in breaking into yachting.

Hugo thought nothing of it at first. He’d explain the basics of getting started, certifications needed, tips on finding jobs, etc. But then he started to notice a trend of people attempting to work online and leverage their existing skills and knowledge.

That’s when the light bulb went on for Hugo. He thought,  “Maybe there’s something I can do on the side.”

Starting Small as a Service Provider

In late 2022, Hugo began putting together some basic resources to help aspiring yacht crew members. This included  PDF guides  on how to create an effective CV/resume, a list of  top crew recruitment agencies , and  checklists  outlining the steps to get started.

To get things going, Hugo turned to  Facebook groups  related to yachting and began engaging with the community, answering common questions, and adding value wherever he could.

Anytime someone asked a common question, Hugo made sure to answer it thoroughly. At the end, he’d say something like  “If you want more resources on this topic, I’ve got a great guide here,”  and include a link to opt-in to his email list. He also uses the software  ManyChat  to automate his audience engagement.

This was the “free upfront, paid content later” type of funnel. By offering valuable free content, Hugo could gain trust, expand his email list, and prepare for future paid offers.

Pretty soon Hugo had his first  $299 sale  for a basic package that included a 1-hour phone consultation and those same PDF guides he had offered as opt-in incentives. It was a simple proof of concept, but it showed there was real revenue potential.

Building the Signature Course Offering

Bit by bit, the email list began to grow. He uses a visual email builder called  Flodesk  for a more expensive/luxurious feel, as he claims.

He then constantly paid attention to which lead magnets were getting the most downloads, which content resonated best through open rates, and what people’s most burning questions were.

The current main offering from Super Yacht Sunday School is priced at either  $997  for full upfront payment, or  $99  per month for 12 months.

But as Hugo explained, “But if you go through the webinar sequence and funnel, that’s when I offer it pretty much at a 50% discount.” So students can get the full course for either  $499  upfront or  $99  per month for 6 months only.

Using a limited-time discount required Hugo to adopt some new software to handle the “open/close cart” expiration timing. That’s where the  Deadline Funnel  tool came into play to enforce that scarcity.

The tool that really helped open the revenue floodgates? Switching from a pre-recorded evergreen webinar to live weekly training sessions.

Hugo said this single shift doubled his webinar conversion rates. Now, instead of people watching a pre-recorded pitch at their leisure, they had to show up at a designated date and time for Hugo’s real-time training session.

By adding some artificial scarcity and demand, it created better shows, more engagement, and ultimately more course sales.

Short-Form Videos for Marketing

Hugo cited cheap or free marketing strategies as critical to his exponential revenue growth in 2024. That includes organic traffic through short-form videos on  Instagram  and  TikTok .

The videos follow a similar pattern of catchy one-line hooks followed by simple cuts of life on a superyacht.

Some examples:

• “This is how much money you can make working as a yacht crew.”
• “Here’s how much a superyacht captain makes per year.”

His best performing video with over 1 million views and counting is a short clip of Hugo on a yacht posing in different crew positions with text displaying those jobs’ earning potential.

Short videos  under 15 seconds  seem to be the sweet spot for engagement and views according to Hugo. The videos are designed to attract eyeballs to his free lead magnets and eventually to his paid training offers.

On the SEO front, Hugo has started expanding into  long-form blog content  as well. This involves taking some of his popular Instagram posts and spinning them into deeper “how-to” style articles to build his website’s authority and search rankings.

Of course, these blog posts include opt-in offers and calls to action to join Hugo’s email list and get more free training from him.

And as an advanced tactic, Hugo has started experimenting with  paid Facebook ads , specifically targeting members of big yachting enthusiast groups on Facebook.

He uses a tool called  LeadEnforce  that can combine the audiences of up to 10 separate Facebook groups into a custom list to upload to Facebook for ad targeting.

Though he admits these are still cold audiences compared to his existing email list and followers, Hugo says he’s acquiring new leads through Facebook ads for  $1-$1.25  each, which seems promising so far.

User-Generated Content, Influencers, and Continuity Programs

Beyond his organic and paid marketing efforts, Hugo has found ways to leverage other people’s audiences and influence too.

For one, he’s been working to build partnerships with cast members of the popular TV show  Below Deck  featuring real-life superyacht crews and owners.

The goal is to have these influencers co-host trainings and events to cross-promote and tap into their large followings on social media (which can exceed 1 million fans in some cases).

Hugo is also starting to source user-generated content from his successful students to build social proof and case studies. The plan is to leverage these stories and transformations in an upcoming podcast currently in the works.

Another new frontier for Super Yacht Sunday School is creating paid continuity/membership programs to serve existing industry professionals.

Currently in a testing phase with a small group paying  $59 per month , Hugo envisions building out more advanced crew training and development resources on an ongoing basis.

The tech tool he’s using for the community and course aspects of this premium membership is  Hearbeat.chat .

Beyond just helping people get their first yacht crew job, this program would serve as a lead nurturing channel to continue advancing their skills and knowledge over time.

Branching into Other Revenue Streams

The online education piece was just the start for Hugo. Given his extensive industry expertise and connections, it was a natural pivot to also offer staffing and recruitment services for yacht owners.

Through some nice positioning and branding, Hugo started getting inquiries from yacht owners looking for crew. And as he explained,  “Every time you place crew onto a yacht, as long as they stay at least 3 months, you get 1 month’s salary paid out also to you.”

Now Hugo has another income stream by placing his own students on crews after certifying them through his training programs.

Unforgettable Experiences as Yacht Crew

One of the perks of working in yachting is getting to meet ultra-wealthy individuals and occasional  celebrities  like Jon Bon Jovi, George Lucas, and Pharrell. Though the “star factor” wears off as it becomes your everyday life and work environment.

Hugo claims that celebrities are actually more down-to-earth than you’d expect when on vacation.

He also had his share of wild experiences like getting caught in powerful storms during Atlantic crossings where the entire boat felt like it was going to capsize.

The luxury yachting world is full of surprises, but owners can simply postpone trips if conditions look too risky since they have the flexibility that cargo ships don’t.

What’s Next for Hugo?

Looking into the future, Hugo sees other opportunities to further modernize and innovate in the yachting industry through tech products and services:

“I feel like there’s a lot of antiquated practices, even with  recruiting , where it’s just people emailing each other and saving PDFs,”  Hugo said.  “I want to automate and show that a small online entrepreneur can really take this by storm and make it better.”

Sounds like there’s potential for Hugo to develop some sort of “Upwork for yacht crews” style recruitment platform or marketplace.

Hugo’s #1 Tip for Side Hustle Nation

“Just don’t give up.”

Episode Links

• Superyacht Sunday School
• Free Super Yacht Training
• Deadline Funnel
• LeadEnforce
• Hearbeat.chat
• Super Yacht Sunday School Instagram
• Super Yacht Sunday School TikTok
• Super Yacht Sunday School Blog Content

Serious About Making Extra Money?

• Start Your Free $500 Challenge .  My free 5-day email course shows you how to add $500 to your bottom line.
• Join the free Side Hustle Nation Community .  The free Facebook group is the best place to connect with other side hustlers and get your questions answered.
• Download The Side Hustle Show .  My free podcast shares how to make extra money with actionable weekly episodes.

Below Deck Lost Another Crew Member This Week, And I’m Not The Only Fan Unhappy About It

Another crewmember has been forced to walk the plank.

The Below Deck franchise continues to struggle , as Season 11 faces more rocky waters. The season got off to a rough start with two crew members leaving the St. David during a single episode. And that development was followed by some of the all-time worst charter guests of all time, including Jill Zarin of Real Housewives of New York fame. To make matters worse, the crew has also been dealing with tension amongst themselves. This week saw the deckhands fighting about who truly deserved the “lead deckhand” position, while the interior continues to clash with Chief Stew Fraser, who is quickly becoming the villain of this season . Now, another member has exited the show, and fans like myself are not happy.

A series of terrible charters should have bonded the crew, but it has only made things worse. It's not exactly the most ideal time for the St. David to deal with the loss of yet another crew member. So let's break down who departed in this week's installment, which you can stream now with a Peacock subscription . 

Who Was Fired From The Crew And Why?

A new face in the Below Deck franchise, Chef Anthony Iracane instantly won the hearts of fans tuning in. Unfortunately, his charismatic charm wasn’t enough to protect his job when things started going sideways. 

While the chef had a few bumps in the beginning, the taste of his food made up for poor timing. All that changed, however, when Jill Zarin stepped on board, making work for the underpaid crew members harder . Plagued with confusing preferences and not enough guidance from the interior, Anthony made a handful of mistakes that impacted the guests’ experience. Ultimately, he wasn’t able to bounce back and continued to flounder on the latest charter, once again becoming confused with guests’ preference sheets. 

The state of his kitchen while he was cooking also became a moot point for Chief Stew Fraser Olender, who regularly found himself criticizing Chef Anthony instead of helping him out. In the end, it was a series of bad tips that most likely stemmed from poor food service that led Captain Kerry to fire Anthony this week. 

How Fans Are Rallying Behind The Ousted Below Deck Star

This isn’t the first time a chef has been fired on Below Deck, but it is one of the first instances that I can remember myself and so many fans being so utterly upset about it. Did Chef Anthony make mistakes? Absolutely but, unlike the other departments on the super yacht, he’s the only one in charge of the kitchen. Cooking for 10+ people with different preferences, who all want to eat at the same time, and managing to keep the crew fed is a stressful job for one person to handle. 

As X User AnnieDuff pointed out, the cook is also dealing with dyslexia, which made it more difficult for him to understand the preference sheets: 

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Ummm the chef did NOT need to be fired. #BelowDeck 🛥️😭 His food is gorgeous. He just needed better instructions ☹️ that he could receive and retain with his dyslexia. 🥺

As mentioned, in addition to the confusing and demanding nature of the charter guests, Chef Anthony also had to deal with being the only one in charge of his department. On top of that, he'd also never worked on a super yacht up to this point.

The larger reason why fans, like myself, are upset about the chef’s firing is because it could have been avoided. While it’s true that only one person is ever responsible for the cooking, in the past, the interior team has come to aid the chef during dinner services. The St. David crew never offered Chef Anthony any assistance and instead stood by and watched him go at it alone. I can’t even begin to count how many times Fraser stood ideally by, judging instead of rolling up his sleeves and helping. It's like X User @esteco2 pointed out: 

'I’m feeling destroyed.' I know he made some mistakes. But I keep saying this every week. He didn’t get the support and help from the crew DURING dinner service like we have seen in all other seasons and franchises. I feel bad for Chef Anthony 🥺 #BelowDeck

Adding insult to injury is the fact that Chef Anthony was one of the nicest crew members on board the yacht. He never had any drama with the others and he mostly kept to himself. All he wanted to do was prove his abilities to himself and his deceased dad. Even after being fired, he returned to the kitchen to clean things up, proving just how amazing he is. Check out what user @NattyNiGhT posted:

What really kills me is not only does chef anthony get fired but his response is to finish cleaning the Galley before he leaves. that alone shows what a stand up guy and team player he is. He will be missed but i hope he comes back one day and wish him success #BelowDeck pic.twitter.com/iAJdGfB136 April 23, 2024

With only a handful of episodes left, Chef Anthony should have been able to redeem himself. Thankfully, it seems like he’s not giving up just yet. In his confessional, after the firing, he admitted that this wouldn’t be the last time Below Deck fans see him. I hope he’s right! 

The ship definitely won’t be the same without him, but fans should continue tuning in every Monday at 9 p.m. ET as new episodes continue to air as part of the 2024 TV schedule .

Danielle Bruncati is a writer and pop culture enthusiast from Southern California. She recently earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Television Writing and Producing from a top film school. While she works tirelessly on her portfolio of original scripts, she is also a Freelance Writer for CinemaBlend. Danielle watches just about everything, but her favorite shows and movies often land in the YA and romantic comedy spaces. When she's not writing, she can be found wandering around Disneyland or hanging out with her laughter-hating corgi. 

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