Below Deckseason 12 is just getting underway, andthe St. David crewhas already been forced to endure some impossible guests in a trend that is likely to continue throughout the season. Between a family who seemed downright miserable and a group of unorthodox actors, the crew has been put through the wringer with some outrageous demands that are completely unsustainable. For the sake of the crew, production needs to make some major changes when it comes to the guests.
Captain Kerry Titheradgeruns a tight ship, but he relies heavily on the efficacy of his team, which includes veteran Chief Stew Fraser Olender. While Fraser is becoming one ofBelow Deck’smost reliable chief stews, the rest of the crew hasn’t been as steady. Chef Lawrence Snowden quit during the first charter, necessitating the return of fired season 11Chef Anthony Iracane, who battles self-doubt as well as unresolved tension with Fraser. Meanwhile,Bosun Caio Poltronieriseems entirely incapable of managing his team. With this much internal turmoil, difficult guests are the last thing the crew needs.
The Adult Film Actors Were Overly Crude In Below Deck Season 12
Their Five-Day Charter Was Grueling
The second charter ofBelow Deckseason 12 was a steep challenge for the St. David crew. Not only was the charter an excruciating five days long, it also included a group of guests from the adult film industry. The guests were unabashed about their sexuality, leaving sex toys scattered around the yacht and requesting lubricant in every guest room.
During a rowdy excursion at a nude beach, the guests requested the crew build a crude sand sculpture, which definitely pushes the limits of their responsibility. While the actors were certainly entertaining, the situation was understandably grueling for the exhausted crew. They dutifully catered to the guests’ demands, even going all out for an S&M-themed dinner.
The R-rated requests, combined with the length of the charter, seemed over the line, even byBelow Deckstandards.
Below Deck Producers Should Hold The Guests To A Standard Appropriate Tip
Below Deck Season 12 Cast Got “Shafted”
The adult film stars’ charter required the crew to work tirelessly, but they reaped very little reward. Despite enduring a marathon-length charter and the guests’ wild antics,the crew was tipped only $19,990, which amounted to $1,500 per person.Captain Kerry called the tip “pathetic” and noted that it didn’t reflect the crew’s level of service.
TheBelow Deckcrew’s tips are often the source of both anxiety and celebration. While tips should be indicative of the success of the charter, the amount can vary widely, adding suspense leading up to the reveal. However, part of the producers’ process of selecting guests should include mandating fair tips, and so far this season they are failing. A five-day charter deserves a proportional tip, not one that is paltry for even a much shorter excursion.
While tips are up to the discretion of the guests, they also directly affect the crew’s livelihoods. If production has a say in choosing the guests, they should also ensure that the guests are willing to fairly compensate the crew.Guests should be required to pay a minimum base amount for the tip,and anything over that can be indicative of the excellence of service.
Below Deck Producers Have Chosen Abhorrent Guests This Season
Captain Kerry Said Charter One Guests Were The Best All Season
The first guests ofBelow Deckseason 12 set the stage for the season’s disappointing choices. The entire family seemed unimpressed by the efforts of the crew, with the primary insulting the chef’s food and holding the team to impossible standards. He even broke out a black light to check the cleanliness of the cabin, demanding the stews re-clean anything he deemed unsatisfactory.
Shockingly, Captain Kerry admitted the first guests were the best they had all season. This suggests the behavior of the guests will continue to decline from an already-low bar. TheBelow Deckseason 12 trailer, which shows Captain Kerry reminding guests that he’s the ship’s ultimate authority,alludes to a charter being cut short because of their bad behavior.
For the safety and sanity of the crew, producers need to put more rigorous vetting practices in place to hold guests to a higher standard. Wild guest antics are some of the most amusing aspects ofBelow Deck, but there needs to be a limit. It’s not fun to watch guests who threaten the safety of themselves or the crew, are completely belligerent, or act blatantly disrespectful towards the cast.
It’s likely that producers are looking for guests that will cause the most drama, and this has to stop. There’s enough drama between just the crew members to sustain the entire show. Plus, the most interesting guests are those who are quirky or extravagant, while remaining respectful of the crew and compensating them fairly.Producers shouldn’t look to guests to create dramathat ends up making themselves and the crew look bad.
They’re Missing A Golden Opportunity
rently, theBelow Deckseason 12 producers should have looked within the network and brought inReal Housewivesstars. They know how to act in front of the cameras and have a vested interest in maintaining their reputations. Not to mention, a crossover draws in additional viewers who want to see their favoriteHousewivesin a new setting.This formula has proven successful in the past,andBelow Deckshould lean into it further.
One of the most amusingBelow Deckguests was Jill Zarin, formerly ofThe Real Housewives Of New York, who visited the St. David in season 11. Although Jill was incredibly demanding and tiresome, she stopped short of disrespecting the crew. Jill had also leftRHONYyears prior, so her appearance satiated the curiosity of viewers who wondered what she’d been up to. The crossover trend continues in the upcoming season ofBelow Deck Down Under,which will feature severalReal Housewives Of Salt Lake Citycast members.
Below Deck’ssuccess has the downside of attracting guests who are fame-hungry and attention-seeking. While producers are likely interested in creating as much drama as possible, they need to shift away from inconsiderate and unruly guests. Minor celebrities or proven reality stars are a safer bet, and they can increase viewership with their built-in fanbases. At the very least,producers need to hold guests to a higher standard, rather than rely on them to create unnecessary chaos.
