Unexpected Challenges in Luxury Yachting: Behind the Scenes of Below Deck Mediterranean
The glamorous world of luxury yachts portrayed on Bravo’s hit series “Below Deck Mediterranean” occasionally reveals the less polished aspects of catering to high-paying charter guests. A particularly memorable incident from the December 22 episode demonstrated just how unglamorous the job can sometimes be. Stew Kizzi Kitchener was performing routine cabin turnovers when she encountered an unusual situation – a couple who specifically asked her to avoid their room. Upon entering anyway to complete her duties, Kizzi detected an unpleasant odor emanating from their bathroom. What she discovered was nothing short of shocking: human waste in the shower. Chief Stew Aesha Scott was called to assist, and together they faced the unpleasant task of removing feces that guests had attempted to hide by pushing it down the drain. Donning gloves, Aesha had to manually extract the waste to properly dispose of it, a task far removed from the luxurious image typically associated with super yacht service.
This wasn’t Aesha’s first encounter with such an unfortunate situation. During a January appearance on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,” she recalled what she described as “the most disgusting thing I’ve done with a guest,” which involved a similar incident where she had to “finger their poop out of the shower plug hole.” Elaborating for a visibly confused Andy Cohen, Aesha explained that guests who had defecated in the shower attempted to conceal their actions by stomping the waste into the drain and replacing the cover, mistakenly believing it would simply wash away. “But that’s not how plumbing works,” Aesha noted wryly, describing how their actions led to a flood that required her intervention. Her discovery process involved following her sense of smell to locate the source of the problem, revealing the less-than-glamorous reality behind the scenes of luxury yacht service.
Since its debut in 2013, “Below Deck” and its various spinoffs have captivated audiences by showcasing the professional and personal lives of crew members working aboard multi-million dollar yachts during charter season. The format provides a fascinating window into the challenges of providing six-star service while living in close quarters with colleagues and demanding guests. The current season of “Below Deck Mediterranean” has featured numerous awkward guest interactions that test the crew’s professionalism and patience. These moments reveal the significant gap between the Instagram-worthy luxury that viewers and the crew’s friends envision and the sometimes crude realities that staff must navigate while maintaining composure and delivering exceptional service regardless of circumstances.
Another revealing incident occurred during a December episode when stew Cathy Skinner was working the night shift as guests enjoyed the yacht’s jacuzzi. As the evening progressed and alcohol flowed, one male guest made an unusual request that highlighted the boundaries crew members must establish. The guest asked permission to urinate off the side of the vessel, casually mentioning, “I do it on my yacht.” Maintaining her professionalism, Cathy diplomatically suggested an alternative, reminding him of the “absolutely gorgeous bathroom” in his cabin and suggesting the walk would help “burn off some of the alcohol and some of the food.” The guest, however, was resistant, insisting he didn’t want to travel “down three floors” and offering assurances about his ability to avoid making a mess, even asking if Captain Sandy would “kick him off” for such behavior.
Standing firm despite the uncomfortable situation, Cathy maintained professional boundaries with a direct “I don’t want to see your penis” response. In a later confessional, she reflected on the stark contrast between public perception of her job and its realities: “My friends and family are always super jealous that I get to travel the world with these luxury yachts. This is what you call Instagram vs. reality.” Though the guest complained about “too many rules,” Cathy’s firm but professional handling of the situation ultimately prevailed, and he reluctantly made the trip downstairs to use proper facilities. Despite these challenging interactions, the crew’s professionalism was rewarded with a decent tip once the charter concluded, demonstrating that handling difficult situations with grace is an essential skill in luxury service industries.
These behind-the-scenes glimpses into the less glamorous aspects of yacht service highlight the remarkable professionalism required of crew members. While viewers may tune in for the dramatic interpersonal relationships and stunning Mediterranean locations, these incidents remind us that luxury service work often involves managing uncomfortable situations with poise. The crew members must balance providing exceptional service with maintaining appropriate boundaries and health standards, all while living in confined quarters with limited privacy. Their ability to handle these situations with humor, patience, and professionalism speaks to the unique skill set required in the luxury yachting industry. For fans of “Below Deck Mediterranean,” which airs on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET with new episodes streaming the next day on Peacock, these unvarnished moments add an authentic dimension to the show’s portrayal of life aboard luxury vessels, reminding viewers that behind every Instagram-perfect vacation experience is a crew managing countless unseen challenges.
