Below Deck

Did You Know?

• The first season was shot over a six-week period in September and October 2011, but the series did not premiere until July 1, 2013.
• The 164 ft yacht used in season 1 was renamed Honor for filming; its real name was Cuor di Leone.
• In season 6 episode 11, cameraman Brent Freeburg saved deckhand Ashton Pienaar's life by freeing a tow line wrapped around his leg.
• The eighth season was curtailed after the final two charters were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In May 2026, the series was renewed for a thirteenth season.

Production

For the first season, producers booked a five-week Caribbean charter in Sint Maarten on the 164 ft yacht Cuor di Leone, renamed Honor for filming. Captain Lee Rosbach commanded the vessel, while the original crew were given time off and replaced by the cast. Rosbach, his first officer, and engineer remained aboard to oversee operations. Chief stewardess Adrienne Gang, chef Ben Robinson, and stewardess Kat Held had prior yachting experience. Filming took place over six weeks in September and October 2011. After the first season averaged 1.4 million total viewers per episode, Bravo renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on August 12, 2014. Four cast members returned: Captain Lee Rosbach, Ben Robinson, Kat Held, and Eddie Lucas. New additions included Kate Chastain, siblings Kelley and Amy Johnson, Jennice Ontiveros, Andrew Sturby, and Logan Reese. The second season was set on the 153 ft yacht Ohana in the British Virgin Islands and concluded on November 4, 2014. Following the second season finale, Bravo renewed the series for a third season. In March 2015, a spin-off titled Below Deck Mediterranean was announced. The third season premiered on August 25, 2015, and followed crew members working in the Bahamas on the 161 ft yacht Eros. Returning cast included Lee Rosbach, Kate Chastain, Amy Johnson, and Eddie Lucas, along with five new crew members. In April 2016, the network renewed the series for a fourth season filmed in the US Virgin Islands. On February 21, 2017, production for season 5 began, and on July 17, 2017, it was announced that the season would premiere on September 5, 2017, with Lee Rosbach, Kate Chastain, and Nico Scholly returning. Season 5 was filmed in Sint Maarten.

Reception

The reality show has received mixed reviews from television critics. David Hinckley of the New York Daily News gave a negative review, stating that Bravo makes waves with a reality series set on a luxury yacht but viewers are not well served by a show anchored in tedium. He found the premiere pretty mundane and was not impressed by the lack of storylines. Emily Yahr of The Washington Post questioned the show's truthfulness, adding that it seems so scripted with stereotypical spoiled crew members and neatly wrapped-up plotlines that it is hard to take seriously. Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was more positive, describing the show as a fairly entertaining, voyeuristic look at a made-for-reality-TV crew. David Wiegand of the San Francisco Chronicle noted that Below Deck takes the idea of disparate types thrown together in a controlled environment and capitalizes on friction and sexual tension. Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times criticized the casting choices, writing that the crew members are not all that interesting, and felt that the guests, for whom the word insufferable was invented, are the real issue. Sandy Malone of The Huffington Post questioned whether the show is hurting the yachting industry, concluding that if the show is to do positive things for the industry instead of destroying its reputation, a big change must come with the upcoming season.

Broadcast

Below Deck first aired on Bravo in the United States on July 1, 2013, with a Monday 10:00/9:00 ET/PT time slot, following a preview special on June 10, 2013. The debut season ran for eleven episodes, wrapping up on September 9, 2013. Season two started on August 12, 2014, and ended on November 4, 2014, with thirteen episodes. Both of these seasons included a Reunion episode and a special called The Crew Tells All, which featured previously unseen footage. Season three premiered on August 25, 2015, and finished on December 1, 2015, with a two-part Reunion. Season four began on September 6, 2016, and concluded on December 6, 2016. Season five launched on September 5, 2017, ended on December 5, 2017, and had a Reunion episode on December 12, 2017. Season six premiered on October 2, 2018, ended on January 29, 2019, and its Reunion aired on February 5, 2019. In Canada, both Below Deck and Below Deck Mediterranean aired on the Canadian E! network for the first five seasons, often in the same time slot as the U.S. broadcast, though not every season matched Bravo’s U.S. schedule. Starting with season six, the shows moved to the Canadian Slice network, where they aired in the exact same time slot as Bravo in the U.S. Below Deck has never been broadcast on Bravo Canada. The series has built a loyal Canadian audience, especially after season five, when Canadian crew members began appearing. Notable Canadians include chef Matt Burns from Ottawa, Ontario, in season five, and third stewardess Courtney Skippon from British Columbia, in season seven.