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Below Deck features what is considered to be a once in a lifetime trip for most people. From the glamorous destinations to the white glove service. Being a guest on a superyacht seems like a dream come true.

And while a superyacht vacation means you are living in the lap of luxury, guests should understand there are certain etiquette rules they should follow. So how do superyacht rules differ from etiquette followed any other holiday? Boat has a list of etiquette rules to make a superyacht voyage as enjoyable as possible.

Leave shoes in your cabin

For the most part, Below Deck guests and crew members go barefoot is to avoid damaging the floors. Stiletto heels can put dents in the teak floors. And shoe soles can leave scuff marks on the deck, plus on that delicate white carpet. The yacht typically has a shoe basket when guests come on board to make shoe removal easy.

Pack accordingly

Use soft-sided luggage that can easily collapse and store.  Don’t pack your spikey heels and remember to leave anything that could be considered illegal at home. That likely includes drugs and firearms. Check with the captain or crew about the yacht’s smoking policy too. Each yacht has a different set of rules as to where you can (or can’t) smoke.

Be respectful

Treat the yacht like home. Which means don’t be a slob just because you are paying to have someone wait on you. Also, give the crew ample time to clean your cabin and treat the entire crew with respect.

If you meet up with a group of people while on an excursion, don’t just bring them on board and expect the crew to entertain or wait on them too. This is often seen on Below Deck and it adds additional stress on service and resources.

Respecting the crew also means this

Even though the Below Deck crew seem very gracious when guests invade their personal space, don’t do it. Don’t “explore” the yacht to get the full experience because that is the one place the crew can relax. Also, guests are often seen inviting themselves into the galley kitchen to talk to the chef.

And while Adrian Martin, Adam Glick and Ben Robinson always seemed open to speaking with the guests in the kitchen it is a huge no-no and should be discouraged. That’s what the preference sheets are for.

Follow this charter guest’s lead if you bring the kids

My Seanna crew looked a little concerned when the Jasuwan family boarded with their small children. However, in addition to the children being extremely well-behaved, parents, aunts, and friends always had their eye on the kids. The crew was never asked or assumed to have to watch the children. So if you bring the kids, don’t assume the yacht staff should have to watch them too.

Don’t make the crew take a vacation with you

Crew members will shuttle guests to off-yacht destinations on Below Deck. However, transportation should be the end of the service. As crew members should not be asked to accompany guests on sightseeing tours.

Also, Captain Lee Rosbach and Captain Sandy Yawn are often seen having at least one dinner with guests. While inviting the captain to dinner on the yacht is fine, dinner on shore may not be possible. All crew members are busy behind the scenes.

Make safety a priority

Especially after viewing the horrifying Man Overboard episodes, safety should be number one. Rosbach was furious when the “foam man” guest refused to wear a lifejacket and barreled around the ocean (possibly drunk) on a jet ski.

So always listen to all safety briefings and don’t do anything that could jeopardize your safety. The Jasuwan children were told to wear a life jacket while on deck and they were happy to do it.

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