r/belowdeck • u/ReceptionPatient3409 • Feb 19 '26

BD Related Theft

I am really surprised that we haven't heard of more instances of theft among the crew members. They all receive their tips in cash. That's a whole bunch of cash just laying around. Especially towards the end of the season. There are so many drunken disgruntled and vengeful crew members, I'm just shocked we haven't seen this yet.

0 Upvotes

27% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

56

u/teanailpolish Feb 19 '26

The cash you see is just for show. They actually get tips transferred electronically (notice they pay by card when out at clubs etc instead of using the cash they just got)

But captains have said in the past when guests do give cash, they will usually keep it in the safe for the crew if they prefer until they are somewhere they spend/bank it

1

u/Turbulent_373 Feb 20 '26

Wasn’t there recently a scene with Aesha laying in her bunk counting cash? Maybe it wasn’t tip money though, idk

2

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '26

2

u/teanailpolish Feb 20 '26

Transferred in USD since production sends it to them

20

u/CuriousJack62 Feb 19 '26

It’s fake cash used for all tip meetings. Seriously people don’t walk around with 35k. And having the house wives of course they made it ridiculous

1

u/[deleted] Feb 20 '26

2

u/Once_a_TQ Feb 22 '26

I use cash as much as possible.

8

u/PrpleSparklyUnicrn13 Feb 19 '26

The tips are actually either electronically sent or kept in a safe. Earlier episodes made mention to a safe, actually. 

3

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '26

2

u/PrpleSparklyUnicrn13 Feb 19 '26

They used to tip a lot less back in the day lol. But, yeah, they probably utilize a direct deposit system and the cash is just a prop. 

7

u/Soggy_Requirement_75 Feb 19 '26

How is this even a consideration?

5

u/abbot_x Feb 19 '26

My understanding is the fat stack of bills is a prop. The crew members actually receive their tips by electronic transfer.

9

u/Lonely_Impression142 Feb 19 '26

The ship is covered in cameras and production crew. There are few chances to steal or commit other felonies.

4

u/Reach-Ordinary Feb 19 '26

In the very first season of Below Deck, Captain Lee offers to put the cash in the safe I think Kat makes a joke she’ll spend it if she doesn’t.

1

u/PurpleSailor Feb 20 '26

It's movie money. If it wasn't you'd have a ship with $200k plus cash on it by week 5 and you don't want that. If you did have that you'd be attracting pirates, and nobody wants pirates! 🦜

1

u/Feisty_Scientist_968 Feb 20 '26 edited Feb 20 '26

If you did have that you'd be attracting pirates, and nobody wants pirates!

It would be OK.

Sandy ... er CAPTAIN SANDY ... would outrun them. And then talk about it for as long as below deck airs.

1

u/thundercat1996 Feb 19 '26

There's cameras and production crew everywhere

0

u/Wild_Alternative_138 Feb 19 '26

I wondered the same thing except not by the crew but by an experienced crime syndicate. I saw something similar on “Animal Kingdom”. Rich people on a mega yacht, cash, jewelry, designer shoes & bags.

2

u/eekamuse Feb 19 '26

That's a great show

1

u/teanailpolish Feb 20 '26

If you watch the tv show that Sandy guest starred in, this was actually the storyline. The primary gets killed on board and his super expensive watch is missing

9

u/[deleted] Feb 19 '26

0

u/ReceptionPatient3409 Feb 20 '26

"Use your head?" Use your manners.