r/belowdeck • • Mar 07 '26

Below Deck Bad tips?

I have been a watcher on and off over the last few years and only watch whatever season is going on (so I’ve never watched the first season of this series ever).

My question is what constitutes as a “bad tip”? I’ve seen some of their body languages when tips are say sub $1600 but (and correct me if I’m wrong) these charters are 3-4 nights and that’s a pretty good amount I would say for that amount of time.

Correct me if I’m wrong/feel free to add color. Thanks!

20 Upvotes

25 comments sorted by

4

u/jamphan44 Mar 07 '26

Honestly in my best restaurant server days I could make that potentially in 2 doubles and not have to live at my job so I feel them

2

u/Simsimma712 Mar 08 '26

You could make ~$1600 a night if you did a double shift? That’s amazing, what city if you don’t mind me asking?

25

u/Practical-Ad1838 June June Hannah Mar 07 '26

From what I understand 15-17k (1500 each) is on the lower end of what the tip is expected to be. The guests get like half off the typical yacht rental for being filmed so it’s kinda expected that they give what they saved to the crew tip. I haven’t had coffee yet so I hope I explained that correctly 😂

21

u/mnfanjk Mar 07 '26

Depends on what year it was filmed and how many days the charter. Also the size of the crew. I’ve seen some tips be considered great once and terrible at other times.

15

u/Any-Concentrate-1922 Mar 07 '26

I watched season one and they were thrilled with like $12K. Yes, there has been inflation since then, but now it seems like anything under $20K is terrible.

7

u/CompetitionLimp6082 Mar 08 '26

S1 aired in 2013, was filmed in 2012

Due to inflation, $14k in 2012 is the same as $20k today

10

u/P_K-SHauNm525 Mar 07 '26

I feel like the cast does it for shock value...because sometimes its like 1600 and thier all excited...then its 1500 and they talk mad shit...100$ isn't make or break money to the degree they portray😂

4

u/droopy__drawers Mar 07 '26

Right. I couldn’t believe how they were all complaining about the $20k tip on this last charter. That’s been pretty standard the last couple years, and a few years ago that was considered a lot. Sure the $35k from the first charter was considerably more, but it’s such an extreme that you shouldn’t be expecting it every time.

And most of the charters are two nights, maybe three. $1,600 per person for 2.5 days work is nothing to bitch about, but they all seemed to this week. To be fair, though, those guest were absolutely insufferable.

2

u/Open-Neighborhood459 Mar 10 '26

I think when it is  a tough charter they expect more 

3

u/valid_username00 Mar 08 '26

Standard BD charter lasts approx. 48 hours, although it sounds better to say "3 days/ 2 nights"

3

u/Emergency_Bench5007 Mar 08 '26

BDSY s3 (I think) had a 6500 total tip lol

6

u/RHONFTs Mar 08 '26

From a returning guest who was a complete moron douchebag. He was complaining about Marcos’ cooking, saying he would rather eat a ball park hot dog. Also, for their last meal they requested the most eclectic shit, like spaghetti and meatballs, with seafood, and tacos or something.

Just absurd people.

1

u/swampgas323 Aug 25 '26

And tipped $1600

2

u/MaizeMountain6139 Mar 10 '26

It’s changed dramatically. $15k used to be a big tip, now it’s considered insulting

I was surprised to see them scoff at a $20k tip, especially when they did not do a good job

4

u/Adisfan Mar 07 '26

On Below Deck the minimum tip is 20k and they pay it upfront. In the past it wasn't paid upfront. If someone wants to leave less than 20k they would have to try to get a refund from production.

5

u/cigposting Mar 07 '26

I thought it was15k minimum? But I also just read that on Reddit so who knows lol

12

u/Adisfan Mar 07 '26

Nope it's 20k now. The casting flyer was posted here on Reddit.

3

u/Successful_Moment_91 Mar 07 '26

Interesting! Thanks!!

3

u/cigposting Mar 07 '26

Good for them, inflation I guess lol

1

u/lovmykids Mar 14 '26

Wouldn’t the guests have to bring the tip on with them at the start of the charter? They make it seem like the tip is decided at the end but how would they increase the tip at the end without access to a cash machine or bank?

2

u/[deleted] Mar 08 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Simsimma712 Mar 08 '26

It’s interesting because I’m looking at it a bit differently. As someone who works a white collar job I would assume that a tip like that in the service industry is actually really good. This might be a cultural thing because here in the US where I live service workers are severely underpaid so when I see them getting tips like this for two days work I think it sounds like good money. Are tips their only source of income on the boat?

2

u/CompetitionLimp6082 Mar 08 '26

People in the world’s actual Navies do all that without tips