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The US TV show Below Deck has become a global hit as it follows the crews of superyachts as they navigate the highs and lows of life in this ultra-glamourous world. There are tears and tantrums, eccentric yacht charter guests to contend with, dazzling destinations and a whole lot of drama. Viewers have been gripped with the shows – season 9 Below Deck has recently aired – for the unique insight into what has, until now, been a tantalizingly elusive industry. Just what goes on behind the gilded doors of those glittering superyachts? Well, now we know.
The yachts themselves have risen to as much fame as the crews and captains, and left many a-viewer daydreaming of a few days lounging on the teak decks of MY Seanna or Valor. Here we take a look at the superyachts that have shot to reality TV stardom, discover their real names and how much it costs to charter a Below Deck yacht.
MY Honor
The very first yacht to appear on Below Deck Season 1 was this 50 metre Benetti, with the now famous Captain Lee Rosbach at the helm. Cruising around Sint Marten in the Caribbean, one of the top destinations for superyacht charters, Honor – whose real name is actually Barents - wowed viewers with her luxury and elegance. The six staterooms, sun deck, drinks bar and the must-have hot tub, played host to fun and shenanigans as the Below Deck yacht crew hosted their guests during four-night charters. Barents was designed by Stefano Natucci, and has recently undergone a full refit adding a sleek interior design to the arsenal of water toys, gym, beach club and indoor and outdoor cinemas. MY Barents charters for around €155,000/week.
Ohana
While 46.94m superyacht Ohana appeared in Season 2 Below Deck under her own name, she was renamed Star Diamond since her sale. Built by Admiral Marine Works in 1998, Star Diamond had a major refit in 2018 and oozes classic superyacht elegance with soft, neutral interior design by Donald Starkey Designs, as well as plenty of deck space. Viewers will remember the deck crew battling with the large inflatable slide which offers guests a rip-roaring entry into the waters of Star Diamond’s summer cruising grounds of the Caribbean (we saw her cruising around one of the world’s top charter destinations, the British Virgin Islands), while the sun deck Jacuzzi and large on-deck dining area saw their fair share of scintillating drama. Ohana charters for around $160,000 per week.
Eros
Season 3 Below Deck saw the 49.7m Eros make her television debut as she glided around the turquoise waters of The Bahamas with Captain Lee on the bridge. At the time she was officially named Mustang Sally, but has since been renamed Stay Salty. With space for 12 guests and 10 crew members, Stay Salty is currently not available for charter, which is a disappointment to those who dreamed of lounging in her outdoor hot tub or enjoying a meal with friends around the al fresco dining table. Designed by Geoff Van Aller, Stay Salty offers a classically elegant interior styling, with rich woods and neutral tones, as well as plenty of deck space…all of which needed meticulous cleaning by her famed 2015 crew.
Valor
Valor appeared in Season 4, 5 and 7 of Below Deck as she cruised around the glorious superyacht destinations of the US Virgin Islands, Saint-Martin and Phuket, Thailand. The 47 metre Feadship is actually named BG (for her owner, the Canadian entrepreneur Bobby Genovese) and spends her winters in the Caribbean and summers in the Mediterranean. With her monogram palette, sky lounge, beautiful outdoor spaces and that infamous water slide, it is easy to see why Bravo used BG as the setting for so many of its seasons. BG charters for around €140,000/week.
MY Seanna
MY Seanna has now joined Valor in featuring more times than any other Below Deck superyacht, with appearances in three of the nine seasons. When we first met her she was sailing around the stunning tropical islands of French Polynesia in the South Pacific under her own name, but has since be renamed Starship (although in Season 9 Below Deck she is still using her original name). Throughout her seasons on the show, MY Seanna has cruised some of the world’s best superyacht destinations including Antigua and St Kitts. With her open air Jacuzzi, spacious beach club and adrenaline-pumping selection of water toys it’s no wonder she has been one of the show’s best-loved superyachts. Starship charters from $260,000/week.
Below Deck Mediterranean and Below Deck Sailing Yacht
Below Deck’s astounding popularity has seen spin-off series’ Below Deck Mediterranean (with the much-loved Captain Sandy at the helm) and Below Deck Sailing Yacht (with the laid-back Captain Glen) air simultaneously. With new cruising grounds and a whole new fleet of spectacular charter superyachts, fans can get their fix of the trials, tribulations and behind-the-scenes intrigue of their favourite superyacht crews.
