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If it seems like the Below Deck cast is together a lot, well, they are. They work together, they live together, eat their meals together, and (ahem) often get drunk together (via New York Times). Work and play seemingly mesh with each new season and cast of characters. But to understand how much time off the cast has, you first have to understand how long a charter season actually is. Unlike other reality shows that might film over many months, though, Below Deck only takes a few weeks to film (via Bravo TV).

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Why? That's how long a charter season typically lasts for (via Bustle). With each charter lasting up to three days, the season is jam-packed with new guests looking to enjoy the luxe life of a mega yacht. So while the turnover time might be tight from one charter to the next, it would seem that the crew doesn't ever get any downtime, but not so. According to Men's Health, the cast gets a whopping three days off per season. more

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So what do they do during those precious days off? Do they travel and actually get to enjoy the locations that they're in, like St. Martin, Tahiti, or Phi Phi Islands? (via The Cinemaholic). Possibly, but if they are, they aren't doing it together. When they do get some down time during those three days off, the cast stays at a hotel (not the yacht!), and are instructed to not communicate with each other. The reason: if there's any interaction (read: drama), the production crew of Below Deck wants to make sure to capture it all on camera. [links]

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Spending weeks on end on a luxury yacht might sound like a dream to some, but all that time together it can be rough seas for the cast of Below Deck. There's always some sort of drama happening, both above and below deck, that the crew is constantly a part of. And since they seemingly spend every waking hour with each other, it's no wonder that they sometimes (well, let's face it, all the time) seem to get on each other's nerves. But if you're wondering if bosuns, stews, and deckhands ever get a break, here's how much time the Below Deck cast gets during a season. [links]

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Bravo’s Below Deck was an instant smash hit when it premiered in 2013. Viewers couldn’t get enough of the behind-the-scenes look at the yacht charter industry. In fact, the show was so popular, the network ordered a spin-off in 2016, Below Deck Mediterranean.

[Belly]

Season 2 took the crew to Croatia, aboard SIROCCO. The Dutch-built yacht originally launched in 2006, and thanks to its unique two-tone, third-deck exterior, she was remembered for her striking exterior. All of the yacht’s features made great TV. From her incredible sun deck, to the African chic interior, and all of the many water toys, SIROCCO’s impressive design and amenities stood out. [links]

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Through five seasons, Below Deck has featured some of the most magnificent super yachts in the world. Some of the yachts have changed ownership since the show, been renamed, or have undergone a refitting. Yet, most look like they did from the show.

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Last year, the yacht was being chartered with a 35% discount. That rate is no longer available, but those willing to go on Below Deck may be able to spend a little less. When Below Deck: Mediterranean Season 2 was in production, a casting announcement said that the show was booking groups of guests for a significant charter discount. Instead of paying upwards of $100,000, the trip cost $55,000 for five people, working out to $11,000 each. That only included three days on the yacht, but guests also got to stay in a five-star hotel in Croatia for two days and all their airfare was covered.

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The same yacht used in Season 6 of Below Deck is back for Season 8, and yes, it's still just as expensive to charter the My Seanna. The luxurious vessel boasts six cabins for 12 guests as well as numerous amenities including a helipad, on-deck hot tub, movie theater, gym, and beach club, according to the yacht booking company Yacht Charter Fleet. Guests can also explore the ocean with the included wave runners, wakeboard, water trampoline, or snorkeling equipment.

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The ship was originally built in 2000 but was renovated in 2014 to add 25 extra feet to the decks, per MegaYacht News. That's the version fans saw in Below Deck Season 6 and will see again in Season 8. This time, it's being captained by Lee Rosbach, who's a big fan of the ship. "Can't go wrong there, I love that boat," he said last year when the My Seanna charter season opened. here

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All of that fun will cost you. Yacht Charter Fleet reports that during the summer, chartering My Seanna can run anywhere from $338,000 to $395,000 per week. Winter rates are a bit lower, running between $294,000 and $392,000. The ship sails the Caribbean making stops in the Bahamas in the summer as well as Saint Martin, St. Barts, Antigua, and the Virgin Islands in the winter. The whole yacht is also for sale for $26.5 million for anyone who wants to have it for themselves.

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So if you happen to have $50,000 lying, keep an eye on the Bravo casting page. Otherwise, tune in to Below Deck to see all of the drama unfold from the comfort of your couch.

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Judging by the trailer, though, Captain Lee’s strange absence seems to be the most unique element in this season of Below Deck. Familiar faces return to wreak havoc in the drama department, including bosun-turned-First Mate Eddie Lucas and chef Rachel Hargrove. There are a lot of new recruits as well who seemingly keep up all of the standard Below Deck promises: power struggles, injuries, boatmances, etc. Nevertheless, Lucas recently told Vanity Fair that the dynamic between him and Captain Lee supposedly changes in Season 9. He said,

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Amidst the drama of Below Deck: Mediterranean currently playing out on the air, its flagship show Below Deck dropped its highly anticipated Season 9 trailer last week. Bravo audiences were shocked to discover that the one and only (and grouchy) Captain Lee Rosbach was replaced for very mysterious reasons. Now the fan-favorite captain is explaining further how his absence threw a monkey wrench into Season 9.

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As heard in the trailer, Captain Lee attributed his early exit from Below Deck's ninth season to a “condition.” But what condition that is, Captain Lee isn't willing to say just yet. He only conveyed that it wasn't COVID-19-related and that he is now “much better.” For anyone stricken by worries, Captain Lee does, in fact, return later on in the season. here

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It’s a different dynamic between me and the Captain—I can kind of challenge his way of thinking and better understand his leadership style. No matter how long I work with the Captain, I keep on learning new things.

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Last season robbed fans of sufficient Below Deck drama, as well as Captain Lee's gruff no-nonsense leadership, with the rising threat of of COVID-19 at the time of filming causing charter guests to back out, thus causing production to subsequently wrap all too soon. Season 9 apparently then immediately started off on the wrong foot with Captain Lee making a very early departure due to an illness of some kind. Captain Lee shared to E! Online exactly how his absence affected the show, saying,

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In the telling of his origin story, Captain Lee was famously never supposed to be part of Below Deck in the first place. After nine years at the helm of the Bravo franchise, though, he's practically a reality TV institution nowadays. The show has become wildly popular in that time, too, and even earned its first two Emmy nominations this year, a major feat for the Bravo show. As for what’s in store for Season 9 viewers, Captain Lee teased that it was “totally unique” and he “really enjoyed it.”