Below Deck’s Fraser Shares His Expectations for Guest Tips
When discussing tips, Below Deck‘s Fraser Olender has a particular amount in mind that he anticipates from charter guests.
“I can tell you for a tip on our charter season, the minimum I would expect [where] you won’t see me crack a smile,” Fraser shared during the Tuesday, June 10, episode of SiriusXM’s Reality Checked. “If we are not getting between $20,000 — I’ll scrap that. $25,000 to $30,000 for the time we’ve done.”
Fraser stood firm on that figure, adding, “I don’t care if that’s one day or three days or five. I’m holding out for that amount of cash, and if you’re not prepared to bring that, just don’t bother. Maybe consider a cruise instead.”
Below Deck, which premiered in 2013 and has produced several spinoffs, showcases the lives of crew members working and living on super yachts throughout the charter season. The cast receives a salary for their work on the boat and for filming the reality series, along with tips from guests.
On Tuesday, Fraser was also asked about cast members adapting to being filmed. The conversation shifted to breaking the fourth wall after Chef Lawrence Snowden left due to difficulties with the cameras during season 12 of Below Deck.
“I think you know what you’re signing up for. I can assure you, the cameras aren’t physically in your face,” Fraser clarified. “They’re not intrusive in that way.”
Fraser questioned if the cameras were a scapegoat for Lawrence, adding, “It might potentially be a cop-out. I’m not spreading rumors; I’m just saying it’s a possibility, folks. If you can’t do the job, you can’t do the job. Blaming it on a third party isn’t something I’ll be doing or anyone else.”
The season 12 premiere, which aired earlier this month, featured Lawrence expressing uncertainty about joining the yacht St. David due to the cameras.
“I was a bit apprehensive about the TV aspect of the job, but I thought, ‘Just step out of your comfort zone and give it a try,’” he said. “It should be fun.”
However, Lawrence kept breaking the fourth wall. “Would you mind not filming while I get this piece of equipment out?” he asked the off-screen cameraman, who continued filming. “Am I not allowed to talk to you? This will be a long six weeks, won’t it?”
A producer eventually had to intervene, stating, “The cameras are here to film the show. Everyone is just doing their job here. I get told, ‘We want to help you succeed.’ That’s nonsense. That is a lie.”
Before the season 12 premiere, Fraser commented on Lawrence’s challenging adjustment.
“He was a fantastic chef. He is an incredible chef. It’s difficult to forget about the fourth wall,” he exclusively told Us Weekly in May. “It’s a TV show, but we are working extremely hard and we don’t cut corners.”
Fraser recalled how Lawrence “struggled” with the concept of being filmed. “It’s tough. It’s not for the faint-hearted,” he noted. “I also say a lot, the yachties who work in the real world on yachts can’t do what we do. This is three jobs in one.”
According to Fraser, most yachties—anyone who works on a yacht as a career—have expressed their “disdain” for coworkers who appear on Below Deck.
“They mention it. But they all watch us, so I don’t know if it’s jealousy or something else. Sorry guys, but it’s true. Many yachties think it’s not a true representation,” he explained. “It’s not our fault that you can’t fit every single hour of six weeks into every episode — but it’s the real deal.”
Fraser continued: “We don’t get assistance. Everything that happens is genuine. It’s the most authentic reality television that I’m aware of, and I want people to recognize that.”
During Tuesday’s podcast episode, Fraser elaborated on his frustrations with Lawrence, stating, “He was a brilliant chef. I’m not taking that away from him — but I don’t have time for you to throw a tantrum within 24 hours of joining this vessel. I’m under stress too. I’m crying too. I’m panicking too. I’m also doing the job.”
Below Deck airs on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the following day on Peacock.
