A Turbulent Start for the 'Below Deck' Crew
The thirteenth season of the popular Bravo series Below Deck has kicked off with immediate tension. During the episode aired on Monday, October 19, chief stew Fraser Olender made headlines after labeling a charter guest a “shady bitch” following the group's departure from the superyacht Azul V.
While the guests were quick to compliment the culinary talents of Chef Moe Vilomar, they did not hold back in their critiques of the interior team. The guests remarked that the crew appeared disorganized and inexperienced, acting as if they were working together for the very first time. While this observation about the team's dynamic was accurate, Fraser felt the critique was uncalled for, given the staff’s intensive efforts to ensure the guests had an enjoyable experience. Despite the friction, the final tip was substantial enough to satisfy both Captain Kerry Titheradge and his crew.
New Faces and Impending Challenges
Season 13 introduces a fresh ensemble alongside returnees Captain Kerry and Fraser Olender. The cast includes alumna Rainbeau de Roos, Chef Moe, Bosun Alex Wright, and deckhands James Bishop, Matthew Fitzpatrick-Buck, and Jessenia Stidger, alongside stews Kaylee Brown and Rosa Simms-Preston.
Captain Kerry Titheradge has teased that this installment will be unlike any previous season. In an interview, he noted, «This season, we’re going to have some changes that I don’t think we’ve ever seen on Below Deck before. There’s definitely some changes. There’s gonna be some decisions made that maybe I may have to rethink — if I could rethink again — which way I went with.»
Reflecting on the Experience
The Captain expressed curiosity about how the season will unfold from an objective perspective. He stated that he looks forward to evaluating his leadership style with the benefit of hindsight. «I’m excited to look back on myself and see how I manage the boat with hindsight in mind,» he explained. «I’m already seeing things in the first episode that I had no idea about. So off the bat, there’s already things that I’m excited to see myself.»
Viewers can catch new episodes of Below Deck on Bravo every Monday at 8 p.m. ET, with streaming options available on Peacock the following day.