Capt. Sandy Yawn from 'Below Deck Mediterranean' shares cruise tips and more ahead of new season
Awe-inspiring backdrops, difficult yacht charter guests and cruise crew drama have fueled one of TV's most popular reality shows. Since “Below Deck” premiered on Bravo in 2013, it’s spawned a number of spinoffs, beginning with the popular “Below Deck Mediterranean” series, which premiered in 2016.
Just in time for the highly anticipated Season 8 premiere on Monday, TPG had the chance to talk with the show’s captain, Sandy Yawn. She shared cruise tips, favorite experiences and what to expect this season.
What's new on 'Below Deck Mediterranean'
This season's locale promises to be one of the franchise's most picturesque journeys yet, as the team traverses the Italian Riviera and Genoa, Italy, aboard the luxury yacht Mustique.
In the northwestern corner of Italy in the Liguria region, the Italian Riviera stretches along the Ligurian Sea from the Italian-French border to the Tuscan border. It's renowned for its multicolored fishing villages, panoramic vistas, cerulean waters and pristine beaches.
"The Italian Riviera is beautiful, the cuisine is incredible and the people are friendly," Yawn said. "The minute you drive around on a yacht, and you see it open up to Portofino, you're just like, 'Oh, my gosh!' You have Santa Margherita or Rapallo — there are so many beautiful locations."
The idyllic landscape and onboard challenges provide an interesting contrast for the show.
"I think the mix of 'Below Deck Mediterranean' is you find the spice in the middle of the beauty. It's spicy and saucy, and also elegant and calm there," she continued. "You'll see on this season I get angry with someone, so you have to keep watching and find out."
Related: Crew from 'Below Deck Down Under' shares travel tips ahead of new season
Celebrity Ascent godmother
In addition to her title as a luxury yacht captain and reality show celebrity, Yawn can now add godmother to her list of superlatives. Yawn and her sister Michelle Dunham, founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism, will serve as co-godmothers for Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Ascent. The sisters join the first two-brother captain team in the industry, Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis.
"They were considering me to be a godmother, and they wanted to have two sisters," Yawn explained. "They Googled my sister because they wanted someone who's very philanthropic, of course, and gives back, and that's my sister."
Related: The 9 most exciting new cruise ships of 2023
Yawn expected the invitation might be difficult for her sister to believe.
"I asked them to please tell her, so I looped her into the call," Yawn shared. "It's going to be great! I'm so excited."
The 3,260-passenger Celebrity Ascent will be the line's fourth Edge-class ship (a fifth vessel in the series also is on order). Its maiden voyage will depart from Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 3 and stop at Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Following its debut, the ship will sail weeklong cruises from Fort Lauderdale through winter 2024 before moving to Europe for summer Mediterranean sailings in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Spain and France.
"Captain Sandy's life story is one of resilience, leadership and strength as a pioneer in the maritime industry and as an inspirational role model for young women," Celebrity Cruises president Laura Hodges Bethge said. "Her sister Michelle is a tireless advocate for children with autism and shows us what is possible when you follow your vision for a better world. Both women live by Celebrity's values, and we have no doubt they are the perfect choices for Ascent."
Yawn had always been fully embedded in the "luxury yachts are better" camp and had no intention of crossing over to the big-ship side. However, after accepting an invitation to the launch of Celebrity Beyond from the line's then-president and CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, she changed her perspective.
"Honestly, as a captain, I said I would never go on a cruise ship in my life ever," Yawn said. "She invited me to come on the new ship launch of Beyond, and from that moment forward, I was like, 'I will now go on a cruise ship because of their Apex series.'"
"Before, I was like, 'If it's not on a yacht, I'm not doing it,'" she added. "But that changed because I had that experience on Beyond."
Yawn cited Celebrity Beyond's top-notch service, luxurious cabins and fantastic restaurants as reasons for her recent big-ship conversion. However, she's not ready to abandon her first love.
"The experience on a yacht is very different," Yawn explained. "It's an intimate setting with only 12 guests, and we go into ports that cruise ships can't fit into and anchor off."
Tips for chartering a yacht
If you've never chartered a luxury yacht but want to add it to your bucket list travel experiences, Yawn offers a few tips.
"Go to a place you really want to visit — whether you're on a private yacht or you charter a catamaran in the [British Virgin Islands] — get the destination right," she said. "Where you drop your anchor is your experience, so really plan that."
Working within your budget and researching your crew are other important considerations, according to Yawn.
"Know your budget, do your background [research] on the boat and the crew," she shared. "Ask former clients who have chartered before, write them an email and see what they say [about their experience]."
Yawn's most important tip for yacht life? Don't overpack.
"Just keep it light and simple," she said. "You just live in your bathing suit and there's not a lot of room on smaller boats."
Memorable travel experiences
Whether in the water or on land, Yawn makes the most of every travel experience.
"I find the joy and the uniqueness of each place I visit — different cultures, restaurants, types of food — it's incredible," she shared.
Yawn was in London during our interview and offered a list of reasons for her affinity for the city.
"London's incredible," she shared. "Every corner you turn, there's history. Every building has character, the people are friendly, and the food is excellent."
Bottom line
Whether you're a fan of ocean-centric reality TV or need a little travel inspiration for your next vacation, "Below Deck Mediterranean" can check both boxes.
"Below Deck Mediterranean" Season 8 features cast members Natalya Scudder and Kyle Viljoen from last season; "Below Deck Down Under" alums Tumi Mhlongo and Luka Brunton; and newcomers chef Jack Luby, bosun Ruan Irving, deckhands Haleigh Gorman and Lara Du Preez and stewardess Jessika Asai. The season kicks off on Bravo on Monday, Sept. 25, at 9 p.m. EDT. It will also be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.