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.

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"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.

Related reading:

• Insider tips for eating and drinking your way through Italy
• Best Mediterranean cruises in 2023 and 2024 for every type of traveler
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Guide to picking a cruise line
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