Being on a superyacht is saying, ‘I have money’ without saying it. Superyachts are basically floating palaces that scream wealth, exclusivity, luxury, and “ha ha don’t you wish to be here?” And no joke, but when you come across a reel on Instagram, you melt with envy, don’t you? Sun-kissed influencers, sipping their glass of rosé, champagne, and celebrating. And those sunsets are literally heaven. Living on a superyacht looks like living the dream. 

But here’s the thing: behind every dreamy post, there is a whole different story. Getting what you see on Instagram takes a lot of energy, patience, and caffeine. Welcome to the side of superyacht life that never hits the feed. 

Floating palace or floating workplace

Superyachts can be floating palaces for the rich but brutal workplaces for the crew. Unlike the other 9-5, the crew almost works for 16 to 18 hours a day, and there is no holiday. There is cleaning, and then there is yacht cleaning. Even if it’s a sea splash, they need to clean it for hours.

They need to replace $8000 worth of linens because of one stain. There is no rest. They sleep in the cramped quarters below deck with no panoramic views and comfy beds the guests enjoy. Instagram shows the pretty room, but not the efforts that were put into making it look pretty. 

Rich people and the ‘too rich to care’ energy

Some guests are sweet, polite, and generous. But there are some who think the crew is a puppet to dance to their commands. And their commands are as absurd as wanting orchids from Thailand or planning a heaven-themed party in just two hours. From taking care of their kids and making exclusive meals for even their pets, the crew never says no.

They have to come up with instant solutions. And what happens after the legendary yacht parties? There is endless cleaning, and the drama is even more than that. Fights between guests, accidental property damage, drunk people slipping into the sea, and much more. The crew has to be the babysitter, medics, therapists, and the security all at once. 

What about crew life?

Living in close quarters with the same faces, for four weeks or months, does something to people. Close bonds are formed. Great friendships are formed where they gossip and share what has happened with the guests every day. Affairs are formed. But with that, fights happen most often.

They have to try to work things out and stay together. Having people who constantly command you does something to your mind. During their off time, they act as if the boat is owned by them. The hierarchy is tight. From the captain to the deckhands and stews, everyone knows their place, and no one can cross their limits.

They have to treat the guests like royalty, even if they act like toddlers. But the crew should not make any mistakes, otherwise the outcomes will not be good because they have to take care of the immediate feedback. They have to make sure they give their best, as there is always someone ready to take their place.

Not every day is a sunset cruise:

Sadly, luxury cannot control the weather. Storms troop in, the ride gets bumpy, and suddenly the glamorous vibe turns into a chaotic one. But here, the crew has one rule: never let the guests know about the chaos. The crew goes on overdrive, trying to keep things calm and safe and still somehow luxurious. 

What happens in a yacht, stays in a yacht:

Ever wondered why the reels are stuck in parties, sunsets, and food? There might be so much more happening, but never talked about. Because crew members are mostly celebrity guests. Illegal behavior, shady business meetings, affairs, and more quite often happen on yachts. But talking about it? Not a chance. Because the contract is way too serious, and so are the consequences.  

Yes, life in a superyacht is not always about the sunsets and champagne. Despite all of this and the efforts of the crew, life on a superyacht still holds a strange kind of magic. The views, the vibe, it’s all addictive. It all makes living on a superyacht everyone’s bucket list.  What we see on Instagram is the pov of the guests. So next time, before double-tapping an image, remember there will be a crew member holding a tray of cocktails, cleaning the same place for the third time of the day, cooking a huge meal for the pet, or maybe clicking the picture behind the camera.