Below Deck Mediterranean Season 5 Review

If you haven't been up on your Season 5 Below Deck Mediterranean then go watch it before reading my comments and review.  I highly recommend watching Below Deck Mediterranean on Bravo!!

Captain Sandy and the crew are voyaging around the beautiful island of Mallorca, Spain, on a 184-foot mega-yacht "The Wellington" according to Bravo is the largest in Below Deck history.  Captain Sandy had a rough sea on board. 

The Captain had to get rid of 3 crew members so far. I believe there is only one more episode left, so hopefully no more firing. 

Season 5 Below Deck Mediterranean is one of my favorite seasons of the Below the Deck series because there are women running the boat. Finally!! 

ABOUT THE SHOW:

"Voyaging around the beautiful island of Mallorca, Spain, on the 184-foot mega yacht “The Wellington,” the largest in Below Deck history, the crew encounters choppy waters trying to navigate everything from heartbreaks and power struggles to challenges with maritime law. As these yachties work to conquer each charter, they struggle to set aside their differences, forcing Captain Sandy to make career-defining decisions that challenge the group in more ways than one.

A rarity in the yachting world, Captain Sandy’s crew is led by two female heads of department: Hannah leads the interior, while Malia oversees the exterior crew in the most dramatic season yet. Chief Stew Hannah hopes for smooth sailing when it comes to her high standards with the crew and service, but her leadership is challenged like never before. Embattled by a defiant stew, tensions escalate when the team takes on uncompromising guests. Malia returns in a new role as Bosun and works hard to gain respect from her fellow deckhands, who challenge her position and test her patience.

In the galley, Kiko takes pride in presenting dishes that are as flavorful as they are beautiful but finds himself in deep waters when charter guests present a set of unthinkable requests. Hailing from a small village in Northeast Italy, Lara is an experienced stew. Always prepared to confront any issues head-on, she is not afraid to express her opinion, which does not sit well with everyone in the crew. Previously working on three smaller yachts, third stew Jessica is ecstatic to join the team and experience working on a mega yacht. However, she lands in hot water when she mixes work and play. As former captain on a smaller boat, Pete joins the crew as lead deckhand, and finds that reporting to his supervisors is more challenging than he anticipated. Quickly falling in love with the yachting industry and its adventurous lifestyle, Alex is ready to tackle the charter and bring his “wicked smart Bostonian” sense of humor on deck. After overcoming a difficult past, Robert is looking for a fresh start by joining the deck crew, until an unexpected romance takes him for a bumpy ride." 

Below Deck Meditterean's website: CLICK HERE 

THE CREW PHOTOS:

 

 

 

  

MY REVIEW

Hannah Ferrier was really different this season. She didn't seem so angry. She was calm, kind, and a workable leader.  In previous seasons, she usually was screaming at everyone telling them they weren't doing anything right. The way she handled Lara was perfect. She dealt with Lara first, but eventually after trying so many different ways she took her to the Captain. Captain saw Lara's behavior and fired her. Lara was like figures on a chalkboard. She should have been let go by the end of the first episode. She was so very annoying. 

Jessica is too busy with guys, especially Pete, then doing her job. Also, it didn't help that she broke her finger. Hannah is stuck with doing everything until they hire a new Second Stew. I love the episode of Captain Sandy telling Hannah they found a new Second Stew. Hannah's face was amazing when Captain said, "Bugsy." I don't remember why they ended up hating each other so much but I felt really bad for Hannah especially when Captain Sandy was rubbing Bugsy's table decor in her face. Hannah knows she hates doing table decor and it isn't her strong skill, but still, it isn't very nice of her to shove that in Hannah's face. 

Chef Kiko has the most adorable face. He was doing such an amazing job after the first charter. He did a 7-course dinner for 12 people. That is 84 dishes and he nailed it. He got hit hard with the Vegas dinner. It was really bad and hard to watch.  He has never been to Vegas so he turns to Hannah for help with the menu. That wasn't the best idea, he should have just done it on his own and not have asked Hannah for help. 

Getting fired is really hard but to be fired in the middle of a charter and in the middle of the dinner with all your colleagues around is a nightmare.  I was mad at Captain Sandy for the way she handled the situation. Hannah felt like it was her fault. Chef Kiko and Hannah were really tight. Captain Sandy told her not to feel bad because "he" is the chef, not her. A good chef wouldn't turn to a stewardess asking what to cook. The producers most likely didn't fight for him to stay on board because he was boring.  He never was crazy wasted, didn't sleep with anyone on board, didn't scream at anyone in the kitchen.  

Ben has always been my favorite chef on the Below Deck series. I was hoping they would bring him back on the boat to take over Kiko's position, instead, they turned to Malia's boyfriend Tom Checketts. His food looked amazing. His food had class and elegance to it.  Kiko was a new chef and was learning. He needs to gain more experience. However, I wasn't happy with how Sandy treated Kiko.  

Another thing I was upset about was the way they got rid of Hannah. Malia is power-hungry.  I am not a huge fan of her. Don't get me wrong, Malia did an awesome job managing her department. She also helped with other departments when they were short-handed. She stepped up to the plate to impress Captain Sandy and she did a great job of doing that. What I don't like about Malia is she doesn't care about people all she cares about is impressing Captain Sandy and following the yachting rules. Hannah didn't want to move into the bunk with Bugsy. Malia stressed the yachting rules about boyfriend/girlfriend is working on the boat they get a bunk together. There were only 2 charters and they will be done.  This pissed Malia off. The next minute she goes to Captain Sandy about Hannah having drugs on board. She took a picture of it. Captain Sandy had to pull Hannah in and question her about it. She had valium and a CBD pen for her anxiety. Hannah told her this is a prescription from her doctor.  Captain Sandy wanted to collect them to see if there is a doctor on them. Captain Sandy panic thining she might dump it down the toilet. Captain Sandy walked in on her when she was going to the bathroom. This made her really mad. Hannah was done. She went to the deck and was on the phone. Captain Sandy tries to talk to her.  She was basically firing her again. Captain told her she is a risk. Hannah told her she has anxiety.  It was stressed her brain needs to be clean and away just in case something or someone gets hurt. Hannah stressed she didn't take any and then she walked away. 

Their conversation went something like:

Captain Sandy: You don't think I like you?

Hannah: no

Captain: Then I would have fired you on season 1, 2 and 3. I care about you.

Hannah: I just want my bags.

Captain: Fine whatever we are done.

This makes me mad because Captain Sandy put a negative message about anxiety.  She made it seem like a person who has severe anxiety are bad people and can't do their jobs.  Why isn't she yelling at the rest of the crew for getting drunk? Most of the time the crew gets drunk and in the late morning have the charter guests arrive. It was not fair treatment. Just saying.  

I would love to work with Bugsy. She compliments her other stews and is really organized. She also makes a killer table arrangement. Bugsy looks like she loves her job whereas Hannah was following the motion of the job. Aesha Scott brought energy and excitement back into the boat.  

This makes me so sad because Hannah and Kate are my favorite Cheif Stews and they both have retired from yachting.  I would love to see Kate working for Captain Sandy for one season. Hannah won't be back because she had a baby. 

The show has lots of drama, drunk guests, romance, arguments, and more. It is a fun show to watch. It like a drunk soap opera. 

ABOUT THE CAST:

Captain Sandy: (Captain) A Fort Lauderdale native with over three decades of yachting experience under her belt, Captain Sandy is one of the most respected captains in the industry. Sandy knew she wanted her career to revolve around the ocean from a very young age and was not discouraged when she discovered yachting to be a male-dominated field. Knowing the difficulties that come with leading an entire team while providing 5-star service, she makes it her mission to know everything and every department on the boat. As the crew travels around the island of Mallorca this season, Sandy attempts to keep the mood light, often joking with the crew. Still, she is not afraid to crack down on insubordination and be the tough boss she needs to be, in order to provide guests with the best charter experience.

Hannah Ferrier: ( Cheif Stewardess) A Sydney, Australia native, Hannah returns this season as Chief Stewardess keeping her focus on interior decor. Having developed a thick skin growing up, she uses this to her advantage when tackling the needs of demanding guests on board. Goal-oriented and determined, Hannah’s work ethic and charm are unparalleled. After a sporadic European excursion inspired her to sell all her possessions to pursue yachting, she quickly rose up the ranks to Chief Stew. With almost a decade of experience, she firmly manages her stews while still being the life of the party. As much as she tries to avoid it, however, drama always seems to follow her. With a surplus of big personalities this season, only time will tell if Hannah can endure the scrutiny.

Malia White: (Bosun) A Below Deck Mediterranean veteran, Malia is challenged with more responsibilities when she returns this season as Bosun. Known for being involved in a heartbreaking love triangle in the past, her triumphant return is marked with more experience as she continues to climb the ranks. Malia is more ready than ever to jump in and assert herself in her new leadership role. Comfortable in warm waters, she is blunt, outspoken, and quick to speak her mind. Growing up with five older brothers set the tone for her adventure-seeking, active lifestyle. A certified divemaster, Malia has backpacked the world, even teaching scuba and water sport lessons throughout the Bahamas and Hawaii. Never shy about making her mark in a male-dominated field, Malia rose through ranks on superyachts since her last time working with Captain Sandy, and now has her Captain’s License.

Hindrigo "Kiko" Lorran: (Chef) Brazilian-bred Kiko is spicing things up in the galley this season. Always one to thrive on variety and spontaneity in his life, he finds that his current role best combines his passions for yachting and cooking. Kiko, who considers himself a "rustic chef," has worked across the globe, from Barcelona to Cape Town to the Amazon River. With over 10 years of experience traveling the world, he has mastered the art of international cuisine. Being fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English has helped him become a renowned chef and yachtie. Manning decks out at sea and catching waves on his surfboard inspired him to publish The Surfer's Cookbook in 2016. Seasoned in his craft, he enjoys creating a wide-range of beautiful yet flavorful dishes, from sushi and ceviche to hearty international fares. 

Lara Flumiani: (Stewardess) Having entered the yachting industry by accident but quickly falling in love, Italian native Lara has been steadily climbing the ranks for 10 years. After jumping around as a stew for some time, she finally got her chance to thrive as Chief Stew on a small yacht. Lara never thought she would be a world traveler, but has managed to sail her way through Mallorca, Corsica, and Phuket. This season, Lara’s laid-back nature and eye for detail give her an edge as a stewardess. She does not hold back when confronting drama head-on and can be considered quite the hothead. She is not afraid to lose her cool if a fellow crew member fails to meet expectations. With endless love for culture, Lara takes full advantage of her changing scenery, hopping off-board to party and go sightseeing any chance she gets.

Jessica More: (Stewardess)A child of divorced parents who grew up in Florida and Southern California, Jessica spent her youth surfing at the beach where her love of the ocean was born. Before selling her belongings to work her first charter, she worked a multitude of jobs: slinging drinks at a Las Vegas strip club, working in the music industry in Los Angeles, and even dabbling into real estate. Despite her varied resume, she excelled at every job she tried. When the "real world" seemed too daunting, Jessica turned to yachting. She owes her ability to remain calm to her first stewardess job with a skeleton crew of three. Jessica is known for her laid-back demeanor and can handle a great deal of drama – until she feels disrespected. She approaches each charter with an open mind, but has no problem dealing with confrontation if necessary. Jessica hopes to find romance on board this season.

Pete Hunziker:  (Deckhand) was the quintessential all-American boy growing up. The youngest of three brothers in his middle-class household, Pete always fought to stand up for himself and stand out, which led to his passion for bodybuilding, football, and wrestling. While working at Domino’s as a sophomore in high school, he was introduced to a retired U.S. Navy Seal who taught him everything there was to learn about boating and life. His life took a quick turn at 19, when he fathered a child with a woman he barely knew. When his son was two-weeks-old, Pete became ill and fell into a six-week coma. As soon as he was cleared, he returned to work to support his new baby. Eight years later – when he is not working or taking care of his son – he is known as "Party Pete" and anyone can assume he is either on the beach or at pool party as he resides in the Miami heat. "Party Pete" turns to dance to burn off the stress of back-to-back charters. This licensed U.S Coast Guard is ready to bring the energy on deck this season.

Alex Radcliffe : (Deckhand) Born and raised in Massachusetts, Alex was raised by his single mother in a blue-collar community. His upbringing taught him a strong work ethic. He found his way into the yachting world through a friend who worked in the industry and instantly fell in love with the adventurous lifestyle and gorgeous destinations yachting had to offer. Although he initially employed a "fake it 'til you make it" mentality, Alex is a quick learner and worked his way up the ladder. He works each charter with pride, and has his sights set on eventually becoming a captain. Working as a deckhand this season, Alex brings his confidence – and a dash of New England humor – to any situation. Admittedly stubborn and a shameless flirt, this life of the party works as hard as he plays.

Robert Westergaard: (Deckhand) A native of South Africa, Robert is eager to learn the ropes with the deck crew. After losing his father at a young age and being separated from his mother, Robert found it difficult to steer clear of trouble with little guidance. He eventually launched a career as a professional model to pay off his mother’s debt and support his sister. For nine years, he traveled the world working with prestigious fashion houses. When his mother passed, Robert turned to the sea for healing. A thrill-seeker with a passion for travel and mechanics, he soon found his way to yachting. With a few charters behind him, this heart-throb has respect for workplace hierarchy and attributes most problems on board to a lack of communication. He is known for being dependable, honest, and trustworthy. Robert is excited to try his hand with the team in Spain and hopes to find adventure this season.

Christine 'Bugsy' Drake: (Stewardess to Cheif Stewardess) Born in South Africa, Bugsy has six years of yachting experience under her belt. She earned the title of Chief Stewardess during her travels throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and the Atlantic. This season, she joins the crew in the Second Stew position with fewer responsibilities to juggle. Back on board, Bugsy is looking for redemption while also hoping to find both fun and romance. Best known for her bubbly personality and passion for planning theme parties, Bugsy has no issue speaking her mind when things go awry.

Tom Checketts: (Chef)Born and raised in the UK, Tom knew from an early age he wanted to pursue a career in culinary arts. With both parents as chefs and a family of food lovers, he naturally gravitated towards cooking. During his studies, he decided to train as a pastry chef and spent several years working in the UK’s finest restaurants, including Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea. With a desire to see the world, he packed his bags and traveled across Europe working in the French Alps, Switzerland, Austria and Portugal. As his love for food and adventure only continued to grow, he joined the yachting industry and has not looked back since. With 9 years of experience working on yachts as a head chef, Tom joins the galley this season bringing his British charm, confidence and passion for food. Although he can struggle with authority at times, his beautiful and creative dishes speak for themselves. When he is not on charter, he enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Malia White and racing in Ironman triathlons.

Aesha Scott: (Stewardess) Growing up with a big family in a small town in New Zealand, Aesha was raised to be loud and gregarious with a bawdy sense of humor. Though yachting was never on her radar, she was drawn to an adventurous lifestyle. Once she jumped into the industry, she was hooked and has not looked back since. With five years of yachting experience, Aesha returns this season as Second Stew. She originally began working as a deckhand before moving over to the interior. Though she loves both roles, she prefers working with guests and prides herself on always doing an impeccable job. Whether she is partying with her friends and fellow crew, diving, exploring various destinations, or flirting with the nearest deckhand, Aesha’s end goal is always the same: to have a good time.