In 'Below Deck,' what type of vessel is the crew working on?

The crew in 'Below Deck' works aboard a luxury yacht.

The reality series follows yacht crew members during charter seasons, showing their work serving wealthy guests while living together in confined quarters. The cast usually includes a captain, deck crew, stewards, stewardesses, and a chef, with professional responsibilities driving much of the drama.

'Below Deck' premiered on Bravo in 2013. Although episodes are edited for television, the setting is based on the real operational structure of charter-yacht work, including guest requests, meal service, navigation, cleaning, and safety procedures.

The vessel is often casually called a boat, but the program's central setting is specifically a luxury yacht used for private charters. It is not a cruise ship: cruise ships carry large numbers of paying passengers on fixed itineraries, whereas charter yachts are hired privately by a smaller group.