Below Deck Mediterranean - Season 8 May 2026
Below Deck Mediterranean - Season 8: A Deep Dive into Chaos, Crew Changes, and Croatian Curtain Calls
When Below Deck Mediterranean launched its eighth season in the fall of 2023, fans expected the usual recipe: a stunning yacht, a crew of young, attractive stews and deckhands, and a charismatic captain trying to hold it all together. What viewers got, however, was a season that redefined the term "yachtie meltdown."
- Tensions arose between Captain Sandy and the deck team, particularly with Bosun Jamie Jason.
- Brooke Laughton's leadership skills as Chief Stew were put to the test, and she faced challenges in managing her stew team.
- Romantic relationships developed among the crew, including between Kasey Cohen and Colin Macy-O'Toole.
- Guest drama and demanding charterers added to the crew's stress levels.
The season consists of 18 episodes plus a three-part reunion special that is arguably bloodier than the season itself. In the reunion, host Andy Cohen holds the cast accountable for the "toxic workplace" allegations, leading to Kyle walking off the set—twice. Below Deck Mediterranean - Season 8
Below Deck Filming Locations – on a budget by ferry (2026) - Ferrygogo Below Deck Mediterranean - Season 8: A Deep
The season features a mix of new faces and returning stars from across the Below Deck franchise: Captain Sandy Yawn Tensions arose between Captain Sandy and the deck
The season featured a mix of fresh faces and returning fan favorites:
New Captain and Crew
7. Production Notes
- Filming dates: June – August 2023.
- COVID-19 protocols: None in place; full return to normal charters.
- First season without a permanent bosun — Luka acted as lead deckhand but never officially promoted.
- Captain Sandy’s injury: Real medical emergency; she returned as captain for Below Deck Med Season 9 (confirmed 2024).
- The "Gatsby" Group: A party of twenty-somethings who demanded a 1920s-themed dinner while simultaneously ignoring the dress code. They asked for "caviar bumps" and rewrote the preference sheet three times in one hour.
- The Return of the "Disrespected Chef" Trope: Chef Jack Luby faced the impossible task of pleasing guests who claimed to be "foodies" but only ate chicken tenders. The pressure got to Jack, leading to a memorable meltdown where he served raw beef to a table of vegans (a mix-up that defies explanation).
