Which cast members never returned to Below Deck due to pressure, drama, or other reasons?

Below Deck has some incredible alumni, but many will never return to the series after burning bridges with fellow crew mates and production alike.

Below Deck season 11 has had some difficult crew members, but there are some crewmates who have struggled so much during their time on the franchise that they’ll never return. Throughout franchise history, Below Deck’s crew members have been the lifeblood of the series, working with difficult charter guests and making sure their time aboard the super yachts are enjoyable, safe, and make for good TV. While some crew members are more guest-facing than others, they all have the responsibility of ensuring that the charter is pleasant and safe for the charter guests. Working through tough conditions and dealing with different personalities depending on who else is on the crew is commonplace for yachties in any capacity, but depending on their experience level and personality, it can be more difficult for some to navigate than others.

Although many yachties are capable of handling charter guests aboard a superyacht in general, Below Deck changes the game in a way that most yachties struggle with. While superyacht work is difficult on its own, the added stress of working a superyacht on reality TV with different rules, regulations, and provisions available can be tricky. Most yachties explain that they’re not prepared for the pressures of Below Deck, and make it clear that it is an experience like no other in the yachting world. While some thrive in the chaos of the series, like Below Deck Mediterranean star Captain Sandy Yawn or former Below Deck Chief Stew Kate Chastain, others struggle as they make their way through the charter season, as they’re used to providing a different level of service while they’re on a super yacht.

While some yachties may not be up to the difficult standard of Below Deck, others may simply have interpersonal drama that they can’t overcome on the series. Part of the benefit of being on Below Deck is the drama that happens aboard a vessel gets caught on camera, but it’s part of the detriment of being on the series. Issues being filmed and brought to the court of public opinion can be difficult for the yachties, especially when the show’s edit moves the needle in favor of one person or another. While some yachties benefit from learning from their mistakes after they air on the series, others simply face backlash from viewers and wind up getting into more Below Deck drama than they started with. Some Below Deck yachties have struggled so much on the series that they will likely never return to the franchise.

10. Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux

Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 2

As a member of Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 2’s cast, Jean-Luc Cerza Lanaux was a welcome addition to the crew of Parsifal III. The Deckhand appeared to have the right skills to work aboard the sailing yacht, and his connection to the rest of the crew wasn’t much of an issue until late in the charter season. Jean-Luc and Dani Soares built a connection throughout Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 2, but it didn’t appear to be detrimental to either of their time on the series.

Instead, the boatmance helped them to push through difficult times with their teams and the charter guests. After the season ended, Dani revealed that she was pregnant, and a paternity scandal rocked the Below Deck universe as she and Jean-Luc publicly argued about whether or not the baby was his. Eventually, Jean-Luc was confirmed as the child’s father, but the scandal made such major waves that the Deckhand will never return to the Bravo series.

9. Bruno Duarte

Below Deck Season 5

Appearing on Below Deck season 5, Bruno Duarte was a Deckhand who struggled to deal with the system of power aboard the superyacht. Below Deck season 5 featured Captain Lee Rosbach and Kate in the driver’s seat, which worked for some yachties, but not for others. Kate is a polarizing figure in the Below Deck world, as some find her to be a bad Chief Stew, while others praise the way she works. The same goes for Captain Lee, whose style works for some yachties, but rubs others the wrong way.

Bruno had a difficult time with both crew members, struggling to deal with Kate’s attitude and Captain Lee’s alleged behavior. Bruno has shared after his appearance on the series that Captain Lee wasn’t respectful to him, making fun of his accent and forcing him to drink alcohol despite knowing Bruno didn’t drink. The alleged behavior from Captain Lee was enough to keep Bruno away from Below Deck in the future, and his poor relationship with Kate sealed the deal, as he’s moved away from the yachting industry entirely after his appearance on the show.

8. Chef Adam Glick

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 2 & 3

While Chef Adam Glick was an early member of the Below Deck Mediterranean crew, he left the series after appearing for just two seasons, only to return to Below Deck Sailing Yacht later on. During his time on Below Deck Mediterranean, Adam fell into a boatmance that distracted him from his work. While some may not remember, Adam and Malia White were in a boatmance early on in the series, but things quickly went south. When Malia began to develop feelings for the Bosun, Wes Walton, Adam’s behavior changed entirely.

Rather than focusing on his work, Adam got caught up in the drama of his boatmance crumbling, which pushed him to purposely mess up the orders he was getting for charter guests, and eventually get physically violent with Wes during a day off. Adam eventually returned for Below Deck Mediterranean season 3 and redeemed himself, but it was too little too late. Getting into another boatmance on Below Deck Sailing Yacht with Jenna Macgillivray, Adam was calmer about his relationship the second time around. Sadly, things fizzled out quickly and it appears that Chef Adam is focusing on his life on land.

7. Jason Gaskell

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 7

Appearing on Below Deck Mediterranean season 7, Jason Gaskell was one of the most dramatic crew members throughout the charter season. His attitude with his crewmates was difficult to watch at times, and there were moments when the Deckhand’s behavior wasn’t called for throughout his time on the superyacht. Though he didn’t appear to get along with the rest of the crew during his time aboard the superyacht, many felt he got the short end of the stick on the superyacht and actually wished he hadn’t left the vessel and the crew behind.

Jason’s time on Below Deck Mediterranean did afford him a good relationship with Captain Sandy, who he enjoyed working with throughout the charter season. He chose to leave the superyacht, but Jason was respectful enough to Captain Sandy that he waited until his replacement was already aboard the vessel, so the team wouldn’t be short-staffed. Though Jason would likely be a welcome addition to a future season of the series, it’s likely he won’t return after the treatment he faced.

6. Lexi Wilson

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 6

Another Below Deck Mediterranean star, Lexi Wilson was a member of the crew on Below Deck Med season 6 who struggled in her position and had a hard time with the rest of the crew. As a Stew, Lexi quickly bonded with Courtney Veale during her time aboard the superyacht, but she wasn’t able to make many other connections on the vessel as she moved through her time working on the ship. Lexi shared early on that she’d lost her father just months before boarding the superyacht, so her grief was palpable throughout her time on Below Deck Mediterranean.

While Lexi was dealing with some major emotions, her treatment of the rest of the crew after a rough night out was completely uncalled for. Lexi drunkenly disrespected the rest of the crew, talking back to Chief Stew Katie Flood and Bosun Malia White before getting into a physical fight with Mzi Dempers, an exterior crew member. After her attitude came out, Lexi kept it together for another charter, but wound up fired from Below Deck Mediterranean after an altercation with Chef Matthew Shea. Lexi’s behavior was inappropriate. She seemed to understand yachting wasn’t for her, and has since moved away from the industry entirely.

5. Ben Willoughby

Below Deck Season 10 & 11

After appearing on Below Deck season 10, Ben Willoughby believed he had everything under control. Starting out as a Deckhand, Ben quickly made his way up the ladder. He began Below Deck season 11 as a Lead Deckhand, only to get promoted to Bosun after Jared Woodin was fired by Captain Kerry Titheradge. Ben’s behavior throughout his time on the charter has been interesting, as it’s clear he wants to work efficiently, but he has a knack for stirring up the drama with his fellow crew members. Ben’s penchant for drama also manifests itself in boatmances, which he’s had two of thus far.

While Ben’s behavior has been fine throughout his time on the series, his difficulties outside of the Below Deck universe seem to have him considering his next steps carefully. Throughout Below Deck season 11, Ben has struggled with the way the episodes are edited, sharing on social media that he’s disappointed in the way he’s being portrayed. Having called out several members of the St. David crew online, Ben may be finished with the Below Deck franchise because of how disrespected he feels.

4. Eddie Lucas

Below Deck Season 1-3, 8, & 9

Eddie Lucas was a part of Below Deck for years, but his time on the series seems to have come to an end with his new opportunities taking him away from the show. Eddie worked as Captain Lee’s Bosun for several seasons and eventually moved up to First Officer as he got more experience under his belt. Eddie was great at his job on Below Deck and proved that he was one of the more knowledgeable crew members throughout the franchise with every episode. He was able to solve problems quickly and navigate the water safely, which Captain Lee appreciated.

While Eddie’s time on Below Deck helped to prove his skills on the exterior, the yachtie had some difficult decisions to make after working aboard a superyacht for years without the ability to move up in the ranks. Eddie wound up leaving Below Deck for the opportunity to captain his own vessel, which he still does currently. Though Eddie seemed to enjoy Below Deck, he did have his own complaints about the show, citing low pay in the Bravo hierarchy throughout his time on the series.

3. Ashton Pienaar

Below Deck Season 6 & 7

Although he wasn’t the most difficult cast member to watch on Below Deck season 6 & 7, Ashton Pienaar had a life-changing time on the series. Ashton was one of the more likable crew members aboard the superyacht during his first season of the series, and after having a near-death experience that left him ready to start over, many wondered if he would continue working aboard the superyacht. During Ashton’s second season on Below Deck, his attitude started to shift.

Ashton’s behavior on Below Deck season 7 was difficult to watch, as he continually drank heavily during crew nights out and his attitude shifted. His targeted harassment of Chief Stew Kate was tough to watch, and viewers ultimately felt Ashton’s departure from Below Deck wasn’t surprising. After the show, Ashton realized he had issues he needed to deal with and changed his ways, getting sober and leaving the yachting industry entirely. Though he likely wouldn’t want to come back to Below Deck, he also wasn’t invited while Captain Lee was still part of the show.

2. Ruan Irving

Below Deck Mediterranean Season 8

Although he was set to be the Bosun on Below Deck Mediterranean season 8, Ruan Irving’s confusing time on the show never actually allowed him to show off his skills aboard the superyacht. While Ruan was meant to be one of the cast members working aboard the yacht, his paperwork quickly became an issue for Captain Sandy as the charter season kicked off. Ruan’s paperwork had been filled out incorrectly, his medical license wasn’t certified in the appropriate way, and it appeared that some of Ruan’s paperwork had been forged.

While Ruan had explanations for all of his paperwork issues, Captain Sandy had no choice but to remove him from the superyacht until he was able to provide accurate, correct information. Ruan understood the decision but wasn’t sure how he was going to get what he needed together in time. While he was originally hopeful that he’d be able to get the original copies of his paperwork in order to provide them to Captain Sandy, Ruan ultimately knew he was going to hold up the charter if he stayed on the series. He chose to leave Below Deck Med and has shared the experience was overwhelming, so it’s unlikely he’ll return.

1. Luke Jones

Below Deck Down Under Season 2

As a Bosun, Below Deck Down Under season 2’s Luke Jones was meant to provide an example of leadership aboard Captain Jason Chambers’ superyacht. Working with the exterior team, Jason set off some red flags early on in the season, behaving inappropriately with some of the women aboard the superyacht. Though Luke wasn’t necessarily doing anything wrong immediately, his behavior was noticed by viewers and his crewmates. Things became increasingly worrisome when Luke made some inappropriate advances toward Stew Margot Sisson later in the season.

Luke’s behavior was inappropriate and overtly sexual. He kissed Margot without her permission or consent, then attempted to get into her bunk with her while he was wearing only a towel, and Margot was inebriated. Aesha Scott, who was working as Captain Jason’s Chief Stew at the time, noticed what was happening and reported Luke to the Captain. Thankfully, the behavior was taken seriously. Captain Jason had Luke removed from the boat and then terminated his employment. The Below Deck Captain ensured that consequences were given for Luke’s actions, making it clear he won’t be returning to the series again.