"Are you uncomfortable?" — Below Deck Sailing Yacht captain Glenn Shephard considers stopping the voyage

Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 5 episode 12, which aired on December 30, 2024, presented a situation like never before.

The luxury sailing adventure aboard the Parsifal III took a dramatic turn when Captain Glenn Shephard faced an unprecedented request from charter guests to halt the voyage entirely. This moment unfolded after Captain Glenn, in a mix of concern and exasperation, asked:

“Are you uncomfortable? Do you want us to stop?”

One of the guests responded with a firm "Yes," leaving the captain no choice but to oblige. Known for his calm demeanor and focus on guest satisfaction, Captain Glenn later admitted in a confessional:

“This is the first time I’m being asked to stop sailing. And I hope to God it’s the last.”

The unexpected halt was just one of many challenges the crew faced during the latest charter.

From complaints about the yacht’s tilt to dissatisfaction with service and onboard amenities, the guests’ discontent became the central conflict of the episode, overshadowing the usual luxury and adventure associated with Below Deck Sailing Yacht.

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Below Deck Sailing Yacht: Captain Glenn and the guests

The trouble began shortly after a new group of guests boarded Parsifal III for their Spanish vacation. They expressed immediate discomfort with the yacht’s tilt and motion, claiming seasickness.

Despite efforts to ease their experience, the guests repeatedly voiced dissatisfaction, leading to Captain Glenn’s decision to anchor the vessel after their clear request to stop sailing.

Beyond the sailing, the guests’ dissatisfaction extended to the yacht's facilities and the overall service. Complaints ranged from stateroom sizes to a lack of trash cans, amplifying the tension onboard.

Chief Stewardess Daisy Kelliher attempted to salvage the mood by organizing a hands-on cocktail-making class, but the activity was met with unimpressed reactions.

“Naturally, I’m a people pleaser. And I cannot read what’s going on with these guests. This feels super f**king weird,” Daisy admitted in a confessional.

Even after the sails were tucked away and the yacht stopped moving, the complaints persisted.

The guests criticized everything from the table arrangements to the service speed, leaving the crew struggling to meet their demands.

The overall energy of the group was described as “off” by several crew members, marking this charter as one of the most challenging in Below Deck Sailing Yacht history.

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Highlights of the episode

The Below Deck Sailing Yacht episode showcased the extent of the challenges faced by the Parsifal III crew, starting with Chef Cloyce Martin’s ambitious seven-course dinner.

Although Cloyce prepared an elaborate meal with cocktail pairings, the guests found fault with almost every aspect.

They described the drinks as too strong, complained about the sweetness of a mango martini, and even left some courses uneaten. Adding to the chaos, Daisy accidentally spilled cocktails on a guest’s phone during dinner service, further souring the experience.

The guests’ dissatisfaction also extended to planned activities. They rejected the cocktail-making class midway, citing minor grievances like the lack of muddling tools, and showed little interest in water sports offered by the deck crew.

Despite the crew’s efforts to provide a luxury experience, the guests’ attitude and demands left little room for resolution.

The crew’s personal dynamics also surfaced in the episode. Deckhand Danni and Chase’s budding situationship added intrigue, as did Daisy’s interactions with Gary.

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The teaser for the next episode of Below Deck Sailing Yacht hints at more fallout from this challenging charter, including the guests’ detailed feedback to Captain Glenn.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht continues to air on Mondays on Bravo, with episodes available for streaming on Peacock.