This week, producers have confirmed that the fifth season of the popular reality TV show Below Deck Sailing Yacht will return to screens on October 7, showcasing more crew drama and exciting activities on the water. Set against the backdrop of the Balearic island of Ibiza, the series will once again feature the 54-meter Perini Navi superyacht Parsifal III, with Captain Glenn Shephard at the helm. In anticipation of the series’ comeback, BOAT reflects on an interview with its owner Kim Vibe-Petersen, who discussed the realities of filming a reality TV series aboard his yacht ahead of season three.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht is a spin-off of the successful superyacht reality series Below Deck, which follows the lives of the crew and guests during an eight-week charter season. For Danish owner Kim Vibe-Petersen, the return of Parsifal III is yet another chance to showcase the yacht’s charter capabilities.
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The Perini Navi sailing yacht was launched in 2005 and quickly gained fame, earning numerous prestigious accolades, including a highly coveted Neptune at the World Superyacht Awards. Upon her launch, she also became one of the fastest Perini Navi superyachts, capable of reaching a top speed of 18 knots under full sail, thanks to her two high-tech carbon masts, automated in-boom furling, and a winged keel.
The sailing yacht’s main saloon
Vibe-Petersen revealed that some yacht owners prefer not to have their yacht names linked to the drama-filled reality show, but he “didn’t have that concern.” Although he could have changed the yacht’s name for filming, he opted to keep it to enhance the charter appeal of Parsifal III.
“It’s free advertising,” he commented. “The name of the yacht will come to people’s minds, especially for those who have never chartered a yacht before. They will recognize that name from the show.”
Vibe-Petersen was also eager to secure a fully booked charter schedule during the low season. “I think there were many boats that did not want to be chartered for the show, but it’s good money in the bank,” he stated.
While he admitted he might not be the “specific audience targeted by the series,” he mentioned that he watched the first season, which was filmed in Corfu. Even in Vibe-Petersen’s home country of Denmark, the US show has attracted a large following.
“This is the kind of show where they want to create a little drama,” he added. “It’s not as wild during a typical charter.” The colorful guests are selected by the production team and receive a “big discount” for their appearance on the show.
Parsifal can host up to 12 guests and nine crew members.
Vibe-Petersen also described the intricate logistics of filming Below Deck, each season featuring 16 charters filmed over a period of eight weeks. This arrangement means that two different groups of guests charter the yacht in the same week. Additionally, the production team requires at least a week to prepare Parsifal III for filming. “There are 30 people on board each day, surrounded by lots of wires and cameras – it’s a massive operation.”
Season one was filmed in Corfu, Greece, which presented several challenges for Parsifal III, as the sailing yacht needed a specific charter license. “It’s quite difficult to obtain that,” Vibe-Petersen remarked. “It’s not something we can arrange quickly; it can take 10 to 12 weeks to get a charter license, so it requires time.”
During her second season, Parsifal III was filmed cruising along Croatia’s 3,600 miles of coastline. For season three, the show follows Parsifal III as she sails around the Spanish island of Menorca, featuring a mix of new and returning crew members.
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Season five of Below Deck Sailing Yacht will see the return of department heads chief stew Daisy Kelliher and first mate Gary King, while new crew members include chef Cloyce Martin, chief engineer Davide Morosi, stews Diana Cruz and Danni Warren, and deckhands Keith Allen and Emma Crouch.
Parsifal III is managed for charter by Camper & Nicholsons, with a weekly charter rate starting at €245,000.