Below Deck Mediterranean - Season 6 – Works 100%

The season began with Chef Mathew Shea. A talented cook with high-end experience, Mathew brought a neurotic energy to the galley. His anxiety was palpable, often manifesting in conflicts with the interior team over service times and menu preferences. However, an injury forced him to temporarily leave the boat, paving the way for the arrival of Chef David Courtney.

Replacing the beloved (and chaotic) Chef Ben Robinson was Chef Mathew Shea. Mathew brought incredible culinary skills but also a startling lack of emotional regulation. His tenure on Lady Michelle was marked by quitting threats, crying spells, and a memorable meltdown involving a crashed jet ski. Mathew was the wild card of Season 6—brilliant one charter, borderline non-functional the next.

The season drags during repetitive “he said, she said” arguments, and some conflicts feel manufactured. Lexi’s behavior, while dramatic, occasionally crosses into uncomfortable territory, and the crew’s handling of it feels inconsistent. Also, the romance between Malia and chef Tom Checketts (from Season 5) is a lingering subplot that never quite ignites.

Malia’s management style was scrutinized heavily throughout the season. As the first female Bosun in the franchise's history to return in that role, she carried the weight of representation. She was often caught between being the "cool boss" and maintaining strict authority. Her clashes with the interior department, particularly regarding cabin arrangements and laundry logistics, became a simmering source of tension that eventually boiled over in the season's second half. Below Deck Mediterranean - Season 6

Returning to the wheel was Captain Sandy Yawn. Known for her micromanaging tendencies and "my way or the highway" leadership style, Sandy entered Season 6 with a point to prove. While she is technically proficient, this season tested her management skills as she oscillated between supportive mentor and heavy-handed disciplinarian.

If there is a villain of , it is Lexi Wilson. A former model from the Bahamas, Lexi started the season with promise but devolved into one of the most controversial figures in franchise history. Following a drunken night out, Lexi allegedly became physically aggressive, verbally abusive, and racially insensitive toward crew members. Her subsequent attempts at reconciliation were awkward, making every interior shift a ticking time bomb.

Many critics argue that Sandy kept Lexi on board because the show needed "villain content" and because replacing a stew mid-season in Croatia was logistically difficult. Others argue that Sandy gave Lexi a second chance due to the alleged death of Lexi’s father, which occurred just before the outburst. The season began with Chef Mathew Shea

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Departing from the French Riviera and Italian coastlines of previous years, Season 6 charted a course for the Balearic Island of Mallorca, Spain. Aboard the 180-foot motor yacht Lady Michelle , Captain Sandy Yawn returned to helm a crew that would go down in history as one of the most memorable—and at times, most contentious—groups in the show's history.

Returning as Bosun was Malia White, fresh off the controversy of Season 5 (where she famously turned in a crewmate for having unregulated medication). In Season 6, Malia attempted a "redemption arc." She brought her boyfriend, Tom, along for the ride (as chef, though he was quickly replaced) and later managed a deck team that included two very different men: David and Z. However, an injury forced him to temporarily leave

is not the best season of the franchise (Seasons 2 and 4 hold that crown), but it is arguably the most dramatic . It captures a post-COVID world where tempers were short, boundaries were broken, and the mask of "luxury yachting" slipped to reveal a deeply dysfunctional family.

Season 6 of Below Deck Med delivers exactly what fans crave: sun-drenched chaos, high-stakes yachtie drama, and a captain caught between professionalism and parenting. This season, set aboard the luxurious Lady Michelle in Croatia, raises the bar for tension—both on deck and below it.