‘Below Deck Mediterranean' star Sandy Yawn offers cruise tips

MINNEAPOLIS - Capt. Sandy Yawn has calmly handled sea storms, demanding clients and lovesick crew members. But during a Feb. 17 phone interview from Florida, the star of Bravo's "Below Deck Mediterranean" almost lost her cool because a neighbor was blasting his leaf blower.

"What is he doing?" she said, straining to hear over the racket next door so she could discuss her upcoming appearance at the Minneapolis Home + Garden Show.

Yawn, who just turned 61, did manage to retain her composure, just like she has during her nine seasons on the "Below Deck" spinoff, beloved for both its soap opera squabbles and its picturesque ports.

Yawn is prepared to share behind-the-scenes tales, leadership tips and travel recommendations during her Feb. 28 and March 1 chats from the Fresh Ideas stage at the Minneapolis Convention Center. She offered a preview while stepping outside of a friend's house in Tampa.

Q: Considering the venue, let's start with some home and garden questions. Do you have a green thumb?

A: I grew up in a family of farmers. We always had plants and flowers. If you drove up to our house, it was like a jungle. I love vegetation. That's why I live in North Florida [Jacksonville]. South Florida is a concrete jungle.

Q: What do you bring on board to make your cabin seem more like home?

A: I don't really bring anything but my clothes. I'll have a good book to read, mostly self-help books, but you can do that electronically now. Technology has really changed travel. I like to shop when we are in port, so I try to keep my suitcases empty so I can fill them.

Q: What's the best place to go clothes shopping?

A: Italy is great, especially the Serravalle [Designer] Outlet between Milan and Genoa. Even the outside of it is really cool and you can get, like, 70 percent off. I would live in shorts and T-shirts if I could, but when you do a lot of TV appearances like I do, you have to have a variety of nice outfits.

Q: What's an underrated cruise destination?

A: The East Coast of the United States is beautiful, the Hamptons, Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Maine. I wish we could do a TV season there. I really like Newport, R.I. It's got a great vibe. There's a lot to do, and it's so close to everything.

Q: What's on your personal wish list of places to visit?

A: I actually have never been to Alaska, even though it's surrounded by water [on three sides]. I'd like to go check it out on land and then take a gay cruise.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of charting a super yacht like you ones you helm as opposed to booking travel on a cruise liner?

A: On those big ships, you get all the amenities and all these restaurants. But you have to go where they want to go. On a charter boat, you get to have your own itinerary.

Q: What advice do you have for people who are looking at chartering a yacht trip for the first time?

A: Really check out the crew online. They're going to make or break your experience. Read all the reviews. You can be on a mediocre boat, but if the crew is great, you'll have a great time.

Q: And what should they look for in a captain? What makes you good at your job?

A: I've been doing this a long time. I've never been an alarmist. I know when something happens that there's always a solution. Sometimes it's not a great solution, but you just have to keep calm.

Q: What would surprise fans about you, maybe a side of you they don't see on screen?

A: I'm pretty transparent on the show. I don't act like I'm someone else. But people may be surprised that I'm playful. I'm a jokester. I like to have fun.

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This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 8:38 AM.