Below Deck Sailing Yacht stew Diana Cruz created direct conflict with charter guests during episode 5 when she refused to modify an espresso martini and threatened to serve decaf instead.
The Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Episode 5 captured Cruz leaving mandatory bartending training before completion, followed by a heated exchange with guest Jerry over drink specifications.
The incident occurred during Dr. Tiffany Moon's charter aboard Parsifal III, where the Real Housewives of Dallas star arrived after a late night at Ibiza beach clubs. Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher documented Cruz's resistance to service standards, including her early exit from required training with fellow stew Danni Warren.
Despite these service issues, Chef Cloyce Martin's Japanese dinner menu impressed the guests, contributing to a $25,000 tip. The situation put Cruz's future with the Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 crew into question as Captain Glenn Shephard learned about her interactions with guests and response to professional training requirements.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht's Diana Cruz faces questions after guest service incident
The Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Episode 5's tension started during dinner service when guest Jerry requested additional coffee beans in his espresso martini.
Cruz immediately dismissed the feedback and told Jerry she would switch his drinks to decaf instead of accommodating his request. The interaction caught other guests' attention at the table.
When another charter guest mentioned Cruz's negative response to Jerry, he responded that her personal views held no significance to him.
In a separate discussion, Cruz stood firm on her drink preparation methods and insisted the standard recipe specifically required three beans for the cocktail. Her refusal to adjust the drink according to guest preferences led to immediate concern from other crew members about service standards.
Earlier footage showed her repeatedly avoiding basic hospitality tasks and expressing frustration when asked to meet standard service requirements. Multiple instances captured Cruz making dismissive comments about guest requests. The documentation of these interactions revealed a pattern that caught Captain Glenn Shephard's attention.
Professional training issues
The espresso martini situation followed Cruz's earlier departure from mandatory service training. Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher organized a focused bartending class for Cruz and fellow stew Danni Warren to enhance drink service quality.
Instead of completing the session, Cruz left before finishing the required training modules in Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Episode 5.
When questioned about leaving early, Cruz responded with direct criticism of the training requirement. Referring to Kelliher's management of the training program, she stated,
"Why do I have to work? That's the thing, like, she's not working. Why do I have to f**king work now?"
The statement prompted immediate concern from both Kelliher and other senior Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 crew members about Cruz's commitment to professional standards.
Chef Cloyce Martin's service success
While service tensions mounted in the front of house, Chef Cloyce Martin created a notable Japanese dinner service in the galley. Martin approached the menu with transparency about his experience level, acknowledging to the crew his limited background in Japanese cuisine. Despite these initial concerns, he executed a complex menu starting with prawn and crab avocado rolls.
The main course featured miso-glazed sea bass paired with specialty rice. Dr. Moon specifically praised the rice preparation, noting the flavor profiles exceeded her expectations. Martin's careful attention to presentation and taste earned direct recognition from the entire charter group.
Guest experience details
The Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Episode 5 charter began with unique circumstances as Dr. Moon's group arrived at Parsifal III after an extended night in Ibiza.
The primary guest revealed they had visited a beach club followed by celebrations at a super club until 3 AM before boarding. This led to Moon taking a four-hour rest period upon arrival.
Captain Glenn Shephard had prepared the crew for high service expectations during the preference sheet meeting, specifically mentioning Moon's status as a Real Housewife of Dallas.
During moderate seas, the Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 crew managed guest safety while the yacht experienced noticeable tilting. This led to an unexpected moment when one guest managed to fall asleep despite the yacht's angle. The missing guest prompted a search before they reappeared, having maintained their rest position through the tilted sailing conditions.
The charter concluded with Moon providing detailed feedback on crew performance. She highlighted the attention to detail throughout their stay and made specific mention of the dining experiences. Her group's satisfaction resulted in the $25,000 tip for the crew members.
The financial recognition came with verbal appreciation for the service standards maintained throughout their time aboard Parsifal III, particularly noting the food quality and overall experience management.
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Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 Episode 6 will air on 11 November 2024.
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