You’ve yacht to be kidding! From Victoria Beckham’s fondness for heels to Kourtney Kardashian’s VERY risqué PDA, the etiquette rules celebrities have broken on their luxury vessels

Now it’s official; super yacht summer has arrived.

This week, Bella Hadid is enjoying a cruise in Saint-Tropez on a luxury ship, while David and Victoria Beckham are holidaying with their son Romeo and daughter Harper on their £16 million yacht around Ibiza.

On Thursday, the former Spice Girl-turned-designer impressed fans by showing off her commitment to fashion by rocking her heels across the rocky terrain as she exited a yacht to join her family for lunch in Formentera.

The scenes were reminiscent of the moments when Victoria’s friend Lauren Sanchez was not wearing her high heels while walking on the rocky Ibiza beach in August last year.

But despite its impressive looks, the act of wearing shoes — especially such glamorous pairs — actually violates yacht etiquette, according to Laura Windsor, known as the Queen of Etiquette, who advised Netflix on Regency-era social graces for Bridgerton.

‘Heels are definitely not allowed as they could dig into the deck. ‘It’s usually barefoot,’ he told the Daily Mail.

Elsewhere, etiquette on superyachts includes always tipping staff onboard.

Julius Smith, a former royal steward with more than three decades of experience, explained: ‘If a captain and crew are chartering a £3.5 million yacht, guests would be expected to leave at least £350,000 for the crew.’

So, as A-listers flaunt their high-heeled fashions, public displays of affection (PDA) and onboard smoking (things that shouldn’t be done on a luxury ship, according to experts), we take a look at yacht etiquette and the celebs who are breaking it…

Posh Spice’s scenes were reminiscent of Victoria’s friend Lauren Sanchez (pictured left) wearing her heels while walking on a rocky Ibiza beach in August last year.

NO HEEL ON THE SHIP

Laura insisted: ‘If you are going to spend time on the yacht, take off your shoes before getting on board.

‘The crew will tell you where to keep them or put your sandals in your bag. High heels are strictly not allowed as they could dig into the flooring. ‘Usually travels barefoot.’

Julius agreed, saying: ‘It is common knowledge that some shoes will damage the deck’ and added: ‘However, it is quite unusual for guests to remove their shoes and leave them on the deck at all times.

‘The crew will always prepare something for guests to walk more comfortably.’

Perhaps it’s no surprise that famous faces like Victoria Beckham and Lauren Sanchez can’t help but look their best even when arriving and departing from yachts.

Both were spotted walking in high heels on rocky ground during luxury holidays on cruise ships.

ALWAYS tip the team

Meanwhile, Julius said ‘the crew should always respect the guests and vice versa’. ‘One thing to remember is that he may own the yacht, but the real boss is the captain and you always want to stay on his good side.

‘Some captains are good, some are terrible. But if a captain and crew are chartering a yacht worth £3.5 million, guests are expected to leave at least £350,000 for the crew on board. Owners may not be tipped, but crew should definitely be tipped.’

But Laura insisted guests should not be ‘overly friendly’ to the crew, adding: ‘Remember to use please and thank you and treat them as you would any other staff.’

MOSTLY NO SMOKING (UNLESS THERE ARE CIGARS!)

JK Rowling was photographed smoking a cigar on her superyacht in a photo she shared on Twitter

Rita Ora on a yacht during the 67th Cannes Film Festival in France in 2014

Aside from fashion moments and bold PDA, some celebs like JK Rowling and Rita Ora have been photographed smoking on their luxury yachts.

However, Julius explained, “Guests on the ship are allowed to smoke if the owner allows it.”

‘Some charter boats may have a non-smoking policy and this must be adhered to. Unfortunately some smoke anyway but you always want to be polite.

‘On many high-value yachts it is common for guests to smoke cigars and cigarettes. The crew cannot smoke.

‘Also never light candles, always battery operated candles to avoid fire hazards.’

DO NOT DRINK MORE ALCOHOL THAN THE LANDLORD

“If you get drunk easily, reduce your alcohol intake,” Laura warned. ‘Falling overboard while the boat is moving doesn’t make a good impression on your host or anyone else.

‘There is also the danger of drowning and this will absolutely ruin the entire holiday for you, your loved ones and those on board.

‘But if you can hold your drink, follow your host and try not to drink more than him!’

Julius recalled that ‘alcohol was often a big problem’.There was one evening where a guest got so drunk that he ended up dancing in the water and the crew had to pick him up. Her husband hid in the cabin out of shame.

‘Yet there’s no limit to how much these boats can spend on wine and their favorite drink. Some boats will even have their own sommelier.’

NO PDA OUTSIDE

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker photographed packing on the PDA on a yacht in Italy in 2022

Kourtney Kardashian couldn’t keep her hands or lips off her husband of four years, Travis Barker, while vacationing on a yacht in Italy in 2022.

The reality TV star and her rock star beau looked carefree as they packed on the PDA — but that’s a big no-no, according to experts.

“A lot can be done behind closed doors, but avoid excessive PDA,” Julius insisted, while Laura added: “You have your own cubicle; use it for that.”

‘It’s not a nice sight to be seen fondling your partner in public as there are other people there too. A little humility goes a long way.’

NO UNINVITED EXTRA GUESTS

Laura explained that just like you shouldn’t bring an extra guest to a dinner party unannounced, the same goes for a yacht.

“This is not only disturbing, but it shows that you have no idea about the most beautiful things in life,” the expert insisted.

Julius agreed and explained: ‘Catering and logistics would be taken care of for designated guests.’

KEEP LIMITS IN PLACE WITH CREW

‘There are certain limits regarding crew. “If a guest offers a crew member a drink, they should politely decline or think of an excuse to decline the invitation,” Julius explained.

Laura echoed this, adding: ‘There must be a subtle professional boundary between you and the crew.

‘They’re there to work and shouldn’t be distracted by too much camaraderie. This is not appropriate.’

NEVER LEAVE THE DINING TABLE IN FRONT OF YOUR HOST

For those invited aboard, you’re in servitude for dinner until the host decides it’s time to go take a siesta or enjoy the sea air.

Laura insisted: ‘It would be extremely rude to leave the table before the host during the meal.

‘Food is a way to come together, bond and foster a relationship, even if it takes hours. Doing this may be part of the homeowner’s culture. Just sit back and enjoy. You are all on vacation; What’s your hurry?’