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Although Bravo’s yachting series Below Deck started as an original, it has spawned many equally successful spin-offs to become a franchise in the stables of the network. Below Deck is an American reality TV series that debuted on Bravo on July 1, 2013. The show was the first of its kind and gave viewers an in-depth look at the yachting world while chronicling the lives of the crew members that work and resided aboard the superyacht, St. David, during a charter season.
Since it premiered in 2013, the show has enjoyed 10 successful seasons. During that time, the show has taken viewers on a round trip to some of the most exotic locations across the globe — Phuket, Antigua, and Tahiti — while also introducing fans to several interesting characters. Due to the great reception from fans, a new spin-off series, Below Deck Mediterranean, launched the Bravo universe in 2016. The new spin-off series further solidified the franchise’s appeal with a fresh line-up of Below Deck stars who remain fan favorites to date.
In 2020, another spin-off series debuted when Below Deck Sailing Yacht hit the waters of Greece. Two years later, two new spin-offs, Below Deck Down Under and Below Deck Adventure, premiered in the franchise, increasing its global reach. Still, all these series offer varying things to fans due to their different locations and cast. Over the years, varying appeals have made some fans gravitate towards some series over others. In a Reddit post by u/naduzy titled “Which franchise of Below Deck would you say is best?” fans ranked each series based on likability.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht
(Updated on September 30, 2024 – updated links and format)
Below Deck Sailing Yacht is the third spin-off of the franchise and premiered on Bravo in 2020 — introducing fans to the massive Parsifal III. The series is currently in its fourth season, which will see the Parsifal III set sail in the waters of Sardinia, Italy. The first season saw the crew tour the waters of Greece, then Croatia, and more recently, Spain.
Captain Glenn Shephard has been at the helm of the Parsifal III since the show debuted and will reprise his role in season 4 of the popular spin-off. While many of the crew members from season 1 didn’t return, season 2 saw the emergence of fan-favorites Chief Engineer Colin MacRae, Chief Stewardess Daisy Kelliher, and bosun Gary King.
For many years, there has been a constant debate amongst Bravo fans about which of the Below Deck series is the best in the franchise. While the other series also have appealed to fans, Below Deck Sailing Yacht remains the top pick for most viewers due to its originality and correctly depicting the yachting world. A Reddit fan u/Formal-Antelope 6077 reinforced this opinion by writing,
“Sailing is consistently good with very likeable crew.”
Below Deck (Original)
Bravo’s exploration of the yachting world began when Below Deck premiered in 2013. The show opened viewers to the previously hidden world of yachting as it chronicled the lives of crew members who live and reside on luxurious superyachts during charter season. Captain Lee Rosbach remained at the helm of Below Deck throughout its entire run of 10 seasons and quickly cemented his status as the face of the franchise thanks to his influence amongst the show’s fanbase.
The show has produced several other fan-favorite cast members through the years, including Kate Chastain, who left the series in 2020. Aside from introducing fans to several interesting characters, the show has also showcased some of the most beautiful locations across the globe, such as Tahiti, Sint Maarten, Phuket, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, and St Kitts. All this and much more have helped the show enjoy great reviews despite running for over a decade.
Below Deck Down Under
Below Deck Down Under is the third spin-off series from the Below Deck franchise and the first to debut on Peacock. The series premiered in March 2022, and as the name implies, the show traveled to Australia to bring fans an all-new yachting experience. Fans watched the crew take to the Whitsunday Islands region on the Queensland coast.
The series saw Captain Jason Chambers take the helm of the 150-foot-plus luxury superyacht known as “Thalassa.” Captain Jason, the youngest Captain in the franchise’s history, and the crew impressed viewers with their hands-on approach to their roles. He also had the support of a familiar face Aesha Scott, who previously appeared on Below Deck Mediterranean. Aesha took on the role of a Chief Stew for the first time, and together they led a successful yachting season.
Although the show is only in its first season, it enjoyed a great reception from fans, who praised the cast for their performance. Unlike some Below Deck series that underperformed during their first season, Below Deck Down Under surpassed expectations. Nonetheless, there is already so much excitement ahead of a second season.
Below Deck Mediterranean
Below Deck Mediterranean is the first Below Deck spin-off which kick-started the franchise. It premiered on Bravo on May 3, 2016. The first season saw Captain Mark Howard take the reigns of the Ionian Princess as they took viewers on a luxury trip in the world’s oldest cruising ground — the Mediterranean Sea. After exploring the waters of Greece in the flag-off season, Captain Sandy Yawn took over the reins the next year and has been the face of the show ever since.
Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier is another face synonymous with the show, but she got fired in 2020 after she broke maritime laws by having Valium and a CBD pen on board. However, she later explained that she had a prescription for Valium, and the CBD was legal where they were sailing. So far, Below Deck Mediterranean has aired seven seasons, and an eight-season will premiere later this year. During its seven seasons, the show has explored several locations across the Mediterranean, including Greece (season 1), Croatia (seasons 2 and 6), Italy (season 3), France (season 4), Spain (season 5), and Malta (season 7).
Despite airing for seven seasons, the show hasn’t enjoyed the best ratings from fans. Much of that is down to the cast led by Captain Sandy. Most Bravo fans have a problem with Sandy’s approach to leadership and feel it negatively impacts the show. One of her more controversial decisions was Hannah’s sacking, and the series hasn’t quite recovered ever since.
Below Deck Adventure
Below Deck Adventure premiered on Bravo on November 1, 2022. The show featured wealthy thrill seekers as they embarked on a mega-yacht trip of a lifetime, where they experienced the most exhilarating adventures and daredevil activities, all against some of the world’s most beautiful backdrops. In season 1 of the series, the crew takes viewers on an unforgettable cruise through the glacial fjords of Norway, where the charter guests participate in all sorts of action-filled recreational activities during the day, such as paragliding, cave rappelling, and cold-water plunges.
Meanwhile, the nights aren’t any less fun as charter guests dine on freshly caught seafood while there’s also the option of steaming up in the hot tub. Despite all the promises of fun and excitement teased by the Below Deck Adventure season 1 trailer, the show failed to meet fans’ expectations. Most Bravo fans have since faulted the show’s premise, some even accused the series of assembling the worst cast of Below Deck. So far, the reviews from the show’s first season have been so poor that many don’t expect the network to sanction another season. However, many of the Below Deck series in the franchise didn’t become good in their first season, and there may still be hope for Below Deck Adventure.
