With Below Deck season 10 wrapped up and Below Deck Mediterranean season 7 in the books, fans of the franchise have many memorable seasons to look back on. Spread across four different series, the over-the-top antics of the high-profile luxury yacht industry has made for amazing reality TV.
No matter what ship the audience sails with, they are guaranteed an exciting and dramatic time on the high seas. Though the shows have always been must-watch TV, some seasons of the franchise left a lasting impression on viewers due to the high-scale drama and earned much higher scores on IMDb.
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 2 – 7.04
Like its predecessor, Mediterranean had a rocky first season but came into its own by season 2. Almost completely replacing the cast from season 1, Sirocco’s crew was all-new, and what made the season great was learning about them. Hannah and Bobby’s bond was tested throughout the season as the two veterans split over handling day-to-day operations in the face of a new captain and crew. Love triangles formed, and the entire season exploded when Bugsy and Hannah had a massive falling out. Though the show would get more dramatic as the years progressed, season 2 planted many seeds that would pay off later.
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 3 – 7.05
As a companion piece to the previous season, the third outing of Mediterranean continued some of the most gripping storylines. The show’s characters were put on full display, and their interactions with guests and each other were the season’s bread and butter. Starting with some of the worst yacht guests of all time, the entire season sees Hannah struggling with her career path, and she is unsure if yachting is what she wants to do with her life.
Below Deck Season 2 – 7.11
Though Below Deck‘s season 1 was essential and helped launch it into a franchise, season 2 is where the show blossomed. Weaving its narrative quite fluently, the season set itself apart from most other reality shows by telling a complete story that includes all its characters. Relationships were formed and tested throughout the season, and whether deckhands were fighting or flirting, it seemed as if there was always something interesting going on. A good reality show needs balance, and season 2 was able to perfectly mix its drama with the behind-the-scenes antics that made the show enjoyable in the first place.
Below Deck Season 3 – 7.31
Like Mediterranean, Below Deck‘s season 3 was an improvement because it was a growth and continuation of ideas in the second year. The over-the-top drama that would characterize the show started to creep in, but there was still much yachting action. Eddie’s shocking return was a perfect hook for the season to come, and there was tension in the episodes that built around scandals and relationship drama. Though some of the fakest things about the show began to enter into the mix by season 3, it was never a tedious watch.
Below Deck Season 5 – 7.48
The fifth season of the flagship show was a turnover year, and a ship full of inexperienced hands was a recipe for instant drama. Because the show is a reality program and essentially runs on drama, the arrival of new crew members was like a refresh button that kept the show from growing stale. Even with new crew members, the veterans continued to grow into their characters, and Kate had a particularly illuminating season when she went ashore. Though it was tough to let go of some familiar faces, season 5 was a burst of new energy that kept the show strong.
Below Deck Down Under Season 1 – 7.51
Generally considered one of the best new shows of 2022, the latest installment in the franchise didn’t have the same difficult start as its predecessors. Below Deck Down Under took the franchise’s yachting excitement and transported it to the coast of Australia. With years of Below Deck under their belts, the new show’s producers knew exactly how to ratchet up the drama right off the bat. The characters were mostly new to their jobs, and their development was exciting to watch. Additionally, the usual romances were on full display, and every crew member played a part in the narrative.
Below Deck Season 4 – 7.57
Just before the big reset in season 5, season 4 saw the culmination of many of the series’ long-running crew members. Romances had played out, and it was clear that a significant change was on the horizon, yet the show remained interesting. Aside from some of the best boatmances, the season also featured many exciting developments that gave audiences a glimpse into the realities of working on a ship. A boating accident and dangerous storms endangered the guests and crew, and it was a reminder that yachting is more than just interpersonal drama.
Below Deck Season 7 – 7.59
Though the show has slowly become more and more over-the-top with each subsequent season, a perfect balance was reached in the seventh year. The ship set sail to Thailand to start the season, and the return of memorable charter guests improved the show. The humor was ramped up, but there were also shocking, dramatic moments, including Kate’s near departure from the show. While it had come a long way since season 1 and was almost unrecognizable, season 7 is viewed as the last great season of the original series.
Below Deck Mediterranean Season 4 – 7.70
Once again returning to the Sirocco, and with a primarily new crew in tow, Mediterranean’s season 4 was anything but a mid-run low point. Some familiar faces returned from season 3 to be a guiding voice, but the new crew members were what made the season shine. The coast of France was the setting for the season, and its beautiful vistas are the backdrop to some fantastic inter-crew drama. Aside from that, the antics of guests like former baseball star Johnny Damon were the cherry on top of an entertaining season.
Below Deck Season 6 – 7.91
Below Deck‘s season 6 set the standard for what a great year the franchise could be. Perfectly mixing its interpersonal drama with its yachting action, the season never slowed down and was an intense experience throughout. Introducing the “outrageous moments” episode to the season for the first time, it still managed to shine despite using a clip show. Though every episode was packed with drama and intrigue, Ashton’s near-death experience when going overboard was undoubtedly an unforgettable moment.
