8 Ways The Below Deck Franchise Is Better Now Compared To Earlier Seasons (Everything's Different Now)

The Below Deck franchise has evolved significantly in the last twelve years. Below Deck season 1, which aired in July 2013, followed the ups and downs of a crew aboard a luxury yacht. It showed how they dealt with demanding charter guests and lived their lives sailing in the middle of the ocean. Below Deck season 1 received fairly positive reviews from fans and critics. It also received an above-average rating, which inspired the network to cash in on the formula and produce more seasons. Most recently, Bravo released Below Deck season 11, which received a lot of praise from viewers.

As the drama unfolded and fans became more interested in the Below Deck franchise, Bravo decided to produce spin-offs with the same concept. In 2016, the network released Below Deck Mediterranean, which featured Captain Mark Howard managing a brand-new crew and some returning cast members, such as Chef Ben Robinson. Unfortunately, Captain Mark didn't return to the following season because he wanted to live a private life. Bravo replaced Mark with Captain Sandra "Sandy" Yawn, who became the iconic face of the spin-off. Currently, Captain Sandy is likely the most popular captain in the franchise, which may be why the production company made her the guest captain in Below Deck season 10.

During the height of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Bravo released Below Deck Sailing Yacht season 1. The new spin-off followed the journey of a crew aboard a 177-foot sailing yacht, Parsifal III. Setting itself apart from other shows, this spin-off included returning cast members each season and showcased famous locations such as Greece, Croatia, Spain, Italy, and Ibiza. In 2022, Bravo premiered two more spin-offs: Below Deck Adventure and Below Deck Down Under. Below Deck Down Under, based in Australia, became a series, while Below Deck Adventure, which focused on Norway, didn't return for another season. Currently, the Below Deck franchise has four active spin-offs, all sailing smoothly.

8 The Below Deck Franchise Has Expanded

Below Deck Franchise Has Four Spin-Offs

There are several reasons why the Below Deck franchise is currently thriving, but the most prominent one is its overall popularity.

The franchise has become one of the most well-known on Bravo, competing with other shows like Vanderpump Rules and Real Housewives, which are among the most iconic reality TV shows ever. Below Deck has made significant progress in the past decade, expanding to include five spin-offs and many specials. In addition to the OG show and its spin-offs, viewers can now watch dozens of official and unofficial talk shows featuring crew mates and their drama. There are also dramatic reunion episodes and podcasts. It's difficult to argue that the franchise was more iconic in the past, given its current popularity.

7 The OG Below Deck Show Has Entered A New Era

Captain Kerry Titheradge Has Made The Show More Exciting

During its first few seasons, Below Deck was a unique show featuring a variety of luxury yachts, new cast members, and unique locations that entertained fans worldwide. However, in later seasons, the show became somewhat stagnant with the same old drama, and fans became bored with Captain Lee Rosbach's management style. In 2022, Bravo revamped the show after Captain Lee had to leave due to his health issues, bringing in Captain Sandy as a temporary replacement, giving season 10 a new feel. The show improved even more in the following year with season 11, featuring a new cast and a new captain with his own set of rules. Captain Kerry Titheradge took over for Captain Lee, becoming the new lead star of the show and giving it a much-needed reboot, which gave viewers a new reason to watch.

6 Below Deck Production Broke The Fourth Wall

Production Interference Heightens The Show's Unpredictability

Below Deck Mediterranean and Winter House's Katie Flood in three side by side images — Below Deck Mediterranean and Winter House's Katie Flood

The evolution of Below Deck's production is a key reason why watching the newer seasons is much more rewarding than watching the older ones. The production now plays a more active role in the drama on deck, often intervening to prevent fights from escalating.

Previously, crew member Gabriela Barragán from Below Deck Sailing Yacht mentioned how the production team "broke the fourth wall" to resolve issues. Katie Flood also shared a similar experience, noting that the production crew stepped in to break up a fight between Lexi Wilson and Mzi "Zee" Dempers, saying (via Yahoo), "they actually stepped in and like lost their s**t." The production crew's involvement isn't the only positive change. Cast members now interact with the camera operators, adding to the show's realism and unpredictability.

5 The Filming & Editing Quality Has Improved

Enhanced Filming Quality Gives The Show A Captivating Look

The improved filming quality and editing style have made the present-day Below Deck shows more enjoyable. In 2013, Below Deck was a new concept for both viewers and the production crew. At the time, the focus was more on everyday challenges and guest-related challenges rather than dramatic storylines. The first few seasons featured smaller, less extravagant boats and were generally less eventful.

The lack of social media drama also contributed to an overall milder feel in the old seasons compared to the newer ones. The production company behind Below Deck has honed its formula over the years, capturing all the action on the boat to create compelling storylines. The newer seasons are more dramatic, entertaining, and of higher quality, thanks to advancements in cameras, streaming quality, and services.

4 The Below Deck Cast Members Are More Interesting

Below Deck Cast Members Have Become Experts At Maintaining Drama

Like Below Deck, the crew members have evolved since 2013. They have become much more aware of what the show is all about, allowing them to stand out and create entertaining moments.

When Below Deck began nearly twelve years ago, the crew members didn't have past seasons to take inspiration from, so they didn't know what worked on reality TV and what didn't. As a result, Below Deck's first few seasons felt more raw and candid. While some cast members, like Chef Ben Robinson, were able to make a name for themselves, most others, such as Bobby Giancola, Bryan Kattenburg, C.J. LeBeau, Samantha Orme, etc., didn't. Today, cast members know how to create drama, making it more memorable. The popularity of certain cast members is a key reason they are re-cast on the show.

3 Each Below Deck Show Has An Entertaining Returning Chief Stew

The Return Of The Chief Stew Boosts The Show's Star Power

Below Deck has been on the air for almost 12 years and has featured many notable cast members who've become fan favorites. Over the years, producers have capitalized on this history by bringing back famous crew members, making newer seasons entertaining and star-studded. For example, Kate Chastain appeared in nearly six seasons, forming an iconic friendship with Chef Ben Robinson that gave fans a reason to tune in. More recently, Fraser Olender has won fans over with his excellent skills as a chief steward. Aesha Scott and Daisy Kelliher are other chief stewardesses who have also captured fans' hearts with their personalities. Returning cast members is beneficial to the franchise, as it makes newer seasons more familiar and relatable.

2 Below Deck Fans Never Have A Viewing Hiatus

Viewers Can Watch The Latest Below Deck Drama Without Any Wait

The Below Deck franchise has improved significantly due to its popularity. In 2013, viewers only had one show that aired once a year for a month or two. Fans often had to wait nearly a year to watch another season, which affected the show's momentum and social media presence. Now, the franchise includes five shows with multiple specials and has a large fan community on Reddit. The best part of being a Below Deck fan in 2025 is that there's no major wait time between seasons. Fans can watch spin-offs right after the main show ends, providing a continuous dose of Below Deck throughout the year with new storylines and entertaining drama. For example, Below Deck aired in May 2024, followed by Below Deck Mediterranean in June 2024, and then Below Deck Sailing Yacht in October 2024.

1 The Below Deck Captains Have Varied Personalities & Styles

The Captains' Diverse Personalities Bring An Extra Level Of Excitement To Below Deck

Below Deck Franchise Captains Jason Chambers, Kerry Titheradge, Sandy Yawn, and Glenn Shephard posing and smiling — Below Deck Franchise Captains Jason Chambers, Kerry Titheradge, Sandy Yawn, and Glenn Shephard

The captains of Below Deck are a major reason why the franchise is more entertaining in 2025. When the franchise first began, Captain Lee had a strict management style that reflected his age and experience. The franchise expanded in 2016 with Below Deck Mediterranean, featuring Captain Sandy, known for her youthful aura and motherly affection for her crew members. In 2020, Below Deck Sailing Yacht introduced Captain Glenn Shephard, known for his calm demeanor and relaxed attitude.

Captain Glenn quickly became a fan favorite for his sweet personality and fun-loving nature. In the last two years, Below Deck has introduced two new captains. Captain Jason Chambers is known as the hunk of the franchise, sharp and unemotional in judgment. The newest captain, Kerry Titheradge, has also shown skill at managing the crew. Though he has only been on a few episodes, Below Deck viewers already appreciate his leadership.

Below Deck Sailing Yacht airs Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo.

Source: Bravo/YouTube, Yahoo, Below Deck/Instagram