Season eight of BELOW DECK sees the return to the Caribbean, with Captain Lee accompanied by Eddie Lucas (Bosun), a fan favorite, and new crew members Francesca Rubi (Chief Stewardess), Rachel Hargrove (Chef), Elizabeth Frankini, Isabelle “Izzy” Wouters, James Hough, and Shane Coopersmith (Deckhand).
Cast of Below Deck Season 8
- Lee Rosbach – Captain
- Rachel Hargrove – Chef
- Francesca Rubi – Chief Stewardess
- Elizabeth Frankini – Stewardess
- Ashling Lorger – 3rd Stewardess
- Isabelle “Izzy” Wouters – Stewardess
- Eddie Lucas – Bosun
- James Hough – Deckhand
- Shane Coopersmith – Deckhand
- Avery Russell – Deckhand
- Robert Phillips – Deckhand
Episode 1 - There's No Place Like Home
Captain Lee Rosbach is taken to the hospital due to a severe injury. As he sails back to the Caribbean aboard M/Y My Seanna with a new crew and Eddie Lucas, it raises questions about the charter season. Undoubtedly in panic mode, Eddie is put in charge of greeting everyone.
Francesca Rubi, the new chief stew and the unfortunate replacement for Kate Bravo, is the first to arrive. She’s from Sydney, Australia, has five years of experience working aboard yachts in the Mediterranean, and has a background in high-profile event management. She brags about taking her job “a little too seriously sometimes.”
The captain establishes the marine legislation at the first crew meeting. He makes it quite obvious that this season won’t be a replay of last season (Season 7).
Episode 2 - There's No Crying in Yachting
Shane Coopersmith finds adjusting to the unexpected duties on deck challenging after one of his teammates abruptly leaves. After arguing with Francesca, Izzy Wouters starts to wonder if the inside fulfills her want to be at sea. Francesca loses her cool in front of Captain Lee, while Rachel Hargrove lets her emotions get the best of her when dealing with demanding guests.
James Hough, meantime, finds himself in the thick of a heated debate between two visitors. Everyone feels better after getting some sleep, and the following day offers an opportunity for a fresh start. Everyone, save Captain Lee, whose ribs continue to give him pain.
The chef finds she doesn’t have the necessary kitchen space to prepare the 20,000 various types of omelets. It is what the guests have requested after receiving literally the most challenging breakfast order known to mankind.
Episode 3 - Max and Dax's Excellent Adventure
James is eager to party in the Caribbean, but he gets let down on his first night out. To James’ dismay, Izzy makes an unexpected choice as My Seanna welcomes a new crew member. Francesca confronts the consequences of her emotional outburst.
Eddie Lucas’ inexperienced deck team is likewise having difficulties. Even with the arrival of Izzy Wouters, they lack experience, are unimpressive, and are simply not up to par.
James Hough is working the late shift, as an example. And after dinner, instead of properly cleaning the bridge deck aft, he allows himself to be seduced by a charter guest’s boyfriend’s claim that he resembles Tom Hardy.
Episode 4 - Do Not Disturb
Eddie starts to feel the strain of carrying the load of the deck team. James finds it difficult to relate to his crewmates since he thinks out of his environment. A few people make mistakes that cause the charter to fall apart.
As a result, Captain Lee must be honest with the crew following a string of disastrous events. Ultimately, Eddie is driven over the edge by Shane’s continued mistakes.
Episode 5 - Champagne Wishes and Caviar Screams
The chief steward Francesca Rubi orders third steward Ashling Lorger to clean Captain Lee Rosbach’s cabin. At the same time, everyone else works and eats, but he enters the crew mess first. After sleeping at work, Shane tries to make amends.
While Deckhand Isabelle “Izzy” Wouters cautions slothful Shane in the crew mess to pick up his game and hard, Eddie drops by for a drink of wine. They’re already coming together as a strong team on deck, so I enjoy that she did that.
Episode 6 - Just Another Day in Paradise
An important birthday meal is ruined by mistake with the caviar. Rachel is involved in a drama; Francesca grows more irritated with Elizabeth, and Shane’s career is in jeopardy. Under the direction of bosun Eddie Lucas, who is way over Shane and his Berkley education that he won’t stop talking about, the deck crew is hard at work.
He requires a diligent worker. James Hough and Isabelle “Izzy” Wouters are with him. Concerning switching out paper straws with plastic ones, Shane does a terrific job.
I mean. Eddie adores Izzy and James but despises Shane, and the visitors adore the cuisine. Eddie is quite pleased with most of his deck crew’s work. Rachel is delivering fantastic courses after excellent courses, and Captain Lee is quite impressed.
Episode 7- Runaway Chef
Rachel is struggling with her long-distance relationship. James and Elizabeth’s desire becomes apparent, and the team must deal with the fallout from Captain Lee and Shane’s talk. James Hough, a deckhand, pulls Shane’s surfboard out of storage and goes up on deck to bid him farewell.
Even though Ashling Lorger, the third steward, has only been there for a minute, she is unexpectedly moved by Shane’s departure. Before being picked up, Shane embraces everyone except Rachel, who doesn’t want to say goodbye.
Episode 8 - No way Rose
While everyone gets used to Rachel’s choice, the crew gains a new member. Everybody supports Elizabeth. Eddie is assisted by Captain Lee.
Steward Ashling Lorger takes notes as Francesca pulls her crew away to describe the nightmarish charter. They would be facing in just a few hours, while Elizabeth merely watches, dumbfounded. Francesca keeps Elizabeth for another conversation after the debrief.
While Rob goes to bed, Izzy stays on the porch with Elizabeth to clean up after dinner. Elizabeth is standing there talking about how Francesca treats her and the girl when Francesca enters the room.
Episode 9 - The Devil You Know
Rachel tries to win back Captain Lee’s trust as the effects of her hasty choice continue, but Eddie finds her pranks annoying. Francesca feels lonely, while a demotion inside the interior department causes debate. As Elizabeth and James’ romance intensifies and Izzy shares her traumatic past, the bonds among the passengers grow more resounding than ever.
Episode 10 - Steamy Vibes
James finds himself at the center of gossip as Elizabeth fights to hide her on-the-rise relationship. Izzy feels unwell as the crew welcomes a group of seasoned boaters. In the end, Captain Lee is compelled to enforce the law after a belligerent charter guest crosses the line.
Ashling and Elizabeth are brought up to the salon by Francesca for a pre-day meeting. This isn’t arranged, Elizabeth wasn’t informed, and really: she’s trying so hard. It’s difficult because Francesca simply despises her, especially after she overheard Izzy and Elizabeth talking trash about her in Elizabeth’s room.
Episode 11 - Blood in the Water
Francesca and Eddie are left to discuss professionalism on deck with Elizabeth and James while Izzy has played musical bunks. Izzy is quarantined as her illness deteriorates in the interim. Captain Lee gives the crew a peaceful day off at a resort after a complex charter.
Still, they are horrified by Rachel’s odd behavior. Of course, one of the visitors, Karen, crashes her jetski into other jetskis and then accuses James of failing to throw her a line. James and the others dream up scenarios for what might have happened to the jetski before leaving to go horseback riding on the beach.
Episode 12 - Blue Skies and UTIs
Elizabeth finds herself in trouble due to Rachel’s shenanigans. Captain Lee shares his soft and vulnerable side with Francesca by sharing a personal tragedy. Eddie sends Izzy away for medical attention as her health continues to deteriorate.
Still, as more crew members become ill, Francesca wonders whether they will survive the upcoming charter. When Rachel returns from provisioning alone, she radios for help but gets exactly no reaction from the crew. When someone doesn’t answer the radio, Captain Lee calls them to answer and then summons Francesca and Eddie to the bridge for a conversation.
Episode 13 - James' Big Cannoli
Elizabeth is the victim of James’ jokes, and Eddie offers Izzy a unique opportunity. The group comes together for a beach cleanup. Still, when Francesca learns that subordinates stay in a guest cabin without her permission, the team’s good spirits immediately fade.
Elizabeth gives James a second opportunity, who brings him a cannoli from the kitchen but makes the error of radioing him to meet her. Although Elizabeth isn’t on duty, her boss Francesca hears and makes a point of busting them.
Episode 14 - Hide the Salami
Francesca is pushed to the breaking point and loses all faith in Elizabeth. At the same time, Captain Lee develops a terrible friendship with the passengers. As Elizabeth’s high hopes for her 30th birthday are not met, Rachel’s frustration with the inside over misunderstandings grows.
As COVID-19 increases at home, Ashling decides to lie to the primary’s kid, and the crew starts to worry about it. After learning that James and Elizabeth were playing the board game Hide the Salami in the guest room. Captain Lee summons Eddie to the bridge and James for a stern warning: one more time, you’re out.
He anticipates having the same conversation with Elizabeth, but Francesca has already done so. Our troubled stew is set to be fired on her birthday since it’s either her or Elizabeth.
Episode 15 - Don't Cry for Me Antigua
While Izzy’s elevation causes commotion on deck and Rob makes his feelings crystal plain, Ashling pays for her white lie. Francesca and Rachel’s argument is made worse by Elizabeth’s decision to spend the entire charter concentrating on James rather than her work. Francesca Rubi, the chief steward, detests one-half of her crew to the hilt.
As the other guests head to the deck for breakfast, Rob and James set up the dreaded water slide. As Elizabeth cleans the cottages and everyone packs for the picnic, Francesca and Ashling help.
Episode 16 - Premature Evacuation
Francesca is ultimately forced to make a choice regarding Elizabeth’s future on deck after having to consider their conflict. The crew suffers as a result of Rachel’s attitude on the inside.
James commits a devastating betrayal as Izzy and Rob’s relationship turns nasty. In the end, unanticipated global events drastically change the path of the charter season for the M/Y MySeanna, leaving everyone unsure of their future.
Episode 17 - Reunion
For a virtual sit-down with Andy Cohen, the Below Deck cast has traveled from all four corners of the world. Viewers get a glimpse into the homes and relationships of some of their favorite yachties through Galley Talk.
Episode 18 - The Crew Tells All
In this episode, the crew reveals what happened in the season.
Below Deck Season 8 Quick Facts
- an American reality TV series
- aired on Bravo TV from November 2, 2020, to February 22, 2021
- Mark Cronin, Courtland Cox, Nadine Rajabi, Lauren Simms, Rebecca Henning, James Bruce, and Elise Duran are the executive producers
- under the production of 51 Minds Entertainment
- consists of 18 episodes