The 10 Most Popular Episodes of “Cruising with Jane McDonald”
Jane McDonald might be stepping down from the award-winning Channel 5 show "Cruising with Jane McDonald" in 2020, but that doesn’t mean you can’t binge watch your favourite episodes thanks to the network’s My5 Catch Up channel.
To help you decide where to start, we’ve compiled the most popular episodes based on viewing figures from all seven seasons of the show, including the spin-off "Cruising with Jane McDonald: Down Under".
This list is based on viewing figures taken from Barb (Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board) and is based on a 28-day viewing period from the date each episode first aired.
The 10 most popular episodes of "Cruising with Jane McDonald", in reverse order.
Everything you need to know about "Cruising with Jane McDonald"
*Editor's note: Channel 5's My5 Catch Up channel is only available in the UK. If you're trying to view from outside of the UK, give You Tube a try. *
10. Series 1, Episode 1 (aired February 10 2017)
Viewers: 1.86m
Line: MSC Cruises
Ship: MSC Divina
The 10th most popular episode of "Cruising with Jane McDonald" also happens to be the very first, which originally aired in February 2017. Viewers who tuned in for the opening show saw the singer and TV presenter join MSC Cruises’ Miami-based MSC Divina for a fun-filled Caribbean voyage with calls in Nassau, St Martin and Puerto Rico. The ship’s party atmosphere and Jane’s fun-loving nature captivated households across the UK and spurred a cult following of the show that would lead to a further six seasons spanning three years.
9. Series 6 Christmas Special, Episode 5 (aired December 24 2019)
Viewers: 1.87m
Line: Hurtigruten
Ship: Polarlys
At number nine is this feel-good one-hour Christmas Special shot in picturesque Norway. The December 2019 episode saw Jane make the iconic voyage from Bergen in the south to Kirkenes in the Arctic. The show took viewers on an exhilarating journey as Jane feasted with Vikings, caught king crab and trekked to the most northerly part of mainland Europe, the North Cape.
8. Series 1, Episode 2 (aired February 17 2017)
Viewers: 1.93m
Line: The Majestic Line
Ship: Glen Tarsan
In February 2017, Jane embarked on a mini cruise close to home -- in Scotland's Inner Hebrides and the Isle of Mull on the tiny Glen Tarsan. Jane was joined by just six other passengers on what was the smallest cruise the singer has ever been on, visiting Treshnish Islands, home to hundreds of puffins, and the famous Fingal’s Cave on Staffa island, which inspired Mendelssohn’s "Hebrides Overture".
7. Series 4, Episode 2 (aired June 15 2018)
Viewers: 1.94m
Line: Holland America
Ship: Noordam
In this second instalment of series four, Jane continued her journey in Australia onboard Holland America’s Noordam. Travelling to New Zealand’s North Island, Jane inspired nearly two million viewers with a journey to the capital city of Wellington, meeting a traditional Maori tribe and a helicopter tour over Auckland before returning to Australia to climb Sydney’s famous Harbour Bridge.
6. Series 2, Episode 1 (aired September 1 2017)
Viewers: 2m
Line: Viking Cruises
Ship: Viking Sky
Remember Jane’s famous take on Abba? Well it occurred at the end of episode one of season two, following Jane’s exhilarating cruise onboard Viking Sky in the Baltic Sea. The episode was a memorable one, not only for showcasing this gorgeous Scandi-inspired ship, but also for inspiring two million viewers with the gorgeous sights of Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki and, of course, Stockholm, where Jane got to visit the official Abba museum.
5. Series 3, Episode 3 (aired February 23 2018)
Viewers: 2.1m
Line: AmaWaterways
Ship: AmaDara
Sailing Asia’s Mekong River from Vietnam to Cambodia, this popular episode saw Jane take in the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City before reaching the oldest religious monument in the world, Ankor Wat temple.
4. Series 3, Episode 1 (aired February 9 2018)
Viewers: 2.1m
Line: Princess Cruises
Ship: Ruby Princess
Boarding Princess Cruises’ 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess in Los Angeles, the first episode of season three saw Jane get a taste of California life from the comfort of this family-friendly ship. Onboard, Jane met former "Dallas" star Linda Gray, attended a wedding and was coated head-to-toe in chocolate for one of the line’s signature chocolate massages.
3. Series 3, Episode 4 (aired March 2 2018)
Viewers: 2.2m
Line: American Steam Boat Company
Ship: American Queen
Over two million viewers tuned in to watch the final episode of series three, which saw Jane take to North America’s mighty Mississippi on the stunning American Queen -- the largest paddle steam vessel in operation. Boarding in the jazz capital of New Orleans, Jane took in the river’s famous ports, visiting a former plantation and the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
2. Series 3, Episode 2 (aired February 16 2018)
Viewers: 2.3m
Line: Iceland Pro Cruises
Ship: Ocean Diamond
In this episode Jane joins one-ship line Iceland Pro Cruises for a circumnavigation voyage of Iceland. The ship -- Ocean Diamond -- is a former ferry vessel with an ice-strengthened hull that also navigates the icy waters off Greenland. Jane boarded the ship in Reykjavik and sailed around Iceland’s rugged coastline, taking in the northern lights, hot geysers, whale watching and a visit to the iconic Blue Lagoon.
Series Four of "Cruising with Jane McDonald" Draws Record Audience Share
1. Series 4, Episode 1 (aired June 8 2018)
Viewers: 2.4m
Line: Holland America
Ship: Noordam
Drum roll The all-time most popular episode of "Cruising with Jane McDonald" is... episode one of series four, which drew 2.4m viewers in June 2018. The episode formed part of a two-parter that saw Jane embark on an epic journey in Australia and New Zealand (part two appears at number seven on our list). This episode saw Jane begin a 14-night cruise on Noordam in Sydney, taking in the iconic Sydney Opera House with a backstage pass before setting sail for Tasmania and visiting the historic port of Hobart.