Cruising with Jane McDonald

Cruising with Jane McDonald is an engaging travelogue television series that debuted in 2017. The programme showcases the entertaining adventures and intriguing travels of the always vivacious and unarguably talented Jane McDonald, an English singer, actress, and media personality. Jane won the hearts of the UK public via her appearance in the 1998 BBC documentary series "The Cruise". Since then, she's gone on to establish a successful career in singing, presenting, and reality TV, making her the perfect companion for viewers seeking to explore the world from the comfort of their living room.

The main hook of the series is the way it dives into exploring different cruise experiences around the world. In each episode, Jane boards one of the many luxurious ocean liners or river cruise ships, travelling to various destinations. Her visits encompass a whole range of places across the globe. From the serene waterways of Europe to the bustling ports of Asia, the picturesque complemented with the exotic, Jane’s cruising voyages provide a virtual buffet for travel enthusiasts.

There is a perfect blend of factual and entertaining content in Cruising with Jane McDonald. It is more than just a travel show; it's a themed exploration of culture, history, sights, cuisines, people, and most importantly, the unique experiences offered by the cruising industry. The programme effectively pitches the cruise experience as an enjoyable, social, and hassle-free way to explore numerous destinations on a single trip.

Jane comes across authentic and intuitive whilst on camera. The way she immerses herself in local cultures during shore excursions, interacts with her fellow cruise-goers, speaks with the ship’s crew members, or savours the delicacies of every region she travels to, adds a human touch to the series. She joyfully investigates the ins and outs of the ship providing ample detail about the accommodation, on-board facilities, activities, entertainment, and dining options. It's a side of cruise holidays that viewers may be unaware of, giving them a 'back-stage pass' to the inner workings of an ocean or river voyage.

At the same time, Jane's performing background must not be forgotten, and she often lends her vocals to impromptu performances on-board while sometimes witnessing other artists and shows that are part of the cruise's entertainment setup. Her larger-than-life personality combined with her jovial humour mushrooms the entertainment factor of the programme. Her candid reactions to the array of new experiences, her sheer exuberance while exploring, or her virtuous passion while performing, brings life to the television screens, making the series a delightful watch.

Cruising with Jane McDonald also takes its fair share of turns to the emotional aspect. Jane’s honest reflections on the places she visits, the cultures she absorbs, the people she encounters, or simply the experience of being on a cruise, brings out heartfelt moments. This not only adds to the programme's depth but also makes it resonantly relatable to the viewers at home.

The programme isn’t all sunshine and smooth sails, though. Jane is not afraid to highlight the potential downsides of cruising holidays—whether that's a bout of sea-sickness, quirks of the ship that may not suit everyone, or the environmental impacts of cruising. This balanced view sets the series apart from being a mere travel promotional programme.

Produced by Elephant House Studios, all the episodes are impeccably tailored to provide a mix of relaxation, fun, and insights in easy-to-digest durations of 60 minutes. The high definition and drone cameras beautifully capture the ship’s grandeur and its picturesque journey across the seas while the background score perfectly syncs with the mood of the voyage, providing an immersive sitting experience to the viewer.

Cruising with Jane McDonald, with its combination of travel, humor, music, insights and the fantastic presence of Jane herself, has attracted a wide range of audiences, bagging a BAFTA TV award for 'Best Features' in 2018. For anyone looking to understand cruise holidays, to experience grand voyages without leaving their home, or to simply watch Jane McDonald buoyantly exploring the world one cruise at a time - this show is a must-watch.