| Runtime: | 30 minutes |
| Starring: | Jane McDonald |
| Producer: | Chris Terrill Olivia Lichtenstein |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
| Num Series: | 1 |
| Num Episodes: | 12 (+ 2 specials) |
| Network: | BBC One |
The Cruise is a British observational documentary television series directed by Chris Terrill that aired on BBC in 1998. The series of 12 episodes followed a group of staff on board the luxury cruise ship Galaxy as it sailed the Caribbean on its maiden voyage.[1] The first episode, Let the Dream Begin, aired at 8pm on 13 January 1998.[2] The series was highly popular, attracting 10.39 million viewers (41 per cent audience share).[3] It made a celebrity of Jane McDonald, a cruise ship entertainer on Galaxy, who went on to become a recording artist and television presenter.[4]
| Title | Synopsis | Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Let the Dream Begin | Introduction. | 13 January 1998 | |
| 2 | Stranded in Paradise | The ship arrives in Jamaica for Christmas.[5] | 14 January 1998 | |
| 3 | Scotty to the Rescue | New Year's Eve.[6] | 20 January 1998 | |
| 4 | Life's a Beach | Jane and DJ Scotty climb a waterfall.[7] | 21 January 1998 | |
| 5 | Double or Quits | Following croupiers Dale and Mary in the ship's casino.[8] | 27 January 1998 | |
| 6 | Stormin' Norman | Passenger and professional gambler Norman has an argument with the ship's casino, while Dale and Mary go jet-skiing.[9] | 28 January 1998 | |
| 7 | Break a Leg | Lead dancer Philip has a fall. Jane visits a medium. Dale and Mary go roller-blading to celebrate their wedding anniversary.[10] | 3 February 1998 | |
| 8 | Dancing with Dolphins | Dancers Jake and Michele swim with dolphins.[11] | 4 February 1998 | |
| 9 | Lights, Camera, Action | Dale and Mary go on a rafting trip. Jane gets a makeover. Michele attends a dress rehearsal.[12] | 10 February 1998 | |
| 10 | First Night Nerves | The ship's new entertainment show opens.[13] | 11 February 1998 | |
| 11 | Le Grand Buffet | Sean the juggler confronts 300 born-again Christians.[14] | 17 February 1998 | |
| 12 | Teach Me Tonight | Laura marries Gary at the ship's disco.[15] | 18 February 1998 |
| Title | Synopsis | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Cruise Special: Jane Ties the Knot | Jane marries her Danish boyfriend Henrik on the Caribbean island of St Thomas.[16] | 10 July 1998 | |
| Jane's Cruise to the Stars | Reflecting on Jane's year in the spotlight, with previously unseen footage from The Cruise.[17] | 31 December 1998 |
In August 2008, BBC Two broadcast a five-part series called Return to... The Cruise, a retrospective look at the original series, with stars of The Cruise reminiscing about life on board Galaxy, as well as highlights from the series.[18]