The series is narrated by Nick Brimble…
Supercruising: Life at Sea sees two award-winning super ships open their gangways to Channel 4 cameras for the first time, giving viewers an access-all-areas insight into their glamorous hidden world in this brand-new eight-part docuseries, starting at 8pm on Thursday 3 July and available to stream on Channel 4.
Vast floating cities, these cruise ships run 24 hours a day, carrying thousands of passengers and crew, and are built for adventure. As the show goes aboard two luxury cruise ships, viewers will meet the dedicated crews and colourful characters embarking on three voyages, going behind the scenes to areas of the ships that passengers have never seen before:
Nieuw Statendam weighs almost 100,000 tonnes with 12 passenger decks, 12 restaurants and a full programme of entertainment and excursions day and night, travelling through North Africa and Europe and then onto the Caribbean. And sister ship Rotterdam cruises through the Americas – including the Panama Canal – with nearly 4000 guests and crew on board, a 760-seat theatre, a gym, running track, two swimming pools and multiple bars and lounges.
The documentary also follows some of the passengers enjoying the holiday of a lifetime, from rum tasting in the Dominican Republic to toboggan rides in Madeira and mud baths in a Columbian volcano.
This new series pulls back the curtain on the relentless work and commitment that goes into making these voyages sail smoothly, whilst also offering the ultimate escapism as the cameras capture the glamour and magnificence of cruising on the high seas.
Episode one sees cameras meet Jersey-bornRich Fontaine, the Nieuw Statendam’s Security Officer, who has worked at sea for 40 years and now runs a team of 13. He is responsible for the security of the ship, the crew and almost 3000 passengers.
“It’s a challenging role at times, busy long port days. I’ve always got something on my plate, something to do. I don’t get bored. I joined my first ship when I was 17 years of age. Well, I started off as a deck boy, worked through a few different positions and ended up here. Things were a lot different in the security world then. There were no supervisors, no guards. We didn’t have x-ray machines or anything like that. So, it was a one-man show.”
Channel 4 also meet cruise enthusiasts Pam and Barry from Lincoln who are merrily spending their well-earned pension on cruise number 11, this time visiting Europe and North Africa, including the famous nail-biting 2km basket sledge ride in Madeira. Travelling at speeds of up to 24mph, they are steered down the steep and windy roads by two highly-trained men called Carreiros, who rely entirely on their rubber soled boots to bring them to a stop, a skill that has been passed down through generations. Needless to say, they requested a stiff G&T back on board afterwards.
Across the pond onboard Rotterdam, 2000 visitors from the ship disembark onto the privately owned island of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, a logistical operation that sees the cruise passengers transported by boat to enjoy a mass beach barbeque catered by ship crew involving 1800 burgers, 600+ hotdogs and 120 kilos of potatoes – with the option of swimming in the Caribbean sea or riding in the waters on horseback.
On board, the programme catches up with Captain Eric Barhorst who is from the Netherlands but now lives in Oxfordshire with his wife and cats, and who spends alternate three months off and on the ship. He has the ultimate responsibility for over £360m worth of premium cruise ships – at almost 100,000 gross tonnes – and takes it very seriously. Whilst passengers are enjoying white sand beaches and cocktails on Half Moon Cay, he stays aboard the ship.
“Since I’ve been a captain, I have not actually stepped foot on the island. Typically, when the ship is in port, either the staff captain or myself have to be on the ship. And when we’re at anchor, I normally prefer to stay on board just in case anything happens when the wind changes or the weather changes so that I’m nearby the bridge in case they need me if we need to pick up the anchor or do anything. I’d hate to see the ship sail away without me when I’m on the beach.”
And being away for chunks of time can take its toll: “When you are away for three months at a time, there are things that you miss. Normal things really, like cooking and being able to go to the shops. You’re away for birthdays, for celebrations, for weddings of your friends. Those can be difficult moments…”
Stream or watch Supercruising: Life at Sea on Channel 4 from Thursday 3 July, 8pm
