‘Below Deck’ Season 8 Reunion Revelations: Everything We Learned

Credit: Laurent Basset/Bravo (3)

‘Below Deck’ Season 8 Reunion Revelations: Everything We Learned

The My Seanna staff was ever-changing during season 8 of Below Deck, but (almost) all of the crew members were able to reunite with Andy Cohen for the reunion on Monday, February 22. The Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen host held a virtual get-together for Captain Lee Rosbach, Eddie Lucas, Francesca Rubi, Rachel Hargrove, Elizabeth Frankini, Ashling Lorger, Izzy Wouters, James Hough and Shane Coopersmith. Rob Phillips, who appeared in the second half of the season, previously hinted that he wouldn’t be in attendance. “We're trying to call into the Below Deck reunion show from the [satellite] phone because the network's down, the power's about to go out, the cyclone is just rolling through. But I don't think this is gonna work. I don't think anything's gonna work today," Rob told his Instagram followers on January 29. "So, from my own little reunion show, love you guys, miss you. Hope everyone's doing great." While fans didn’t get to catch up with the deckhand during the reunion, he answered some fan questions during a recent Reddit Ask Me Anything earlier this month. When asked if he’s still in touch with his costars, Rob replied, “almost all of them,” noting the cast ended up on a “weird ride of having the internet play a game of – jumping to conclusions – about them.” [jwplayer q4XH3E3P-l3ahXupL] During season 8 of Below Deck, fans watched Shane and Elizabeth both get fired. Their early exits were discussed during Monday's reunion. “I gave it my all, I really did. I gave it 100 percent of my effort every time I was on the boat,” Shane said on the reunion after his work ethic was questioned. “I came in very underprepared. I didn’t realize the yachting career entailed as much hard work as it did. I learned that once I stepped foot on the boat.” Elizabeth, meanwhile, was fired by Captain Lee amid her tension with Chief Stewardess Francesca. “Francesca’s words were not necessarily mean. I just feel that there were tones and there was condescendence,” Elizabeth said on the reunion. Francesca shot back, “I did on a couple of occasions say, ‘great job’ or ‘well done’ or whatever, but you just, unfortunately, had more mishaps than ‘well dones.’ If you’re not performing you’re best, then [you] can’t cut it.” Scroll through for more revelations from the reunion:

Credit: Laurent Bassett/Bravo (3)

Elizabeth Calls Francesca and Ashling ‘Bullies’

“I think that a lot of things could’ve been said more straightforward to my face, if you, especially Ash, had an issue with me,” Elizabeth said.

Francesca fired back, “I don’t think that I was a bully in any way."

Credit: Courtesy of Rob Phillips/Instagram

Why Rob Didn’t Attend

The deckhand, who replaced Shane as part of the crew during the season, was noticeably missing. Cohen revealed he was in Fiji during a cyclone and didn’t have service.

"Well, Rob is in Fiji digging for gold, so we're gonna have to proceed without him tonight," the host quipped.

Credit: Greg Endries/Bravo; Laurent Basset/Bravo

Josiah Was Supposed to Fill in for Elizabeth

Former Below Deck stew Josiah Carter was “waiting in the wings” to replace Elizabeth after she was let go, Cohen revealed.

”But the coronavirus derailed those plans. He was literally waiting at the airport, ready to go,” he explained.

Captain Lee added that Josiah, who appeared on season 6 of Below Deck in 2018, would have fit in with the rest of the crew.

"There's no doubt in my mind,” the captain said. “He knows what needs to be done. He observes what needs to be done. His anticipation of guests' needs is remarkable. And that's what it takes."

Credit: Laurent Basset/Bravo; Courtesy of Elizabeth Frankini/Instagram

James Says Elizabeth Would’ve Been a One-Night Stand

James and Elizabeth struggled to get on the same page about their future during the season. At the reunion, he admitted that Elizabeth would have been a one-night stand if they weren’t on a boat together.

"It was a boatmance, for sure, but I was open to the idea of it becoming a relationship," Elizabeth admitted.

After James noted it was "never going to last" between them, Captain Lee weighed in.

"I happen to think if it hadn't happened on a boat, it would have been just a one-night stand from James' point of view," the captain quipped.

James confirmed his theory, replying, "Seems like you know me well."

Credit: Courtesy of Elizabeth Frankini/Instagram; Laurent Basset/Bravo

Elizabeth Accepts Francesca’s Apology

During the season, Rachel and Izzy made a cake for Elizabeth’s 30th birthday. As fans know, however, Rachel was let go before the crew could enjoy the cake with her cast — which didn't stop them from eating it. Although Francesca was accused of celebrating Elizabeth's exit by eating the cake, Elizabeth agreed to accept her apology at the reunion.

"If someone is genuinely sorry and yeah, of course, thank you. I forgive you. Thank you for your apology. It's all about forgiveness. It's the highest form of love," Elizabeth said.

Francesca replied, "Of course. I 100 percent mean that from my heart. I think yachting in general is very ruthless."