Special guests and celebrities

Jayne Torvill OBE and Christopher Dean OBE are world famous for winning gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics with their iconic ice dance routine to “Bolero”. Paired as an ice dance couple in 1975, they won their first trophy in 1976 and went on to become British champions multiple times, followed by European champions and World champions.

Following the Olympics, Jayne and Chris have toured the world with their own ice dance shows, and they reached a whole new generation of fans as coaches and judges on the ITV series “Dancing on Ice”. Jayne and Chris are currently touring the UK with their “Our Last Dance” 50th anniversary tour after which they will retire from skating.

During this cruise Jayne and Chris will tell you about their careers as the top ice dance skaters in the world as well as stories from their stellar career. There will also be an opportunity to ask Chris and Jayne your burning questions about the world of ice dancing.

Pasha, born and raised in the Far East of Siberia, started dancing at the age of eight. Following a hugely successful competitive career as a professional Latin dancer, he auditioned for, "So You Think You Can Dance". A viewers' favourite, he became a recognisable figure across the US. In 2011, Pasha joined the professional cast of "Strictly Come Dancing". Eight series later, with four finals and one Glitter Ball Trophy, Pasha left the show to focus on his own projects. He returned to the stage in 2021, dancing Ballroom and Latin in, "Here Come The Boys". In 2023, he played Ricardo in, "La Bamba! The Musical," and in 2024 he starred in, "Legends of the Dance Floor".

Enjoy an evening of dazzling choreography, emotional storytelling, and irresistible rhythm as Pasha takes you on a captivating journey through his dance career. And look forward to a unique opportunity to step onto the dance floor with one of Strictly Come Dancing’s most beloved professionals during an on-board dance masterclass.

Celebrity chef, presenter and cookery book author Phil Vickery has been part of the This Morning family for over 20 years. Phil began his career as a Commis Chef at The Burlington Hotel in Folkestone and worked his way up the ranks to become Head Chef at The Castle Hotel in Taunton, where he won a Michelin star.

Phil’s first television appearance came after he was invited to fill in for Keith Floyd on the Breakfast Programme and since then he has appeared on Ready Steady Cook, Phil Vickery’s Pudding Club and Save Money, Good Diet for which Phil also wrote an accompanying cook book.

Phil is also a leading authority on gluten-free products and the National Food Ambassador for Coeliac UK, plus food for a diabetic diet. He has written 17 books on many subjects from pork to game, to desserts, food for diabetics and more.

Phil will give a culinary demonstration and take part in a Q&A on board.

Johnny Ball is known for his many maths and science shows for BBC Children’s television in the 1970/80’s. But before this, he was a Stand Up Comedian for 17 years, and it is his love of the comic angle on any subject that makes his talks so entertaining. You can look forward to four talks from Johnny during your cruise, each will be totally different in mood and content, but there will be laughs and amazing facts along the way.

Claire Sweeney was born to entertain. She began singing in clubs at just 14 and has gone on to enjoy a successful career in the entertainment business. Claire has appeared in many television programmes, from Brookside to Benidorm, but she is first and foremost a singer. Her voice and stage presence are ideal for musicals, and she has starred in many West End shows and musical theatre, including Chicago, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, and more. Claire is currently playing the part of Cassie, in ITV’s award-winning soap, Coronation Street. Claire will sing some of her favourite songs from the musicals and more during a 45-minute performance in The Playhouse, as well as taking part in a Q&A.

Join Ben on board as he looks back at his 25-year career and recounts the pivotal moments that helped cement him as an international Musical Theatre heavyweight. The only performer in history to perform all versions of the iconic Phantom Of The Opera. Winner of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ITV show "Superstar", Ben led the all-star Arena production of Jesus Christ Superstar and recorded the film version of the show, playing back in cinemas in 2025. He has performed for the Royal family, HRH Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate.

A word from Mr Motivator, “The greatest gift that you can give yourself, your work colleagues, family and friends is an independent healthier and fitter you. It starts right now, join in my safe, effective and fun class, where the music and the attitude lifts your spirits and equips you with that feel good factor. So come and be motivated. Each class is different and there will be an exercise clinic on selected days where you can ask your fitness and mobility questions. See you there.”

After years of working in corporate marketing, Steven finally plucked up the courage to enter Channel 4’s eighth series of The Great British Bake Off. With a dream to just make it through the first week, he finished as runner-up in the final, collecting three Star Bakers and several Hollywood Handshakes along the way. Steven has given live demonstrations at food festivals and runs the ProCook Cookery School. He has presented his own radio show, reported on London’s bakeries on ITV London News, and regularly appears as a talking head. Steven went back into the tent in 2019 to win the Great New Year’s Bake Off, and in 2021, he launched his podcast, Feed My Curiosity.

Enjoy crafting classes on board with Julie Peasgood and the ‘Supercrafters’ with projects that could include mosaics, book bouquets, frames and jewellery.

Julie has a multi-faceted career as an actress in three of UK’s top soaps: Emmerdale, Brookside and Hollyoaks, and is also a TV presenter, award-winning author, and events host.

Enjoy an evening of songs from one of the greatest musical films ever made, A Star Is Born. A film so popular that it has been made three times, in 1954, 1974 and 2018. All three films received Oscar nominations for best song, with Barbra Streisand winning for ‘Evergreen’ in 1974, and Lady Ga Ga and Bradley Cooper winning for ‘Shallow’ in 2018. This on-board concert features some of the most memorable songs from all three films sung by two of the West Ends most coveted stars.

Louise started her career on the Express and Echo in Exeter over 35 years ago. She then moved to Fleet Street and worked on the news and features desks of The Daily and Sunday Express, before being appointed Editor of S Magazine, the Sunday Express colour supplement, where she spent 15 very happy years. She took the helm of Saga Magazine, the UK’s bestselling subscription magazine, six years ago, and the interaction she enjoys with her wonderfully engaged readers, who are all over 50, has made it the most enjoyable role of her career so far. Louise has been on at least 60 cruises during her sixty years, but Saga’s beautiful Spirit sisters are her favourite ocean ships by several nautical miles. Louise is thrilled to be godmother of Saga’s brand-new river ship Spirit of the Moselle. During your cruise Louise will join an on-aboard Q&A session.

Award-winning journalist and NHS GP Dr Mark Porter will give health-related talks during your cruise. Mark divides his time between the GP surgery in Gloucestershire and investigating and reporting on the latest developments in medicine. He is a columnist for Saga Magazine, and is the Medical Correspondent at The Times. Mark was appointed MBE for his services to healthcare in 2005, and was recently awarded the Healthwatch UK Award for his contribution to public understanding of evidence-based medicine. Mark will give two on-board talks and a Q&A during your cruise.

With more than four decades of experience across Britain’s national newspapers, Mark Palmer is one of the UK’s most respected journalistic voices. Mark reaches diverse audiences through regular contributions to prestigious publications including The Spectator, Country Life, and The Oldie. His monthly “Generation Games” column in Saga magazine has earned particular acclaim for its wit and insight. With unrivalled knowledge of destinations worldwide and the travel industry itself, Mark brings both expertise and eloquence to every story, viewing travel as a uniquely life-changing experience. Mark will give two on-board talks and travel writing workshops.

Mandy Hickson has over 30 years’ experience within aviation. She joined the Royal Air Force in 1994 and flew the Tornado GR4 on the front line, where she operated in hostile environments, including patrolling the ‘No Fly’ zone over Iraq. Since leaving the RAF Mandy has served as an Aviation Ambassador for the Department for Transport and is an Ambassador for the Girl Guides.

Mandy is now a highly demanded keynote speaker, where she talks with humour and great passion to inspire those around her. She has been invited to share her insights with some of the world’s most successful organisations, where she describes the strategies and behaviours that can be adopted when the stakes are at their highest.

Clare is professionally trained in ceramics and sculpture and has a Fine Art degree. She co-founded a successful business designing ranges of bone china for some of the world’s most prestigious retail outlets including Liberty, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Nordstrom, Henri Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman, M&S and Macy’s NY. Clare’s career has also diversified into broader design work including retail, commercial and educational environments. Look forward to pottery workshops during your cruise.