Special guests and celebrities

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.

Ken joined the BBC in 1977 as a BBC Radio Scotland staff presenter. His first regular slot on Radio 2 was the Saturday Late Show in 1984 and the following year he fronted the Radio 2 Breakfast Show. Ken also presented Radio 2’s coverage of Eurovision from 1988 until 2023 and was a regular presenter of Sunday Night is Music Night. Ken left Radio 2 in 2023 and now presents the Morning Show on Greatest Hits Radio. PopMaster, a quiz which has run for over 25 years, remains a very important slot within his show and can also be seen on television. Ken continues to present live shows around the country.

From working in some of the finest restaurants, Kevin became the head of one of the UK’s most prestigious Hotel and Catering colleges, and it was during this period he was ‘discovered’ by an executive producer from the BBC.

His famously relaxed yet passionate style has led to Kevin’s impressive list of credits, across a variety of shows, notably, Ready Steady Cook, Big Kevin Little Kevin, Heaven & Earth, Songs of Praise, Surprise Chefs, and Reality Bites, to name just a few. He has also been a regular guest on many prime time shows across all major television channels. His popularity with the public can be quantified by him having been the winner of Best Daytime Presenter at The National Television Awards and the subject of the BBC’s ‘This is your Life’.

Along with his media work, Kevin is a consultant to several international organisations, judge at culinary competitions and a regular celebrity guest on Saga Cruises, during which time he entertains guests with his popular live version of Can’t Cook Won’t Cook, Master Class and A Question of Food.

Julie will bring her team of top instructors on board to offer a unique and inspiring programme of Supercraft workshops. The huge variety of projects can include stained glass, mosaics, lino printing, seaglass jewellery, needle felting, bookbinding, bag making, embossed metal, ribbon wreaths and decoupage.

Alongside managing Supercrafts, Julie has enjoyed a multi-faceted career as an actress in three of the UK’s top soaps: Emmerdale, Brookside and Hollyoaks, and is also a TV presenter, award-winning author and travel writer.

Jane is best known for appearing on the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. She decided to pursue cooking while studying at Leeds University and began her career at The Riverside under George Perry-Smith before working with Joyce Molyneux at The Carved Angel. Her love of Italian food developed during her time at The River Café in London.

After working in several London restaurants, she spent seven years living and working in the South Pacific. On returning to the UK, Jane joined Riverford, where she set up the staff canteen, developed school meals and led the food and service style at the Field Kitchen. She also co-wrote two Riverford Farm cookbooks, the first of which won two Guild of Food Writers awards. She is a regular contributor to the Guardian and Observer Food Monthly and has written three cookbooks for the Leon restaurant group. Jane will provide two festive demonstrations during this cruise.

Diane is a former Fingerprint Expert and Crime Scene Examiner with 30 years of experience assisting the Police in crime investigation.

She is a captivating public speaker who also delivers fun and informative crime-themed activities, which give you the opportunity to take on the role of a CSI. During these immersive workshops you can get to grips with crime scene examination as you don your CSI suit, then powder items looking for fingerprints to compare against the “suspects” fingerprints.

Through her talks and demonstrations, you can gain a deeper understanding of the science behind crime scene investigation and how forensic evidence helps crack cases.

Olly is an experienced speaker and award-winning director and filmmaker, with over a decade of experience filming in wild and remote locations. Training with the Royal Marines Reserves and extensive time on expedition shoots has enabled Olly to capture authentic and immersive visuals whilst operating in all environments and conditions. From lessons learned from indigenous wisdom, scientists and individuals who work to protect and conserve the natural world, the importance of seeking local knowledge to the moment he was chased out of his canoe by a Bull Hippo, Olly will immerse you in engaging topics during two on-board talks, complimented by strong cinematic visuals.

Andrew opened his first chocolate making business in 2007 at just 19 years old. He ran a chocolate shop selling handmade chocolates in West Yorkshire and was known for specialising in rich, dark chocolates.

Andrew crafted chocolates specifically for his customers and received many requests for classes and private lessons. Andrew has consequently been giving chocolate-making classes since 2010. Over the last decade he has introduced thousands of students to chocolate making.

During your cruise, look forward to chocolate-tasting workshops and pairing chocolates with wine.

Kate was awarded an MBE for services to health in 2009, with several national awards for her work in the NHS across hospitals, ambulance and community services. Kate originally trained in archaeological human forensics and has since qualified in biomedical forensic facial reconstruction, human remains analysis, crime scene forensics and trauma related reconstruction. She has worked with Counter Terrorism to help identify a rogue hit man and to train their active workforce in the fields of modern reconstructive forensics.

In an archaeological context Kate worked to uncover a large Roman grave scene and tested new techniques in the field to recover information about dietary, behavioural and medical practices from the past.

Tara Tuen-Matthews is an experienced Chen Tai Chi instructor and wellness educator whose work brings together movement, breathwork, and emotional resilience training.

She has worked with respected teachers from China and across the United Kingdom, Ireland and Asia, and she leads community classes, workshops, and retreats designed to help people move with ease, confidence, and joy.

Tara teaches the classical Chen Tai Chi 18 Form and Wu Ji standing meditation, Qigong guiding beginners and experienced practitioners alike through movements that nourish body, mind, and spirit.