Special guests and celebrities

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.

Jennie has been reporting on the Royal Family for more than 35 years and is a familiar face on TV and radio. As the BBC’s Royal Correspondent during 14 of the most turbulent years the monarchy has endured, Jennie was at the heart of events that made headlines around the world: from the fairy-tale marriages to the adultery, the divorces, and the deaths.

Since then, she has continued to provide expert commentary on the royals, as well as presenting popular shows such as : ‘Cash in the Attic’, ‘Rip Off Britain’ and ’Great British Menu’. She was also a runner-up in “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here”. Jennie loves cruising and will give an on-board talk and Q&A during your cruise.

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.

Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock PhD is a space scientist whose passion is presenting science to a general audience. She obtained her degree in Physics and her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the Imperial College London and has spent her career making bespoke instrumentation in both the industrial and academic environments. In 2004 Maggie founded “Science Innovation Ltd”, through which she conducts public engagement activities and encouraging underrepresented communities to take up STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. As well as public speaking, she is a bafta nominated TV presenter, co-hosts the “The Sky at Night”, and has made many other television and radio appearances. Maggie is an author with her recent children’s book, “Am I made of Stardust” winning a Royal Society book prize. She also won the Institute of Physics gold medal for exceptional services to science education and physics communication and was the President of the British Science Association. Maggie was made a Dame in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list.

Tony made his first public performance with the Ian Ralfini Dance Orchestra at the Bournemouth Pavilion during his college years and went on to play with several hotel bands before discovering his true calling: radio. In 1964, Tony was hired by Radio Caroline South, and two years later he joined Radio London, where he introduced the UK’s first-ever soul music programme. He became a household name when he joined the BBC Light Programme and was the very first voice on BBC Radio 1, where he remained until 1984.

Tony has presented on numerous channels including Jazz FM, Smooth Radio, the Real Radio Network and Classic Gold. Tony took over BBC Radio 2’s iconic Pick of the Pops, presented Sounds of the Sixties on Radio 2, and launched Tony Blackburn’s Golden Hour. Tony is widely regarded as a true pioneer of British broadcasting and has won many awards. His passion for soul music has defined much of his career and helped shape the UK’s music landscape. Over the decades, he has become a beloved figure on both radio and television.

Tony will entertain you with a Q&A and a DJ set during your cruise.

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.

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.

Sean Wilson, known for his 21 years starring as Martin Platt in popular soap opera Coronation Street, joins this cruise to talk about his career, his passion for cheese, and to give two cheese tasting workshops.

Sean has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants and has created his own range of multi-award winning Lancashire cheeses supplied through his Saddleworth Cheese Company.

Sean has appeared on a variety of programmes from Dancing on Ice to Celebrity Masterchef and has had his own Channel 5 series, ‘The Great Northern Cookbook’. Enjoy a talk and two cheese tasting workshops with Sean during your cruise.

Julie and Amanda began working together in 2006 when they discovered a shared passion for promoting and encouraging art and creativity primarily through sewing.

They joined forces to combine teddy bear and soft toy design and creation with helping to enthuse children (and their parents) through workshops and parties. The business gradually developed into restoration and repair and they are now able to share their passion, knowledge and skills with a wider audience through their role as regular experts on the BBC’s, ‘The Repair Shop’. Alongside their regular appearances on TV and radio, they also have their own podcast called ‘Bearly Begun’.

During your cruise you can look forward to an informative talk, two craft workshops and the opportunity to bring your own bear to an afternoon tea with the Teddy Bear Ladies.

A self-taught antique dealer for over 20 years, Danny started at a very early age scouring auction houses and jumble sales with his Mum. He was a natural market trader with all the charm and the chat that goes with it.

Danny’s television career began with ‘Del Boys and Dealers’. He went on to appear as a regular on ‘Dealing with Dickinson’. Danny subsequently pursued a career in antiques and has appeared as an expert presenter on many shows including ‘Street Auction’, ‘Bargain Hunt’ and ‘Antiques Road Trip’. When Danny is not filming he is travelling all over the country visiting car boot sales, auctions and antique fairs.

During your cruise Danny will give an on-board talk and Q&A.

Oz Clarke is one of the world’s leading wine experts, whose formidable reputation is based on his extensive wine knowledge and abundant enthusiasm. His passion for the subject dates from his student days at Oxford University, where he won tasting competitions at an early age. Since then his tasting skills have won him an international reputation, and he is acknowledged as having one of the finest palates of anyone writing about wine today. Oz’s frequent television and radio appearances are broadcast around the world. Before wine took over his life in 1984, Oz was a full-time actor and singer, appearing in West End hit shows such as ‘Evita’, ‘Sweeney Todd’ and ‘The Mitford Girls’, and touring with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Oz will entertain you with two on-board talks during your cruise.

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.

David Domoney, with 40 years as a professional horticulturalist, 25 of those on national television, has this year alone presented on three ITV shows, including Love Your Garden, ITV’s This Morning and James Martin’s Saturday show.

He sits as a Fellow of the London Colleges of Horticulture at Capel Manor, a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, a Fellow of the Warwickshire Colleges of Horticulture, and a Fellow of the Linnean Society. David is decorated with over 35 Royal Horticultural Society medals, including RHS Chelsea Flower Show Golds and Best in Category Trophies, for his gardens, floral displays, and plant science exhibits.

In 2018, he was selected by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, to receive the Award of Excellence in Horticulture. David served for over a decade with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) as a non-executive Director and as a Governor of the London Colleges of Horticulture.

During your cruise, David will give two on-board talks and join a Q&A session.

While studying at Leeds University Jane decided to pursue a career in cookery. Starting at ‘Riverside’ in Helford under George Perry-Smith, she then had the honour of working with one of her major influences, Joyce Molyneux, at ‘The Carved Angel’. Jane’s love for all things Italian, began during her time at The River Café in London. Then, after working in various other London establishments, Jane went to live and work in the South Pacific for seven years.

On her return she started working for ‘Riverford’. She wrote the recipes for two Riverford Farm Cookbooks and is a regular contributor to the Guardian and Observer Food Monthly. She has written three books for the global natural fast-food chain, ‘Leon’, and her latest book, ‘Recipes For A Better Menopause’ has just been released. Jane is also a familiar face on the BBC’s cookery show, ‘Saturday Kitchen’. Now based in Devon, she is the Head Chef and co-owner of the restaurant, ‘Wild Artichokes’. During your cruise Jane will provide two cooking demonstrations and a Q&A.

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.

Jürgen grew up near Freiburg in the Black Forest, surrounded by tools from his miner grandfather and locksmith father. His love of baking started early, helping his mother with Linzer Torte and Christmas biscuits. Fascinated by science, Jürgen studied Physics in Freiburg, and in 2002 became a Feldenkrais practitioner.

He moved to Brighton after meeting his wife in Lewes, and in 2021, Jürgen’s precision and creativity led to success on The Great British Bake Off. Since then, Jürgen has baked a two-tier musical cake for the London Philharmonic Orchestra, He has written two cookbooks, ‘German Baking’ and ‘The German Christmas Cookbook’. During your cruise, Jürgen will provide two baking demos and a Q&A.

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.

Tori has taken on some of the most extreme challenges on our planet and was the first Welsh woman to climb Mount Everest, aged 25. Tori stars in the BBC documentary, ‘On Top of the World’, which documents her expedition. She is also the author of ‘Peak Performance’ which describes her climb to the summit. Tori was a member of the first all-female team to complete The Polar Challenge, a 360-mile race to the Magnetic North Pole. She also set the record for the longest open sea kayak crossing in UK waters (124 miles), when the Beeline Britain team became the first to travel in a straight line from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Tori has also cycled the length of New Zealand, over 1490 miles. Tori is the host of the First Female Podcast. You can enjoy two talks from Tori during your cruise.

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.

Chris grew up in Durban, South Africa and witnessed the brutality of apartheid first hand. He made the decision early in his life to become an activist and to oppose the inhumane system of apartheid. This decision put him on a direct collision course with the apartheid regime, resulting in spells of incarceration, torture and near-death experiences.

Then, following Nelson Mandela’s release from prison in 1990, Chris became his bodyguard and was involved in the negotiations that paved the way for South Africa’s inaugural democratic elections. His involvement in pivotal agreements provided him with invaluable insights and anecdotes, which he shares alongside his personal narrative, imparting lessons gleaned from working closely with icons such as Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Chris will give four on-board talks during your cruise.

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.

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.

Lindy is a renowned British award-winning sugar craft artist, author, blogger and international teacher. Well known and highly respected for her contributions to the world of sugar craft and cake decorating.

After winning a plethora of awards for her creations, Lindy established her own cake decorating business, “Lindy’s Cakes Ltd,” in the late 1990s. Her innovative and meticulously crafted cake designs quickly earnt her a reputation as a trailblazer in the industry.

Lindy’s distinctive style blends traditional techniques with contemporary flair, setting her apart as a leader in the ever-evolving world of sugar artistry.

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.