Princess Cruises Unveils 2018 UK Cruises Star Speaker Line-Up

Princess Cruises has revealed the first round of celebrities who will speak onboard Sapphire Princess, which will be one of its Southampton-based ships for spring and summer 2018.

Following its introduction last year, this will be the second speaker programme that Princess has held onboard one of its UK ships. The line-up includes different names from across the world of entertainment and sport.

Sapphire Princess will sail to the Mediterranean and northern Europe from May to October next year and a few faces from last years line-up have returned such as Paul Burrell, Beverley Callard & Harry Redknapp.

One of the highlights of this years programme is James Cosmo, who is known for films such as Braveheart and Trainspotting and more recently for his role in the hit series Game of Thrones.

The programme forms part of Princess’ Encounters with Discovery speaker series which is part of Princess’ Discovery at Sea partnership with Discovery Communications. The series includes a wide range of speakers who are experts in their field and aim to educate, inspire and entertain.

The announced list consists of:

~ Linda Gray (actress, Sue Ellen in Dallas and Mrs Robinson in The Graduate theatre production in the West End), on both the 14-night Mediterranean Adventurer cruise departing July 28th and a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise, departs August 11th.

~ Pete Best (former Beatles drummer), on a 14-night Land of the Midnight Sun cruise, departs August 18th.

~ Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards (former British Olympic skier, portrayed in biographical film ‘Eddie The Eagle’ last year), on a 7-night Scandinavia cruise, departs September 1st.

~ John Virgo (snooker commentator and former player), on a 14-night Baltic Heritage cruise, departs September 8th.

~ Harry Redknapp (former football manager and footballer), on a 14-night Mediterranean Adventurer cruise, departs May 12th.

~ Beverley Callard (actress, Liz McDonald in Coronation Street), on a 7-night Scandinavia cruise, departs May 26th.

~ James Cosmo (actor, films include Braveheart and Trainspotting, TV includes Game of Thrones), on a 7-night Norwegian Fjords and Summer Solstice cruise, departs June 16th.

~ Jimmy McKenna (actor, A Touch of Frost and Hollyoaks), on a 14-night Land of the Midnight Sun cruise, departs June 23rd.

~ Paul Burrell RVM (butler to Diana, Princess of Wales), on a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise, departs July 21st.

~ Nick Pickard (actor, Hollyoaks), on a 14-night Mediterranean Adventurer cruise, departs July 28th.

~ Ashley Taylor (actor and singer, Hollyoaks, Strictly Come Dancing), on a 7-night Spain & France cruise, departs May 5th.

Each speaker will host a 45-minute talk with questions and answers, as well as a meet and greet session including photographs and book signings.

Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises’ vice president UK and Europe, said: “Our UK speaker programme was very well-received by guests last year so we’re pleased to announce its return. We’ll be welcoming back favourites from last time, including Harry Redknapp and John Virgo, as well as introducing some popular new faces.

“Sapphire Princess is sailing for the first time ever in Europe, so guests will be able to experience our speakers alongside a full onboard entertainment programme – and all in the special setting of a new UK-based ship.”