Beatle on board: Princess unveil celebs for 2020 cruise

Princess Cruises has revealed its second round of celebrities who will speak onboard Southampton-based ship this year. The 3,080-guest vessel will head to the Mediterranean, northern Europe and Canaries from May to November — including former Beatle, Pete Best.

Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises’ vice president UK & Europe, said: “It’s fantastic to announce the addition of further, well-known figures to the line-up onboard Crown Princess this year, meaning even more guests sailing with us from Southampton will have the opportunity to hear from them.

“With a wealth of entertainment options on Crown Princess the UK season is proving particularly popular with guests. If you want to hear from our speakers up close and personal then now is the time to book with us.”

Princess Cruises is offering an 8-night Norwegian Fjords cruise on Crown Princess, departing July 25, 2020. Sailing roundtrip from Southampton, calling at Bergen, Alesund, Olden, Hellesylt, Geiranger and Stavanger.

Further to the first round of celebrities who were announced in late 2019, the following will also join the speaker programme:

·        Judge Robert Rinder (criminal barrister and TV host on Judge Rinder) on a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise departing June 27 and an 8-night Norwegian Fjords cruise departing July 25
·        Bruce Grobbelaar (former Liverpool goalkeeper) on a 14-night Baltic Heritage cruise departing July 11
·        Shaun Wallace (barrister, lecturer and ‘chaser’ on The Chase) on an 11-night Canary Islands cruise departing September 26
·        Pete Best (musician and former Beatles drummer) on a 14-night Baltic Heritage cruise departing September 5
·        Patrick Aryee (biologist and TV presenter on Big Beasts: Last of the Giants and formerly Big Cats: An Amazing Animal Family) on a 7-night Spain and France cruise departing October 30

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. At least one celebrity will appear on almost every Crown Princess sailing during the UK season.

The speakers announced previously are:

·        Charlie Dimmock (gardening expert and TV presenter on Garden Rescue and formerly Ground Force) on a 7-night Scandinavia cruise departing September 19
·        Linda Gray (actress, Sue Ellen in Dallas) on a 14-night Baltic Heritage cruise departing May 30
·        Duncan James (singer, TV presenter and actor, formerly in boy band Blue and playing Ryan Knight in Hollyoaks) on a 13-night Mediterranean Adventurer cruise departing August 2
·        Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards (former British Olympic skier, portrayed in biographical film Eddie The Eagle) on a 13-night Mediterranean Adventurer cruise departing August 2
·        Henry Blofeld OBE (former BBC cricket commentator and sports journalist) on a 14-night Land of The Midnight Sun cruise departing June 13
·        Toby Buckland (gardener, author and TV presenter, formerly on BBC’s Gardeners’ World) on a 17-night Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruise departing November 6
·        Michaela Strachan (TV wildlife presenter on BBC’s SpringWatch, AutumnWatch and WinterWatch) now on a 14-night Land of the Midnight Sun cruise departing August 22
·        Nik and Eva Speakman (therapists known for their work on British TV) on a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise departing August 15