Princess Cruises unveils entertainment programme on UK ship

Princess Cruises has announced its full entertainment programme on Crown Princess, one of its Southampton-based ships for this spring and summer. Crown Princess is sailing to the Mediterranean and northern Europe from now until September on seven and 14-night cruises.

Onboard activities will be launched such as a last night of the proms celebration, a first for Princess Cruises, and various themed activities including marking Shark Week throughout July in partnership with the Discovery Channel.

There will be performances from guest entertainers including Ria Jones, who has performed in leading roles in numerous West End musicals; ‘The Hollies’ singer Peter Howarth; and former winner of The Voice TV show, Leanne Mitchell.

A number of the main spring and summer sporting events will be available to view both in guests’ staterooms and on the top deck ‘Movies Under the Stars’ cinema screen. These include Premier League and Champions League football, the Ryder Cup and Wimbledon tennis.

Pop concerts will also be on both the big and small screen and feature the likes of Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel, Sting and Lady Gaga.

And several UK TV channels will be to hand for the first time on a Princess ship - including BBC and ITV HD, Sky News and Sky Sports News - as well as a host of recent films.

In addition, themed food and drink will be served to mark special occasions and complement screenings. For instance champagne, Pimm’s and strawberries will be on offer during Wimbledon fortnight.

Meanwhile the previously-announced speaker programme is the first on a Princess UK ship and forms part of the line’s Encounters with Discovery series. All slots are now filled, with the updated schedule as follows:

Beverley Callard (actress, Liz McDonald in Coronation Street), on a 7-night Spain & France cruise, departs May 6.
NB: Cruise sold out

Harry Redknapp (former footballer and manager), on a 14-night Mediterranean cruise, departs May 13.
NB: Cruise sold out

Graham Gooch OBE (former England cricket captain), on a 7-night Scandinavia cruise, departs May 27

James Cosmo (actor in films including Braveheart and Trainspotting), on a 14-night Baltic cruise, departs June 3

Pete Best (original drummer for The Beatles), on a 14-night North Cape and Norwegian Fjords cruise, departs June 17

John Virgo (former snooker player, current snooker commentator), on a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise, departs July 1

Terry Butcher (former England captain and football manager), on a 14-night Baltic cruise, departs July 8

Paul Burrell RVM (butler to Diana, Princess of Wales), on a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise, departs July 22

Mike Gatting OBE (former England cricket captain), on a 14-night Mediterranean cruise, departs July 29

Sherrie Hewson (actor, presenter, broadcaster and novelist), on a 14-night North Cape and Norwegian Fjords cruise, departs August 12

Edwina Currie (former MP. Novelist and broadcaster), on a 7-night Scandinavia cruise, departs August 26

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. Some speakers will also be judges on ‘The Voice of the Ocean’, an onboard singing competition for guests, which is based on ITV’s ‘The Voice’.

Pete Best said: “I’m really looking forward to being with everyone on the Crown Princess. The guests are a remarkable fun loving crowd - I’ve enjoyed their company immensely and I hope they will enjoy mine.”