Five themed cruises launching this year from famous DJs to top Hollywood stars
A CRUISE extends beyond the average fly-and-flop holiday.
These floating hotels come with a multitude of dining options, top shows and sometimes themed “takeover” cruises – often with celebs ready to wow their fans.
Sophie Swietochowski picks out some of the best . . .
NILE RODGERS AND CHIC
on Virgin Voyages
IF there’s one cruise line that knows how to party, it’s Virgin Voyages.
So who could be a better fit for an onboard takeover than disco legends Nile Rodgers & Chic?
They will be headlining the Red Hot Sailing Club Voyage on Brilliant Lady.
You’ll hear rhythms of the Caribbean while you sail around the sun-drenched islands of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, St John’s in Antigua and Basseterre in St Kitts and Nevis.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Caribbean party without a beach club, and passengers can say goodbye in style with a day at Bimini Island in the
Bahamas, where the Vegas-style pool parties boom year round.
GO: The 11-night Music Legend Nile Rodgers sailing costs from £1,849pp, including flights from Heathrow on March 11 with overseas transfers and based on two sharing an outside cabin. Check out iglucruise.com.
PETE TONG
on P&O Cruises
LEGENDARY DJ Pete and the party island of Ibiza are a dreamy combination for ravers — throw in an 18-deck cruise ship and you’ve got a holiday to savour for years.
Pete will be hosting a 90-minute party on Arvia in September, where partygoers can stomp their feet while the sun sets beyond the picturesque Botafor marina.
The event will come midway through a 14-night sailing with stops at La Coruna, Alicante and Ibiza, then Marseilles, Barcelona and Cadiz.
Guests keen to carry on the party can book themselves a new all-inclusive package that includes drinks, wifi and speciality dining credit from £49 per person per day.
GO: The Western Mediterranean itinerary costs from £1,129pp departing Southampton on September 13 and based on two sharing an inside cabin. See pocruises.com
KATE THORNTON and JENNY POWELL
on Ambassador
GIRLS just wanna have fun — and sun — and they’ll get both of those on this female-focused cruise on board Ambassador’s Ambition.
As part of its Women At Sea series, TV presenter Jenny and broadcaster Kate will be talking all things female when they host a giggly “unscripted” panel.
Passengers will be able to mingle with the celebs at Cocktail Hour, and enjoy spontaneous meet-and-greets as they wander the ship.
The duo will be on several sailings, including the Springtime Sunshine in Portugal and Spain, calling at Leixoes, Lisbon, Cadiz and Vigo.
And when passengers are stuck for on-board inspiration (as if they ever would be), they can head to the celebs’ social media feeds to find out their favourite spa treatments and on-board entertainment.
GO: A ten-night cruise costs from £704pp with Iglu Cruises, departing Portsmouth on April 12 and based on two sharing an inside cabin. See iglucruise.com.
JOJO SIWA
on Royal Caribbean
THIS is a proper cruise takeover that kids won’t be able to get enough of.
JoJo, who found fame on reality TV series Dance Moms, will be singing, hosting dance parties and joining Build-a-Bow workshops on Utopia Of The Seas this summer.
Along with meet-and-greets and photo sessions, there will be Siwa-themed trivia, dance classes and a special gig at sea.
The three-day sailing calls at Nassau as well as Royal Caribbean’s own private island, CocoCay in the Bahamas.
GO: It’s from £825pp, based on two sharing an inside cabin, departing Port Canaveral in Florida on June 12. Flights from £325 return from Heathrow to Orlando with Norse Atlantic. See jojosiwacruise.com.
MAGIC CASTLE
on Princess Cruises
THINGS may be going bump in the night aboard Star Princess, on a seven-day cruise with magicians performing throughout.
Expect mystical brunches and magical cocktail parties, alongside special lectures where you will learn all the tricks of the trade.
Round off your evening with a visit to Spellbound — a cocktail bar where proper wizardry can be seen in the specially crafted drinks that billow with smoke and change colour.
The Pacific Wine Country Magic Castle Conjurer’s cruise calls at Vancouver and Victoria in Canada, before heading to San Francisco.
GO: The seven-night sailing costs from £674pp, departing Vancouver on September 28. Price based on two sharing an inside cabin. Flights cost from £503 return from Heathrow in the British Airways sale. For details, check out princess.com