Top 4 summer cruises with celebrity guests on board – including ex-Beatles star, top TV chef and quiz show geniuses

LOOKING for a cruise that offers more than just top-notch restaurants, bucket-list shore excursions and swish cabins?

Cruise lines are ramping up the wow factor with celebs joining selected voyages this year.

Whether you are a foodie wanting to hone your baking skills, a sporting fan keen to meet your hero or a crafter after some tips for your at-home upholstery, these cruises have epic celeb line-ups.

Sophie Swietochowski shares her top picks.

SAIL WITH SUE HOLDERNESS

PRINCESS Cruises has announced an epic line-up of celeb speakers for 2024 from soap star Nina Wadia to former Beatles drummer Pete Best, gracing Princess’ auditoriums-at-sea.

The VIPs, who will be sharing their skills, can be seen on board three ships in the cruise line’s fleet: Sky Princess, Regal Princess and Caribbean Princess.

Cruisers wanting to brush up on their culinary skills can take tips from Rustie Lee on a 14-night Mediterranean itinerary, while footie fans will get their kicks on a 14-night Iceland & Norway voyage with former England ace Peter Beardsley.

Fares start at £899pp for a 12-night Canary Islands cruise on Sky Princess with Only Fools And Horses actress Sue Holderness, departing from Southampton on November 16 and calling at Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Lisbon. See .

KITCHEN ROYALTY ON THE QUEEN ANNE

CUNARD’S first new ship in 14 years, Queen Anne, set sail on her maiden voyage last Friday with an epic fireworks send-off from Southampton.

With room for up to 3,000 passengers it offers you the chance to sail in style with a host of famous faces on board.

Sports journalist Clare Balding is at sea as we speak, while actor and TV host Ross Kemp will board on sister ship, Queen Elizabeth.

MasterChef fans will have their sights set firmly on Queen Anne’s summer sailings where foodie TV host Gregg Wallace will recall the show’s top moments and stories of his career in cookery. 

The 14-night Western Mediterranean journey costs from £1,749pp, departing Southampton on July 28 and calling at Cadiz, Barcelona and Cartagena in Spain, Florence and Rome in italy, and Gibraltar. See .

MASTERMINDS CRUISE MED

IT’S not just VIP talks that make Ambassador’s celebrity-themed cruises so special.

Passengers can also expect meet-and-greets, Q&As and quiz nights to get stuck into on the cruise line’s two ships, Ambience and Ambition.

TV stars, sporting legends and West End performers will be on 15 selected, no-fly voyages, including a Canaries, Cape Verde and Morocco sailing on the Ambience with author and former TV host Fred Dinenage.

Those who have always fancied putting their general knowledge to the test on ITV’s The Chase will have their pick of two cruises.

Mark Labbett, aka The Beast, will be on a 21-night Jewels of the Mediterranean trip from £1,799pp, departing London Tilbury on October 3.

Meanwhile fans of the show’s Dark Destroyer, Shaun Wallace, can opt for a ten-night Scenic Sights of France and Northern Spain cruise from £689pp, leaving Bristol Royal Portbury on May 23.

See .

JOOLS JAZZES UP SAGA

MIDLIFERS after something a little more lavish should try Saga, which has a host of big names on its 50-plus cruises.

Actor-turned-chef Sean Wilson will join TV host Julie Peasgood, fitness star Mr Motivator and Ready Steady Cook’s Kevin Woodford in this year’s line-up.

But top of the list for many, will be a 15-night cruise with music legend Jools Holland.

Departing Portsmouth on June 7, Saga’s Spirit of Discovery will head for Gibraltar, Palamos in Spain, Sete and Port-Vendres in France, Mahon in Menorca, Portugal’s Leixoes and a final call of Dover.

The Catalan Coastline of the Mediterranean is from £4,616pp.

See .