Saturday, June 29, 2024
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Saga Cruises and BBC Studios offer guests exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences of popular BBC shows, including Strictly Come Dancing, with TV stars and unique onboard events.
Saga Cruises has collaborated with BBC Studios to provide guests with a unique chance to explore the behind-the-scenes workings of popular BBC shows like Strictly Come Dancing and The Sky at Night.
This marks the inaugural partnership between BBC Studios and a cruise line, granting exclusive access to various stars and experts. Notable personalities such as Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Ella Al-Shamahi, and Strictly Come Dancing professionals Luba Mushtuk and Vito Coppola, along with the visual effects team from renowned series like Doctor Who and Silent Witness, will be present on select Saga Cruises. They will share insights into the production of their respective TV programs, enhancing the onboard entertainment experience.
Commenting on the partnership, Richard Curwen, BBC Studios Live Entertainment Executive Producer says, “Everyone at BBC Studios is excited to bring our new live entertainment programme to Saga Cruises. This is the first time people will be able to enjoy a variety of BBC Studios’ shows with their presenters and entertainers, live on a cruise ship. Whether it’s Strictly Come Dancing or The Sky at Night, we look forward to taking guests behind the scenes with the magic of BBC Studios!”
Nigel Banks, Saga Cruises CEO adds, “I am delighted that we are welcoming celebrity guests and experts from BBC Studios onto our ships. This is the first time BBC Studios have partnered with a cruise line and a variety of experts, bringing these unique experiences from the television screen to our beautiful boutique ships! We are both iconic British brands, trusted for many years, and this is a fantastic opportunity to enhance our on-board entertainment offering. We expect these cruises to be popular, so I recommend booking soon.”
Saga Cruises and BBC Studios have launched an exclusive partnership program running from July 2024 to March 2025, offering guests unique experiences on specially selected all-inclusive no-fly itineraries aboard the sister ships, Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery.
One of British television’s most beloved entertainment shows, Strictly Come Dancing, will feature favorite professionals like Luba Mushtuk and Vito Coppola. Onboard, they will share insights into their careers, from competitive dancing to starring in the Strictly ballroom. Additionally, they will perform dazzling routines in two glittering shows at the ship’s Playhouse theatre. These cruises depart from Portsmouth, with the 22-night Croatia and the Treasures of the Adriatic cruise on February 28, 2025, and the 18-night Western Mediterranean and Italian Riviera cruise on March 26, 2025.
The Sky at Night, a cornerstone of British television for over 65 years, will also be featured. Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, DBE, a space scientist and science educator who has hosted The Sky at Night since 2013, will be onboard. She will discuss her illustrious career, scientific research, and the making of The Sky at Night. Dame Maggie will be on the 49-night all-inclusive Caribbean and Central America Discovery cruise, departing Portsmouth on January 6, 2025, and the 15-night Casablanca and the Canaries cruise, departing Portsmouth on February 13, 2025, with prices starting at £4,649 per person.
Explorer and evolutionary biologist Ella Al-Shamahi, known for presenting BBC programs like Neanderthals – Meet Your Ancestors and the upcoming flagship science series Human, will also join select cruises. Ella will share her research on Neanderthals, fossil exploration, and the making of Human. She will be aboard the 19-night Arctic Summer: Iceland and the North Cape cruise, departing Dover on July 17, 2024, priced from £3,999 per person, and the 29-night Contrasts of Canada and the USA cruise, departing Portsmouth on September 21, 2024, priced from £6,969 per person.
Millennium FX, an award-winning visual effects company known for its work on BBC Studios productions and major Hollywood films, will be represented by Director Kate Walshe. She will provide insights into the world of visual effects, including a demonstration on creating a vampire prosthetic. Join the Millennium FX team on the 49-night all-inclusive Caribbean and Central America Discovery cruise, departing Portsmouth on January 6, 2025.
Saga’s boutique ocean cruises are all-inclusive, featuring no hidden costs, a complimentary return chauffeur service for 2024 and 2025 cruises, dining, house drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, fitness facilities, 24-hour room service, sightseeing tours, entertainment, luggage porterage, shuttle buses, and travel insurance. Prices are based on double occupancy and include all special offer savings.
Tags: all-inclusive cruises, BBC Studios, Behind-the-scenes, cruise news, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Ella Al-Shamahi, Exclusive Experiences, Luba Mushtuk, luxury travel, Millennium FX, onboard entertainment, Saga Cruises, science and space, Strictly Come Dancing, The Sky at Night, Travel, Travel news, TV production insights, visual effects, Vito Coppola