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June 6, 2000 - Fancy asking recently-retired trainer Jenny Pitman for a dead cert tip or getting former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks to relive his wonder save from Pele in the 1970 World Cup?
How about putting Richard Baker's encyclopaedic knowledge of classical music to the test or asking Gordon Kaye, alias Rene, the cafe proprietor, how he perfected those pained expressions for the cult TV comedy series 'Allo, Allo'? These are just some of the guest celebrities who this summer and autumn will be hosting 'theme' cruises aboard P&O Cruises.
Others include Formula One commentator Murray Walker, comedy actress Wendy Richard, magician Paul Daniels, members of the cast of BBC Radio's longest-running soap, 'The Archers' and Merseybeat group, Gerry and the Pacemakers, reliving the 'swinging sixties'.
Says Carol Marlow, marketing director:
"Themes are now an important part of the entertainment mix on a cruise and, arguably, P&O has done more than any other cruise line to develop them. The theme can be a strong influencer on cruise choice and to cruise in the company of guest celebrities adds to the attraction for many of our passengers. Participation in activities run in conjunction with the themes is entirely optional, though, as well as being free. There is absolutely no pressure to join in."Between now and through to the end of 2000 P&O's four ships, Aurora, Oriana, Arcadia and Victoria, are making more than 60 cruises in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, to the Atlantic Islands, Norwegian Fjords and Baltic. Half of them will have themes, some more than one. And on an 'Amazon Adventure' cruise in January-February, the classical music theme extends into 2001.
Because of their popularity, some themes are repeated several times. There are, for instance, five classical music cruises featuring performances by internationally-renowned musicians and singers, all hosted by Richard Baker. For lovers of antiques there are also five, four for aficionados of bridge and three with a comedy theme.
New themes have been introduced and previous ones revived. When Aurora sails from Southampton for the Atlantic islands on June 18 she will host P&O's first ever computer theme cruise. Home Improvement will unlock the secrets of DIY and interior decoration with 'Handy Andy' Kane from TV's 'Changing Rooms'. A photography cruise to the Greek Islands will teach how to take better pictures.
Sport features prominently in the programme. Murray Walker, in the company of Ken Tyrell and in conjunction with the National Motor Museum, will lift the veil on Formula One motor racing. With Jenny Pitman, former National Hunt champion jockey, John-Jo O'Neil, will take the lid off racing. Appropriately, cricket is one of the themes of a 21-night Oriana cruise to the West Indies just before Christmas, in the company of former England stars Bob Taylor, Derek Randall, Geoff Miller and David Steele. Other sports themes, like football and golf, combine coaching aboard with the chance to play ashore.
In all there are 20 different themes still to be enjoyed this cruise season. Other subjects include art appreciation, culinary, jazz, line dancing, maritime and the 'sixties.
Terry Donegan
Oh well you can't win them all and I do so want to visit Istanbul again.
Its Mary (Job804) here: our cruise on Aurora next week is a Computer Theme cruise so there won't be any reason for me not to keep on posting whilst on the cruise. Well I will see if I get the time....
CheersM.
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