UK TV personalities Jay Blades, Ross Kemp, Helen Skelton to join P&O sailingUK TV personalities Jay Blades, Ross Kemp, Helen Skelton to join P&O sailing

Each voyage in the series is operated by Ventura, sailing roundtrip from Southampton.

TV Talent

The ‘P&O Cruises Presents: TV Talent’ cruise will involve behind the camera insights with Blades, Skelton and Kemp.

Kemp, a BAFTA award-winning documentary maker, actor and author, is best known for his hard-hitting documentaries 'Ross Kemp: Extreme World,' 'Ross Kemp in Afghanistan' and 'Ross Kemp on Gangs.'

While presenting kids’ show 'Blue Peter,' Skelton became the second woman ever to complete the Namibia Ultra Marathon, break two Guinness World Records while kayaking over 2,018 miles down the Amazon River, and become the fastest person to travel 100km by ski, as she made her way 500 miles across Antarctica to the South Pole. She has been part of nature programme Countryfile’s presenting team since 2012, and most recently won a place in the final of BBC’s 'Strictly Come Dancing 2022.'

Blades inspires individuals, companies and charities to transform old furniture into works of contemporary design. He has hosted BBC1’s primetime show 'The Repair Shop' since 2017, which sees craftspeople restore treasured items. In 2021, he starred in BBC2’s 'Jay’s Yorkshire Workshop' where members of the public nominated local heroes from across Yorkshire to receive a bespoke piece of furniture to acknowledge the work they do for their community.

The seven-night sailing leaves for Western Europe on May 20. Ports are Vigo, Lisbon, Porto (from Leixoes) and Guernsey.

Sporting icons

Sports enthusiasts will have the opportunity to hear memorable stories and participate in games and entertainment as part of the seven-night ‘P&O Cruises Presents: Sporting Icons’ cruise. It will include broadcaster trio Sue Barker, Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell, as well as former British snowboarder and TV presenter Aimee Fuller. Departing September 2, the ship will visit Spain and Portugal calling Vigo, Lisbon, Porto (from Leixoes) and Cherbourg.

Explorers

TV presenter Ben Fogle, travel journalist Simon Calder and Monty Hall who is best known for his BBC 'Great Escape' series, will join the ‘P&O Cruises Presents: Global Explorers’ sailing. The five-night cruise departs September 19, with calls at Le Havre and Rotterdam, with tours to Amsterdam.