Family eating and drinking at table

© Princess

‘The atmosphere on our Seacations will be one of shared joy’

Richard Harry, Hotel General Manager for Princess Cruises, explains why everyone should step onboard with us this summer

June 2021

By Liz Darke

Richard Harry HGM 099245

If you haven’t already booked your balcony stateroom onboard one of our UK-based Seacations this summer, let Hotel General Manager for Princess Cruises Richard Harry persuade you otherwise. With exceptional entertainment lined up, exclusive dining options and crew that cannot wait to welcome guests back, don’t miss out on the cruise of a lifetime this year.

What makes this summer’s series of Seacations so special?

'After such a challenging year, we all deserve to go on holiday again and spend quality time with loved ones. While foreign travel remains uncertain, our Seacations tick all the boxes and offer a luxury holiday right on your doorstep.

'There’s no better feeling than relaxing on a sun lounger out on deck or on your private balcony, and our all-inclusive Seacations include unlimited, fast Wi-Fi and premium drinks, so when you compare the value of these all-inclusive Seacations to a land-based UK holiday, it really is a no-brainer.

'Plus, the entire crew are just as excited to get back onboard as our guests are, so the atmosphere will be one of shared joy and brilliant fun.'

Are there any special events and activities that will take place onboard?

'We recently unveiled our line-up of celebrity speakers and guest entertainers for our Seacations, which includes names from across the world of TV, entertainment and sport, such as Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, Tessa Sanderson and Judge Rob Rinder, as part of our Encounters with Discovery at SEA speaker programme. In addition, we’ll have guest entertainer appearances from the likes of popstar Gareth Gates and The X Factor runner-up Andy Abraham.

'Guests will also be able to hear stories from destination experts and maritime lecturers, who will share their expertise and insight into travelling the world and working at sea.'

What other entertainment can guests expect?

'Guests sailing on our Seacations can look forward to some of our most popular theatre shows, including Bravo on Regal Princess and Rock Opera on Sky Princess. As one of our top-rated shows, Bravo combines opera with pop music, while Rock Opera, which debuted on Sky Princess in late 2019, was created exclusively for Princess and is a one-of-a-kind production that features amazing costumes and a soundtrack spanning classic rock, opera and musical theatre. Both of these shows are incredible – I make sure to catch them every week without fail!'

What food and drink delights will be available on a Seacation?

'As we will only be hosting UK residents on these cruises, we have a unique opportunity to plan our menus specifically for them. Selected offerings will include a Royal Afternoon Tea, a selection of local beers, gin-tasting events, curry nights and other popular British dishes, all chosen specifically to cater for the tastes of our guests.'

Trees and a lake in the Lake District

Britain's beauty spot: visit the Lake District on an excursion from Liverpool © Jonny Gios/Unsplash

Onshore, what shore excursions could you recommend?

'There’s a fantastic choice of shore excursions on offer this summer, including the Giant’s Causeway in Belfast; a day trip to the Lake District (pictured above) from Liverpool; whisky tasting in Glengoyne Distillery from Greenock; and a visit to Corfe Castle from Portland, to name just a few.'

What UK port are you most excited about stopping in and exploring?

'I enjoy all of our UK port stops, especially those with access to brilliant food shopping! However, last year, I took the time to explore the Belfast area and I would really love to do that again if possible. Belfast is an incredible city with a fascinating history.'

What’s the first thing you will do when back onboard this summer?

'I cannot wait to greet our first guests. A ship is like a home – it is meant to be enjoyed and shared with others. Without the conversations and laughter with our guests, a cruise ship is not fulfilling its primary purpose. Welcoming our guests back onboard will be the most rewarding feeling for me. There is also no better place to be than standing at the aft of the ship when sailing or at sunset, soaking up the tranquility from being at sea.'

Excited to explore the UK this summer?

See all Seacation itineraries at princess.com

DISCOVER MORE BRILLIANT PLACES TO VISIT IN THE UK

About the Author

Liz Darke

Liz Darke

Liz is the editor of Journey. She's a seasoned journalist, who specialises in travel, food and lifestyle. Always on the hunt for a hit of sunshine and fantastic regional cuisine, she's heading to Barcelona, Puglia in southern Italy and Mexico next. Oh, and bring on the local wine, too!