When Judith Chalmers landed her job as a TV presenter on Wish You Were Here…?, the farthest she had ever travelled was across the English Channel to France.
Now Chalmers and her husband, Neil Durden-Smith, spend much of their time cruising – making her the perfect choice to host this year’s UK Cruise Convention.
She follows in the footsteps of her son, TV presenter Mark Durden-Smith, who has moderated the conference for the past two years.
“I don’t think I’ll be as funny as Mark, but I really love cruising, love the people in the cruise sector, so I know we’re going to have a great time and a lot of fun,” she said.
Judith was sceptical about cruising at first but has become a total convert.
“We love cruising. It’s something that we enjoy so much – mainly because of all the wonderful people you meet.
“I had thought cruising wouldn’t be for me. I thought I’d want the freedom of being able to move on when I wanted to and not because a ship was sailing, but I now absolutely revel in it.”
Chalmers is president emeritus of the Lady Taverners and goes on a Silversea cruise with them every year to raise money for children with special needs.
“We ask to sit at a different table every night so we can meet new people – and we have made some great friends. Silversea always gives us a generous donation and we now have nine special buses in Silversea’s name,” she revealed.
“The thing I am most excited about at the UK Cruise Convention is being able to see all those different ships in Southampton.
“When I started travel presenting, the world was my oyster, but we always tried to reflect what British holidaymakers were doing at the time. Initially, that was packages to the Mediterranean; then there was a boom in people buying their own property abroad; and now, through cruising, the world has now become everyone’s oyster.”
James Bond and Stacey head entertainment programme
Cruise Convention delegates will enjoy three nights of entertainent including a James Bond-themed night with a Shirley Bassey (pictured below) tribute act.
The gala dinner will take place at the Queen Elizabeth II terminal on the Friday.
On Thursday a Celebration of Cruise party night at the Oceana Club will feature a performance by Stacey Solomon, thanks to Princess Cruises, and karaoke courtesy of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.
There will also be a reception for Ace Ambassadors – agents who have attained 600 Ace training points – at the De Vere Grand Harbour hotel in Southampton.
The reception will be held in the hotel’s Atrium Bar where a harpist will enterain guests. Senior representatives from Ace cruise line members will network with agent guests.
The event will be followed by a drinks reception at Carnival House, the operator’s new UK head-quarters.
- Meet Stacey at the Cruise Convention by entering our exclusive competition with Princess Cruises