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Wayne Sleep OBE leaps back on board Saga Pearl II to join The Majestic Baltic cruise in May 2018. After a standing ovation during his first Saga cruise the ballet star says he is delighted to be returning to the ‘traditional British cruise ship’.

Wayne, 69, who stars in the BBC TV series The Real Hotel Marigold, is inviting passengers to join a warm-up dance workshop and a Q&A session on Saga Pearl II, as well as presenting two talks about his life and work. Wayne also plans to treat his audience to a magical tap dance routine.

Russia is the ‘ultimate destination’ for Wayne and he said: “I danced with the Bolshoi Ballet at the Royal Opera House, in Covent Garden, when he I was 14 and always loved the vigour of Russian dance.

“I was an athletic dancer and when I saw the Russian ballet for the first time I was thrilled.

“Russian dance had such a strong influence on me, I knew that was the way I wanted to dance, so I am thrilled to be able to spend two days in St Petersburg and discuss the ballet with the people I meet on the ship.

“On the last cruise I joined passengers for a once in a life time private tour of the Hermitage Museum and a concert.”

Wayne, who famously danced with Diana, the Princess of Wales at the Royal Opera House in 1985, says he finds the traditional British cruise style to his liking. He said: “It is a lovely way to see the world and everyone is so polite and friendly.

“I also find that being at sea seems to lull you into a lovely state of calm.”

Wayne added: “Many of the passengers know my work and have seen me on stage or TV. I get to meet so many interesting people, from all walks of life, and find the whole cruise experience so homely and intimate. I can’t wait to see the crew again because they treated me so wonderfully last time.”

Ballet fans on The Majestic Baltic cruise can also take an optional tour to see the ballet in St Petersburg and indulge in ballet-themed exercise classes, learn about the history of ballet and enjoy music from the ballet throughout the sailing.

Saga Pearl II moors overnight in St Petersburg and makes further calls to Gdansk, Poland; Tallinn, Estonia; Kotka*, Finland; Visby and Karlskrona, Sweden. Further highlights include calling at Kiel and sailing on the Kiel Canal.
*Kotka is a new port for Saga.

For details visit saga.co.uk/cruises or call 0800 50 50 30

The Majestic Baltic: 14 nights from £3,013 departing from Dover on May 22, 2018. Price includes UK travel package to and from Portsmouth, all meals and entertainment, choice of table wines at lunch and dinner, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service, welcome cocktail party, unlimited tea and coffee in selected venues, free wifi, all on-board gratuities, porterage, free shuttle bus to nearest town centre (whenever possible and when the ship is berthed more than 500 yards away), optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount passenger has own insurance.

All excursions mentioned are optional, at an additional cost, and are subject to availability and change. Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions or by exploring independently.

Price based on two people sharing the lowest available Inside cabin grade and includes any relevant booking discount. Fare was correct at the time of sending and is subject to availability and change. Further terms and conditions apply. Please call for details.

Editors:

The new series of The Real Hotel Marigold features China and Cuba and will be shown on BBC One in December.

For information about Wayne Sleep’s Dance Workshops visit waynesleep.org