We live in a celebrity era and both ocean cruise and river cruise operators  seek out high profile names from the world of entertainment and cookery to give their voyages added appeal.

But so many more people are taking big, and maybe small, decisions that keep us cruising again and again.

Read on and discover who are making waves on the High Seas and waterways of the world.

Andy Harmer headshot

CLIA boss Andy Harmer awarded OBE for services to the cruise industry

Andy Harmer, Managing Director of CLIA UK & Ireland, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the maritime sector. Andy, who has worked within the travel industry for more than 24 years, including several years as a travel agent, said: “I’m thrilled and very grateful to receive this recognition.

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Norwegian Prima godmother Katy Perry

It’s Champagne Perry as pop icon Katy is set to christen new cruise ship Norwegian Prima

World famous pop icon and “American Idol” judge Katy Perry is to serve as the godmother to the new Norwegian Prima, which makes her debut in August. Perry will not only fulfill the longstanding maritime tradition of blessing and officially naming Norwegian Prima, the first of six vessels in the new Prima Class, but she

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Rudi Sodamin of Princess Cruises

King of high seas cuisine … Princess Cruises names chef Rudi Sodamin as Head of Culinary Arts

Rudi Sodamin, the most decorated chef at sea, has received further recognition by becoming Princess Cruises’ first head of culinary arts. Sodamin is currently the master chef for Holland America Line, and will retain this position while taking on his new role with Princess. “Chef Rudi is a hands-on leader with proven ability to motivate

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Robin Shaw of Riviera Travel

Robin Shaw’s cruise saga continues as operations chief at Riviera Travel 

A familiar and popular name in cruising has cropped up again as news reaches us that Robin Shaw’s caretaker role as Chief Operating Officer of Riviera Travel has been made permanent. Robin, who has been working with Riviera, the river cruise and escorted tour specialists, in a consultancy capacity since August, will report to CEO

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Azzurra captain Jonathan Edwards

British captain to take the helm of new superyacht Emerald Azzurra

British captain Jonathan Edwards will be at the helm of Emerald Cruises’ new superyacht Emerald Azzurra when she launches in January. He joins Emerald after nearly 20 years with Holland America Cruise Line. The company has also appointed industry veteran Petros Zarpanely to head up the service side of the ship as Hotel Director. David

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Shivi Ramoutar

Celebrity chef Shivi Ramoutar to serve up authentic Caribbean dining on P&O Cruises’ new ship Arvia

Chef and author Shivi Ramoutar is joining P&O Cruises’ culinary line up as part of the launch of new ship Arvia in December next year. Shivi, who is renowned for her contemporary Caribbean cooking, will bring her vibrant dishes to Arvia for its maiden season from home port Barbados. She will celebrate her passion for

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Celebrity Apex

After a wait of 581 days, Celebrity Apex is christened in Port Everglades ahead of inaugural Caribbean cruise

Celebrity Apex has finally been christened in Ft Lauderdale’s Port Everglades ahead of her inaugural Caribbean season which kicked off on Tuesday (2 November). The ship’s official naming ceremony was led by her godmother, the lawyer, politician and civil servant Reshma Saujani. Celebrity Cruises president Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said: “Celebrating Celebrity Apex is certainly long overdue

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Arvia Captain Robert Camby

From Canberra cadet to commander of P&O’s new ship Arvia … Captain Robert Camby takes the helm

P&O Cruises has announced that Captain Robert Camby will lead the team responsible for on board operations for its newest ship Arvia, which will enter service in December 2022. Captain Camby will bring out Arvia from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany to the home port of Southampton where the ship will sail its inaugural

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Gary Barlow

Take That! Gary Barlow to perform at naming of P&O Cruises new ship Iona

Pop icon Gary Barlow will give a special one-off performance to celebrate the official naming of P&O Cruises’ new ship Iona in Southampton on 16 May. The Take That star, left, will perform a short set as part of the event in his role as music director. His involvement includes overseeing the ship’s 710 Club

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Anne Diamond with Viking Venus

Venus becomes the new star of the Viking fleet and heads for summer in the UK

Viking today took delivery of its new flagship, Viking Venus, in a hand-over ceremony at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. The ship will now make her way to the UK to prepare for her official naming ceremony on 17 May and a programme of spring and summer cruises around the British Isles. “Many of us

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