Saga is welcoming back chef and TV presenter, Phil Vickery, along with wine expert, Oz Clarke, to selected sailings on its ships later this year.
The cruise line was joined by Celebrity chef, John Torode, onboard Spirit of Discovery‘s Flavours of France, Spain and Portugal cruise last month, where he hosted cooking demonstrations using regional flavours and Q&A sessions with guests.
Following this success, Oz Clarke will be joining Saga’s Cape Verde and the Canary Islands cruise departing from Portsmouth onboard Spirit of Adventure on 13th November 2023. He will be hosting a live talk and Q&A sessions for guests during the 21-night sailing.
As one of the world’s leading wine experts, Oz is well known for presenting the TV series ‘Food and Drink’, along with a whole host of other TV presenting roles. Having acquired an international following from his exquisite tasting skills, he is now acknowledged as having one of the finest palettes in the wine industry.
During this exclusive cruise, guests will first sail to the ‘floating garden’ of Madeira before continuing on to the Canary Islands to explore Santa Cruz de la Palma and La Gomera. Following this, the ship will head to the Cape Verde archipelago to the capitals of Praia and Mindelo, before travelling back to the Canaries to visit Santa Cruz (Tenerife) and Arrecife (Lanzarote). Spirit of Adventure will then return home via Cádiz and La Coruña.
Chef, presenter and cookery book author, Phil Vickery, is often best known for his time on This Morning and many other TV shows. Phil worked his way up the kitchen ranks before becoming Head Chef at The Castle Hotel in Taunton- where he was awarded a Michelin star. Additionally, he has written nineteen cook books, alongside being the leading authority on gluten-free products and recipes.
After last joining a Saga cruise in November 2022, Phil will be returning on two itineraries this year. The first, Saga’s 28-night Autumn Colours of New England sailing onboard Spirit of Discovery, departing from Portsmouth on 26th September 2023. He will also be sailing onboard Spirit of Discovery‘s 30-night Island Hopping in the Caribbean cruise on 7th November 2023, departing from Portsmouth.
Spirit of Discovery’s September sailing will follow the USA’s East Coast and Canada, plus take in New York’s port and cruise along the Hudson. Guests will also be able to view the autumn display in Acadia National Park from Bar Harbour, the pretty fishing village of Peggy’s Cove in Halifax, and Newport- with its Gilded Age mansions.
For Saga’s Island Hopping in the Caribbean itinerary, Spirit of Discovery will make her way to the Caribbean via the Azores and Madeira, visiting Antigua, Tortola, Puerto Rico, St Barthélemy, Dominica, and Grenada. The cruise will also visit Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.
Whilst onboard both sailings, Phil will be delivering exclusive live cooking demonstrations and Q&A sessions for guests.
“As renowned experts in the culinary world, we know John Torode, Phil Vickery and Oz Clarke will be thoroughly welcomed by our guests. Fine dining and wine are a real passion for many of our customers, so these events are always popular, and we’re delighted to have Phil and Oz joining us again, and to welcome John for the first time.”
Nigel Blanks, CEO of Saga Cruises
