For the first time in history, the growth of the cruising industry has surpassed the mainstream holiday market. With almost 30 million of us taking to the seas every year, cruising is the perfect way to see the world. From the fanciest private yachts whisking us away to faraway lands to mammoth five-star liners. When cruising goes right, it can be the trip of a lifetime. But when it goes horribly wrong, it can be cataclysmic. Nicki Chapman narrates this 90-minute special that features first-hand interviews with people who were all at sea when disaster struck.
Highlights include the first-time cruiser who regretted taking to the seas when his 60,000-tonne liner lost control, putting thousands of lives in peril, and spectacularly crashing into a pier and a tourist boat in Venice. Some sightseers find themselves under attack from a group of hungry mammals, when a whale-watching trip suddenly gets too close for comfort. And it is Mayday at sea, as a luxury yacht is struck by lightning.
Other stories include the cruise ship worker who couldn’t believe her eyes when the ship she was aboard was veering towards a life-threatening tornado. Life in the slow lane suddenly ramps up a notch when two narrowboats collide at a canal bridge causing damage in the thousands. And a mini cruiser is left high and dry when disaster strikes; she’s stranded on shore only to find out she has left her false teeth onboard!
Plus, if you thought we had it bad, North Korea dips its toe into the world of cruising complete with grotty cabins, dirty tap water and terrible on-board entertainment.
Contributors include presenters Lucrezia Millarini and Adrian Mills and travel journalist Simon Calder.
Rating – 515,000 4.7 share. Up 32.7% on slot beating BBC2 & Channel 4 and in the Top 5 Most Improving Ratings of the Day across all channels.