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TV personality Dame Esther Rantzen is no stranger to cruising but the Northern Lights are still on her bucket list.

Esther, 77, is hoping the Aurora Borealis will make an appearance when she sails on Saga Pearl II’s Northern Lights cruise in March 2018.

 “Cruising offers the chance of all kinds of wonderful experiences,” says the grandmother of five. “I have always wanted to see the Northern Lights and although I know you can not guarantee a sighting because it is a natural phenomenon, the anticipation will be exciting.

“I love Norway but I have only visited in summer when the light is iridescent and small islands float in a mother-of-pearl sea. I absolutely understand why so many people fall in love with the beautiful scenery.”

Esther says there are ‘two irresistible points’ about being at the sea. She explained: “It is just fascinating to witness every mood of light from morning sunshine to evening shadows – plus there are destinations you can visit by sea that would usually be out of reach.

“My daughter Miriam will accompany me when I travel in March; it will be very cold so we’ll wrap up warm with gloves and scarves. I also like the idea of taking a ride in a husky sled and then experiencing a night’s stay in a lovely warm lavvo when the ship moors overnight in Alta.”

Esther is also looking forward to listening to talks on the ports of call and she also likes to participate in some of the art and crafts classes. She said: “I do like painting with water colours; I am hopeless but it is still enjoyable!

“Cruising is a social experience, and you find yourself in good company; you are joining a community so I always love meeting people and hearing passengers’ views and comments.

 “While on board I will take part in a Q&A session and talk about all the hats I try to juggle from my TV career including a brief moment on Strictly Come Dancing, slightly longer in the jungle during I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and my embarrassment on the TV show First Dates!

“I also talk about my charity work including The Silver Line which provides information, advice and friendship for older people across the UK. Saga is a partner and completely understands our vision.

“The Duchess of Cornwall has just agreed to be our patron so we feel that is a special tribute to the team who look after the helpline and offer one-to-one friendship. We are not yet four years old and have already taken more than 1.5 million calls.”

The Northern Lights cruise on 449-passenger Saga Pearl II features calls to Bergen, Molde, Tromso, an overnight mooring in Alta, Harstad (a maiden port for Saga Cruises), Alesund and Flam. All guests receive a complimentary Arctic jacket.

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

16 nights from £2,941 departing from Portsmouth on March 1, 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.

Price based on two people sharing an Inside Guarantee where you will receive your cabin number shortly before sailing (or at embarkation) and not at the time of booking. Your cabin may be located anywhere on the ship and twin cabins may have two single beds or one double bed. Further terms and conditions apply. Fare was correct at the time of going to print and is subject to availability and change. Please call for details.'

* The Silver Line service is free and confidential - people can ring and hear a friendly voice at the end of the phone if they’re feeling lonely or isolated. Night time and weekends are the busiest time for calls: 90% of callers live alone and 54% of callers have no one else with whom they can talk. It is not just elderly people who are affected - many callers are in their fifties. Dame Esther Rantzen says the ‘epidemic of loneliness’ is no respecter of age or social class.