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Film producer Stephen Evans has enjoyed many Italian premieres but sailing on Spirit of Discovery’s 21-night Italian Premiere voyage will be his first ever cruise.

On board Saga’s new boutique cruise ship, Stpehen will show his films made on location in Italy and share the stories from  behind the scenes – including four-times Oscar-nominated Wings of a Dove, set and premiered in Venice, which stars Helena Bonham Carter, Charlotte Rampling and Michael Gambon.

Further films include Much Ado About Nothing, set in Tuscany with a star-studded cast of Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington and Keanu Reeves; The Luzhin Defence, set in the Dolomites and Lake Como and starring Emily Watson, and 1st Night, partly set in Milan, featuring Richard E Grant and Sarah Brightman.

Commenting on his cruise premiere, Evans said “It will be the first time I have stepped on a cruise ship, but I am really looking forward to experiencing life on board – especially as Spirit of Discovery is so new and sailing into Italy.

He added: “I will give several talks about life and work in the movie world and show some of my films which should be a great fit with the Italian Premiere theme. For instance, the filming of Wings of a Dove was in Venice and quite a logistical challenge, we were usually up at 4am to start the film rolling.

“There will also be a Q & A session so passengers can ask me about production, the locations, story lines and about life in the film business.”

Other guest speakers on the all-inclusive cruise include Brigadier Hugh Willing and fashion director and stylist Wendy Rigg.

Further highlights of the cruise include an optional helicopter ride over Gibraltar, the chance to see a performance of opera favourites performed by members of the Venice Opera Company in Scuola Grande di San Teodoro and meeting the master builders of the Putignano carnival.

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

An Italian Premiere, 21 nights from £3,899 per person, aboard Spirit of Discovery, departing Southampton on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.

Price includes UK travel package to and from Southampton, all meals and entertainment on board, 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 if 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 an Outside Guarantee balcony cabin where guests receive their cabin number shortly before sailing (or at embarkation) and not at the time of booking and includes any relevant booking discount. Your cabin can be located anywhere on the ship. Fare was correct at the time of sending and is subject to availability and change. Further terms and conditions apply. Please call for details.