uCruise Doris Visits

One of the strange accidents of life was an advertising executive watching people laugh and joke while drinking coke in an airport when his plane was delayed. He wrote the magical words 'I'd like to buy the world a coke' on a napkin ... the rest is history. The advert was sung, and the New Seekers later recorded it jetting its fame and importance into the stratosphere. In the UK it sold 96,000 copies on the first day of release. The song, I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing went on to sell over twelve million copies for the writers Cook and Greenaway. How Marty's life and career changed he explains as he talks with old friend Stuart who introduced him on stage at the Tyneside Summer exhibition back in 1978 when Stuart was a DJ on Metro Radio and Jean who now presents the Port Guides for uCruise Doris Visits.

Ken returned from the Fiennes and Bottom North Pole expedition to find he was to be back working with the Queen. His trepidation of meeting her again was soothed by her humour. The same happened with Lady Diana at a nursery in Swansea. The Princess later asked him to try and get to Canada even though she knew the time away was causing problems at home. She suggested that his wife could call her.That sentiment was shared as Margaret Thatcher invited his wife to dinner at number ten because she knew she was seeing more of Ken than she was. Ken's life was being away photographing special people. His stories of Mrs Thatcher are fun, his picture of her tearful after she left number 10 for the last time is iconic.Ken also shares stories of photographing Princess Ann, Prince Philip, Princess Margaret and the then Prince Charles.We are sure there is more to come, in fact, as we know Ken so well, there is always more from pop stars to megastars.

Ken Lennox is one of the best-loved and most engaging celebrities on the cruise ship circuit. He took his first photograph of the Queen when he was just 13 and sold it to the Express. The editor laughed we Ken turned up at his office in his school uniform as he had no idea that he was a boy. Ken continued to sell pictures to the paper and take local commissions.Ken talks about the dress code for photographers, taking over as the picture editor at The Sun, his first engagement to talk on ships being after Gulf War 1 where he had been a war photographer. He is a relaxed free speaker because he is just telling tales about his incredible career.He continued to take pictures of her majesty throughout his career and tells of her wearing at the D-Day celebrations then carrying his film back to get it in London faster than he could. There is no doubt that they were in some form or other professional colleagues. He stops short of suggesting they could be considered friends and respects protocol. He explains that being press core is quite different to being a paparazzi and how he also had to follow Lady Diana. In Sydney, the princess's royal gaud held him on the running board of her car as he snapped pictures. He was often told where he could be if he did not also find his own positions.His favourite picture of HRH Queen Elizabeth II is the one out with the gun dogs, but there have been many, and each has a story of interaction with the Royal family. However, when he snapped Diana in her bikini, and the paper published it, that seemed a step too far and he was almost arrested in the Bahamas and was banished to the north pole which had amused both the Queen and Lady Diana. Both joked with him about it afterwards.Jean asks if he was ever forgiven, but that story continues in Part 2 of this incredibly special interview.

The use of Magicians on cruise ships has increased in the 2020's. One agency, the Ministry of Magic, specialises in just magicians and illusionists.In an in-depth interview with Inner Magic Circle member Gary, who is Manuel Martinez, he explains the industry at sea. Gary is probably the best comedy magician at sea and booked years in advance. In the podcast, there is an insert of him acting in Barcelona with Doris, and another when he chases her onto a ship because he has fallen madly in love with her. In this final episode of series one, Cruising with Doris Visits, there is a tech tip from David at Tech It easy and Jean tells of the origin of 'Doris'.Gary also talks about the different ships, the late-night show, the magician's agency Ministry of Magic, working live at the Apollo, with Professor Brian Cox and Stephen Hawking.

This week Jean is accosted by a bucket of fish for sale in St Vincent. Stuart and Jean visit Queluz Palace in Lisbon and talk to Cruising Tips Pete who runs the Cruises for Solos group. He has just arranged and hosted a cruise for over 400 solo cruisers on one ship. Finally, David has his usual attempt at a joke and then gives a little help with using WhatsApp on the ship without service. Just another bundle of cruise fun.

This week the podcast is recorded at the Time Out Market in Lison, or do we have to say Lisboa? Jean and Stuart discuss how you choose a cruise ship. The difference is not just how they sail in poor weather, although Jean does mention the wristbands you should carry that are listed in our online shop - see the menu at www.DorisVisits.com where we just refer you to links of cruise items. What is a small ship? Well, technically under 1,000 guests. Many would argue that big as some classic small ships are between 300 and 700 and we love the R-Class ships that Azamara and Ocean run. What is a big ship, well, approaching 7,000 guests.Our three ships visited, with full films listed in the blog, are Spirit of Adventure at just under 1,000 guests. Queen Mary 2 at around 2,600 guests. The P&O Iona was full with 5,200 guests and Gary Barlow played two shows in the main stage with his band.There is also a film of the Time Out Market in Lisbon, seated in the associated blog on Doris Visits.Also, this week, we ask you to vote. We don't stand a chance, or maybe we do if you all vote. We are new, small and independent... but there is a category for that.Two minutes please, a genuine call for help. Please VOTE... for the Doris Visits Podcast at @ https://podbiblemag.com/pod-bible-listener-polls-2022.../ we produce lots of helpful content, and the podcast reflects the port guides, and talks to you cruise cabaret acts, and cruisers from the chat groups. We would love to chat with you on a future podcast, but please vote for the Podcast by adding in CRUISING WITH DORIS VISITS in the last section of voting, the small independents... that is us. While passing TV and Film please vote for our daughter's podcast Dreamroles on the way through to us in the final section... Thank you, Thank you.