Next week, veteran radio announcer John Kerr is hosting a 12-night Baltic cruise on Celebrity Constellation. But not to worry if you haven't got time to jet off for this one - TV personality Denise Drysdale will be on board the same ship, on a similar itinerary, next July.

Another popular radio announcer, 2GB's Glenn Wheeler, is leading a "Taste of Cruising" group on board Sea Princess in October. Wheeler is enjoying a "new romance" with cruising and is keen to share the love with first-time cruisers during the two-night trip from Sydney to Brisbane. Passengers can expect colourful stories over cocktails and plenty of laughs.

Christmas and New Year on APT's "Magnificent Europe" river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam will be a musical affair this year. Singer, actor and cabaret artist Rhonda Burchmore is conducting a special carol performance on board the luxury, 162-passenger AmaVerde, and hosting a concert to mark sailing into the New Year. This voyage has attracted lots of attention, so you'll have to get in quick for last-minute bookings.

Australian of the Year Ita Buttrose is also taking to the rivers of Europe, to host a cruise on Tauck's MS Swiss Emerald in May. Buttrose took her first ocean voyage at the age of two and has since cruised in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, off Alaska, the French Riviera and Italy.

Buttrose will host a cocktail party for Tauck guests during the 10-day cruise of the French waterways and will also take part in a question and answer session.

"If you've been to France a few times like I have," she says, "this is a terrific way to see another part of the country."

Wildlife fans can jump on board Celebrity Xpedition and explore the Galapagos Islands with science stars Robin Williams and Jonica Newby in January. And Antarctica specialist Chimu Adventures is offering the chance for budding adventurers to retrace the steps of great explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Passengers will be entertained on board Sea Adventurer on the February voyage by Australian TV presenter Andrew Denton and award-winning artists Wendy Sharpe and Bernard Ollis.

SHIPSHAPE

CELEBRITY CRUISES’ CELEBRITY REFLECTION

LAUNCHED: October 2012; the fifth Solstice-class ship and 11th vessel in the Celebrity Cruises fleet.
PASSENGERS & CREW: 3030 (double occupancy); 1255 crew.
ACCOMMODATION: 1523 staterooms, 85 per cent with balconies; 34 Aqua Class suites; 268 connecting staterooms.
REGULAR HAUNTS: The Caribbean and Mediterranean.
PERFECT FOR: Families; groups and singles 40-plus
DINING: You’re spoilt for choice with 12 restaurants and cafes; however, some are extra-charge options.
PARTYING: There’s a good mix of lively and intimate bars, including Michael’s Club for beer connoisseurs and the Molecular and Martini bars for late-night sessions. There’s live music and entertainment at various venues around the ship in the evenings.
DOING: Entertainment includes big production shows in the Reflection Theatre, comedians, magicians, music and dance. You can play game shows and see new-release movies in the smaller theatre, Celebrity Central.
DID YOU KNOW? The Lawn Club is 2000 square metres  of real  grass on the top deck of each Celebrity Solstice Class ship. There are multiple layers of the lawn, starting from the steel deck up, and a two-member team trained in agrostology (Google it!) is on board for lawn care and maintenance. 
THE DETAILS: An 11-night Eastern Mediterranean round-trip cruise departing from Rome on May 12, calling at Santorini, Istanbul, Kusadasi, Mykonos, Athens and Naples, starts at $1800. 1800754500, celebritycruises.com.

DEALS

OFFER OF THE WEEK

Escape the summer crowds and save 50 per cent on select 2013 Uniworld cruises on the Rhine, Moselle, Po and Douro rivers. The 18-day Paris-to-Vienna cruise on River Princess departs on October 5 and October 16; the 13-day Basel to Amsterdam on River Queen departs on November 8; and the 13-day Vienna to Amsterdam on River Princess departs on November 2. uniworldcruises.com.au.

OTHER DEALS

CRUISECO: Book before August 31 for big savings on P&O World Cruising Arcadia’s 23-night cruise from Los Angeles to Sydney, departing on February 2. 1800225656, cruising.com.au.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN: Splash out on an ocean-view cabin (from $1999) on Voyager of the Seas’ 14-night Asia repositioning cruise from Singapore to Sydney and be upgraded to a balcony cabin. Departs on October 24. 1800754500, royalcaribbean.com.au.

CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES: Save 25 per cent on the Long Lunch cruise on Father’s Day (September1). Adults  $63, children (five to 14 years) $55.   1800804843, captaincook.com.au. 

TIP

Seasickness can be a problem even for the most seasoned cruisers. If any sort of motion sickness causes vomiting, the biggest health risk is dehydration, associated with the sudden loss of fluid and electrolytes.  Tony Gherardin, national medical adviser of the Travel Doctor TMVC Group, says that when sickness strikes, offer fluid immediately. ‘‘The best formulation is a clinical oral rehydration solution such as Hydralyte mixed with clean bottled water,’’ he says.

sally.macmillan@fairfaxmedia.com.au