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My reason for choosing a cruise holiday was simple: after three months on the TV show Grease, The School Musical, I was exhausted.
The series, which involved working with pupils from the Wallasey School in Merseyside, was rewarding, but physically and mentally draining and as as soon as the series ended I was anxious to recharge my batteries.
When it comes to holidays I’m not really a creature of habit, I like to do different things. I have a house in Los Angeles so I go there sometimes. And I often take my mum away with me.
This Mediterranean voyage was the first I’ve taken with Princess Cruises. What appealed was the fact it was for adults only. When you’ve been so busy, it’s nice to have a break without children running around.
I also liked the itinerary – 12 days starting in Venice and taking in Turkey, Greece, France and Spain, with the finish due to be in Barcelona, although we had to get off in Monte Carlo the day before as I had to go back to work.
I think people who cruise divide into two groups: those who enjoy being on board and can’t be bothered with the hassle of getting off, and those who travel for the port visits. I fall into the second category. I left the ship at all the ports and really liked that part of the trip.
The stop I most enjoyed was in Kusadasi, a Turkish village on the Ionian coast from where we visited Ephesus, a fascinating archeological site.
This is where Mark Antony and Cleopatra rode in procession and St Paul preached against the goddess Artemis.
From there we sailed to Istanbul and saw the fabulous Blue Mosque. It was amazing, and very uplifting, to meditate with my own private thoughts in such a beautiful place. Of course, we also had to explore the bazaars where I was staggered by the extraordinary variety of things to buy.
We visited Mykonos, a beautiful Greek island, and another highlight was Pisa where, naturally, we had to see the Leaning Tower. Sadly, we didn’t get to climb it but we had great fun walking around it.
I’m surprised that so many of us have the wrong idea about what a cruise is like nowadays. I’ve heard people say: ‘I wouldn’t go on a cruise, there isn’t enough to do… I would feel too confined…’
That’s nonsense. Modern cruise ships are not only spacious, they are full of things to do and enjoy. The problem is not having enough to do but not being able to do all the things available to you.
Among the things I particularly like, for example, is the onboard casino: it’s a fun way to spend a few hours after dinner.
But perhaps the greatest pleasure of a good cruise is the food. The standard of cuisine is incredible and there is so much variety.
One of the best meals I’ve ever had was on this Princess cruise in Sabbatini’s. This is one of the onboard restaurants that levies a cover charge, but it was well worth it. We had eight courses from a menu specialising in Italian cuisine and seafood. Cruise ships’ best restaurants now rival many of the top ones in the world.
People talk about the dangers of putting on weight when you take a cruise but I was in the excellent gym working out every day. I went to spinning classes, which were great, and also worked out on the machines. In fact, I became involved with most of the onboard sporting activities, as I really like keeping fit. I also spent time in the swimming pools and the Jacuzzi.
A cruise is a great opportunity to eat properly and do lots of exercise at the same time. Eat as much as you like but never feel guilty about it – it’s the perfect holiday in that respect.
Another of my favourite onboard activities is watching a movie under the stars. You sit out on deck, given a box of popcorn and a rug to make sure you keep warm if it’s a bit chilly at night, and watch a film on a big screen. It’s tremendous fun.
As someone who works in the entertainment business, I was keen to have a look at the shows, and they really were fantastic. The onboard entertainers are talented, top-quality singers and dancers. It’s extraordinary to see how they perform night after night.
I met many of the performers in the gym where they go to work out during the day and enjoyed having the chance to talk to them.
A lot of the entertainment crew came from Britain, so many of them knew who I was. One wanted me to sing in one of the clubs with a live band. I loved it: I got up and did a bit of Mustang Sally and Elvis’s Can’t Help Falling In Love, which was a real treat for me.
I’m now signed up to the hit West End show Legally Blonde: The Musical for the next six months, so I won’t be able to take another holiday until July at the earliest. But I’m already planning where I’ll go next, with Thailand at the top of my list. It’s a fabulous country.
And, of course, I’m also thinking about another cruise. It will provide the relaxation I’ll be looking for after six months’ hard work in the West End. I fear I may be turning into a bit of a cruise junkie.
[Source: Daily Mail]
Upon reading the chatbox in the sidebar, i just wanted to say a few things…
I’m sorry, i don’t buy magazines as i simply can’t afford to do it. I already spend ALOT of money on buying pictures for the site. I sadly cannot afford to buy all the magazines aswell. If anyone would like to donate magazine scans to the site, your help would be very much appreciated and of course credit would be given to you. You can email me HERE! if you have any scans you wish to share with the site.
Also, in the sidebar is now a ‘Donation’ section which allows you to make a donation to the running of ARFD. You are free to make any size donation you wish and ALL donations go straight back into ARFD, buying new pictures. It truly would be a HUGE help to me as keeping the site going is very costly.
You will also notice a link to Ebay, where you can purchase some great Duncan James photographs. Once again, ALL proceeds from Duncan sales go straight back into the site.
Any help, in any way, would be very much appreciated.
Blue’s Duncan James tells all about his relationship with Katie Price, his bisexuality and how he wants more children
There’s something a bit old school about Duncan James.
Duncan James found fame with Blue almost ten years ago, before it became fashionable for Twittering celebs to share their innermost secrets with the world. So when we probe him on coming out as bisexual, which he did last year, he clams up a little.
Duncan’s still charming and answers our questions, but we sense he wants us to move on. When he spoke out to a Sunday newspaper last July, he told of the years of confusion and secrecy he went through.
The singer began his first relationship with a man in 2001, at the height of Blue’s fame, but then had a child, Tianie, now four, with his ex-girlfriend Claire Grainger, 33, in 2005.
But although Duncan says he’s happy to date either men or women, he confesses to new! that he prefers home life to hitting gay clubs.
The busy 31 year old is now appearing opposite Sheridan Smith in the West End production of Legally Blonde, and with Blue reforming and TV work flooding in, he seems content.
Here, Duncan sets the record straight about the reaction to his coming out, why he wants more children, and why he pities Katie Price.
So Duncan, first of all, what is it like kissing Sheridan Smith every night?
I love Sheridan. She’s become one of my best friends. We have a lot of chemistry between us; we flirt. But it’s platonic in the sense that…
You’re not about to jump her bones?
[Laughs] No, but we get on well and have a cheeky snog every night on stage, which is great!
Do you have a cheeky snog even when you’re not stage?
That would be telling, wouldn’t it?
Katie Price came down to see the show the other week and you went out afterwards. What happened?
Well, it was the 50th birthday of the show’s director and he wanted to meet her, and was like, “You need to bring her to my party!” So we went and then she left. But it was great to see her.
Are you friends with Katie?
I’ve known her for years and years. She invited Sheridan and me to her New Year’s Eve party, which was kind of cool – we both went.
Is it true Dane Bowers and Alex Reid had a fight?
Absolute rubbish. It made me laugh when I saw the story because I was like, “I was there – that’s so untrue!”
Have you ever fancied Katie?
She’s a very confident person, and that’s very attractive. She makes me laugh. When you get to know the real Katie, she’s a very sweet girl. You think, “God, your life is so crazy – everywhere you go you have paparazzi following you.” Whether she helps herself or not, and whether she’s made her own bed and has to lie in it, she still has to live with it. It’s a lot to cope with. I feel sorry for her because she has to put up with that on a daily basis.
What’s happening with Blue – will there be a new album?
We’ve done some tracks in America. I think towards the end of this year it might happen.
What’s the reaction been since you came out? At the time some people said that you’re not really bisexual and that you should come out as gay…
I don’t really care – people can say what they want. I said it in the way I wanted to say it and I don’t feel I need to go into it. This is who I am, this is my life, I’m not ashamed of anything. I’m proud of the man I’ve become after ten years in this business. If people still need to find a box for you, that’s their issue.
Do you feel happier for having done it?
Massively. I feel in a good place – career-wise, family-wise – everything’s great.
Do you still have therapy?
Not for two years – I don’t feel I need to.
Are you seeing anyone?
No, I’m single. My focus is my work.
Since coming out have you felt you can go to gay bars?
I’ve always gone to gay bars. Quite regularly when I did Chicago, the cast and I would go to [London gay club] The Shadow Lounge.
Ah, but now you can have fun when you go!
But it’s not about that.
You’re not on the prowl?
No, I’m not that kind of person. I’ve got a little girl, and I’m quite a homebody.
How often do you get to see Tianie?
Since the show started it’s been a more difficult, but you have to make it work.
Does she understand that her dad’s famous?
Ever since she was a baby, she’s always seen her daddy on telly. She’s seen all the Blue videos. She’s a daddy’s girl!
In an ideal world would you want to have more children?
Definitely, I’d like a little boy, but you’re grateful for what you’re given. It’s the best thing that’s happened to me.
When Jordan named her daughter Princess Tiáamii, did you think, “You’ve nicked my daughter’s name!”
[Laughing] No! Claire rang me going, “F***ing Katie Price, she’s called her baby Princess Tiáamii, she’s copied our name!” And I just laughed and said, “No, she’s called Princess. And our little girl is Tianie, not Tiáamii.” In any case, we were the first!
Duncan co-hosts Live From The Red Carpet: 2010 BAFTA Awards on February 21 at 5pm on E! Entertainment Television
[Source: New]
