Actress Katherine Kelly admits she was in two minds about taking her family on a cruise holiday. "I don't really do 'holidays' as such," she tells HELLO! Online. "With family and friends scattered across the world, we usually spend our free time visiting them instead." But after taking to the stage in the highly-acclaimed City of Angels at London's Donmar Warehouse – "My first job as a working mum" – the former Coronation Street star decided that she and husband Ryan needed a proper holiday ahead of the start of filming for the next series of Mr Selfridge in April when she returns to take up the character of Lady Mae, starring alongside Jeremy Piven.
Katherine's parents had been helping out too, looking after Orla half of the working week while she went back to work after maternity leave.
"Unbelievably selfless of them so we wanted to thank them for that. So this trip was our gift. And they do love a cruise! My mum's been telling me I'd love one for years!" Katherine kept a diary of her first cruise – and it's clear it won't be her last:Tuesday – Fort Lauderdale, FloridaWe arrive at Fort Lauderdale in the state of Florida in plenty of time. The Royal Princess sets sail at 4pm and for once the Kelly family aren't fashionably late! The Royal Princess looks like a floating city, dwarfing every other cruise ship I can see in port. But we are a hard family to please. Ryan loves to explore and can't really sit still for long. My Dad loves history, so loves to visit new places, but also likes time to read, or chat to new people. My mum loves entertainment, shows, live music and to sip a dry white wine, I love to sunbathe and relax, read or head to the spa and now of course, we have a very energetic, easily bored one-year-old as part of the pack. Ryan is a foodie, dad is particular about his beer and Mum and I are just delighted that we have 10 days in which we don't have to think about supermarket shopping or go anywhere near a kitchen. ...are we hedging our bets that this holiday will suit us all?
Wednesday – Day at Sea
Thursday – Day at Sea booked a pedicure
Friday – St Thomas
Saturday – Dominica
Sunday – Grenada
Monday – Bonaire
Tuesday – Aruba
Wednesday – Day at Sea
Thursday – Day at Sea
Friday – Fort Lauderdale Caribbean cruise fact box - 10 day roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on the Royal Princess
Dates: 10-20 November, 2015. Itinerary: Sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, ports of call include Princess Cays (Princess Cruises' private resort in the Bahamas), St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Caribbean Netherlands and Aruba. Prices from £680 per person (based on two adults sharing an inside stateroom). Fare includes accommodation, all main meals and on board entertainment. Flights available from £800 per person (based on return flights from London Heathrow). All offers are subject to availability. Prices correct at time of issueFor more information or to book visit princess.com/takemethere or call 0843 374 2404
