The TV stars' ship show is just one highlight of ocean cruising in 2016

This year, there are countless new ships, itineraries and opportunities

Lucky travellers can meet Ant and Dec on board P&O's Britannia in April

Meanwhile, Hurtigruten has 12 cultural voyages to the Norwegian fjords

This year there are new ships, new itineraries and new opportunities to sail in style, along with the chance to meet TV stars and top chefs. Here are some of the highlights of 2016.

MEET ANT AND DEC ON DECK

The pair host their ITV show Saturday Night Takeaway live from the top deck of P&O's newest ship, Britannia, on April 2. The lads will be on the ship while it is in Barcelona overnight during a two-week cruise to the Mediterranean.

To be sure of being on board book now, from £1,479pp. The ship sails from Southampton on March 27 and also calls at Cadiz, Cannes, and Ajaccio in Corsica among other ports. pocruises.co.uk, 0843 373 0111.

UK DEPARTURES

This year Fred Olsen offers cruises from ten ports all around the UK, including Newcastle, Liverpool, Rosyth and Greenock. The British-based line's Balmoral will sail from Newcastle for the first time on 11 itineraries including a voyage to the Canary Islands departing on August 12.

The 15-night cruise, also calling at La Coruna and Oporto en route and Lisbon on the way back, costs from £1,499pp. fredolsencruises.com, 0800 035 5242

PERMISSION TO LAUGH, SIR!

Celebrate comedy classic Dad's Army aboard Marco Polo on a short cruise from Tilbury to the Norwegian fjords with Frank Williams, who played the show's vicar. The actor is back in his dog collar again in the new Dad's Army movie coming out next month and he will be joined to share anecdotes by Michael Knowles, who played Captain Coutts in the TV series.

FJORDS AND CULTURE

The Hurtigruten fleet has been plying the fjords of Norway, picking up and dropping off passengers and cargo daily, for more than 120 years. In a new departure this spring, the line has devised 12 cultural voyages exploring Norwegian music, art and history.

New schedules: P&O is just one of many cruiseliners that has brand new itineraries and experiences for 2016

The cost for the cruise, departing Bergen aboard MS Kong Harald on April 4, is from £1,553pp (flights and transfers are from £330pp extra). hurtigruten.co.uk, 020 3582 6642.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

You'll be wise to pack clothes with elasticated waists for the Flavours Of The Mediterranean cruise aboard adults-only Saga Pearl II this summer. Chef Theo Randall will be on board the cruise from Dover to whet guests' appetites before its four ports of call in Italy at San Remo, Livorno, Civitavecchia and Cagliari in Sardinia.

The 18-night no-fly cruise, which also calls at Gibraltar, Barcelona, Cartagena and Lisbon, departs Dover on July 27. Fares start at £3,809pp (if booked by January 31). saga.co.uk/cruises, 0800 505030

Scenic stop: Parc Guell in Barcelona is just one of many stops on a food-focused 18-night no-fly cruise

JOIN THE JET SET

Start your holiday in style with Jet Set Sail, the new VIP air charter service from Stansted's private terminal taking passengers to Mediterranean cruises aboard Celebrity Equinox this summer. Parking at the airport, a meal and more leg room on the plane, and priority embarkation for your cruise are part of the package.

Join the ship on June 25 for seven nights from Rome to Barcelona from £1,399pp including Jet Set Sail. celebritycruises.co.uk, 0844 493 2043

MAJORCAN MAGIC

There will be new cruises from Majorca this summer when Thomson Discovery emerges from its chrysalis, transformed from Royal Caribbean's veteran ship Splendour of the Seas into the largest vessel in the Thomson fleet.

Seven-night Highlights Of The Mediterranean itineraries from June to October, calling at Ajaccio, Civitavecchia, Livorno, the French Riviera and Barcelona, start at £930pp including flights from UK. thomson.co.uk/cruise