🎬 Behind the Scenes with World of Cruising TV
Filming in progress on World of Cruising TV
🎬 Behind the Scenes at Palma Pictures with World of Cruising TV
This week I swapped my usual sea view for studio lights — and what an experience it was!
Cathy in “hair and makeup”
I was lucky enough to be invited out to Palma by World of Cruising TV. Not to join a cruise this time, but to visit the impressive Palma Pictures Studios, where the team film their TV series. I was thrilled (and slightly nervous!) to be a guest on Series 4, talking all about my Riviera Travel river cruise aboard the MS George Eliot.
We were collected early from the hotel and whisked through the morning sunshine to the studios, just outside Palma. The site has hosted countless productions, and it was fascinating to see posters from shows and films like The Crown, Love Island, The Night Manager and Me Before You dotted along the walls.
☕ Coffee, Cameras and Calm Coordination
Cathy prepares with script editor Jess
First stop? The catering truck for much-needed coffee and breakfast — and then straight to hair and makeup to be “beautified” for the screen!
It was my first time on a TV set, and honestly, it was both familiar and mystifying. Having seen so many shows about making television, it was surreal to find myself in the middle of it all — a huge black studio space filled with colour-coded cables, carefully lit sets, and that quiet buzz of coordinated creativity.
And in case you’re wondering… yes, all those plants you see outside the studio windows are real!
There were so many people working together with seamless precision — camera crews, lighting experts, sound engineers, producers — each one clearly knowing exactly what they were doing. It was like watching an intricate ballet running to a perfectly timed score.
🎥 Lights, Camera… River Cruising!
Dean talks to Cathy and Vicky Billing
My episode focused on cruising the Rhine with Riviera Travel, and I joined Vicky Billing from Riviera on the sofa for the first interview of the day. Everyone was incredibly kind, welcoming, and full of enthusiasm — and being first to film meant I could relax and enjoy the rest of the day without the nerves
The studio itself has seen plenty of stars over the years, and I couldn’t help but smile hearing that Eva Longoria had recently been filming her new movie The Last Sunrise right where our sofa now sits.
Presenter Dean Wilson on the sofa
It’s a huge undertaking to film the entire series over just a couple of days, and I was lucky enough to watch episodes being recorded about cruises with Fred. Olsen, Celestyal, and Virgin Voyages before we had to leave the studio and head home to Gatwick. It was lovely to meet their special guests too — Nicole and Benaiah from the hit TV show Love Is Blind, who were chatting about their Celestyal Cruises Greek Islands adventure, and photographer David Solomon, sharing his passion for Virgin Voyages.
What a fabulous day!
📺 Coming Soon to Your Screens
Cathy with Simon Calder
If you haven’t yet discovered World of Cruising TV, it’s well worth tuning in. Host Dean Wilson is joined by leading cruise experts and travel journalist Simon Calder, who shares his favourite travel hacks, hints and how-tos.
There’s also a delicious culinary twist — Mallorcan Michelin-starred chef and sommelier Marc Fosh is in the kitchen recreating some of the wonderful dishes and cocktails you can enjoy on board. we were treated to a Hungarian Goulash, other episodes included Spanish Tortilla and even Lobster Thermidor!!
Michelin starred Chef Mark Fosh at work
Every episode is packed with inspiration, offers and competitions — the perfect viewing for anyone who loves life at sea.
You can catch Series 3 on air now — check timings here: worldofcruising.co.uk/tv.
Our Series 4 episode will be coming to your screens in February 2026 — and I can’t wait to see how it all looks when it airs!
Dean offers to share his lobster Thermidor
The Cruise Addicted View
It was a genuine thrill to see the magic behind World of Cruising TV — and a reminder of how much passion and teamwork goes into bringing the world of cruising to life.
Huge thanks to the World of Cruising team for the opportunity and such a warm welcome, to Riviera Travel for the invitation and for trusting me with their reputation, and to Suzy from Superconnector for organising everything and holding my hand throughout.
Its a Wrap! The team celebrate the end of filming
Cathy had a great time
Read more on our Riviera experiences here
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