11 March 2011

The cruise forms part of Fred Olson Cruise Line’s ArtsClub programme, in which they feature special on board activities on particular ships. This particular cruise will bring guests a series of lectures by knowledgeable guest speakers about the work and history of Agatha Christie. One of the highlights will no doubt be the talks by her grandson, Mathew Prichard, who will entertain passengers with stories about his grandmother’s life.

The producer at the Agatha Christie Theatre Company, Julius Green, will also be on board and will present discussion about her work.

In addition, there will be special performances of some of her 30-minute radio plays. These are not as well known as her books, so many of them will be new to fans of her writing.

A special feature on this cruise will be the chance to taste the specially baked Delicious Death Cake – a reproduction of a cake described in Agatha Christie’s 50th novel – A Murder Is Announced. It was specially prepared by Jane Asher with ingredients described in the novel: a tin of American butter, some Christmas raisins, a pound of sugar and a slab of chocolate.

In the novel the victim drops dead after eating a portion of the Death Cake, but Fred Olson’s version will of course be totally poison free!