Wade in the water on a holy cruise

Pam Rhodes and Tim Vine join a line-up of well- known Christian names for an innovative way of seeing some of Christianity's most sacred places around the UK- a celebrity Christian cruise.

The Songs of Praise presenter and well known comedian will set sail around the coast of Britain this July touring some of our most inspirational sites including St David's Cathedral in Wales, St Patrick's Hill of Armagh and a tour of Edinburgh's ecclesiastical highlights.

Barbara Dickinson, Sally Magnusson, George Hamilton and Dana will also take to the waters with them, providing the on board entertainment. The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey and BBC Radio presenter and broadcaster Ernie Rea will be speaking.

The cruise is the idea of Chris Gidney, director of Christians in Entertainment. His aim here is to combine travel, entertainment and faith.

He said: "The cruise is a real spiritual adventure of a different kind offering relaxation of the body, stimulation of the mind and refreshment for the spirit. It's something new to the Christian holiday scene. In our stressful world, holidays are ever more important, and if Jesus needed time away, so do we!"

Later on this year, the team will also explore the development of Christianity in Latin America on their Mayan Adventure through South America.

And it is hoped that the cruises will be more than just travel with a difference, but actually the opportunity for people to re-trace the steps of holy men and women of the past, pay homage to some ancient holy sites, as well as enjoy top quality entertainment.

Speaking on his blog, Ernie Rea said: "It's estimated that 100 million people go on pilgrimage every year. I'd been on two, one to the Holy Land and one to Rome, and both were memorable. So when an invitation came to lead a Christian Cruise around Britain, I leapt at the opportunity."

Ernie, together with Lord Carey who will be speaking and Pam Rhodes who will host an on-board version of Songs of Praise, will help provide a framework for reflection, prayer and worship whilst seeing the sites.

The 11 night cruise embarks from Dover on the 23rd July.