The American Smooth cruise - interview with Kelvin Fletcher
Put on your dancing shoes in New York with Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse then cruise back to the UK
Claire Webb - 21 January 2020
Dancing has long been a tradition on sea voyages, and who better to prepare you than StrictlyCome Dancing champion Kelvin Fletcher and his partner Oti Mabuse? Imagine Cruising’s American Smooth cruise holiday includes an exclusive dance lesson and Q&A with TV’s nimble-footed duo at one of New York’s grandest hotels. After enjoying a black-tie gala dinner and dance show in the Big Apple, set sail for Southampton on board QueenMary 2 and perfect your new moves in the most fabulous ballroom on the high seas. Claire Webb caught up with Kelvin to discover more about this event for Imagine Cruising customers…
So Kelvin, where do you keep your glitterball trophy?
It has pride of place on the mantelpiece in my kitchen. Whenever we have visitors, the first thing people say is, “Where is it and can I have a picture with it?” So it’s probably due a polish!
Have you put on your dancing shoes since the Strictly final?
My legs had a well-earned rest for a couple of weeks, then I started rehearsals for the Strictly live tour. Oti’s not doing the tour so we won’t dance together again until New York – it’ll be great to be reunited. Hopefully I’ve not forgotten anything because I don’t think she’d be too happy with that!
What will Imagine Cruising guests learn during their dance lesson with you and Oti?
They’ll get a taste of Ballroom and Latin dances, from the American Smooth to Cuban salsa. It’ll be very informal, very relaxed and a lot of fun – nothing too intense. And I’ll be there to show how I did it and where I struggled.
What’s your top tip for dance novices?
Patience is absolutely key. When I started, I got very frustrated when I couldn’t master a step and that’s one thing I really battled with. You have to trust the process. There’s so much technique involved and so many things to think about: Are you on the heel or ball of your foot? Where is your weight? What’s your head doing? But if you’re patient and keep practising, you’ll be doing that tricky step before you know it.
What makes a good dance partner?
Enjoying yourself and showing it. When you’re both smiling, you can laugh about your mistakes and move on.
Which dances will you perform during the black-tie dinner?
We’re still deciding, but they will be all-new dances – the ones where you’re sitting there thinking, “I want to get up there myself.” And hopefully that’s what will happen: people will grab their partner, get up on the dancefloor and practise what they learnt earlier in the day.
Will you be wearing amazing outfits?
Absolutely. Oti’s got a few ideas… You’ll definitely notice me, put it that way!
New York is a great place for a dance lesson — have you been to the city before?
I’ve been a couple of times and I’m very much looking forward to going back. It’s one of those rare cities where I can absolutely imagine myself living. There’s a real buzz and energy about New York that’s quite unique.
Any recommendations?
There’s a café called Ellen’s Stardust Diner and the waitresses are all budding Broadway stars. As you’re eating, all of a sudden one of them will jump up onto the tables and give a rendition of a song from Les Mis or Cats or a classic song from another show. They belt out amazing numbers and the rest of the staff join in and then, five minutes later, they’re back serving coffee.
What are you planning to do when you’re not dancing?
I’m a big theatre fan but I’ve never seen a Broadway show, so that’s top of my list.
For you, what’s the best thing about cruising?
The people you meet. I love travelling because there’s so much to see out there, you learn so much and you meet so many interesting people. It’s those memories you’ll look back on for years to come and cherish the most.
So Kelvin, where do you keep your glitterball trophy?
It has pride of place on the mantelpiece in my kitchen. Whenever we have visitors, the first thing people say is, “Where is it and can I have a picture with it?” So it’s probably due a polish!
Have you put on your dancing shoes since the Strictly final?
My legs had a well-earned rest for a couple of weeks, then I started rehearsals for the Strictly live tour. Oti’s not doing the tour so we won’t dance together again until New York – it’ll be great to be reunited. Hopefully I’ve not forgotten anything because I don’t think she’d be too happy with that!
What will Imagine Cruising guests learn during their dance lesson with you and Oti?
They’ll get a taste of Ballroom and Latin dances, from the American Smooth to Cuban salsa. It’ll be very informal, very relaxed and a lot of fun – nothing too intense. And I’ll be there to show how I did it and where I struggled.
What’s your top tip for dance novices?
Patience is absolutely key. When I started, I got very frustrated when I couldn’t master a step and that’s one thing I really battled with. You have to trust the process. There’s so much technique involved and so many things to think about: Are you on the heel or ball of your foot? Where is your weight? What’s your head doing? But if you’re patient and keep practising, you’ll be doing that tricky step before you know it.
What makes a good dance partner?
Enjoying yourself and showing it. When you’re both smiling, you can laugh about your mistakes and move on.
Which dances will you perform during the black-tie dinner?
We’re still deciding, but they will be all-new dances – the ones where you’re sitting there thinking, “I want to get up there myself.” And hopefully that’s what will happen: people will grab their partner, get up on the dancefloor and practise what they learnt earlier in the day.
Will you be wearing amazing outfits?
Absolutely. Oti’s got a few ideas… You’ll definitely notice me, put it that way!
New York is a great place for a dance lesson — have you been to the city before?
I’ve been a couple of times and I’m very much looking forward to going back. It’s one of those rare cities where I can absolutely imagine myself living. There’s a real buzz and energy about New York that’s quite unique.
Any recommendations?
There’s a café called Ellen’s Stardust Diner and the waitresses are all budding Broadway stars. As you’re eating, all of a sudden one of them will jump up onto the tables and give a rendition of a song from Les Mis or Cats or a classic song from another show. They belt out amazing numbers and the rest of the staff join in and then, five minutes later, they’re back serving coffee.
What are you planning to do when you’re not dancing?
I’m a big theatre fan but I’ve never seen a Broadway show, so that’s top of my list.
For you, what’s the best thing about cruising?
The people you meet. I love travelling because there’s so much to see out there, you learn so much and you meet so many interesting people. It’s those memories you’ll look back on for years to come and cherish the most.