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Press Release

REVEL IN THE RETRO DISCO BEATS OF 80S FUNK AND SOUL OF IMAGINATION AND ODYSSEY ON A CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM THIS AUTUMN​

Date: 17 June 2019

From disco divas to funk-soul brothers, music fans with a love of 80s nostalgia are being offered the chance to party on a North Sea Soul cruise this autumn. What do Level 42, Martha and the Vandellas, Craig Charles and the Brand New Heavies have in common? They've all headlined North Sea Sounds – award-winning ferry company DFDS's floating concerts, held on board its Newcastle to Amsterdam ships each year.

The line-up for 2019 includes 80s flamboyant funk trio Imagination featuring Leee John, and disco legends Odyssey. They will play full sets featuring hits including 'Body Talk', 'Use It Up' and 'Native New Yorker' as the ship sets sail from Newcastle on 8 November.

Early bird prices for the two-night mini cruise start from £94 per person each way for bookings made before 16 October 2019. The price includes cabin accommodation for overnight outbound and return crossings, plus dinner and breakfast each way. Guests will arrive in Amsterdam at 10am on 9 November and have up to five hours to explore the Dutch city before returning on an overnight s​​ailing, arriving in Newcastle at 9.15am on 10 November.

Imagination are fronted by Leee John, one of the pioneers of black British music, tracing the roots of his sound to the deep soul of 1970s America. The group broke box office records with a series of London shows in the early 1980s and sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, with popular hits including 'Body Talk', 'In and Out of Love' and 'Music and Lights'. Leee released his most recent album, Retropia, in 2017. As well as chalking up over 40 years of chart success, Imagination's music has influenced other chart-toppers including Destiny's Child and Mariah Carey.

Odyssey's best-known smash hit 'Native New Yorker' came from their debut album and was an international hit in 1977. Fronted by Lillian Lopez, the band produced a string of hits in the 1980s, including 'Use It Up and Wear It Out' and 'If You're Lookin' for a Way Out.' Now led by Lillian's son, Steven Collazo, Odyssey continue to tour the UK and Europe and their music has been sampled by Tindersticks, and Electribe 101. Vocalist Romina Johnson is well-known for her collaboration with producer Artful Dodger on the 2000 hit 'Movin' Too Fast.'

The North Sea Sounds concept has been running on DFDS' Newcastle-Amsterdam route for five years. Unlike other ferry mini cruise offerings, DFDS attracts star names, not tribute acts, for the sell-out voyages. The events are co-organised and promoted by Newcastle-based 'Jumpin' Hot Club'.

Tickets for previous North Sea Sounds cruises have sold out within weeks and customers are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

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DFDS Press Office 01304 874052 Dover.pr@dfds.com

About DFDS:

DFDS is Northern Europe’s largest integrated shipping and logistics company, with a network of around 30 routes and 50 freight and passenger ships.

DFDS prides itself on offering world-class facilities and services and the widest choice of ferry routes into northern Europe.

In the UK, the company operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.

DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for eight years running (2012-2019), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last seven years (2011-18).

DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and France on its Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais routes. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the DFDS network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven to Dieppe, which has four daily sailings and is operated by Transmanche Ferries.

For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, click here.

DFDS WINNER 2024 AWARDS

Championing the Seas!  

We're elated to announce that DFDS has once again retained its title as Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator at the 2024 World Travel Awards.

This accolade wouldn’t have been possible without you, our loyal passengers. Thank you for recognising the hard work of our exceptional team members who are dedicated to ensuring each voyage is as exceptional as the next.

Your ongoing support is the anchor to our success.