Virgin Voyages Comedy Cruise 2026

Travis Jay

Travis Jay is one of the most exciting and dynamic live acts to emerge from the UK comedy scene, renowned for his sharp storytelling, effortless charisma and commanding stage presence. His 2021/22 show Travis Jay Live sold out London’s Bloomsbury Theatre and was filmed as a stand-up special, further cementing his growing reputation.

He has performed to packed audiences at iconic venues including the West End Palladium as part of U Got Jokes, and notably shared the stage with Dave Chappelle on Dave Chappelle & Friends, directed by Stan Lathan. This led to Travis supporting Chappelle on his London tour dates - a testament to his rising international profile.

On screen, Travis is a regular on Late Night Mash (Dave), as well as a writer and voice artist on the rebooted Spitting Image (BritBox). His other credits include The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Black, British & Funny (Channel 4) and Comedy Central Live.

An accomplished actor, he appears in Princess Mirror-Belle (CBBC), Netflix’s Supacell and ITVX’s Deep Fake Neighbour Wars.

As Dave Chappelle puts it: “He’s amazing.”

Seann Walsh

Described as ‘the best observational comedian of his generation’ (The Guardian), this Edinburgh Award nominee’s last UK tour show After This One, I’m Going Home ended with standing ovations around the country. Seann has starred in Netflix’s Flinch, Live at the Apollo, Tonight at the London Palladium, Celebrity Juice, The Stand Up Sketch Show, Virtually Famous, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Chatty Man and Stand Up Central.

Seann can also be heard on his regular podcast What’s Upset You Now? alongside co-host Paul McCaffrey, which sees them both moan for exactly 15 minutes about the things that infuriate everyone.

You can catch Seann on YouTube in his latest stand-up special Kiss. Recorded live at The Bill Murray pub, Seann recounts living through the centre of a media storm in his distinctively shambolic, intense and energetic trademark style.

Not just one of the country’s funniest stand-up comedians, Seann can be seen acting in Jack Dee’s ITV sitcom Bad Move where he plays audience favourite, Grizzo.

Seann also performs stand-up comedy in America and has appeared on Conan. His DVD, Seann to Be Wild, was recorded at Hammersmith Apollo. He has no books.

Lucy Beaumont

Lucy Beaumont is a hugely talented stand-up comedian, writer and actress from Hull, known for her distinctive voice, sharp wit and irresistibly endearing charm. She co-created, co-wrote and starred in the hit Dave sitcom Meet The Richardsons, and is also the co-writer of Channel 4’s critically acclaimed series Hullraisers. She has further showcased her on-screen chemistry hosting Jon & Lucy’s Odd Couples (Channel 4).

A familiar and much-loved face on British television, Lucy’s many appearances include Taskmaster, Would I Lie to You?, The Jonathan Ross Show, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, QI and The Great Celebrity Bake Off. Most recently, she appeared on the first celebrity series of The Traitors (BBC), further cementing her status as one of the UK’s most distinctive comic voices.

Lucy is also an acclaimed radio writer and performer, starring in BBC Radio 4’s To Hull and Back. Her debut Edinburgh show We Can Twerk It Out earned a Foster’s Newcomer nomination, while she previously won both the BBC New Comedy Award and Chortle Best Newcomer.

She continues to tour nationwide to sell-out audiences. As The Stage declares: “The next Victoria Wood in the making.”

International Impro Allstars

International Impro Allstars brings together three masters of improvisation for a completely unique, no-two-shows-the-same comedy experience. Starring improv legend Stephen Frost, alongside the brilliantly unpredictable Steve Steen and the razor-sharp Irish comic Ian Coppinger, this is fast, fearless comedy at its finest.

With decades of experience between them from Whose Line Is It Anyway? to stages across the globe these three comedy heavyweights create an evening entirely from audience suggestions. No script, no safety net, just world-class improvisation, quick thinking and huge laughs.

Expect outrageous characters, surreal scenes, musical moments and spontaneous brilliance as the trio dive headfirst into whatever the audience throws at them. Whether it’s absurd scenarios, unlikely professions or completely ridiculous ideas, nothing is off limits and everything is funny.

Each performance is totally unique, making this a must-see for comedy fans who want something truly different.

Smart, anarchic and endlessly inventive, International Impro Allstars is a masterclass in improv from three of the very best in the business.

Desiree Burch

Desiree Burch is an award-winning comedian, writer, actor and theatre-maker, and one of the most distinctive voices on the UK comedy circuit. Originally from New York and now based in London, she has rapidly established herself as a breakout star, bringing fearless honesty, sharp intelligence and magnetic stage presence to everything she does.

She is best known globally as the host and voice of Netflix’s smash hit reality series Too Hot To Handle, and has also hosted Live at the Apollo (BBC Two) and starred in Taskmaster (Channel 4). Her extensive TV credits include Have I Got News For You, QI, Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and Netflix’s Flinch.

Desiree first rose to prominence in the UK after winning the Funny Women Award in 2015, and has since built a formidable reputation as a live performer. Her critically acclaimed debut show This Is Evolution was recorded for Live from the BBC (BBC Three), while her follow-up show Unfuckable was a sold-out hit at the Edinburgh Fringe and enjoyed extended runs at Soho Theatre.

Bold, insightful and utterly compelling, Desiree Burch is one of the most exciting comedic voices working today.

Darren Walsh

Darren Walsh is a UK-based comedian and celebrated pun-slinger known for his unique brand of humor, blending rapid-fire puns, one-liners, visual gags, and playful wordplay. With a background in animation, Darren brings a creative flair to his performances, using sound effects, animations, and multimedia to enhance his sharp, quick-witted jokes. The winner of Dave’s Joke of the Edinburgh Fringe and the UK’s first-ever Pun Champion, he has built a strong reputation on the live circuit, performing at major comedy festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe. His inventive, light-hearted style has also translated to huge online success, with his viral street videos earning millions of views and widespread critical acclaim, making him a favourite among fans of clever, offbeat comedy. INSTAGRAM – 288k followers TIKTOK – 122.1k followers

Aurie Styla

Aurie Styla is an award-winning comedian, actor and broadcaster, widely regarded as one of the most dynamic and in-demand talents on the UK comedy scene. Known for his infectious energy, sharp storytelling and effortless audience connection, Aurie has built a global reputation, performing everywhere from intimate comedy clubs to arenas across the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle East and beyond.

He is currently touring his biggest show to date, The Aurator, a worldwide tour spanning over 100 dates and selling more than 20,000 tickets. His previous special GREEN was critically acclaimed, earning the Spirit of the Fringe Award in 2022 and widespread praise for its powerful and comedic exploration of mental health.

Aurie’s on-screen credits include Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC), Deep Fake Neighbour Wars (ITVX), The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV2), Comedy Central Live and Don’t Hate the Playaz (ITV). He has also starred in feature films including On The Other Foot and The Living Dead.

A regular voice on BBC Radio 4, Aurie hosts his own series Tech Talk and frequently appears on The Now Show and Newsjack. He is also the global voice of Pinterest and has worked with major brands including eBay, FIFA and Audible.

As The Times notes: “Combines laughs and vulnerability to winning effect.”

Jack Skipper

South London comic Jack Skipper has recently gone from a carpet fitter with no qualifications to an internet sensation and full-time comedian. Whether telling stories of life as a family man or observations on working-class life, his everyday guy persona has seen him blow up on social media, with over 17 million likes on TikTok alone and 390k followers on Instagram.

Jack was a runner-up in the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny? comedy newcomer competition in 2022, in 2023 he reached the final of the Komedia New Act comedian competition and in 2024 won Best Debut Show at Leicester Comedy Festival Awards as well as nominated for Next Up’s Biggest Award In Comedy.

He recently starred in the Stand Up Sketch Show on ITV2 as well as on Comedy Central Live and has been supporting Michael McIntyre and Josh Widdicombe on tour.

His debut stand-up show, Skint, has been praised by Chortle for ‘delivery that commands the room and a no-nonsense outlook that gels into strong punchlines’. It was nominated for the Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh the Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2024 after a sell-out run at the Pleasance and is now on a sell out tour around the UK.

Louise Young

Half Geordie, half Turkish, Louise Young has quickly become one of the brightest new names on the comedy circuit. A regular at clubs such as The Glee, The Stand and Komedia, Louise has supported the likes of Jason Manford, Alan Carr, Tom Davis, Angela Barnes and Tom Allen on their nation-wide tours around the UK and Ireland.

Louise debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at the Pleasance Courtyard in 2023 with her show Feral - about class, chaos and coming out. The show received rave reviews and was nominated for Best Newcomer in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards and appeared at London Soho Theatre’s Best Newcomer Season in 2024. The show was also nominated for NextUp’s BIGGEST Award in Comedy and Louise was named as “one to watch” by Rolling Stone.

Louise has also been nominated for three Leicester Comedy Festival awards: Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2020, Best Festival Appearance in 2021 and Best Debut Show in 2023. She was a finalist in the Funny Women Awards in 2018, was also nominated for a Gillard Award in 2019, and in 2020 was nominated Newcomer of the Year for presenting a weekly comedy show on BBC Radio Newcastle.

On screen, Louise has appeared on Comedy Central Live, as well as writing and acting in three sketches for Channel 4’s Original Comedy Shorts, one of which went on to receive over 5 million views. She also appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Fred at The Stand.

Matt Richardson

Matt Richardson is a comedian, presenter and writer who has become one of the most recognisable and versatile talents in UK entertainment. Starting stand-up at just 18, he quickly rose through the ranks, reaching the finals of the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny and the Chortle Student Comedy Award, while winning multiple new act competitions all before his twenties.

He has since become a familiar face across television, beginning with hosting The Xtra Factor (ITV2) alongside Caroline Flack at just 22. His extensive presenting credits include The Hangover Games (E4), Red Bull Soapbox Race (Dave), Celebrity Haunted Mansion and Celebrity Haunted Hotel (W), as well as ITV2 documentaries Pampered Pooches: Hollywood and Meet the Family Guys. He has also fronted Just Tattoo of Us: The Aftermath (MTV).

Matt spent three years hosting Virgin Radio’s Drivetime show before returning to his first love, stand-up. His tours, including Hometown Hero and Slash, have played to audiences nationwide, with his latest show Brash taking him back on the road in 2024.

Alongside this, he co-hosts the hit podcast When No One’s Watching with Matt Willis.

Energetic, quick-witted and effortlessly engaging, Matt Richardson remains one of the UK’s most in-demand entertainers.

Laura Smyth

Laura Smyth is a comedian, writer and actor from East London, fast becoming one of the most exciting and in-demand voices in British comedy. Her debut stand-up tour Living My Best Life played 48 dates nationwide, culminating in a sold-out finale at London’s Indigo at The O2.

A familiar face on television, Laura’s many credits include Live at the Apollo, Would I Lie to You?, QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, The Jonathan Ross Show, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and Richard Osman’s House of Games. She has also hosted the London heats of the BBC New Comedy Awards for two consecutive years.

On radio, Laura’s BBC Radio 4 special I Don’t Know What to Say — which she wrote and performed — won the Gold Prize at the 2024 ARIAS and was shortlisted for a BBC Audio Drama Award. She also hosts the hit Radio 4 series Your Mum, which was quickly recommissioned for a second series.

Alongside this, her weekly podcast Shouldn’t Laugh But continues to build a loyal following.

As The Evening Standard declares: “Not just a comedian, a phenomenon.”

Milton Jones

Milton Jones is one of the UK’s most original and instantly recognisable comedians, renowned for his lightning-fast one-liners, surreal imagination and impeccable wordplay. A long-standing favourite on BBC Two’s Mock the Week, he has also appeared on Live at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Richard Osman’s House of Games, as well as headlining Dave’s One Night Stand.

Milton’s live work continues to sell out across the UK, with tours including Milton Jones Is Out There, Milton Impossibleand On The Road each performing to audiences of over 100,000 people. His ability to deliver a relentless stream of inventive jokes has made him one of the most in-demand headliners on the circuit.

On radio, Milton is a staple of BBC Radio 4, starring in his own critically acclaimed series and appearing regularly on the long-running panel show Sorry I Haven’t a Clue. His work has earned him multiple Sony Awards, alongside a Writers’ Guild nomination.

A Perrier Best Newcomer winner and Best Show nominee, Milton is also an accomplished author, with titles including Where Do Comedians Go When They Die?

As The Guardian puts it: “No-one can touch Jones when he hits his stride.”

Kae Kurd

Kae Kurd is one of the UK’s fastest-rising stand-up stars, known for his sharp writing, slick delivery and ability to blend big laughs with smart, socio-political insight. With a huge and growing online following, he has built a reputation as one of the most exciting voices in British comedy.

His debut stand-up special Kurd Your Enthusiasm has amassed over 200,000 views online, while his follow-up tours The Spoken Kurd and Kurd Immunity sold out across the UK, culminating in a major show at London’s Eventim Apollo. In 2025, he embarks on his biggest tour to date, What’s O’Kurd?, further cementing his status as a headline act.

Kae’s TV credits include Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Celebrity MasterChef and The Apprentice: You’re Fired. As a writer, he has contributed to a wide range of hit shows including Have I Got News For You, A League of Their Own, Celebrity Juice and Cunk & Other Humans. He is also the voice behind ITV’s Loaded in Paradise and host of the popular podcast Ain’t Got A Clue.

In 2025, Kae fronted his own Sky series Sets & Reps and performed at London’s O2 Arena, marking a major breakthrough year.

As the Evening Standard notes, he is “soon to be a household name.”

Babatunde Aleshe

Babatunde Aléshé is an award-winning comedian, actor and podcaster, and one of the most in-demand and recognisable faces in UK entertainment. A firm TV favourite, he has appeared on Live at the Apollo (BBC), The Jonathan Ross Show(ITV) and The Last Leg (Channel 4), while becoming a household name through Celebrity Gogglebox and his much-loved stint on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (ITV).

An accomplished actor, Babatunde has built an impressive list of screen and stage credits, including Waking the Dead, Pelican Blood, The Naked Poet, and theatre productions such as Iya Ilé (Soho Theatre) and Requiem for Tomorrow (Shaw Theatre).

His hugely successful debut stand-up tour Babahood sold over 30,000 tickets and continues to grow, cementing his reputation as a standout live performer. In 2025, he embarks on his biggest tour to date, High Expectations.

In 2022, his Mission Imagination podcast (in association with Penguin) won the prestigious ARIAS Award, further showcasing his versatility across platforms.

Warm, charismatic and effortlessly funny, Babatunde brings infectious energy to everything he does, making him one of the UK’s brightest comedy stars.

Ken Cheng

Ken Cheng is a comedian, writer and multi-hyphenate performer whose sharp intellect and unique comedic voice have made him one of the most distinctive acts on the UK circuit. Blending clever, offbeat humour with a playful, analytical style, he has built a reputation as a truly original comic talent.

Often dubbed the world’s first “LinkedIn comedian”, Ken has amassed a huge online following through his brilliantly observed satirical posts, parodying corporate culture to widespread acclaim. His digital success sits alongside a strong stand-up and broadcast career, including multiple series on BBC Radio 4, with his third series winning the BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Longform Comedy.

Ken’s TV and radio credits include Frankie Boyle’s New World Order, Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, Celebrity Eggheads and Roast Battle UK, alongside regular appearances across BBC Radio 4. As a writer, he has contributed to a wide range of major shows, including Never Mind the Buzzcocks, The News Quiz and Hypothetical.

In 2025, Ken showcased his strategic mind on ITV’s Genius Game, competing in high-stakes challenges hosted by David Tennant. He is also a popular figure in the gaming world, appearing on the YouTube channel No Rolls Barred.

Winner of Dave’s Best Joke of the Fringe and a BBC New Comedy Awards finalist, Ken Cheng continues to push boundaries with his smart, inventive comedy.