“I have had the pleasure of sailing with Gill Ford over the past fourteen years in my capacity as a Cruise Director for P&O Cruises.

I have always found Gill to be a consummate professional and her opera group, ‘Classical Connections’, present concerts of the highest standard. Gill ensures that the repertoire is varied and often themes the programmes according to the geographical area we are cruising.

She is an excellent manager and musical director and has only ever brought onboard our P&O Cruises ships top quality classical singers.

Over the last 14 years our passengers have enjoyed and appreciated Classical Connections. I have no hesitation in recommending Gill and her Company”.

Nigel Travis - Cruise Director P&O Cruises (July 27, 2011)

“I have worked with Gill over the last few years while responsible for the Entertainment Planning and Sourcing department at Carnival UK (P&O cruises and Cunard) Gill has always provided an excellent service and has a great eye for detail. I would recommend Classical Connections to any company that wants to offer their customers and guests the very best in classical music.” 

Peter Allen, Entertainment Planning and Sourcing Manager, Carnival UK (July 28, 2011)

“They presented 5 different concerts which were themed to the areas we were cruising. A lot of work & thought went into producing an excellent product. All performances were nearly full houses and very much appreciated. They were stars. Highly Recommended.”

Christine Noble – Cruise Director – MV Artemis ‘World Voyage’ (April 2011)

“Classical Connections - Excellent , highly recommended”

 Sally Sagoe – Cruise Director – MV Arcadia ‘World Voyage’ (April 2011)

Classical Connections: “Gillian Ford as ever has put together an excellent Quintet of  Opera singers .... The passengers loved these including those who by their own admission were not Opera fans. ...The addition of this group went some way to appeasing the purists in both sittings”

Leon de Ste Croix – Cruise Director – MV Aurora ‘World Voyage’ 2011 (April 2011)

"On our many long voyages we have really welcomed the arrival of "Classical Connections", as they were the best entertainment on the ships. You were lucky to get a seat. Not only was the music delightful and well performed, but they looked great and the spoken introductions were informative and humourous. "

 Natalie Freeman –passenger MV Arcadia ‘Grand Alaskan Voyage’ (June 2011)

"Having worked with Gill Ford now for all of her 14 years whilst with P&O Cruises she has always delivered an exciting array of programmes, very diverse in their presentation and always interesting & fun, never too heavy, she always just seems to get it right every time. She is always very particular and careful in her choice of singers resulting in a very professional product. Gill is a delight to work with and I am always delighted when I know I have her joining me.""

Christine Noble - Cruise Director MV Adonia (August 2011)

"My first acquaintance with Classical Connections came over five years ago now and since then my Wife and I have had the privilege of hearing them play on many occasions. The musicians have a notable talent for putting their considerable individual ablities into a collective performance which, in our experience, never fails to delight their audience. They are, into the bargain, a particularly likeable group of people. They are a joy to hear and they thoroughly deserve to succeed."

Sir Robert Corbett, KCVO, CB (Aug 2011)