Olly Smith

Enjoy wine adventures and delicious food with the award-winning wine expert and passionate foodie, Olly Smith.

Get to know Olly Smith

Multi-award-winning wine expert, Olly Smith is best known for his boundless knowledge and infectious enthusiasm on TV cookery shows. His passion for wine has made him one of the UK’s best-loved figures in the world of food and drink. Olly has been named International Wine and Spirits Communicator of the Year, Drinks Writer of the Year at the Great British Food Awards and the UK’s official Drinks Ambassador to China. He is the author of six books including his latest Home Cocktail Bible, containing every cocktail recipe you could possibly ever want, and is the host of his own podcast A Glass With... On top of all that, Olly is the wine columnist for You Magazine in the Mail on Sunday.

As well as being P&O Cruises resident wine expert, Olly heads up The Glass House, where he has added his flamboyant touch to this popular wine bar and restaurant for over ten years. Not only does Olly oversee the wonderful and varied wine list and wine pairings, he also develops wine tasting experiences for guests to enjoy a selection of dishes to accompany their choice of wine. Olly will join guests on board specially selected cruises to offer tasting masterclasses, book signings and Q&A sessions.

“It’s such a privilege to contribute to someone’s special holiday moment, whether it’s sharing a glass of something scrumptious or leading a shore experience somewhere splendid. On a cruise there are so many opportunities to celebrate the wonder of travel together. Sharing wine with informality and enthusiasm across multiple generations and backgrounds is a joy. P&O Cruises feels like family. I love diving in with the guests on holiday as much as with my team in The Glass House behind the scenes.” – Olly Smith

On-board activities with Olly Smith

Get up close and discover Olly's tips and tricks, hear tales from his glittering career, and enjoy exceptional quality food and wine with him at these once-in-a-lifetime experiences

Olly Smith’s wine surgery at The Glass House

The world of wine is a satisfying, but sometimes bewildering place. With so many delicious varieties it’s hard to know where to begin. If you’d love to be a bit more wine-wise, Olly Smith is here to help. Ask Olly those niggling questions at his one-to-one wine surgery. Perhaps you’d like to find out whether red or white is best paired with the Christmas turkey, what temperature you should serve your favourite tipple or how long you can keep a bottle? Whatever your questions, you’ll gain a barrel of knowledge at Olly’s exclusive wine surgeries. Make sure to book – places are limited.

Wine tasting with Olly Smith

Fancy finding out what makes a top tipple from world-famous wine expert Olly Smith? Join this exclusive tasting session and Olly will guide you through a selection of wines he’s handpicked specially for the occasion. As you smell, sip and savour each sumptuous variety, Olly will share his knowledge of how to match them with food, offering his top tips and secrets of the trade. Make sure to book – places are limited.

Enjoy a hosted dinner with Olly Smith

If you love good food and wine, join Olly for an intimate dinner in the stylish surroundings of The Glass House. The vivacious wine expert will host the party and you’ll enjoy fine wines, personally chosen by Olly, as he talks you through the wine and food matching process. With incredible tastes and sparkling company, a night with Olly will be one to remember. Book your place.

An evening with Olly Smith at The Glass House

Olly Smith knows how to get a party started. Join him in The Glass House for an evening of great wine and company. Olly’s specialist subjects are, of course, delicious food and great wine. But did you know he used to be a scriptwriter for children’s animation, loves bees and butterflies, and can answer any question about actor Roger Moore? That’s just for starters. Let the wine and conversation flow at this unique and fun event. Open to everyone on board. No need to book! Simply come along to The Glass House.

Quiz Olly Smith at exclusive Q&A sessions

Learn more about Olly Smith’s life, the world of wine, his personal passions and glittering career. At this special event, Olly’s bubbly personality and witty charm will ensure you are both enlightened and entertained. You’ll have the chance to ask Olly your burning questions, so get ready for some lively answers. No need to book! Simply come along.

Autograph events with Olly Smith

Take the chance to personally meet Olly at his autograph events. Strike your best pose with the charismatic wine expert and get your photo signed – the perfect memento of what will undoubtedly be a holiday highlight. You can also meet Olly at a book signing (his books can be found in our shops). No need to book! Simply come along.
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Cruises from Southampton with Olly Smith

On-board venues

with Olly Smith

The Glass House

In The Glass House on board Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Ventura, Iona, and now Arvia, we bring the world of wine to you... varieties from all four corners of the globe, by the glass, by the bottle and, if you fancy, right by a plate of fabulous food. There are also helpful suggestions in the menu on how best to match your chosen wine with the food you order.

Headed up by the irrepressible, award-winning wine expert and passionate foodie, Olly Smith, The Glass House is the perfect location for a light bite, lunchtime tipple, afternoon apéritif or a tastefully informal evening out. You’ll be treated to a choice of 38 wines handpicked by Olly, accompanied by a menu of delicious food options.

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