Meet the Team

Cruise Performers work closely with their travel partners Ponders Travel.

Ponders can handle all of your families' extra requests: for example, pre-cruise hotels, upgrading cabins, as well as collecting all deposits and balances directly (saving you time and effort in collecting them) 

Grahame Mizen

Managing Director — Cruise Performers

Whilst Managing Director Grahame Mizen’s company is unique to offering this type of Cruise and Dance holiday, he does not rest on his laurels. Having been in the dance industry for over 32 years (Ballroom and Latin American I.D.T.A.) and involved in the cruise business for 25 years, he always strives to find more opportunities and different cruise lines for pupils to experience.

Having personally holidayed on over 55 cruises he brings this experience to bear when offering impartial advice on which cruise line will suit your school.

Maxine Williams

Job Title — Cruise Performers

Maxine was a performer in the first group that Grahame took to dance on cruise ships. She now runs Apton Dance Studio, where she has continued the tradition by taking her own pupils to perform on board. Maxine also works with Grahame at Cruise Performers, organising UK performance opportunities at Potters Resort and arranging cruise holidays for adult dancers that include onboard dance lessons.

Having experienced the journey from performer to teacher, Maxine is uniquely positioned to support and advise dance teachers on every aspect of taking pupils to perform at sea.

Millie Windeler

Office Manager — Ponders Travel

Millie is the Manager of Ponders Travel and has been part of the Ponders and Cruise Performers family since 2016. With years of experience sailing the seas and working closely with group leaders and families, she knows the ships inside and out—and all the little details that make a cruise truly unforgettable. Millie’s role is to coordinate the best experience with NCL and is often on hand to work closely with each group leader. Whether they have travelled with us many times before or are a first time dance cruiser, she’s on hand to help!

Emma Wyatt

Groups Administrator — Ponders Travel

Emma is the Groups Administrator of Ponders Travel and has been part of the team since 2023. Emma’s passion lies in helping people feel confident, excited, and cared for every step of the way. Whether it’s answering questions, sharing insider tips, or simply being a friendly voice on the end of the phone, she’s always ready to make your journey smooth, memorable, and full of joy.

  • “My MSC cruise experience as a performer was out of this world. To be given the opportunity to perform on international waters and get an insight into what life “could” be like after graduating from university. Being able to speak to the professional dancers and singers to see what they enjoyed about the cruise life but also getting to ask important questions was invaluable. Having an onboard Director I could speak to individually was ideal to prepare me for my final year at SLP.”

  • “We had an incredible time on MSC Seaside! The crew were so welcoming and looked after us every step of the way. My daughter loved dancing on stage to a full house each night and it was so valuable to meet the cruise team and learn more about life in the industry. The whole trip was a truly inspirational experience.“

  • “From the moment we stepped onboard it felt like a dream. The ship was huge: pools, slides, live music and gourmet dining at every turn. The theatre felt straight out of Broadway and watching my daughter perform for a packed international crowd was more than we’d ever imagined when she first started dancing. We’re so grateful Jacey had this opportunity.“

  • “What an incredible opportunity our dancers had! They worked for weeks leading up to this, with countless hours of rehearsals and costume planning. Once on board the pace didn’t slow – they met cruise performers, received invaluable advice and felt welcomed as part of the team. My daughter and I will always be grateful for these magical memories.“

  • “Wow it’s been breathtaking and an amazing adventure. The performances were fantastic and the dancers were treated like professionals. It’s been a truly amazing experience from start to finish – for a first-time cruiser and to have my daughter performing! What a lifetime of memories we made – thank you!!“

  • “The opportunity for Kiya to perform with her dance family onboard the MSC Seaside to an international audience was phenomenal. As a family we were all part of the adventure and made connections with other dancers and families. These bonds are etched in my heart. I can’t place into words my pride as I watched her n=on stage and after being asked for photographs by members of the audience.“