I H8GAYS - (I don't really!)

Just in case you think I've lost my mind and suddenly turned homophobic; I haven't. The title of today's post comes direct from a really unfortunate error on behalf of Delta Air Lines. 

Facebook just isn't hip enough anymore

First things first - In my daily life I don't go around using words like hip, with it or cool. I do however work with a marketing team of people, shall we say A LOT younger than me, (I'm really not that old - honest), so do hear the word sick, ream and for some reason snake a lot, (I think snake means bad but what do I know)? Nine times out of ten I've absolutely no idea what they're talking about :-(

So why am waffling on about how old and un-cool I am you ask?

Isn't it about time cruise ships started offering free Wi-Fi?

Internet access on a cruise ship has always been expensive and people are, by and large, used to this I think. Most people realise that if they want to stay in touch they'll have to pay a lot for it and accept the fact that it will run slowly. I always accepted this as part of the course myself.
But.................
Working in an online environment for the last few months has given me a very different perspective on it and I think it's about time cruise lines started providing free internet access for all guests.

Are MSC being hypocritical?

MSC have recently changed the rules for smoking on-board the MSC Divina. This is to bring her in line with the expectations of the U.S market when she starts to sail from Miami in November.
From then on the only areas you will be able to smoke on the ship will be the Cigar lounge, selected areas of the outside deck and the casino, (sort of).
It's the rules about the casino that has annoyed me by being too vague.

Hapag Lloyds Europa 2 2014/2015 brochure online

Hapag Lloyd have recently aimed the Europa 2 at the UK market, it's an ultra luxury ship that looks beautiful.
If you been considering booking a cruise with Hapag Lloyd or the Europa 2 then you may want to check out their new 2014/2015 brochure below.

Happy cruising

Anthem of the Seas to sail from Southampton?

You all know I love a bit of cruise gossip and if anything comes across my desk I'll share it with you straight away.
Well I've heard something interesting about Royal Caribbean this morning that I thought any of their fans would be very interested in hearing!

Do High Rollers get free cruises?

I was watching Oceans Eleven at the weekend, (the original with the Rat Pack in it), and it got me thinking about comped rooms.
A comped room, (for anyone not 'down' with Las Vegas slang), is a room or a service that has been given to free, or paid for by the casino, to a high roller, (someone who will gamble a lot of money). This is done to entice them to your hotel over one of your competitors in the hopes that they will spend, (and lose), large amounts of money at your gambling tables.
As so often happens when a random thought pops into my head I started to think how this may apply to the world of cruising.

Where's Cruising Chris

We've been running a fun little cruise game on Facebook for a few weeks now called "Where's Cruising Chris" and in-case you hadn't seen them on our Facebook page, (find us on Facebook here), I thought I'd post a quick recap of them for you , (I'll make sure I post the new ones as and when they're published).

Feel free to copy them and share with your friends

Happy cruising

Royal Caribbean introduce robots to the fleet

I'm constantly amazed by the innovations cruise lines introduce to new cruise ships trying to stay ahead in the game of 'who's got the best ship'.

Sometimes this works really well and we end up with features like bumper cars at sea, (Royal Caribbean), zip wires, (Royal Caribbean and Carnival), planks to walk over the edge of the ship, (NCL), 'magic' port holes with well loved children's characters peering in, (Disney), to name just a few! Other times it doesn't and you get the world's biggest cake shop at sea or the worlds biggest hedge art sculpture.

This next innovation though looks simply amazing!
If I've one complaint about cruising, (blasphemy I know), then it's the shows in the theatre. I've always found them a little amateur dramatics for my taste and tended to do other things, (there's plenty to do), but after reading this my mind may just be changed.

I don't think so Daily Mail

I don't read the Daily Mail for a multitude of reasons but we won't get into my political leanings here. The reason I mention it is that I missed this article yesterday but one of my colleagues has kindly ripped the page out of yesterdays paper and left it on my desk.
When I first saw the article I thought someone was trying to make an obscure joke about my age -
When does middle age really begin? On your 53rd birthday
It wasn't until I started reading that I noticed the cruise reference hidden in the article.

Cunards Queen Elizabeth - Cruise review

I've just returned from a two night mini cruise onboard Cunards Queen Elizabeth and thought I'd share with you some of the photos and videos I took whilst onboard.

I've sailed a few times now with Cunard through work but it was my wife's first experience of them and she was a little nervous. She'd read all the reviews and heard all the criticisms -

"Cunard are too formal"
It's really stuffy onboard"
"They're boring"
"Everyone will be really snobbish"

As it turned out we both had a great time with my wife being turned into a huge fan of Cunard.
I've personally always thought traditional or formal are the wrong words to describe Cunard. When I think of them the word that always springs to mind is iconic and I think this sums up the whole experience you'll have onboard.
As soon as you see that black hull and red funnel in the distance you know you're in for a great cruise.
Yes as a cruise line they are more formal than others, but rather than this feeling overbearing it lends a 'special' feeling to each dinner. You come out of your cabin each evening feeling like James Bond.
I realise that this style may not be for everyone but for anyone that's ever been put off the idea of a Cunard cruise please don't dismiss them out of hand, you really will have a great time!

Cruisers not happy with cruise lines

How happy were you with your last cruise?
Did you have a major complaint?
A minor complaint?
More than one complaint?
Would it surprise you to know that 18%, nearly one in five cruisers, were unhappy with some aspect of their cruise?
This is according to a report by JD Power in a cruise survey called Cruise Line Satisfaction report released last week.

When did potato croquettes become fine dining

That might seem a really random question to ask but it's been bugging me recently.
On the last few cruises I've been on, (with three different cruise lines), at most dinners a lot of the meals have come with potato croquettes, (mashed potato covered in breadcrumbs for those who have never had one).
I'm not saying I don't enjoy them. In fact as a kid I loved them, (as do my kids now), but how are they fine dining?

No one home

I'm going to be off for the next week now on holiday with the family.
For any quotes or admin queries please contact one of my colleagues on 0800 408 6200 who will be more than happy to help you.

If you'd like to wait for me please note I will be back in the office on Saturday the 6th July.

Happy cruising.

Voyages to Antiquity 2014 Online brochure

You can find Voyages to Antiquity's new 2014 brochure below - You can read it online - Just click the button at the bottom right of the brochure to increase it's size.

Happy cruising

Royal Princess Ship Review

I've just returned from Southampton after being invited down by Princess Cruises to attend the naming ceremony of their new ship the Royal Princess. I was invited down the day before so got to enjoy both lunch and dinner onboard and had a great chance to review the ship overnight.

To quickly summarise I was really impressed with almost all elements of the ship. I had a few small gripes, (which I'll discuss below), but in the main I really liked her. It was pretty clear Princess intended the ship for the 50's plus market, I wouldn't describe her as family friendly by any stretch of the imagination, but in chasing this demographic I think they've hit the nail right on the head.
The ship is really stylish, elegant and contemporary. In fact, even though Princess Cruises are only a four star brand I think the Royal Princess could give a lot of Celebrity's ships, (a five star brand), a run for their money.
Read on to see what you think of the ship as well..........................

Top ten ways to avoid cruise ship queues

Queueing - The bane of any good holiday. Who want's to get home with fond memories of standing in a queue for hours on end?
With that thought in mind I've put together a little guide for you on what I think are ten great ways to avoid queueing on a cruise holiday.

Escalator etiquette

I know it may seem a bit of a strange topic for someone writing a cruise blog but as I commute to work each day escalator etiquette, (or lack of it), is something that I see daily and whilst it may only be a, (very), minor annoyance for me, if you're at a cruise terminal, or even worse an airport, it can have big consequences on your journey.
Read on and let me know what you think; am I just being pedantic or does this bug you as well?

Royal Caribbean 2014/2015 cruise brochure online

Royal Caribbean have just released their 2014/2015 cruise brochure and as always I thought it might be useful if you could read it online so feel free to browse it below.

Happy cruising

What are the different ‘types’ of cruise holidays available?

This article, by necessity, is going to have to make some generalisations. I’m aware that some of the categories below can be combined so that the cruise you end up going on could well be described by several of the categories. Never the less I thought it might be useful for first time cruisers planning their first voyage, or even to more experienced cruisers looking to broaden their horizon, to make a brief list of all the different types of cruises available with the pros and cons to each.                  

First up…………..