My Bank Holiday Weekend

So what’s everyone been up to over the bank holiday? Enjoying yourselves I hope?

I had a great day on Saturday taking Harry, my little lad, to the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham. We had a great time, although he did get a bit upset when Daddy wouldn’t, in his own words, let him:
“Take the ting ray home Dada”

U-Turn in Greek cruising laws

The Greek parliament has just approved changes to the country's laws which will allow foreign cruise lines to operate Greek Island cruises round trip from ports within Greece.

Until now, those itineraries required passengers to sail on Greek lines, protecting Greek shipping and cruising intrests. Foreign lines were required to start or end the cruise outside the country or include Greek ports on round trips from other countries.

It’s a funny ol’ life at sea…….

Of the following three cruise stories, only two ever really happened, the other is a complete figment of my imagination. But, here’s the puzzle, can you spot the real from the false?

Good Luck…………

First time Cruisers – Top Tips...........

Recently I’ve spent a lot of time answering questions/giving advice to some first time cruisers. It’s one of the more enjoyable parts of my job, watching people getting more and more excited about their first cruise but it had occurred to me that your first cruise can be a scary prospect; hundreds of miles from home, possibly even hundreds of mile from land. It’s with this in mind that I’ve combed the internet looking for advice for first time cruisers and have put this guide together. If you have any other useful tips or advice please add them below.......

Allure of the Seas ………The Countdown Begins

The Allure, as I’m sure you all know by now is set to launch in December this year and I know a lot of people are getting very excited, but do we want a clone of the Oasis of the Seas?
Well thankfully it’s not going to be an issue.

RCCL have been keeping the exact details of the ship under close wraps but as we get closer to launch more and more details about the ship have been released. I’ve combed a few different websites to put the following information together for you.

The Grand, Old? Princess………………..

Have any of you sailed on the Grand Princess lately? I’ve been speaking to a lot of passengers recently just coming off her who have said she’s looking a bit tired and dated.

She is due for a refurb. next year, but I have a lot of passengers booked onto her between now and then and am a bit worried about them finding her a bit old.
It’s convenient for us Brits to book on her as she sails from Southampton all year round but if she really is starting to look as bad as some people are saying should I be recommending other ex U.K sailings to people? Her ratings on our review sites have been below standard latley.
To confuse me even further though a senior member of management has just come back from her and says she had an absolutely great time and she knows cruise ships inside and out.
So whats the answer?
Have you been on her recently?

What did you think of her?

Does she need that refurb urgently?
And most importantly would you recommend her to a friend?
As always let me know your thoughts here………

Happy Cruising

Hoax or No?

I was flicking through our Garden cruises brochure yesterday when I came across this picture, put there by Tony Russell, star of some of our garden cruises with Fred Olsen and regular writer/presenter for BBC gardening shows- but what do you think – Hoax or Not?

Top Tips For Avoiding Pick Pockets when you’re in Port

I’ve been writing a series of blogs recently about some of the more popular tourist attractions for cruisers in Europe. Sadly some of these destinations do have a problem with pickpockets, especially in the larger cities. It’s with this in mind that I’ve put this little guide together on the best ways to avoid having a pickpocket ruin your holiday.

Fun in Florence

O.K., so here’s another update on my series of blogs about un-missable tourist destinations on the different ports of call we at cruise.co.uk send you all too. Again, bear in mind this is aimed at people who have never visited these ports before and it’s all based on my personal opinions and my favourite sites anyway. If you feel I’ve missed something important out or disagree with a point I've made please make a comment below to help other cruisers make up their minds.

Florence is one of the most popular cities in Italy and most Med cruise will pull in here. Florence, a Renaissance city in the heart of Tuscany, has some of Italy's best museums, beautiful cathedrals and churches, and interesting streets and squares with elegant buildings and shops.

Oceania - The Regatta

It's official, I'm absolutley exhausted! I've just got back from a day trip to the Oceania ship Regatta, where I was treated to a tour of the ship and given a free lunch- It's a hard job but I supose someones got to do it.

I breifly discussed Oceania yesterday, they're an American brand that pitch themselves as five star plus, but actualy end up getting rated by passengers as six star. Check out some reviews, they have a repeat business number of 40%, and we all know cruisers vote with their feet.

They're all about attention to luxurious detail onboard, from the large cabins, to the 700 thread Egyptian cotton sheets, (soon to be replaced by 1000 thread cotton sheets - that doesn't mean much to me but I felt the bedding and man was it comfy!), to the 28 day dry aged beef served at dinner.

I expected to find the ship quite stuffy and formal, not from what I had heard from past passengers but just from my own preconceptions of six star cruise liners, but they were anything but.

The best way to describe it is country club casual, elegant but relaxed,informal but still luxurious.

But enough of me going on, we all know a picture tells a thousand words so let me know what you think..............
Again ignore the dates on the photos, I still haven't figured out how to change the date on my camera.

Top tip of the week

I was chatting to a really nice lady on the phone yesterday when we got to discussing the pros and cons of six star luxury liners.

Should you save up and book one six star cruise, or have two or three four/five star cruises a year?
It was whilst discussing different six star cruise lines that I happened to look at some of Oceania’s prices. Because they don’t have many ships to the fleet their last minute deals aren’t fantastic, but if your booking for 2011 you can get yourself a 10 night cruise from Miami to Miami, cruise only on an inside cabin for just £859 per person or only £975 for an outside cabin. Thats brochure fare, without any past passenger discounts or any of our discounts.
Oceania pitch themselves as a five star plus cruise line, but in reality they end up being six star quality, and at these prices you'd have to be mad not to investigate them a bit more.
I’m actually off down to Southampton tomorrow to visit their Regatta ship so you’ll have to watch this space to see what I thought of her, but in the meantime check out Oceania 2011, trust me!

Happy cruising

Political Correctness Gone Mad

I was at nursery last Saturday with my little lad and just before we leave there the Nursery Nurse always does song time. Harry wanted to sing Baa Baa Black Sheep, but I was told he couldn’t as it wasn’t considered politically correct anymore. I’m sure you’ve all heard this before now, but walking home it did get me think about what kind of country we would be living in now if we’d had political correctness from the year dot.

With a perfect sense of timing one of my friends emailed me the following script on Saturday night. I thought you may all find it worth a look.
Political correct cruising as it could have been…………

Top Tips to Combat Jetlag

More and more people are getting back to fly cruises after the ash cloud fiasco earlier this year. Long haul flights do give people the opportunity to experience exciting and exotic destinations, but it does mean the dreaded spectre of jet lag rears it’s head again, a bigger problem for us cruisers as we only have a week, or two if we’re lucky, to get over it before we have to fly home and get over it again. There isn’t any magic pill or cure all to get rid of the problem, (unfortunately), but hopefully the following guide will either help alleviate, or shorten the symptoms.
First of all though…..

The Annual Studley Wheelbarrow Race.

It’s that time of year again folks, when all self respecting men put dignity to one side and play dress up in the blazing sun, (thank God), to take part in the annual Studley Wheelbarrow Race.

This years charity is Help for Heroes.
Anyone aged 18 or over can take part in the race, which follows a path taking in 11 pubs in Studley, drinking half a pint in each.

i-Art work

Celebrity Cruises are introducing self-guided art tours on the i-Pad. An addition to the 'Celebrity Life' series of entertainment and enrichment activities that I’ve blogged on before, the i-Pads on each Solstice class ship house deck plans with select artworks flagged on every level.

Amazed in Amsterdam

O.K., so here’s another update on my series of blogs about un-missable tourist destinations on the different ports of call we at cruise.co.uk send you all too. Again, bear in mind this is aimed at people who have never visited these ports before and it’s all based on my personal opinions and my favourite sites anyway. If you feel I’ve missed something important out or disagree with a point I've made please make a comment below to help other cruisers make up their minds.

For obvious reasons, Amsterdam is always going to be a bit more adult orientated than other destinations, and a lot of the adult content is hard to miss, it’s not like you can stick to certain areas and avoid it. For this reason you should think long and hard before disembarking with a child. It is suprising how much there is to do that doesn't involve smoking or visiting the red light district but I have tried to be as honest as I can here, with family and adult attractions covered, but if your going to be easily offended please don’t click the read more button below.

Americans, you gotta love em!

As you can imagine I get sent loads of junk emails from friends, anything regarding cruises or ships always gets forwarded on to me. The following though really tickled me. It is the transcript of an actual radio conversation of a US Naval ship and the Canadians, off the coast of Newfoundland, Oct 95. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-95:

Your Daily Cruise Horoscope

Aries, March 21- April 20
You already sense you have more talent than you use and the new moon makes this the perfect day to show what you can do.

Relationships that have been slow suddenly work better.
If you are single a last minute holiday will be good for you. Your lucky cruise line is Fred Olsen.

Taurus, April 21 - May 21
The fresh-start power of the new moon focuses on your home chart and dreams of getting more living space can turn into an action plan.
Even stubborn people will listen and the family can achieve lots together. A bald travel agent will make your day
A chat over a meal shows love has a future. Mars is directing you towards NCL cruises.

Gemini, May 22 - June 21
Pluto, planet of the unexpected, clashes with Venus and you could be attracted to someone you once did not even like - and the feeling is mutual.
At work, you have the ideas and energy to get things going and a training course place for you or a relative looks good. With Jupiter rising, now is a good time to plan for summer 2011. Royal Caribbean will sail you to happiness today.

Cancer, June 22 - July 22
Your finances chart is turned on by the moon which should get cash flowing your way.
Love you secretly felt a bit one-sided becomes a truly equal relationship.
Single? The luckiest person you know makes the introduction. A foreign experience with Costa cruises will change your outlook on life.

Leo, July 23 - August 23
The once-a-year visit of the new moon to your sign adds rich luck to things you try for the first time.
You attract all kinds of opportunities and have the competitive edge that makes you a winner.
Links with the sports world will add spice to your life. A partner asks you three love questions. For first time Cruisers look to Holland America, Dover will be your luckiest port.

Virgo, August 24 - September 22
You can decode other people's secret feelings as the moon is in your sixth sense chart.
This helps you say and do the right things at work and in family decisions.
But you also realise love can mean letting someone say sorry.
Single? A face met once last year will reappear on this years MSC cruise.

Libra, September 23 - October 23
You can be calm, organised and ready to take the lead in raising money for a good cause.
This can also be the key to a lifelong friendship.
As Venus squares up to Pluto, be ready for the kind of passionate attraction that may change everything.
Luck is waiting in a ship called Independence.

Scorpio, October 24 - November 22
The new moon's power revives ambitions and adds the vital touch of luck they need.
A project linking you with a Leo friend will be rewarding.
You may feel you give more than you get in a relationship - but that is changing.
Saturn squares up to Venus, you should book aboard a ship that stars with a D.

Sagittarius, November 23 - December 21
Moon power in your truth chart clears away all doubt and a choice that has long been on your mind will now be easy to make and get right.
Simple words expressing real feelings work better than complex strategies in your love life.
Can’t make up your mind, you will meet an important business contact aboard a ship names after a Queen.

Capricorn, December 22 - January 20
Courage replaces caution as the new moon inspires you to say "Yes" to changes and challenges.
Finding a better way to share family responsibilities frees up more time for yourself.
The Venus/Pluto clash stirs strange attractions, yet one could lead to lasting love, could Cruise and Maritime be the answer?

Aquarius, January 21 - February 18
Your personal moon of marriage makes this a special day for proposals and signing contracts. Booking early will gain you extra benefits.
In all you do, you bring out the best in others - those you know well and people you meet for the first time.
Your luck travel agent will have a ginger beard.

Pisces, February 19 - March 20
When you work on a project that really matters to you, the new moon could help it be a success.
If you start, or restart, a healthy eating plan this time you find the willpower to stay with it.
Married, a second honeymoon aboard a Princess cruise will bring everlasting happiness.

Mad on Manaus

If you’re anything like me then you’ve probably never heard off Manaus, although my constant readers should now have a good idea about the city after my recent Fred Olsen blog about the Amazon tour they do there. Click here to read the original blog.

I actually booked someone on Friday, for this particular cruise and noticed that he gets to spend three days in Manaus, so with him and all you other cruisers lucky enough to get to visit one of the strangest cities on the planet, in mind, I’ve put together this little guide. It’s sourced from different sites and reviews on the web and includes some of the more interesting places to visit whilst your there.

Cruise Destination Wordsearch

AFRICA, ALASKA, ASIA, AUSTRALIA, BAHAMAS, BARBADOS, BELIZE, BERMUDA, BRAZIL, CANADA, CARIBBEAN, CHINA, COSTARICA, EUROPE, HAWAII, JAPAN, MEDITERRANEAN,

MEXICO, NEWZEALAND, NORWAY, NOWHERE, PACIFICCOASTAL, PANAMACANAL,

RUSSIA, SCANDINAVIA, SOUTHAMERICA, TAHITI, TRANSATLANTIC, TRANSPACIFIC

WORLD

Just another quick wordsearch for you all, hopefully a bit harder than the last one.

Happy Cruising

Young Children on Long Haul Flights

I was pricing a cruise up recently for a customer for November. They wanted to get away somewhere warm for the winter, so naturally I suggested the Caribbean. They end up booking on the Independence of the Seas, from Southampton to the Canaries and back.

Why?
Because they didn’t want to take their two little children on a long haul flight. Completely ignoring the thought of child jet lag, they were worried about keeping them entertained for an 8hr+ flight. It got me thinking, not only is it hard to keep young kids entertained on long haul flights; it’s hard to keep them disturbing other passengers as well. It’s with this thought in mind I put the following guide together – How to keep kids on long haul flights happy.

It's a new Cruise.co.uk baby!

For any of you that know me well, you’ll know that I have a little boy called Harry, coming up to two years in September.

Well, I’ve just found out I’ve another little one coming, due Feb 10th 2011, (I’m really excited).

The Early Bird gets the Cruise

Quite often people will ask me what’s best, booking a cabin early and getting the room number you want or waiting till the last minute and seeing if the price drops, but risk losing the cruise altogether if it sells out.

Listen to this story that happened just yesterday to myself and a colleague and see what you thinks best…………..

Shhhhh, it’s a secret. Fred Olsen – Wildlife cruises

Everyone knows different cruise lines offer different themed cruises for different tastes. They range from the mundane, (crossword cruises), to the truly bizarre, (Dr. Who themed cruises – I’m not joking!) One of the best kept secrets in the world of themed cruises though is Fred Olsen’s Wildlife cruises. And when I say it’s a well kept secret I really mean it. There isn’t any information in their brochures and after extensive searches I couldn’t find any information on line, I had to contact their marketing department direct for this info. This is a pity because although they only offer two cruises a year there not you’re normal run of the mill seven days in the Med. They really are once in a life time cruises, with a price that’s affordable.

August

I’ve been doing a series of blogs for awhile now on what to do during a particular month if you missed out on that last minute cruise deal. Included have been some of the wackier days out/festivals that can be found around our dear old Island. However I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite so weird as the Bog snorkelling championships being held in Wales this month, not quite the Oasis of the Seas I’ll admit but well worth a visit me thinks if you’ve nothing else on.

Follow up blog - C.S.I Cruise lines

About a month ago I reported that the US senate had voted to approve the  Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act. Well, a couple of days ago the President signed it into law.
This was truly a historic day in the process of protecting passengers on cruise ships that enter or leave U.S. ports of call. This major reform to protect passengers was long overdue.

To see the full details of this new law follow this link to my last blog.

Happy, safer, Cruising.