NCL Epic - First impressions

As you probably know I've just got back from the Norwegian cruise lines ship Epic and I had a fantastic time. In fact I've had more fun on that cruise than any other I've done before!
I'm going to be talking a lot about Norwegian cruises, (NCL cruises), over the next week or so as I've a lot to tell you but I thought I'd start today by just sharing my first impressions of them with you.

Gon Cruisin!

I'm going to be out of the office for the next few days drifting peacefully around the Med on a fantastic ship, the NCL Epic.
I'll be letting you know all about it as soon as I'm back but if you need any travel agent help in the meantime feel free to call one of my colleagues on 0800 408 6200.

Happy cruising

Man vs Food - San Juan

I wrote a post a month or two back about some of the food you could expect to be served on an Alaskan cruise, (you can read it here).
The video I used was taken from a show called Man vs Food, an American show that's just made it's way over to the UK from their Travel Channel.
It's about a New yorker called Adam who travels around the US sampling some of the more delicious, (unhealthy), foods on offer there. I watched an episode last night all about the food you'll experience in San Juan and as I've just booked a hotel for a client there for a three day stay before their cruise I thought I'd share the episode with you so you can see some of the culinary delights available in San Juan.

Happy cruising

Problems with the Celebrity Eclipse???

I first went onboard a Celebrity ship last year when I visited the Celebrity Eclipse, (you can read my review here), and I thoroughly loved every minute of it.
As I said in the review, I loved every inch of the ship but as I was taking a guided tour around I saw something that I thought may have been a major drawback for certain cruisers.
I didn't say anything at the time because I wasn't sure if I was being too picky or pedantic but as someone mentioned it to me yesterday returning from the Eclipse I thought I'd mention it to you all and see what you thought..........

Real Cruise Quotes from Twitter

I was having a look at Twitter last night when I came across a great Tweet, (def: a post written by someone on Twitter),  so if any of you are on Twitter I'd recommend you start following this person as they really made me laugh. You can find them at @cruise_quotes.
It's a collection of quotes someone has heard other cruisers make whilst they've been onboard and whilst some of them sound silly I can well imagine some of the cruisers I've met saying them.
Check it out!
But for those of you not on Twitter I've included some of my favourites here.........

Happy cruising

PS feel free to follow me on Twitter as well at @James_cruise_co

It's a Viking Invasion

Not literally. I'd hate for any of my Northern readers to start avoiding Yorkshire in the fear that the county is set to be pillaged by a ferocious horde of beefy blond barbarians in horned helmets from Scandinavia.
However, in a very real sense the cruise world is set for a bit of Viking invasion. So what am I talking about?

Getting ready for the Grand Event

It's been awhile in the coming but P&Os Grand event is nearly here. All seven ships will be leaving Southampton on the 03rd July this year in celebration of P&Os founding 175 years ago.
I remember when these seven cruises first went on sale, most of them sold out almost instantly, helped I'm sure by the fact that one lucky couple on each ship will be winning a free world cruise.
If you're already booked onboard then I'm sure you're excited enough but just in case you're not P&O have just released this animation getting everyone ready for the Grand Event. Check it out below......

Happy cruising

Fancy a free holiday?

I came across this in the Metro this morning on my way to work and thought I'd share it all with you in case any of you 'deserve' a free holiday.
A young man, Tom Frankenburg, (22), had booked a holiday with his girlfriend. Unfortunately they've now broken up.
The holiday, a week in Malta this July, can't be cancelled so Tom has has taken the unusual step of advertising his holiday on Youtube. He will give it away to the most 'deserving' couple that reply to him.
So if you fancy a free holiday check out the vide below and get in touch with Tom.

P&O get HRH

Normally it's Cunard that get all the Royal attention so it's nice to read that P&O have a special visit planned for their 175th Anniversary cruises this July.

Cruise line discrimination - Disabled cruisers

Do cruise lines discriminate against disabled cruisers?
You'd certainly hope not, especially in this day and age, but I was thinking about it recently and was wondering what your thoughts were?

Are P&O stealing from passengers???

Sorry you've not heard from me for a week or so; I've been away on my hols. I'm back now so normal service will be resumed shortly - or now even, how have you all been?
I've obviously spent most of the last week either relaxing or doing my best to keep two young children entertained, (no easy task as any parent will tell you), but in my quieter moments I've also been keeping an eye on what's happening in the cruising world.
I'm sure it's old news to most of you by now but one story shocked me so much when I heard about it I felt I had to comment on it here. - P&O's new tipping scheme.