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?