Goodbye 2012 Hello 2013

Firstly, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and Santa was good to you with lots of nice gifts? Perhaps a loved one surprised you with a cruise?? That would be nice wouldn't it!

My Christmas break has been absolutely fantastic, I have had the best time spending it with my family and friends. I had some lovely gifts, have ate far too much and had a little bit of bubbly to celebrate the day (the diet starts in the New Year!)

So today is New Year’s Eve, the last day of 2012.... How was 2012 for you? Looking back on my year it has been rather action packed with some fantastic memorable trips.....

In April I got to try my very first ever River Cruise on the 5* Avalon Waterways with my colleague Gemma. I really did enjoy this trip as we travelled to Paris and meandered up the River Seine to some beautiful places. I came back from this as a real River Cruise ambassador and would highly recommend it if you are looking to do something with a bit more culture and a bit more intimate.
Click here to read my full review of this.

In May I went on-board the Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas for a 3nt mini cruise. This was with 2 of my colleagues from Cruise.co.uk as a little hen trip for one of them. This ship is amazing, there is so much to see and do on-board. Royal Caribbean really know how to cruise and they did not disappoint!

August I made the trip down to Souothampto the visit the Holland America lines MS Maasdam.
Click here to read my full review of this

September, I visited the Regent Seven SeasVoyager - 6* Luxury at its best.
Click here to read my full review of this

In October I ran the Birmingham Half Marathon, along with many of my cruise.co.uk Colleagues, in hoour of our dear colleague and Friend Drew, who very sadly lost his battle to cancer. This was an amazing acheivement for each and every one of us, who could barely run for the bus before we started our training!

More recently, in November, I was chosen to go on a trip of a lifetime to Orlando in Florida! This was for 6 nights in total and was my very first ever trip to the United States of America. This was an amazing opportunity for me to visit the area of Florida and look at many of the hotels, Villas and Parks that it has to offer!
Click here to read my full review of this.

And finally, the Cruise.co.uk annual Christmas Conference on the 20th December, which took place on-board the P&O Oceana. This was a 2nt sailing over to Bruges. We take the opportunity to tie in our Christmas celebrations with a roundup of the year and where we are hoping to go for the new year ahead. A fabulous time was had by all. The Oceana is a lovely little ship, the food was amazing and the cabins were really spacious with lots of storage space (perfect with 2 women sharing!!) here is our cruise.co.uk group photo - see if you can spot me!

Pheeeeeew, well what a year hey! So what does 2013 have in store for the world of cruising?? All of the cruise lines have been busy setting up their new campaigns with lots of fantastic deals and extras to be had. It is all about booking early for 2013 so you need to be ahead of the game. To get a round up of all the offers for 2013 in 1 place click here and enjoy browsing for your next cruise holiday.

So that just leaves me to wish you all a wonderful New Year and I shall very much look forward to speaking with you all at some point to discuss your cruising needs :)

My trip to Orlando.....

I am back from a wonderful week (well almost a week) in sunny Florida where I visited probably its most popular area, Orlando.

The reason for my visit wasn't all fun, it was actually for a work purpose believe it or not... The idea of the trip was to be shown around different hotels and get to know the area and the resorts so that we are able to pass this knowledge on to our clients. In particular for us, the clients that might be looking to take a Disney or even Carnival cruise from Port Canaveral but want to package it up with a Disney/Orlando stay.

In my last post I mentioned about flying indirect and wondered what this would be like...

I have to say the outbound was absolutely fine. We landed into Detroit after an 8/hour day flight from Heathrow and I was feeling ok. Quick turnaround in Detroit where we breezed through security with our bags (took about 25minutes) you then just hand your bag back over and away it goes up a shoot ready for the next flight. On from Detroit about an hour and a bit later for the 1 and half hr flight to Orlando where we landed finally about 5pm local time. Long day but very manageable. We flew with Delta and they were brilliant, complimentary drinks the whole flight and 2 meals.

The return flight home though I have to say was a bit of a killer for me. We had been up since 7am as we had appointments to visit villas in the morning. Our flight from Orlando to Atlanta was at 8pm - this was just a short 1hr flight. Then we connected for our Heathrow flight leaving at 10.30pm. The great thing about coming back from the US and having a connecting flight is that because your bags have been checked in by US security they go straight through, so you don't have to collect them and re-check them in. This all would have been fine had I been able to get some sleep on the overnight flight  home but due to the aircraft being terribly cold and me having flu like symptoms, chances of sleep were slim.

My 5 days were action packed to say the least! Every morning we had a site visit for various hotels and Villas in the Orlando area and International Drive. We started the day with a typical America breakfast each morning (my waist band felt the pressure!)

We got to visit the 5* Loews Portofino Bay Hotel - which is based on an exact replica of Portofino Bay in Italy - it really is beautiful with a lake in the middle. My picture below does not really do it justice as the hotel rooms curve all around the lake and overlook it:

Next door to the Portofino is the Hard Rock Hotel, this is a really fab hotel and is a good one for families looking for something a bit more fun. The hotle has some cool Rock memorabelia dotted about (my dad would be in heaven!) it is also within a 5 minute walking distance from Universal Studios - very handy indeed:

View of Universal Studios from a room at the Hard Rock Hotel



 Me and Elvis

Jimmy Hendrix Guitar and Outfit

We were lucky enough to spend some of the days doing various parks such as Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure - Sea World and Busch Gardens. I would like to say that I was brave enough to try all of the rollercoasters and rides at each of these parks but I am a total whimp and didn't go on many! I held all the bags and phones :)
I did brave the Harry Potter ride though in the Harry Potter World, which was a lot scarier than I thought it would be!! Here are a few pictures of my day at Universal Studios:

 The Gang

The Girls

I didn't dare do this!!

I got very wet on this!

Krusty Land

Harry Potter World

Harry Potter World

Hogwarts - Harry Potter World

 Here are some pictures of my day at Sea World, where we got to see an amazing Whale show and some Dolphins. They really were incredible:

Finally, here are some pictures of my day at Busch Gardens when I saw a huge variety of animals, some of them a lot bigger than others!

Overall my trip to Orlando was absolutely amazing and I would recommend a visit here to anybody who has not yet been. It would be an ideal place to spend a week or more tagged on to a 7nt Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral or even Fort Lauderdale or Miami, which are within manageable access. I shall certainly be returning, perhaps when I have some kids to take along!

Orlando here I come....

It's been a good few weeks since my last blog post so I wanted to fill you in on what has gone on and what is going to happen for me.....

My last blog post was about running the Birmingham Half Marathon - click here to read and I am very pleased to say that every single one of us in the cruise.co.uk office crossed the finish line :)

I did my run in 2hrs and 13minutes, which I was REALLY pleased about as I anticipated it taking me about 3hrs! I am so proud that I did it, you get a great sense of achievement from doing something like that especially as it was for such a good cause that was very close to all our hearts.

Since the Half Marathon I have been keeping up my running training along with a few of my colleagues to keep us fit ready to take it on again next year! We must be mad....

So, looking ahead for me, I have a very exciting work trip coming up this Sunday to Orlando, Florida no less. I shall be jetting off to Orlando with Delta airlines going out via Detroit. I have never flown indirect before and have heard bad things about doing it in America due to the strict customers procedures they have now. I have booked many of my clients indirect doing this so it will be good for me to experience it first hand and give any recommendations to make it as smooth a process for them as possible. In fact, this will be my first time in America so it is all going to be a big learning experience for me. I shall be visiting places such as Universal Studios, Disney, Sea World and also visiting lots of hotels in the area to get a feel of the best and worst ones to recommend in the future. Many cruise lines have ships that leave from Fort Lauderdale or Miami, such as Royal Caribbean, NCL and Carnival to name a few, so quote often we will package a land stay to attach to these giving a longer and more varied holiday for the customer.

I will be taking lots of pictures and will be doing a detailed blog post on my trip when I return.

TOP TIP OF THE DAY !

I was speaking to our Chairman, Andrew Gardner, about my Orlando trip and he gave me one of the best travel tips I have ever heard and I don’t know why I have never thought of doing it before now!

Photocopy your passport a few times and keep a copy in each bag that you take. That way, should you lose your passport or have it stolen, you will have a copy to be able to travel home with (apparently this is ok in those circumstances) This will be a lifesaver if you are ever caught in this situation!

My flight is at 9.25am on Sunday so think of me flying over the Atlantic whilst you are all having your Sunday Roasts :)

3 DAYS TO GO!!!

The countdown really has begun now for our Birmingham Half Marathon which is this Sunday 21st - Eeeeeeeeek!

Our efforts in raising money for our Colleague Drew's charity ULEGEND seem to have not gone unmissed as our local news team, Central News, have picked up on this great cause and are coming in to the office tomorrow (Friday 19th) to film us training and interview us. This will then be broadcast on the 6pm regional News!

We are all so proud of what we have achieved as 6 months ago we couldn't even run a mile, but with all of our dedication and lots of hours in training we are now ready to take on the gruelling 13miles (or as ready as one can be for this!!) Sadly Drew will not be there in person to cheer us on and watch us cross the finish line but we know he will certainly be there in spirit looking down on us....I know he would be so proud of what we are doing for him and his worthy Charity to help other people who are suffering from Sarcoma Cancer.

Look out for us Live on Channel 5 between 10-12 - here is the cruise.co.uk Marathon Team:



Their is still time to sponsor us to by going to the following link for Drew's Just Giving page - every little helps :-)
http://www.justgiving.com/ULEGEND

ULEGEND Drew...

As you may well know by now (if you have read my previous blogs) Myself and some of my cruise.co.uk colleagues have signed ourselves up to run our local Bupa Birmingham Half Marathon. You may be thinking we are mad, and yes you could well be right as 13 miles is a long way, but it is all for a very worthy cause and every step will be worth the pain. In my previous blog I mentioned we were running it for my Colleague Drew who was diagnosed with Sarcoma Cancer in October 2011.

I am very saddened to say that unfortunately and devastatingly for all of us here, Drew lost his fight with his Cancer on Tuesday night....It was such a sad day in our office yesterday after hearing this awful news. I am really going to miss Drew not being around the office coming out with his funny slogans and making us all laugh and smile with his jokes. For any of you that have ever booked with Drew before you will know what a kind hearted and lovely man he was. The World has certainly lost a diamond in him and it will leave a big dent in many of our hearts....taken too soon from us....

Drew being the caring guy that he was set up his own Charity, ULEGEND, in support of Sarcoma Cancer, because he wanted to make a difference. All of our fundraising will be going to Drew’s charity to help keep his memory alive. This is where I am asking something of all you lovely people now that read my blog (if there are any!) please please can I ask you to make a small donation to help us keep Drews Legacy alive - you can sponsor us by going to Drew’s donation page any donation big or small will really make a difference - even just £1 will help the cause :)

http://www.justgiving.com/ULEGEND

My training is in full flow now and with less than 3 weeks to go I am getting rather nervous and excited for the day. I will keep you posted of all our progress and of course the results on the big day :) 

QV Cruise Cancelled....

Cunard recently announced that they have had to take the drastic decision to cancel one of their cruises due to mechanical failure.



The 16 night voyage was due to depart from Southampton on October 3, but has been dropped to allow the ship to undergo emergency repair work in Bremerhaven, Germany.

The Ship is currently unable to reach its usual cruising speed due to problems with its propulsion units. She was returning from a Mediterranean cruise when these problems occurred.

Its next sailing will now be a two-night mini-cruise departing from Southampton on October 17, followed by a 23-night Caribbean voyage, leaving the same port on October 19.

I have had a few passengers that have been affected by this and I have to say, it has been heart breaking having to tell them that they will not be going on their holiday. After having been looking forward to it for well over 6 months, my one client was absolutely devastated to hear that with only a few weeks to go they would not be taking the cruise after all. They had bought new clothes, got there Euro's ready and were set to go. They can't unfortunately change holiday dates with work now so are tied with what they can do - a 16night holiday at home for them! Needless to say that is one part of my job I do not like :-(

Obviously something like this can't be helped and if it has to be then it has to be. Cunard have offered to cancel free of charge so customers can make alternative arrangements and have given a 15% cruise credit in addition to this for a future cruise. Personally I don’t feel that this is enough to cover the loss and upset that thousands of people will be experiencing.

I hope everybody affected by this have managed to get something alternative sorted and it doesn't put them off cruising with Cunard - or just cruising in general.

My visit to the Regent Voyager

Last Thursday (6th September) I was invited down to spend the morning on board the Beautiful, Ultra Luxury, 6* Regent Seven Seas Voyager where I was also treated to a gourmet 4 course lunch.

We were taken on a guided tour of the ship, which is the most spacious ship at sea, and this really does show throughout. The corridors of the ship can take 3 men abreast easily and feel very spacious indeed. Regent boast a staff to guest ratio of 1 to 1.6 which means the level of service you receive on board is second to none. She was the World’s first all-Suite all Balcony ship when she was built back in 2003 and carries just 700 passengers in total.

We were shown around the Suites - ranging from the Standard Deluxe Suites right up to the top Suite on the ship The Master Suite! Everyone was decorated sumptuously and to a high standard. The Master Suite was absolutely huge in size with a large dining table that seated 8 people, its own bar area, a telescope, multiple marbles bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, walk in wardrobes to name but a few things...

The Standard Deluxe Suite which is the leading grade on the ship is almost as big as what you would get with a Princess Suite on a Cunard ship (382sq ft) and is excellent value for money, it comes in at a very generous 356sq ft.



Master Suite

Grand Suite

Voyager Suite

Seven Seas Suite



Penthouse Suite

Deluxe Suite

Wtih Regent Seven Seas "It's All Included" offering you Ultra Luxury in cruising:

ITS ALL INCLUDED:

• Free return economy flights on every sailing.
• Unlimited Excursion - take as many as your time and energy will permit!
• Dining in ALL restuarants onboard including speciality. In-suite dining for breakfast
• Fine wines with your evening meals as well as coffees, teas, juices, cocktails, premium spirits, whiskeys and much more...
• Gratuities
• All onboard activities
• Entertainment

They really are excellent value for money when you consider what you get inlcuded and the food is absolutely out of this world! (I know, I have tried it!) I really would highly recommend them if you are thinking of treating yourself on a Luxury Cruise....



Only 3 Days to go....2014 World Cruises Launch!

Only 3 days to go folks before the launch of the P&O and Cunard New 2014 World Cruises and World Cruise Sectors....and they are mixing things up a bit with the itineraries!


If you have been thinking of taking a World Cruise then now is the time to have a look and check out whatthey have to offer - some exciting new destinations and some old favorites!
You can pre-register for your World Cruise booking today to secure the best prices and availability - they predict to have sold about 60% of their occupancy on these by November 2012 so early booking is DEFINITELY the way forward for World Cruises and Sectors.

Here are the Key dates:

Monday 3rd September 2012
P&O Cruises Full World Cruises and Liner Voyages go on sale for Caribbean,Baltic and Ligurian Peninsular Club Members only, from 8.00am

Tuesday4th September 2012
P&OCruisesFull World Cruises, Liners and Sectors go on general sale from 8.00am

Wednesday 5thSeptember 2012 Cunard World & Exotic Voyages2014 will go on sale from 13:00pm
Call me today to pre-register or get a price 0800 408 6089

Royal Announcement...

Princess Cruises have announced the name of the next New Ship to be added to the fleet in Spring 2014 - This will be called the Regal Princess....

The Regal Princess will be the sister ship to the Royal Princess which is due to launch June 2013.

The Keel (the bottom most part of the ship) was lowered into position today marking the start of the building process at the Fincantieri ship yard in Monfalcone, Italy. It was officially blessed by a priest before being laid with a computer guided Manoeuvre that took only minutes to do.

The building of this beauty is expected to take more than 2 million man power hours - wow that’s some work!

She is going to be 141,000 gross tin ship and carry 3,600 passengers, This seems to be the normal size nowadays for the new ships as bigger is certainly becoming better!

If you want to know what the Regal Princess will feature you need only look to the Royal Princess as she will carry a lot of the same features. This includes an expanded atrium; a new been done before over-water SeaWalk clickhere to read more of this; Plus private poolside cabanas; the new Princess Live! Television Studio to name but a few....



Look out for more information and itineraries which will be announced sometime next year....

The Stork has made a delivery!

I was very excited on Sunday as the baby stork made a special delivery, I became an aunty to my 3rd nephew! And what an absolute gorgeous little munchkin he is...he was a little bit early so only weighed in at 6lb 12ounces, bless him. My sister and her husband named him Oliver but Ollie for short. That's 5 neices and nephews in total plus my boyfriends of 6, so lot's of pressies to buy for at xmas!! They are all worth every penny though :)

I am trying to convince them all that the best way to holiday now with all the children is a cruise! With cruise lines around such as Royal Caribbean and Disney where they have amazing childrens clubs, lot's of inovative facilities such as ice skating rinks, rick climbing walls, shows, entertainment and much much more. Cruising is the best and safest way to holiday as a family nowadays and of course excellent value for money. Maybe when little Ollie is a bit older I can take him on his very first cruise, we shall see....

WE NEED YOU - VOTE FOR US!!

We have done it again, we are delighted to announce that we have once again been Nominated for Europe's Leading Cruise Travel Agent 2012 at the World Travel Awards....




We pride ourselves here at cruise.co.uk with the best customer service in the business and if you dont believe us you can read for yourselves in the 'rate my service' box on every single one of our own presonal blog pages.

And to top that off and prove we really are the best we won the World's Leading Cruise Travel Agent for 2011 and we want to keep it up! So we NEED YOUR VOTE! Please click the picture below to cast your vote - we appreciate it :)




If you want to see a full list of all the awards we are very proud to hold click here

My visit to the Ms Maasdam

On Thursday gone, Myself and 3 of my colleagues from cruise.co.uk made the journey down to Southampton to visit one of the Holland America ships the Ms Maasdam.

I was rather looking forward to this as out of all of the cruise lines Holland America is one of the very few I have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing. I obviously have a good idea and knowledge of the product but it's never the same as actually having seen a ship and get a feel of it.

HA class themselves as a Premium brand, not quite luxury but certainly a higher standard than your average mass market cruise lines such as P&O or Princess.

The Maasdam is actually one of HA older ships but you really do not feel that when on board as it has been kept to a very high standard. Some areas felt a bit more dated than others but as a whole the ship was lovely. There were some really nice features on this ship and it felt every bit the 'Premium' standard they promise.

Unfortunately due to the ship being mid cruise we were not able to view any staterooms but we were allowed to wonder around the rest of ship with ease.

The Main Atrium is rather lovely with something that resembles a Green waterfall of glass squares. Also, the main dining restaurant, Rotterdam, was quite different to most cruise ships I have been on. Because she is a mid-sized ship the restaurant is a nice size, not too big and overwhelming. It also has a section where they have live bands playing whilst you eat dinner, rather nice touch I thought. That evening they were having an Olympic Themed dinner with an Olympic menu and the restaurant was Olympic themed decorated. This was nice to see that they still get into the spirit of things so even though you are on a cruise you do not lose touch with events that are happening on the outside world!

We were treated to a 3 course lunch and the food did not disappoint! The desert was particularly amazing :) and my main of miso glazed salmon was cooked to absolute perfection, it would give Oceania's miso glazed sea bass a run for its money any day!

All in all I was very impressed with the Maasdam as, even though she is an older ship, she really didn’t fail to deliver and I would happily sail on her for my own holidays. I think HA are a little Gem in the hiding and the British market really should start thinking more about them as an option.

Here are some snap shots of the ship that I took whilst doing my tour....