Travel Weekly Cruise Club

Celebrity Silhouette – New York 12th December 2011

GoCruiser — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:13:51 GMT

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I was lucky enough to spend a day onboard Celebrity Silhouette in New York, as part of the prize package for winning one of the 12 places on TW Cover Stars 2012.

Having already been on Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Eclipse, I couldn’t see how the latest Solstice class ship could really have been improved. How wrong was I?

All the things I loved about the previous Solstice class ships were still there, including: -

· Martini Bar & Crush

· Tuscan Grille, Qsine, Murano and Blu speciality restaurants

· Ocean View Café, Bistro on 5, and Café al Bacio & Gelateria

· Cellar Masters, where you can learn about and taste wines from around the world

· Fortunes Casino with over 200 machines as well as gaming tables

· Quasar nightclub, with its amazing furniture and great lighting, as well as a large dance floor

· The adult only Solarium with its indoor lap pool and comfortable lounge chairs

· Aqua Class staterooms and the Persian Garden

· The Lawn Club, with half an acre of well maintained real grass

· Over 85% of staterooms with a balcony

The overall feel of the ship was still one of modern luxury, with friendly attentive service, and it is hard to imagine anyone not being wowed by a cruise on a Solstice class ship.

However, they have removed the Hot Glass Show from Celebrity Silhouette (and Celebrity Reflection in 2012). The plus point with this is that it has freed up space for a number of new additions to the Lawn Club deck.

· The Alcoves – your own private cabana-styled haven on The Lawn Club. These are for up to 4 people and give stunning views of the sea and lawn, complete with lighting for those darker evenings. Within the price you receive four bottles of water, a fresh fruit plate, hand held fans, chilled towels and the use of an iPad loaded with movies, music, games, magazines and more. You can order picnics, drinks etc from your Alcove Attendant, and the cost is added to your stateroom account. A wide range of Alcoves Spa Services are also available. The cost of an Alcove for the day is $99 on a port day and $149 on a sea day and that is per Alcove, not per person. They can even be booked online in advance of your cruise.

· The Porch – a great new restaurant on The Lawn Club, which seats just 48 people, and offers fast and fresh food for breakfast and lunch, including freshly baked bread, pastries and coffees, salads, wine and beer. There is a surcharge of just $5 per person

· The Lawn Club Grill – this is a highly interactive open air restaurant, seating just 58 people, which is based around outdoor grilling. The food served includes a gourmet salad bar, build your own pizzas, beef, seafood and poultry. One person from each party can be a Grill Master who gets paired with one of the chefs to work together in cooking the food, although you can opt out and let the chefs do all the cooking. Reservations are required, and it is open from 5pm to 10pm every night, and noon to 2pm on one sea day per cruise. There is a surcharge of $40 per person, which includes a complimentary apron and tongs for the Grill Master in each party.

· Art Studio – this new venue at The Lawn Club offers activities such as drawing, painting, beading, cooking lessons, tasting and demos to small groups. Some of these sessions are free while others carry a surcharge.

Elsewhere on the ship there have been some other changes: -

· The Hideaway – this new venue is located on Deck 7, and is a retreat where guests can rest and relax. You can read a book, do the crossword or perhaps listen to music. It has seating for just 30 people so you can be sure of a relaxing time.

· Michael’s Club – for Silhouette (and Reflection in 2012) they have added a selection of more than 50 international beers, including ales, lagers, lambics, ciders, wheat beers and even beer cocktails. There is a selection of homemade snacks, such as potato crisps, parmesan bread sticks, and caramel popcorn, all of which are made daily. There will be beer tastings and even challenges to test your knowledge of different beers.

What is next?

Well when Celebrity Reflection launches in 2012 she will have a few more additions: -

· She will have an extra deck added

· There will be a number of new suites: -

o 34 luxurious Aqua Class Suites, each 251 sq ft plus a 57 sq ft veranda

o 5 signature suites, with a 441sq ft stateroom and 118sq ft veranda which can each accommodate up to 4 guests

o 1 Reflection suite with 2 bedrooms, which can accommodate up to 6 guests, measuring 1,636sq ft and a 194 sq ft veranda (complete with a hot tub and rain shower)

· More seating will be available in the dining rooms, and the theatre

· More sun loungers will be available on deck

Summary

We all had a really good day onboard, with some of the winners having their makeover done in the AquaSpa. We then had an enjoyable lunch in ‘Bistro on 5’, before leaving to head into New York for dinner at Planet Hollywood followed by Chicago on Broadway

It seems that the best just got better with Celebrity Silhouette, but will get even better still next year, with the debut of Celebrity Reflection.

Seven Seas Voyager - 7th June 2011

GoCruiser — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:02:19 GMT

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This was my first time on a Regent Seven Seas ship, and before boarding I attended a training session in the City Cruise Terminal at Southampton. This was really useful as it meant that we learned some of the tools needed to help establish the ideal customers to whom we should be talking to about Regent Seven Seas.

The ship had only just returned from a world cruise, meaning that there was a lot going on, with large amounts of luggage to unload. There were also a lot of crew changeovers as well, and the ship was undergoing a safety check and emergency drill. Despite all of this we were only held up for about 10 minutes or so, and as we went onboard I was impressed with the genuine friendliness of all the crew we met.

Due to the fact it had started raining just before we boarded, we didn’t spend a lot of time on the open decks, but enough to see that there was a good sized pool and Jacuzzis on deck 11, together with plenty of quality sun loungers, and a pool grill. Deck 11 is also home to the Observation lounge forward, and La Veranda Restaurant, with an Al Fresco dining section, aft.

We then set off to view some of the suites, which was what I was most interested in seeing (apart from lunch that is). Seven Seas Voyager is an all-suite, all-balcony ship, and even the lead-in accommodation is a deluxe suite (category D-H) measuring 356sq ft, including a 50sq ft balcony, which is large compared to the mainstream cruise ships.

After that you move up through progressively larger suites, penthouse, seven seas (forward), seven seas (aft), voyager, grand and master suites. All suites from penthouse and above come with butler service included.

The largest are the MS master suites with two situated on deck 11, measuring 1,403sq ft (including a 187sq ft balcony) and two more situated on deck 7, measuring 1,335 (including a 183sq ft balcony). These suites each have 2 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

The fixtures and fittings found in all the suites were of a very high standard, and I can imagine that anyone staying in them would be very satisfied. Being an all inclusive ship, it means that the drinks are included in the suites, as well as the bars and restaurants, and will be replaced as and when required. If I was going to be a bit picky, I would say that the room safes could do with being larger as they were not suitable for a laptop computer.

The suites were all situated from deck 6 up to deck 10, and each of these decks had a self service launderette should passengers care to take advantage of them.

Having viewed the various suites we went to deck 6, and visited the well stocked library, the beauty salon, aerobics room, fitness centre, spa and saunas.

On deck 5 we saw the upper level of the large and impressive Constellation Theatre, the café area called ‘coffee connection’, and the main reception area. Also nearby were the internet café and computer training room, and the boutiques. We then visited the speciality restaurants, which are ‘Prime 7’, serving high quality steak and seafood, and ‘Signatures’, which is a cordon bleu restaurant. While you have to make reservations for these restaurants, there is no charge as they are part of the ‘all inclusive’ dining. Next door to Signatures is the Horizon Lounge, which has some comfortable seating outside on the aft deck.

We then moved down to deck 4, to see the card and conference room, the Connoisseur Club, Voyager Lounge and Casino, before ending up in the Compass Rose restaurant. We were served a fabulous meal, which included one of the best steaks I think I have ever had, which was a Filet Mignon of Black Angus Beef with Porcini Mushroom Jus. Other comments from around the table showed that it was a very popular choice.

Summary

An extremely enjoyable and worthwhile visit and I can see how the tagline ‘the most inclusive ultra-luxury cruise experience at sea' is justified. When you stop and consider just what is included in the price you pay, they do offer exceptional value for money cruises.

~ Free return economy flights & transfers on every cruise
~ Free unlimited excursions in every port
~ All fine dining including speciality restaurants
~ All drinks & beverages including fine wines, premium spirits, cocktails & selected Champagnes
~ All gratuities (no tipping or service charges)
~ In suite dining & 24 hour room service
~ In suite fridge replenished daily with soft drinks, beer and water
~ Butler service in C category suites and above

We were told in the training session, that with many other cruise lines it isn't so much "How much does it cost to get on the ship", but when you take into account the cost of excursions, drinks and gratuities, it is more like "How much does it get to get off the ship". You don't get this with Regent Seven Seas as so much is included in the price, and I will certainly be recommending it to my clients.

Balmoral Review

GoCruiser — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 13:23:40 GMT

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Balmoral Mini Cruise 27^th – 30^th May 2011

Although I had never cruised on Balmoral before, I did spend some time onboard at the recent UK Cruise Convention in Southampton. In fact I was lucky enough to be the video presenter for Travel Weekly and Travel TV, and spent 3 hours filming around the ship.

I had booked the cruise nearly a year ago, and having recently seen how good Balmoral was, I was really looking forward to my short trip. I had booked an inside cabin but, much to my surprise, I was upgraded to a Premier Suite because of the filming work I had done in Southampton. This was a fantastic opportunity, as I now knew just how good the suites are.

Balmoral was a bit late arriving in Southampton, due to some rough weather in the North Sea the day before, so we didn’t board until about 4pm. We went straight to the suite and it was even bigger than I had remembered, and Ellena thought it was amazing. There was just so much storage space that we couldn’t hope to fill it.

Although the ship was built over 20 years ago, there have been regular updates over this time, with the last major refit being in 2008. This meant that when you were in the public areas you couldn’t tell the age, as everything looked new and was kept spotlessly clean. There are 710 cabins and a maximum of 1,350 passengers can be carried at any one time.

We ate in the main restaurant, the Ballindalloch on deck 6, and the food was of a very high standard. There are two other restaurants, the Spey and Avon on deck 10. The same food is served as in the Ballindalloch, but they are smaller restaurants. You can usually opt for which restaurant your clients prefer when booking the cabin. In addition to the 3 main restaurants, there is also the Palms Café on deck 7. This is self service, and they cook a great omelette at breakfast, and it is a very popular venue at lunchtime as well.

Other public rooms include the Neptune Lounge, where the main evening entertainment takes place, and the Morning Light Pub, both of which are on deck 7. The Lido Lounge and Bar, which includes a small casino area, is situated on deck 8. The Marquee Bar and Observatory lounge are situated on deck 11, and are very popular for a relaxing drink, especially when entering or leaving port. The Observatory Lounge, with its panoramic views, is also the venue for the late night disco.

Facilities around the ship include a pool and Jacuzzis both on deck 7 and deck 11, card rooms, a library, internet room and boutiques on deck 7, and a beauty salon, gym and fitness centre on deck 10. For those on a longer cruise there is a self service launderette (minimal charge) on deck 9.

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines

As a travel agent I feel that Fred.Olsen has some really strong selling points, which puts them ahead of many other cruise lines when deciding on what to suggest to clients. They have 4 ships, 3 of which are less than 30,000 tons with the Balmoral being 43,537 tons, which suit many passengers, and they offer ex UK cruising 12 months of the year. I feel that the main points which set them apart are as follows: -

Single Travellers

· Their ships have the biggest selection of single cabins, with more than 10% of Balmoral’s cabins being singles, ranging from inside cabins right up to balcony suites

· Even when all of the single cabins have been sold, there is the option to sell B, D and H grade cabins on a shared basis

· Hosts help single travellers to meet up with others, if they wish to do so, by arranging various get-togethers during the cruise

· Each ship has dance hosts, often 3 gents and 1 lady, who give the single travellers the opportunity to dance in the evenings without any worries. There are also couples who travel together where one likes to dance, while their partner doesn’t, so they find the dance hosts to be a great benefit.

Groups

If you are thinking of putting a group together, then Fred.Olsen is a great choice, and in 2010 they won the ‘Group Leisure’ award for the ‘Best Cruise Line for Groups’. They have a dedicated department for group bookings and can offer you: -

· Special Groupsaver fares, with onboard benefits and assistance with travel to the port

· Free places for the organiser and members

· Exclusive complimentary onboard activities

· Assistance with arranging group shore excursions

· Exclusive use of rooms onboard for meetings, which on Balmoral range from the Arts & Craft room, which holds 50 people, to the Neptune Lounge, which holds 580 people

· You can also take advantage of the great Vistas and Flagship Golf packages

Suites

If you have clients looking for a Suite, then Fred.Olsen has a great choice on their ships. On Balmoral for instance they have the Single Balcony Suites (JB), Superior Suites (SS), Marquee Suites (MS), Premier Suites (PS) and the Owner’s Suites (OS). They range in size from 200sq ft up to over 500 sq ft.

Passengers in these suites receive the ‘Suite Dreams’ package, which includes a welcome bottle of sparkling wine and fruit basket, flowers or plant in the suite, bathrobe and slippers, luxury towels, binoculars and world atlas for use during the cruises, afternoon canapé service, complimentary coach shuttle vouchers, free pressing service for formal nights…..

Silver Spirit Ship Visit

GoCruiser — Fri, 20 May 2011 18:48:01 GMT

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Previously my only experience of Silversea was a visit to Prince Albert, but I wanted to see what one of their newer and larger ships was like.

Silver Spirit looked impressive in the sunshine as I arrived at berth 101 in Southampton, and after registration in the terminal we eventually got onboard. Our first stop was the Panorama Lounge for a refreshing drink. A great choice of drinks was on offer and I opted for a Sea Breeze. This lounge is very popular with guests and is a great place to relax with a drink or two. After chatting for a while we were split into three groups, and taken on a tour of the ship. I was with Jon Schofield, the senior sales manager at Silversea, who was lucky enough to be staying onboard for the next 7 nights.

To start with we went and had a look at some of the suites, which were very good I must say. It is an all suite ship, starting with a Vista Suite which has a large picture window, going up to the Owners Suite. We were able to see the following grades: -

Grand Suite – there are 4 of these and they are right at the front of the ship on decks 8 and 9, and measure 1,292 sq ft including the 190 sq ft veranda, which runs along the side of the suite, and half way along the front of the ship. If you want to have the Grand Suite for 4 people, you can add another bedroom by booking the Vista Suite next door. Then the total floor space is 1,668 sq ft, including the 190 sq ft veranda.

Silver Suite – there are 26 of these, situated on deck 10 and 11, and they are 742 sq ft in size, including a 118 sq ft veranda.

Midship Veranda Suite – there are a lot more of these, and they measure 376 sq ft, including a 65 sq ft veranda.

All of the suites were finished to a very high standard, and all come with a mini bar, which can be stocked with the guest’s choice of favourite drinks. No miniatures on this ship, with one litre bottles being provided in the suites.

We then moved around the ship and visited the Show Lounge, Boutiques, Casino, the Library and Internet Café, Spa, and Thermal Suite, Beauty Salon and Fitness Centre.

When it comes to dining there are a lot of choices, ranging from The Restaurant, La Terrazza and Stars. You can also dine in your suite, with the meal served course by course. There are also two Speciality Restaurants with a cover charge, which are called ‘Le Champagne by Relais & Chateaux’ and ‘Seishin’, or you could always opt for the ‘Pool Grill and Black Rock Dining under the Stars’.

Some of the main points to remember with Silversea Cruises are: -

· Intimate elegant ships which take from 296 – 540 guests

· An all suite ship, over 85% with private verandas, and butler service in all suites

· Choice of 9 pillow types in the suites

· Choice of Bulgari, Ferragamo or hypoallergenic bath amenities in the suites

· Complimentary wines, champagne and spirits throughout the ship, including in the suites

· Open seating restaurants with gourmet menus by Relais & Chateaux

· All onboard gratuities included

· Free flights and onboard credit included on many departures

Southampton Hotels

GoCruiser — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 13:51:52 GMT

I am often asked by clients to recommend a hotel in Southampton, where they can stop the night before a cruise. Therefore when I was invited by Accor hotels to spend a weekend in Southampton, with one night in each of their recently refurbished hotels, I thought it would be a great opportunity for some research.

Friday 19th November

Parking is easy at the Novotel, as it is situated alongside the Ibis and Etap hotels (also in the Accor group), with a large shared car park. Within easy walking distance you have a retail park with the stores such as Tesco Home, Boots and IKEA, and the city centre is only another 5 minutes walk away. The central railway station is also very close to the hotels.

We met the others on the FAM Trip for drinks at 6.30pm and then enjoyed a very nice meal. The hotel doesn’t have a tremendous amount of character, but is exactly what you would expect of a Novotel.

Saturday 20th November

Breakfast was actually very good, which set us up for a busy day. After checking out we drove into the city centre to the Mercure Dolphin Hotel, which also has its own spacious car park.

After checking in we went to our rooms, which have all been tastefully decorated as part of the recent £4m refurbishment. A nice touch was the handwritten welcome card from the general manager, together with a chocolate plaque from Thornton’s, also welcoming us.

We then went to meet Charlotte Lagorce, the sales manager, and Neil Brailsford, the general manager. Neil outlined the day which started with some background information to the hotel, and we were then joined by a local tour guide. After the introductions we finished our coffee and set off on a fascinating 2 hour walking tour of Southampton. He really knew his history of Southampton, and clearly took a great interest in passing it on. We walked the old Southampton city walls, and heard about how the city had grown over the centuries, and even went down into some vaults below the streets, including the one where King Henry the 8th stored the barrels of wine which he took from traders as taxes. I have previously been to Southampton on numerous occasions and never knew any of this.

We ended up back at the hotel for a buffet lunch at midday, before a free afternoon. Many went off shopping and we started in the maritime museum, followed by a wander around the German Market in the city centre.

At 6.30pm we all met up with Neil and Charlotte again for drinks in the bar, this time with trays of some of the best canapés I have had for a long time. This was followed by a meal of the highest quality in the Signature Restaurant, and I can’t compliment the chef highly enough. We then moved through to the lounge for coffee and chocolates. Having spent almost the entire day with us, Neil finally left at 10pm as he still had an 80 mile drive home to Cirencester.

Sunday 21st November

After another good breakfast we set off for the long drive home, but I am sure that it won’t be the last we will see of the Dolphin Hotel.

Summary

Accor Hotels have 4 hotels to offer in Southampton from the Etap through the Ibis, Novotel up to the Mercure Dolphin, offering options for all budgets. For me though the Dolphin is the one which has the character and I would happily recommend it to any of my clients who want a night in Southampton before joining their ship. They offer excellent rates for one night’s accommodation, a 3 course dinner in the Signature restaurant, full English breakfast, secure luggage storage, car parking for up to 14 nights and taxi transfers to and from the cruise terminal. While staying there I would certainly recommend taking one of the free walking tours.

The hotel itself is well over 500 years old and has been a famous coaching inn since the 17th century. Famous guests include Queen Victoria, Admiral Lord Nelson and Jane Austen. There is a plaque outside the hotel to confirm that Jane Austen celebrated her 18th birthday at the hotel in 1793, and attended dances there when she lived in Southampton from 1806 – 1809.

Star Clipper

GoCruiser — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:47:29 GMT

Star Clipper in Valletta

Star Clipper

GoCruiser — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:44:48 GMT

Star Clipper Restaurant

Star Clipper

GoCruiser — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:41:11 GMT

Star Clipper Tropical Bar

Star Clipper

GoCruiser — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:38:35 GMT

Star Clipper in Valletta

Star Clipper

GoCruiser — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:31:28 GMT

Star Clipper in Valletta

Star Clipper

GoCruiser — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 13:29:27 GMT

Star Clipper in Valletta

Seabourn Sojourn Ship Visit

GoCruiser — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:08:02 GMT

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With most of the delegates having already flown home, or about to do so, the weather changed for the better. It was therefore on a very hot and sunny morning that we approached the Grand Harbour in Valletta, to visit Seabourn Sojourn.

Never having been on a Seabourn yacht before, I had been looking forward to this visit. First impressions from the quayside were very good, as she is a beautiful design. Once onboard I was impressed by the spacious layout, and the quality of all the fixtures and fittings. She is still only 4 months old, and as you walk into the public rooms there is the smell of quality leather.

We went straight to the Observation Lounge, where we were served Champagne, Buck’s Fizz and canapés. This is a stylish and well positioned room, and I can imagine it would be very popular, especially when entering or leaving port. It is also the only place inside with a smoking area.

There are lots of deck areas with an ample supply of sun beds and cabanas. Weighing in at 32,000 tons, with only 450 passengers onboard, there is plenty of space so it doesn’t feel crowded. When it comes to dining they have the aptly named ‘The Restaurant’, which was very bright and nicely laid out. It is open from 7 – 10 in the evening, and is open dining. Gentleman would normally where jacket and trousers, adding a tie or wearing a DJ on formal nights. If you want a smaller more intimate restaurant, there is always ‘Restaurant 2’, where you can opt for the taster menus. Reservations are needed to eat here, and you should aim to give 48 hours notice, however there is no charge. You also have the choice of the Colanade self serve restaurant, which has a large Al Fresco dining area, popular with an increasing number of passengers.

Sojourn has all suite accommodation, with a spacious bathroom with a bath and separate shower, walk-in closet with safe, mini bar and fridge.

The price you pay for your cruise is ‘all inclusive’, including all fine wines with lunch and dinner, open bars throughout the yacht and gratuities. This also covers drinks in your suite mini bar, which can be stocked with your preferred drinks. The only things you really need to pay for are excursions, spa treatments and shop purchases. Spa treatments include the Thermal Suite for $30 per day, right up to the Spa Villa which is $650 per couple for 2.5 hours.

All too soon it was time to disembark, but I can honestly say that I was impressed with the Sojourn. I would love to cruise on her myself, and would certainly have no hesitation in recommending her to my clients.

Azamara Quest Ship Visit

GoCruiser — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:05:51 GMT

Following the first business sessions of the day, we were collected at 11am from the convention centre, and transported to the fantastic Grand Harbour in Valletta to visit Azamara Quest.

We were met by Michael English and other members of Azamara Club Cruises, and taken on board for our ship visit. Unusually for a ship visit, we were starting with lunch, and therefore headed for Aqualina. This is one of two speciality restaurants on Azamara Quest, with the other one being Prime C. Both have a cover charge of just $15 (free for suite guests), but they offer excellent value for money, especially if you have the fantastic Filet Mignon. The Crème Brule is also extremely good.

After a very enjoyable lunch we were given a tour of the ship, which is incidentally identical to her sister ship, Azamara Journey. Other dining venues include Windows Café which is situated aft on deck 9, and has a section outside for those who wish to dine al fresco and Discoveries Restaurant and Lounge is situated aft on deck 5 and is the main restaurant, with open seating dining, so guests can dine at whatever time they choose, and with who they want. The wine was free flowing, as selected house wines are included in the cruise price with Azamara Club Cruises, and different ones are served each day. There are no formal nights on the Azamara ships, with the dress code being Country Club smart casual.

Other areas on the ship include the Looking Glass lounge situated forward on deck 10, which is for relaxing in during the day, but becomes a bit livelier at night. As you would expect, there is a comprehensive spa, called Astral Spa, which is situated on deck 9. This includes a hairdresser, gym, acupuncture clinic, and a thalassotherapy pool on a sheltered area of the deck. There is a small charge for using the thalassotherapy pool, although it is free for the top two levels of suites.

When quoting customers for an Azamara cruise, you should point out that the price includes free flowing quality house wines with lunch and dinner, speciality teas and coffees, bottled water and soda drinks, stateroom and dining gratuities, and there does represent excellent value for money.

Star Clipper Ship Visit

GoCruiser — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:04:04 GMT

While at the Travel Convention in Malta, I was asked at short notice by Kelly Brooks and Danielle Dudley from Star Clippers if I wanted to visit Star Clipper, as she was in Valletta harbour today on her re-positioning cruise, and accepted gratefully. Star Clipper is one of those ships you really need to see first hand, to have any chance of understanding the true nature of the experience offered, and I have wanted to visit her for a long time.

There was a genuine air of excitement on the coach as we drove to Valletta, and a cheer went up around the coach when we caught our first glance of Star Clipper. She looked ‘at home’ against the back drop of Valletta’s Grand Harbour.

After a few photos from the quayside we were all onboard, with a welcome drink, and the Captain came to welcome us onboard. We then set off on a whistle stop tour of the ship. It really did have an air of a working sailing ship, with ropes everywhere, meaning that it wouldn’t be ideal for anyone with mobility problems. There are also a lot of fire doors throughout the ship meaning that wheelchairs would be unable to get around.

We were shown all the outer deck areas, and the rope nets at the bow, which you can lie on while the ship is at sea. As it is a working ship, the sails are all raised and lowered by hand, and passengers may join in and help if they wish to. They can also climb up to the Crow’s Nest if they want.

The cabins aren’t as spacious as the big cruise liners, but they are more than adequate for your needs. There are various grades right up to the Owner’s Suite, which was quite impressive. Entertainment also isn’t the same as on the larger cruise ships, but that isn’t why people choose Star Clippers. Everything is more relaxed, with entertainment provided by the crew on a smaller scale. I was told that many passengers like to take their quilt up on deck and sleep under the stars at least once during the voyage.

We had lunch in the restaurant which, like breakfast, was a self service buffet. The variety and quality of the food was excellent. The evening meal is always waiter service though.

All too soon it was time to leave the Star Clipper, and return to the Convention, but it was well worth taking the time to visit her. It was easy to see why some many people fall for the charms of Star Clipper, as well as the other ships in the fleet, Star Flyer and Royal Clipper. While it may not suit some traditional cruisers, it can appeal to many other customers.

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Queen Elizabeth Naming Ceremony

GoCruiser — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:44:35 GMT

I had been eagerly anticipating the day as I had never attended a naming ceremony before, and I also wanted to have a good look around Queen Elizabeth.

Although I have cruised on QM2 I haven’t been onboard Queen Victoria, so didn’t have too many pre-conceived ideas about what to expect. Once onboard I wasn’t disappointed, as she really does live up to all the hype, and the overwhelming impression was of quality.

I loved the Royal Court Theatre, with the private boxes which would make an ideal way of celebrating a special occasion. There are several restaurants onboard, and I was lucky enough to have lunch in the Britannia Club, where both the food and service was excellent. The Verandah is an alternative fine dining restaurant, offering French cuisine, and was inspired by the Verandah Grill on the original Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary.

The Games Deck will, I am sure, be very popular with passengers, as they will be able to play bowls, paddle tennis and croquet, under a canopy on deck 11. After their game they will no doubt stroll along to the Garden Lounge, which was inspired by one of the glass houses at Kew Gardens, and enjoy a champagne afternoon tea.

The Royal Arcade houses a variety of boutiques, including Harris Tweed, Penhaligans and even Fortnum and Mason. For those interested in art there is the Clarendon Cunarders’ Gallery.

We weren’t able during our ship tour to see any of the staterooms, but I was assured by people who had stayed onboard overnight that they were fitted out to a very high standard. As with QM2 and Queen Victoria, the stateroom you book will determine which restaurant you dine in.

Just before 3pm we disembarked and made our way to the grandstand ready to watch the Naming Ceremony. There were many famous people in the audience, including Terry Waite and Simon Weston, who sat just a few seats away, as well as many from stage and screen.

The weather was kind to us and it stayed dry all afternoon. We were treated to music from The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Lesley Garrett, The Massed Bands of the Coldstream Guards and Scots Guards, and The Fanfare Trumpeters of the Irish Guards. We had a great view of what was going on, not just in front of us, but also on large video screens. Everything went according to plan and the Queen Elizabeth was duly named by the Queen.

A really enjoyable and memorable day came to an end and we made our way home clutching our souvenir Queen Elizabeth book, or for the lucky ones it was back to the terminal to board Queen Elizabeth for a night on board.

Want Somewhere to Post Your Cruise Offers or Get Free Links?

Cruisegle — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:39:41 GMT

I am creating a Cruise website that is free to use by any person selling cruises. I have created it with smaller companies and homeworkers in mind however I will not discriminate against the big boys.

The website is easy to use, you post your cruise offers or cruise deals, maybe even just some cruise news or the odd article and by selecting categories your post will sit on any number of pages. That said you must only tick relevant categories.

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Azamara Journey

GoCruiser — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:27:24 GMT

As part of my runner’s up prize in the ACE 2009 National Cruise Week poster competition, I won a weekend break in the Malmaison Hotel in Liverpool. I decided to hold off booking the weekend until I knew that there would be a ship in port I wanted to visit.

We arrived in Liverpool on the morning of the 20th August, and I managed to get soaked through carrying the luggage from the car to the hotel, but luckily the weather improved from then on, and stayed dry for the rest of the weekend. I have to say that the Malmaison is a really good hotel, with excellent furnishings and high quality food. The only small moan would be that everywhere within the hotel is so dark.

The sun was shining brightly on the Sunday morning, and as I looked out of the bedroom window I could see Azamara Journey berthed behind a few hundred yards away. So after breakfast we strolled over to meet everyone else for the ship visit. I think there were about 50 agents in total, and it was nice to see a good number from GoCruise among them.

Azamara Journey looked good against the backdrop of the Mersey, and I was looking forward to seeing inside. When we boarded we went to the Looking Glass lounge, which is situated forward on deck 10, and has fantastic views all around. With comfortable furniture it is a popular venue by day, for relaxing and watching the world go by, and by night for listening to music and dancing.

We then headed off for a tour of the ship, which took in all of the main public areas and a selection of staterooms. For a ship which carries around 700 guests, everywhere seemed very spacious. I had to say though that the ship was almost deserted, as the majority of the passengers were American and they had gone on the Beatles tour. We did chat to one couple though who told us how impressed they were with the service onboard, and having been on several cruise lines before, said “this is the cruise line to be on”.

Due to the size of the ship, the main suites obviously can’t be as large as those on some of the massive new ships, they were still very spacious. The quality of the furnishings, and attention to detail, was excellent throughout the different stateroom grades, all of which were a good size.

When it comes to dining, which is always an important point for cruisers; no-one should be disappointed. The spacious and bright Windows Café is situated aft on deck 9, and has a section outside for those who wish to dine al fresco. Discoveries Restaurant and Lounge is situated aft on deck 5 and is the main restaurant, with open seating dining, so guests can dine at whatever time they choose, and with who they want. There are no formal nights and the dress code is Country Club smart casual. For those who are celebrating a special occasion, or who just want to dine in a smaller venue, then head to Prime C or Aqualina, both situated aft on deck 10. There is a small cover charge of just $15 per person (free for suite guests), but well worth it for the quality of the food offered. We had lunch in Aqualina, and enjoyed a wonderful Filet Mignon. Of course the wine was free flowing, as selected house wines are included in the cruise price with Azamara Club Cruises.

Other areas on the ship worthy of mention include the Mosaic Café, the Cabaret lounge and of course the Astral Spa situated forward on deck 9. As well as the hairdresser and gym, and all the normal things you would expect, they also have an acupuncture clinic, where they can help you with pain management, sea sickness, weight loss and quitting smoking. They also have a thalassotherapy pool outside, on a sheltered area of deck. There is a charge for this (free to those in the top 2 levels of suites).

Overall I can thoroughly recommend Azamara Club Cruises, based on what we saw today. When you consider that the price includes free flowing quality house wines with lunch and dinner, speciality teas and coffees, bottled water and soda drinks, stateroom and dining gratuities, and local shuttle buses, it represents excellent value for money.

Many thanks must go to Ruth Gardiner and Leon Hand, for their warm and friendly hospitality during our visit.

P&O Azura cruise review

Emily Carter — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:35:40 GMT

Whilst attending the Azura ship launch on April 9, I was fortunate enough to win the star prize of a seven night cruise in a balcony cabin, to the ports of Cobh, Dublin, Bilbao and Brest, having successfully answered 25 P&O related questions and then luckily winning with a tie breaker question.
Having seen how beautiful the Azura was already, I knew that I was in for a treat onboard and I wasn't disappointed as the ship was in immaculate condition.
From start to finish, my trip was extremely smooth, from the hassle free check in to the well organised daily program.

The service onboard was very good, from the friendly and super efficient cabin stewards through to the very professional and informative captain.
Although the food was of a good standard in the main restaurants, the speciality restaurants Sindhu and Seventeen were on another level and I would recommend anyone to pay the very reasonable cover charge, as it’s not just about the amazing food, it’s a whole new dining experience and this in itself was the highlight of the trip.

The entertainment onboard was as I have come to expect, varied and of a high standard, I only heard positive comments from passengers onboard.
A tip I would suggest for clients, is to pre-order their wine for their evening meal, via the remote system on their TV in their cabin. I did this just half an hour before dinner and it was waiting for me in the restaurant, whilst others around who hadn’t done this, did seem to wait for their wine for a while.

I would honestly say that the ship would suit all British clients, from single travellers, through to families and couples wanting a romantic break. The ship is very spacious and never felt crowded.

As an agent selling Azura to clients, I would suggest that you add value to your customers booking, by booking the speciality restaurants, I guarantee they won't be disappointed and it would certainly make it a most memorable experience for them.

The feedback from passengers travelling onboard was extremely positive and the “best of the P&O ships”. I have to say, I completely agree.

See more photos from the cruise here

Ace Southampton Cruise Convention 2010 - Celebrity Eclipse review

MR CREATIVE CRUISE — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:35:54 GMT

Ace Southampton Cruise Convention 2010
Closing Ceremony onboard Celebrity Eclipse
Author – Jason Peters - Creative Cruises Director

MORE 2010 CRUISE CONVENTION PHOTOS

After four days of being entertained, educated and hosted by the many Trade Partners from the Cruise Industry in Southampton; it was time for what many agents expressed to be the best-to-last as we made our way from our hotels to the magnificent
Celebrity Eclipse.

We were greeted by a line of senior ship officers to welcome us onboard the ship; to start our Celebrity experience we were welcomed with a glass of chilled champagne and a warm smile.

We were then guided in small groups so as not to miss any important aspect of the ship. I as an experienced Celebrity cruiser was grateful to be onboard to see old friends again; agents who had not been onboard walked around in awe of the well appointed, elegant public areas and deck spaces and magnificent Lawn Club.

Celebrity Eclipse is the third in the line of five Solstice Class vessels and without doubt has been wowing the UK market since its launch in April. The ships company lead by hotel director Simon Weir and his team, pulled out all the stops to ensure we experienced every aspect of this wonderful vessel.

A gala celebration lunch was served in the Moonlight Dining Room hosted by Jo and her team from the UK office; who showed all of us great hospitality and a passion for their brand. The whole day aboard included lectures and seminars covering many aspects to assist us in the selling of cruise in general, it was the icing on the cake to round off the 2010 Cruise Convention.

After lunch we moved to the Celebrity Theatre for a performance by the ships company to highlight their shows, together with the Ace Travel Awards.

Michelle Russell and her team deserve such thanks for their organization of the day, together with the ships company proved the excellence that exists with Celebrity and the confidence we have selling such a wonderful product. My key selling points to agents will be to sell the brand on value, standard and service excellence.

Le Boreal of Compagnie du Ponant review from 2010 UK Cruise Convention

seawise — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 10:34:34 GMT

MORE 2010 CRUISE CONVENTION PHOTOS

They say leave the best till last and this was certainly the case on the final ship visit of the Southampton Cruise Convention.

The ship was Le Boreal of Compagnie du Ponant, New in May 2010, built in the style of superb mega-yacht with flexible capacity from 112 to132 suites and staterooms and is French elegance at its best. Superior materials, discreet elegance make you feel as if you are on your own private yacht.

Eight staterooms are ocean-view, the remainder having private balconies, plus flat-screen TV, DVD player, ipod station, mini bar, hairdryer, bath robes, internet access. Some staterooms are flexible and interconnect, to accommodate family group. The main languages on board are French and English.

We were greeted in the theatre which was surprisingly spacious for the size of ship. The tour of the ship was very thorough and we managed to see all the grades of stateroom which were chic and elegant and finished to a very high standard, all stateroom WC were separate to the bathroom.

The forward Panoramic Lounge includes a library and computer stations and the Terrace offer spacious areas ideal for relaxing with magnificent ocean views. The main lounge has live music, dance floor and cocktail bar with access to an outside terrace with very comfortable furniture.

There are three passenger elevators, numerous ramps and stair lifts to cater for the disabled.

All passageways have large black and white nautical photos highlighted with a dash of red.

There is a very elegant single seating dining room, white, red and rosé wines served with meals, al fresco dining, an outdoor heated pool with spacious deck surround. A beauty salon, steam rooms, spa and fitness centre, fitted with the latest equipment (Kinesis Wall, running machine). There is also a leisure area with Wii consoles and slot machines.

Aft of the main restaurant is the Marina from where you will be whisked ashore in one of the many Zodiac inflatables.
Itineraries cover from Iceland to Antarctica, Amazon to Adriatic and Baltic to Canada.

Le Boréal has been designed to meet the needs of every guest including children; this includes children’s menus, and baby-sitting service.

The ship has earned the international “green ship” label for her numerous eco-friendly features.

Just as if you were on a private yacht, your time is your own to do as you please.

This is certainly a product for your clients who like the six star treatment and I am sure will become a firm favourite with English clientele.

Chris Roberts
Elite Cruise Consultant & Ace Ambassador.