MSC Opera – Is she really something to sing about?

MSC Opera – Is she really something to sing about? - Quite frankly – YES!!

On Tuesday a couple of my cruise.co.uk colleagues and I took a road trip down to Southampton. The weather when we arrived was warm and sunny and it made it even more pleasant being on the ship, walking across the pool area, seeing people in the ample pools and Jacuzzi areas Good news - They don’t mind you having a cocktail in the Jacuzzi – I asked, best place to enjoy a strawberry Daiquiri if you ask me!!

Congratulations Faz.

Wedding Fever at Cruise.co.uk hits once again. Tomorrow Sunday 26th June 2011, I shall be attending the wedding party for the nuptials of my colleagues Faz, and I am really looking forward to a bit of shin dig and some lovely food with some of my colleagues and meeting the new Mrs Sidat

Last night Curtis and I settled on our wedding venue FOR OUR wedding on June 1st 2012. So all I need to do now is…… EVERYTHING…. Panicking slightly, well lots actually, but I’m keen to look at honeymoons and getting Curtis on a ship is my big plan. I’m looking at the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas on 3rd of June out of Rome. I really fancy seeing Rome, so perhaps will have to arrange a post cruise deviation and a day or two there. Or perhaps the MSC Opera out of Southampton doing the Fjords, I’m going to look at the Opera on Tuesday 28th so hold fire for the full low down after that! Hopefully that will help me make a decision.

Perhaps with a mini honeymoon we want to go to Glastonbury next year as well.
This wedding malarkey is really hitting feverish levels, still to go in 2011 – Emma & David, Angela & Brian.. And If I win the lottery I may do it earlier…

Queen Elizabeth detour causes a stir in Travenmunde

During one of my ‘welcome home’ calls – I like to ring my cruise.co.uk passengers upon their return to find out how they got on with their cruises and relish in the tales to be told and the excitement and wonder that is held by new cruisers. Its great fun and has such an awesome sense of satisfaction hearing how much you all enjoy cruising, just as much as I do!

My brother. Soon to be famous artist.

On Friday afternoon, my day off, I went to the Birmingham school of Art where my brother in law has been studying for the last two years fine art. It was the end of year show and we went to see some of his work. He is fantastic at what he does and has some wonderful, but dark fantasy twists to his work, here are a few of the paintings he has done. My Nan, My Niece, My Mum… check him out at www.mathunt.com

He did some wonderful work for a children’s bedroom, an album cover and all sorts, but it got me thinking about the art on board ships, the best that I’ve ever seen it a tight draw between, the pastel art deco and wood of the Queen Elizabeth, and the fresh, eye-catching modern sculptures on board the Celebrity Eclipse. CLICK HERE TO REVIEW CELEBRITY ECLIPSE

MATHUNT AVAILABLE FOR MURAL, PORTRAITS OR SOMETHING MORE UNIQUE.

Mystery Over!

After scratching my head and asking everyone at cruise.co.uk if they knew where the Voyager was, low and behold not 48hours later I get an email that tells me exactly what is happening from Royal Caribbean.
The letter arrives stating:

Dear Travel Partner,
Re: VOYAGER OF THE SEAS 2012
We are sorry to advise that we have taken the decision to cancel the above sailing. This decision has been made in order to redeploy Voyager of the Seas to China for the 2012 Season. We understand that this change will cause some inconvenience which we regret. We attach a letter addressed to our mutual guest, which explains how their booking will be affected. Please contact our guest as soon as possible and pass the attached letter on to them.  Luckily I have only one passenger that will be affected by the change, although they now have options to change over to another ship and sailing date.


Alternative ships out of Venice for 2012 is the Serenade of the Seas… Check out her itineraries here

The new Voyager itineraries for China are yet to be disclosed. I’m personally quite keen to see what they offer as I have lots of passengers who ask about the far east, but don’t fancy princess, so perhaps this might make a refreshing change, I will let you all know when I find out the itineraries. Where would you like to see her go?

Where is the Voyager for 2012?

I took a call from a lady earlier today who is look for Greek Isles cruise in 2012 and she had seen the Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas which would have been perfect it was sailing out of Venice going to Dubrovnik, Ephesus, Istanbul for two days, Athens, Chania in Crete and returning into Venice on 13th August. Sounds wonderful don’t you think?



Its not very often that a nosy parker like me fails to get the information I seek, But I’ve spoken to a number of people at Royal Caribbean over the last few days and no one seems to know the answer..


Any cruise geeks know the answer? My minds been racing and I thinks, it either going to be repositioned elsewhere OR she’s in for a refit, but during August and school summer holidays doesn’t make sense to me.


I will naturally inform you all once I get to the bottom of it!!!

Vegas & New York, Pre Christmas shopping with Cunard

Earlier today I was asked to look into building a cruise.co.uk tailor made experience for one of my passengers who has recently returned from a cruise The man I was talking to wishes to go to the bright lights and show lounges of Las Vegas, see some shows and take in a casino or two perhaps, then moving on to New York so his wife can do a bit of pre christmas shopping, not having to worry about weight restrictions whilst cruising back to the Uk and relaxing on board the Cunards Queen Mary2, a fabulous transatlantic liner

Monday 17th October 2011 Continental airlines - Depart UK from Birmingham International – 09.00am Continental airlines – Arrive into Las Vegas airport at 11.
Monday 17th October 2011 Private car transfer to 4nights hotel stay at the Venetian Resort & Casino hotel
Friday 21st October 2011 Return via Private car to Las Vegas airport for internal flight 11.2am into New York Newark 19.17
Friday 21st October 2011 Private car transfer to 2 nights hotel stay at Wyndam Garden hotel Times Square south
Sunday23rd October 2011 Private transfer down the cruise terminal to pick up to Cunard Queen Mary2 New York – Southampton transatlantic cruise.
Sunday 30th October 2011 Return into Southampton approximate 8am, Disembarkation by 10am

Prices for the entire package

£2869 per person Interior cabins - Based on a D8 grade
£3099 per person Ocean view cabins - Based on a C2 grade cabin
£3499 per person Balcony cabins - Based on an A2 grade cabin


Please let me know what you think of this package and or if there are any areas that I may need to tweak slightly for you, I will always do my very best for you

AMAZING AZAMARA.

At cruise.co.uk I’m always talking about Luxury cruises and how they offer so much more for the money, well the latest offer that has been published is with luxury liner Azamara and the ship Quest its one of our specialist Tailor made packages, so not only do you get the cruise, but lots of extras.


Sailing on 27th February 2012 – Remember ladies, this is a leap year so it’s your turn to do the proposing on the 28th! So you leave the Uk on 27th February for 18nights – Going to Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan & Shanghai. CLICK HERE to see the full itinerary.

MSC POESIA – God is a DJ.

As most of you are aware cruise.co.uk regularly send an email with the up to date news and ‘bits n pieces’ of whats hot at the moment.

Well last nights EBlast came through and whilst reading it my jaw nearly dropped with excitement – DJ's at sea and not the kind of wedding DJ's off the 80s with hairy chests and medallions, but real, bonefide DJ - Mr Norman Cook – AKA Fatboy slim. MSC are doing a 3night stint on the MSC POESIA in January 2012, also as a point of interest – the former member of the motley crue – Tommy Lee will be onboard. Other DJs taking part in the event include Laidback Luke, Diplo, Rusko, A-Trak; Steve Aoki and Skrillex. Tommy Lee will be appearing with DJ Aero.

The sailing will include a pre cruise party on 5th January 2012 in Fort Lauderdale (details are yet to be released) and there will be a ‘Beach Party’ at a private Island in the Bahamas hosted by Norman Cook – Fatboy Slim

This is AMAZING news for the party hearted, but I’m not sure about flying all the way to Florida for a three night cruise. Perhaps its an opportunity to team it up with another cruise or a hotel stay in Fort Lauderdale to give you a chance to recover before flying home again?

This cruise goes on sail on the 15th June – Only available to over 21s – There is no upper age limit – But I’m guessing slightly younger average age than most cruises. Make sure you get in touch let me know what you think and how many cabins to secure for you when it goes live, I’m guessing it will sell fast!

P&O Move to Mega Ship Market

Last week news hit at cruise.co.uk and it was a buzz with the hot off the press information: We were emailed regarding the up and coming new ship from P&O. Anticipated to be the largest ship in the P&O fleet so far, the yet unnamed vessel will launch in March 2015, the new ship will carry well over 3600 passengers at 141,000 tonnes, Compare this to her newest ship Azura at 116,000 tonnes and carrying only 3000 passengers the new ship has got some records to break for P&O. No doubt the new ship will have some of the P&O Favourites – Marco Pierre White’s restaurant – Which has been a winner on Azura.
The daily mail has done a feature on the new ship – Click here to read the article.