Better Rooms - NCL offer FREE UPGRADES

As an early booking incentive for customers, NCL are offering Free Stateroom upgrades within the same class. Customers who book 2009 Cruises in Europe, Alaska, Hawaii and the Caribbean between August 15th and October 31st 2008 will automatically get the best upgrade available. For more information please read the online brochure.

P&O Cruises introduces ‘once in a lifetime’ shore excursions

P&O Cruises is offering a new collection of shore excursions for holidaymakers setting sail in 2008/09. Designed to meet and exceed the needs of new and more adventurous cruise passengers, the programme offers a range of ‘must do’ activities and experiences on land, sea and in the air.

P&O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “We are now attracting more new to cruise passengers than ever before and these holidaymakers are looking for something a little different to do on shore than a guided coach tour.

“We can now offer them experiences that simply would not be possible on any other type of holiday. In a two week Mediterranean cruise they could charter a private yacht, go zip-wiring, learn to cook an authentic Italian specialities and make their very own fragrance.

“It is this breadth of choice that sets our holidays apart from any other.”

Highlights of the Mediterranean shore excursion programme are:

• Driving a red Ferrari F430 for the day through the streets of Italy, from the port of Livorno.
• Creating a personal fragrance with master perfumers in The Galimard Studio in Grasse, from port of Cannes (from 2009).
• Learning how to make fresh Tuscan specialties in a farmhouse overlooking the Alps, from the port of Livorno.
• 
  In the Caribbean, highlights include: 
• Zip wiring through the rainforest, in Jamaica
• Racing a private Beneteau 40 yacht, in Antigua.
• Highlights in the Baltic / Northern Europe are:
• Exploring glaciers and ice-fields on a snow truck, from Reykjavik.
• Floating downstream on the River Suldalslagen, for a 2km ‘Salmon Safari’, from Stavanger.

Smoke gets in your eyes..

For some of us smoking in public has become as anti social as rowdy drunks, but cruise lines have still opted to take the cautious route. Most recently P & O have imposed a smoking policy which limits the poor smoker from where they might ‘lit up’ (below the P & O Smoking Policy)

For all of us at P&O Cruises the safety, comfort and enjoyment of our passengers has always been a prime concern. With this in mind, and as a direct result of the feedback we have received from a great many of our passengers, we have taken the decision to amend our policy with regard to smoking on board Ventura, Oceana and Artemis. The following policy will, therefore, now apply to each of these ships:

Ventura, Oceana and Artemis:
A complete smoking ban will be enforced in all cabins and inside public spaces. Smoking will, however, still be permitted on cabin balconies and on certain areas of the open deck.

Why not add your comments about smoking on -board?

Does size matter?

After a recent cruise to St.Petersburg, Mike & Jane sent us a photo taken at Tallin which shows the difference between ‘givin it large’ with P & O on the brand new ‘Ventura’ or ‘big is not always better’ aboard the petite & beatiful ’Balmoral’ at a mere 43,000 tons!  

Oasis on Sale in September!

Royal Caribbean has announced the new ship ‘Oasis Of The Seas’ will go on sale 3rd september 2008, with the maiden voyage planned for 12th December 2009. Cruise specialist agent ‘Ocean World Travel’ are encouraging those who have an interest in sailing on the maiden voyage to pre register to avoid disappointment. Visit the dedicated webpage here for up to date information.

Oasis of the Seas will be the world’s largest and most revolutionary ship introducing the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept, which will provide vacationers with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences in seven themed areas based on their personal styles, preferences or moods. Boardwalk will be a breathtaking space for families. Inspired by the nostalgic seaside piers of yesteryear, Boardwalk will dynamically engage the entire family in classic fun – whether young or just young at heart – with eateries, retail outlets, and carnival games. An original, handcrafted carousel – the first at sea – will be the centerpiece of this vibrant neighborhood. Off the Boardwalk, the first amphitheater at sea, AquaTheater, will celebrate water with the largest freshwater pool found on a ship offering a full spectrum of activities and performances for guests. Created to offer two unique experiences, AquaTheater will allow guests to swim in the theater’s magnificent kidney-shaped pool, relax on sun loungers located on tiered platforms surrounding the pool, and even take SCUBA lessons in the afternoon. At night, it will deliver a complete sensory experience playing on the element of surprise as audience members witness the venue come alive with heart-pounding theatrical performances featuring dramatic acrobatics, synchronized swimming, water ballet, and professional high-diving, as well as elaborate fountain shows synchronized to music and lights. Other surprises include two 43-foot rock-climbing walls on either side of the AquaTheater and the first zip-line at sea suspended nine decks above Boardwalk.

On the Crest of a Wave

NCL has revealed its new generation F3 ships will feature an innovation in living space at sea with New wave staterooms. The new staterooms represent a giant leap forward in cruise ship accommodation.

The new wave staterooms most distinctive element is its curved walls and lines creating a modern and chic experience. NCL has maximized the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique, designed for the needs of tomorrow’s guests.

Featuring an earth-tone palette accented with a splash of colour and rich dark word, also having concealed LED lighting and a back-lit domed ceiling to set a relaxing vibe.

Costa Cruises Top A Million!

2008 is turning into another record-breaking year for Costa Cruises. The Italian company, which is the most popular cruise line inItalyand across Europe, has topped the record figure of one million customer bookings for the years cruises some five weeks earlier than in 2007.  

The repetition of this historic achievement occurred on June 10 2008, exactly 37 days earlier than in 2007 when Costa Cruises clocked up its one millionth guest for that year. This was was a first only for the company, which had never before in its 60-year history carried so many passengers in a 12-month period, but also for the European cruise industry as a whole. 

Costa Cruises expects to end 2008 with an increase in total guests of 6% compared to the 1,100,000 who went on a Costa cruise in 2007, this rise being in line with the extra capacity offered this year and generated by the year-long availability of the flagship Costa Serena, which entered service in May 2007.  

The companys next objective is to reach 1.5 million total guests in 2010, which works out to growth in excess of 35% in just three years. This prestigious new goal is supported by a major fleet expansion programme  the biggest in the world at present comprising five new ships due for delivery by 2012, all built in Italyby Fincantieri and entailing a total investment worth ?2.4 billion. The addition of these new ships will lead to a 50% increase in the capacity of the fleet, which will be 17-strong by 2012 with berths for 46,400 guests.  

This expansion is also readily mirrored in the exclusive new itineraries introduced by Costa Cruises, the first operator in the world to market cruises in the Far East with departures from China, in the Arabian Gulf with departures from Dubaiand in the Indian Ocean with departures from Mauritius.

Carnival adds a touch of ‘Klass’

Myleene Klass has been picked to name a giant cruise liner at its British ‘coming-out party’ in Dover next month.

At 113,000 tons and carrying up to 3,710 passengers, Carnival Splendor will be the largest passenger ship ever to sail from the port.
It boasts four swimming pools, a 5,500sq ft children’s play area and 22 lounges and bars.

She will dispense with traditional Champagne and instead use English sparkling wine. The ship will immediately set sail for a three-day mini preview cruise to Amsterdam.

The Price Of Cruising…

Today Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has been forced to make further changes to their fuel supplement charges which will come into effect on new bookings on the 10th June 2008. The new charges are £5.00 per passenger per night - also 3rd & 4th occupants of the same cabin to £2.00 per passenger per night, this supplement will be capped at £90.00 per passenger. Agents are now informing passengers considering booking a cruise break to do it now before these charges rise further.

Braemar Gets Chopped

Work on extending Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ship Braemar to create space for 250 more passengers is taking place at a German ship yard. A 31.2 metre mid section is being inserted, increasing the total passenger capacity from 727 to 977.