Sails of the Unexpected

Pilots become Cabin Crew during strike!

2010-03-24T17:30:00.000Z

I found out from some of my ex colleagues at British Airways that during the strikes, that First Officers at Gatwick on the Shorthaul flying programme had been drafted in to operate as Cabin Crew on some longhaul Heathrow flights.

Some of them never used to know how to turn on the brewers in the forward galley for a cup of tea, so this will have come as a bit of a shock for all of them! They took part in a crash course in cabin services and opening of doors, as well as medical emergency training!

Most of them took it in good spirits, and hopefully will have done something to strengthen the Flight Crew and Cabin Crew relationships!!

Cruise Kleptomania!

2010-03-15T13:27:00.000Z

Rights, show of hands, how many people have taken a 'souvenir' when on holiday. Now I do not mean stealing from a shop, I mean how many people, have taken things they shouldn't have from their cabin or hotel room. As Cabin Crew, I used to get people trying to take all sorts of things from the aircraft, including trying to pass pieces of crew uniform off as their own!! I had one lady walk off in a cardigan that clearly was the standard BA issue, and almost had to call security to wrestle it back off her.

So looking for some honesty here, what is the worst thing you have taken, and what are your views? Do you think this is classed as stealing, or part of the perk of paying for your holiday... over to you!!

No Wheelchair? No Problem!...

2010-03-15T13:13:00.000Z

I have had a query today from a client who hurt her leg and needs a wheelchair for her cruise. Princess and many other cruise lines no longer have wheelchairs to use on board, as believe it or believe it not, passengers were taking them from the ship and keeping them!! Now, even I may have taken the odd dressing gown from a hotel room, but I draw the line here!

However, help is at hand, there is an organisation called http://www.specialneedsatsea.com/ that can help you have temporary access to a wheelchair and other medical facilities you may require, or alternatively, you can contact your local Red Cross who can also help you get access to one for a small charge. You can also hire scooters and other medical equipment!

Happy motoring!

Toupee overboard! And other reasons why you should have travel insurance!!

2010-03-11T22:05:00.000Z

A decent travel insurance policy is as vital as your sun tan lotion, and favourite read whilst aboard your cruise. It can cost thousands of pounds to be airlifted to land if the case arises. On a less serious note, I have found some valid insurance claims from some unlucky holiday makers that may just make you smile...

1. Monkey Business
Malaysian monkeys caused romantic mayhem when a couple returned to their chalet to discover their underwear, clothing and belongings strewn across their hotel resort and neighbouring rain forest, I hope they were clean!!

2. Toupe overboard
An unlucky pensioner aboard a cruise found his toupe overboard after a strong gust of wind lifted it off his head and blew it in to the sea. His travel insurance took pity and reimbursed his loss!

3. Don't get stung.
A careless Brit paid a painful price after he dropped his wallet down a drain whilst on holiday. The Briton's claim wasn't for his cash or credit cards though, it was for hospital treatment after he had bravely reached down into the drain he was stung by poisonous scorpion. His travel insurance covered the cost of the treatment.

4. Swimming smile
Whilst cruising the Mediterranean, one unfortunate pensioner lost his false teeth overboard when throwing up into the unpredictable seas of the Bay of Biscay. The dentures were thankfully covered in his travel insurance policy under lost baggage!

5. Holy smoke
A British couple's beach wedding soon took a turn for the better or for worse when the brides dress was caught fire by some coal that fell from the BBQ. The groom quickly picked up his new HOT bride, ran down the beach and threw her into the sea. Fortunately the couple had taken out wedding cover before tying the knot, so they could claim on their insurance for the price of their garments.

6. Bikini distraction
A guy holidaying in Greece broke his nose by walking into glass-panelled doors, after getting distracted by two Greek goddesses in bikinis. His travel claim for hospital bills was successful, however he had to pay the bill for the doors!

7. Life's a beach
Frustrated parents were shocked to find that their playing children had buried their £600 camcorder in the sand on a beach in Cornwall. Thankfully the insurer saw the funny side and refunded the cost.

Don't take the risk; before you head off on your travels it pays to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance in place to cover you should the unfortunate happen. We can provide cover for you at cruise.co.uk. Just ask when booking. If you have any funny stories to share, leave a comment.

Who is the most famous person you have seen on your cruise?

2010-03-06T16:54:00.000Z

Having met many celebrities myself whilst flying around the world working in first class, it would be interesting to know who you may have met on aboard your cruise, and what did you think?

I was amazed to find that most of the celebrities I have met have been really down to earth and friendly, I think my favourite were Cheryl Cole, Sterling Moss and Chris Tarrant! All chatted away like they were good friends!

Have you ever said anything silly, or gone all star struck? I would love to hear of your celebrity tales!

Are you smarter than a Cruise Consultant?!!

2010-03-06T16:10:00.000Z

I just thought I would test your brain cells with 'just for fun' quiz on the QE2... so come on, don't be shy and have a go!

1. What was the original grill restaurant called on the QE2?

2. The Caledonia Suite on Boat Deck occupies a space that served a different function when the ship was built. What was it?

3. The QE2 is unique because she was captained by a father, followed by his son. What were their names?

4. When the QE2 was built, what colour was the single funnel?
5. The QE2 was properly called RMS Queen Elizabeth 2. What does RMS mean?

6. QE2 was originally built as a two-class ship. When the ship sailed on cruises as only one-class, passengers could still tell if their cabin was a first or tourist class by the color of its corridor door. What was the color of the corridor doors in first class?

Answers on a postcard please!! Or leave them on my blog - answers revealed soon!

What do I do if the sun doesn't shine?

2010-03-03T19:21:00.000Z

We can book you on the cruise of a lifetime, however, we cannot book the sun to come out for the duration of your cruise, although I am sure Richard Branson is currently working on this.

Infact, the best type of holiday to be on if you do have bad weather is a cruise! There are lots of other thing to be doing other than sunbathing. Find out here what the alternatives are.

Depending on the type of Cruise Line and ship you go on these are the kind of activities you can expect:

Indoor/Outdoor Pool (some have retractable roofs for bad weather)
Childrens Club and Entertainment
Port Talks
Evening Entertainment/Shows/Comedians
Nightclub
Health Spa & Beauty Salon
Gym
Card/Games Room
Casino
Jogging Track
Internet cafe
Duty Free Shop
Clothes/Jewellery and Souvenier Shops
Bungee Trampolines (P&O)
Rock Climbing Walls (Royal Caribbean)
Ice Skating Rinks (Royal Caribbean)
Cinemas
Bowling Alley
Chances to learn a new skill, such as Wine Tasting or Flower Arranging
Art Galleries
Golf
Basketball/Volleyball
Library
Tennis Court
Pool Tables
Restaurants Galore.. And there is always the bar if things get really bad!

So you can see there is plenty to do on a cruise ship, what would you like to see on cruise ships to keep you entertained? I would love to hear your ideas!!

What shall we do with the drunken sailor?

2010-03-02T07:55:00.001Z

Time and time again, I get asked about alcohol prices on a cruise ship. People do not want to get ripped off, which is understandable. I have a list of drinks prices by cruise line at my desk that I always like to go through with first tine cruisers so they know what to expect onboard. However, it is a HUGE no no to taking your own alcohol onboard, and although at the face of it, this may seem that the cruise line are creaming it and making you spend your money, there is infact more to it that I would like to share with you, and would also be good to hear your feedback.

First of all, nobody likes a drunk, and they can be a big nuisance to other passengers, who wants to watch a show with a drunk person sat next to them heckling and muttering? By not allowing you to bring your own alcohol onboard, cruise lines have more control over what they serve you, and if you fall into a stupor, they can stop you drinking, and know safely that you do not have a stash of bottles in your cabin. A drunk person onboard becomes a big safety risk to other passengers and crew, and even themselves.

The likelyhood is if you do try and smuggle booze on your cruise that it will get confiscated at check-in, as when you go through the x-ray machines it will highlight the fact you are bringing bottles on board - this will also leave you feeling humiliated by the growing number of tutting passengers behind you as you hold up the queue.

Also, as ex cabin crew, I know that these bottles can easily smash, and who wants their clothes to be smelling of alcohol for the next 7 or 14 nights, even if your are not a raving alcoholic, your fellow cruise passengers will think you are and give you a wide berth! So do not be surprised if your table for 8 dwindles to a table for 2, as most cruise passengers can be quite unforgiving if you try and ruin their holiday.

Having to share a cabin next to a drunk also creates its own set of problems. TV on at all hours, strange noises coming from the cabin, and being branded a 'tell tale' when you call for assistance from the crew because you just can't sleep.

People pay a lot of money to enjoy their cruise, and if you do think that sitting there every night and getting slaughtered to the point you become abusive, a cruise may not be the right option for you.

If you have ever experienced problems with drunken passengers onboard, please feel free to share your experiences and thoughts on my blog! Or maybe you have been accused of being a drunk, when in fact you were just enjoying yourself, either way let me know.

What to do when the tender breaks down...

2010-02-28T22:52:00.001Z

RULE NUMBER 1 - DO NOT PANIC!!

I was speaking to my dad about his adventures on his last cruise aboard the Sea Princess.

He loved the ship and the cruise, but on the last day, they visited Margarita, they were glad to leave after being hassled every 100 metres by the locals. On the way back to the ship, they boarded the tender, but got stuck halfway when the tender broke down! One of the passengers broke down into tears as the sea was a bit choppy, but was soon told to quieten down to prevent mass panic! Radio contact was made with the ship (tenders are not dinghy's!!) Another tender came within 30 minutes, and they had to walk the plank accross to the other tender, which I am told was quite precarious in a rough sea. The worst thing to do at this stage is panic. If you remain calm, then the situation will be over as quickly as it started. It might also be worth making sure you have sufficient water for any tender journeys incase of mishap! After all, worse things happen at sea!!

MSC... Magnifica, Magnifique, Magnificent?

2010-02-28T22:28:00.001Z

I was lucky enough to be invited aboard MSC Magnifica, the latest addition to its fleet, so did the ship live up to its name? Read on for a full report...

We pulled up to the ship at 11am, and I was surprised at the sheer size of it. Southampton is really check-in friendly, and was quick and painless. We boarded the ship, and the decor really has the WOW factor. We were shown to our sleeping quarters, which was on Deck 10 in a Balcony cabin. The cabin was really spacious and furnished very nicely. The balcony was small, but adequately furnished, I would definitely recommend paying the extra for the privilege though.

We then explored the ship, which is where the size of it becomes apparent. Over 16 decks, there were many facilities, and would say this ship is suitable for families. The indoor and outdoor pools allow swimming for whatever the weather and there is a small outdoor childrens pool. The top decks are very spacious and perfect for sunbathing with plenty of sunbeds available.

There were a selection of bars available, all serving a good variety of cocktails. There is a cigar lounge, and my personal favorite was the tiger lounge, where, yes you guessed it the decor was in a tiger theme! In addition you have the purple and ruby bars and a nightclub, aswell as other open areas.

The theatre was spectacular. A two tier theatre is the epicentre of the MSC entertainment, and I was very impressed at the level of talent shown and the variety. Even the announcements in three different languages did not deter me. There is also a bowling alley, a 4D cinema and a sports bar complete with pool tables, and toboggan. Great fun for all of the family.

Eating is not a problem on MSC, with plenty of choice available. I went in with no expectations of the food, but unfortunately, they were only slightly higher when I left. We visited the buffet restaurant for lunch, and there was a lot of choice of salad, pasta and fruit. A selection of meat was available, but undercooked - which is the Mediterranean style. If this is an issue, I would recommend eating in the waiter service restaurant where you have more choice over how your meat is cooked. They will try and accomodate all dietary requests, which is a bonus if you have a fussy eater in your party or any special requests. Dinner was a slightly better affair, but food only gets a six out of ten.

Accommodation- 9 out of 10
Food    - 6 out of 10
Service    - 7 out of 10
Ship     - 9 out of 10
Entertainment - 8 out of 10
Overall      - 8 out of 10

What the ship lacks in culinary taste, definitely compensates in glitz and glamour. And at MSC prices, and a fantastic range of itineraries, you can't afford not to go!

Pre cruise stay in Southampton - Grand Harbour De Vere is highly recommended!

2010-02-15T13:11:00.002Z

Take the stress out of your journey when planning a cruise from Southampton by arranging a one night stay at the port, allowing you to arrive at your ship refreshed and hassle free. The Southampton De Vere hotel provides a perfect plac to start relaxing and unwinding prior to your holiday!

Walk into the hotel, and the stunning glass atrium will make you feel as if you have walked onto your cruise ship! It also boasts an impressive spa, perfect to start your holiday, a state of the art gym, restaurant and bar, so you won't need to leave the comfort of your hotel. The fabulous location right on the waterfront, overlooking the Solent ensures spectacular views.

Its only a short journey to the West Quay Retail Park if you have forgotten anything or want to do some last minute shopping, and ideally located for the cruise terminals. Or if you would rather relax, enjoy the indoor pool and jacuzzi area, complete with childrens seperate pool.
All rooms are lavishly furnished and have a bath and shower, along with a TV with selected Sky channels, pay-per-view films and on-demand Sony PlayStation games.

Number 5, the hotels fresh and modern brasserie, has a view of Southampton's medieval city walls. The Royal Bar is a popular waterfront spot, and is open to Grand Harbour guests 24 hours a day, perfect for unwinding before bed!

Prices start from just £129 for a room, including transfers to the port! Available to book through me at cruise.co.uk, just pick up the phone if you have any questions!

A room with a view?

2010-02-15T12:58:00.001Z

I am often asked for advice when choosing a cabin type. Cabin types vary greatly between cruise ships. It is always worth asking for the price of the next cabin grade up as there may be special offers available, infact on some occasions a balcony room has been a better price than a standard ocean view!

In addition, I have found that the cruise line websites provide you with online tours of the ship and 360 degree views of the cabin. Princess Cruises allow you to type in individual cabin numbers to have a view of your cabin before you book! It is always worth looking on these websites to see exactly what the cabins look like and you can chose the right cabin for your perfect holiday!

MSC - Its not all Pasta, Pizza and Campari!

2010-02-10T17:16:00.000Z

I have many customers that contact me regarding MSC cruises and are put off because the company is based in Italy and they think that all of the clientele will be Italian.

MSC have a strong European influence, but we do book many British passengers with them, and their prices are extremely competetive. There are family cabins available and they also offer FREE child places on selected sailings.

The food and entertainments is as good as you would find on any other cruise line aimed at the 4 star sector. The ships are very traditional and all of the ships are designed by the wife of the owner of the company and have a very personal feel about them. I am lucky enough to have been invited to the ship launch of the MSC Magnifica at the end of February, so I will have first hand experience and will be able to answer all of your burning questions!

Bottoms Up!

2010-02-10T09:12:00.002Z

As a cruise specialist, I often get asked about the price of drinks onboard the cruise ships, so I thought I would share some details with you all!

Drinks prices vary from ship to ship, as they do in most bars at home. It is also worth bearing in mind that overall, American based cruise companies work out slightly more expensive as they add on a 15% service charge to drinks and other services onboard. In addition, some cruise lines also do drinks packages, where you pay a set amount that includes a number of drinks for one price, and they often do non-alcoholic and childrens packages that often work out more cost effective.

Fred Olsen and P&O tend to be more competetive, as their prices are in Pound Sterling. A Spirit and mixer is approximately £2.65, a bottle of beer is approximately £2.30 and a coffee is about £1.50, although some offer free tea and coffee in the afternoons or in your cabin you may get tea and coffee facilites, it is always worth checking this information when booking.

Thomson and Island Cruises are also fairly reasonable, charging average bar prices, but they also offer an All Inclusive drinks package for the duration of your cruise, starting from as little as £49 per person. These need to be purchased before departure, and is best to always get a price for this as it can be on special offer if you book far enough in advance. If you decide not to take this option, prices for a spirit and mixer is just over £3.00, and a bottle of beer from £2.70.

The European cruise lines such as Costa and MSC will charge prices in Euros. Depending on the exchange rate at the time, the prices work out at 7 Euros for a spirit/mixer, a coffee is approximately 2 Euros and a beer range from 4 Euros.

Cunard, Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises all charge in dollars and will add a 15% gratuities onto their prices automatically. Prices for a beer aboard these floating marvels start at $4, and a spirit/mixer on average is $5 plus. Cunard offer a soda package which includes unlimited soft drinks from $3.75 a day, all of these prices do not include the 15% service charge. Royal Caribbean has a child soft drink package starting from $20 for a 7 night cruise - well worth it for those of you with thirsty children!

Seabourn and Regent - the most exclusive of cruise lines offer complimentary drinks aboard their ships, however, the prices do reflect indulgence and luxury.

Hopefully this will give you some insight into additional costs onboard and will help you budget for your dream holiday!

Discover the Delights of Majorca with Royal Caribbean.

2010-02-05T12:39:00.000Z

Royal Caribbean has announced a new Mediterranean home port for 2011 in Palma, Majorca.

The Grandeur of the Seas will be sailing from Palma from next year and offer 7 night itineraries around the Med. It is a great opportunity to extend your stay and discover all that Majorca has to offer.

Majorca is a very family orientated destination, and the North of the island, such as Alcudia and Puerto Pollensa offer idyllic sandy beaches and a very laid back atmosphere and Cala d'or is full of sandy coves. Older families and couples will enjoy the South of the island, the resorts of Santa Ponsa, Palma Nova and Magaluf offer endless entertainment and miles of long sandy beaches. A place I have visited many times. I can recommend the resort of C'an Pastilla if you want a couple of nights in Majorca, not too far away from the port. Its a bit of a tired resort now, but a good base and a great beach to boot, although I would definately recommend a drive to the North if you have time for a longer stay.

Majorca is also steeped in history. The capital Palma and its famous Cathedral are a big tourist attraction. The caves of Drac (Dragon Caves) also offer a few surprises. You can see the magnificent stalagmites and stalagtites (I can never remember which is which) and at the end of the tour, you can sample the accoustics by listening to a mini concert and a boat ride across the underground lake.

Majorca really has something for everyone, and if you don't believe me, try it for yourself!

Terror in the UK - security threat level raised

2010-01-26T16:32:00.001Z

It may come as no surprise to learn that the UK's security threat level has been increased from substantial to severe (the second highest level) over the past few days. From working in the airline industry, this is a concern, however, we cannot let this stop us from travelling and doing what we want to do.

There are five levels of terror threat, ranging from low – meaning an attack is unlikely – to critical, when an attack is expected imminently.

Many people have asked me in the past as Cabin Crew how I used to deal with this, I just reply that it is no different to walking around London, Birmingham or Manchester, where you are just as likely to be targeted.

Together, we all need to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity at airports, stations, cruise terminals and infact anywhere, this does not however give us the right to single out people that may look like terrorists, and are infact normal people. We need to make a stand and carry on as normal in our every day lives, but just be alert to any unusual activity. Instead of seeing this move as a negative, we should instead be re-assured that extra measures and precautions are in place to make it harder for terrorists to infiltrate our communities.

After visiting the devastating scene that September 11th left behind, it really hit home what it must have been like in New York that day, and the tragedy still scars the city today. The New Yorkers have done a sterling job of moving on and looking forward, something which we can all learn from.

Alton Towers Hotel gets a big thumbs up!

2010-01-22T06:48:00.001Z

Last weekend 10 of my friends and family visited the Alton Towers hotel for a girls weekend away. If I am honest, I was not expecting too much, but I could not be further from the truth. It was a great experience, and one I will definitely be recommending...

The drive to Alton Towers was an experience in itself, the nearby, sleepy village of Alton is stunning. A picturesque village, complete with a castle, its worth a visit if you get chance.

I did not realise how big the grounds of Alton Towers resort were, but clear signposts made it easy to find and stress free. We pulled up at the hotel (see picture above) and found our parking spot, complete with our name on a board in front of it. We had booked the 'Sleepover Suite' and an adjoining room next door. There is a whole selection of themed rooms to choose from! On check in, the staff were very friendly, and as check in was not officially until 3pm, our bags were taken from us and the next time we saw them was in our room.

The reception area has a small shop, and a place where you can buy theme park tickets when the park is open (in Peak season). We ventured down the winding staircase with huge open views to the grounds and sat down for lunch. The restaurants are slightly pricey, but it is what you would expect.

This is the entrance to the Secret Garden restaurant where you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner. Its complete with a talking tree!

We managed to get access to our room at about half past one, so we trundled upstairs (there are lifts - they play music to you when you get in them and move!) Our sleepover suite was a six person room, and it really is the ultimate girls night in. You walk in and music starts to play automatically and you are faced with a small dance floor, complete with glitter ball and a huge plasma TV. On your left there is a row of six stools with hair salon mirrors in front, complete with hair dryers and straigteners! Perfect for getting ready later. The bathroom plays bubble sounds when you walk in too. Then there is the big pink SMEG fridge and its stocked with chocolate, soft drinks and crisps etc, we added our own alcoholic supplies! Then you walk through to the bedroom with big pink beds - the general theme is pink.

Although the theme park was not open, they have an indoor waterpark at Splash Landings the hotel next door. So we headed on over for an afternoon in there. You can get admission included in your hotel rate, but its always best to check if it is included when you book. The waterpak is great for all ages. It has got slides, a lazy river, indoor and outdoor pools and jacuzzis.

My personal favourite was the outdoor slides and getting into the outdoor jacuzzi at the bottom of it. The weather was cold and raining but as long as you were underwater, you were warm. There was a big climbing frame in then middle and getting up it is a mean feat when there are adults and children at regular intervals ready to soak you with water guns. And about every fifteen minutes a huge tank of water on the roof of the climbing frame pours on everbody and you get a really good soaking! Its all great fun though.

On the night time we went to the big air balloon ship in the centre of the hotel where there were live singers. In an alternative room there was themed childrens entertainment.

I would recommend this hotel to all families, young and old alike! If this sounds like your cup of tea and have a family of water babies, and you fancy a bit more sunshine, then check out the brand new Cruise ship from Royal Caribbean, 'Oasis of the Seas' it hosts an Aquatheatre hosting spectacular shows for all, and an aqua splash for children full of water spouting from holes in the ground and swimming pools, and even its own flow rider so you can surf on the ship! Also, Norweigan Cruise Lines latest edition the 'Epic' also has a whole host of water slides to enjoy!

P.O.S.H Cruises

2010-01-15T07:24:00.000Z

If you are booking a transatlantic cruise and are not sure which side of the ship will be best for you, just remember P.O.S.H. Port out, starboard home. This will more or less guarantee you the sunny side of the ship so you can make the most of the balcony that you treated yourself too! The acronym has been used for many years, read on to discover a little bit about its history...

The much-repeated tale is that 'Posh' derives from the 'port out, starboard home' legend supposedly printed on tickets of passengers on P&O (Peninsula and Orient) passenger vessels that travelled between UK and India in the days of the Raj. Another version has it that PO and SH were scrawled on the steamer trunks used on the voyages, by seamen when allocating cabins.

Britain and India are both in the northern hemisphere so the port (left-hand side) berths were mostly in the shade when travelling out (easterly) and the starboard ones when coming back. So the best and most expensive berths were POSH, hence the term. A very plausible and attractive explanation and it would be nice to be able to confirm it. The belief was widespread enough in 1968 for it to have been included in the lyrics of the song 'Posh' in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang:

O the posh posh traveling life, the traveling life for me
First cabin and captain's table regal company
Pardon the dust of the upper crust - fetch us a cup of tea
Port out, starboard home, posh with a capital P-O-S-H, posh

There is no evidence to confirm this story though and it appears to have been dreamed up retrospectively to match an existing meaning. Whoever thought it up must have been quite pleased with it, and it appeals to enough people to get repeated endlessly. It also panders to the popular craving for the employment of acronyms as the explanation of common phrases - golf ('gentlemen only, ladies forbidden'), cop ('constable on patrol') etc. These are nonsense but they keep cropping up. It's worth remembering that acronyms are a 20th century phenomenon and researchers are hard pressed to find any examples before the 1920s. The word acronym itself wasn't coined until the 1940s. Any such explanation of older words, like 'golf', or indeed 'posh', is sure to be false.

P&O say they have never issued such tickets and, although many tickets from that era still exist, no 'POSH' ones have been found. These have the status of an etymological Holy Grail and occasionally someone claims to have seen one. Needless to say that hasn't yet been backed up with any evidence. Mind you, even if this mode of travel were the source of the phrase, there's no particular reason that tickets would have been stamped with POSH, so the absence of such tickets doesn't prove anything. The same goes for the alleged chalking of POSH on steamer trunks. The evidence for this is even less likely ever to come to light. The finding of luggage from that period with the appropriate chalkmarks is hardly evidence, as the marks could have been added ten minutes previous to the find. We would need photographic evidence that could be dated to the period of the Raj - needless to say, no such photos have come to light. The lack of any citation of 'port out, starboard home' in any of the numerous letters and literary works that remain from the British Raj is a more convincing argument against that origin.

The true origin of 'posh' is uncertain. The term was used from the 1890s onward to mean a dandy. George and Weedon Grossmith's The Diary of a Nobody, which began publication in serial form in the English satirical magazine Punch in 1888, has a character called Murray Posh, who is described as 'a swell'. The book is a satire of the times and most of the character's names are intended to match aspects of their personality, so it is quite probable that the Grossmiths used the name Posh with the meaning we currently know. The said Murray certainly looks posh enough.

The first recording of 'posh' in print that seems unequivocally to fit the current meaning of the word is a cartoon which contains this dialogue between an RAF officer and his mother, also in Punch, September 1918:

Oh, yes, Mater, we had a posh time of it down there."
"Whatever do you mean by 'posh', Gerald?"
"Don't you know? It's slang for 'swish'"

In his 1903 Tales of St. Austin's, P. G. Wodehouse used the word 'push' to mean much the same as we now use 'posh':

"That waistcoat... being quite the most push thing of the sort in Cambridge."

Posh is also the Romany word for money and this was current throughout the 19th century. This originally meant halfpenny, which, inflation allowed for, is a long way from poshness.

The English gentlemen poet Edward Fitzgerald is another possible source of the word. He had what newspapers of the day (around 1908) described as 'most unaccountable admiration and friendship' for his boatman Joseph Fletcher, who was known as 'Posh'. In Fitzgerald's words, Posh was "A great man. A man of the finest Saxon type, blue eyes, nose less than Roman, more than Greek, and strictly auburn hair that any woman might sigh to possess". Later writers have accounted for that admiration and, in these more permissive days, it wouldn't be necessary to read between the lines of Fitzgerald's quote.

Whatever the origin is, it isn't likely to match the appeal of the P&O story and, although it is evidently wrong, that's the one that people prefer to repeat!

Is food included in the cost of my cruise?

2010-01-14T23:01:00.000Z

The most common question I get asked when booking a cruise is about food. How much and when. Well put it this way, you will never go hungry, and make sure you take a bigger dress size for the journey home!

Food is a big part of cruising and most cruise ships have a variety of restaurants to choose from. From a full english breakfast to midnight buffets and 24 hour room service available on most ships, there is enough food to satisfy the hungriest of appetites, and yes it is all included in the cost!

Royal Caribbean confirms Labadee was unaffected by earthquake on Haiti

2010-01-14T20:25:00.000Z

Royal Caribbean International has confirmed that Labadee, their private resort on Haiti was not affected by the recent and devastating earthquake that has claimed thousands of lives.

Royal Caribbean are hoping to get emergency supplies to Haiti via their ships.

The next ship due to call on Labadee -- Royal Caribbean's private "island" destination on the north coast of Haiti, about 100 miles north of earthquake-rocked Port-au-Prince -- is Independence of the Seas on Friday. At this point, we have not heard confirmation from the cruise line as to whether the Haitian government has approved the return of ships.

The most recent statement from Royal Caribbean International, parent company of Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, reads, "We are extremely saddened to hear of the destruction in Haiti caused by the massive earthquake. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti and their family members ... Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises are eager to take guests, as well as humanitarian assistance, to Haiti as soon as possible, though we are awaiting confirmation from the Haitian government on when our return is feasible." There was no damage to Labadee's buildings, piers and attractions.

Aid will be distributed through Food for the Poor. They are also in the process of coordinating additional relief supplies that will be loaded on Navigator of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, and will be taken to Labadee on Monday and Tuesday of next week

A spokeswoman reports that more information on these efforts will be released shortly. Norwegian Cruise Line also expects to share details on a relief effort soon.

A day in the life of an Air Hostess...

2010-01-14T09:45:00.002Z

As an ex flier, I now know the hard work involved in preparing an aircraft for take off, so carry on reading if you have always wondered what happens!

First of all, our luggage has to be checked in at our own check-in desk, and I would have to write my name on a luggage manifest to ensure my luggage travels with me to my destination. Special luggage tags are attached to identify them as crew bags and to ensure they are taken off the aircraft seperate to the passengers, meaning we often leave the airport much quicker than our passengers! We would then report for duty at the Crew Centre at least one hour prior to the flight, lateness would mean you were taken off your trip and put on standby at the airport (and often left for last).

If any new procedures or regulations had been released you would be notified when you swiped your I.D card to check in and you would have to familiarise yourself with these ready for the crew briefing.

Next you would go through crew security and to the briefing room to meet your crew. The Cabin Manager or Purser introduces themselves to the crew and then all crew are asked a safety and medical question each to ensure they are up to date with procedures, if this is answered incorrectly you will be removed off the flight and normally marched upstairs to see your manager. Crew working positions are discussed as the position you work depends on your flight responsibilities, i.e, operating a door, looking after unaccompanied minors and less mobile passengers, duty free, feeding the flight crew or working in the galley counting and preparing the food, or doing the public announcements. We are also informed of any special requirements for the flight, how many passengers we have, how many infants, and VIP's on board. After the briefing has finished you would walk or be transported to the aircraft. This is where the fun begins!

The flight crew (Captain and First Officer) would introduce themselves to every crew member for flight deck entry procedure purposes, and most importantly to the person who will be feeding and watering them (usually my job as Purser).

The crew would then carry out rigorous security checks making sure there are no unexpected items in the aircraft and a test of all emergency equipment also takes place. Catering and bars are checked and counted to ensure supplies are sufficient for the flight and I would check my passenger figures with the caterer to ensure there is enough for everyone (although some airlines will load approximately 10% less food than is required hoping that some passengers will turn the food down or the basis that some people do not show up for the flight).

The Captain and First Officer are busy checking the planes systems and one of them will complete a walkround of the aircraft checking the engines, tyres and structure of the aircraft prior to passenger boarding. They will also liase with the refueller and dispatcher to ensure the aircraft is the correct weight for the fuel they have calculated.

The dispatcher will advise the crew what time the passengers are boarding, and the flight crew will then often advise us on weather conditions.

Depending on the length of the flight, the crew will prepare carts and trollies as much as possible on the ground to ensure the service is carried out as quick as possible, however, there is not much room in an aircraft galley and everything must be safely stowed for take off and landing.

Next the passengers would board, often not aware of all the work that has gone into preparing the aircraft. So next time you board your plane spare a thought for the crew and ground staff that have worked hard to get your departure on time!

Spotlight on Dover... Start your cruise without the hassle of flying!

2010-01-12T22:27:00.000Z

More cruise companies now have sailings departing the UK for a stress free start to your holiday. Beat the airport queues and book your next cruise to depart from the UK. Visit http://www.doverport.co.uk/

Driving in the Snow - Top Tips!

2010-01-10T19:21:00.002Z

The picture below shows how not to drive in the snow. This picture is of my Sales Managers car as he got stuck in a ditch on his way to work after dangerous driving conditions this week! Many of you will be trying to get to ports and airports and so I thought I would share a few tips I have found to help you get safely through the white stuff...

Clear all windows of snow and ice using de-icer and a scraper - do not set off with just a tiny hole cleared in the windscreen

Leave ten minutes earlier to allow extra time.

Check the roof for snow before you drive - it can slip down over the windscreen and obscure your view.

Use a cigarette lighter to warm a key for a frozen lock. Don't breathe on the lock, as the moisture will condense and freeze.

Besides an ice scraper and de-icer, it's worth carrying a mobile phone with fully charged battery, torch, first-aid kit, tow rope, blankets, warm coat and boots, jump leads, snow shovel, warning triangle, an old sack or rug and water repellent spray.

Plan routes to favour major roads which are more likely to have been gritted.

Put safety before punctuality when the bad weather closes in. While it's always a good idea to allow extra time in winter for your journey, drivers must accept the inevitability of being late for work if they are caught up in an unexpected delay.

Driving in snow and ice

If your tyres are making virtually no noise this could be a sign you're driving on ice.

If your vehicle skids, depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid. When the vehicle straightens steer along the road. Don't brake - it will just lock up your wheels and you'll skid further.

Stopping distances are ten times longer in ice and snow.

Gentle manoeuvres are the key to safe driving.

Reduce your risk of skidding by reducing your speed, too much power is often the source of problems in snow and ice.

Wear comfortable, dry shoes: cumbersome, snow-covered boots will slip on the pedals.

Select second gear when pulling away, easing your foot off the clutch gently to avoid wheel-spin.

Try to maintain a constant speed, choosing the most suitable gear in advance to avoid having to change down while climbing a hill.

When driving downhill, choose third or fourth gear to prevent skidding.

Always apply brakes gently.

If you do get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip. Once on the move again, try not to stop until you reach firmer ground.

Best of British!!

Party with P&O on the Ventura

2010-01-10T08:24:00.000Z

P&O are back with their 2 Night party cruise on the 26th March 2010 Party Cruise.

With fares from only £284pp, why not treat yourself to a little bit of luxury. The cruises are ideal for a special occasions such as a special birthday, stag and hen parties or just for a girls weekend away. These fun cruises will definately leave you wanting more. For more information contact me on 0800 4086120

Fred Olsens Blackwatch - Its Back and Its Better After a Major Refurbishment

2010-01-09T20:44:00.001Z

Black Watch has completed her dry dock in December 2009 and returns to service following some major refurbishment work...

The work included a major refurbishment of the ship’s public areas, including a new casual dining area, which has been created in the space where the Braemar Lounge and Garden Café were situated. The transformed area is now the Braemar Garden, a casual dining area with seating for 120 persons, and replaces the Garden Café

which seated 80 persons. One section of this newly created dining area is screened off, creating a 40 seat room that can be used for private dining. This new area has been completely refitted with new soft furnishings, a new bar, and buffet.

Other areas of the ship have also received new soft furnishings, including the Neptune Lounge, Pipers Bar, Glentanar Restaurant and the Observatory Lounge. In addition, many cabin bathrooms have been refitted.

On the technical side, Black Watch has also had her last three open

lifeboats replaced by two covered boats. This means that some previously restricted views from cabins will now be unobstructed views.

ATTENTION! First Time Cruisers - Taster Cruises available to wet your appetite

2010-01-09T07:43:00.000Z

Most cruise companies now offer 2 to 4 night cruise itineraries to enable first time cruisers to sample the delights of a cruise before committing to longer stays.

If you are concerned cruising may not be for you, or you think you may feel sea sick, then these are the best way to put your fears at side, but rest assured, you will be back for more.

Short itineraries often include France, Ireland, Belgium and the British Isles, so you get to see some fantastic places as well as testing your sea legs!

Celebrity cruises are offering taster cruises from Southampton to Cork from as little as 359pp, that includes your food for the whole stay on board the ship, and the quality is amazing. You will be treated like a VIP on board by the crew who can never do enough to help you.

To find out more visit www.cruise.co.uk or call me on 0800 4086120.

Are you a Past Passenger with a Cruise Line? Check the extra benefits available to you here!

2010-01-08T09:07:00.000Z

Cruise lines' past-passenger programs -- the equivalent of airlines' frequent flyer' programs -- are in a state of upheaval. The idea -- which centers on rewarding loyal travelers with extra perks, such as onboard cocktail receptions and exclusive discounts -- originated some 160 years ago with Cunard and continues in a variety of forms today.

Celebrity announced in July 2009 that it was adding benefits to its program, including free or discounted laundry service, complimentary Internet packages, and new parties for all Captain's Club members. Princess is rewarding big spenders (namely suite guests and solo travelers who may have to pay twice regular rates to get a cabin to themselves) with a faster track to the upper echelons of its past-passenger program. Oceania has added a wealth of new perks, including free cruise fares, $900 onboard credit and a leather luggage set -- but these benefits are only available to frequent cruisers who have sailed between 21 and 100 times with the deluxe cruise line.

But, if you don't have the vacation time, let alone the money, to cruise multiple times a year and attain those upper-tier perks, is it worth your while to stick with one cruise line over another? Go to www.cruise.co.uk to discover your perks (all of those nice little extras), and the quality of members-only discounts and, ultimately, the real incentive, to belong. Along the way, we spotted a handful of trends:

All passengers are enrolled automatically in a line's past-passenger program upon taking their first cruises. After just one sailing, you become a member with access to perks like discounts, newsletters and invitations to past-guest receptions on your next cruise.

The past-passenger programs of luxury lines are similar in form to the offerings of mainstream lines, with perks like discounts on cruises and onboard purchases. As many luxury lines don't charge guests for drinks, gratuities or specialty dining, they have to think up other free benefits for their loyal members. Given that luxury travelers have spent quite a bit of money to attain frequent cruiser status, many luxury lines offer their very best guests the ultimate perk: a free cruise. However, you'll have to cruise a lot to earn a free trip -- 30 cruises with Crystal, 20 cruises with Oceania, 140 days sailed with Seabourn and 350 days with Silversea.

While the consortium called The World's Leading Cruise Lines (which includes Carnival, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, Princess and Seabourn) says it has a Vacation Interchange Program (VIP) that allows past guests of one line to access past guest discounts on all six lines, it's not always obvious from cruise line Web sites which sailings are eligible and how to request the discount. If you're a past passenger contemplating your first cruise on a sister line, ask your agent or the cruise line about possible savings. You won't, however, be eligible for any other frequent-cruiser perks until you've completed a sailing. Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises share parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and their interchange privileges are very clear and easy to understand. The two programs -- Azamara and Celebrity's Captain's Club and Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor -- offer reciprocity but only at the higher-tier levels. In order to get perks when trying out a sister cruise line, members of one program must sign up for the other program before their cruise. Captain's Club Select members automatically get Platinum status with Crown & Anchor, and Elite members receive Diamond status (and vice versa). Diamond Plus members of Royal Caribbean also get Elite status on Celebrity/Azamara, as it's the highest tier in the loyalty program.

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth takes to the seas

2010-01-07T07:33:00.000Z

Cunard set sail the Queen Elizabeth at Shipyard Ceremony in Italy this week.

Cunard's new Queen Elizabeth met the sea for the first time today following a special float out ceremony at shipbuilder Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard, near Trieste, Italy.

"Floating out" is the maritime term for the process by which a dry dock is slowly filled with water; this happens after the ship's exterior is complete. Once the ship is floating, it is moved to a wet dock, where interior work commences. It's a major milestone because it's generally the first time a vessel takes to the water and when it truly becomes a ship.

Hundreds of shipyard workers, members of the media and assorted dignitaries gathered under dark skies, braving a biting wind for the event, preceded by a traditional coin ceremony in which a set of coins is welded beneath the ship's mast to bring the vessel good luck.

Three coins were specially chosen for this occasion: a half crown from 1938, the year the first Queen Elizabeth was launched; a sovereign from 1967, the year of the launch of QE2; and a sovereign dated 2010 to commemorate the year of the new ship's launch. The coins were acquired from a specialist shop in London.

"Of our 170 years of history there has been an 'Elizabeth' in the fleet for over 70," Peter Shanks, Cunard's president and managing director, told the assembled throng, "and this ship -- the second largest Cunarder ever built -- will take the name far into the 21st century."

Which raises the question: Will Queen Elizabeth II herself be asked to name the ship in Southampton when it launches this October? Not surprisingly, Shanks is keeping quiet, although the honour will almost definitely be performed by a royal; the Queen named Queen Mary 2 and the Duchess of Cornwall named Queen Victoria.

Meanwhile, in Italian shipyard tradition, a "madrina" (the Italian version of a godmother) has already been named for Queen Elizabeth. She is 79-year-old Florence (Dennie) Farmer, a loyal Cunard passenger for many years and widow of the late Willie Farmer, who joined Cunard in 1938 and served as chief engineer on both Queen Elizabeth and QE2.

Just before the valves were opened, Farmer smashed a bottle of Prosecco, Italian sparkling wine, against the ship's hull -- already partly painted in Cunard's trademark black.

Indeed, Queen Elizabeth is already taking shape to look like a proper Cunarder, with its black and red livery, and the scarlet funnel in place. At 90,400 tons, the ship is slightly larger than its sister, Queen Victoria, and carries 70 more passengers, with a total capacity of 2,092. The stern of the vessel is squarer than Queen Victoria's to make space for the extra cabins and the vessel is 11 metres longer.

Other differences include the return of the popular Yacht Club on Deck 10, a recreation of a favourite space on QE2. Guests in the top Britannia grade cabins, meanwhile, will eat in the Britannia Club, their own restaurant, with single seating dining. This entirely separate space is a first for Cunard; on Queen Victoria, it's where the Chart Room is located. To make up for the lack of a Chart Room, Queen Elizabeth will have a Midships Bar, like the two original Queen Elizabeths.

Also modified from Queen Victoria's design is the Garden Lounge, the domed ceiling of which is already taking shape. The Lounge has been inspired by the conservatories at London's Kew Gardens (the ceiling of the equivalent space on Queen Victoria is a flat, retractable panel), while the Games Deck above will host garden parties, bowls, croquet and paddle tennis, all traditional activities from the 1930s. The interior throughout the ship will be art deco-inspired.

Another significant difference will be the spa, which will be managed by Steiner. Queen Mary 2's spa is run by Canyon Ranch and Queen Victoria's by Harding Brothers. "We put the spa management out to tender and Steiner came up with an attracting offering," Shanks explains. ''We worked with Steiner on QE2 for 41 years and have an extremely strong relationship. But it will be a uniquely 'Cunard' spa."

Queen Elizabeth will set sail on its maiden voyage on October 12, 2010. That cruise sold out in 28 minutes flat, although there is space on other maiden season voyages, Mediterranean and Caribbean runs from its homeport in Southampton. The ship departs on its first world cruise on January 5, 2011, and will rendezvous on January 13 in New York with its sisters, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2.

Strictly Come Dancing Star is to Godparent Cruise Ship...

2010-01-06T21:28:00.000Z

One of the world’s best loved ballerinas, Darcey Bussell, will be Godmother to the latest and most sophisticated addition to the P&O Cruises fleet, the 115,000 ton ship, Azura.

Former Royal Ballet principal dancer Darcey, now resident in Sydney, Australia, will fly back to Britain next Spring with her family for Azura’s glittering naming ceremony, but exact details of the occasion are being kept a closely guarded secret until the day.

“I am so excited, honoured and, at the same time, somewhat filled with trepidation to be Godmother to Azura, as I know how significant the ceremony is viewed by the ship’s captain and crew”, said Darcey Bussell.

“Darcey Bussell epitomises glamour, sophistication and elegance, all qualities we have strived to achieve in Azura” said P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow. “Azura will offer the service, quality and entertainment associated with cruising at its very best and as dance will play a key part in this, it is entirely fitting for Darcey to give Azura the best possible start in life.”

Over 1,200 invited guests will witness the naming ceremony on Azura’s top deck in Southampton Docks on Saturday, April 10, prior to the vessel’s maiden voyage, a 16 night cruise to the Central Mediterranean, which includes calls to Malaga, Corfu, Dubrovnik and Venice.

The stylish superliner will carry up to 3,100 passengers and 1226 crew, and boasts a dance floor in the centre of the spectacular atrium, 10 restaurants, including Sindhu, created by the first Indian chef to be awarded a coveted Michelin star, Atul Kochhar. A state of the art health and beauty spa with an open-air spa terrace; a giant cinema SeaScreen showing British film classics; a 750 seat live show theatre and separate nightclubs, plus a full range of daytime activities including sports courts, whirlpool spas and fully equipped gym, dance and art classes all offer non-stop entertainment.

The naming ceremony will benefit three international charities personally chosen by Darcey Bussell - Sydney Dance Company, the Royal Ballet School and the Prince’s Rainforest Project.

2010 Top New Years Resolutions - Out with the old, in with the new!

2010-01-06T05:17:00.000Z

The New Year has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make the top ten list?

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Recent polls shows that more than 50% of us vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends and family in 2010, or go one step further and plan a cruise of a lifetime together.

2. Putting the 'Fit' back into Fitness

The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape for your 2010 cruise!

3. Tame the Bulge

It is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions, in fact it is my New Years resolution this year! Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success is to have a buddy to do it with you. Two heads are better than one!

4. Quit Smoking

If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life! You can put the money to good use too and spend it on the cruise you have always wanted to go on!

5. Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles these days, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby, or try a new destination this year. A cruise is the perfect way to see many destinations in a week or two, go on try it, you won't look back!

6. Quit Drinking

While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.

7. Get Out of Debt

Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead. Planning in advance is always a good idea. Booking your cruise now is a sure fire way of getting the best deals available.

8. Learn Something New

Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Nearly all cruises now offer lectures on specialist subjects with guest speakers. From Wine Tasting to Crochet and many more in between, chose the cruise thats right for you with my expert advice!

9. Help Others

A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help.

10. Get Organized

On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, organization is the key word. This applies when booking your ideal cruise. The further in advance you book, the more organized you will feel and the more choice you will have available!

GOOD LUCK!

New York! New York! - A must do!

2010-01-04T23:11:00.000Z

My number one destination really has to be New York. Its everything you ever imagined and more.

I have been to New York on a number of occasions and it just amazes me more each time I go. There is so much to see and do here, its a city for everyone, and best of all you can combine it with a cruise!

From the bright lights of Times Square, 42nd Street, the Rockerfeller Centre and the Empire State Building to name but a few, are some of the more famous attractions.

By day, you almost feel at home as you walk around and recognise many of the sights from the movies! The first thing I wanted to do was go skating in Central Park. We walked up Lexington Avenue and did a sharp right and in amongst all the buildings is a huge grassed area. Its full of joggers just like in the films.

It had been snowing the first time I arrived in New York which only added to the excitement, and to top it all off it was Valentines Day. After our skating expedition, it was off to grab a hotdog from one of the many street vendors to warm ourselves up before exploring the designer shops along 5th Avenue, not forgetting to window shop at Tiffany's!

Me putting Torville and Dean to shame!

Next we headed to FAO Schwartz where we went straight and joined the queue of mainly children to have a go on the piano from the film BIG with Tom Hanks! Then we headed for lunch and a rest back at our hotel, Manhattan is a great place to stay, ready for tackling the Rockerfeller Centre that night! The views were amazing and as it was Valentines Day, we decided to steer clear of the Empire State Building and of all the engaged couples. The Rockerfeller is much more fun and funky, with views to die for. Seeing the sunset from there is something I will remember for a long time.

There are so many places to eat in New York. We settled on the Hardrock Cafe in Times Square that night. The service and atmosphere was fantastic. And we ended up drinking Cosmopolitans until the wee hours!

The following day, I wanted to see Ground Zero, emotional wasn't the word. We were shown the sights and museum by a Fireman who was on call on September 11th and by a lady whose husband was in the Twin Towers when they collapsed. His body was never found. I couldn't even begin to imagine the chaos that went on that day, but it was very serene when we visited. Its one of my must sees in New York.

There is so much more to do and see, you can follow in the footsteps of Carrie and co from Sex and the City and visit the Magnolia Bakery. My friend even managed to catch a glimpse of the star and caught the moment on camera! The Statue of Liberty has reopened so you can now go inside, and also you must see the famous Brooklyn Bridge, and Grand Central Station - look at the ceiling in the main hallway and see if you can spot the patch left unpainted to remind people how dirty it once was and was almost condemned!! There is Canal Street to grab your designer goods at rock bottom prices and we also visited a shopping mall out in New Jersey where the prices are much lower!!

I would recommend at least 3 nights stay in New York, and would definitely recommend staying on Manhattan. Call or pose a question if you want any further information regarding this spectacular city!

Grand Princess - Amazing offers departing Southampton

2010-01-02T11:16:00.000Z

Cruise on the Grand Princess and receive FREE Car Parking or Coach Transfers.

PLUS

up to $200 per cabin on board spend and savings up of up to £800 per cabin!!

Book Now!!

Save ££££'s with Princess and P&O Cruises!

2010-01-02T11:11:00.000Z

Hurry to take advantage of these excellent deals available now with your favourite cruise lines. Take advantage of the FREE ONBOARD SPEND and treat yourself onboard!

P&O Cruises
Save up to £1000 per couple PLUS up to £100 per couple on board spending money. Available until 31st January 10

Princess Cruises
On Board Credit, plus FREE regional flying for Sea Princess Caribbean Winter 10/11 departures and mega SAVINGS

Final Chance to try Ocean Village plus fantastic savings!

2010-01-02T11:05:00.000Z

Ocean Village enter their final year of cruising with some amazing offers.

Their farewell savings include - Save up to £200 per couple - available to book from 28th December 09!!! With something for all the family - Miss it and Miss out!!!

Book your next Cruise NOW - Savings Galore!

2010-01-01T09:50:00.000Z

I always get asked when is the best time to book a cruise, well as a matter of fact its NOW! January sales are not restricted to High Street retailers, Cruise companies also offer their best discounts at this time of the year.

For example you can sail across the Atlantic from New York to Southampton with Cunard, a must do experience, for as little as £899!

Sail into the New Year in style with a Cruise!

2009-12-28T17:07:00.000Z

Chances are if you wanted to get away on a cruise to see in 2010 you may have missed the boat, however, why not check out the prices for 2010/11 instead?

Prices over Christmas and New Year 2010 are starting from as little as 899 for a 9 night cruise only around the Mediterranean. I have had countless calls from clients asking for a deal for Christmas and New Year. It is not usually getting availability on the cruise that is the problem, but the prices of flights are often twice as much as the cruise itself during the festive period. This has left a lot of people disappointed and sat at home. January looks a very exciting time to book with excellent discounts available, and only a deposit to pay. So come on and pick up the phone... what are you waiting for!! Visit www.cruise.co.uk for the best deals around.

To tip or not to tip...

2009-12-27T23:26:00.000Z

Cruise ship tipping has long been an area of contention. Some cruise lines are contemplating abandoning the tradition of adding tips to your onboard account at the end of your cruise.

Royal Caribbean’s UK managing director Robin Shaw has said that the line is considering a change from mandatory tipping as well. And just this week Azamara announced it would include gratuities in cruise fares. As cruising becomes ever-more international, and as the cultures and holiday traditions of Brits are increasingly rubbing up alongside those of Australians, Japanese and Americans, the issue of tipping has become an increasingly controversial minefield.

Reports that Britain’s cruise ship travellers are becoming increasingly hostile to the practice of tips being added to their account are on the increase. In a recent survey, 50 per cent said that service should be included in overall cruise fares. Only 6 per cent felt that tipping should be a mandatory charge. As cruise holidays have become the most popular style of travel in Britain, and as the industry touts voyages as a most value-oriented holiday, the addition of as much as £6 per day can be expensive. On a fortnight’s cruise in the Caribbean for a family of four, the cost of gratuities alone is as much as an extra £336.

Loss of personal service

For most lines, passenger tips have long been used to supplement the pay that crew members earn. What’s changed in the past decade or so is that travellers who once slipped a cash bequest of their choice into envelopes and personally handed them to the crew who served them now pay a mandated charge for service that’s applied to their onboard accounts.

The rise of more flexible dining venues has represented a sea change in this cruise tradition. With more choices in restaurants, many passengers no longer eat all their meals at the same table with the same servers. So the lines are touting the onboard charge as a cashless convenience.

But travellers don’t like it.

Tips supplement pay?

It’s not just that tipping can add extra expense onto an already pricey holiday, though that’s definitely part of the problem. The mandatory charge, which on most cruise lines is about £3 - £6 per person per day, can add up.

Cruise passengers also resent the implication that they should, beyond paying for a cruise to begin with, the price for labour should be built into the cost of goods and services.

Incorporating tips into fares

Perhaps that’s exactly what Ocean Village is trying to do. For tip-sensitive passengers, we’ve seen offers that include gratuities, such as 14-night Barbados-based fly/cruises this winter

For cruisers wanting to avoid the very British anxiety over when and how much to tip, included gratuities can solve the problem. For those who wish to abide by the discretionary convention of tipping, it may be a little harder to find a solution which is acceptable on both sides of the Atlantic.

My advice: if tips are included consider it all part of the cost of the cruise. Should you receive outstanding service leave a note, or tell the cruise line. An old-fashioned 'thank-you' is also much appreciated, and culturally acceptable to all.

What shall we do with the turkey Dear?

2009-12-26T11:45:00.000Z

As per usual, we purchased a turkey that was far too large and will be eating turkey dinner for weeks! Here are a few good ideas of how to create some exciting dishes...

British turkey bubble and squeak

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 35 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Per serving: 458 kcals, 12.4g fat

Ingredients

25g unsalted butter
1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
450g potatoes, cooked and mashed
350g cooked British turkey thigh, chopped
300g cooked cabbage or spinach, chopped
salt and freshly milled black pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
dry breadcrumbs
2 tbsp flour
1 egg lightly beaten
vegetable oil for cooking
4 lightly poached eggs
Jar of hollandaise sauce
1 bag of watercress
150g French beans, cooked

Method

Heat the butter in a frying pan and cook the onions for 2-3 minutes, until slightly soft and translucent.
Place the mashed potatoes, cooked onions, turkey, cabbage and salt and pepper into a bowl and mix well.
Add the olive oil and a few dry breadcrumbs to form a firm but not stiff mixture.
Form the mixture into 4 balls, flatten on both sides to make thick cakes, and dust with flour. Brush the cakes all over with egg and coat with more breadcrumbs.
Heat a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil in a frying pan and cook the cakes on both sides for 3 minutes until golden brown.
Place a little watercress on a warm plate, top with a cake, and a poached egg on top. Serve with French bean

Leftover turkey, mushroom and red pepper pie

Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 12 minutes plus 30 minutes chilling
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

2tbsp sunflower oil
450g/1lb leftover cooked British Turkey thigh meat, diced
1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped
225g/8oz chestnut mushrooms, quartered
1tbsp cornflour
150ml/1/4pt chicken stock
250ml/9fl oz apple juice
2tbsp tomato puree
Salt and pepper
250g/9oz chilled puff pastry
Beaten egg, to glaze

Method

Heat the oil in a large deep frying pan, add the pepper and mushrooms and fry for 5 minutes. Mix the cornflour with the stock until smooth and pour into the pan with the apple juice. Add the tomato puree and bring to the boil, stirring until thickened and smooth.

Stir the cooked turkey into the pan, season with salt and pepper, cover and .simmer gently for 10 minutes. Allow to cool.

Drain the turkey and vegetables from the pan, reserving the cooking sauce, and spoon into a 1.1 litre/2pt pie dish or individual pie dishes.

Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to cover the pie. Cut any pastry trimmings into leaves, dampen and press on top. Chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Brush the pastry with beaten egg to glaze and stand the pie on a baking sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown (25 minutes for individual pies). Heat the remaining sauce.

Serve the pie hot with vegetables and the cooking sauce.

Sizzling leftover British turkey fajitas

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients

450g/1 lb leftover British turkey, cut into strips
30ml/2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, sliced
1 red and 1 green pepper, deseeded and sliced into strips
150g/5oz baby sweetcorn, halved
15ml/1 tbsp ground paprika
5ml/1 tsp each ground cumin and coriander
2.5 ml/½ tsp ground chilli, dried oregano and caster sugar
juice 2 limes
To serve: soured cream, ready-made salsa, guacamole and soft flour tortillas

Method

Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the onion, peppers and sweetcorn and stir fry for 4 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Add the leftover turkey, and cook for a further 2 minutes until the turkey is thoroughly heated through.

Reduce the heat to low, add the spices, oregano and sugar, and stir fry for 30 seconds. Then add the lime juice and cook for a further 1-2 minutes, stirring. Remove from the heat. Warm the flour tortillas according to packet instructions.

To serve, place a warm flour tortilla on a serving plate, spoon a little of the turkey mixture down the centre, top with soured cream, salsa or guacamole and roll up. Serve with salad if liked.

Cook’s tip: Look out for packs of fajita seasoning mix, a blend of herbs and spices sold in 20g sachets. Use a whole sachet in place of the spices, oregano and sugar.

Individual leftover turkey and stilton pies

Serves: 4
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Per Portion: 15g of fat, 520Kcals

Ingredients

50g butter
1 tbsp olive oil
3 sweet potatoes, cut into chunks
225g chestnut mushrooms
400g leftover cooked British turkey breast, cut into chunks
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
1 tbsp brandy
100ml chicken stock
150ml double cream
75g Stilton, crumbled
375g pack ready rolled puff pastr
1 small egg, beaten
rock salt

Method

Heat the butter and oil in a large frying pan and fry the sweet potatoes and cook over a low heat for 8-10 minutes until just beginning to soften. Stir in the mushrooms, cooked turkey, garlic and half the thyme and cook for a further 4-5 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas mark 6. Pour the brandy over the turkey mixture and allow to bubble for 1 minute, then add the stock and cream and warm through gently. Remove from the heat and stir in the Stilton.

Unroll the pastry. Cut 4 pastry lids slightly larger than the 400ml dishes you are using. Divide the filling between the 4 dishes. Wet the rim of the dishes with water. Lay the pastry circles over the top and press to the rim firmly. Brush with beaten egg and scatter with rock salt and remaining thyme. Bake for 20 minutes until golden.

Hearty leftover turkey broth with bacon croutons

Serves: 6
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Per Portion: 3g of fat, 183Kcals

Ingredients

25g butter
1 leek, trimmed and chopped
1 onion, chopped
300g cooked leftover British turkey diced
2 large carrots, diced
1 large potato, peeled and diced
900ml fresh turkey or chicken stock
3 tbsp cornflour
500ml milk
198g can sweetcorn, drained
small handful chopped flatleaf parsley
1 tbsp olive oil
8 rashers smoked streaky bacon, chopped
1 thick slice bread, crusts removed and cubed

Method

Melt the butter in a large saucepan and fry leek and onion for 4-5
minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Stir in the turkey, carrot, potato and stock, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are just tender.

Mix the cornflour with 2 tbsp of the milk and stir into the soup with the remaining milk and sweetcorn, simmer stirring until thickened. Add the parsley and season to taste. Keep warm.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the bacon until crisp - add the bread cubes and cook in the bacon fat until crisp. Scatter over the soup to serve.

Ten minute leftover turkey with peas and leeks

The recipe name says it all! Serve in bowls with crusty bread or rice to mop up all the delicious sauce.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10-12 minutes
Per serving: 387 kcals, 12g fat

Ingredients

300ml turkey or chicken stock
400g cooked British turkey breasts,cut into 1-2cm strips
1 large leek, rinsed and finely chopped
300ml double cream
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
1 tbsp parsley, chopped
225g frozen peas, cooked
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

Pour the stock into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Simmer rapidly until reduced by two thirds.

Meanwhile, cook the leek in a pan of boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes, or until just tender. Drain well and keep warm.

Add the cream, mustard, parsley and peas to the reduced stock. Then stir in the cooked turkey and leeks and heat gently to warm through.

Season well with salt and pepper and serve straight away in bowls, with boiled potatoes.

A Cruise for every budget in 2010

2009-12-23T16:47:00.000Z

Cruising has come a long way from the days when it was for the well-bred and nearly dead, when only toffs with money could afford a holiday at sea. These days everyone can go on a cruise, whatever their budget.

Navigating India's unknown waters Things started to change in the mid-Nineties, when the mass-market tour operators Airtours (now part of Thomas Cook) and Thomson launched their own cruise lines, targeted at people who travelled on their bucket-and-spade land-based holidays. If that had worked, why not an affordable cruise, they reasoned. Their ships were old, but offered a winning formula of good food, good service, not too much formality and plenty of British-style entertainment. It was like being in a hotel in Benidorm – except that this one moved.

The result? People who would never have considered a cruise because it was expensive and stuffy flocked to their ships, forcing the conventional cruise lines to think again. They suddenly realised that to grow, they had to appeal to this new casual cruiser who was less concerned about traditional pomp and ceremony, and more worried about their pocket. Prices began to fall. Last year, P&O Cruises worked out that a two-week cruise was about £2,000 per couple cheaper than a decade ago – but the price still includes all food (unless you go to the speciality restaurants) and entertainment while on board. So, just as there is a ship out there to suit everyone – one for families, one for people who like formality, one for those who prefer a casual break, and so on – there is now also a cruise to suit every pocket.

There are some amazing deals – and not just as long as you stay close to home. You can have three nights sailing around the Greek Islands for under £300, or seven nights in the Caribbean for £500. Don't forget these prices include as much food as you can eat, and entertainment where offered. Or how about a week cruising the Canary Islands this winter for under £550? That includes flights and transfers as well.

If you can afford to up the ante, there are more luxurious ships cruising the Med or further afield, from Panama to the Far East. Add another few thousand and you could be cruising to the ends of the earth – literally. To the Arctic or Antarctica. To help bookings along in this recessionary year, some lines have come out with such great financial incentives that you can't really afford not to book.

P&O Cruises has on-board credit to take pressure off the budget, while ultra-luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering free shore excursions on all cruises next year, worth at least £60 per person per day. In St Petersburg, where there is so much to see that ships stay two or three days, you can pack in two or three trips ashore a day (there are evenings at the ballet or opera as well as morning and afternoon excursions) and save up to £550 per person. The offer, available on selected cruises only this year but on all voyages in 2010, led to a 48 per cent hike in bookings in Britain between January and May this year compared with the same time in 2008. "It's already created huge demand for cruises next year," said the company's British managing director, Graham Sadler.

Having decided to cruise, the big question is whether to book now and take advantage of any early-booking discounts, or hang on in the hope of better last-minute deals. The best advice is that if you want a particular cruise on a specific ship, staying in a certain cabin, book now: there is no point waiting and buying a holiday you don't want. If you don't care about any of that and only want a low-cost cruise in the cheapest cabin available, hang on, as there will always be last-minute deals to fill the ships, and you'll do better by waiting.

Cruises listed here show the published prices, based on two people sharing an inside cabin, unless otherwise stated, and include all meals and entertainment. Other inclusions are as indicated. Prices were correct at the time of going to press, but are subject to change.

No-fly cruises from the UK
Under £1000

Voyages of Discovery has an eight-day Norwegian fjords cruise from Harwich on Discovery departing May 24 2010, visiting Bergen, Alesund, Hellesvit/Geiranger and Flam. From £898 per person, cruise only (0845 018 1808; www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk)

Join Princess Cruises for a seven-night Scandinavian Interlude cruise on Ocean Princess departing Dover on August 14 2010, visiting Amsterdam, Lubeck, Copenhagen and Oslo. From £849 per person, cruise only (0845 3 555 800; www.princess.com)

Visit the Norwegian fjords and Scottish Highlands on an eight-night cruise from Dover on Holland America Line's Eurodam departing on June 21 2010. From £949 per person, cruise only (0845 351 0557; www.hollandamerica.co.uk)

Cruise to the Canary Islands on a 10-night voyage from Southampton on Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas departing May 5 2010, visiting Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Vigo, Spain. From £936 per person, cruise only (0844 493 2061; www.royalcaribbean.co.uk)

Under £1,500
Spend two-and-a-half days in St Petersburg on a 14-night Baltic cruise on Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' Black Watch departing Southampton on June 8 2010. From £1,499 per person.

Royal Caribbean International has a 14-night Mediterranean Treasures cruise from Southampton on Independence of the Seas departing July 3 2010, visiting Gibraltar, France and Spain.

Under £2,500
Celebrity Cruises has a 14-night Scandinavia and Russia cruise from Southampton on Celebrity Eclipse departing July 10 2010, visiting Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn and Copenhagen. From £2,018 per person, cruise only, in an Aqua Class cabin.

P&O Cruises' new ship Azura, launching April 2010, has a 16-night cruise from Southampton to the Mediterranean departing July 23 2010, calling at Malaga, Katakolon, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Korcula and Gibraltar. From £1,894 per person, cruise only.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages has a 42-night Amazon and Orinoco Discovery cruise from London Tilbury on Marco Polo departing February 1 2010. It spends eight days in the Amazon and also visits Brazil, French Guiana and Venezuela. From £1,999 per person, cruise only.

Over £2,500
Join Yachts of Seabourn's Seabourn Sojourn on its 14-night maiden voyage from London Greenwich to Dover on June 6 2010, visiting Scotland, Iceland and Norway. From £5,599 per person, cruise only, including drinks and gratuities.

Crystal Cruises is offering a seven-night cruise from Dover to Ireland on Crystal Symphony, departing June 14 2010, visiting Guernsey, Waterford, Dublin, Belfast and Liverpool. From £2,535 per person, cruise only, including soft drinks and gratuities

Europe
Under £1,000
Norwegian Cruise Line has seven-night Mediterranean Treasures cruises departing weekly from Barcelona on Norwegian Jade between April 19 and November 14 2010, calling at France, Italy and Spain. From £649 per person including flights and transfers

Casual cruise line Ocean Village has a seven-night cruise from Heraklion (Crete) on Ocean Village departing on June 17 2010, visiting Istanbul and Kusadasi in Turkey, Piraeus and Santorini. From £979 per person, including flights and transfers

Under £1,500
Princess Cruises has 12-night Grand Mediterranean cruises between Barcelona and Venice on Ruby Princess from May to September 2010, calling at Italy, Turkey, Greece and France. From £1,299 per person, including flights and transfers

Under £2,500
Ultra-luxury line Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a seven-night Russia and the Baltic cruise from Copenhagen to Stockholm departing on July 4 2010. You'll cruise on Seven Seas Voyager and spend three days in St Petersburg. From £2,413 per person for a balcony cabin including flights, shore excursions and drinks

Over £2,500
Italian line Costa Cruises has an eight-night Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Venice on Costa Serena departing on August 8 2010, visiting Italy, Greece, Turkey and Croatia. From £2,589 per person for a grand suite with balcony including flights and transfers

Oceania Cruises is offering a 36-night Grand Circle of the Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona to Marseilles on Insignia on April 18 2010, visiting Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Tunisia, Malta and Corsica. From £5,399, cruise only, including bottled water and soft drinks

MSC Cruises has an eight-day Western Mediterranean cruise from Genoa on MSC Spendida departing on June 5 2010, visiting France, Spain, Tunisia and Malta. From £2,680 per person, including flights and transfers, Yacht Club butler accommodation and all drinks

Caribbean
Under £1,000
Carnival Cruise Lines has a nine-night Exotic Western Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral on its new ship, Carnival Dream, departing on December 11 2009, calling at Mexico, Belize and Nassau. From £979 per person, including flights and one night in a hotel

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise from Miami on its new ship Norwegian Epic departing weekly from July 2010, calling at Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, and Roatan. From £479 per person, cruise only

Thomson Cruises has a seven-night Coral Islands cruise from La Romana in the Dominican Republic on Thomson Destiny departing on December 20 2009, calling at St Lucia, Grenada, Antigua, St Maarten and Tortola. From £999 per person, including flights and transfers

Under £1,500
Costa Cruises has a seven-night cruise from Guadeloupe on Costa Mediterranea departing on January 16 2010, visiting St Maarten, the Dominican Republic, British Virgin Islands, Antigua and St Lucia. From £1,099 per person, including flights and transfers

Celebrity Cruises is offering a 12-night Ultimate Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Equinox from Miami departing on December 3 2009, calling at St Maarten, St Lucia, Barbados, St Kitts and St Thomas. From £1,489 per person, including flights, transfers and a night in a hotel

Join Regent Seven Seas Cruises for a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on Seven Seas Navigator departing from Fort Lauderdale on February 19 2010, visiting Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. From £1,383 per person, cruise only, for an ocean-view suite including shore excursions

Ocean Village has a seven-night Caribbean cruise from Barbados on Ocean Village departing December 16 2009 and calling at Tortola, St Maarten, St Kitts, Antigua and Dominica. From £1,049 per person including flights and transfers

Under £2,500
Silversea is offering a nine-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Barbados on Silver Shadow departing on December 2 2009, calling at the islands of Tortola, St Kitts, St Barts, St Lucia and Grenada. From £1,622 per person, cruise only, including drinks and gratuities

Holland America Line has a 22-night Southern Caribbean Wayfarer and Seafarer Collector cruise from Fort Lauderdale on Noordam departing April 23 2010, visiting St Maarten, St Lucia, Barbados and Martinique. From £2,119 per person, including flights and a night in Miami

Over £2,500
Join ultra-luxury Seabourn Odyssey on its 14-day maiden Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale on November 14 2009, visiting Turks and Caicos, Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe and Dominican Republic. From £3,099 per person, cruise only, including drinks and gratuities (0845 070 0500; www.seabourn.com)

Crystal Cruises has a seven-night cruise from Miami on Crystal Serenity departing January 4 2010, visiting Turks and Caicos, Grand Cayman and Key West. From £3,283 per person, including flights, transfers, an ocean-view stateroom, soft drinks and gratuities

Rest of the world
Under £1,000
Thomson has seven-night Red Sea Magic cruises on Thomson Celebration between November 2009 and April 2010, sailing from Sharm el Sheikh and visiting Jordan and Egypt. From £669 per person, including flights and transfers

Sail from Brazil to Dover on an 18-night voyage on MSC Cruises' ship MSC Orchestra departing May 3 2010, visiting Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Mindelo, Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, Cadiz, Lisbon and Vigo in Spain. From £749 per person, cruise only

Island Cruises has seven-night Canary Islands cruises from Tenerife this winter on Island Escape, visiting Gran Canaria, La Palma, Madeira, Morocco and Lanzarote. From £534 per person in December 2009, including flights and transfers. Book through Thomson Cruises

Under £1,500
Oceania Cruises is offering an 18-night Christmas and New Year cruise from Singapore to Sydney on Nautica departing December 20 2009, visiting Bali, Java, Komodo, Darwin and Brisbane. From £1,499 per person, cruise only, including gratuities

P&O Cruises has a 15-night Panama Canal cruise on Oceania from Acapulco to Barbados departing November 22 2010 and including calls at Huatulco, San Juan del Sur and Curaçao. From £1,488 per person, including flights, transfers and £50-per-person on-board credit

Under £2,500
Silversea's luxury expedition ship Prince Albert II is departing Longyearbyen in Spitsbergen for a seven-day voyage around Svalbard in the Arctic on June 22 2010. From £2,151 per person, including drinks and gratuities but excluding flights

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has a 16-night ArtsClub music-themed transatlantic cruise from Barbados to Dover on Braemar departing April 15 2010. From £1,729 per person for a balcony cabin, including flights and transfers

Swan Hellenic is offering a 16-day Arabian Nights cruise from Aqaba to Dubai on Minerva on December 4 2010, visiting Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman. From £1,285 per person, including flights and transfers, excursions and gratuities

All prices are subject to change and availability!

And I would walk 500 miles....

2009-12-21T16:07:00.000Z

Having just returned from a fantastic weekend aboard the Balmoral with Fred Olsen cruises, I thought I would share my experience with you all!

Saturday 19th December

08:30am
Arrived at Redditch to meet the rest of my work colleagues. Swapped Secret Santa presents and received a lovely bracelet (Thank You Santa!) and we boarded the coach ready for the journey to Dover.

11.00am

Snowball throwing competition at Clacket Lane Service station just South of London. We arrived for a very quick pit stop and on departing we were told of the closure of the M20 and that there were 10 hour delays in to Dover!

14.00

We have arrived on the A2 and 6 miles out of Dover and we are sat in a queue of traffic

14.30

As above

15.00

As above

15.30

As above.. however, we are now considering walking the six miles to Dover complete with luggage!

16.10

Decision made. We abandon coach and decide to head to Dover by foot!

17.15

We make it to Dover Port! However, we then realise that the ship is docked on the far side of the port, meaning another mile trek! Team morale is very high and we are all excited at the prospect that we will make the Christmas Cruise!

17.55

We eventually make it to the ship. Head through security and follow a seamless embarkation process aboard the MS Balmoral, and can now relax as we are shown our cabin and the Christmas Cruise 2009 gets underway!

18.30

We all meet for Pre-Dinner Drinks in the Neptune Lounge, one of the entertainment venues aboard the ship. Its all very civilized and we head down to dinner in the Ballindalloch Restaurant.

19.05

We are seated in the restaurant, the wine has appeared on the table and everyone has relaxed considerably.

The menu offers a mouth watering choice of courses, and Eldi the waiter has introduced himself as a 'Ladies Dream' - thats what L.D stands for!

21.00

We all head to the Lido bar to catch up on the days events and make plans for the rest of the trip. A live band is playing next door in the Lido Lounge whilst a few people head to the casino tables to try their luck!

23.55
Its up to the Observatory Lounge for a good old boogie in the nightclub! Some people seem more willing than others!

Sunday 20th December

09.00 Ship has docked in Amsterdam and its snowing outside. We head for breakfast in the Spey Restaurant, the waiters are on form as usual and we get offered toast on a 'buy one get one free' basis, I think their sense of humour definately added to the atmosphere. Breakfast in this restaurant was buffet style and had everything from cheese and cold meats to the traditional English breakfast favourites, complete with Heinz Ketchup!

10.30 We head to Amsterdam to explore the sights. We opted to take the easy option and pay £5.00 for return transfers organised through reception on the ship. We paid our fee and a coach was ready and waiting. The coach driver proceeded to entertain us with funny anecdotes regarding the locals and bicycles in Amsterdam. We were dropped off at a central point and was advised that the transfers would be every ten minutes back to the ship. Excellent service and can thoroughly recommend this option.

11.00 We take a 100 highlights river cruise through Amsterdam, a really good way to see the sights.

12.00 We head into the town and explore the sights on foot.

13.30 We arrived back at the ship, and went for lunch in the Ballindalloch restaurant. This was a very casual affair. There was a choice of buffet, or waiter service. I opted for waiter service, and had 4 courses. Needless to say I was ready to return to my cabin for a lie down. I was located on Deck 5, Atlantic Deck and was suitably impressed with the cleanliness and level of comfort. There was plenty of wardrobe space and space under the beds to store luggage. A decent sized dressing table and full length mirrors was definately a bonus. A large picture window ensured I had a nice view at all times. The bathroom had a bath with a shower attatchment. It may be worth noting that the plugs are continental so bring an adaptor, but if you forget you can rent one at reception for £5.00 which is returnable at the end of the cruise.

18.00 The Cocktail party and Dinner
We all met for drinks and dinner, all dressed in our finery a good night was had by all. We went to the Neptune Lounge and watched a comedy show. Then we ended up in the nightclub again with evidence to prove it!

Sunday 21 December

08.30 - Disembark the ship ready for the trip home - Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Azamara goes All Inclusive

2009-12-13T15:45:00.000Z

Do you enjoy the finer things in life? A six star cruise could give you the all of the luxury you deserve from a holiday. One of the companies that devote themselves to providing this deluxe experience is Azamara.

By providing you with perfection at every possible turn, their goal is to make you a lifelong guest, and friend, who will look forward to returning to the beautiful decks of Azamara's stunning ships time and again.

Azamara have now added a new touch to their cruises and have made them 'All Inclusive' from next year. Benefits will include bottled water available in cabins and public areas, free speciality tea and coffee, gratuities are included in the price, free shuttlebus on shore excursions, house wine included with lunch and dinner, and no extra charges for speciality restaurants.

Entertainment & Activities

Whatever your interests, you can indulge them aboard Azamara. Enrich yourself with an informative lecture, shop leisurely in the boutiques, or add to your art collection (or start one) during an onboard art auction.

If you're feeling lucky, step into the casino or relax and take in a live show. Our array of entertaining options will ensure a most delightful cruise experience.

Unique Stateroom Experience

All the comforts of home plus a world of extras, that's what you'll find in the accommodations aboard Azamara Club Cruises. In addition to butler service, Azamara Club Cruises offers its guests an abundance of veranda staterooms, so you can watch the world melt away into the glistening horizon.


		Staterooms All staterooms on Azamara Club Cruises come with complimentary butler service, a daily fruit basket, fresh cut flowers, 24-hour room service, a sweet surprise on your pillow each evening, afternoon canapés, complimentary shoe-shine service, a 23" plasma television, personal stationery, Elemis bathroom products, two nights of complimentary specialty dining, one complimentary large bottle of water, new European bedding, and complimentary use of binoculars, umbrellas and plush robes; and of course, it has been newly decorated to exceed your expectations.


		Suites All suites come standard with all of the above, plus priority check-in and departure; priority luggage delivery at boarding; three nights of complimentary specialty dining, complimentary garment pressing (limit of two items per person upon embarkation); opportunity to book in-suite spa services; private portrait sitting; priority tender service; silk-wrapped hangers; Hansgrohe^® showerhead; welcome champagne; daily fruit basket; daily savories 4-6 PM; complimentary nonalcoholic specialty coffees (in-suite), sodas, and bottled water.

TGI Friday!

2009-12-11T20:10:00.000Z

Well its Friday at last, and I am off on Saturday and Sunday. With only two weeks until Christmas I have a fair idea what I will be up to this weekend!

Did you know..

2009-12-10T14:24:00.000Z

..It is bad luck to mention pigs at sea!

To infinity and beyond?

2009-12-08T12:22:00.000Z

Sir Richard Branson has unveiled his new passenger spaceship today, the worlds first commercial passenger shuttle! The British billionaire teamed up with renowned aviation designer Burt Rutan to build the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo, which could be venturing beyond Earth's atmosphere as early 2011.

Sir Richard and his family - including his 92-year-old father - will be on the first flight, the entrepreneur said.
Others booked for a trip to the stars include physicist Stephen Hawking and environmental scientist James Lovelock. The vessel is based on Rutan's prototype SpaceShipOne. In 2004, the stubby white rocket won the 10 million dollar (£6 million) Ansari X prize after becoming the first privately manned craft to reach space.
Its successor is twice as large and has more windows to enable greater views of Earth as seen from its furthest reaches.

To date the only people who have enjoyed such a view have been the few hundred government-sponsored astronauts and a handful of super-rich star-gazers willing to part with a small fortune for a seat on board a Russian rocket destined for space.

The spaceship has enough space for six passengers and two pilots and rumours 300 clients have already paid the 200,000 dollar (£121,500) ticket or put down a deposit for a seat.

Speaking from the Mojave Desert in California, where the vessel has been developed, Sir Richard said: "I have been dreaming about it ever since the Moon landing - that one day I would get the chance to go into space. Nasa, I suppose, didn't think that you or me would like to go into space."

Ever wanted to Godparent a ship? Now you can!

2009-12-07T09:16:00.000Z

Princess Cruises are giving people the opportunity to be Godparent to their re-launched ship the Ocean Princess...

Princess Cruise Lines are seeking honorary Godparents for a unique 'online ceremony' for the Ocean Princess, formerly known as the Tahitian Princess. Watch the ceremony at http://www.princess.com/oceanvirtualchristening.

Each new godparent will trigger a $1 donation (max $25,000) from Princess to the New England Aquarium, a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation. Her inaugural voyage departed Singapore on the 2nd December and the virtual christening will run for the duration of the ships 16 day Southeast Asia cruise ending on 18th December.

More about Princess Cruises & New England Aquarium

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess offers its passengers the opportunity to escape completely to the top destinations around the globe, with sailings to all seven continents, ranging in length from seven to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & PLC.

The New England Aquarium (NEAq) is recognized as an international leader in ocean conservation, education, and research. Each year, the NEAq acts as an educational resource for more than 130,000 school children and thousands of teachers throughout New England. Together, the educational, research and conservation work of the NEAq is cultivating widespread public awareness about the benefits of living a "Blue Lifestyle," which promotes greater individual responsibility in improving the health of the oceans and the earth.

FREE Berlitz Cruise Guides 2009

2009-11-30T13:29:00.000Z

Get yourself a FREE Berlitz Cruise Guide, simply by writing a cruise review on cruise.co.uk. If you write a review about a cruise you took within the last 2 years, you'll receive a brand new copy of the NEW 2009 Berlitz Guide to Cruising, courtesy of Cruise.co.uk. It should be fair, honest, informative, and publishable and must be at least 200 words in length.

The review must be new and cannot be posted elsewhere on any other website. Only one Berlitz guide will be sent per household. Dispatch of books is on a first come first serve basis and whilst stocks last. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery. Please note that you will have to pay postage and packaging costs when your postal address is outside the UK. Costs will vary by Country.

The NEW Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2009 contains everything you will need to know before you embark on your cruise:

600 pages of cruising information

Independent ratings of 280 ships

Details of new ships set to debut in 2009

A-Z of life aboard

Packed with advice so that you can pick the right cruise

And much more

You can also read all this great information in our Cruise Guide section.

Festive Cheer!

2009-11-30T09:10:00.000Z

Well, I decided to put the Christmas tree up this weekend and get some festive spirit going. I also took my nephews into my home town of Solihull and witness the Christmas light switch on. There was a fantastic atmosphere, including a German Market selling all sorts of delights, and plenty to do for the children! Free helter skelter rides, face painting and lots of other festive activities, and even a bar for the grown ups! A good time was had by all!

Unclaimed Baggage

2009-11-27T16:29:00.000Z

Have you ever wondered what lies in unclaimed baggage at ports and airports around the world? From Diamonds to Suits of Armour, this website is worth a peek for some mild amusement...

P.s no children or suitcases were harmed in the making of this blog

www.unclaimedbaggage.com

Green Fingers at Sea!

2009-11-27T14:34:00.001Z

Cruise.co.uk have teamed up with Fred Olsen to offer exclusive deals on their Garden Cruises for Spring/Summer 2010. The cruise will include EXCLUSIVE talks from the experts, ranging from Alan Titchmarsh, to Tony Russel. A range of exciting destinations awaits including The Amazon, Norway, Central America, British Isles and Canary Islands, and prices from £445pp, offering enough choice to keep the greenest of fingers content.

Whats included in the cost:

Cabin accomodation with ensuite facilities, TV, hairdryer, telephone, air conditioning, tea & coffee making facilities
All meals, snacks & gala buffets on board
Tea and coffee during the day/early evening
Welcome and farewell cocktail parties
Daily on board activities and lectures
Evening entertainment
Onboard leisure facilities including swimming pool, jacuzzis and gymnasium
All port and air taxes
No service charge added to onboard drinks
Baggage porterage to/from cabin
Flights from regional airports plus transfers (where applicable)

EXCLUSIVE Garden Club benefits include:

Celebrity Garden Host
Free Garden Tour*
On board spend
Free car parking
Exclusive talks
Informal get-togethers
Gardeners Q&A session
Welcome drinks reception

* 15th May 2010 "Springtime in Norway" Cruise

Fiona is now a Cruise Expert!

2009-11-27T13:10:00.000Z

I have just completed my Complete Cruise Solutions Training! This encompasses P&O, Princess and Cunard.

Supermarkets Offer Family Christmas Dinner for £11.00!

2009-11-27T11:54:00.000Z

I heard an article last night that various supermarkets are offering Christmas Dinner for as little as £1.63pp!
Is Tesco value sprouts the way forward?

Blogging vs Studying - No Brainer!

2009-11-26T15:17:00.000Z

This blogging malarky is getting extremely addictive. I started out with writers block, but once you get started there is no stopping! A bit like pringles.. once you pop you can't stop! Trouble is I have a thousand and one things to do, but I always find myself coming back here. Hmmm, not great when I am now 2 weeks behind in the degree course I am studying for with the Open University! If they did a degree in blogging, well I'd be top of the class!! :)

Confessions of an Air Hostess!

2009-11-24T15:41:00.001Z

Have you any burning questions about the airline industry, or the job? Let me know and I will try and answer as honestly as possible!!

When cruising to Bermuda don't forget the onions!

2009-11-23T11:36:00.000Z

Bermuda's biggest export is its onions grown on the island! Step straight off your floating hotel and your in the middle of Hamilton, (depending on where you have docked!) Bermuda's famous colonial capital. You can enjoy an apertif in one of the bars, many named after its famous onion product, sample delights at The Pickled Onion, winner of five 'Best of Bermuda' awards! Or try the Hogs Penny, a traditional style bar, and the original inspiration of the Boston based 'Cheers' bar. Slightly farther afield is the Royal Naval Dockyards tribute, the Frog & Onion, a truly unique experience...

Hamilton is a true English home from home, familiar traffic signs surround the streets, and even the Marks & Spencer store looks right at home here. Steeped in history, Bermuda's warm and friendly atmosphere reminds me of the Channel Islands, only the sun makes a more frequent appearance!

Pink, sandy beaches give way to crystal clear blue seas adorned with many different species, including parrot fish, but be careful of the odd Portugeuse Man-Of-War at certain times of the year.

It is worth noting that tourists are not allowed to rent cars on Bermuda, however, buses are a really easy way to get around the island, or catch a ferry to explore the atolls.

Any port in a storm?

2009-11-23T10:57:00.000Z

As with anything in life, under certain conditions Cruise Itineraries can be subject to change. Bad weather can sometimes change ports of call, but do not be disheartened by this, see it as an adventure and the chance of exploring a different destination! Please share any stories or adventures where this may have happened to you!

Northern Lights - a MUST see spectacular!

2009-11-23T09:33:00.000Z

Nothing has amazed me more than experiencing the Northern Lights first hand. Albeit, from a cockpit on an aeroplane, but nevertheless, a spectacular and memorable experience. The range and shades of colours was amazing, very much like a laser show in the sky, a completely natural phenomenon! Read on for Top Tips and ideas of how to experience this for yourself by Cruise...

The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis light up the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, leaving all who catch a glimpse of this magical wonder, memories that will last forever. Why not experience this by cruising the coast of Norway with Hurtigruten, where passengers get wake-up calls to see the aurora. Visit the website at www.visitnorthernlights.com. Packages coinciding with Tromsø’s Northern Lights Festival in late January are also available, see www.nordlysfestivalen.no

Top Tips
•Try and go for several days for a better chance of viewing the Northern Lights
•Avoid urban areas – Cruise ships are an excellent way to view them
•September, October, February and March are notoriously the best months to view
•Telephone ahead for local conditions and advice, or consult a lunar calendar for darker nights
•Read up beforehand to make the most of the experience. Good books to consult are: Aurora: The Mysterious Northern Lights by Candace Savage (Firefly, £10.15 ) is a superb introduction; The Northern Lights by Lucy Jago (Penguin, £6.99) tells the life story of Kristian Birkeland; Lapland (Bradt, £13.99) is a useful guide to Arctic Scandinavia.

Choosing Cruising?

2009-11-20T16:55:00.001Z

Are you a first time cruiser, or looking for inspiration for your next voyage?

Visit www.choosingcruising.co.uk is an impartial website packed with useful information about cruise itineraries, port details, and lots more helpful tips!

In addition, the www.cruise.co.uk website is packed full of cruise reviews from passengers who have experienced the ships first hand. It also boasts a useful Question & Answer session, where you can post a question and those in the know will try and provide you with the answer!

Art Attack at Sea!

2009-11-20T16:30:00.000Z

Art may not be something that you would expect to find on board! However most ships are adorned with art and sculptures from a wide variety of international artists. Art Auctions are unique and fun events are normally held a couple of times throughout your cruise, giving you the opportunity to bid for your chosen piece.

Philip Rosenberg, Academy Award Winner and Art Director gives us the following tips for buying Art onboard:

Buy only what you love
Ask questions and know exactly what you're purchasing.
Don't be intimidated by the auctioneer. If he doesn't communicate on your level, wait for another auctioneer
Think about acquiring pairs or groups of small art work as opposed to one large painting
Go with your gut instinct - your first instinct is the best!
At the auction, ask questions, and don't be embarrassed to pass a piece by
Before the auction starts, fix in your mind what a piece is worth to you
If the art is unframed, get the art company to frame it for you. Prices back home may be much higher
Don't even think about carrying it home with you, unless you've driven to the port of disembarkation. Airlines will no longer allow framed art as a carry-on item

Happy purchasing!