Princess Cruises Name the new ship

Today, Princess Cruise lines have officially welcomed their new ship to the princess fleet - The Regal Princess.

She was named by the cast of the popular TV series, The Love Boat, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with a stylish celebration ceremony attended by some of the shows best loved actors and actresses, travel agents and media.

Regal Princess will embark on a full winter season of 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailings followed by Summer season based in Scandinavia and Russia.

The 'Cruise International Awards; named Princess Cruises as the best cruise line in 2014 as well as best food and the Regal Princess as the best new ship in 2014.

This is the start of a whole year of 50th Anniversary celebrations for Princess Cruises.

Regal Princess

Read More

She has arrived...... The Quantum of the Seas

The Quantum of the Seas has finally arrived!!!

Robot bartenders, virtual balconies and a glass capsule 300ft over the ocean? The worlds first smart ship has arrived in the UK for its maiden voyage.

Quantum of the seas is the Third largest cruise ship in the world. And yes, Royal Caribbean do own the other 2 largest, the Allure and the Oasis of the seas.

The ship docked in Southampton yesterday where it will now take its maiden voyage over to the Caribbean for the 2014-15 season.

She is the most high-tech cruise ship in the world, boasting wristbands that serve as room keys, fastest wifi at sea, virtual balconies in inside staterooms, the first dodgem ride at sea and a skydiving simulator. These are just some of the amenities on board making her the worlds first smart-ship!

Robot Bartenders on board the Quantum of the Seas

Robot Bartenders on board the Quantum of the Seas

The brand new ship has been named as one of the most luxurious in the world with 18 decks accommodating 4,180 guests.

Being a HUGE Royal Caribbean fan myself, I am very eager to try out the new ship and I have already been planning my cruise on her hopefully in 2015. 

The North Star

SkyDiving

The Quantum in the Evening

The Dodgems

http://youtu.be/7INoSLaqJo8?list=UUTwYjM0oRaPxRViVb39l0fg 

Read More

Newcastle to New York non-stop service

United Airlines have announced their new seasonal service between Newcastle (UK) and Newark (New York, US).

A new non-stop service between Newcastle and New York will be on sale from today with United Airlines. The service will operate between 23rd May and 7th September 2015 (Westbound).

United Airlines will use Boeing 757-200 aircraft for this route, which features 16 United BusinessFirst, 45 Economy Plus and 108 United Economy seats.

This is great news for passengers looking to travel to other places in the USA as United airlines provide over 300 daily connections between Newark airport and 85 airports within the USA.

The new route will be the first scheduled non-stop transatlantic service from Newcastle.

Route	Flight Number	Aircraft	Departure Time	Arrival Time	Flight Time	Service Frequency	Effective date
Newcastle to Newark	159	757-200	09:10	12:00	7 Hours 50 minutes	Daily except Wednesday and Thursday	23rd May 2015
Newark to Newcastle	160	757-200	19:20	07:30	7 Hours 10 minutes	Daily except Wednesday and Thursday	22nd May 2015

Currently United Airlines fly to Newark (New York) non-stop from Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham and London Heathrow.

Thomas cook recently announced their non-stop service between Manchester Airport and New York, as well as Manchester to Miami. 

Read More

Brand new Costa Diadema

Costa Cruise Lines brand new ship, Costa Diadema, will be launched this year, offering 6-9 night Mediterranean cruises as of the 1st November 2014. Have you booked your spot?

With the launch of the new ship becoming closer, more and more passengers are getting their cruise booked for the Diadema. The 4* Italian cruise line carry millions of passengers each year on board their ships, which include the NeoCollection; a smaller fleet of ships with no set dining times, and spend longer duration in the ports.



The Diadema is set to be bigger and better than any other ship in the Costa fleet. Being 306 metres long and weighing 132,500 gross tonnage its the largest cruise ship to fly the Italian flag. The ship is said to have cost the cruise line a whopping €550 million.



The ship is the same size as the carnivals 'Dream' class of ship and will be the most modern and most spacious ship Costa have to offer.

Capacity: 3,947

Crew: 1,253

Cabins: 1,854

Decks: 20

Of the 1,854 cabins, 852 will be private balcony cabins and 61 will be Balcony suites. 254 will be outside cabins with ocean view and 684 will be inside cabins.

Read More

Florida - Cruise and Stay

The Sunshine State with Sunshine Cruises 

As with millions of other people, cruising is my favourite way to holiday. What I like even more is having additional nights in the place I Embark and Disembark the cruise. As Caribbean cruising is what I do most each year, the place I stay most is Florida.

Orlando is of course most famous for the Theme Parks but people don't realise there is so much more to do in Orlando and the surrounding areas. The nearest cruise port to Orlando is Port Canaveral which will take you around 50 minutes by car. This is perfect for travellers looking to have a cruise and stay with Orlando.

Port Canaveral is home to the Kennedy Space Centre as well Cocoa Beach, where sun worshippers and surfers take to the waves. Many cruise lines offer Caribbean cruises on a daily basis from port Canaveral. This is a great place for any traveller looking to relax prior to their cruise as hotels here have brilliant cruise and stay packages.

The ports in Florida with most on offer are Miami and Fort Lauderdale. These are both in the South of Florida and can get extremely hot here in the summer months. Both places have brilliant nnight-life to offer with Miami being the most popular. Hotels, Restaurants and Bars are abundant in both places.

Passengers cruising out of Tampa can take advantage of the shopping, sightseeing and museums the city has to offer. As well as some top zoos, Tampa is home to the world famous Busch Gardens. Located just one hour by car from Orlando, Tampa is a very convenient port to use whilst staying in Orlando and the surrounding areas.

The port of Jacksonville is the most northern cruise port in Florida, located North of Cape Canaveral. Jacksonville port offers cruises from Carnival Cruise lines. With under 200,000 passengers travelling through the port each year, this is the least popular port in Florida. The port opened in 2003 and is known as JAXPORT.

Florida's Five Ports:

* Miami - Port of Miami

* Fort Lauderdale - Port Everglades

* Tampa - Port Tampa Bay

* Cape Canaveral - Port Canaveral 

* Jacksonville - Jacksonville Port

My recommendations for places to stay.........

Orlando is a huge City with lots on offer, in different areas. My favourite area to stay is Lake Buena Vista, home to Disney. You do pay more of a premium for hotels in this Area but I would recommend it for all travellers wanting nice surroundings and easy access to all of the sights in Orlando.

The Hotel I find myself returning to the most is the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress hotel. A brilliant hotel year round with fantastic amenities on offer for all!

Cocoa Beach is a great place to stay if you are looking for a beach break, but not wanting to pay Fort Lauderdale or Miami hotel prices. Cocoa Beach have great stuff to do including the Casino Cruise - which is just as it says. This is a Casino on board a small ship where you are taken to sea for a day of gambling. Food and beverages are supplied on board. This is a lot of fun!!!

On my last trip to Florida I stayed at Vero Beach which is south of Orlando but North of Fort Lauderdale. Here, I stayed at The Coste De' Este Beach resort, a hotel owned by the one and only Gloria Estefan. This hotel was absolutely wonderful. Greeted by a stunning exterior and beautiful entrance, from the moment I arrived, to the moment I left, there was nothing I could fault with this hotel. The area is more residential as there are only a handful of hotels surrounding. I would highly the hotel to anyone looking for a luxurious relaxing break, and the Area is a well known place to visit for fisherman.

Florida is endless fun for all ages and I would recommend a Cruise and Stay in Florida to anyone looking at taking a Caribbean Cruise.

Read More

Why I Choose to Cruise

Working in the Travel Industry can sometimes be tougher than you think. Why? When the time comes for booking your personal holidays, it seems to be one of the hardest decisions to make....

You would think working in travel on a day to day basis would make it easier when I look at booking my own holiday. Think again, I struggle more than ever! With so many places to choose from and so many resorts on offer, like everyone else, I want to get the best and the most value for my money. This is why I choose a cruise every time!!

I took my first cruise when I was 17 years old and have never looked back since. This was a Caribbean cruise with Ocean Village (no longer sailing). I realised the value for money was just phenomenal. Not only was my food included throughout the entire cruise, I was able to tour 5 different Caribbean islands in a week.

Since then I have gone on to take a cruise at least once a year and have now completed 9 cruises. 8 being the Caribbean and 1 around the Mediterranean.

I have stayed in a variety of Staterooms from Inside to Suite Categories and I have never had a complaint for any cabin.

My top 5 reasons for cruising:

1. The unbeatable value for money. Cruise lines pride themselves on their food, included 24 hours of the day it really is fantastic value for money. Pretty much all activities are included and also the fitness centres on board the ships are high quality and again included in your cruise price. Food, Service and what the Ship itself has to offer. Dependent on the particular ship and what they have to offer, there is so much to do on board and I never find my self getting board. Even if you wish to just want people doing activities this can sometimes be just as fun as joining in.

2. The fantastic destinations you get to see with unpacking just the once. Most people say "Once you have seen 1 Caribbean island - you have seen them all!" - Not in my opinion. Each port of call has its own story to tell and the locals will be more than happy to let you in on their countries history. You can pick up hand made gifts that you wont find anywhere else - they make great gifts for people and of course supporting local economy. I bought a Hand made bamboo wind chime from an outside beach market in Tobago around 7 years ago. This is still hanging strong and cost just $20.00!

3. I can do as little or as much as I want during a cruise. 99% of activities on board of a cruise ship are included in the price you pay. With more and more being added onto ships these days, you can practice your swing with Golf simulators and even mini-golf courses on board some ships. I took the zip-line on the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship and went over the Boardwalk! Very Scary!!

4. Service with a smile - I can be sure no matter which Cruise line I cruise with, I will always receive the best service on board. Staff on board the ships will go out of their way to ensure you have a fantastic cruise vacation. If they don't have something on the dinner menu, or even the drinks menu, They will always do their very best to get it for you or an alternative. They take care of you from the moment you step on board the ship.

5. Fellow passengers - You can be sure to meet some interesting people from around the world and sometimes make life long friends. Passengers that tend to cruise more than holiday more at an All Inclusive resort seem to stay in touch with fellow cruisers. I have met some wonderful friends from around the world and plan on taking future cruises together. Of course, some people prefer to be alone and on board a cruise, no matter the size, you will always have your privacy.


When passengers have taken a cruise, they are generally pleasantly surprised. People seem to have the perception that cruises are for the older generation with nothing to do on board. This couldn't be any further from the truth. As I pointed out above, I was 17 when I took my first cruise and I haven't looked back since.

Of course they do have the quieter piano bars on board the ships, or cigar bars for that quiet drink in the evening. But, they do have the late nightclubs on board most ships for the younger or more energetic passengers. Some ships will make the top deck of the ship an outside 'Miami-style' nightclub until early hours of the morning.

Shows on board are included in the price you pay of your cruise and are of a very high standard. They don't just have one showing per voyage, they give guests plenty of chances to catch the shows and fit them around their own itineraries.

 

Read More

American Adventures with Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Line

Unlike traditional cruise lines such as Cunard, Princess and P&O Cruise lines. Carnival take a much more fun and relaxed view on cruising. Tuxedos and Ball gowns wont be found on board a Carnival cruise ship.

Sailing for over 40 years and with 23 Ships already afloat, and one under construction (Carnival Vista), Carnival are the largest cruise line in the world, offering 3 night to 16 night cruises around the Caribbean, Mexico and Hawaii. 

90% of the guests aboard carnival ships are American with the other 10% from around the globe. They take over 4 million passengers annually on their cruise ships.

Young Couples, Older Couples and families are the majority of passengers aboard the ships with plenty to do for all. 

What makes carnival unique?

* Complimentary Adult only Serenity Retreat for passengers 18 years and over.

* WaterWorks - On board water park for all

* Twister Water slide - Highest water slide at sea 

* SportsSquare - Volleyball, Basketball, Dodge-ball, SkyCourse and Mini-golf

* SkyCourse - A rope assault course suspended high above the SportsSquare

* Seuss at sea - Dr. Seuss characters on board for dining and photo opportunities

* Hasbro The Game Show - A game show involving guests, designed by Hasbro.

* Two speciality restaurants offer complimentary lunch 

*Guys Burger Joint - 'Dives Diners and Drive-ins' presenter Guy Fieri's Burger Bar created for Carnival cruise lines. This is complimentary for Lunch.

* Carnival Live - Live concerts from a number of A-List celebrities whilst in port

and much much more!!!

Numerous ships across the Carnival fleet have recently been refitted with new refurbished furnishing on board and most with new activities added!

Carnival offer a number of staterooms including the Cloud 9 Spa staterooms. These are spa-style staterooms and suites that include a number of extras. With a Cloud 9 Spa stateroom guests will receive private spa access, special amenities and priority spa reservations.

Cloud 9 Spa Staterooms are available on all ships with a Cloud 9 Spa and across the full range of stateroom types: interior, ocean view, balcony and suites.

Carnival are the best value cruise line at sea today. With their low prices and endless inclusions on board, there is no better time to book a Carnival Cruise.

Call me direct on 0161 798 2512 to book your Carnival Cruise today.

Where do they go?

Carnival Freedom

Destination: Caribbean

Departs: Fort Lauderdale, Galveston 

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days. 10+ Days

Carnival Sunshine:

Destination: Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean

Departure: Port Canaveral

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days

Carnival Breeze:

Destination: Caribbean

Departure: Miami

Durations: 6-9 Days

Carnival Magic:

Destination: Caribbean

Departure: Galveston

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days

Carnival Triumph:

Destination: Caribbean

Departure Port: Galveston, San Juan

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days, 10+ Days

Carnival Glory:

Destination: Caribbean

Departure Miami

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days

Carnival Conquest:

Destination: Caribbean

Departure Port: Fort Lauderdale, Miami

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days

Carnival Dream:

Destination: Caribbean

Departure Port: New Orleans

Durations: 6-9 Days

Carnival Ecstasy:

Destination: Bahamas, Caribbean

Departure Port: Miami

Durations: 2-5 Days

Carnival Spendor:

Destination: Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/New England Caribbean

Departure Port: Miami, New York, Norfolk, San Juan

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days

Carnival Valor:

Destination: Bahamas, Caribbean

Departure Port: Port Canaveral, San Juan

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days

Carnival Legend:

Destination: Alaska, Hawaii

Departure Port: Seattle, Vancouver

Durations: 6-9 Days, 10+ Days

Carnival Liberty:

Destination: Bahamas, Caribbean

Departure Port: Port Canaveral, San Juan

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days

Carnival Pride:

Destination: Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean

Departure Port: Baltimore, Tampa, San Juan

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days, 10+ Days

Carnival Elation:

Destination: Caribbean

Departure Port: New Orleans

Durations: 2-5 Days

Carnival Victory:

Destination: Bahamas, Caribbean

Departure Port: Miami

Durations: 2-5 Days

Carnival Miracle:

Destination: Hawaii, Mexico

Departure Port: Los Angeles

Durations: 6-9 Days, 10+ Days

Carnival Fascination:

Destination: Bahamas

Departure Port: Jacksonville

Durations: 2-5 Days

Carnival Fantasy:

Destination: Bahamas, Caribbean

Departure Port: Charleston

Durations: 2-5 Days, 6-9 Days

Carnival Sensation:

Destination: Bahamas, Caribbean

Departure Port: Port Canaveral

Durations: 2-5 Days

Carnival Inspiration:

Destination: Mexico

Departure Port: Los Angeles

Durations: 2-5 Days

Carnival Imagination:

Destination: Mexico

Departure Port: Los Angeles

Durations: 2-5 Days

Carnival Paradise:

Destination: Bahamas, Caribbean

Departure Port: Tampa

Durations: 2-5 Days

Carnival Vista is currently under construction.

Set to sail in April 2015....

Further details on the sailings and amenities on board will be advised in the future....

Read More

Is River Cruising for you?

River Cruising 

Introduced to Europe in the mid-1970s, River Cruising appeals to many passengers looking to explore, in a more intimate setting. In simple terms, a River Cruiser is nothing more than a Barge with a hotel on top... Or is it???

For many travellers. the slow pace along the river is just right for getting the lay of the land. Sitting up on top deck of the Cruiser under brilliant blue skies, taking in some of the most brilliant surroundings dotted with castles, vineyards and villages. Passengers have the amenities of a modern hotel on board with restaurants, bars, lounges, spas, comfortable staterooms, fitness facilities and even Internet access.

River Cruises are offered in many destinations visiting smaller villages and towns, giving passengers a real chance to explore the true beauty of the country they are visiting. With river cruisers being a fraction of the size of an Ocean liner, they are more appealing to passengers who want destination experiences as they provide a way to experience countries and a way to get into the local culture.

New to River Cruising? If so, I would suggest taking a short cruise from 4 to 7 nights to find out what river cruising is all about. Travellers in their 30's and 40's are increasingly attracted to river cruises because of their value and destinations.

There are lots of river cruise lines on offer these days including Emerald Water Ways, Avalon Water Ways, River Cruise Line, Viking Cruises, Tauk River Cruising, AMA Water Ways and more.

Keep Checking my Blog for more information on Ocean and River Cruising!

Bon Voyage!!

Read More

P & O Britannia

A new addition to the P&O Cruise line fleet.... 

The Britannia 

People are very eager for the arrival of the latest addition to the P&O fleet. The Britannia is set to take its maiden voyage on 14th March 2015 out of Southampton. 

The ship will offer 7 and 14 night cruises in the Mediterranean, The canary islands and the Norwegian Fjords up until October 2015 where it will go over to the Caribbean and offer 14 night cruises out of Barbados.

Britannia will have a total of 1,837 cabins on board with 27 of those being single cabins. (Inside and Balcony). There will be 64 suites on board. For the first time on a P&O Cruise ship, all outside staterooms will have private balconies. 

There will be plenty to do on board for passengers, including 13 bars and 13 restaurants and cafes.

English TV Chef James Martin is confirmed to be developing "The Cookery Club" on board the Britannia. This is a dedicated space on deck 17, comprising of 12 food stations, allowing for a fully participative culinary experience. The club offers a range of two hour long classes where passengers have a fantastic opportunity to learn from the professionals, whether they are an experienced cook or a beginner.

As well as the Cookery Club, Eric Lanlard will have his own patisserie in the ships Atrium.

Marco Pierre White will have a restaurant on board and Atuk Kocchar will feature his own restaurant "Sindhu", as also seen on the Ventura and Azura ships from P&O.

There will be a 936 seat theatre on board as well as the Oasis Spa, Four swimming pools and a dedicated pool for teenagers.

The Statistics:

Tonnage: 142,000

Length: 330 m (1,083 ft)

Decks: 15 passenger decks

Capacity: 3,647

Crew: 1,350

Bookings are being taken for all 2015 Britannia Sailings

The Britannia Cruise Ship

Read More

Top 5 reasons to sail out of the UK

Thinking of cruising from the UK? Not sure if its for you? Here are 5 reasons why an Ex-UK cruise could be for you.....

A cruise departing from a UK port such as Southampton, is known as an EX-UK cruise. These are becoming more and more popular, with millions of passengers taking these cruises every year.

There are many of reasons why people would prefer to cruise out of the UK and I have outlined 5 of these below.

• Unlimited Luggage allowance. The majority of cruise lines do not have a limit on how much luggage passengers can take on board with them. As we all know, airlines are totally opposite. Cruising out of the UK enables passengers to avoid the airlines extreme baggage charges and take as much luggage as they wont on board. When travelling with children, of any age, this is a huge bonus. Ladies, don't forget all the extra pairs of shoes you can take!
• Car parking at the port. You don't have to drive to the port, you can take a train or coach to get here. If you do drive here, you can park at the port directly opposite the terminal building. When you disembark the cruise your car will be there waiting for you, no need for any transfers, and with all that extra luggage, you want it to be as simple as possible.
• More relaxed check-in. Unlike the stressed and rushed atmosphere you would expect at an airport, usually there will be only one ship setting sail on the day of embarkation so check-in for your cruise has a much more relaxed atmosphere.
• Great Destinations year round. No matter what time of the year you wish to travel, there are always fantastic ex-uk cruise deals to be found. In the summer months, the cruise ships will stay around the Mediterranean, taking in places such as Greece, Turkey, Italy and Spain amongst many other destinations. In the winter months, the cruise ships that stay over in Europe tend to travel to the Canary Islands where the climate is much warmer at this time of year.
• Duration of Flexibility. Whether it be a 2 or 3 night short break you are looking for or a full 14 night itinerary, there is always something on offer from the UK. Many cruise lines offer short breaks out of the UK ranging from 2 nights, 3 nights, 4 nights and 5 night cruises. Of course there are the longer duration cruises for 7, 10, and 14 nights and also transatlantic cruises taking passengers from Southampton over to the USA. This is also offered as a round trip cruise with some cruise lines, so you can cruise to and from America avoiding airlines and airports.

Read More

New Ship to Feature Lineless Embarkation and Robotic Bartenders

What 'improvements' can Royal Caribbean make to their ships? 

In my opinion, the royal caribbean fleet are top of the list when it comes to innovative, awesome ships! I would have thought it near impossible to add anything to their ships to make them even more amazing. Royal Caribbean have taken things to an all new level of awesomeness with their new ships.

The chairman of Royal Caribbean recently named Quantum of the seas as the most technologically advanced cruise ship in the world. He also unveiled a range of technological advances designed to improve the passenger experience, even before people board the ship.

Highlights of the announced technology enhancements:

• Improved Check-in and boarding process. In addition to the standard online check-in process, passengers will be able to upload photo IDs prior to their cruises. Digital boarding documents will be issued, which Royal Caribbean claim will help get passengers onto the ship in less than 10 minutes, with no lines and no forms to fill out on arrival at the port. Passengers suitcases will also be tagged with radio-frequency ID devises at the port, which will allow passengers to use their mobile phones/tablets to track their luggage en route to their cabins. These will also be available for luggage tracking when passengers disembark the ship.
• Apps for better scheduling and on board communication. Two new apps from the cruise line will help passengers with the planning of their cruises. Cruise planner, one of the new apps, is designed to be used ahead of the sailing, giving passengers the opportunity to book on board experiences such as dinner reservations, spa appointments and shore excursions. On board the ship, passengers can use the second new app, Royal iQ, to keep a track of their schedules. The Daily cruise compass will also be available via Royal iQ and passengers can pick activities to try out and be alerted if there are scheduling conflicts. Royal iQ will also allow passengers on board the Quantum of the seas to communicate with one another. Using Royal iQ's scheduling features is free, but it will cost passengers to use the communication portion of the app. The amount has not yet been announced. Passengers will also have the option to use RFID wristbands rather than the traditional keycard to gain entry to their cabins and make purchases onboard. The wristbands will cost $2 per person.
• Robot Bartenders. While Royal Caribbean have not yet revealed much about the bars and lounges on board the Quantum, they have provided a small glimpse into one space, the Bionic Bar. Here, passengers order cocktails via tablets, then watch as robots mix their drinks. How cool is that?
• Green Commitment. All lighting on the Quantum will come from LED or fluorescent lighting. Hallways will feature motion-sensitive lighting so that when no one is around, the halls will dim. Cabins will deature environmentally sound lighting systems. Royal Caribbeans new ship debuts in November this year, when it will sail from Southampton to Bayonne, New Jersey. The ship will homeport here for the winder before moving to Shanghai. 
• Tablets for the crew. All staff on board the Quantum will be given Microsoft tablets from the cruise line. These will be theirs to keep as well as use to track passengers preferences for a better service on board. Crewmembers can also use the tablets to communicate with their families at home. The line will eventually give tablets to every shipboard employee fleetwide - 40,000 total. 
• Super-fast internet. Seems the world can't live without updating social media sites with their day to day routines. So, Royal Caribbean are partnering up with Ob3 Networks and have hooked into satallites that will allow passengers to experience Internet speeds like they would ashore. They claim the speed will be fast enough to stream videos to watch, share holiday photos and videos via social media sites and video call with people back home. Internet on cruise ships is well knows for being extremely slow so these options are almost unheard of.

Many more announcements are due to come from the cruise line in the coming months.

Read More

Anthem of the Seas will Rock you!

Royal Caribbean get ready to Rock!!!

Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the seas sister ship; The Anthem of the Seas, has announced the Hit end musical We Will Rock You, will be the main show on board.

The long running Queen tribute musical ended its 12-year run in London's West End in May this year. As of April 2015 the show will be showing on the Southampton-based ship, Anthem of the Seas. The news was announced during a yard visit Quantum of the seas last week.

Word has it they will also have the after show party with the cast of the show, same as what they are doing with Mamma Mia on the Quantum of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean have set the bar with showcasing Broadway and West End shows on board its ships, including Chicago and Hairspray on their Oasis class ships. Often Shows are with original cast members!!

Read More

Manchester Airport gets new routes to the USA

Thomas Cook have announce new routes from Manchester Starting Summer 2015

Northern passengers who travel to the USA will be pleased to know Thomas Cook Airlines will be flying from Manchester to Miami as of May 2015. They will be the first airline to offer this scheduled service between the two cities. Flights will be twice weekly.

The new route to Miami will cater for people looking to join Caribbean cruises, families looking for holidays and also, those taking advantage of a vast array of connections across the USA.

They have also announced a three times per week service to New York, JFK from Manchester Airport, again with the first flight in May 2015.

The first flights for both new routes will also include the introduction of a new Premium Service across all Thomas Cook Airline's long haul routes. The new premium service will boast brand new seating with 35 inch seat pitch and 19.7 inch width. Customers can look forward to up to 32KG hold luggage, advance seat reservation and priority check-in. 

In addition to the above, a dedicated cabin team will serve premium meals and drinks throughout the flight. Passengers will experience a brand-new on-demand touch screen in-flight entertainment system (IFE)

Flight only sales for both routes began on the 7th May 2014.

Manchester Airport offers only British Airways/American Airlines and United Airlines for direct non-stop flights to New York. This will be the third airline to offer this route, lets hope others will follow.

The Miami route will be the only non-stop service offered out of London.

Read More

My Allure Experience

My Experience on the Allure of the Seas - August 2014

So, I recently returned from my 7 Night Caribbean cruise on the Allure of the Seas. This was my first time on this ship, and certainly not the last. 

From the moment I arrived to the moment I disembarked, it was just fantastic.

The Shows on board were amazing. I recommend 'Chicago' the show and the Comedy Club. As always, when travelling with Royal Caribbean, we were looked after from embarking to disembarking by all staff on board. 

The Cabin:
We stayed in an Ocean View Balcony Stateroom. Our stateroom attendant, Daniel, was brilliant. I requested extra towels on the first day of the cruise, I didn't have to ask again. Each day he delivered these to our room.

The Food:
I have never found fault with any of the dining choices on board the royal caribbean ships, and the Allure was no exception. From the main dining room, to the windjammer buffet and speciality restaurants the food was exceptional throughout. We were taken care of from the Waiters and Waitresses on board. Food was brought to us, just to try if we wanted, without asking.

This is the first cruise ship to have a Starbucks Coffee shop at sea. Bonus!!

The Overall Experience:
Was Fantastic!! I cannot wait to get back on this ship. I have cruised on the Oasis of the seas twice before, which is the sister ship and there is pretty much no difference between the two. There was a speciality restaurant on the Oasis of the Seas, called the Seafood Shack. This is not on the Allure of the seas, but is the only thing missing in my opinion. They have replaced this with Rita's Canteena which is a Mexican themed restaurant, and is a lot of fun! For just £12.00 per person we had a three course meal with three cocktails each and were entertained by the staff with their singing, dancing and Mexican attire.

Although this ship is the 'Largest ship in the world' I never felt overcrowded on board, there was always plenty of space and privacy. I would recommend this ship to anyone looking for a fantastic, fun, relaxing cruise.

There are lots of activities on board to keep all the kids entertained, as well as the adults!

I would not hesitate to cruise on the Allure again as I would rate her in my top five cruise ships.

Read More

Cruising with Costa - What's On Offer?

Cruising with Costa Cruises

Founded in 1948 Costa Cruises have offered worldwide cruises to some of the Top destinations in the world. Whether its a 3 night break or a 100 night around the world trip, Costa have it covered.

The Italian owned cruise line pride themselves in offering the 'Best that Italy has to offer' with the country's world-renowned guarantee of quality, beauty and prestige.

Italian style can be seen and felt everywhere you go: the works of art, from mosaics by Sicis and Bisazza, to precious chandeliers by La Murrina from Murano. From fitness equipment by Technogym to bathrobes by Frette.

Boutiques on board only stock high quality names such as Armani, Gucci, Prada and Ferragamo.

At mealtimes the accent is on the typical mediterranean cuisine, from strictly ectra-virgin olive oil to pasta still extruded with bronze dies, right up to the brand of italian coffee used - Lavazza.

Some of the prestigious wines on board are exclusively made for Costa Cruises and are all Italian.

What's On Board the Ships?

Here's what's on some of the fantastic Costa Cruise Ships.....

Costa Fascinosa - A uniquely beautiful place to be:

• 1,508 cabins in total.
• 5 restaurants (including the Samsara Restaurant which has an additional fee unless staying in a Samsara Cabin or Samsara Suite)
• 13 Bars
• 5 Jacuzzi's
• 4 swimming pools (2 with retractable covers)
• Outdoor jogging track
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Samsara Spa
• 4D Cinema
• Theatre on three levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• Grand Prix Simulator with single-seater racing car
• Pool deck with retractable glass roof and giant screen
• Water Slide
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment, children's pool

Costa Favolosa - The most beautiful Fairytale castle:

• 1,508 cabins in total.
• 5 restaurants (including the Samsara Restaurant which has an additional fee unless staying in a Samsara Cabin or Samsara Suite)
• 13 Bars
• 5 Jacuzzi's
• 4 swimming pools (2 with retractable covers)
• Outdoor jogging track
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Samsara Spa
• 4D Cinema
• Theatre on three levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• PlayStation World Area
• Grand Prix Simulator with single-seater racing car
• Pool deck with retractable glass roof and giant screen
• Water Slide
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment, children's pool

Costa Deliziosa - Experience pure pleasure:

• 1,130 cabins in total.
• 4 restaurants (including the Samsara Restaurant which has an additional fee unless staying in a Samsara Cabin or Samsara Suite)
• 11 Bars
• 4 Jacuzzi's
• 3 swimming pools (1 with retractable cover)
• Outdoor jogging and roller skating tracks
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Samsara Spa
• 4D Cinema
• Theatre on three levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• Grand Bar with Dance Floor
• PlayStation World Area
• Golf Simulator and outdoor Golf Area with Putting Green
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Grand Prix Simulator with single-seater racing car
• Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment, children's pool

Costa Luminosa - A diamond of light:

• 1,130 cabins in total.
• 4 restaurants (including the Samsara Restaurant which has an additional fee unless staying in a Samsara Cabin or Samsara Suite)
• 11 Bars
• 4 Jacuzzi's
• 3 swimming pools (1 with retractable cover)
• Outdoor jogging and roller skating tracks
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Samsara Spa
• 4D Cinema
• Theatre on three levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• Grand Bar with Dance Floor
• PlayStation World Area
• Golf Simulator and outdoor Golf Area with Putting Green
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Grand Prix Simulator with single-seater racing car
• Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment, children's pool

Costa Pacifica - The Music of the Sea:

• 1,504 cabins in total.
• 5 restaurants (including the Samsara Restaurant which has an additional fee unless staying in a Samsara Cabin or Samsara Suite)
• 13 Bars
• 5 Jacuzzi's
• 4 swimming pools (2 with retractable covers)
• Outdoor jogging track
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Samsara Spa
• Theatre on three levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• PlayStation World Area
• Recording Studio
• Pool deck with retractable glass roof and giant screen
• Water Slide
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment, children's pool

Costa Serena - Home of the Gods:

• 1,500 cabins in total.
• 5 restaurants (including the Samsara Restaurant which has an additional fee unless staying in a Samsara Cabin or Samsara Suite)
• 13 Bars
• 5 Jacuzzi's
• 4 swimming pools (2 with retractable covers)
• Outdoor jogging track
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Samsara Spa
• Theatre on three levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• Grand Prix Simulator with single-seater racing car
• Pool deck with retractable glass roof and giant screen
• Water Slide
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment, children's pool

Costa Magica - The Magic of Italy:

• 1,358 cabins in total
• 4 restaurants (including one, the club restaurant, at an additional charge & reservation only)
• 11 bars
• 5 Jacuzzi's
• 4 swimming pools (1 with retractable cover)
• Outdoor jogging track
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Theatre on three levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• Pool deck with retractable glass roof
• Water Slide
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment, children's pool

Costa Fortuna - The legend of the Italian transatlantic liners:

• 1,358 cabins in total
• 4 restaurants (including one, the club restaurant, at an additional charge & reservation only)
• 11 bars
• 5 Jacuzzi's
• 4 swimming pools (1 with retractable cover)
• Outdoor jogging track
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Wellness Centre
• Theatre on three levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• Pool deck with retractable glass roof
• Water Slide
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment, children's pool

Costa Mediterranea - A palatial reception

• 1,057 cabins in total
• 4 restaurants (including the club restaurant and the Wellness Restaurant, at an additional charge & reservation only)
• 12 bars
• 4 Jacuzzi's
• 4 swimming pools (1 with retractable cover)
• Outdoor jogging track
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Ischia Spa
• Theatre on three levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• Water Slide
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment, children's pool

Costa Atlantica - Action! We're cruising

• 1,057 cabins in total
• 4 restaurants (including the club restaurant and the Wellness Restaurant, at an additional charge & reservation only)
• 12 bars
• 4 Jacuzzi's
• 4 swimming pools (1 with retractable cover)
• Outdoor jogging track
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Ischia Spa
• Theatre on three levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• Water Slide
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Virtual World, Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment, children's pool

Costa Victoria - Beauty in the round

• 964 cabins in total
• 5 restaurants (including the club II Magnifico, at an additional charge & reservation only)
• 10 bars
• 4 Jacuzzi's
• 3 swimming pools (one indoor)
• Outdoor jogging track
• Multi-purpose sports pitch
• Wellness Centre
• Theatre on two levels 
• Casino
• Disco
• Open air pool deck
• Internet Point
• Library
• Shopping Centre
• Squok Club with PlayStation Entertainment

Read More