Sailing with a baby?.. Sail NCL

I am often asked which cruise lines are the best for babies and I think NCL have one of the best offerings for this summer. In particular NCL Epic. There are a number of reasons for this.

• She sails from Barcelona and therefore the flight is only a short duration and with only a half hours transfer to the port. This makes the journey more relaxing for you and your child.
• Her itinerary is just 7 nights - a good length for travelling with a child and she calls in to the main ports of call with a choice of sightseeing or beaches and the chance to pick up any essentials that you might need.
• She offers freestyle cruising - you do not need to put the baby or yourself in a tuxedo and can dine as and when you choose. There is also a choice of waiter service dining or buffet style and she has a whole host of speciality restaurants too.
• She has a fantastic splash pool area and the Under 2 Zoo, a play area with toys (tunnels, balls, Leap Frog Leaning toys) for older babies to play with under parental supervision.
• There are plenty of facilities for older children and the ship largely attracts families, so you will be sailing with like minded people, who won't mind if your baby is enjoying herself in a noisy way.
• Finally - she has reduced prices for babies and they don't charge gratuities for babies. NCL are sensible enough to realise that parents do not want to pay a child price or gratuities for babies, which is where Royal Caribbean let themselves down.

Prices for babies on a cruise only basis start from just £149  for a 7 night cruise in an inside cabin on the 5th June. With £519 for the adults. Flights and transfers can be added with NCL cruises from £337per adult.

Calling all Swan Hellenic customers...

I thought I'd tell you all a bit more about a little gem called Voyages of Antiquity, which is a cruise line aimed at those that want a bit more history and culture from their cruise.

Their ship, the Aegean Odyssey is a small vessel, carrying just 350 passengers and as such can get into the smaller ports of call. She sails just in the Mediterranean and Black Sea and particularly the countries of the ancient world. On board they feature top lecturers and guest speakers with immense knowledge of the places being visited, and off the ship the shore excursions are included in the price.

On board the atmosphere is relaxed and casual, entertainment is low-key with music such as a string trio or pianist or maybe a cabaret act. Dinner is open dining and the dress code is generally resort casual, although the occasional night is offered for cocktail dresses and jackets.

In 2011 she sail a series of cruises across the Byzantium and Ventian Empires and many of these start with a pre cruise hotel stay. The holiday's range in length from 9 - 14 nights.

Price-wise, Voyages of Antiquity claim that they are more expensive than the larger ships, but I think their prices are really good value for money - included in the price are:
   •Flights from Heathrow as standard - regional flights connecting with London can also be added free of       charge

   •Shore Excursions
   •Gratuities
   •Expert lecture programme
   •Wine, beer and soft drinks with your dinner.

If you'd like more information on Voyages of Antiquity, just give me a call or drop me an e-mail

Seabourn Sale - One week only

Seabourn have today announced a one week sale from Monday 21st - Monday 28th March with reductions on several of their Summer 2011 sailings.

The following sailings will be reduced:

Seabourn Odyssey
25 July - Venice to Athens
01 Aug - Athens to Istanbul
08 Aug - Istanbul to Athens
15 Aug - Athens to Venice
22 Aug - Venice to Athens
29 Aug - Athens to Istanbul

Seabourn Quest
25 July - Athens to Venice
15 Aug - Istanbul to Athens
22 Aug - Athens to Venice

All of the above sailings start at £2249pp including the return airfare. And don't forget Seabourn are a luxury cruiseline, so whilst the prices may look high, you do get six star service and your premium drinks are included. Cunard may have some great deals for this area, but they will charge you $6 for a glass of wine.

Whilst Seabourn are not promoting this sale from Monday at Cruise.co.uk we can offer many of these fares from today.. plus I'm sure we can apply our Cruise.co.uk discount so just give us call today.

Thomson announce new sailings from the UK for 2012

Thomson Cruises used to fill a big gap in the market with departures from Newcastle and Harwich, however for the 2010 and 2011 season they repositioned their ships. The good news though is that for 2012 Thomson Spirit will be positioned in Newcastle from May - July and Harwich during August and September.


She is offering a choice of 15 cruises from 3 - 14 nights and will be focusing mainly on Northern Europe - the Baltic’s, Norwegian Fjords and a Belgium and Holland mini cruise. She will also again be sailing to Iceland and around Britain.

Now Thomson Cruises are not everybody’s cup of tea, the ships are older and not as glamorous as some, but they do have a fantastic following and their repeat customer ratio is amazing. They have also been voted as no 1 for entertainment by cruise.co.uk customers.

I haven't got the full details and prices as yet, but as soon I get them I'll let you know. Thomson have advised me that they will have some great early booking offers including on board spend, free parking and cabin upgrades.

I think it's great that Thomson have listened to their customers and are bringing a ship back home

P&O Peninsular Club Cruises - 2012

In 2010 P&O dropped the number of sailings on which past passengers receive additional discount. They have now  listened to customer feedback and are offering customers an additional 5% discount on 20 cruises for 2012, providing you have sailed with them before.

The list of these is:

Adonia     D203 Eastern Med
                D207 Western Med

Arcadia    J203 Central Med
                J210 Central Med
                J216 Eastern Med
               J118 Western Med

Aurora    R203 Baltic
               R218 Central Med

Oceana    E220 Atlantic Isles
                E301 Caribbean from Southampton

Oriana     X212 North Cape
               X215 Iceland
               X301 Central Med
               X303 Caribbean from Southampton

Ventura  N213 Iceland
              N224 Western Med

Azura    A208 Western Med
             A223 Black Sea
             A228 Atlantic Coast

Its a shame that they no longer offer additional discounts to past passengers, especially as Cunard & Fred Olsen both do. However this is a good covering of destinations and an improvement on the last years offering. If you are a past passenger then these will offer the best value for money for you and don't forget as a past passenger you'll get additional on board credit too.

Countdown to 2012/2013

Well we're barely in to 2011 and already next year is upon us. All of the major cruise lines are launching their 2012/2013 programmes over the next 6 weeks or so.

Booking early brings it's benefits - you secure your choice of cabin, which is particularly important if you like a particular position or grade of cabin. And additional discounts and added benefits such as free car parking and onboard credit often feature widely in the early booking campaigns.

Fred Olsen have led with 2012 already on sale and they are offering a 5% discount to past passengers. I understand sales are going well.

For the rest of the companies, it is very hush hush as to when they will be launching their programs and as a travel agent I am sworn to secrecy, but I can tell you P&O, Cunard, Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and MSC will all be on sale over the coming weeks.

 If you would like a bit more information and advance details of what is going on sale and when then please give me a call or send me an e-mail and I'll be able to talk you through it in more detail and send you the brochures and prices as soon as I have them.