Cheap parking at Southampton (and airports too)

I have just been given details of a cheap parking company for Southampton port who are much cheaper than C&PS and AB parking, the two suppliers used by the main cruiselines.

Whilst the parking is not at the port, they offer the convenience of valet parking within the standard costs. You drive to the port and they will meet you there, take your car and park it and then meet you again at the end of the cruise.

For 1 week the prices start at £57 whereas C&PS charge £79.

Why not give them ago... www.looking4parking.com

Do you know what you are being sold?

Now I don't often like to say how good we are, but I was amazed this afternoon as I have taken two calls in a row where my customer has been quoted a Royal Caribbean fly cruise by other travel agents but not been given information regarding the flight routing.

Both customers were quoted Splendour of the Seas from Venice with flights from Birmingham and neither Thomas Cook or the Cruise Village advised my customers that the flight would definitely be on an indirect route. It is not possible to fly to Venice directly from Birmingham.

As a cruise specialist my job is to make sure that I am telling my customers everything that they need to know regarding their cruise, and not just offering them the cheapest price on the market (although I do like to do this too.) The one lady I spoke to is not a keen flier and so is now looking at other options, had she booked with one of these agents her holiday would have been spoilt.

If you are phoning around for prices, make sure you get the full information from your agent, and my advice would be to stick to cruise specialists who will sell you the cruise and flights that are best suited to you.

It's time for me to take a break

Easter may still be nearly two weeks away, but the school holidays are now upon us, so it's time for me to take a break.

I've got the next week to spend some quality time with my energetic 4 year old. Whilst we're not going away anywhere we've got an action packed itinerary sorted involving picnics, adventure play grounds and swimming.

 Life with Milo is always good fun and I'm looking forward to a break, although I must admit that April isn't the best time to have off with all the 2012 cruises going on sale, It's always a  fun month to work and a time when I catch up with a lot of my old customers who always book at launch stage.

I'm back for 1 day on Monday 18th, then back in properly in Thursday 21st April. If you need any help in between just call my collegues on 0800 408 6200

Enjoy city breaks...take a river cruise

If you're someone who cruises in order to experience new places and try new cultures then river cruising is definitely something for you. Probably the fastest growing part of the travel industry, it is something that not a lot of people know about and that is not that easy to research or purchase. So I thought I'd tell you a little bit about it.


All of the major rivers of Europe and the eastern globe are great for river cruising - from local destinations such as the Seine and the Rhone to the Imperial Waterways of Russia and the Yangtze in China. These rivers are vast - in someplace a mile wide and are home to sumptuous floating hotels.

River Cruises generally accommodate around 200 passengers in all outside cabins and they glide along the waters calling in at the major towns and cities on route. Always stopping in town they are an easy and convenient way to visit many of the major cities. In Budapest you just hop of the boat (we're allowed to call them boats when they're on a river) and you're in the centre of town. You then experience a full day of sightseeing and taking in the local flavours. This is vastly different to ocean cruises, where you may be berthing up to 2 hours away from the place that you are visiting.

River cruising is similar to ocean cruising in that dinner time is a major focus of the day. There is little entertainment on board and the evening revolves around a leisurely evening meal, most cruises pride themselves on having chefs who shop in the local towns and produce meals that are specialities of the region. After dinner there may be some piano playing, or in some cases local dancers come on board and do a small show, but do not expect the west end style shows or comedians and entertainers associated with the large cruise lines.

In terms of price, the head line figures of River cruising can look expensive - however nearly everything is included - most companies provide wine, beer and soft drinks with your dinner, food is all included and excursions are all part of the package. The only spending money you really require is for trinkets and maybe a coffee whilst walking around town.

River cruising isn't for everyone, but if you do enjoy sightseeing and have enjoyed visiting cities and towns in the past, then why not give it a go?