Regent Prices to increase on 01 October

 

Just a quick heads up but Regent Seven Seas cruises have announced today that their 2012 prices will be increasing on the 1st October. This gives you just 2 days to secure your booking at the best price.

If you normally travel with the likes of Cunard, Oceania, Azamara or Holland America then now is the time to consider Regent. As a six star cruise line their service will exceed what you are used to and just look at what's included in their price:

• FREE return flights


• FREE Business Class flights on ALL Mediterranean and Baltic cruises (C-MS suites)

• 1-night pre-cruise hotel stay on Alaska and Caribbean cruises

• FREE and UNLIMITED shore excursions in every port - (I have looked into these and they really are high end excursions that are offered free - the likes of which would could cost over £1000.00 on a two week cruise with other cruise lines

• ALL fine dining including speciality restaurants

• ALL drinks and beverages - including quality wines and champagnes

• ALL gratuities and tips, no service charges

• ALL onboard activities

• And so much more...

They offer an all inclusive, ultra luxury proposition for the same overall cost of a 4 or 5* cruise line.
 
For more information or a brochure just call or e-mail me

How much would you pay for a wheelchair?

I was amazed recently when a customer of mine advised me that Holland America had charged him $380 for the hire of a wheelchair on a 10 night sailing on board the Nieuw Amsterdam. The gentleman in question does not always require a wheelchair and can get away without them but due to a health issue at the last moment had decided he would be better to have one so arranged it whilst on board.

To make matters worse the wheelchair had the hire companies name 'Special Needs Group' emblazoned on the back.

This is the first time that I have ever heard of a cruise line charging for wheelchairs although to be honest many cruise lines do not actually provide them so at least Holland America offer this facility.

But $380 seems a bit steep - what do you think?

MSC Opera - food photos

I know alot of you like to see what the food is like on the different ships so here are some photos of my meal on board MSC Opera.

My parma ham, kiwi fruit and pineapple medley was a nice light starter, the food was all fresh and it was well presented.

Unfortunately the same couldn't be said for the ricotta stuffed crepe. This dish was really waterey and the crepe really mushy. I do not have a problem with frozen foods and microwaves for mass catering but this was just not nice. Sorry MSC

My main course of warmed sliced beef on a bed of rocket was fantastic, the beef was cooked to perfection being slightly pink in the middle and was complemented really well by the rocket which was really fresh. A big thumbs up to the chef with this one.

I opted for chocolate ice cream for desert, again this tasted lovely but I thought they could have presented it slightly better - surely a little sprig of something or even just a wafer on the top might have made it look a bit more special

Finally, here is a picture of  the buffet food - I didn't taste it but it did look delicious.

MSC Opera

Cabins on MSC Opera

 Having visited MSC Opera last week, I thought I'd share some thoughts and advice on the cabins types.
This first picture is a balcony cabin and my advice would be to book one of these. They are slighty larger and with the full balcony window the rooms are bright and airy

 MSC is a cheap priced product and the difference in cost between the balcony and lower grades is not that high. However if it is out of your reach then my next recommendation would be the inside cabin. The large mirror above the bed really reflects the light well and made the room seem much larger than it is.

The outside cabins (below) disappointed me, the windows did not let much light in and the rooms therefore appeared smaller and darker than I would expect for an outside cabin.

The inside and outside cabins though are actually the same size and the window is good for the mornings to see where you are and what the weather is like before getting dressed. The cabins themselves do not have lots of room and are basically just a place for sleeping and getting ready, however I like the decor of MSC's cabins, the covers are all bright and colourful and give a cheery to the rooms. Which is just what you want on holiday.

MSC drop the price on their drinks package

MSC have announced a reduction in there All Inclusive drinks package for 2012.
Passengers travelling this year have paid £33.30 pppn which is a good price but from the 15th September you can add on the package on to 2012 sailings for just £21pppn.

Included in the package are:

• All drinks in bars list with bar list price up to € 7,00 / $ 7,00, including wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks. 
• Take-away ice-cream in cone or cup
• A selection of wines in the main restuarant and self service buffet, along with mineral water, draft and bottled beer and soft drinks

Unfortunately the mini bar is excluded along with bottles of wine and anything with a list price of over
€ 7,00 / $ 7,00

This package can be added to all bookings for 2012 including Winter 11/12 and Dubai. And what's more there is a rumour that they are launching this with an 'Upgrade to All Inclusive for £1' offer for all new bookings, I suspect the cruise prices may increase though but will keep you posted.

Viking River Cruises give something back

I have just completed some additional reading about Viking River Cruises and it bought a smile to my face to learn that they sponsor two elementary schools in China along the Yangtze river.

The schools in the Jingzhou and Yueyang regions give children who due to their economic status would be unable to attend school without this sponsorship, the chance to learn. I think this is fantastic, as a company there is no benefit to Viking River Cruises in sponsoring these schools and it shows a respect for the countries and people that they visit.

Thomson cruises also give something back although they actually do it via their customers.  With every booking customers are given the opportunity to pay £1 towards a 'Worldcare Fund' which is used to fund projects overseas and help lead to sustainable tourism.

I would like to say well done to these two companies, I am not aware of any other companies that actively fund projects overseas or give to charities, as tourists we can cause quite a lot of destruction to an area and it is nice to know that people care enough to give something back.