New ships sailing from the UK next year

Celebrity Cruises have announced that they will be locating a second ship in the UK next  year whilst Carnival will be positioning their first ship in the UK since they pulled out in 2008.

Celebrity have seen great success with Celebrity Eclipse which has sailed from Southampton for 3 years now (I don't think I've ever read a bad review) and now they are adding Celebrity Infinity also sailing from Southampton.

Celebrity Infinity is a mid sized ship at 90,228 gross tons and she has just been 'Solisticized' - a make over which gives her the same facilities as Eclipse, Equinox and Solstice. She will offer a range of 10, 11 and 12-night itineraries to include Norwegian Fjords, British Isles and European wine cruises and  she will be the only 5* ship to sail from Harwich. The only other ships that sail from here being Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas, Voyages of Discovery's MV Discovery and Thomson Spirit. Harwich just out of interest is the only port with a dedicated station at the terminal and it is served by a dedicated train from London's Liverpool Street Station, which makes it really accessible.

Meanwhile Carnival Legend is going to based in Dover and like Celebrity will be offering the Norwegian Fjords and British Isles cruises and but also the Baltics and the Mediterranean. Carnival hasn't had a great presence in Europe in recent years but is very popular in the States and the Caribbean with the American market. They do have Carnival Breeze offering sailings from Barcelona this summer which are selling to the British really well so I'm looking forward to being able to offer Carnival to people wanting to sail from the UK again.


Princess are also bringing another ship to the UK, although just for 3 sailings. The new Royal Princess which launches in June 2013 is offering 2 3 night cruises from Southampton on the 10th and 13th June. She then starts her maiden cruise from Southampton on the 16th June, heading out to Iberia.

I think it's fantastic that there are going to be more ships sailing from the UK. It's such a great way to holiday, there is no major rush to get there, ships sail late afternoon and lunch is served on board so you can leisurely check in and relax. There's no problems with luggage either, you can pack as much as you'd like and there's no hanging around airports and rarely are there delays.

Now whilst 2013 itineraries and slowly being announced prices are out yet but are due at the end of next month. If you would like any information on 2013 cruises just get in touch with me and I can contact you just as soon as the brochures / prices arrive.

Don't watch this if you're scared of flying.

Whilst I am a Cruise Specialist I am actually interested in all forms of travel and came across this short clip showing  where the worlds airlines fly from and to across a 24 hour period.
I think it is really interesting as it shows just how accessible our planet is but also just how busy the skies are.

As you watch it you'll see the flow of traffic change as time goes from day to night across the globe.

I would love to see something similar for the cruise lines acoss the seasons, to show the concentration of ships in Europe during the Summer months but out in the Caribbean and Australasia for the Winter.
I hope you enjoy watching this.

Try before you buy...and save some money too

Fred. Olsen are offering potential customers the chance to spend a day on board one of their ships with a number of ships visits on offer this summer.

Guests will be welcomed on board and enjoy a welcome drink and presentation from the experienced staff and then be given a guided tour in a small group to see a selection of cabins and public areas.

Guests will then enjoy a buffet lunch and wine in the ship's main restaurant

Any guests booking within 6 months of the ship visit will be given an further 5% discount or £200pp whichever is the greatest (subject to terms and conditions)

If you'd like to go on one of the ship visits which are on offer across the country just conact myself on 0800 408 6088 or joc@cruise.co.uk. The cost is just £40pp

To view the list of ship visits on offer just please read more

Balmoral - Southampton
20 July
03 August
27 October

Braemar - Dover
14 April
31 May
22 September

Boudicca
7 July - Rosyth
10 August - Rosyth
26 August - Newcastle
4 November - Portmouth
18 November - Portsmouth

Black Watch - Dover
11 June
24 June
07 July
02 September

Read some Fred Olsen cruise reviews at Cruise.co.uk.

It's sales all round!

If you have been pondering the idea of a summer cruise then now is the time book as there are a number of sales this week. These are for a limited period only though so take advantage while you can.

Carnival
Book between today and the 9th February and receive on board credit
$50 per cabin for sailings of 3-4 nights
$100 per cabin for sailings of 5-6 nights
$150 per cabin for sailings of 7 nights
$200 per cabin for sailings of 8 nights or more

P&O & Cunard
Book between the 10th and 13th February and receive a free upgrade from an inside to a balcony cabin on selected cruises. Just read more for the list of included cruises


Aurora - 19 June
Azura - 29 April, 6 & 19 May, 9 & 16 Jun, 14 & 21 Jul, 10 Aug, 2 Sep
Oceana - 13 May, 20 Aug
Ventura - 13 & 20 May, 3 & 17 Jun, 20, 23 & 27 Jul, 21 Aug, 01 & 08 Sep

Queen Elizabeth - 22 Jun, 07 & 14 Aug
Queen Victoria - 04 Apr, 05 & 22 May, 29 Jun, 13 & 21 Jul, 03, 17 &  28 Aug
Queen Mary - 10 & 17 Jun, 04 Sep

Free flights giveaway

Well it's back Royal Caribbean are giving away free flights on the majority of their Summer 2012 Mediterranean Cruises. And they are offering them on peak dates too.

They offered these last year and it was really popular, this year they have 10,000 flight seats to give away and are offering free flights and transfers from:
Belfast, Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester and  Newcastle.

The free flights giveaway is great because it means that your fligts and transfers will be provided by the cruise line giving you added protection in the event of strikes, ash clouds delays and cancellations

The dates and airports offered vary on each date and cruise so the easiest way to see which ones are best for you is to call or email me. But please read more to see the list of all sailings with free flights.



The following sailings have free flights attached
Adventure of the Seas
7 nts Western Med
7nts Canary Isles

Grandeur of the Seas
7nts Italian Med
7nts Spanish Med

Liberty of the Seas
5nts Western Med
7nts Western Med

Mariner of the Seas
12nts Greece & Turkey
7nts Western Med
12nts Holy Land

Navigator of the Seas
7nts Eastern Med

Splendour of the Seas
6nts Western Europe
7nts Greek Isles and Turkey
7nts Greek Isles
6nts Greece & Adriatic
8nts Greek Isles and Turkey

Serenade of the Seas
12nts Med Greek Isles
12nts Med Venice