Just to let you know I have been promoted here at Cruise.co.uk and have joined the Marketing team as a Product Manager to look after River Cruises & some Niche cruise lines.

Exciting times and obviously I will still be around, but you may be thinking now….’who is going to look after me?’ No need to worry, there are people here as good as me who take just as much pride in looking after their customers! So, I would like to introduce Stuart Carlson, who I have worked closely with anyway as with started together 3 years ago and I can confidently say that you will be in safe hands.  Please feel free to contact Stuart for any reason on 0800 408 6105 or email stuartc@cruise.co.uk  – he will be delighted to help.

To find out a bit more about Stuart and see comments from many of his own satisfied customers, please visit his personal blog www.sailwithstuart.blogspot.co.uk.

Finally, thank you for making it so enjoyable in booking cruises over the last 3 years, but as one door closes, another one opens.

Happy Cruising.

Thanks again.

Faz

I for one, did my honeymoon on the Celebrity Solstice last July and I was perfectly happy with my inside cabin on deck 9. Sure, I would love to be able to have a balcony but my finances just do not permit it. Does that make me lower class? – I think not. I had the £3000 to fork out on the holiday in the first place. I’d hardly say that was cheap. I would be disgusted if someone frowned at me for having an inside cabin.

A lot of people choose to have an inside cabin out of choice. They pure and simply can’t justify paying the extra to have a window when you are only going to be in your cabin to sleep and shower. I have a fairly well off client who is a barrister who when sailing Cunard always has one of the Grills suites but when he sails with any other cruise line he always has an inside cabin as they are his interim holidays. The Cunard suite is always his main holiday for the year. I’m sure he would have a thing or two to say on the matter.

Before joining the industry I always used to think that cruises were for the well off affluent of us all and fair play to them. They have worked hard to get there to be able to afford it. The thing is that these days it has become more affordable for everyone to do and cruising is open to all ages and backgrounds. Not just the retired or professional. I worked hard to pay for my cruise in July and will continue to save the pennies for when I do my next major cruise holiday. It doesn’t classify me as a lower class though.

I know of some people that set themselves a budget for the entire year and aim to do as many cruises as they can within that budget. If it means doing an inside cabin then so be it. What is the hoo ha about anyway when some individuals say that we are in a “better cabin”. What is so better about it. Your outside cabin is the same size as my inside and has all the same furnishings. The only thing different is that you have a window! The same goes for a balcony. It’s a subject that I think could be better phrased.

Does the following comment from Tuggy, one of our forum members on the subject sum it all up in one?

” suspect that it is a Subconscious Class distinction attitude, Working class  Inside,   Middle class Ocean-view,   Upper class  Balcony, Suits Nobility,  All a load of eyewash really but the Subconscious is a fascinating subject. ”

Have you ever been in this situation or caught the back end of someone talking about this subject at all?

What makes me as a “Cruise Specialist” different?

- I have actually been on the majority of the cruise lines and actually experienced sailing on them first hand. No book or manual can ever give you the knowledge that you gain by experiencing it this way.  You can read the reviews I have done by Clicking Here

- I deal with cruises and only cruises on a daily basis. I get asked questions on the subject every single day.

- I have regular briefs on the what is going on in the cruise market to help understand it better and can offer sound advice on that basis to my clients.

- I have to complete training modules every month on all the different cruise brands in order to stay up to date with what they have to offer. If I do not complete the training then I will not be one of their preferred specialists. They may stop me from selling their products!

- Apart from general advice on cruises like “you get to visit different places every day” I can give you first hand information on the ship itself and what the cabins are like and what the food is like and the general atmosphere on board.

- The cruise lines send me on “familiarisation trips” to experience their product first hand.

- After you book, I will look after you from the start of the booking process all the way till you return from the cruise. I have a direct FREE phone number and a personal direct email address that you reach me on. While not in the office I pick my emails up on my iPhone and can do most things from home. I am a geek and yes, some colleagues do call me “sad” for checking emails regularly at home and on my day off. What can I say? That is the commitment that I will offer all of my clients. Don’t take my word for it, have a look at all the rate my service comments I have on my homepage.

- Every Christmas we have our party on board a short mini cruise. Just this last one I was on board the P&O Arcadia. We get to meet up with most of our travel partners and get to know them as people too! A good relationship with them means that they will look after me and my guests when it comes to a problem. Things do go wrong from time to time but it is how I act and who I contact to get it fixed that will make the difference. I know the people that I need to fix it.

- Having cruised myself and after speaking to many a client about their experiences, I know when and where things are most likely to go wrong. An example being when booking your own flights to go out a day earlier to allow time for any delays or cancellations. I can easily get you a flight that will get you to your destination in time for your cruise but what if…?

- I will have been working for Cruise.co.uk for three years come September 2012. A wealth of knowledge and experience that with time can only grow. I am no longer fresh and green but a seasoned expert in my field. Almost part of the furniture here and still have time on my side. Be sure that I will still be here for you when you return for your next cruise!

What would you choose if you were given the choice? A specialist or your local travel agent?

In fact, you do have a choice. I will leave it with you to decide

Happy cruising.

It seems a great way of tackling the ongoing obesity problems that we have in this country but another tax on top of the enormous ones we already pay out?

Such tax would surely have a knock on effect onto the likes of a cruise holiday. The cost of drinks on board a U.S vessel is already sky high and a sugar tax would surely make the prices even more expensive and not affordable to many. Could it be another excuse for the cruise lines to inflate the costs of cruising even higher?

What do you think? Sugar tax a good idea or not? and with what implications??

Could they go as far as to be discriminative and call it a “Fat Tax” – after all that is what they are implying aren’t they?

You can see the discussion on the cruises.co.uk forum by clicking here

The coast guard has confirmed that all the passengers are safe and that the blaze has been put out.

Just when you thought that Costa Cruises were picking themselves back up and dusting themselves down another major strike goes against them. How will holiday makers take the news and will they be able to reagin trust in such a huge cruise line. Will Costa be able to get back up again. It is such a shame and sheer coincidence for something like this to happen and to the same cruise line.

Costa – that name just keeps popping up in the media! – It remains to be seen how they will react and how the possible cruisers will react to the latest in the adventures of Costa Cruises.

What do you think?

Is it just a small scratch on the surface or will it have a huge affect on the industry?

For those of you that are interested the tunnel cost £140 which included European breakdown cover and allows upto 9 passengers depending on the vehicle you are taking. No luggage restrictions either. The toll road in France costs just under 20 Euros each way and in my 1.8 Petrol car, the fuels cost around £190.

It was the first time I had driven to Europe and from being really edgy about doing it, I am now in a position to say that it was well worth it and I will definitely drive there again.

What is there to do in Paris though if you are only there for a short while?

My suggested places to visit are:-

- Sacre Couer – A Cathedral at what I think is the highest point in Paris that overlooks the whole city with fantastic views. Situated in Montmartre and only a 10 minute walk from Port De Clignancourt where my sister lives. They have a huge flea market there which is well worth a look if you like to shop and a metro station that is a main stop if you want to go into the heart of Paris. You can purchase tickets in packs of 10 that can be used on any bus and any metro for 12 Euros which will easily get you through a few days. If you are up for a bit of a walk around and need some brunch or late breakfast, head to a street call Rue Duhesme and look for a little shop on the corner called Patakrep. I think they do the best Crepes in Paris and the girl behind the counter also made an effort and spoke very good English explaining the differences between the Crepes.

- Les Halles – If you are travelling from Sacre Couer or Port De Clignancourt then I think it’s the 6th or 7th stop on the metro. Not many people may have heard of the area but as soon as you come out of the metro station you can enter into a lively indoor shopping centre with lots of opportunity for shopping. A four storey H&M kept my wife occupied for a couple of hours! If you step out of the centre you enter onto some great street shops and it reminded me of the high streets in Manchester City Centre. Here there are also signs to point you in the direction of the Pompidou Museum if you wish to visit there by foot.

- Trocadero Metro Station for the Eifel Tower – If heading to the Eifel Tower after shopping in Les Halles and visiting the Pompidou museum then just head back to the metro and make your way to Strasborg St Denis and pick up the metro on the other side to take you to Trocadero station. You will come out to a spectacular view of the Eifel Tower and will have a short walk over a bridge across the River Seine before you get to the tower itself. If you have time then you can do a short cruise along the River. Be sure to try one of the Crepes when you come out of the station. They are gorgeous! Below is the view that you will get from Trocadero.

Champs Elysees - A long stretch of shopping heaven if you are into all your designer gear including a three storey Louis Vuitton store and countless places to eat. Be sure to head to a little store called La Druree. They are famous for their Macaroons and expect a queue for them also! At around 1 Euro 50 Cents for each tiny one they are expensive but well worth it. Don’t buy them as a gift to bring back as they will go hard and the syrup will go bad. They package them up like gifts but don’t be fooled!

Anyone else familiar with the places that I have mentioned? Not a bad way to spend a day or two in Paris. Especially if you are only there for a while on a mini cruise!

What were you thinking hey? – I’m on about the telecoms and tv provider! I was lay there and the Sky TV went haywire on me. It kept saying there is no signal being received and to contact your operator. I tried unplugging, resetting, throwing the remote but nothing worked. I gave up and went to bed in the end. That’s exactly what I wanted on a Saturday night in the freezing cold, indoors and no tele to watch.

I thought to myself that you don’t get this problem with Virgin Media. It turns out my whole area had the same problem all due to a bit of bad weather. Not great on the part of Sky TV. I find it annoying enough when I get on a cruise ship and the signal is all flakey. What is the point?

Did anyone else have any trouble with the snow at the weekend. I know this morning I struggled getting into our car park. I had 3 people pushing me to get up the hill. I don’t understand why us British can’t cope with a bit of snow. Makes me wonder what it would be like to live where it snows all the while!

Are you feeling snowed under or a bit under the weather today?

Princess have launched a ’1000 memories at sea’ contest and along with having your shot showcased on the ship you will have a chance to win a cruise for two on the Royal Princess and yes, they will include the flights too!

“The contest will be judged by a panel which is looking for  creativity, originality, style and images that capture the spirit of  what it means to ‘escape completely,’ the Princess tagline.

Judges include Princess executives Rai Caluori, evp fleet operations;  Teresa Anderson, vp interior design, and Ian Johnson, director of  photography and video.” (Quote from Seatrade Insider News)

If you feel you have the talent and have a picture that you have been showing all your friends then upload your pictures on Facebook at princess.com/royalprincesscontest

Good luck

Skjolden in Norway have announced that they will be the first to take up this innovation and build a floating pier called SeaWalk. This brushes aside the older conventional concrete style ones. The advantages are great. Build time is the same of that when you make a baby compared to over two years for the conventional method. The costs are also far less meaning cheaper cruises maybe by the way of a lesser port tax?

Add to this and the fact that there will be little or no environmental impact, it makes for a very sensible way for the future. You could say that this development is very significant in the history of cruising.

Crannell, a leading port infrastructure expert, described SeaWalk’s operation as ‘simple.’ When a ship  arrives at the destination, its bow line is secured to a mooring buoy  and its stern lines are attached to a pair of shore-based bollards. Then  SeaWalk self-deploys from a parked position and is connected to the  ship’s side at the passenger doors. Crannell said this makes ‘a safe and  seamless connection between ship and shore.’

The amazing thing is that the whole pier can be folded and put away after the ship has left, meaning it can be removed or even placed elsewhere during hurricanes and bad weather. Plans are in place for Seawalk to be up and running by the end of summer and a whole lot of other potential sites where the water is deep enough have already been identified.

The mojority of these people travelled by ship and had to be in good health and uder the age of 45. They were keen to migrate with the promise of housing, employment and a much better lifestyle.

Good news Poms, to celebrate a 175th anniversary, P&O Cruises are inviting 175 “Ten Pound Poms” and their partners to an extremely special lunch on board the very beautiful Oriana. The lunch will take place in Sydney Harbour on the 23rd February.

All you have to do is write in a 175 words or less your favourite memory of arrriving in Australia as a Ten Pound Pom.

The competition closes on the 27th January so if you know anyone who would qualify get them on Skype or send them an email making them aware!

I would love to know if anyone reading this is elegible. Let me know!