11 August 2019

Hurtigruten offer unique experiences and most importantly the opportunity to learn whilst at the same time leaving the smallest environmental footprint possible. They are world leaders in sustainable explorer travels in the Polar Regions and are launching 2 brand new hybrid powered ships, which will be the greenest and cleanest expedition ships ever built. These new ships will be named after polar heroes, Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen. Hurtigruten has come a long way in its’ 125-year history. They are most famous for their Norwegian Coast itineraries which was where they started all those years ago. The ships delivered cargo and post to the many villages in Norway that were only accessible by sea. Now however, their superb ships provide a perfect base for their popular roundtrip voyage from Bergen (one of my favourite cities!) Norway’s iconic fjords are beautiful and with the charming villages, rare wildlife and fascinating history, Hurtigruten take you deep into the heart of Norway with this authentic coastal expedition. As with all the voyages, there will be an Expedition Team onboard who will lead the way on hiking, walking tours, outings to local performances and onshore events. If seeing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, then this is the way to see them! In fact, Hurtigruten are so confident that they will make an appearance during your 12-day winter Classic roundtrip voyage, that if they don’t, they will give you another 7-night voyage free of charge! Hurtigruten are no longer all about Norway, they now offer the most breath-taking experiences in the most remote corners of the world that appeal to those who value real exploring. Here’s just a little bit about some of the destinations that they visit. Svalbard offers the chance to encounter rich wildlife, with everything from whales to Arctic foxes and of course the regal polar bear. The beauty of this region is unlike anywhere on the planet with glaciers, magnificent tundra, sea ice and of course the Northern Lights dance in the sky to make unforgettable memories. Hurtigruten is also a proud member of the ‘Clean Up Svalbard’ team and you are encouraged to join in with a beach clean. The Expedition Team will also be on hand to help you explore in the form of kayaking, hiking, glacier touring and of course lectures. Iceland together with Greenland, offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the world along with rich cultural traditions. Enjoy hot springs, geysers, waterfalls and glaciers whilst taking part in activities such as hiking, small boat cruising, bird watching and town walks. Wildlife in this area includes Musk Oxen, Greenlandic Dogs, Reindeer and Icelandic Horse. Remember that each expedition with Hurtigruten is totally unique as plans change on a day to day basis dependent upon ice conditions, weather and tides. Antarctica will give you the thrill of getting close to beautiful icebergs, visiting isolated scientific stations and encountering the most amazing wildlife such as penguins, seals and whales, all in their natural habitat. This is the coldest, driest and cleanest continent on Earth and is uniquely different from any other destination you will ever experience. Take part in snowshoeing, small boat cruising and so much more! The far north of Russia is one of the world’s greatest havens for Arctic Wildlife where you will see more walrus and as many polar bears as Svalbard but there will also be far fewer visitors. Hurtigruten are among the very few that explore Franz Josef Land which is truly isolated with a rare natural beauty. There are exciting on and off ship activities, including small boat cruising, landings and the best in onboard lectures. An epic expedition for the most adventurous of explorers must be the Northwest Passage. Expertise in extreme conditions allows Hurtigruten to be one of the few cruise lines that can attempt the full crossing. Few humans have set foot in this area but experts in wildlife and ornithology will accompany you on landings and hikes to find polar bears, caribou, arctic hares and 14 different species of whale! The scenic coasts of South America are rich with wildlife and expert Expeditions Teams are experts in leading encounters with native fauna whilst taking care never to disturb the environment. Fascinating ports and cities such as Ecuador, Peru and Chile are included in the itineraries with the opportunity to explore beyond the sea routes into the Incan wonders of Machu Picchu and the breath-taking Galapagos Islands. Central and North America are also very popular destinations for a Hurtigruten Expedition cruise and are well worth exploring. Wherever you choose to travel, Hurtigruten gives all the comfort of a cruise, yet all the excitement of an expedition so let me give you a small insight into the fabulous ships. Firstly, you won’t find waterparks, West End Style shows or casinos but what you will find is comfort, a relaxed atmosphere and what’s more you’ll be sharing your expedition with like-minded passengers! There’s a casual dress code where there’s no need to change for dinner and comfortable cabins that are Scandinavian in design. You’ll find magnificent lounges and bars with floor to ceiling windows and lovely armchairs to make the most of the stunning scenery. There will also be a hub of information and education with well-equipped photo centres, laboratories and observation decks. The newer ships will also have a Wellness Centre with a sauna, infinity pool and hot tubs as well as an indoor and outdoor gym with running track! Fancy something a little more relaxing? Then why not try a massage or spa treatment with a highly trained therapist. If you’re a foodie, then Hurtigruten won’t disappoint, with both casual and fine dining restaurants. The fleet is manned by 5-star chefs who will present to you the freshest and most delicious food that you’ll ever eat. The wine list and service standards are equally impeccable. You can be sure that whether it’s just a coffee and a pastry, a cheeseburger, Reindeer sirloin or Finnish sturgeon caviar it will be of the best quality and also sourced from certified suppliers that grow their products in a sustainable production platform. So, whether you’re a seasoned Expedition cruiser or you’re looking to try your very first adventure, I hope this has given you a taster of what it’s like to cruise with Hurtigruten. If it has given you the appetite to find out more then please do get in touch.

28 July 2019

As a Travel Counsellor, when I talk to people about cruising, as I do a lot, because I love it so much, I get the impression that people have a complete misconception about it! Lots of people seem to think that it's for older people and that it's stuffy and formal. Well, maybe once that was the case but it's certainly not now. The larger cruise lines and some of the smaller ones too, now have facilities for families to rival and better any land-based holiday. One of the big advantages of cruising for a family is that you can go from the UK, with Southampton being particularly popular as an embarkation port. That means that there's no flying necessary, so no waiting around at airports and no luggage restrictions, just take as much as you want. Check-ins are easy, so within a very short time you can be on the ship and your holiday has started! You can pre-plan everything in advance so you can already have your drinks packages, speciality dining and excursions already organised, you can just concentrate on exploring the ship and that's where the fun begins! As far as entertainment and facilities are concerned, where do I begin? Royal Caribbean must be one of the leaders in entertainment and attractions for families, with technology influencing everything on board. There's everything from Laser Tag to Skydiving - unbelievable when you think that you're on a ship! It doesn't stop there either, some of the ships have bungee trampolines, bumper cars, roller skating, flow-riders, the first zip-line at sea, the Ultimate Abyss which is the tallest slide at sea and not forgetting the 360 degree North Star, which takes you high above the ship with views to die for! Of course, there's plenty for adults too with shops, cafes, bars with Robotic bartenders, dance classes and so much more! It goes without saying, that there are kid’s clubs and Royal Caribbean will take babies and children from 6 months to 17 years, giving mum and dad the opportunity to spend some quality time together, knowing that the kids are well looked after. Parents with little ones can even have a pager so that they can rest assured that they'll be contacted should there be any problems. The focus on their Adventure Ocean Youth Programmes is for the kids to have fun but to learn lots too. Even children and teens with Autism or developmental disabilities are well looked after with trained staff, extra assistance, sensory films and toys. Fancy a nice quiet meal in a speciality dining restaurant without the kids? Well you can, because kid’s clubs are free up until 10pm! So, what's the accommodation like for families? Perfect for all budgets! There are Family Staterooms that sleep 4 with either Pullman Beds or sofa beds in either Inside, Outside or Balcony cabins. There are also Interconnecting Rooms for larger or multi-generational families. On some ships there are Family Connected Staterooms that in effect combine 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms! There are also Suites with either 1 or 2 bedrooms and on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas there's an Ultimate Family Suite. This has 2 stories with an in-suite slide to get from one level to the other, a games room with air-hockey and other games, a private cinema, a jacuzzi and table tennis on the balcony. Imagine the kids waking up and sliding down the slide for breakfast! Talking of breakfast, what about the food? There really is something for everyone with everything from buffets, catering for all tastes and ages to American diners, sports bars, Italian, seafood, Mexican to name just a few. Oh and of course, let's not forget Ben & Jerry's or The Cupcake Cupboard! Royal Caribbean also have a private island called Coco Cay, so if you fancy travelling further afield to the Caribbean, then this is a must for families. This is the first of 6 private islands for Royal Caribbean and is already proving to be a massive hit! There is everything that you can think of, much of which is complementary so included in your cruise fare, including your food at the Chill Grill or Skippers Grill. There are beaches, a massive waterpark, a zipline, a wave pool and a Helium Balloon that takes you 'Up, Up & Away' I hope this blog has given you a very small insight into why I think cruising is absolutely perfect for families and if it has whet your appetite to find out more then please don't hesitate to give me a call. I love to talk cruise!

06 April 2019

MY OVERNIGHT STAY ON THE MSC BELLISSIMA Having attended the (CLIA) Cruise Lines International Association Conference in 2018, I was fortunate to be invited to the Friday/Saturday of the launch weekend of the fabulous new MSC Bellissima. A magnificent looking ship accommodating 4500 passengers. ON ARRIVAL On arrival at the Southampton port, there before me was the stunning 19 deck beauty at sea, MSC Bellissima. After a very simple and quick check-in I was ready to board and as I was travelling with hand-luggage only, I was able to take this on board with me. MY CABIN Upon boarding, I quickly went off to find my cabin on Deck 9 – a lovely spacious balcony cabin with a huge double bed, a spacious wardrobe and a lovely bathroom. A unique feature of every cabin on this ship is ZOE, a virtual personal cruise assistant ready to answer all my questions about the ship. Facilities also included air-conditioning, an interactive TV, minibar, hairdryer, telephone and safe. Wi-Fi is also available at an additional cost. This was to be my home for the night and a very comfortable one it was too! The Daily Program was also in my cabin telling me what was going on throughout the day, now all I had to do was find my way around! EXPLORING After a very quick unpack, I went off to meet some fellow Travel Counsellors ready to explore the ship. We met in the Infinity Atrium and the first thing that caught my eye was the two-deck inside promenade which features an LED dome where the ceiling changes to fit the mood. It’s lined with bars, shops and speciality restaurants. We were lucky enough to be able to sample tasters from many of these restaurants, so we just had to give them a go! With everything from the delicious steak at the Butcher’s Cut to Tapas, Sushi and French food it was all simply divine. A little concerned about over-indulging before lunch we decided to leave the food and drink behind and set off to look around the rest of the ship. We had a quick look at the different types of cabin available: interior, ocean view, balcony (like mine) and suites. The suites were beautiful, some covering 2 decks with a living area on level 1 and a Master bedroom on Level 2, a lovely big balcony with a whirlpool bath. These duplex suites have 2 bathrooms and 2 walk-in wardrobes as well as all the standard facilities. There are also some family cabins that can accommodate up to 10 people in comfort – such an advantage for families wishing to travel together. We then headed up to Deck 19 to have a look at the Arizona Aquapark which is amazing for families. It was a bit of a chilly day in Southampton so we went back inside and wound our way back down the decks to check out everything else on offer. The amusement area, the spa, the gym, the casino and the Yacht Club area. I was blown away by the facilities for children and families on this ship. There’s a full-size bowling lane and an F1 Simulator, so authentic that it’s apparently the same as that used by professional F1 drivers. There’s an interactive cinema, an interactive maze and a virtual games arcade all on Deck 16. There are 5 different kids’ clubs and 7 different rooms filled with toys, games and high-tech equipment to suit every age group from toddlers to teenagers. I bet there’s never a dull moment for younger guests! Fabulous too, as it allows plenty of time for their parents to spend some quiet time, whilst knowing that their children are being well entertained and looked after. THE YACHT CLUB The Yacht Club is a luxury ship within a ship! The Royal and Deluxe Suites with their unique facilities are to be found here, but there are also Interior Suites available too. The Yacht Club has its own grill, sundeck, bars, pool, restaurant and lounge. These areas are all exclusive to the Yacht Club, so if you’re looking for peace and privacy, a private butler, drinks included and the highest quality menus to satisfy the most discerning palate then a Yacht Club cabin is definitely for you……and me! DINING & THE CHOCOLATE SHOP After a good couple of hours exploring the ship it was time for lunch, which was being served for us in the Posidonia Restaurant, situated on Deck 5. Menus are changed daily in the two main restaurants, but they always offer a wide choice of quality cuisine. The desserts on cruise ships are always my favourite and this was no exception! The afternoon for us was taken up by Conference sessions and then it was time for a couple of drinks and a look in the shops. Jean-Philippe’s Chocolat was definitely my favourite! You can see the chocolate and macarons being made before your very eyes – my idea of heaven! After a few tasters it was time to get changed ready for dinner. Dinner was again in the Posidonia Restaurant. There is of course always the choice of going to the Marketplace Buffet, which is open 20 hours a day. Alternatively, you can choose to eat in the Speciality Restaurants for which there are very reasonable packages available. EVENING ENTERTAINMENT There was live music and entertainment going on in most of the bars so something for everyone. We firstly headed for the Live Show in the London Theatre where the ships’ singers and dancers put on a fantastic ‘Solid Rock’ Show. Then it was off to the Sportplex which had very cleverly been transformed into a party venue for the evening and my goodness MSC certainly know how to party! Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see The Cirque du Soleil show on board but it's sure to be spectacular. BREAKFAST & DISEMBARKATION After a few very comfortable hours sleep in my cabin, it was unfortunately time to pack, have breakfast and disembark. Breakfast was in the Marketplace Buffet which was very good. The ship wasn’t full for my stay but there seemed to be plenty of seating and plenty of staff very efficiently clearing tables. The food was good with plenty of choice. Disembarkation was very easy, and I was sad to be saying farewell to the beautiful MSC Bellissima after such a short stay. I hope this gives you a brief idea of the quality and range of facilities onboard. Having cruised previously on an older MSC ship, I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised. I would be more than happy to embark on a cruise on her and recommend her to my clients, particularly families. For couples without children, I would highly recommend the exclusivity of the Yacht Club.