14 September 2017

You may be thinking of taking a cruise for the first time or indeed be an experienced cruiser that is thinking about trying another line, hopefully the below guide will give you a small insight as to what each cruise line has to offer and of course you can always call me for more advice. P&O CRUISES P&O cruises have 7 ships in their fleet: the newest being their flagship Britannia. They are known for offering guests Strictly Come Dancing at Sea and for their celebrity chef Food Heroes on-board ships. They offer the most cruises out of Southampton, including lots of mini cruises and world cruises that depart in January You would like P&O if: • You like home comforts such as tea and coffee making facilities in your cabin and a “British” feel. • You wanted an adult only cruise - 2 ships are for adults only - Arcadia and Oriana • You want to take the family then try Aurora, Oceana, Ventura and Britannia Royal Caribbean Cruises Royal Caribbean have 25 Ships in their fleet and they range from small to super-size!! Their largest ship Harmony of the Seas can take up to 5,400 passengers but don’t let this put you off, the ships may be big but there is plenty of space on board and with things like Sky Diving, Bumper Cars, Surfing, Rock Climbing, Ice Skating and a full-size carousel on board some of their ships there is plenty to do. Independence of The Seas is about to have a multimillion pound makeover that will include the first Trampoline Park at Sea! You would like Royal Caribbean if: • You are a family (the kids and teens clubs are amazing) • You want a more relaxed atmosphere on board • You like West End Show Productions and great entertainment • You are a first-time cruiser as there are lots of different ships, you will find one that suits you Cunard Cruises Cunard are very much a traditional cruise line, I would say more liners than cruise ships, kind of along the lines of Titanic. There are 3 ships, one being the Queen Mary which was built specifically to do a Transatlantic Sailing (Southampton to New York) This particular ship is the only one I am aware of that also has its own deck for dogs, with kennels, a full time “doggy” butler. As well as the Transatlantic Cunard also operate world cruises in January, mini cruises and sailings from Southampton throughout the year You would like Cunard Cruises if: • You like formality and tradition • You like exceptional service • You like to dress up of an evening • You can’t bear to be parted from your furry friend whilst on holiday MSC Cruises MSC Cruises have 16 ships in their fleet, they sail mostly in the Med, The Caribbean, Dubai, Northern Europe and South America. Like Royal Caribbean the majority of these ships are big ones but with lots to do on board including water slides and a bowling alley. MSC are a little different, being Mediterranean you will find that the food, entertainment etc reflects that, however they do have a ship called Magnifica which is sailing from Southampton next year to Northern Europe and this ship will have a more British feel, with Tea & Coffee making facilities in the cabins, British Comedians and more British inspired food. You would like MSC Cruises if: • You have a family with children (kid’s prices are normally very good with MSC) • You want to mix with lots of different nationalities • You want to visit lots of ports • You are price conscious (MSC are very competitively priced) • You drink – MSC have one of the best priced drinks packages at sea! Norwegian Cruise Line NCL have 11 ships in their fleet and sail almost world-wide, Australia, Hawaii, South America, Alaska, Canada, Caribbean, Asia and of course in Europe. On NCL there are no set dinner times, no dress codes you do as you wish when you wish. Great entertainment on board including shows, comedy clubs, Ice bars, bowling alleys, water slides, kid’s clubs. Prices include all drinks and Tips, NCL were also the first cruise line to build cabins specifically designed for solo travellers, cruise lines are notorious for charging high single supplements but on a few of the NCL ships they have Studio Cabins that are very affordable. You would like NCL if: • You are a solo cruiser • You are a couple or travelling with a group • You prefer a relaxed informal style of cruise • You are a family (lots for everyone to do) • You like to budget all your costs prior to your holiday (tips/drinks already included) Celebrity Cruise Line Celebrity are what I would put as a 4* type of a Cruise ship, a bit classier than Royal Caribbean but not as formal or traditional as Cunard, they have speciality restaurants on board, Martini bars, Wine bars, even on some ships a lawn club with real grass where you can have a picnic. In my opinion although they do cater for families and have kids/teen clubs there are no so many things on board for kids to do but for couples or groups of friends they are brilliant and have some amazing itineraries. As well as Europe Celebrity cruise to lots of different places including Antarctica, The Galapagos, India, South Pacific, Hawaii, Australia & New Zealand, Caribbean Asia, Alaska to name but a few. You may have seen in the news about their newest ship which will sail from 2018 called The Edge, the design is like nothing you have seen before and will be a real game changer for cruising. You would like Celebrity if: • You are a couple or travelling with a group of friends • You like to eat out in different restaurants • You want to cruise to different destinations Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Fred Olsen are a family run cruise line that have 4 ships, these ships are much smaller than other cruise lines and generally appeal to the older market. They are well known for their friendliness and levels of service. They sail from lots of ports in the UK including, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Liverpool, Newcastle, Southampton and Edinburgh and sail all over the world including Europe, The Amazon, Indian Ocean, South Africa, Norwegian Fjords, The British Isles and many more. Each evening on most cruises there are hosted dance events, so great if you are into Ballroom Dancing etc, there is entertainment and lots of guest speakers and lectures throughout the cruise, because the ships are smaller you do feel like you are getting a more personal service, however if you are looking for lots of activities or to party all night then this wouldn’t be the cruise line for you. You would like Fred Olsen if: • You are of an older generation • You like good service and a very friendly ship • You like to visit smaller ports of call (because the ships are smaller they can access places that the big ships can’t)

15 January 2017

Set back from the beach, the Puente Romano is equidistance (for walking) between Puerto Banus and Marbella town. Its location is a gem. The hotel offers the perfect blend of tranquillity and isolation to bask in, with the option to step into the nightlife or go sightseeing. If you are looking for escape and relaxation you can get it by basking in the setting’s replicated architecture of an Andalusian village. It is an unusual feast of loveliness, sanitized in all its glory (the cleanliness is a marvel). The ideal option for those wanting a stress free, indulgent, no need to move week away. The ease of having a door to door airport to hotel pick up will allow you to dispense with car hire immediately and give you a chance to change your mindset to which book to reach for next to the sun lounger. The start to the day at breakfast is a pleasurable affair that is worthy of the hotel's five-star rating alone. In fact, the dining options are varied and comprehensive. With the added bonus of a truly impressive two star Michelin restaurant from chef Dani Garcia. A fairy tale of a dining setting, with its ambient intimacy of greenery and low lighting coupled with the vista of an open kitchen to view and explore. Dani Garcia offers both a tasting menu and à la carte. The addition of a gluten-free café Celicioso is a bonus for coeliac or people choosing to go gluten free. However, it may not be helpful to pop into the gorgeous Les Deux if you are watching your waistline! The ability to sample a variety of eating options only adds to the relaxation of the location because it allows you to bask in your surrounds. This is the perfect opportunity to utilise your location if, recharging your wellbeing and resetting the calm button, is a key factor of your holiday. It’s likely then the most stressful option could be booking a spa treatment. The next most taxing moment might be choosing between pool or beach side for lounging. The hotel has three pools to choose from with an additional children’s pool. The beach facilities are set across from the promenade, which stretches the length of the area's coastline, seventeen kilometres in total along the Costa del Sol. Towels are provided for the beds in a specific area, although it is a public beach. If it is a clear day there is an incredible view of the tip of Andalucía and Gibraltar with the added sight of the distance haze of Morocco, which is only eight nautical miles across from the strait of Gibraltar. The combination of location and weather add to the significant factor of Puente Romano being a fabulous destination for the discerning traveller. As much as it offers relaxation, the hotel facilities are a boon for families with the hotel’s free Kids Club for guests. It is an excellent location for tennis players, with its own tennis club developed by tennis legend Bjorn Borg, and perfectly placed for enjoying golf. The hotel also offers complimentary yoga lessons with a very talented Kundalini yoga teacher, Natalia. With a wide selection of rooms from double, suites, villas and specific family rooms there is plenty to delight for a good nights sleep at the Puente Romano Beach Resort.

15 June 2012

After recently returning from Abu Dhabi I wanted to share my visit with you! I was lucky enough to begin my trip by travelling with the award winning airline, Etihad. We were in Business Class which was such an amazing experience; the service was outstanding and the seats reclined to fully flat beds. The cabin held approx 22 and had a very private feel to it with seat configurations to suit couples or passengers travelling alone. There was a huge selection of inflight entertainment along with the 'Dine any time’ service which may I add has to be the best airline food I've had; the 7 hour flight seemed to go very quick! Once arrived into Abu Dhabi we went through the airport very seamlessly - no queues at immigration...it was just the 40 degrees when we walked outside that hit us! We were met by our transfer company and whisked off to the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. My room was a Fairmont View Room - amazing! This room would suit business and leisure clients, with a large pool and private beach area. That evening we had dinner at the Italian Restaurant - Frankie’s. Food was fantastic and a good choice too. Our next stop was to Saadiyat Island and Manarat Al Saadiyat Visitor Centre - here we saw what great plans Abu Dhabi has in store to develop this Island such as the Zayed Museum, the Louvre, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and an amazing Marina. Whilst on Saadiyat Island we were fortunate enough to visit the iconic St Regis Hotel - words cannot describe how amazing this resort is! I was wowed from the minute I walked into the hotel! There are amazing views over the pristine white sand beaches and the spacious rooms featured a Mediterranean-style décor and all the home comforts including beds with luxury duvets and pillows, a TV, and an iPod docking station. The private bathroom comes with a double sink, a free-standing tub, a rain shower, and Remède toiletries. Next pit stop was Ferrari World! The first Ferrari theme park and largest attraction of its kind, including rides for children of all ages, providing the complete Ferrari experience. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of Italian delicacies. The day ended with a visit to the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa where the Mercedes F1 team stay.....and a favourite of Michael Schumacher! Views of the golf course can be enjoyed from all Westin’s open-plan rooms, which come with a flat-screen TV and Nespresso coffee maker. They have large floor-to-ceiling windows, luxurious bedding and a private bathroom with separate bath tub and shower. Guests can relax at the Heavenly Spa by Westin and the hotel has 6 restaurants, including a gourmet Moroccan restaurant After a restful night’s sleep, the following morning we were picked up by our guide to be taken to the newly opened Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa, an Anantara property located in Salam Street in Abu Dhabi. The hotel has an outdoor pool, sun terrace, spa centre and gym and provides a good location on the promenade where you can enjoy the walk into the Abu Dhabi tourist area and Malls which are approximately 2km away. The hotel has kept to a traditional Arabic feel which you can sense as you enter the hotel - again very urban and spacious with great amenities within the room overlooking the Mangroves. We were also fortunate enough to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for a private tour. On arrival I had to don a black Abaya and headscarf which was provided...but was worth it to see this great monument. It was an amazing experience entering the main prayer hall with the largest handmade carpet in the world and white marble walls along with all the Swarovski crystal chandeliers. This mosque can hold over 40,000 worshippers at any one time! My next hotel visit was to the Emirates Palace - reputedly the most expensive hotel ever built as original plans were for this to be an actual Palace. Tranquil, lavishly appointed rooms with views across the immaculate stunning private beach and marina. We ended the day at the Jumeirah Etihad Towers situated in the heart of Abu Dhabi. The rooms here were very contemporary and stylish with state of the art technology - a remote control even to open and shut your curtains! We dined in the Lebanese Li Beirut serving contemporary Lebanese food which was exquisite. Abu Dhabi takes great pride in its culture, history and its nationals. It is a country which is growing rapidly with great plans for the island to become a place to definitely visit - I certainly would like to return in years to come to have seen the change. I would definitely recommend Abu Dhabi as a stop over or as a winter holiday – I am happy to discuss any details with you if you have an interest in the destination.