26 June 2025

After a quick breakfast at the Riu Manhattan Times Square, we hopped into our pre-booked taxi, buzzing with excitement for our upcoming cruise. Check-in at Pier 90, Manhattan Cruise Terminal was smooth and efficient, and by noon, we were aboard Norwegian Joy, settling into our beautiful Aft-Facing Penthouse with Balcony in The Haven. We loved the sail away from New York, passing the Statue of Libe

07 December 2023

We landed late afternoon, to be met by a pre-arranged taxi transfer from JFK to Manhattan, staying 3 nights in the Riu Plaza Manhattan, only a minute from Times Square. Checked in to our room on 26th floor, passports into the safe and headed out, crossing a jam packed Times Square, with interesting characters wanting you to pay for a photo, No thank you. Evening meal was in Junior’s, Famous for t

14 October 2022

Early start in May 2022, first trip abroad since September 2019, only took 40 minutes from leaving The Clayton Hotel, checked in, completed security and sat down with much needed coffee in Manchester Airport. And we are off on time Jet2.com to Rome, overnight stay at the Bernini Bristol hotel, with a wonderful roof top restaurant. Spend the day walking around all the tourist sites, starting wit

23 May 2020

We are now approaching June 2020, week 10 of Lockdown with a slight easing of restrictions And it feels like the green shoots of travel are starting to appear. Most people I have spoken to fall into 2 categories, those who will be jumping on the first airplane out of the UK heading to the sun and those who are seriously worried and have no plans to leave this year. This got me thinking about nex

20 February 2020

We arrived in Vancouver late evening in style – Rocky Mountaineer from Banff and then transferred to The Pan Pacific, 5 star hotel overlooking Coal Harbour. I had booked Pacific Club Rooms, giving us access to a private lounge with tea & coffee available and a free breakfast, the following morning, up early and headed up Burrards St. to hire a couple of bikes. Okay, so I have not been on a bike f

19 November 2019

Have you ever got to that point when, you just need a break, a few days away? But you have a long list of requirements: Pet friendly an absolute must for me Hot tub Not a hotel High standard of accommodation King Size Bed Decent kitchen Somewhere not too busy I found that place, so we set off from Yorkshire, for a fairly long drive down to Norfolk. To a lodge at the Waveney River Centre, near B

25 September 2019

A poem about our journey on Rocky Mountaineer written by my husband Matthew Wilkes Rocky Mountaineer As we stand on the platform In the dawns early light We hear a distant rumble And behold a magnificent sight Yellow and blue the rumbling beast Approaches towards us out of the east Our hearts start to tremble And we feel a tear Run down our cheeks, We see the Rocky Mountaineer Whoo! Whoo! A

23 September 2019

The sun was shining as I approached the International Cruise Terminal in North Shields, Tyne & Wear. It was early Saturday morning and I was excited to get the opportunity to see this exception to Princess Cruise fleet of cruise ships. Princess are world renowned for their beautiful contemporary large ships, but this one is different. Imagine a country club hotel, with dark wood panelling, fire

20 September 2019

“We have decided to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary with a party” was the message left on my phone by my parents. Fantastic. But it was for the following Monday, in Spain, and I was supposed to be attending a wedding in Derbyshire on the Saturday. The challenge was set. Every possible and impossible route was investigated. Sadly, Derbyshire had to be crossed off (hubby attended by himself)

16 June 2019

I have always said that there is a ship for everyone, and If someone doesn’t like cruising, it’s because they are on the wrong ship. Over the years I have been fortunate to both cruise for my own holidays and be invited to many cruise ship launches. Also, as part of my ongoing training as a CLIA cruise Master, I have had the opportunity to visit ships when they call into UK ports, mainly Southamp

07 March 2019

I was invited by CLIA (cruise lines international association), with whom I am CLIA Master, to see the brand new MSC Bellissima in Southampton. Travelling down from North Yorkshire is always a long journey, especially in the rain, so having driven for 6 hours it was a pleasure to arrive at the Premier Inn, West Quay. Following morning, an early start to walk down to Mayflower Park to get the

03 August 2018

As a CLIA Master (cruise specialist) it seems only right to attend the main conference, held in Southampton. And what a conference, with business sessions, trade fairs, three ship visits, black tie gala dinner, gorgeous evening courtesy of Seabourn and a hotel visit (Harbour Hotel). After a gruelling seven-hour drive I arrived in Southampton, staying centrally at the Premier Inn, West Quay, very

04 July 2017

MS Zuiderdam – Holland America Line 2nd July 2017 Sunday morning, very early, alarm goes off, then I remember, a ship visit, my favourite topic - cruise ships. I am off to the Port of Tyne, good drive, checked in and we are all given a self-tour guide, straight up the gangway, a bit steep, the tide is in. The Captain is there to say hello in the Atrium with the beautiful crystal Sea Horse,

15 June 2017

Milo, my chocolate Labrador was dropped off at the kennels and we were off…heading south from North Yorkshire to Southampton. Traffic was heavy and there were plenty of roadworks, so we had to stop for coffee and a bite to eat. Seven hours later we arrived at the hotel for our overnight stay. I woke up early, excited, and looking forward to our weekend. After breakfast was done we walked down t

14 June 2017

Tuesday 23rd May 2017 - my alarm clock is buzzing at 4am and I need to get up. I had a good but very short night’s sleep at The Clayton Hotel, Manchester Airport. I got the free shuttle into Terminal 3, checked in for my Jet2.com flight to Rome, so the next stop was Starbucks for coffee. Flights were on time, although there was a bit of a wait for passport control and retrieving the bags. I jum

29 January 2017

If someone had said to me last year that I would be going to Ibiza, to see my daughter working there, and that I would fall in love with the island, I admit that I would have laughed at them! Me...in Ibiza, well I would have said they must be joking! Like many people, I had an image of Ibiza and its reputation for clubbing and parties. Yet, what if I said to you there is a whole other side to

29 January 2017

For years, myself and my daughter, Laura, wanted a girly holiday but every time we came around to looking we could just never decide or nothing was as perfect as we wanted. We wanted somewhere where we could relax together, have a few spa treatments and enjoy a drink or two. In 2016 we finally took the plunge, we decide to go onto Ovation of the Seas for a 5 night cruise to Zeebrugge and Cherbo

18 May 2015

Travelling 1st class by rail to the Capital is always exciting, underground to Heathrow, Hoppa to the Holiday Inn Hotel, not a bad night’s sleep, back on the Hoppa to Terminal Five for BA flight to Athens, about an hour’s transfers to Pireaus, with views of the Parthenon, to join the ship, all very smooth. I was staying in a Premium Outside with Obstructed views on Bridge Deck. MV Aegean Odysse

09 March 2010

It’s an early start this Saturday morning, as I head south on the A1m, must remember to pick up colleague Angela from Wetherby and look forward to coffee at Cherwell Valley. We approached the docks on the A3024, the traffic is building and we catch our first glimpse of the brand new ship, looking very splendid on the horizon. Car park is opposite the Terminal Building near gate 8. Securit

02 September 2009

The Wilkes Family is back on the road and this time we stayed in England exploring the marshes and heaths of Suffolk, basing ourselves in the small village of Walberswick, within easy reach of Southwold. Hiring bikes and dusting off the walking boots was the name of the game, this was a week of back to basics, enjoying the outdoors, with its many marked trails. Many hours were spent messing abo

02 September 2009

Towering over Southampton was the first view of this amazing ship. Suitcases handed over to the porters, the car was duly parked and into the cruise terminal we proceeded; all very efficiently done. The crew greets you onboard with a glass of champagne, very civilized. Our cabin wasn’t quite ready so it was time to investigate the ship. First stop was the Lawn Club, deck 15, ½ an acre of grass,

15 March 2009

This is the second half of our holiday, having spent 5 nights in the hotel L’Elysee, Val D’Europe, close to Disneyland Paris and opposite a the Val-Europe shopping centre, where we stocked up on food, loaded the car and set off to drive the 250 miles to Branges in the Burgundy region of France. We were going to spend 7 nights sailing a 52ft cabin cruiser on a one way rental from Branges to Gra

09 September 2008

Once again my family and I set off on our annual summer holiday and as a preference it was decided a cruise should be the main focus. We flew direct from Leeds Bradford on Jet2.com to Rome’s Fiumincino Airport to be met by a pre-organised taxi, which took us to Civitavecchia, approximately 30mins. After check in at our delightful 4 star very Italian hotel call the Sunbay Park (English is spoken

24 July 2008

I travelled with my husband Matthew and daughter Laura; after staying overnight in an airport hotel and using a convenient long stay car park, we flew 8½ hours direct from Manchester to Orlando International, where, upon landing, Home Land Security were efficient clearing the airport in 45mins. Then transferring by minibus to our hotel in Lake Buena Vista. Our intention was to visit all the maj