13 February 2022

PART THREE - Covering the App and my Top Tips for sailing with Virgin Voyages Dont forget to check out Part One and Part Two for more information about the ship Another thing that is different is pretty much everything is done through an app once on board, now I am a technophobe and this part did worry me before I got on, however even someone like me found it really easy and just so convenient, want to change your dining whilst sitting at the pool – no problem, want to order room service to be back at your cabin when you’ve finished your night out- easy. Need to speak to Sailor Services but currently sat in a hot tub – no worries you can message them on the app. You can also view all your spends on your account and even add other guests as friends so if you want to book shows/dining together its all done in one click. Everything that is happening during the day is all on the app and there are also lots of touch screens around the ship that tell you what is going on. For those that simply must have a piece of paper telling you what is going on, you can collect a daily planner from sailor services every day. Scarlet Lady is the first cruise I have been on in 2 years (ruddy Covid) and I felt like I had come home, I felt she got me and I got her, it was my kind of ship with my kind of people, if was if Virgin had wrote to me before hand and said describe your perfect cruise and then put it all in place. I love good food, I love easy-going bars and chilled out places, I love dancing to music I know, I love modern design and mixing with people who enjoy life and want to live their best life, everyone is accepted and appreciated, and you really do feel like part of a family. My Top 10 Ten Tips for Sailing on Virgin Voyages 1) Download the app before you go – you complete all your check in on here, you can pre book shore excursions and evening dining, update your profile with your preferred name – ie if your name is Samantha but you like being called Sam put it in and your band will come with that name on it. Go into messenger and you will see your QR code – share this with friends that are going on the same sailing and you can pre book restaurants, shows etc together. 2) When you are waiting to board connect to the Ships Wifi (you get a little card at check in telling you how to do this) then you can book all the shows etc, and any payable on board activities (Grog Walk (bar crawl) Shot for Shot (mixer class) Spa sessions, Hair Dressers etc 3) Have a good walk round the ship when you get on, everything flows very easily (there is also a map in your cabin) get to know the areas etc and check out all the different spots 4) Order Room Service – all the food etc is free, there is a $5 delivery charge, however if you order something for $5 (say a can of redbull) then delivery is free. You can also stock up on free soft drinks for your mini bar – cans of diet coke, sprite, coke, etc and don’t forget the Gummie Bears 5) If you cant get a specific dining time for a restaurant – don’t panic – just go to the restaurant and they will fit you in when they can, you might have to wait 15 mins or so but I was just able to walk in to most of them 6) Different Bars do different cocktails – you can scan menus with your phone or ask for the paper copy from the bar server 7) Wear Red on Scarlet Night and hang around the rocks bar on deck 6 or just above on deck 7 – you never know who you might bump into and what secret event you might get invited to 8) If you want to get a Tattoo go to the shop on the first evening and get booked in, it is expensive though, starting from $150 for a small one. 9) Check your app or the daily planner from Sailor Services each day – there’s lots going on you just need to know where to find it 10) Live your best life, be who you want to be, relax and enjoy everything that Virgin Voyages has to offer, do something you’ve never done before, take an exercise class, eat something you’ve never had before, and an absolute must – Try the Barbequed Shrimp (prawns) whilst laying on one of those massive sunbeds at the back of the ship in the Dock House. Scarlet Lady is currently sailing around the Caribbean from Miami, Valiant Lady (her brand-new Sister ship) has some mini cruises from Portsmouth before starting her summer sailings to the Med from Barcelona and soon we will be welcoming Virgin Voyages newest ship Resilient Lady. I will be back on Valiant Lady for a quick look around in Match and then I have my next cruise booked with her for a week in May in the Med and I cant wait!! There are some amazing offers on now, FREE Flights on all Valiant Lady European Sailings from all airports over the UK, $100 free bar tab, 10% off if you book and pay in full. Med Cruises from £965pp, Short Breaks from the UK from £409pp and do not forget with the Caribbean Sailings you can add on stays in places like New York, Miami even Vegas – almost anything is possible with Virgin Voyages. I could write pages and pages about Scarlet Lady and how fabulous I think she is but sadly I am limited to the amount of words I can use, so if you think Virgin Voyages might be for you and you would like to know more or just want to have a chat about the cruises they have then please do give me a call on 01277 840262 or pop me an email at kerry.cansdale@travelcounsellors.com and I will be more than happy to help.

13 February 2022

PART ONE - BOARDING, CABIN AND RESTUARANTS I have just returned from a back-to-back cruise on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady out in the Caribbean In truth I am finding it hard to condense down 216 hours of what is quite possibly the best holiday I have ever had but I will do my best, I am going to try and highlight everything I experienced but honestly there is so much more I could share – if you want to know more about Virgin Voyages then please give me a call on 01277 840262 – grab a coffee and make yourself comfortable if you do because I could talk about this Ship forever ?? Due to word limitation on my blogs - I have done 3 separate ones so please do check them all out PART ONE - Boarding, Cabin and Restaurant's on board PART TWO - Entertainment, Bimini Beach Club PART THREE - Overview and my Top 10 Tips for sailing with Virgin Voyages Boarding the ship in Miami was super easy, check in, COVID test, wait for results and then through to the boarding area. From Mid-February Virgin will have their very own cruise terminal at Miami so I expect this process will be even slicker. Virgin do not board sailors until 2pm on your sailing day, this is because they allow the previous guests to disembark up to 11am so when you choose your check in time bear that in mind. Trust me when it is your time to disembark you will really appreciate not being rushed off the ship. You don’t get a key card, you get a bracelet (band) you can personalise it before you go and it made life so much easier, your band gets you on and off the ship, you tap it for any purchases on board and at the Bimini Beach Club, its waterproof and its so great not having to scrabble around in your bad trying to find the card or having to get your card reissued because your phone went against it – its quite the fashion accessory too! When you are in the boarding area you should be able to connect to the ships Wi-Fi and then you can book all your shows etc, dining can be pre booked before you go, along with shore excursions. Once you are welcomed on board by all the crew, your cabin will be ready and your luggage already inside – there is a safety video which you can watch on your cabin tv or via the app and then you pay a quick visit to where your lifeboat will be, check in with the crew and that’s it. I highly recommend ordering your first drink and then take yourself on a tour of the ship, get to know the areas, the bars, the restaurants etc. I should point out at this stage that Virgin Voyages are Adult only - no kidding - there's no kids at all, but that doesn't mean you cant be a kid at heart - and as nice as kids are, it was lovely to be on a cruise that is just Adult Only. I had a balcony cabin (Sea Terrace) that comes with your very own hammock, the cabin is gorgeous, a massive bed (which could be turned into a sofa during the day) a US and EU plug point and lots of USB plugs for all your mobile devices. There is plenty of space for clothes, although Virgin have taken on feedback from some sailor guests and are now in the process of adding more storage space in the cabins. You have a mini bar, a chair, vanity table and best of all mood lighting in the cabin and the curtains which are all controlled by your in-room tablet. The bathroom beware is a little small, however the shower is awesome, very roomy and has a rainfall shower head which is just amazing, the sink itself is small and the space in the actual bathroom bit is tight but it’s doable. If you are travelling as a couple its no issue but if you are friends, my top tip would be to upgrade to an XL Sea Terrace which gives you tons more bathroom space. There are many different cabin types including ones especially for Solo cruisers without the high supplements, Virgin also offer Rockstar Quarters – which are suites and come with lots of added extras including your own Rockstar Roadie at your disposal. Is it worth upgrading to Rockstar? Yes, if it is a special occasion or you just want to “push the boat out” but the standard cabins are not to be sniffed at. The ship has over 20 eateries, In the interests of research (lol) I did my best to get round them all and all were outstanding, everything is cooked fresh to order and it is like eating in a speciality restaurant every night, but you do not have to pay a supplement. The food onboard…I cannot tell you how good it is ... If you are a Foodie, you will be in Heaven ... I did not have one bad meal even the room service is out of this world - A few of my favourite places are Gumbae – A Korean BBQ experience where you all sit round a table and the food is cooked live for you whilst playing games and interacting with the crew. The Wake – this felt to me the high-class restaurant on the ship, the grand entrance walking down the stairs, the décor, its beautiful. Lots of steak and seafood available or you could be a bit daring and go for the marrowbone like I did. Razzle Dazzle – It is a vegetarian restaurant but with a secret meat menu – really good fun in here, the food again is amazing – the cocktails are to die for, and you must have the Rainbow Churros for desert – heaven! The Galley – Virgin Voyages don’t do buffets, but I suppose if you were looking for something similar this would be the nearest thing - a collection of various food houses in one place, from Diner and Dash that is open 24/7 serving burgers, cooked breakfast etc to Sushi, paninis, noodles, salads the list goes on and the menus change throughout the day. Pink Agave – Mexican all your favourites here and a bonus is they do two sizes of servings medium and large so you can stuff yourself or go easy or even share a dish with your fellow shipmate. Extra Virgin – Italian for all your pasta, meatballs, seafood, chicken – exquisite food in really lovely surroundings. The Dock House – my absolute favourite place to waste an hour or so in the afternoon – at the aft of the ship overlooking the waves on a massive sunbed stuffing myself with freshly cooked prawns, Octopus, chicken and steak, its not really a proper restaurant – it’s a bar or even a club that you hang out in and they serve this delicious food – You absolutely must eat here you wont be disappointed.

13 February 2022

Here is the 2nd part of my blog from my cruise on Scarlet Lady with Virgin Voyages (if you missed it there is a PART ONE which covers boarding, cabin and restaurant's) There is one more after this - PART THREE in which I will share my top tips for sailing with Virgin Voyages There are some shops on board, including Duty Free and a Virgin Voyages Store (great for some last minute gifts or take home memories) there is also a Spa, Hairdressers, Make Up/Beauticians, Nail Parlour and even a Tattoo Shop. Entertainment on board is different to your normal cruise, acrobats in Duel Reality, Dance Offs in the Red Room (theatre) Never Sleep Alone Show and much more, look out for the secret magician show – if you are lucky, you might just get an invite. They really involve the audience, and I found all the shows very entertaining. There are lots of bands and entertainers in various locations around the ship, rock and roll, blues, one-man bands singing their stories, folk bands there is always something going on and most people finished off their night in The Manor which is the Nightclub with a star setting entrance. The Casino is large with its own bar, lots of tables and slots, it is also non-smoking, however there is a “secret” door that will take you to the smoking room (which also has slots in) and you can smoke freely in there or up on deck 16 by Richards Rooftop. The outside areas of the ship wowed me ... so many many places to sit and watch the waves, lots of sunbeds and then loads of massive sunbeds (like double beds) there are even private cabanas if you fancy one. The main pool area has music playing, I didn’t find it too loud and the only thing I would say is that might get a busy on a sea day with a full ship of sailors, just behind the main pool is another quieter area with massive beds and a giant hot tub and don’t forget there are tons of other places on board where you can go and chill out. There are a few different Itineraries you can do on Scarlet in the Caribbean but they will all at some stage in the voyage call at Virgin Voyages private beach club in Bimini – Virgin literally take over the whole beach club, the crew come, the bars come, the food comes … its exclusive to all Scarlet Lady sailors and its beautiful – gorgeous white sandy beaches with even more of those double bed size sunbeds (can you tell that I really liked these yet?) 2 pools, one with a DJ and a quieter one with hanging chairs around the pool – your bar tab is valid here too so no need to bring cash or anything. What absolutely amazed me is the amount of things onboard that are available at no extra cost to you – all the different food and snacks that are available throughout the day, boxed salads, wraps, pretzels, hot dogs, popcorn, ice cream, cakes, even gummy bears for your sweet tooth. There is an arcade on board with lots of 80’s games like Super Mario, Space Invaders etc, Air Hockey, foosball and lots more. Board Games and daily meet ups to play them, Private Karaoke booths, which you can hire (for free) by the hour. There was even a massive colouring in board that you could complete and then take your part away at the end of the cruise. Group Exercise classes like Yoga, Pilates and even an outdoor boxing ring if that takes your fancy and of course do not forget that Virgin always include your basic bevvies – such as soft drinks, drip tea/coffee etc. Wi Fi is also included and it works really really well, I could read emails, use Facebook, make facetime calls, use what’s app all of that – if you want to stream videos or download lots of stuff then you may have to upgrade the package but the “basic” Wi-Fi is plenty good enough to do all that you mostly need on holiday. Lastly – something that does seem to cause issues with us, Tips ... Tips are also included for free and the crew do not expect or look for extra tips, speaking of the crew... they are all amazing, nothing is too much trouble and they remember your drinks/name so fast – I spoke to a lot of crew and its clear they love working for Virgin Voyages and this then comes across in the way they look after you. Virgin don’t do All Inclusive Drinks as such, what they offer is the opportunity to buy a “Bar Tab” this works so well because you don’t have to buy one for everyone in your cabin (for example if someone doesn’t drink at all or so much as the other) I purchased a $300 Bar Tab and with the current promotion Virgin gave me an extra $100 free so I ended up with $400 to spend on drinks. Drinks prices are really very reasonable around $8-9 for a Vodka (double for us) $6-8 for a bottle of beer and $9 for a large glass of wine and around $10-$15 for a cocktail depending on which one. People often ask me ... is this cruise line just suited to young people? Is it a Party Ship? I find it quite hard to place it really, I don’t think its about age, I met people aged from 20 up to 80, I think its more about your attitude to life, there is a vibe on board that is hard to explain, you could liken it to an exclusive beach club, or a really luxurious hotel and with regards to a Party Ship I guess it depends on what your view of Party is .. I really think that because its not all inclusive that is the reason you do not get loads of drunk people, yes people have a drink and yes there are sail away parties, pyjama parties and even a bar crawl but its not in your face – people are simply happy and enjoying themselves. It most definitely is not all loud music and nightclubs, its way more sophisticated than that. The Dress Code on board is relaxed, there isnt a Formal Night as such but they do have a Scarlet Night where most people wear something red, but you dont have to if you dont want to, most nights you will find a mixture of how people dress - most are smart casual, some dress up and a very small amount dress down - the only rule is no swimming costumes etc in restaurants so its really what you are comfortable in, really just what you would wear on a night out here.

24 February 2020

I recently travelled down to a very wet and windy Dover to experience Virgin's brand new Cruise Ship - The Scarlet Lady. Firstly - please bear in mind I was only on her for a few hours, it was in Dover (not the Caribbean where she will be based - hence some dreary pictures) and also this ship was built to be different. 100% this ship will not appeal to everyone, it wasn't designed to, neither does it want to. Richard Branson actually bought in designers who had never worked on cruise ships before because he wanted something completely different to what is already available on the market and for this point I think he has succeeded. My first impression from dockside was that she was very grey (not helped by the weather clearly) but also I just thought she was going to a bit more "red" however once on board there is definitely nothing dull about her interiors. She is glitzy, glamorous, perfectly Instagrammable (I'm not sure that's even a word). Selfie kings and queens will be in their element, from star studded, mirrored entrances to the night club to the fabulous artwork around the ship, to me its not natural beauty is a look of wonder and I felt myself saying OMG look at that a lot of times! I like that Virgin have included a lot more things than other cruise lines, for instance gratuities, sodas, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee,wellness and spinning classes are also included. The alcoholic drinks are not overly expensive (beer around $5 Vodka & Coke $9). The biggest inclusion for me was the restaurants - there are over 20 of them and they are all FREE. Each is very different but in my opinion these were the kind of restaurants that on any other cruise line would be classed as "speciality" and you would have to pay for them. Not so on Scarlet Lady - its all included. There is no main dining room as such, you can eat in any of these restaurants at whatever time you want and all the food is cooked fresh to order, if the restaurant is busy you can join a virtual queue from your app and wander off to a bar until your table is ready. The Galley - there is no buffet restaurant on board but what you have instead is a very large area that has lots of food stations, from burgers to sushi, noodles to all day breakfasts - grab and go dinner etc etc - there is something available form here 24/7 - I grabbed a burger, sweet potato nibbles, and chips for dinner - delish! My cabin was a Sea Terrace Cabin (Balcony). Again, I have heard feedback of it being Ikea like - small, not enough storage - I think I might have to disagree a little. I get why people would say Ikea like - the furniture is very modern, it has a very clean and fresh look to it. I didn't think it was small at all - plenty of room to move around and during the day your cabin steward will even change you bed back to a sofa like position to give you even more room (personally I love an afternoon nap so I think I would be asking to keep the bed as it is during the day so I can crash out). As for storage I thought it was fine, you have a large cupboard with shelves etc and next to that is hanging space with a curtain that pulls across to make your wardrobe. There is a shelf over the desk and some small storage space underneath. Bear in mind that this ship is set to do 4/5 night sailings out in the Caribbean so I guess you wont be needing tons of clothes. The bathroom is small, but unless you are in a suite on a cruise ship, I think they all are. I loved the rainfall shower and the fact that there was hot water all the time and the water pressure was great, there's enough space to store your toiletries and the products that they use (shampoo/shower gel etc) smelt gorgeous. Towels were large and fluffy, cute hand towels and even a towel for make up (its black - so hides the left over foundation really well). There are Suite cabins on board (take a look at my cruise FB page for pictures) and yes these are amazing - who wouldn't want to have their own hot tub, fully stocked bar and even electric guitars to play, but unless you really are a Rockstar you might find the pricing quite expensive for one of these types of cabins. There are A LOT of bars around the ship, again I don't think even I managed to see them all, but they all have different personalities, from swish to chilled out, I think everyone will find a favourite and position themselves there. I didn't get to see the outside - gale force winds and downpours prevented that. I do have concerns regarding the size of the pool. The ship will take 2,700 people and I personally felt the pool was too small, however considering the ship will be in port most days or at their private beach club maybe this wont be a huge issue. There are lots of hot tubs dotted around and a very large jacuzzi. In pictures I have seen some great cabana areas, chill out zones etc, and I did catch a glimpse of the outdoor boxing ring and punch bags - exercising isn't my thing but I can imagine if its yours the facilities along with yoga classes, spinning etc would be amazing. The entertainment was really good, again not your normal type of theatre show, acrobats, street dancing, singers etc and they way you are seated around the stage you are very close to the action. My Overall View I felt she was really busy, there is absolutely tons going on. She is not laid out like a traditional cruise ship at all and I felt a bit confused and got lost quite a few times, Its strange to walk through a restaurant into a bar and because most are on Deck 6/7 it does feel like a continuous street of options. For the smokers - hands down to Virgin - best smoking room ever! This keeps the whole ship including the Casino smoke free, you have your own little lounge, comfy chairs, fruit machines and unlike some smoking rooms, it didn't feel claustrophobic or too smoky in there. If you adore traditional cruising then have a good think before setting sail on Scarlet, she probably isn't right for you. She has been built for a younger market, and to me this feels the right sort of ship for people who like to life to the full, play hard and the kind of people who like to be seen in the best places if that makes sense. It is not what I would say luxurious but its classy, its glitzy, modern and fun. Overall I really liked her. Please feel free to give me a call on 01277 840262 to see if she's right for you or to discuss any other cruise line you might be thinking of. Kerry xx

07 March 2019

I am sure you have all heard of the newest ship in town the MSC Bellissima also known as the Beauty At Sea. Well I was lucky enough to spend just under 24 hours on this beauty recently, my first ever visit to an MSC ship and what a visit it was but before I tell you all about the ship here's a few facts and figures about her: 19 Decks in Total Able to hold 5686 passengers 4 Pools 10 Restaurants 20 Bars/Lounges Casino Theatre Aqua Park Kids Clubs Teen Club Spa Gym Bowling Alley F1 Simulator Sports Court Shops Galore 1250 Balcony Cabins 136 Ocean View Cabins 175 Family Cabins 628 Interior Cabins 12 Interior Studio Cabins (single) 54 Cabins for guests with reduced mobility or disabilities 34 Suites 8 Duplex Suites Yacht Club Cabins : 15 Interior 77 Deluxe Suites 2 Royal Suites So there is no getting away from it - yes she is a big ship and even though I am super speedy in the 24 hours I was on board I didn't get to see everything but what I did see was hugely impressive. The first thing you will notice, and this is something everyone talks about, are the Swarovski Staircases - rumoured to be worth 250,000 Euros for each staircase they are stunning and an absolute must for a photo opportunity. Walk up these steps to bring yourself onto Deck 6 and the Galleria Bellissima an indoor promenade that stretches over 96 metres with places to shop, dine, drink and relax - beware it is impossible to resist the offerings at the Jean-Phillipe Chocolat & Café. The promenade is very impressive - I would imagine it is busy in the evenings but what really wows you is when you look up to the sky and all along the roof there are various displays of colour, patterns, real life scenes - it changes all the time and is mesmerizing to watch. On Deck 7 there are lots of speciality restaurants - Japanese, steak, tapas etc, to eat in these you would have to pay a surcharge but it’s not much and from the taster bites I had I would recommend them 100%. After a quick walk around these 2 decks I ventured to my cabin, I have to admit I got a bit lost at first but then that happens on every cruise I go on and maybe the cocktails had disorientated me a little! I was lucky enough to be staying in a Balcony cabin, I found it very roomy with a huge bed, wardrobes, lots of draw space, flat screen TV, mini bar and sofa, the bathroom was lovely with a glass door shower. The best thing about the cabins is your very own personal assistant "ZOE" she is like a little mini Alexa. She speaks 8 different languages and can help you with pretty much everything on your cruise like choosing and booking restaurants, spa sessions, you can check your bill with her (although she wont pay it!) You can also connect your mobile devices to her and play your music through her so no need to bring speakers. After that it was time for a whistle stop tour of the ship, the outdoor pool is lovely with a big screen to watch films on (the pictures don't do it justice - that's English weather for you) I was most impressed with the indoor pool area which is really stunning. There is an Aqua Park with slides, rope courses and lots and lots of sunbeds. The ship is very technology based and there is an F1 Simulator you can try out, virtual reality games, a whole host of arcades games and for the younger members of your family an excellent kids club and teen area too. I managed a quick stop at the MSC Yacht Club - if you want to give yourself a bit of luxury then this is the place to go. You need to book a cabin that is exclusive to the Yacht Club to use these facilities but in my opinion it's really worth it - 24 hr butler service, upgraded cabins, complimentary mini bar, private pool area, exclusive restaurant and lounge - I absolutely loved the Yacht Club areas and would definitely compare the prices for my next cruise. For entertainment there is so much going on from the speciality restaurants to the bars and discos, there are also pianists, singers etc all around the ship and there are 2 brand new shows with Cirque Du Soleil in the theatre - simply stunning. And when you just want to chill don't forget there is a luxurious spa on board - you can choose from 160 massages, body and facial signature treatments, there is a sauna and steam bath and also a hair salon and nail salon. Foodwise, the variety of food on offer is just mind blowing - I loved everything. I also ate in the huge buffet restaurant known as Market Place and found that to offer lots of different choices and the food was delicious. The main dining rooms were also very good and the food very tasty. So all in all I absolutely loved the ship, she's big, she's exciting, she's new and she's really is beautiful. There is so much to do for everyone, it wouldn't matter if you cruised as a couple, a family or even on your own you would always find something going on or if you prefer there are plenty of quiet places where you can just sit back and chill. From March to November Bellissima will be in the Med sailing for 7 nights prices from £1289pp flights included and she will then sail over to Dubai for the Winter, with prices from £1149pp flights included. Did I mention that price includes Premium Drinks as well! If you just fancy a taster then I have a cheeky little mini cruise starting at £259pp. If you have any questions or would like more information on MSC Cruises then don't hesitate to get in touch. Kerry 01277 840262 kerry.cansdale@travelcounsellors.com

14 January 2019

Hi Everyone Captain Kerry Here! It can be very confusing when reading cruise brochures or even when you are on board your cruise to hear lots of strange words. Some of you may have some "nautical" experience but for those who don't, here is an A - Z list of some of the words you might hear and what they actually mean. Enjoy! Aft - The back of the ship. Atrium - The central passenger area on a cruise ship, a bit like a hotel’s lobby. Beam - The width of the ship at its widest point. Bearing - The compass direction from a ship to a particular destination, in degrees. Berth - The bed in your cabin. It can also refer to the dock or quay where a cruise ship ties up to the shore. Bow - The front of the ship. Bridge - This is where the captain steers and navigates the ship from. Cruise Director - This would be the main person who is responsible for all the ship’s activities and entertainment. Deck - The floor of the ship. Each cruise line has deck plans that will show you what you can find on each floor of the ship. Disembarkation - The process of leaving a cruise ship at the end of the voyage. Embarkation - The process of boarding a cruise ship at the start of the voyage. Galley - The kitchen area on a ship. Gangway - The ramp or staircase from the ship to the quay or pier used by passengers to get on and off the ship. Gratuities - Basically tips – these can be pre-paid with some cruise lines or you can choose to tip or not to tip at the end of your cruise. Itinerary - The schedule of destinations and days at sea on your cruise. Knot - A unit of speed equivalent to one nautical mile per hour. Lido - The deck of a cruise ship with outdoor pools. Midship - The midpoint of the ship. Muster Drill - A lifeboat safety drill where all passengers must follow instructions and learn what to do in an emergency. Muster Station - This is the location where you must go in the event of an emergency. Nautical Mile - A unit used in measuring distances at sea, equivalent to 1,852 metres or 6,076 feet. Open Seating/My Time Dining/Flex Dining/Anytime Dining - When no fixed time or fixed seating arrangement is given for dining. You basically go to a dining room between set times say 5pm-9.30pm and have a different table every night. Port - The left side of the ship when facing forward, marked by a red light. A little trick to help you remember is “the words ‘port’ and ‘left’ both have four letters. Porthole - A round window on a ship. Repositional Cruise (also in the UK can be called Transatlantic) - A one-way cruise that beings and ends in different ports as a ship moves from one cruising region of the world to another. River Cruise - A cruise along the River, normally on much smaller ships. Roll - The movement of a ship when it sways side to side. Rarely experienced on large cruise ships. Sea Day - A day where the ship stays out at sea and does not visit a port. Starboard - The right side of the ship when facing forward, marked by a green light. Stateroom - It’s another word for your Cabin Stern - The very back of a ship. Tender - A small boat that transports passengers from a cruise ship to the shore when the ship is unable to dock at a quay or berth and is therefore anchored in a harbour. Also refers to the ship’s lifeboats. Wake - The trail of waves at the stern of the ship created as the ship moves forward. A couple of other things to bear in mind - A cruise liner can also be known as a cruise ship – but never a boat! - In comparison to the amount of people on a cruise ship, very few of them will experience sea sickness. Sea sickness tablets can normally be obtained at the Customer Service desk and for any severe cases the onboard doctor can provide an injection - On Board Jail – there is one on every ship – so behave! If you are interested in finding out more about cruising, then please don’t hesitate to give me, your personal cruise expert a call on 01277 840262 or email me at Kerry.cansdale@travelcounsellors.com

26 September 2018

Getting married? Huge congratulations, Now the fun can really start, or stress some people might say! Weddings can be challenging to plan. From picking the perfect venue, more importantly the perfect dress! to what to say in the speeches and the some say the hardest part, the seating plan. Traditionally, the happy couple would ask their families and friends to buy them items for their new home, however in modern times, most couples already have plenty of pots, pans, towels, a toaster and maybe even a spiralizer! Instead, why not let your wedding guests contribute towards an unforgettable honeymoon! I understand that no two clients are the same and of course, no two honeymoons and weddings are the same either. As your personal Travel Counsellor, I’ll tailor your experience to your wants and dreams, creating your own unique experience. Our network of local overseas experts across the globe helps you to not only visit a destination but experience it too. We can provide you with a fabulous online website and secure payments portal especially for you, where guests are greeted with a personalised message from you and details of your amazing honeymoon plans! We can also provide stylish guest cards that you can send out with your invitations to let everyone know you would prefer a contribution towards your dream honeymoon. All honeymoon contributions from your family and friends will be deposited into one account. After your wedding, you can either put your guest’s generous contributions towards the cost of your honeymoon or if you’ve already paid, you can use your honeymoon fund towards excursions, upgrades or even another holiday. This works well as lots of couples are now doing a "mini-moon" and then go on a bigger trip some months later. I love planning weddings and honeymoons and have done lots of exciting trips for clients including a wedding and honeymoon in Cyprus, a tailormade itinerary around the West Coast of America which ended with a romantic proposal in Carmel, a Honeymoon that includes a Kenyan Luxury Safari with a night in Giraffe Manor, I have even organised weddings and honeymoon's on-board cruise ships and lots more. So get in touch today and let’s get planning the most amazing trip of your lives all with the added bonus of a fund to build to help you realise that dream honeymoon! Kerry.cansdale@travelcounsellors.com 01277 840262

26 September 2018

I recently took a cruise around the Mediterranean on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of The Seas. This was my third cruise on Navigator and even though the ship is going in for refurbishment later this year, she still looked beautiful to me. We sailed from Southampton and for the first time I stayed overnight in Southampton pre-cruise. I don't normally do this as its only about two hours away from me but with the dreaded M25 it can sometimes be three or four hours, so we decided to drive down the night before and stay at the Holiday Inn. I would actually really recommend doing this. You start your holiday a day earlier and the next day we were fully relaxed and refreshed and able to join the ship nice an early. During the cruise we called at the following ports: Gibraltar, Alicante, Palma, Sardinia, Seville and Lisbon. I had never been to Gibraltar or Sardinia before and it was a definite must to see the monkeys on the rock in Gibraltar and the flamingos on the salt lakes in Sardinia. I have always loved Palma and as an added bonus we got to stay overnight in port here. We went into the city for some late-night tapas and a visit to one of our favourite bars, Abaccos. The cocktails here are pricey at around 15 Euros but it is well worth it. Abaccos is an old house that has been turned into a bar which is filled with fresh flowers and fruit every day, a beautiful courtyard and parts of the old house can still be viewed - I would highly recommend a visit here if you are ever in Palma. We had a balcony cabin on board the ship, something I always recommend if you can stretch to it. It’s so lovely to have the door open and have the summer breeze drifting through and perfect for people watching whilst in port. The food was amazing - with a main dining restaurant for breakfast and evening meal, and a buffet restaurant open from 6.30am till 9pm you are totally spoilt for choice and it’s all included. You can if you want, visit one of the speciality restaurants - such as the steak house, Italian, tapas or sushi - we tried the Italian and tapas and they were amazing. It was around $20 -$30pp based on an all you can eat menu. Whilst there is nothing wrong with the main dining or indeed the buffet - the specialty restaurants are nice for a special occasion or if you just want to treat yourself. Entertainment wise there is so much going on - daily quizzes, dance lesson, casino lessons, surfing, rock climbing, swimming, activities around the pool, karaoke, cookery lessons and demonstrations, West End style shows every night, street parties – there is pretty much something going on from first thing in the morning till last thing at night and you can just dip in and out of whatever you choose. I love cruising - you get to see so many different places, you only have to unpack once and you never have to pay for a taxi home after a good night out. If you would like more information on cruising please don't hesitate to get in touch. Kerry.cansdale@travelcounsellors.com 01277840262

13 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)

08 September 2017

I’ve always loved the Greek Islands, there’s something about the people, the atmosphere and the food that really makes me feel that I am on holiday. I’ve been to quite a few of the Island’s and many years ago my hairdresser told me I would love Sidari in Corfu, I’d been to Kavos (in my much younger days I hasten to add) but I had never ventured to the North of the Island. This summer I had a tiny window of where I could get away and as luck would have it I stumbled across a 4-night deal to Sidari, myself and my best friend decided to book it. Before I flew out I joined a few Facebook groups for Sidari, I would really recommend you do this for when you are going on holiday as there is loads of great information, recommendations on these sites from people that know the resort well. It was invaluable to me as being there for a short time I wanted to make sure I fitted in as much as I could. On arrival in Corfu the heat hit us it was 9.30pm – I LOVE that feeling ,and wanting to get to the resort asap I had pre booked a private transfer, coach transfers can take anything from 90 minutes to 3 hours to Sidari depending on drop offs and a private transfer is just over an hour and direct to your hotel door. The route to Sidari goes through the mountains and there are lots of twists and turns so if like me you suffer from car sickness then be prepared – a travel sickness tablet will get you though. We booked to stay in the Elena Stef Apartments and on arrival (this is now about 11 pm) the owners themselves came out to greet us, took our cases to our apartment and joined us in the bar for a drink, like most apartments it was basic but had absolutely everything you needed, the godsend was Air Conditioning at just 5 Euros a day and believe me you needed that and after the first night some kind of magic happened .. it didn’t feel basic anymore .. it just felt like my “Greek home” Elena Stef is a small complex of just 16 Studios that will sleep up to 3 people, it has the most amazing pool, sunbeds, a bar that stays open till you go to bed and also serves snacks and of course the obligatory full English breakfast. There is a supermarket on site and the location is brilliant, you are literally 2 mins walk from a beach and 2 mins walk from what is known as “The Strip” in Sidari. There were no issues with noise, in fact laying around the pool was very peaceful and the people who run it (Yiannis, Alexandria, Macchi) and even the lovely cleaning lady cannot do enough for you, I have travelled to many places and stayed in many hotels, apartments and I have to say these guys were the friendliest and most helpful people I have ever met. They truly go out of their way to make sure you are having the best time ever and even cried when we left. Sidari to me is the perfect resort for people my age who still want to go out for a few drinks, have some fun, eat some good food and laze by the beach or pool during the day, it is a busy resort but it is not at all in your face, there are many bars but rather than it being a clubbers paradise it is more tribute bands, live music some Karaoke and just generally relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere, it’s extremely good value for money, a cocktail is around 5 -6 Euros, we found restaurants serving English Breakfasts for 3 Euros and (thanks to the Facebook page) we found THE BEST restaurant called To Steki tis Pareas, it is run by Panos and his family (his wife is the amazing chef) and they are famous for their mixed grill (10 Euros for 1 person or 18 Euros for 2) we had the most amazing night there with starters, mains, dessert and drinks and when the bill came it was around 45 Euros – we couldn’t believe it, it’s a new restaurant this year and thanks to the power of Facebook it has now become the most recommend and popular one in Sidari – I highly recommend this restaurant and if we had been staying there longer we would have eaten there every night! The beach is really nice, with plenty of sunbeds (many of the beach restaurants and bars allow you to use their sunbeds for free if you are purchasing drinks/food from their establishment) nice and shallow to start off with so very safe for families etc and there are also lots of water sports available and private boat hire. Although we never made it, if you head out of the main strip down towards an area known as Canal D’amour there is apparently a beautiful beach and cove there and it is the place to go in the evening for a cocktail and to watch the sunset. Lots of excursions are available, from Horse Riding to a day trip to Albania, there are many places in the main strip offering excursions at very reasonable prices. All in all Sidari for me was lovely and I can see why many people return year after year, if you are interested in a late break for 2017 or would like to book for 2018 please do give me a call on 01277 840262 or email me : Kerry.cansdale@travelcounsellors.com and I’ll be more than happy to help you.

01 July 2017

As you know I do love a cruise or two and I have often walked past Suite Cabins on disembarkation day and had a sneaky peek inside, and I could only ever dream of staying in such a luxurious cabin. Well, just recently this dream came true for me. I was lucky enough to stay in The Royal Suite on board Celebrity Eclipse for a 2 night mini cruise and WOW - it was just amazing! Whilst I appreciate that a Royal Suite is very expensive, you may not be aware of all the little extras that you get and honestly when you off set all of this against a normal priced cabin then it’s not so bad, here’s a few things that you get: - Private Restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner - Full in Suite breakfast, lunch, dinner service - Personal Butler - Priority Check in - Luxury Bath Amenities - Premium Drinks Package - Unlimited complimentary speciality dining - Complimentary mini bar (soft drinks, water, beer) - Complimentary bottles of Alcohol - Private VIP club lounge with concierge service - Unlimited Wifi - Daily delivery of afternoon savouries - Reserved theatre seating - Priority disembarkation So let me tell you all about my Suite Experience Check in at Southampton was easy and fast, we had a separate check in area and were then met by a concierge member of staff who escorted us onto the ship. As we boarded we were handed a glass of champagne and taken to The Michaels Club (private lounge for suite guests) where we were invited to stay until our cabin was ready. It’s worth noting that Suite Guests can board anytime so we were on pretty early (11am) and the lounge was perfect for waiting in with free drinks and canapes. We decided to take a look round the ship and then wandered down to our cabin (if you check out my facebook page you can see the video of us actually entering the cabin) we were only there for about 5 minutes when Oscar (our private butler) rang the doorbell and introduced himself and told us all about the suite. To say I was blown away is an understatement - the space in the cabin is outstanding, as you enter there is a separate toilet to your left and a kitchen area with dining table to your right, our 2 bottles of spirts that we had pre-ordered (free with suites) were waiting for us and the mini bar was stocked. The lounge area is in front with the biggest TV I have seen and 2 huge sofas that can be used as sofa beds. Out on the balcony there is a jacuzzi bath, a sun lounger and table and chairs, the balcony is just huge. The bedroom is massive with a separate dressing area and then an en suite bathroom, with 2 double sinks, a walk in shower and a separate bath all done out in marble – it was just beautiful. The amenities are by Bvlgari and smell divine. You may of noticed that there are not any pictures of the actual suite, this is because I took quite a lot of video footage which I think gives you a much better feel for the cabin, so please head over to my Facebook Page - just search Kerry Cansdale Travel Counsellor on Facebook if you haven't already liked my page and scroll down and you can see all the videos I did whilst on Celebrity Eclipse. So the cabin was amazing but what about the ship? I have cruised on Celebrity Eclipse a couple of times and have always enjoyed her, she is small enough to not get lost on and big enough to have lots to do. I love the spa area (although you do have to pay to go into the steam room or sauna – (free for most suite guests). She has a stunning Solarium and 2 more pools in the pool area. The big attraction is the Lawn Club – this is an area on deck that has a fully growing grass lawn area, it's lovely to sit on and maybe have a picnic or just to chill with a drink, they have lawn games and also a Glass Blowing Show – which has to be seen to be believed. There is a main dining room on board and a buffet restaurant – the food is delicious but for me I love the speciality restaurants, (these are chargeable but free for some Suite guests). Last time I was on board I went to Qsine, which serves quirky food – think sushi lollipops, popcorn fish and chips and where you order food from an iPad – don’t make the mistake that I did and order everything … there is so much that you cannot possibly eat it all! This time we decided to try Murano’s and Tuscan Grille, sadly I was a little bit disappointed by Tuscan Grille, whilst the food was ok, there was no wow about it and it just felt a little rushed and bland. Murano’s however was quite honestly the best meal I have ever had in my life, the ambience was fantastic, we had a brilliant waiter who explained everything and when he flambeed my lobster at the side of our table it was amazing (again there is a video of this on my Facebook page). Entertainment wise, I missed the show as I was eating but reports were that it was very good, there are lots of bars and even a nightclub on board and they had game shows in the evening. The Martini Bar tends to be the late-night hangout and the bar staff here are great, performing all kinds of tricks to keep you entertained. Lots of shops on board from designer handbags to prestige Art, but all a bit out of my price range sadly. There is also a gym, running track and basketball court for those of you that feel the need to exercise. Overall, I absolutely loved my Suite Experience and I would love to cruise like this every time, it will be hard to go back to an ordinary “Balcony” cabin on my next cruise lol. Celebrity Eclipse is a UK favourite but will be leaving us at the end of 2017, in 2018 we welcome the Celebrity Silhouette and at the moment Celebrity have some fantastic deals including free drinks packages and on board spend, so if you are interested in a Celebrity cruise then please do get in touch.

01 July 2017

For those of you that know me - you will know that I love a cheeky cruise, so when I heard that the World's Largest Cruise Ship was coming to Southampton I had to make sure I was on board! I have been lucky enough to of taken over 30 cruises on many different cruise lines but my favourite cruise line is Royal Caribbean, I love that there is so much to do and some of them are things you would never of dreamed are even possible on a cruise ship - I have Sky Dived, Ice Skated, Surfed, Climbed a Rock Wall and even drove a Bumper Car. I think there is something for everyone on a cruise and it is such good value for money. Harmony of the Seas was offering 2 short breaks, I knew that this wouldn't be enough for me so I booked the two of them together as a back to back, the ship was cruising to Europe with a couple of port stops in France and Amsterdam but I was more interested in what was on board. Harmony is a big girl, she can hold over 5400 passengers, has 18 decks and is bigger length wise than the Eiffel Tower, but don't let that put you off, there are plenty of quiet spaces to have time to yourself and the only queuing I experienced was on the last morning in the buffet restaurant. The new thing that everyone was talking about was a brand new slide called "The Ultimate Abyss" it is the worlds tallest slide at sea with a 100ft plunge, 2 slides side by side so you can race your friends, do it during the day and then again at night for a completely different experience. It's even more scary if you have maybe had a couple of cocktails - as I found out!! Another thing I tried for the first time is Panic Room - you are locked in a high tech room with a team of friends or other cruisers and you have an hour to solve all the clues so you can be released - we did it with 3 minutes to spare! CABINS There are many different types of cabins, you have the standard Inside, Outside and Balcony and then the Suites, something different is what is called a "Virtual Balcony" this is basically an inside cabin with a large Flat Screen down the side of the wall that projects real time images and sound - so it's like looking through the side of the ship, this is great for the budget conscious as it really is like having a balcony. Another different type of cabin are the Central Park View or Boardwalk View balcony cabins - instead of looking out to the sea, you overlook Central Park (yes it's a real life park with trees/flowers etc) or the Boardwalk (where the Carousel is) again if you are trying to keep costs down these type of cabins are great. I stayed in a Central Park View Balcony, my only criticism was that there are no net curtains and you are looking directly opposite (across the park) into other cabins, also if you go for one on deck 14, people that are sunbathing on deck 15 can look right into your cabin. WHAT TO DO ONBOARD Honestly there is so much, I don't think I have enough space to tell you everything.. so I will try to highlight the best bits.. Waterslides and Pools Surf Simulators Rock Climbing Panic Room Ice Skating Mini Golf Zip Wiring Central Park Boardwalk - full size Carousel Aqua Theatre - Dive shows Kids Clubs Bars Disco Food .. Food .. Food (see my review below) Shops Gym Spa Casino Solarium FOOD When they say you might put on some weight on a cruise.. well it's definitely going to happen on here. You have a main restaurant for dining and also the famous Windjammer buffet restaurant but that is only just the start, also included in your cruise are Sorrentos and Café Promenade that provide snacks throughout the day, a delightful little café in Central Park for a "healthy" breakfast, lunch and snacks, self service ice cream and then you have the speciality restaurants which have a small cover charge, I ate in Jamies Italian and Izumi - both were out of this world and well worth the extra charge, there is also Chops Grille (steak house) Giovannis (Italian) Vintages (fine wines and tapas) and 150 Central Park (upmarket dining) You certainly don't need to splash out on a speciality restaurant, there is so much choice included but I would definitely recommend it if you are celebrating or want to treat yourself. ENTERTAINMENT On most Royal Caribbean ships deck 5 is what they call the Promenade Deck, this in reality is like a large street with shops, pubs and bars and restaurants running each side. Some people worry that they will get lost on a ship this size but I always find if you go back to the promenade you can work out where you are. On Harmony the promenade runs the whole length of the ship with the theatre at one end and Boardwalk at the other, there is a bar called the Rising Tide Bar which literally rises up throughout the ship, an old English pub which is great for a singalong in the evening, a sports bar that also offers karaoke, a bar called Boleros for dancing and what has become quite famous is the Robotic Bar, were your drinks are made for you by a pair of robotic arms. Aside from all the sporty entertainment, there is a show pretty much every night, it can range from a comedian to a magician or even a singer, we also had Bobby Davro who was very funny. There is also a big production - when I was on Harmony it was Grease - I really cant explain to you the amount of work that must go into these shows, it really was like watching a West End Theatre Show, the staging and the performers were amazing. Every night you get a newsletter that tells you what is happening on board for the next day/evening, as well as all the main places of entertainment you will also find quizzes, fun game shows that you can take part in, destination talks, cookery demonstrations/lessons, card games, you can even learn how to make the towel animals that magically appear in your cabin at night time. Harmony has now left Europe and is currently cruising around the Caribbean along with her sister ships Oasis and Allure of the Seas if you would like more information on any of these ships then please get in contact with me. The 2 Royal Caribbean ships that are in Southampton for this year and for 2018 are The Independence and The Navigator, both of these are smaller than Harmony but still have some amazing facilities on board, again if you are interested in hearing more then just give me a call. Happy Cruising!!

01 July 2017

This week I was lucky enough to be invited to visit the Disney Magic Cruise Ship, being a bit of a Disney Diva myself I love all things Disney but had never been on board one of their 4 cruise ships before so I was really keen to see what it was like. My initial thoughts were that it would be like walking into The Magic Kingdom, with all things Disney everywhere and very much "in your face" but I couldn't of been more surprised. Yes this is a Disney Ship but actually the interior, the layout is very subtle, when I first walked into the Atrium the only "Disneyfied" part was a beautiful statue of Captain Mickey and some pictures of Disney Characters and Walt Disney himself upon the walls. There are of course the Hidden Mickeys (real Disney fans would be disappointed if there was not) and as you go around the ship it does become more apparent that this is Disney, but I was worried it would all be over the top. That couldn't be further from the truth, it is all very tastefully done, my initial impression that a Disney Ship is only for kids was quickly squashed, I would happily spend a week on here. FOR THE ADULTS If you are cruising without kids, then you will enjoy it, I think you would want to have an interest in Disney, but don't feel that it's all about Mickey, there is plenty to do and lots of Adult Only Areas (Bars, Restaurant, Pool, Spa etc). FOR THE KIDS The kid's clubs blew me away, and made me wish I was a youngster again, imagine playing in Andy's room from Toy Story or becoming Iron Man in the Avengers Academy. Disney has 4 levels of Kids Clubs It's a small World Nursery - for babies to 3 year olds (Disney takes infants from 12 weeks) Disney's Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab - for ages 3 -12 Edge for ages 11 -14 Vibe for ages 14 -17 My favourite was the Oceaneer Clubs - Toy Story, Pixie Hollow, it looks amazing and is very spacious, for the older kids they have their own areas filled with High Tech fun and in Vibe they even have their own sun deck area and a chill spa relaxation zone. I have to mention here the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, because this is one of my favourite things about Disney - this is where the kids (boys and girls) can go for a full on Disney Makeover and become the Princess or Prince of their dreams - beware though its not free but if you want to give your child a very special treat its worth it. ENTERTAINMENT Again don't think everything is going to be Disney, yes there are Disney Deck Parties, Character Meets, and Disney Shows such as Tangled the Musical and Once upon a Song but for evening entertainment there is also comedians, musicians, an Abba tribute, and other performers, as well as on board game shows. There is a theatre on board that shows all the latest Disney Films, Shops, Karaoke, Deck Party's, an Irish Pub, Movies under the Stars and then there is the outside areas. Aqua Dunk, Aqua Lab, Goofy's Pool, Nephews Splash Zone (for the little ones) Quiet Cove Pool (adults only) and Twist and Spout (water slides) there are plenty of areas to get wet and have fun, the slides looked really good and I loved the little splash zone for the little ones. There seemed to be lots of sun loungers and plenty of areas you could go to if you wanted a bit of peace and quiet, I loved the Quiet Cove area for Adults only and nice sized pool and its own bar. If you feel the need to exercise then there is a Gym on board, for me I would prefer to chill out in the spa area. I was surprised to learn that there is no Casino on board any of the Disney Ships, but they do have the odd game of Bingo. FOOD For your main evening dining, Disney operates on a rotational dining system round 3 restaurants - Animators Palace, Lumineres, and Canocas, there are 2 sittings - first at 5.45pm and 2nd at 8.15pm. Rotational Dining means that you are seated at a table with the same people and the same wait staff and you all move together each night to the different restaurants - it's a great way to eat in a different place each evening. There is also Cabana's (buffet restaurant) or Cariocas or if you are looking for more snacky eateries then there is Daisy's De Lites, Pete's Boiler Bites or Pinocchios Pizzeria Another thing I loved is that in the Irish Bar there is a small buffet area serving late night snacks - always handy to have some food available when you get the munchies and of course there is room service as well. CABINS I was really impressed with the size of the cabins, if you were cruising as a family of 5 then you would comfortably fit in, again the whole Disney theme is not in your face, there are Disney films on the TV and maybe a Disney Picture on the wall but apart from the branded toiletries and a cushion on the bed that's about it. What Disney do that is completely different to most cruise lines is that most cabins have a split bathroom with a shower/bath and sink in 1 room and then a separate toilet and wash basin in another, perfect for when you and the family are getting ready. In a family room you would have a double bed, bunk beds and a sofa bed (if up to 5) or if its just for 2 adults then its a double bed (can be converted to twins) and a sofa to chill out on. They offer Inside, Outside, Balcony and Suite Cabins (my god the suite was AMAZING!!) and also have a number of adapted cabins available for the wheelchair users. Overall my feeling was one of luxury and space. Another little touch is that Disney provide free walkie talkies for families to use on board, you don't have to pay or connect to the internet to use them and so handy for keeping track on everyone. So in closing, I have to say I loved the ship, I think its brilliant for adults and kids alike, you can take part in as much or as little as you like, its definitely not in your face and come on even I got excited when I saw Mickey! For families it's amazing the kids clubs are just out of this world and there is so much going on for the kids to get involved with so Mum and Dad really can chill. Disney Magic is cruising from Dover in 2017/2018 on various Europe Itineraries (Caribbean later in the year). Disney Wonder, Dream and Fantasy are cruising the Caribbean, Alaska and Bahamas, please do give me a call if you would like more information.