The port of Dubai is looking to increase the number of cruise visitors by attracting more cruise ships to the area in 2009-10. Costa Cruises already has a five year deal in place and, having had success in the last year with one ship, will add a second for 2008-09.  Money is there to be spent on the cruise infrastructure of Dubai and, because of the increase in demand, a second cruise terminal is planned for next year according to a spokesman for Dubai Tourism. It is estimated that the port of Dubai will welcome 120,000 cruise visitors during 2007-08.

Troubled cruise line Van Gogh, after several months of problems, has finally gone out of business. Previously operated by Travelscope, the Van Gogh was ‘rescued’ by the company’s former financial director Mark Horwood after Travelscope went out of business last December. With the Van Gogh due to begin a 3 month world cruise in January the ship’s owner, Dutch based Cruise Club, worked with Abta and successfully saved the cruise.  However, Van Gogh Cruise line’s application for a new Abta licence in the new operators name was refused and, pending a successful appeal, it was planned for a new cruise calendar to commence later in the year. Sadly this appeal was recently rejected and, with mounting costs such as fuel price increases and the increase in the value of the euro, it has been decided to wind up Van Gogh Cruise Line.  Those who had other cruises booked on the ship through Travelscope will be taken care of through the Abta scheme although many have already been refunded. 20 staff have been left without jobs and there are no plans for any further sailings by the Van Gogh in the foreseeable future.

According to figures just released by the European Cruise Council, a record 1.3 million Britons took a cruise last year making them the biggest cruisers in Europe leaving Germany, second with 763,000, in their wake.

This represented an increase of 11% on the previous year and so taking the total for Europeans who cruised in 2007 past the four million mark for the first time.

A spokesman for the Council said that the speed that cruise figures had increased had taken the whole cruise industry by surprise as they had forecast that these new figures would be reached in 2010.

As more cruise ships have been positioned in Europe than ever before plus the fact that there are more cruises from UK ports the increase is not that surprising when one considers the cruise deals available.

Summer Mediterranean cruise season 2009 sees the return of Ocean Village to the port of Palma, Majorca, the first time since 2006.  The original Ocean Village cruise ship will be based in Palma and will start its two seven night cruise itineraries from the port. The Ocean Village cruise ‘Tapas and Togas’ Mediterranean cruise from Palma, Majorca, starts with a day at sea, then arrives in Tunis, a modern Mediterranean city where steel and glass skyscrapers meet baroque architecture.  Then cruise to Rome, the Eternal City (from Civitavecchia). Day five and cruise to Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Day six sees Ocean Village arrive in St. Raphael, on France’s Cote d'Azur, famous for its stylish Art Nouveau architecture. Cruise to Barcelona overnight and arrive in this vibrant Spanish city next morning.  Back onboard Ocean Village, and cruise to Palma. The Ocean Village Mediterranean cruise itinerary ‘Emperors and Espresso’ offers exciting Mediterranean city destinations with glamorous beach resorts. Cruise from Palma to Tunis then to the lively and vivacious city of Naples with its twisting streets and small boutiques. Day five and cruise to Florence and Pisa with tourist attractions not to be missed! Day six, and cruise to Monte Carlo, the playground of millionaires. Next day cruise to Ajaccio in Corsica with its quaint streets and palm trees before returning once again to Palma. A 14 day Mediterranean cruise, made up of these 2 itineraries, can be taken with either Tapas & Togas followed by Emperors and Espresso or vice versa.  Ocean Village also offers stay and cruise options for both itineraries with a week in a hotel in Majorca and either of the seven night Mediterranean cruises. The hotel stay is usually on a half board basis and there is a decent choice of quality hotels to pick from.    

Classic cruise line Voyages of Discovery has been invited to join the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.

The Managing Director of Voyages of Discovery, David Yellow stated that the cruise line was “very pleased and honoured to join” Voyages of Discovery Cruise Line fully supports the ethos of IAATO and joins as an Associate Member, as per IAATO rules, becoming a full member after one full year. The MV Discovery cruise ship part of the Voyages of Discovery fleet, will be cruising to Antarctica from November, beginning its fifth season in the area. The Discovery will be cruising with around 500 passengers as it sails to the Antarctic region, visiting the Chilean Fjords, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Patagonia.

In charge of the expedition team on the MV Discovery is Dr. Peter Carey, a zoologist and founder of the Sub Antarctic Foundation for Ecosystems Research.  Also onboard are six more research scientists and lecturers who will cover areas of biology, ornithology, glaciology and environmental physiology. These experts will lead guided expeditions in each port of call.  Also onboard is an Ice Master together with six Zodiac drivers. Voyages of Discovery’s 2008-09 Antarctica cruises include flights, destination transfers, meals and lectures onboard, gratuities and taxes (price are per person).  Pre-and-post cruise hotel stays are always available and land excursions are available to Iguaçu Falls, the glaciers of Patagonia and Cape Town, South Africa.

The Travolution Awards 2008 has short-listed the Voyages of Discovery cruises company for its Antarctica community website, antarcticadiscovery.com, for a marketing and innovation award in the category ‘Best Use of Social Media’.

Travolution Awards are specifically aimed at the web online travel market.

The Voyages of Discovery website www.antarcticadiscovery.com is a window into the stunning scenery and wildlife of the Antarctic region. This user-friendly website has journals and photos from passengers, crew and visiting lecturers, uploaded and made available for anyone to view. Epostcards of can instantly be sent home by passengers from the MV Discovery for friends and family.

David Yellow, Voyages of Discovery’s Managing Director indicated that the company was delighted to have been nominated for the award.

Google live maps have been added to the site together with bookmarks so pages can be shared with sites such as Stumbleupon, Facebook and Digg.

Voyages of Discovery have always been associated with exploration cruises, offering exclusive itineries and exciting cruise destinations.

The MV Discovery cruise ship has recently left the Antarctic and is now traversing the Panama Canal on its way to Cuba, then onwards to the Amazon.

Well, what can say!! Excitement ruled the day.

As cruise agents my partner Martyn and I had been invited by the MSC rep. to the launch of MSC’s newest cruise ship the MSC Musica which was to be held in Venice.

The 29th June 2006 arrived and the day started early at Leeds Bradford airport, but before we knew it we where alighting in Venice for a short bus ride to the Venice water taxi which was to take us to our final destination, the MSC Musica.

MSC Cruises couldn’t have ordered more beautiful weather for the event, it was glorious. Venice looked amazing, almost dreamlike as we got closer to Venice Island and the MSC Musica.

Special dispensation had been granted for the MSC Musica to dock on Venice Island, as opposed to Venice port, for the magnificent christening ceremony of this brand new cruise ship.

There she lay, in pristine white, the new addition to the Mediterranean Shipping Company fleet, and what a beauty. The Musica was to be the flagship, the pride of MSC cruises. De pied en cap c’est magnifique !

Our day began with a quick change in our cabin and then breakfast in the Gli Archi Cafetteria on Vivace deck, a self service type buffet area with modern clean line seating, understated elegant design and practical informal daytime elegance. The best thing about this eatery was the glass panelling running all the way along the port side, giving spectacular views over Venice and St. Marks Square whilst munching into our international breakfast fare. The food was good quality and incorporated not only typically Italian cuisine but a variety of dishes not unacceptable to the more northern European tastes.

After breakfast, although early undoubtedly, we found ourselves in the Bar della Cascata on Grazioso deck( near reception), an elegant contemporary watering hole tastefully adorned in blues and golds, and incorporating copious down-lighting giving a an airy feel to this mid-ships inside bar. A quick scotch and American dry and Budweiser- respectively – later, well one more, later, and we were on our way to tour the ship (which is what we were really there for).

Always start at the top of a cruise ship and work down, works well as you get tired. Ok, the Sport Deck not much to report here just the usual cruise ship sunbathing area.

One down and it’s the Cantata Deck (Minigolf)

One more down and it’s the Capriccio Deck, here you have the jogging track, golf simulator, deck games areas, Space Ship children play area, virtual games room and at the stern, the disco. Upholstered with square red seats and in a contemporary style, mirrored ceilings and impressive sliding glass walls opening out onto the outside balcony.

And down again, Vivace Deck and to the bow Aloha Beauty Farm and Fitness Centre, Blue Martin Bar, Copacabana Pool Area, La Laguna Pool Bar, La Spiaggla Pool Area, Gli Archi Cafetteria and Il Giardino Restaurant at the stern.

The next five decks down, Virtuoso, Adagio, Minuetto, Intermezzo and Forte are all cabins.

The next Maestoso Deck is home to the upper level of the theatre, Teatro La Scala, Sanremo Casino, Art Gallery, Card Room, Library, Kaito Sushi Bar, Cyber Café, Havana Cigar Room, l’Enoteca Wine Bar, Photo Gallary and shop and at the stern the Crystal Lounge.

Deck Brillante and again at the bow the middle level of the theatre, Teatro La Scala, Il Tucano Lounge, Musica Meeting Room, shops and boutiques, the Golden and Diamond Bars – port and starboard sides and the upper level of Le Maxim Restaurant.

And finally Deck Grazioso with the ground level of the theatre, Teatro La Scala, the Medical Centre, Reception, Bar della Cascata and l’Oleandro Restaurant.

The beautiful 89,000 ton cruise ship MSC Musica was host that day to hundreds of MSC guests from all over Europe, joining the ship in Venice for the spectacular cruise ship christening ceremony which was to follow that evening.

Dressed in our finest, we tentatively stepped onto the red carpet laid at the bottom of the gang-plank and across the quayside. The general public had been kept away by separating them off with builders’ metal security fencing. Cameras flashed at us, mainly because the public didn’t know who we were, but thought we might be someone famous.

We got to our seats overlooking the quayside stage and the late afternoon Venetian sun shone low in the sky, partly blinding us.
The whole proceedings spoken in Italian, which meant a bit boring if you didn’t speak the lingo!

This was a dancing and musical spectacle Italian style, with acrobats and performers dropping onto the stage from high on the Musica itself. Singers and dancers dressed in 17th century Venetian costume, metallic confetti, tug boats spraying water cannon, celebrities, the rich and famous, Italian politicians’ and French actor Gerard Depardieu who recited a poem before the magnificent Sophia Loren, décolleté intact, just, scissored the ribbon letting fly the champagne bottle which christened this cruise ship, MSC Musica.

How much excitement can you take in one day! Anyway back inside for the Gala Dinner then to bed.

A wonderful day and a once in a lifetime experience, well done MSC you did it.

Early in April this year my wife and I were invited by Louis Lines along with many other European travel agents, to go to the South of France to see one of their ships, the Orient Queen which has recently undergone a full refit at great expense to its owners.

Louis Lines are a budget cruise operator based in Cyprus and are the fifth largest independent cruise line in the world. Of course many won’t have heard of them but to give you an idea of who they are they Thomson Holidays charter The Calypso, The Emerald and, Thomson Destiny from Louis who have only recently purchased 2 ships, the Norwegian Dream and Norwegian Majesty from Star Cruises which they are chartering back to them unti 2009. So this gives an idea of their cruise ships.

We picked up the Orient Queen in Marseille and were wined and dined on our arrival.
Although the ship has a 3 star rating the food was of excellent quality and the Mermaid restaurant was both traditional and intimate and was very well laid out. Staff were very attentive and always smiled!

Bedrooms on the Orient Queen are all equipped with air-conditioning, telephone, plasma TV
and bathroom with shower though some premium rooms have a bathtub. There is quite a variation in size with inside twins being quite small and basic.
However for those wanting more room there is a larger superior or premium room available.
This is also the same with the ocean view rooms though if you feel flush there are 29 suites and 5 huge royal suites to choose from. The room we had for the night was an outside twin which we found acceptable except for the paper thin walls which meant that we could hear everything next door from our noisy ‘neighbours’!

There are 4 accommodation decks on the Orient Queen and 7 decks in all plus a panoramic deck where the second level of the Venus Bar is.

The Reflections Bar has a very low ceiling which is more noticeable when someone is smoking (yes you can smoke in the bar) so we tended to spend time out on the boat deck where there is a lovely tabled area to the rear with waiter service.

The show lounge reminded me of a 1970’s night club with velour seating but it was quite well arranged. The entertainment was pretty decent as the acts, so we were told, were British.

There is also a nice (but small ) fitness centre on the sun deck next to an ice-cream parlour and sports shop.

The reception area has a lovely quaint fountain next to some soft furnishings and opposite is an avenue of shops selling duty free goods.

We cruised overnight to Nice and spent the next morning in port enjoying both the wonderful French sunshine and a good quality glass of Bordeaux!

The Orient Queen is cruising out of Genoa for much of the year on a series of 10-day Greek cruises calling at such places as Piraeus (for Athens), Patmos, Mykonos, Santorini and Katakolon but also has 2 8-day cruises to Libya and Malta on 4th & 12th November.

To summarize, the Orient Queen offers budget cruising at excellent value-for-money with cruise only prices from as little as £319 per person for a 6 day cruise out of Nice and from £539 per person for a 10 day cruise out of Genoa. There are a number of budget flights from numerous UK airports and when you consider that all food and entertainment is included you’ve got yourself a cheap holiday.

Louis Lines, incidentally, operates 4 other ships with some really nice 7 night Mediterranean cruise itineraries out of either Genoa or Marseille from £349 per person on the Coral and 2 3-day Greek cruises out of Piraeus on either the Perla or the Aquamarine from £139 per person. At the moment Cruise Maestro can offer a 2 for 1 on some dates so add yourself a few days in a hotel on and enjoy the best of a cruise and stay holiday for next-to-nothing.
Their other remaining ship, the Cristal has 2-7 day itineraries which include stops at Istanbul and/or Alexandria in Egypt from £369.

MSC Cruises’ ships MSC Rhapsody and MSC Melody are heading to South Africa.

MSC Rhapsody will cruise round-trip from Durban on the 16th & 27th December. Both of these Indian Ocean cruises are of 11 night duration with the first cruise stopping for 2 days in both Madagascar and Mauritius and spending Christmas cruising the Indian Ocean and the second cruise spending New Years Eve in Pointe des Gaiets- Reunion Island and 2 days in Mauritius.

A 14 day itinerary from Durban is also scheduled for the 12th January 2009 with the MSC Rhapsody calling at Port Louis-Mauritius and stopping for 2 days in Port Victoria-Seychelles before calling at the small Indian Ocean Island of Nosy Be which lies to the north of Madagascar.

MSC Melody will cruise from Genoa in October to Port Said, Egypt and will transit the Suez Canal before cruising the Indian Ocean to the Seychelles and Mauritius before arriving in Durban 18th November (21 days).

The return cruise from Durban will be on 17th April before arriving in Genoa 8th May. An optional 2night pre-cruise safari is available for the return cruise.

Paddington the well travelled bear, is to join Ocean Village and Ocean Village II, heading out into Mediterranean cruise land this summer.

The loveable little bear has enthralled children since he came to London by ship from Peru in 1958, and now 50 years later he’s setting sail again with the Ocean Village fleet.

Paddington will be making regular appearances at Ocean Village’s children’s club ‘Base Camp’ where photo opportunities will be more than welcome for kids and the young at heart. Who, after all, would miss the chance to have tea and marmalade with Paddington Bear?

There have been 70 Paddington Bear books, translated into 30 languages with a distribution of 30 million copies throughout the world.

Another children’s much loved character, Bagpuss stowed away aboard the Ocean Village ships last year, and became a firm favourite.

Ocean Village is committed to providing good quality family cruise holidays, enjoyable for kids and adults alike.

Children’s facilities are already brimming with excitement on board the Ocean Village fleet of cruise ships, with Base Camp and the teenage Hideout Zone, a night nursery and qualified youth team. SEGA Village on Ocean Village II will provide gaming fun and an unforgettable holiday for children and young teens so mum and dad can relax. Ocean Village has got to be the choice for your family cruise holiday.

During Paddington Bear’s first Caribbean cruise season, 2008/09 Ocean Village is offering free child places on Ocean Village and Ocean Village II for one or two kids when they share with two adults paying the full fare – flights included. This offer does not include cruises over Christmas, New Year and other public holidays and is subject of availability, the offer ends on 31st May 2008.