A £1 million advertising campaign featuring cruises from Ocean Village has been announced and is aimed at the 2008/09 Caribbean cruise season. It will launch on June 2^nd (the same date as the new brochure is launched) and will be seen on television, in newspapers, and heard on a number of radio stations including Classic FM. As in the campaign run by Ocean Village in January, the voice of well known actress Tamzin Outhwaite will be featured on TV & radio commercials and will specifically target customers in the 35-54 age bracket. There will be an emphasis on the Ocean Village strap line 'the cruise for people who don’t do cruises’ with a 4 week TV campaign and a radio advert lasting 40 seconds. The newspaper advert will appear in mid-market and broadsheet newspapers and will last for 6 weeks. Ocean Village has enjoyed phenomenal success over the last few years and, for those who think cruising is too ‘stuffy’, is a great way of discovering how informal and laid back a cruise can be and how much there is to enjoy. Just take a look at the Ocean Village and Ocean Village 2  itineraries on offer.

This was a cruise that we weren't at all prepared for. The reason for this was that as UK agents we had 2 ‘agent rate’ places provisionally booked for a luxury cruise on the Crystal Symphony but, having already booked our flights to Miami, were told at the eleventh hour that a US agents seminar was to take place on board and that we couldn't go.

The Liberty of the Seas therefore was the only option available.

As our cab approached the Royal Caribbean International check-in area it was becoming quite clear how large this ship is. Absolutely huge.

As you would imagine the hall where we checked in was extremely busy as there was near on 4,000 people trying to get on board but, given all of these people, the check in went pretty well and we were on board within 30 minutes.

We were in an E1cabin with private verandah which was of a decent size.

The great thing about having a verandah is that if one of you wants an early night

the other can always sit outside under the stars.

We tried the buffet breakfast and lunch in both the Windjammer Cafe and Jade restaurant and a couple of times in the 3 tier main dining room which is waiter service.

Food was acceptable but not great.

Dinner in the main restaurant was a very pleasurable experience with attentive staff and excellent food and a lovely atmosphere. We did try Chops Grille, one of 2 speciality restaurants, one evening and had a great fillet steak for a few pounds extra.

I managed to get chocolate on my linen suit however and sent it to the laundry next day. Bearing in mind that a linen suit is a casual suit it came back all pressed with creases in the trousers and looking ridiculous. Anyway when i tried on the trousers they didn't fit...yes they had shrunk them. How can one shrink anything by dry cleaning i ask? Well because they were washed....in water!!

I got nowhere other than a refund for the 'cleaning' but i did take the suit back in the UK as there was some loose stitching on the jacket and i got my money back for this.

The Royal promenade 4 storey shopping mall is quite magnificent with lots of decent shops and an English bar plus a barbers shop who knows how to charge.

It's in the promenade in the early evening where all the entertainment happens with live music and dancing aptly called 'dancing in the street'.

The Ice-Rink, where one can get ice-skating lessons, is home to some superb ice shows from skaters who are absolutely top drawer. They seemed to come from either USA, Canada or Russia. Entertainment on cruise ships is definitely on the up!

At night we frequented a few of the bars with the best one being the Olive or Twist bar on deck 14. Great views and excellent bar staff who wanted to interact with you.

The Schooner bar was OK but the bar staff were unfortunately not so enthusiastic.

The casino, which we don't use, was large as is the norm on American cruise ships, with lots of rich old people sitting there all evening trying to win $250,000 but apparently losing $'000's instead. I know this as 2 people who we shared dining with a few times used the casino and told us!

Outside offers lots to do but on sea days forget it. Can you imagine 2,3 or even 4,000 people on 2 decks at one time? Nightmare! The Americans are just as bad as the Germans I’m afraid (sorry i don't mean to generalize but most of those on here were from the United States)as they tie either their towels or (yes we saw underwear too) t-shirt to the sun-beds and left them like this for hours with no-one using them. Now how selfish is that? At times like this we just went and used our verandah (or balcony as we say in the UK).

Anyway, when you can get access, the crazy golf is quite fun as is the giant chess. The most entertaining however was the flowrider. This is for those younger folk who are body boarders with varying degrees of proficiency or for the older generation who THINK they are all experts but serve up some real entertainment by being totally useless and end up hurtling backwards into the hard rubber wall at a fair rate of knots. There are also the usual sports courts and gymnasium for those who seek to work off the calories consumed over the past few hours, plus the extremely daunting rock climbing wall up the side of the ship's funnels.

There are lots of child facilities on board and fortunately these were all in close proximity to each other centered around decks 11 & 12 where there are separate pool areas, a teens disco, Johnny Rocket's Cafe and an arcade.

To summarize, the Liberty of the Seas is a magnificent cruise ship with something to offer most cruise people but could be made more enjoyable if people were less selfish (read above). We of course have gained valuable knowledge about who we send on a cruise on the Freedom class of ship but it won't include people such as us I’m afraid. Just too busy.

Now then, where’s that luxury cruise ship?!

Cultural seekers and classical music lovers alike may be interested to hear that Fred. Olsen Cruises has launched a new add-on package on selected Black Watch and Boudicca cruises. The Package, known as ‘Civilisations’, offers a programme of exclusive on-board lectures and escorted shore excursions with such subjects as astronomy, polar exploration, colonial history and Renaissance culture included.  Charges vary depending on which excursion programme you choose but Cruise Maestro are only too happy to advise you. 

Culture on cruises is becoming more and more a necessity to cruise guests where cruises visit such areas as the Baltics and cruises to the Norwegian Fjords and Fred Olsen Cruises are showing their awareness of this.

With a large number of UK travellers having not yet taken a cruise Norwegian Cruise Lines has a series of 2 night mini-cruises from Southampton this year.These cruises are excellent for those still unsure as to whether they will enjoy a cruise and are particularly good if you prefer the informal type of holiday. Norwegian Cruise Lines has 2 cruise-ships sailing out of the UK. They are the Norwegian Jade and her sister ship the Norwegian Jewel. The freestyle cruising approach from NCL appeals to many as there are no set dining times or dress code but for those who may want an occasional ‘special’ evening out NCL do offer alternative dining options with waiter service. There is however an extra charge for dining in these venues. August 9^th sees the Norwegian Jewel cruise from Dover on a 2 night weekend cruise to Amsterdam with prices from £169 per person whereas from the same price the Norwegian Jade cruises from Southampton on July 11^th with a full day in Bruges and 2 nights cruising. Norwegian Jade departs Southampton 27^th June to Le Havre  on a 2 night cruise with prices again starting from £169 per person. All of these prices are based on 2 people sharing an inside cabin.

Passengers cruising on Holland America Line's new Signature-class luxury cruise ship the MS Eurodam will be able to enjoy their own private cabana either hired for the day or for the whole cruise.

Fourteen light and airy tented cabanas are available at the Retreat on the Observation Deck and eight mid-ships near the pool on Lido Deck.

The luxurious cabanas have been furnished in a contemporary style with upholstered couches, woven chaises and ottomans. Fluffy towels, bath robes and handheld fans await, and with water spray misters pre-loaded iPods, guests can relax and chill out in complete privacy.

Iced bottles of water, cooled fruit skewers and frozen grapes are on hand mid-morning, with chocolate covered strawberries and a glass of champagne in the afternoon.

The fourteen cabanas in the Retreat give guests a spa-style secluded spot with a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere where they can unwind and enjoy healthy food and recharge surrounded by healthy snacks and luxury leisure facilities.

The eight cabanas surrounding the Lido pool offer a private respite in a lively area of the ship. Lunch at the Lido cabanas will be served upon request from a menu of poolside favourites from the Terrace Grill or Lido Restaurant.

Discounted select services from the Greenhouse Spa and Salon are available on port days to guests who book the cabanas. The cabanas may be rented for the day or for an entire luxury cruise. The Retreat cabanas are $45 on port days and $75 on sea days, while the Lido cabanas are $30 and $50 respectively.

The 2,104 passenger luxury cruise ship Eurodam makes her first appearance in the summer 2008 with European celebrations to include the christening on 1st July in Rotterdam with Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The Eurodam will then leave on her maiden cruise to the Baltics.

Holland America Eurodam will cruise trans-Atlantic to Canada/New England in the autumn with Caribbean cruise itineries planned for the rest of 2008.

Voyages of Discovery cruises are proud to announce its Associate Sponsorship of the Ice Station Antarctica display to be held at the Natural History Museum in London from May 2007 to April 2008.  Created in a joint venture with the British Antarctic Survey and located at the Natural History Museum, Ice Station Antarctica exhibition explores the ways in which visitors to the Antarctic conquer the inhospitable natural elements and weather conditions. Voyages of Discovery, Discovery Club members are eligible for special offers on tickets for the exhibition and for Natural History Museum membership. Voyages of Discovery cruises have gained a licence to visit Antarctica, demonstrating they comply with the rules set down by the Antarctic Treaty System, and are an environmentally responsible company able to meet the terms of safety guidelines. Cruise the Antarctic with Voyages of Discovery and you can be confident your safety and enjoyment are a top priority.

The two new mega-ships from Royal Caribbean International have been named following a competition inviting name suggestions.

It was decided that out of 91,000 entries the best and most appropriate names were the Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas.

Both ships, the largest cruise ships in the world, will carry 5,400 passengers in 2,700 cabins and will feature a total of 16 decks. They are both part of a project named ‘Project Genesis’ and will go into service from 2009.

The first to begin cruise operations will be the Oasis of the Seas followed in 2010 by Allure of the Seas

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.