Worldwide Cruises

This is the life on the ocean wave - Oasis of the Seas

2009-11-29T11:49:00.000-08:00

I know I talked about Oasis of the Seas last time, and I’m going to do so again. It’s partly because Oasis of the Seas seems to be one of the most exciting things happening within the world of cruising at the moment, and all thanks to Royal Caribbean. It’s the biggest and most expensive cruise liner ever built, costing more than £800 million, and carrying more than 5,400 passengers, with a crew of more than 2,000. The ship is 360 metres long, which makes it longer than four city blocks.

Not only is the ship impressive in terms of size, but it includes some amazing features, many of which are a first in terms of cruise ship design, with a 750-seat Greek-style amphitheatre, a shopping mall, an ice rink, a 1,300 seat indoor theatre, and the previously mentioned open-air park with real trees and plants.

The best suite available is the Royal Loft Suite which can accommodate a group of six. This suite has 141 square metres of floor space, and has a baby grand piano, indoor and outdoor dining rooms that seat eight, a private wet bar, a library and a 78 square meter balcony with its own LCD television, entertainment area and jacuzzi. The Royal Loft Suite can be connected to a Crown Loft Suite for additional room to accommodate a total of ten guests, providing192 square metres of space!

Talk about pushing the boat out!

Oasis of the Seas has its very own Central Park

2009-11-22T06:39:00.000-08:00

There is something lovely about a garden, and even lovelier when you find the garden in an unusual, unexpected place. I remember how impressed I was when I came across my first London roof garden. So I for one was completely amazed and impressed to hear that Royal Caribbean’s soon-to-be-launched Oasis of the Seas will have its very own on board park.

Generally, much as cruise ships are great fun, the one thing they tend to lack is gardens and greenery – until now. This Central Park will be the size of a footie pitch and have flowers, shrubs, bushes, trees, grass and pretty winding pathways. And the lucky inhabitants of 254 rooms will have balconies that overlook the park area.

Oasis of the Seas will embark on her maiden voyage this December, sailing from her home port of Port Everglades, Florida. She has sixteen decks, 2,700 staterooms, of which 28 are new loft suites, and she will be able to carry some 5,400 passengers. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to use Royal Caribbean’s new neighbourhood concept with seven distinctly themed areas, including Central Park, Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade.

So if you want to give this new ship a go, you’ll be happy to hear that there are plenty of cruise bargains to be grabbed, and the cost may not be as steep as you think.

A Christmas makeover for Fred Olsen's Black Watch

2009-11-15T02:37:00.000-08:00

I’ve talked a lot on this blog about spa facilities on board ship where you can go to be refreshed and blow the cobwebs away, and it’s nice to see that Fred Olsen Cruise Lines are just as keen to give their ships a nice makeover as well. Their elegant ship Black Watch is now in dry dock for a little pampering and an enhancement of facilities on board.

The Garden Café will be replaced by the Braemar Garden Café, which will be a larger and more contemporary restaurant, with plenty of space for relaxed dining in chic and modern surroundings. After a meal passengers will be able to stroll over to the nearby Braemar Lounge which will be fitted with a fine new bar..

There will be new soft furnishings for the Piper's Bar, the Glentanar Restaurant and the Observatory Lounge. There will also be mechanical and technical improvements to the ship.

After the sprucing up, Black Watch will return to the seas on 14th December, starting with a five-day mini-cruise to the fabulous European Christmas Markets departing from Southampton.

So if you want to see what the newly refurbished Black Watch is like, and also do a little Christmas shopping, sipping mulled wine while you listen to local choirs, then this looks like the ideal pre-Christmas cruise.

Princess Cruises of Southampton voted Best Luxury Cruise Line

2009-11-07T05:48:00.000-08:00

Princess Cruises based in the UK port of Southampton has been voted the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” at the British Travel Awards this year.

“We are delighted to win this highly prestigious award as it reflects the success of Princess Cruises in the UK and highlights consumer recognition of our unrivalled American style luxury service and ‘can-do’ attitude” said Pieter van der Schee, who is the head of brand marketing at Princess Cruises.

Offering a “complete escape”, Princess have a fleet of very elegantly fitted out ships that offer all the luxury and attention to detail that you would expect from a first class hotel, a wonderful standard of accommodation, gourmet meals, great entertainment and plenty of opportunities for pampering. As well as ships that carry thousands of passengers, Princess are also proud of their smaller vessels carrying only 680 passengers, which offer an exclusive feeling of camaraderie among fellow travellers as they make their way from one exciting port to the next.

Princess cover a full range of worldwide cruise destinations including Alaska, Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Caribbean and the South Pacific. If you simply can’t make your mind up where to go, then you could always choose one of their world cruises, and sail around the globe in style.

The British Travel Awards is thought to be a good reflection of public opinion on the travel industry and travel related matters in the United Kingdom. The awards are much coveted within the industry, and so this will be a fine accolade for Princess Cruises.

Fred Olsen ArtsClub - fulfilling your passions

2009-10-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

If for you a holiday is about indulging your favourite passion then Fred Olsen Cruise Lines do just the holiday for you with their ArtsClub cruises. ArtsClub? Yes, these are special interest voyages where you can pursue your fave interest at sea.

But actually, it’s not just about pursuing a favourite passion, it can be about discovering a new one as well. Part of the problem about trying to follow an interest at home is that there is always something to distract you – ringing phones, doorbells, the daily routine of life, always something going on. And then there is your own procrastination. So making a start at something new as a part of a holiday is an ideal way to commit yourself and to get started, free from distraction, and in the best possible atmosphere where you can dedicate your time to your interest.

When I looked through the Fred Olsen ArtsClub brochure, I was impressed with the range of themes on offer, so here are some of them:

How about studying ancient civilisations while you actually visit the places mentioned as part of your cruise itinerary? You will see those ancient Greek and Roman sites in a whole new light when you know something of the background of those great civilisations. There are also themes devoted to the classical mythology so loved by the ancient peoples of the Mediterranean.
If more recent history is more your thing, then there is a history theme that looks at Maritime, Naval, Family, Arts, Celtic and Natural History with detailed discussions and lectures.

Another possibility is to learn about antiques, or if you are mad about collecting, you can even learn about collectibles.

There are themed art and painting cruises with expert speakers, and there are cruises where you can improve your watercolour painting, or learn about pottery or card-making. There are also photography themes, and a cruise will provide you with the perfect opportunity to take some fantastic photos.

There is even a Choirs at Sea theme for those that like to sing, and there are cruises devoted to comedy which look at comedy from the days of the Music Hall through silent comedy, to popular comedians of more recent years.

The dance themes cover Ballroom, Latin American, sequence dancing, Spanish Flamenco, and other styles, usually with some relevance to the places being visited. But if you prefer to listen to music rather than dance to it, then there is a music theme that looks at classical, swing, jazz and even song-writing.

There is a genealogy themed cruise which makes a great start for researching your family tree.

And there’s tons more that I haven’t got the space to tell you about, such as Nordic Mythology, Story Telling, Flora and Fauna, Wildlife, and even Wine! (Sign me up for that last one).

But the real piece de resistance has to be The Archers cruise, yes, a cruise devoted to that everyday story of country folk. You can join members of the cast and enjoy a special episode written exclusively for the cruise.

So a themed cruise could be the perfect antidote to always being too busy to pursue your dream.

More cruises leaving from Britain than ever before

2009-09-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

It seems that more cruise ships are setting sail from British ports than ever before, and 2010 will see a great choice of ships setting sail from Britain. Not only that, but changing times and tastes mean a greater choice of destinations on offer.

There has been a boom in cruises to northern Europe and the Baltic, and also increasing tourism to the Middle East has seen more cruise ships heading for that area that offers so much in the way of ancient history and historical sites. This winter Royal Caribbean will be starting a programme of cruises through the Persian Gulf, something that Costa Cruises are already doing. It is expected that 2010 will see an increase in demand for cruises to the Far East as well.

So what about prices? Over 2009 the cruise lines have been offering some pretty good deals on cruises, with discounts of up to a staggering 60 per cent, along with free flights and other temptations such as complimentary car parking, and even generous on-board credits in the region of £200 per person.

In 2010 there will be more ships, and therefore more places to fill, which could well mean some great bargains on offer. It seems like the best strategy is to decide where you’d like to go, choose which ships would best suit your taste and lifestyle, and then shop around for the best deal. The wisdom seems to be that the best deals will be around at the start of 2010, with prices going up a bit as the year goes on.

Perfect spas afloat

2009-09-09T09:35:00.000-07:00

An essential part of any holiday these days is the proximity of a spa, with holidaymakers now seeing relaxing massages, facials, saunas, hot tubs, and health and beauty treatments as all part of the essential holiday experience. Any top hotel worth its salt will now incorporate a spa, and cruise lines have not been slow to catch onto the trend either, with most cruise ships now having excellent spas along with all their other on board wonders. And increasingly, the spa is not just a spa, but a medi-spa too, where you can get various long-lasting beauty treatments that involve a little more than simply the application of cream.

P&O have some lovely Oasis Spas on their ships where you can get all sorts of treatments from mud therapy to tooth-whitening, and even facial peels, as well as all the traditional spa treatments. Azura, P&O’s new, sleek and sophisticated super-liner due next spring, will have a tremendous spa incorporating a mud chamber and an adults-only spa terrace known as The Retreat, where you can relax well away from the little ankle biters.

P&O’s Oasis Spas even offer the Oxyjet Star facial, which has been popular with celebrities such as Madonna, and Jennifer Aniston – you only have to look at them to know it must work!

Celebrity Cruises’ latest ship, Celebrity Solstice, has a medi-spa that includes treatments such as Botox and Restylane, which work wonders on smoothing that face. The spa has 23 treatment rooms as well as a Persian Garden relaxation room with warm beds, a steam room and even an aromatic dry sauna.

Carnival Cruises’ new ship Carnival Dream will also have a large spa, with 17 treatment rooms, a thalassotherapy pool with heated ionised water and pulsating water jets, and a thermal suite with four wet and dry heat therapy chambers to cleanse, tone and purify the body.

It seems that with every new cruise ship, the on board spa just gets better and better, making for the perfect relaxing holiday afloat.

Formal or casual? Choose your ship carefully

2009-09-06T04:03:00.000-07:00

I once met a very formal retired lady and gentleman who informed me that they loved to go on cruises, so much so that they used to take on part-time work helping to supervise examinations at the local college, so that they could afford to go on cruises. They made it abundantly clear that they didn’t have much time for the fresh faced teenagers who were taking the exams. I feel fairly positive that the sort of cruise ships they travelled on would have been some of the more sedate vessels, and I can well envisage them enjoying getting all dressed up for formal dinner, and enjoying polite conversation over gin and tonics.

But what if formality is not really your thing? Are you one of these people who prefers smart casual to formal attire, and yet you really fancy the idea of visiting all sorts of exciting ports in a cruise ship and enjoying lots of fun activities on board? What if you have young children or teens that are not likely to take to formality (and loads of staid ladies and gents) very well? Don’t worry, although cruising holidays have a reputation for formality, there are plenty of cruise lines and ships with a more relaxed and child-friendly philosophy.

P&O’s Ventura is a cruise ship for families, and very much geared up to children. As far as cruise ships go, Ventura is big, and can carry more than 3,000 passengers. The ship is less traditional than other P&O ships, and there is less emphasis on formal dining. On board the Ventura smart casual for dinner is fine, and more convenient for families with young children.

Another good cruise line for those who wish to stay fairly laid back is the Italian line Costa Cruises. Also with Costa Cruises you will find a good cross section of European nationalities, with passengers tending to be Italian, French, German, and Spanish, as well as British.

Norwegian Cruise Line, like Scandinavia itself, tends towards upbeat and casual rather than stuffy and formal.

Carnival Cruise Lines is popular with young couples and also with families, and there are usually plenty of games and activities going on.

MSC Cruises is an Italian line that is good for families on a budget, and offers some good deals. The ship MSC Opera has a club for young children, and a disco for teenagers.

Whether you tend towards the formal or the casual, the important point about cruising is to do your homework first, and make sure you have chosen the right cruise line and ship, then when you book that cruise holiday you will know that you have made the right choice.

Swan Hellenic - a country house at sea for the discerning traveller

2009-08-30T06:09:00.000-07:00

With over 50 years of discovery cruising, and life on board that has been likened to being in a country house, British cruise line Swan Hellenic has a strong appeal to the well-educated and well-travelled cruiser, who wants to get the most out of a cruise in cultural and historical terms. Swan Hellenic has only one ship, the Minerva, with a gleaming interior of polished wood and brass providing the perfect environment for relaxation.

Swan Hellenic make a point of visiting ports that are slightly off the beaten track as well as some of the more mainstream destinations, with shore excursions included in the cost of the cruise and forming an integral part of the whole experience. The days spent at sea are not wasted either - there are guest speakers covering topics related to the places to be visited, and there are workshops on painting, writing, singing and other activities. The ship also has a library where you can find good novels to while away those relaxing days at sea, or books on the ports of call so you can do some reading up in advance.

The evenings are pleasant and congenial with classical concerts and after dinner talks, with speakers drawn from the academic, diplomatic and media spheres. If you feel like catching up on a few movies, there is a cinema, and for those who like to keep fit there are yoga and tai chi classes, as well as a gym, and a swimming pool. And if you need to relax after all the activity, then there is a spa and a beauty salon.

Swan Hellenic cruises can take you to the Black Sea, the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, the Aegean, and even Antarctica.

So if you really like to gain some understanding of the places that you are visiting, then this has to be the cruise line to choose.

NCL’s Norwegian Gem offers superb pampering and treatments at its Mandara spa

2009-08-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

An up-to-the-minute spa is becoming de rigeur not just at top hotels, but also on cruise ships, and the modern day spa offers far more than just saunas and hot tubs, with a wide variety of health and beauty treatments now becoming standard at any self-respecting spa. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Gem is no exception, and the spa on board this elegant yet relaxed cruise ship has treatments that will add to the totally chilled out holiday experience that Norwegian has to offer.

The spa is operated by Mandara Spa, which is a leading company in the field that creates top quality spas around the world. Mandara Spa originated in Bali, and takes its name from a Sanskrit legend about the eternal youth, strength and beauty possessed by the immortal gods. The spa that Mandara operate on board the Norwegian Gem is not just a mere spa, but a medi-spa: The Yin & Yang medi-spa does not just offer indulgent treatments such as body wraps and facials, but also treatments from a physician such as Botox, Restylane and Perlane treatments.

Spa treatments tend to be very popular with women, but Yin & Yang also aims to encourage the gents to try the experience of a spa with some specialist therapies aimed specially at men, including a deep-cleansing and grooming treatment that includes shaving and an intense deep-cleansing to rejuvenate the skin, along with a scalp and face massage to gently soothe the cares away.

So whether you’re just after a facial, or feel like waving goodbye to a few wrinkles, the Norwegian Gem has it.

For an active cruise, it's Royal Caribbean

2009-08-10T02:32:00.000-07:00

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to put a rock climbing wall on one of its ships, and these walls have now become a popular feature of the Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Overall, the line prides itself on having plenty of vigorous activities available for its passengers, so Royal Caribbean is the perfect cruise line for holidaymakers who like to be active and to have plenty to do.

Some Royal Caribbean ships have basketball courts, allowing enthusiasts to perfect their game while sailing from one exciting port to another. If you are a keen runner or jogger then you will be pleased to hear that some ships have running tracks, where you can keep up that regular running habit. Golf enthusiasts are not forgotten either – you don’t have to wait until the ship puts into port before you can get a game of golf, as the ships have exciting golf simulators, and some even have a small golf course!

If surfing is your activity of choice then you don’t have to wait to find a coastline to find some good surfing waves - only Royal Caribbean offer you the chance to do some surfing on board ship with a FlowRider that creates a permanent water wave. If you want to get a view of your ship from aloft, then some ships feature a zip line where you can soar from one end of the ship to the other like a bird.

Of course Royal Caribbean ships are great if you just want to laze, graze and relax too, with plenty of bars, restaurants, lounges and entertainment.

One of the greenest ships ever - Celebrity Equinox

2009-08-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

One of the greenest ever cruise ships has just set sail on her maiden voyage. Flying the Maltese flag, the Celebrity Equinox is one of the most environmentally-advanced cruise ships ever built.

A real beauty of a ship, the Celebrity Equinox is now in the Norwegian Fjords, and later will be bound for the Med, for a series of cruises in the eastern part of the Mediterranean. In the late autumn she will then cross the Atlantic, and be doing winter cruises in the warm Caribbean.

So what is it that makes this ship so green? For starters she has over 200 solar panels collecting energy from the sun, the hull has a special silicon coating that reduces the resistance as the ship moves through the water, and hence reduces fuel consumption. The construction of the ship makes use of special glass to reduce heat transfer, and there is an advanced waste water purification system.

The ship is owned by Celebrity Cruises which is part of Royal Caribbean, and as well as all these green considerations, the ship provides wonderful facilities for its passengers with veranda staterooms that have flat screen TV’s, and a two level spa where you can receive facials, acupuncture and numerous other health and beauty treatments. There is wireless internet access throughout the ship, so no problems getting online with your laptop. And just in case you miss terra firma, there is even a proper grass lawn!

So if you want to cruise in a manner that shows due care for the environment then Celebrity Equinox is a good choice of ship for your cruise.

Fred Olsen expand their portfolio of destinations

2009-07-25T04:35:00.000-07:00

The Norwegian-owned Fred Olsen Cruise Lines brochure for 2010/11 sees the addition of some fabulous new destinations to the itineraries of this ever-popular cruise line, including Honolulu, Samoa, Vanuatu, Borneo, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Malaysia, Phuket, Ecuador, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Costa Rica. The brochure lists an amazing total of 119 cruises covering a total of 260 different exciting ports of call, and over 121 different countries or islands.

The cruises on offer include a choice of two world cruises, 26 cruises that cover the Caribbean and the Americas, no less than 17 cruises to that old favourite The Mediterranean, and 20 cruises to the shores of West Africa and the Canary Islands. There are 12 cruises visiting Spain, Portugal, the UK and Ireland, and 35 cruises to Northern Europe and Scandinavia. There are even seven mini-cruises which provide a great introduction to life on board ship and the fun of cruising for those who would like to try it out, with a view to a longer trip later.

Fred Olsen offers very much the quintessential cruise experience, with classic entertainment, a genteel and sedate atmosphere, and delightful formal dinners with excellent food.

The line has five fine ships, with beautifully themed public rooms, comfortable accommodation and top-class facilities that provide the perfect environment for spending your time while you travel from one interesting port to another.

Fred Olsen provide the perfect opportunity to see the world in style, and it is good to see that the number of places to see and visit has just got better.

The QE2 may sail for Cape Town

2009-07-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

Rumour has it that the retired Cunard ocean liner, the QE2, is headed for Cape Town. RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, which was the Cunard flagship from 1969 to 2004, and considered to be one of the greatest transatlantic ocean liners that ever sailed, was bought for £50 million by real estate developer Nakheel, which is a division of Dubai World. The idea was to convert her into a stationary floating hotel moored off Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah Island.

She is currently moored at Port Rashid, Dubai, but it seems that the expected refurbishment is not taking place any time soon due to the current economic climate, so the owners are considering moving her to another port before the work starts.

Former captain of the QE2, Commodore Ron Warwick, upon hearing of the move to Cape Town said, "I think it is very viable that the ship could go there.

"When I left the ship in March they were still maintaining it, the engines were still running and I don't see any reason why she couldn't go."

All the cabins would be replaced with larger bedrooms, and the space where the engine is currently housed would be changed into a theatre.

But some of the wackier plans afoot include slicing off of the QE2’s well-known red funnel, relocating it to the waterfront, and putting an exclusive glass penthouse where the funnel used to be – a move which would destroy the integral structure and character of the ship, I believe.

Given the fact that the refurbishment is to be put on hold, there is plenty of time for plans to change, and it is good that the QE2 will put to sea yet again in her present unmodified state.

The Queen Mary 2 for luxury on the ocean wave

2009-07-12T08:04:00.002-07:00

The ocean liner RMS Queen Mary 2 is the current flagship of the prestigious cruise line Cunard, and when she was built in 2003 she was the longest, the widest and the tallest passenger ship ever built. This wonderful ship makes regular transatlantic crossings and boasts no less than fifteen restaurants and bars, five swimming pools, a casino, a ballroom, a theatre, and even a planetarium.

You will actually find something quite unique about her design - unlike other cruise liners, the Queen Mary 2 has her main public rooms on the lowest public decks, with the passenger cabins above, thus allowing more of the passenger cabins to have private balconies with glorious sea views – in fact almost three-quarters of the rooms have a private balcony.

The ship has a luxurious champagne bar, a wine bar and a two-level nightclub with DJ and live band. Fancy a bit of reading while on your cruise? The ship has the largest library to be found at sea. Need to look something up on the internet or check your email? The ship has its very own large computer centre with connection to the internet, so you will be able to update your travel blog, and let everyone back home know what a great time you are having, and what new places you are seeing.

Shopaholics will be pleased to hear that the ship has a shopping arcade outlets such as Harrods and Hermés.

If you need to relax and get some shiatsu or facial treatments, the ship has a spa where you can feel pampered and refreshed.

The Queen Mary 2 has more than 5,000 specially commissioned works of art, created by artists from 16 different countries.

Should you become a little homesick for Britain while on board you can always repair to the ship’s very own Golden Lion pub, where you can play darts and drink ale. Here you can even get a traditional pub lunch such as fish and chips or cottage pie.

The finest accommodation you can get on board is Grand Duplex, which are probably the loveliest suites you can get on a ship. Downstairs you have a spacious living room, a large balcony and marble bathroom with a whirlpool bath. Upstairs you have a luxurious bedroom with a gorgeous comfy bed and plenty of cupboard space for all those great outfits you’ll be wearing when you go down to eat at the exclusive Queens Grill.

So if it’s a cruise of unadulterated luxury you are looking for then the Queen Mary 2 offers one of the finest experiences you can get, and if you can’t wait to look out over the sea from this fine ship, then just take a look at the view from the bridge on their live web cam!

Mighty ships from little steamers grow - major cruise line P&O

2009-07-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

P&O started life as a humble mail steamer in 1837, but has since grown into the largest British cruise line operator, with a fleet of six cruise ships operating out of Southampton, going to 225 destinations in 90 countries, and offering a range of cruises from ones that are reserved for adults, to family-friendly cruises.

The six P&O cruise liners are Arcadia, Artemis, Aurora, Oceana, Oriana and Ventura, but they are soon to be joined by a new addition, namely Azura – this ultra-modern ship being currently under construction. Arcadia and Artemis are for the adult-only cruises, while the others welcome families with children. The ships are fantastically equipped with everything from celebrity-chef restaurants, swimming pools, gyms, spas, and even have impressive modern art collections. Ventura, P&O’s largest cruise liner, offers an innovative rock school for teenagers, a Scalextric Formula One race track and, amazingly, even a circus school.

Arcadia has such wonders as over 3,000 British art works displayed around the decks, exterior glass lifts with give a fantastic view over the sea, and a three tier theatre.

Artemis is the smallest ship in the fleet, and good for the quieter holiday. Being small can have its advantages as she can get into the more unusual ports.

The Azura, which will make its maiden cruise in April 2010, will feature Indian-style restaurant Sindhu, created by Atul Kochhar, The Retreat, a spa where you can have treatments outdoors as well as indoors, and a gym with a view out over the sea.

The P&O cruise ships sail to the popular holiday spots such as the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic Islands and South America, as well as sailing to varied destinations such as the Baltic ports, such as Stockholm and Helsinki, the Norwegian fjords, Sydney, Cape Town and even Cambodia. Cruises offered by P&O range from two-day breaks to European cities, to complete round the world trips with varied itineraries. They also do plenty of two week cruises which prove popular.

Cruising - trying it out

2009-04-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

If you have ever wondered what it is like to go on a cruise, but been uncertain about whether to commit yourself to a cruising holiday without really knowing what to expect, then how about a chance to stick your toe in the water? For example, P&O now do weekend cruises which give you the chance to decide whether a holiday on board ship is for you, and NCL also do a cruise from Southampton to Guernsey which is but a two-night trip. Trying out a short cruise will almost certainly give you some idea of whether going on a longer cruise will be your cup of tea.

Another good form of preparation is The First-Time Cruise Guide by renowned cruise expert Douglas Ward. This book includes reviews of the top 11 cruise lines, ratings of more than 350 ships and is the real insider’s guide to cruises.

For first-timers there is all sorts of stuff that you need to know, like making sure that your flight arrives before noon on the day you sail, or even the day before, to allow for unexpected glitches.

It is well worth doing some research, and putting some thought into which cruise will suit you. For example, some cruises have a fairly formal dress code, so if natty little cocktail dresses or smart suits are not your thing then you might think about going on a cruise where the dress code is a bit more casual, such as Norwegian Cruise Line which is the epitome of cool Scandinavian casual chic.

Although a lot of cruises are advertised as all-inclusive, the meaning of this term does tend to vary, and it is a good idea to check up in advance what this means. Also many cruise ships run a cashless system where drinks and other small items are charged to your card which also functions as your room key.

So, try it out, do the research, and soon you could be booking that perfect cruise.

Orlando Cruise and Stay - the best of both worlds

2009-04-18T12:35:00.000-07:00

If you are torn between going on a traditional resort holiday, or trying a cruise, then a Cruise and Stay deal could be just the thing to pick, as it will give you both holidays in one. A popular choice at the moment is the Orlando Cruise and Stay, which combines a Caribbean cruise, with a luxury break in a top Orlando hotel. With its Sea World, Universal Studios, and Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando has to be one of sunny Florida’s most exciting cities.

The option of the Orlando Cruise and Stay is offered by a number of the major cruise lines offering a voyage that leaves from and arrives back in Florida, calling at a number of interesting ports in the Caribbean. For example, Royal Caribbean offer a variety of short Caribbean cruises, with one taking you from Florida to the Bahamas, which is renowned for its wonderful flora and fauna, and also for its good nightlife. The ship then sails on to Charlotte Amalie on the Virgin Island of St Thomas, which offers the best in world class duty free shopping. Next on the itinerary before heading back to Florida is the intriguing part-French, part-Dutch island of St Maarten, with its paradise beaches of soft white sand. Another cruise offered by Royal Caribbean visits Haiti, famous for music and carnivals, Jamaica, known for Bob Marley and reggae, Grand Cayman, with its fantastic Seven Mile Beach, and Cozumet in Mexico.

Carnival also offer short cruises that start and finish in Florida, and are ideal to be booked as part of a Cruise and Stay deal.

So if you can’t decide between a cruise or a stay in a resort, the Cruise and Stay option offers the best of both worlds, and Orlando Cruise and Stay offers the excitement of the Caribbean with the thrills of a top US destination.

The Mediterranean - a world in itself

2009-04-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

The word Mediterranean means “the middle of the world”, because, to the ancient peoples who lived around its rim, the Med was the centre of the world they knew, with Europe to the north, Asia to the east, and Africa to the south. No surprises then that the ports of the Mediterranean are some of the most historic, fascinating and diverse.

Starting from the dramatic Strait of Gibraltar, travelling east takes us along the Costa del Sol, and further north we have the trendy port of Barcelona, which is famous for its variety of nightlife. Further east takes us to the French Riviera, with the famous Cannes, known for its film festival, and Nice, with its charming Old Town.

Further along the coast is the principality of Monaco, and the fabulous port of Monte Carlo, with its winding streets, upmarket casinos, and shops selling the latest top designer gear.

Beyond Monaco lies Italy with the spectacular cities of Genoa, Rome and Naples. On the other side of the Italian peninsula is the Adriatic Sea, and the unique city of Venice with its canals and bridges. Further down you will find pretty Croatian ports such as Porec, and the famous white-walled city of Dubrovnik. Further south still we come to Greece, and the historic city of Athens, where you can stroll around the Parthenon and other ancient historic ruins.

Moving eastwards we come to Turkey with Istanbul, the crossroads of Europe with Asia. Stop at a Turkish port and you will most likely have the chance to visit the ancient city of Ephesus which goes right back to biblical times. Next comes the historic Holy Land with is ports of Ashdod and Haifa. Moving west again we now find ourselves on the African coast, with the exciting port of Alexandria. The north Africa coastline also has the Libyan port of Tripoli, then Tunisia’s ports of Port Al Kantaoui and Tunis. Moving on to Morocco, there is then the bustling port of Tangier, which brings us back to the Strait of Gibraltar.

As well as all the impressive ports around its periphery, the Med also has some beautiful islands to visit, such as Ibiza, Majorca, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, Crete and Cyprus.

The Mediterranean with its gorgeous blue waters and perpetual sunshine, is a holiday paradise, and taking a cruise there offers even more in terms of places to visit.

Some of the cruise lines covering the Mediterranean include Thomson, Carnival, Island Cruises, and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines.

So what is it about cruises?

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What’s so special about going on a cruise compared to other forms of holiday? Well, probably the main appeal is that you get the chance to visit a number of different places while travelling in the utmost of comfort - the view from your cabin is always changing without you having to pack and move on. The number of options is amazing, with cruises covering the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Baltic, the Black Sea, in fact just about every sea you can think of, and if that isn’t enough, then there are river cruises such as Nile cruises, cruises on the Danube that take you to some of Europe’s major cities, and even cruises on the beautifully serene Norwegian fjords.

As well as the constant change of scene, another reason that cruises appeal so much is the fun and camaraderie on board ship. While you are in between destinations, on cruise ships you are never short of things to do as there are games, entertainment, and even sporting facilities. The ships all have bars and lounges – vibrant ones where there is live music and dancing, and more secluded ones for those who want to enjoy a quiet chat over a drink.

The catering on cruises is invariably to a very high standard with all the very best in cuisine and drinks, and most cruise ships offer a choice of formal restaurants with waiters, or self-service all-you-can-eat buffets.

Cruising was often thought to be the preserve of older, more formal travellers, but now it is increasingly attracting a young, informal and lively crowd, who enjoy a good social life, the comforts of a floating hotel and visiting exciting ports and locations.

In this blog I will be keeping my eyes open for the latest news from the world of cruises, looking at ships, ports, new trends and anything else relating to holidays on the ocean wave.

Welcome To Worldwide Cruises

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Welcome to Worldwide Cruises, a collection of thoughts, reviews and news on the wonderful world of cruising.

Cruise holidays are an ideal way to see the world in a relaxing, laid-back fashion - cruisethe Caribbean, Mediterannean, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Artic and many more!

W'ell be taking a look at all different types of cruises from many cruise lines, as well as exploring some of the most interesting cruise ships!