Memories....my very first cruise

If you notice I have recently changed my blog and added a couple new features, which ships I have been on and where have I been in the world.

While I was thinking of these, in the deep and distant past I remembered my first cruise way back in 1970! You may say I am not that old, thank you but I am and was 10 when I remember the family, parents, 2 brothers, Auntie and cousin set off on an epic mini- cruise to Norway.

I had never been abroad and there were 7 of us in a cabin, not a suite I would add! In the depths of November to sail from Newcastle to Stavanger, Bergen, Stavanger and back to Newcastle.

My research lead me to the TS Leda, helped by asking my father, not really a cruise ship in those days operated by Bergen Line. My memories are of a large cruise ship, but the passage of time and my young age when we went meant that this was not the case. She was in today's terms a small ferry/cruise/cargo ship although if you follow this link, you can see that in later years she was converted into a cruise ship.

Now I do remember that the weather was bad ans seasickness was abound in our family group. Perhaps the seas were not as bad as I recall, just such a small ship operating in one of the roughest seas in the world!

Now one of the interesting things about Bergen Line was that they operated jointly with Fred Olsen the Black Watch for nearly 20 years; she was the Jupiter in the summer under the Bergen Line banner and Black Watch in winter for Fred Olsen operating in the main to the Canaries.

It did take me a long time to cruise again, but not just because of the weather, but I have to say that I now love it!

Calling all Photographers

Over the years I have taken thousands of photographs in various places, and back in July I wrote a short blog about a specialist themed photography cruise on Paul Gauguin Cruises.

Well , having spent the last few days going through thousands of images from my holidays, and looking at ways to improve my skills I stumbled across the link again and thought I'd look to see if these cruises are being done again in 2011.

So on 20th and 27th August 2011 Paul Gauguin cruises are hosting 2 themed photography cruises with professional photographers Roger Paperno & Jesse Kalisher. An excellent way to improve your skills and at the same time go to one of those exotic places in the world in Luxury.

Click next for a breakdown of information on the workshop.

A category D Balcony stateroom with all flights on the first sailing would be £4699, then of course you have to pay the cruise line for the workshop.

I would love to do this, a place I have never been to and the chance to improve my skills.

Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World

So you have also wanted to go to Machu Picchu, it was named one of the new wonders of the world on 7th July 2007, but never known how to get there.

Recently I organised a tour for a customer going on Holland America's Rotterdam on a round trip from Fort Lauderdale in April 2011. Because of the time it takes to get there to Machu Picchu  you will need at least 3 days in Lima, or start and end your cruise there, so this is not the only option to do the visit of a lifetime.

Machu Picchu is nestled 7,500 feet above sea level in the Andean mountain range above the Urubamba valley. Machu Picchu, is the lost city of the Incas, but the facts Machu Picchu uncover are really just educated guesses because so little is known about this ancient city.

It is a true expedition with a minimum of a 3 day trek, on leaving the ship you have to travel to Cuzco usually by air and aclimatise overnight before making a train journey to Machu Picchu itself, then you will return to Cuzco for a further overnight stay and return to Lima the following day.

But what a train journey, if you want the Luxury option you will travel on The Hiram Bingham which is an exclusive luxury Orient Express service operated by PeruRail, all service included where you will enjoy a full day of unforgettable experiences.

The service includes:

• Brunch and dinner on board.
• Exclusive Bus return to the citadel of Machu Picchu.
• Entrance to Machu Picchu.
• Guided tour in the citadel.
• Afternoon tea at the Machu Picchu SanctuaryLodge  

Hiram Bingham wagons are distinguished by their blue and gold colors for its warm and cozy interiors that feature elegant upholstery. This service has four wagons, two dining wagon, an observation wagon with bar and a car, kitchen, besides being able to carry up to 84 passengers.

 

 What a view!

I have to be honest and sasy this is not the only option, there are other cruises and trains to do this journey. It is on my list of things to do, hope it get to the top soon!

Women Drivers!!?

Cunard have recently announced that after 170 years they have appointed a Lady Captain to one of their ships.

Inger Klein Olsen assumed command of Queen Victoria on 1st December, her first task was to take the ship to her scheduled dry dock in Hamburg, then for a full complement of fare paying passengers on 15th December.

Having just come back from Florida on a Virgin plane 'driven' by a lady, I am sure I'll have no problems if Captain Olsen is at the helm when I go on QV cruise 2011!

Congratulations and good luck.

Time to relax.....Spa's at sea

So you work hard during the year and then along comes to your holiday and you look forward to a relaxing time.

All ships have some form of Spa, but when on board should you use the Spa facilities when you cruise 2011?

All ships have Spa facilities of one form or another and they offer a variety of treatments and packages to suit all requirements and pockets!

I have to be honest and say that there is so much choice it is unbelievable, with the different offerings being like a quiet oasis on board ship, see the collection of photos below from various ships-

Cabana's in The Retreat, Oasis Spa on Azura

The Hydro pool on Queen Elizabeth

Mandara Spa, Norwegian Epic

So these pictures have made you think, will give that a go; but there must be a catch mustn't there?

When I was on the Epic and my wife and I were walking around we walked into Mandara Spa, the biggest Spa at sea according to NCL and very nice it was. The staff were pleasant and happy to give us a guided tour, and there were 2 or 3 treatments we could have done.

But then I saw the price list, which I have copied below, even though there was a discount for booking multiple treatments I would need a second mortgage to pay!

But what about the other ships, found this link to http://www.cruises.co.uk/ forum about Spa packages, all very interesting but I have to say pricey!

I am not a cheapskate but come on cruise lines, are you not trying to recoup some of the costs from the poor cruisers?

Thoughts about an Epic trip...Part 3 Entertainment

So to the last part of my trilogy from my NCL Epic cruise, Entertainment.

You can pre-book your seats for the shows before the cruise on NCL's website prior to the cruise. They recommend you do this, so you don't miss out and for the limited space venues such as Cirque Dreams and Headliners I can understand early booking. But if you have no preference of when you see the main shows you can probably wait till you get on the ship and book, you do need your cabin key to get in.


In other places I have seen various Cirque de Solie shows advertised and never really wanted to go. So it was with a little concern that I paid my $20 and booked an evening at Cirque Dreams and Dinner.

This is a small venue, set up to look like a circus tent and was the only dining venue where the majority of dinners were on larger tables. There was no choice of food, with it being a set menu and was generally OK.


But what the food lost in appeal, the show certainly made up for it. All the performers moved about among the audience and with it being a small venue you did feel that you were a part of the excellent show they put on. It was an excellent show and I would happily recommend this to anyone going on board, I do wonder though how the acrobats and performers cope when the ship is moving?

Headliners Comedy club had various shows through out the cruise, we went to Second City, a bit like 'Whose line is it anyway'. Aimed at the American audience but still humorous.

Of course there is also 'The Blue Man Group', which they heavily advertise. As it was free I did give the show a go, having seen it advertised in other places including Vegas.

I thought bits of the show was funny, but overall I am glad I did not have to pay, there is only so much of people with Blue faces drumming that you can take!

I have already about the Legends in Concert in a previous blog, this was an absolutely brilliant show.

Overall, I think the quality of entertainment on board was the best I have seen at sea and look forward to see if any other cruise line will match or beat this.