Pre-Voyage Documentation, do I get it any more?

In the last 12 months the cruise lines generally have changed their procedures and now it may be that you don't get your paper pre-cruise information pack. So it was great for me when the above dropped through the door yesterday but is this the norm?

There is not a definitive answer here, it varies across cruise lines and to some extent on the fare you have booked on, although Fred Olsen Cruise Lines are still sending out about 6 weeks before the cruise.

So what should you do, go to the Payments and Check-In page on our website, an example is shown below and you can then follow the link to your cruise lines own online check in system.

So when you get into your cruise lines systems there will be basic information you need to add, usually passport details, insurance etc then you will be able to view the various excursions available on your cruise.

Some of the systems allow you to download a document to print, whilst others just let you view them on the screen, in any case you can book prior to the cruise. In some cases you can purchase spa or drinks packages and with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises you will have to order your own luggage labels through this system.

So, give it a go and see what you get. If you have a problem give me a ring and I will try to help you through the systems to get you the information that you need.

Magnificant Mekong - Viking River Cruises

Next year it is our 30th wedding anniversary, and since the kids grew up we have tried to do something for our wedding anniversary or birthdays, and in the last few days we have been talking about where we want to go next year.

So when something different and exotic comes across my desk, I add it to the maybe list and it gets chewed over at home. But this is something that really appeals and I thought I'd share it with you.


How about this excellent Mekong trip with Viking River Cruises, and it is a trip to an area that appears to be growing in popularity. OK, so if you of a certain age you will remember the news reports of the 60's and 70's and some of the horrific images that they portrayed, but now its a different place.

So go on take a look at this trip to discover stunningly scenic and culturally distinctive lands on this remarkable 17-day cruise holiday.

Encounter ancient Khmer monuments and the elegant French colonial capital of Phnom Penh in Cambodia; and in Vietnam, visit the floating markets of the Mekong delta, experience the intimate charm of Hanoi’s old city and tour dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. Here you will find gracious hosts and some of the finest cuisine in the world, while enjoying the natural beauty and rich history just beyond the banks of the magnificent Mekong.

Your holiday includes return travel to the UK, 8-days on board the RV Tonle, plus hotel stays in Hanoi, Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City, internal flights, 14 guided tours, all meals and complimentary wine with lunch and dinner.

Your ship for the trip is  RV Tonle, beautifully hand crafted in 2002, and takes just 66 guests. In addition, you can at the moment save up to £1000 per couple.

This must be a wonderful experience - should I give it a go or does any one want to give me their ideas for that something different?

NCL family cruise deals

Its not often that I can let you know about a superb deal, but this from NCL comes close.

On selected dates up to and including 4th September, booked before 31st July on the Epic from Barcelona, there is a massive 52% saving on the cruise only fare for the second passenger in a 2 berth cabin, as long as they are aged up to 17 yrs.

This works for 2 cabins on a family of 4, with an adult and child in each cabin - 2 bathrooms! As well as a single parent and child!

These offers will not last for long, and there are some T&C's so if you are looking something in the school holidays give me a call.

Fly Cruise from Barcelona

So as most of you know finding a 7 night cruise from Southampton is difficult, over the season there are few of them and in the main they will be to Norway, France or around the UK. So if you are looking for a bit of that Med sun then why not think about a fly cruise from Barcelona.

Why Barcelona you ask, well there is a choice of cruise lines doing 7 to 12 night cruises which can be boarded in Barcelona and it is easy to get to either go cruise only and findg your own flights with on of many low-cost carriers or as a cruise line package if their flight package is available.

So what are the choices, and this list is not exhaustive, Royal Caribbean have both Liberty and Brilliance of the Seas sailing from Barcelona, Celebrity Cruise Lines have Solstice, NCL have the Epic - see my review on this ship, MSC have Splendida and Fantasia.

The choice is massive, in terms of level of service, length of cruise, itinerary and cost.

So what would I do you ask, well having just got back from a few days in this beautiful Catalonian city, I would book my own flights and pick one of the cruises on a cruise only basis, but go a couple of days early to do a bit of sightseeing.

There is so much to see from La Rambla to Camp Nou to the Olympic site and of course the Gaudi architecture ending with Sagrada Familia.

So go on give it a go!

Amsterdam, are the streets made of water?

Another in my short series of cruise ports to visit in Europe, Amsterdam.

Yes we went in December aboard Fred Olsen Balmoral, and it was very cold!
There is a fairy tale quality to the tree-lined canal streets of Amsterdam, even in winter! Boutiques, cafes and hotels may hide behind the facades of the gabled townhouses, but the look of this beautiful city hasn't changed much since its 17th-century Golden Age.

Some 7,000 historic buildings remain -- merchants' mansions located along canals laid out in five concentric circles, connected by bridges and intriguing small streets. They are enchanting to see, whether it be a silent winters Sunday morning or a summer evening when the old facades are floodlit, the city is magical.

It is a small place and can be covered on foot, although you may need to take the coach transfer from the port to the city centre. so what can you do?
Dam Square
The Dam is the very centre and heart of Amsterdam, although there are arguably prettier sights in the city. As an historical site however, it is fascinating and worth taking the time to appreciate. The Dam has seen many historical dramas unfold over the years, and was for example, the reception area for Napoleon and his troops during the 1808 take-over of the city. The impressive history of the square is well documented in the Amsterdam Historical Museum.

Amsterdam Canals
The number of canals have led Amsterdam to become known as “The Venice of the North”. And thus, a trip to Amsterdam is not complete without a boat cruise. A canal tour can be both fascinating and relaxing by day and enchanting and romantic at night when many of the houses and bridges are illuminated. The four main city center canals are Prinsengracht, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Singel. There are also numerous smaller canals in the neighbourhood of Jordaan, of which the Brouwersgracht, the Bloemgracht and the Leliegracht are especially pleasant.

There are plenty of other things to do, I suppose its reputation is well known! But you can have a pleasant day looking at the canals, in the squares and markets and museums.

Has my favourite ship been Eclipsed?

As you will know from reading my blog that my favourite ship is QM2, but yesterday I went to Southampton to visit the Celebrity Eclipse, er WOW!

I have heard the stories from my colleagues and read the reviews and did not really believe fully what everyone said, but the ship blew me away. I will be the first to say though, that a day on ship alone is not a total reflection on the ship and you have to sail to see how it works and feels, but after yesterday it has moved further up the list of 'Carlson Must Do's!'

So brief thoughts:-
The ship was in my eyes 'Sophisticated Chic', you can see that it is offered out as a 5* experience and this was the feel that came across while I was on board. It was the little touches, the quality of the furnishings, towels on the sunbeds and the space just gave me that feel.

The food was excellent, we dined in the Moonlight Sonata dining room, the service was good and the food and wine excellent, again its difficult to assess off one meal but it was better that the food I got on an Azura cruise earlier this year.

The cabins, are probably a little smaller than I expected, with the exception of the Grand and Royal Suites, nevertheless they appeared to be of a high quality and perfectly acceptable. There are some obstructed view balcony cabins, but have a look at the picture below, the couple on the balcony are in an obstructed view cabin - the obstruction is directly down - is it really that much of an obstruction?

So overall, it was an excellent day I loved the ship and the feel, now started to look at when I can really give it a go!