Simple A Cruise Blog

MAKE THE MOST OF TODAY'S STRIKE DAY

2011-11-30T09:47:00.001Z

With thousands of people expected to be off work due tothe strike, holiday companies are anticipating a surge in holiday relatedonline activity. With dreary weather forecasted, a day at home providesthe ideal opportunity to help the kids dig out the Christmas decorations, catchup on X Factor, write the Christmas cards, tidy the house, bake a cake and booknext year’s holiday.

According to award winning cruise specialist Ideal Cruising,today will see an 80% year on year increase in holiday related onlineactivity across the UK. With prices from as low as £699 per person for atwelve night cruise in the Canaries in January, many people will take advantageof late discounted deals over Christmas and January and early booking deals forthe summer to book a real holiday treat.

Ideal Cruising was awarded ‘Best Cruise Retail Website’ at the2011 Travolution Awards.

Ideal Cruising's Christmas Wishlist

2011-11-22T13:10:00.001Z

Ideal Cruising has been getting ready for Christmas by having a full make-over!
We now have a new logo and a refreshed website (the blog will soon follow) to reflect our increased drive to create the perfect cruises!

Times are tough, so to help ensure everyone gets what they wish for this Christmas, we are adding extra presents to our exclusive cruises.

Ideal's Christmas Wishlist

Tickets to a Broadway Music with Celebrity Silhouette
Trip to the Christmas Markets
Tickets to Cirque du Soliel with Cunard Queen Victoria
Venice Film Festival tickets with Royal Caribbean Splendour of the Seas
Trip on the Orient Express with Silversea Silver Shadow
Beach holiday with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas
A Trip to see the Mardi Gras Festival in New Orleans with Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas
Shopping Trip to New York with Cunard Queen Mary 2

As you can see, a cruise from Ideal Cruising is much more than just a trip. With flights, transfers and presents included, it becomes a truly unique experience.

Cruise Liners During The Wars

2011-11-11T12:26:00.001Z

The 11th of November is the day when we remember our fallen soldiers for all previous and current wars. As a time of reflection we take a brief look at how cruise ships have played their roles in previous wars.

First World War

RMS Mauretania in Dazzle Camouflage

In the First World War RMS Mauretania was used briefly as an armed merchant cruiser, but due to its huge size and fuel consumption it was decommissioned from its military duties. Later in the war RMS Mauretania would become a troopship before it was redesignated as a hospital ship. It managed to avoid the German U-boat fire due to its speed and 'dazzle' paintwork which made targeting it difficult.
RMS Olympic, sister ship of the Titanic, served as a troopship for the British. From its highly effective operation during the war it obtained the nickname 'old reliable'.
HMHS Britannic, another sister ship of the Titanic, sadly did not make it through the war. Originally built as a passenger ship, she never saw any commercial passengers and was instead enlisted straight into the army as a hospital ship. Sadly on the 21st November 1916 she struck a mine off the Greek Coast by Kea resulting in a loss of 30 lives.

Second World War

The Queen Mary During WW2

The famous Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth ships were used during the war as troop carriers. Both transported thousands of troops across the Atlantic Ocean, surviving attacks but U-boats and rough seas to make it through the war without major incident.
Unfortunately the Queen Elizabeth was lost in 1972 due to on-board fires. However, the Queen Mary is now permanently docked at Long Island in Los Angeles as a tourist attraction.

Other Wars
Cruise liners have been used as recently as the Falklands with Cunards QE2 (soon to be an attraction in Dubai) and P&O's Canberra being used as troopships by the British Army.

Much like everyone and everything at the time of war, cruise ships have played their part in creating the world we live in today.... least we forget..
Today (11/11/11) Ideal Cruising will donate £11 from every sale to the Royal British Legion.

Your Ideal Alaska & Vegas Cruise & Stay

2011-11-08T13:18:00.001Z

Visit two Great Natural Wonders of the World with Ideal Cruising; Alaska and The Grand Canyon via Las Vegas.

Fly from London to Las Vegas and spend three nights in the Fabulous Aria Resort & Casino Hotel. Built in 2009, it is the new heart of the Las Vegas strip, making it the perfect hub to explore one of the greatest cities on the earth. Highlights of the resort include;

A mouth-watering 16 restaurants and 10 bars
3 pools,
A 80,000sqft spa and salon
1,800 seater theatre which houses the Viva Elvis musical

Whilst in Vegas you will take a trip into the spectacular Grand Canyon, one of the Natural Wonders of The World. 277miles long, up to 18miles wide and a depth of over a mile; the pure scale and beauty of the Canyon has to be seen to be believed.

After your stay in Las Vegas you will then fly north to Seattle to meetwith Celebrity Cruise's ship the Celebrity Infinity for a magical 7 night sailing intoAlaska.

The Celebrity Inifnity boasts 10 bars, a gym, a theatre, an indoor pool, golf simulator, a cinema and a state-of-the-art AquaSpa so there will be something to do for everyone on board when not taking in the amazing Alaskan scenery.

Alaska with its natural beauty and quaint, old mining and fishing towns is a truly unique American experience

Prices start from £1999pp based on an inside cabin onboard.

Why not upgrade to a balcony for less than £250pp

P&O wins Best Large Cruise Line In Telegraph Travel Awards

2011-10-28T10:07:00.005Z

P&O has won the Best Large Cruise Line in The Telegraph Travel Awards for 2011.

It beat off stiff competition from runners-up Cunard and Celebrity.

P&O cruises out of Southampton and a variety of other European ports for trips around the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands.

There are also magnificent cruises on offer around the Caribbean, so there is something for anyone who wishes to catch some winter sun this year.

On board any of P&O magnificent super-liners you can expect exclusive celebrity endorsed restaurants, with menu’s created by Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White. Or simply enjoy the ship’s many facilities and creative workshops, whilst the children are being fully entertained by Noddy, Mr Bump and the Mr Men shows.

With fantastic entertainment and facilities on board, and itineraries which include some amazing locations around the world it is easy to see why P&O was voted the Best Large Cruise Line.

To see the full run down of winners in the Travel Awards click here

Your Ideal New Orleans Cruise & Stay

2011-10-24T15:04:00.007Z

New Orleans one of the world's most fascinating cities. Steeped in a history of influences from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond, it's brilliant mosaic of culture, food and music. You'll find brimming bowls of gumbo, late nights in jazz clubs, strolls through historic neighbourhoods and tantalising festivals throughout the year. Its no surprise then to find the popularity of New Orleans growing once again as tourism increases.

What better way to enjoy the hospitality of Louisiana than a 3 night stay at one of the cities many unique hotels before heading off on a 7 night Royal Caribbean Cruise. The Voyager of the Seas will take you from New Orleans through the Gulf of Mexico and onto Falmouth in Jamaica, Georgetown in Grand Cayman and Cozumel in Mexico.

And don't forget, if you happen to be there in for Mardi Gras (thats February 21st in 2012) you may well need that 7 night cruise more than anything else after joining in on that party

Your Ideal Cunard Transatlantic Crossing

2011-10-17T11:24:00.001Z

There are many things that are suited to each other, fish and chips for example, Sundays and roast dinners and of course, they are both very traditionally British. Something else very British is Cunard, steeped in history from the grand days of the transatlantic crossings, Cunard still to this day offers something that little bit special and here at Ideal Cruising, we have managed to take the best of Cunard and create something a little bit more special.

How? Well, we have included not only your return flights on a 16 night transatlantic voyage from Venice to Fort Lauderdale on November 20th of this year, we have included a lagoon tour on an old merchant vessel in the Venice Lagoon while you are there. That’s not it however, but on its own would be a talking point. No we have managed to include tickets for Verdi’a opera La Traviata in Venice on your first night.

The Opera is held at the Musica a Palazzo on the Sunday night. For those of you who don’t’ know, the Musiza a Palazzo is a Venetian Palace from about the 15th Century located on the Grand Canal. With such a unique building, the acts of the Opera are held in different rooms really building the atmosphere and also creating almost a sense of involvement as you move from room to room, act to act.

Something that will last with you for your 16 night cruise and beyond, find out more here

Discover the West Coast of USA

2011-10-10T12:53:00.003Z

There are so many iconic places to visit along the coast of California, many of the cities have featured in so many movies over the years that once you get there, they will seem very familiar indeed. Starting from San Francisco, famous for the Golden Gate bridge and of course Alcatraz situated in San Francisco’s Bay are two of the many highlights you can explore whilst your enjoy your first stop on this one of a kind itinerary. Choose the route that best suits you as you leave the city and head South for Los Angeles. Taking Highway 5 is the easy and quick option, however dare to take the coastal road, while slightly longer will take you along the winding road tracing the Pacific Ocean through Monterey, picking up the section known as “Big Sur” onto Santa Maria and Santa Barbara before cruising into L.A. Here you have a few days to relax and maybe do a spot of shopping in Rodeo Drive or just unwind on the beaches or Laguna or Huntingdon.

The Drive to San Diego is only a few hours and takes you through San Clemente, Oceanside and Carlsbad before heading into San Diego. Famous for the San Diego zoo and many great restaurants, and its only a short hop over the border to Mexico from here. After your 2 nights in San Diego, what better way to unwind than on the 5 star Holland America ms Oosterdam and you cruise the Mexican Rivera calling into Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Car hire is included in the package, along with 4 star hotels in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. For those of you who don’t fancy this amazing drive, we can arrange all of your internal flights for you so give us a call and speak with one of our cruise specialists today. Alternatively, you can find out more by clicking here.

Ideal Cruise & Stay Of The Week

2011-10-03T16:12:00.012Z

There are not many cruises that involve driving, however it would seem that Ideal Cruising have found one. Although before you jump to conclusion its not just any drive. Its actually an amazing cross state drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. For those of you who have not experience this, its amazing, its only 4 hours away from the city of Los Angeles, yet its a world away from anything you have ever seen before, the skyline of Vegas appears in the desert like a mirage in the vast desert.

How did you end up here, well thats the cruise part. The package in question is 2 nights in Los Angeles, 7 nights on the Carnival Splendor sailing the Mexican Riviera and then 3 nights in Las Vegas. Its an amazing combination of hotel stays and cruise, Carnival Cruise Lines will pamper you and keep you entertained for a week while you sail the west coast of Mexico, stopping at places such as Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta before arriving back into LA and picking up a car ready to hit the road and head east into the desert.

Things to do in Los Angeles

Go Celeb Spotting

Hollywood celebrities are never far away in LA. To catch a glimpse of stardust, take the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where 2,000 figures from the entertainment world are immortalised in pink terrazzo with symbolic gold lettering. If you're a film buff, look out for the famous hand and footprints at Graumans Chinese Theatre. Countless premieres and galas have passed through, adding to the renowned pagoda's star quality.

Shop Rodeo Drive

Many people dream of being Julia Roberts shopping on Rodeo Drive, but few can afford to buy from the array of high-end designers seen in the film 'Pretty Woman'. So window-shopping is the order of the day. Along the $200-million ersatz European cobbled walkway Two Rodeo, browsing tourists mingle with serious spenders. A hop away is Anderson Court, which is the only shopping mall designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Things to do In Vegas

Bellagio Fountains

This show is a light and sound show, coupled with the fountain display. This takes place in front of the Bellagio Hotel, and is acceptable for everyone of all ages.

Las Vegas Space Flights

The zero gravity Las Vegas experience is now available for those who wish to feel weightless. A specially designed Boeing 727 will perform effects of a real space flight including flying smaller parabolas that recreate lunar gravity.

Find out more here.

National Cruise Week 2011

2011-09-18T18:42:00.001Z

This is the Association of Cruise Experts (ACE) fourth National Cruise Week and this year runs from Sunday 18th to Sunday 25th September 2011.

With all the cruise lines fighting for customers attention, there are some great deals to be had, including free onboard spending money, free cabin upgrades and early booking discounts.

Find out more about the event and these amazing booking benefits, by contacting Ideal Cruising today.

Celebrity Silhouette Launch

2011-07-21T21:12:00.000Z

I recently visited the Celebrity Silhouette ship and WOW what an experience it was…..The service on arrival was impeccable, check in was easy and hassle free.

The size of the ship is phenomenal; it has to been seen to really understand the enormity of this beautiful ship. The interior design is that of a 5* luxury hotel (and more…) the attention to detail and different areas are fantastic, from the outside lawn area, the Hideaway, to the relaxing library and cards rooms – There is something for everyone on this ship.

The service is second to none, and the food and drinks are out of this world, watch out though it’s easy to pile on the pounds! There’s excellent variety in the buffet restaurant and main evening restaurant and for those extra special evenings try the speciality restaurant, there’s not many places you can order your dinner from an Ipad.

The entertainment on board the ship is as a good as the west end, you can even see shows similar to Cirque de Soleil.

The staterooms range from interior, which are comfortable and very spacious up to some ships. I stayed in a balcony stateroom and it was lovely, just sitting on the balcony of an evening was very relaxing. If you are feeling flush, the suites are astonishing.

The pool area is fantastic, with plenty of sun loungers in the sun or in the shade, a visit to the Spa is a must with its wonderful facilities and great gym – You can eat what you want and then enjoy a morning of yoga or jogging around the deck.

Try out the lawn area, where you can play giant Jenga, crocket or just relax in the hubs!

What can I say, you need to see this ship to believe it…..Go on treat yourself!

Michelle
Head of Groups
Ideal Cruising

P&O Cruises Ventura Ship Visit

2011-06-17T20:53:00.001Z

I just wanted to share with you all my day abroad P&O Cruises Ventura.

It was just lovely. I had previously seen the Oriana and found that superb and this was even better!

All the public areas were stunning, the cabins lovely; tea & coffee in all.

We explored the kids clubs and the night nursery and it was just amazing.

Finally, lunch was just lovely and the staff as always excellent. Truly great day and experience.

Would most definitely look forward to a cruise aboard P&O Ventura.

Carrie
Sales Consultant
Ideal Cruising

Celebrity Eclipse Ship Visit

2011-06-01T20:38:00.000Z

I recently went on a ship visit on the Celebrity Eclipse in Southampton and can honestly say that this was my favourite visit for a long time!

For those of you who may not be familiar with the term ship visit, this is where, usually for a small charge of around £25pp, your taken on a guided tour of a ship and get to discover all the ships amenities, public areas, staterooms (or cabins) and if your lucky, lunch in the main restaurant! It really is a great way to find out about the ship before deciding to take a cruise on her.

Celebrity Eclipse was amazing and certainly lived up to her reputation! A few of my personal highlights included:

The real lawn at the Lawn Club, yes real grass on a cruise ship! Tended by a resident gardener it was receiving a clipping as we were being shown round.

The speciality restaurants look like an absolute must whilst onboard, the innovative Qsine where your orders are placed by ipad and dessert chosen by rubiks cube!

Murano for fine dining and the Tuscan Grill for melt in the mouth steak.

In the main dining room which is white, light and bright there is an amazing showcase two storey wine rack surrounded by mirrors and lights.

The two storey Eclipse theatre was just like being in the West-End.

Although kids are well catered for with the two separate kids club areas, this ship will definitely appeal to couples looking for sophisticated cruising.

The whole ambience was relaxed, there were plenty of different bars to suit all tastes including a separate Martini bar.

Kirstin

Sales Consultant

Ideal Cruising

Wow the fjords are just out of this world!!

2011-05-16T21:26:00.000Z

Norwegian fjords cruise on the 5* ms Ryndam.

Cruising from Dover, we were just a day at sea away from Oslo, Norway and the start of this incredible cruise itinerary taking in a total of 3 scenic Norwegian fjords! Some of the days were early starts to see the fjords but well worth it and an experience I'll never forget.

Ryndam is a fabulous mid size ship – cabin and ship facilities were excellent – she features a fantastic pool with a roof, so when the sun shone they opened the roof (we were really lucky with the weather so roof was open most days!) an alternative pool on the back of the ship if you wanted ‘quiet’ as there were 130 kids on this cruise, mainly due to the £99pp for 3^rd and 4^th promotion they had.

Food was excellent in both the main ‘Rotterdam’ rest and the buffet ‘Lido’ rest

Kids club was well attended, and there was plenty to keep kids amused, daytime entertainment for adults was a little ‘refined’ for more liking so aimed really at older guests (lots of grandparents on board with kids) or for those looking for peace and quiet.

Overall a fantastic week, and if anyone is considering the Fjords, I'd definitely, definitely recommend it – absolutely fantastic place!

Donna

Cruises are becoming more affordable

2011-05-02T21:33:00.001Z

Over the past several years, cruises have become more popular and more affordable. And the variety of destinations available has increased considerably.

The rising fuel costs, more stringent environmental regulations and the economic crisis have affected the cruise industry prospects. However, cruise providers expect to see modest growth in 2011, helped massively by the launch of eight brand new large ships and the price reductions. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, it is expected that 16 million people will take a cruise in 2011, with three quarters of these people coming from North America. This is an increase of almost 7% year on year. Last year, despite the lasting effects of the recession, the industry actually exceeded growth expectations.

The top cruise lines are optimistic about the industry future as they try to encourage the industry development in those parts of the world where this type of travel is not particularly popular. Australia is one area which is seeing massive growth in the cruise industry, with more and more big names heading down under every year.

One of the measures taken by the top companies to expand their customer base during the recession has been cutting prices. By doing that cruise companies have managed to keep their ships pretty much full to capacity, even during economic crisis. What they aim is to hook prospective customers with affordable cruises and expect that they will keep coming back for more.

Compared to 2 years ago, cruising prices has definitively plummeted and cabins are becoming more luxurious, more comfortable while onboard entertainment and activities just keep growing. These factors have influenced the rising popularity of cruise holidays. Today one in every 12 package holidays booked in the UK is a cruise. That number is set to increase, with indicators predicting that the number of UK passengers will reach 2 million by 2012 at the latest.

Ideal Cruising endeavours to go out of our way to find you the very best deal. Some of our latest offers are:

3 night Bahamas Cruise from £160

Depart: 14 Oct, 2011from Port Canaveral

Get £10 OFF for online bookings

9 night Barcelona Stay & Italian Mediterranean Fly/Cruise from £499

Depart: May - Nov 2011 from Barcelona

2 FREE Nights in Barcelona

7 night Spanish Mediterranean from £499

Depart: 8 May, 2011 from Barcelona

No Single Supplements

Call 0845 839 9344 for more details.

Have a Royal Wedding

2011-04-27T09:16:00.000Z

You probably won’t marry a prince but, as any other woman, you want a wedding worthy of a queen. Forget about the Westminster Abbey or the traditional chapels. What about marrying at sea? Wonderful surrounding, amazing weather and a royal treatment for all your guests are some of the ingredients of our wedding packages.

Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, P&O are some the cruise lines that provides weddings at sea. You can make your wedding at sea a private affair or bring your family and friends and mingle with the other guests onboard. After you wedding, the honeymoon starts straight away, no packing bags and jetting off to another country, you are already there.

Royal Romance ceremonies (from Royal Caribbean) are designed so that every detail is taken into consideration, which allows you to relax and simply enjoy your special day. You can tie the knot on-board or in exotic locations such as a Caribbean Island or Alaska.

P&O wedding cruise packages include a full wedding planning service and on board wedding coordinator, a wedding ceremony at sea, and two fresh floral arrangements among other details.

An average wedding at sea costs between £5,000 and £15,000 depending on the requirements. All the cruise lines offer tailored wedding deals if you fancy something truly special. The sky is the limit.

Due to the high demand on these services, it is advisable to book a place one year in advance.
If you want to learn more about our wedding cruises, please call 0845 839 9344. Our experts have the knowledge and experience to design an itinerary to suit your own individual requirements and budget.

Top Best Value Holiday Destinations

2011-04-23T15:29:00.002Z

Ibiza, Spain is one of the top holiday destinations in Europe.

During this weekend, thousands of British decided to travel abroad and make the most of Easter holiday. According to data from AA Travel Insurance, the majority of those who are heading abroad this month intend to spend their time on the beach. Spain and Portugal are on the top of the list of best value holiday destinations as a consequence of the gains of the sterling gains against the euro.

Sarah Munro, head of travel money at the Post Office, said: "Restaurants and bars (in Spain and Portugal) responded by slashing prices in a battle for business and competition between the two, which together with an improving exchange rate, has resulted in a price crash in both Portugal and Spain."

The best value holiday destinations for 2011 are:

Spain. This country is still one of the most popular destinations and according to Eurostat figures from the European Union, the Iberian country is still the most popular place to stay in Europe. Mallorca, Ibiza has wonderful beaches while Barcelona remains as one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Portugal. The economic crisis has transformed the country into a very affordable place for British visitors. Its beautiful beaches, historic wonders and great food represent great value for the British pound. A cup of coffee in Portugal could be bought for just 63 pence and a three course meal for two with wine cost just over £16.

Greece. Alongside its mesmerizing culture, history and landscape Greece has become the perfect place to visit this summer. The resort prices at all time low and cheap food has added value to this great holiday destination. Greece has everything that you need for a dream holiday; sun, sand, traditional cooking and great hospitality.

Turkey. It is considered the best value destination for April based on a year on year analysis of the exchange rate. With Turkish Lira at 2.6 to the Pound, accommodation from as little as £34 for a five star hotel Turkey emerging as one of this year’s most popular holiday destinations. Visitors can choose between Istanbul, beach holidays on the Turquoise coast or historical explorations around the country's archaeological sites.

Dubai. The favourable currency combined with duty free and sunshine guaranteed makes it a popular choice. The emirate ranks as one of the most visited destinations worldwide in a report from Euromonitor International, the only city in the Middle East to make the top 10. Dubai is currently the number one shopping destination.

If you missed the chance to book Easter cruise breaks to the Canary Islands or Barcelona don’t worry. There are more long weekends ahead and wonderful offers for you to have a well deserved break.

Check our best value cruise deals

Dublin Mini Cruise from £131

Depart: 13 Jun, 2011 from Liverpool

Get £10 OFF for online bookings

7nt Dubai & the Emirates Cruise from £367

Depart: 30 Oct, 2011

Do not include flight

5nt Mini Canary Islands Adventure

5nt Mini Canary Islands Adventure from £399pp

Depart: 2nd Nov 2011

Add a 5nt Torremolinos Stay from £160pp (half board)

8nt European Cruise from £499pp

Depart: 31st August 2011

Amazing Price - Peak Season

Spanish Stay & Cruise from £598pp

Depart: 16 May, 2011

FREE $100 Spend

If you want to learn more about our cruise breaks, please call 0845 839 9344. Our experts have the knowledge and experience to find the cruise to suit you. Get extra £10 off when you book online.

Celebrate Easter with us and join our Egg Hunt and get £5pp off when booking over the phone Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean Cruises.

Happy Easter!

Looking for the Ideal Holiday?

2011-04-17T12:04:00.000Z

After a busy week at work, you think that it would be nice to get a week holiday and head to a beautiful and sunny place to enjoy a well deserved time off.

Wouldn’t it be nice to find yourself in a hotel with a balcony overlooking the sea whilst enjoying swimming pools, casinos and 5* restaurants? What if this hotel will transport you to a different part of the world so you could visit exotic islands, historic places, vibrant cities and white sandy beaches?

Welcome to the world of cruising. Being in a cruise you will enjoy a wide range of top services. You could start the day with rock climbing and then head to a spa to enjoy a refreshing treatment. In a cruise you have so many options that it might be difficult to decide between play golf, go the casino, enjoy 3D theatre or a couple of cocktails in an ice bar. And these are just some of the entertainment alternatives available.

Some people wrongly think that when taking a cruise, they will spend the whole time at sea. Most of the cruise packages include a couple of docking points that allows holidaymakers to visit wonderful destinations such as Rome, Corfu, Tenerife, Istanbul, New York and many others.

The myth that cruises were for the rich or those who had retired has been put to bed. Cruises are now for families, singles, party animals, honeymooners and couples. Even companies wishing to hold their corporate functions choose to cruise. And the prices are very affordable. Below you can see some of our latest offers.

At Ideal Cruising, we aim to provide the ideal holiday for all our customers. Our experts will take note of your requirements and suggest a cruise that best suit your needs and budget.

13nt Greek Isles & Turkey Fly-Cruise from £799
Depart: 27th September 2011 from Barcelona
FREE hotel stay **+ $100 FREE Spend*

7nt Spanish Med Fly-Cruise from £599 (balcony)
Depart: 6 November 2011 from Genoa
Last 10 Cabins - Huge Savings

10nt Eastern Med Fly-Cruise from £599
Depart: 30th April & 10th May 2011 from Rome
Manchester Flights Available

14nt Mediterranean Treasures from £999
Depart: 7th May 2011 from Southampton
FREE Upgrade Outside to Balcony

If you wan to learn more about our cruise holidays, please call 0845 839 9344. Our cruise experts have the knowledge and experience to find the cruise to suit you.

Groupon Cruise Offer - Last Chance!

2011-04-12T14:00:00.001Z

Today, it is the last chance to secure a balcony cabin for £599. The offer applies to a MSC’s Mediterranean Fly-Cruise that departs on 6th November, 2011.

This cruise is a wonderful trip along the Italian and French Riviera, Tunisia and Spain. You will also visit the enchanting island of Sicily.
All on-board meals included in price an you can also enjoy on board a wide range of restaurant and bars

If you are looking for relaxing and unforgettable holidays, this is wonderful opportunity to embrace new experiences and just enjoy all the facilities available. On board you can enjoy 4 swimming pools, Wellness Spa, Turkish Bath, squash/tennis courts/jogging track, casino, cinema and theatres.

Ready to go? Call us now on 0845 839 9344 for more details!

Don’t let our offers sail away!

2011-04-07T05:39:00.000Z

Mediterranean cruises are very popular in the UK because of the sheer diversity of the region, its closeness and affordable prices. These cruises give holidaymakers the chance to visit wonderful destination such as Barcelona, Greece and Florence among many other. The Mediterranean has a unique combination of pleasant climate, beautiful coastline, rich history and diverse culture. Eastern Mediterranean cruises have been gaining in popularity over recent years because they provide a unique opportunity to discover exotic locations and ancient cultures.

Ideal Cruising is currently offering a 10-night full-board sailing at £599 per person. The itinerary includes 10 nights onboard the Costa Romantica in an Inside Cabin, sailing from Civitavecchia (Italy) and visiting Messina (Sicily), Santorini (Greece), Mykonos (Greece), Izmir (Turkey), overnight in Istanbul (Turkey), Volos (Greece) and Piraeus for Athens (Greece), before returning to port in Civitavecchia.

Onboard facilities include swimming pools, Jacuzzis, an outdoor jogging track, a fitness centre, a sauna and steam rooms.

The price includes direct return flights from London Gatwick to Rome, plus transfers, personal travel insurance, port taxes and fuel supplements. Offer ends 13th April

Call us now on 0845 839 9344 for more details!

Late cruise deals

2011-04-06T15:21:00.010Z

Two fantastic deals have just arrived!

MSC Opera - 7^th & 17^th May 11, 10 nights, Baltic capitals

Just £659pp for an inside cabin

The ship sails roundtrip from Southampton.

MSC Poesia - 10^th May 11, 7 nights, Genoa to Southampton

Insides £449, outsides £549, balcony £649

The ship departs from Genoa and your one way flight from London is included in the price!

Don't miss out! Call us on 0845 839 9344 for more details!

Luxury Grand Prix Cruise

2011-03-30T16:10:00.002Z

All the Formula 1 fans had a couple of reasons to be cheerful last weekend. The season started over the weekend bringing all the excitement and drama of car racing. Will Sebastian Vettel be able to retain his title this year?

More good news for motor racing fans is that Azamara Cruises is currently offering a Luxury 9 nights Grand Prix Cruise that include tickets for the Monaco Grand Prix and visits to Saint Tropez, Montecarlo and other fantastic destinations. This is the perfect way to combine a Mediterraneancruise with the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix.

Monaco has always been synonymous with glamour and this is the perfect way to enjoy a luxury holiday. Passengers will board the Azamara Journey vessel in Nice and enjoy a trip along the French Riviera visiting Portofino, Saint Tropez, Florence and Corsica. Flights, gratuities and drinks are included.

The Monaco Grand Prix is considered one of the most important races in the Formula 1 season and British drivers have historically perform rather well with 16 victories since the first race in 1929.

If you are looking for a holiday of a lifetime, look no further. Call us on 0845 839 9344 for more details.

P&O Cruises announce The Grand Event on 03.07.2012

2011-03-07T10:46:00.002Z

P&O Cruises has announced details of “The Grand Event” on July 3, 2012, when the entire fleet of seven ships will be docked together in its home port of Southampton for the first time in the company’s history.

This is part of a year of celebrations in 2012, marking the 175^th anniversary of the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company being awarded the lucrative Admiralty contract to carry mail to the Iberian Peninsula and beyond. Not long afterwards the concept of cruising was born and since 1837, cruising has evolved into a popular holiday choice and now P&O Cruises carries more British cruisers than any other line.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said “We are very excited to announce this special day. It will be a great celebration for P&O Cruises, our passengers and for the whole maritime world.

“As cruising has become the fastest growing sector of the UK holiday market, so the P&O Cruises fleet has grown to seven ships dedicated to the British market. Whereas the very first P&O ships plied their trades to the Iberian Peninsular and the Orient, P&O Cruises ships sail throughout Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Atlantic islands and, of course, on round the world cruises. What was once a national necessity is now a national pastime and is worthy of a grand celebration.”

Each ship in The Grand Event will then depart on its own Grand Event cruise, with a spectacular send off with champagne deck party, flutterfetti and marching bands. The ships will then form a procession as they leave Southampton for the English Channel and beyond.

Once in the open water, the ships will meet again, saluting one another before they sail onwards to their various destinations.

Departing on July 3, 2012, all seven cruises will be heritage themed with special on board entertainment including a 175^th Anniversary Gala dinner, heritage art display, guest speakers and more.

“We are also inviting passengers to help us celebrate by offering a full World Cruise prize draw on each cruise and a total of seven passengers plus their guest will be travelling around the world as our guests in 2013.”

More information on the “Grand Event Cruises” can be found on pages four and five in the P&O Cruises 2012/13 brochure, and can be booked from Tuesday April 5, 2011.

The P&O Cruises Grand Event itineraries are as follows:

An 11-night Atlantic Islands cruise on Azura (A215) priced from £1,149 (pg 99)

A 17-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Ventura (N216)
A seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise on Oceana (E214)
A 14-night Norway and Iceland cruise on Arcadia (J208)
A17-night Baltic cruise on Aurora (R208)
A four-night cruise break on Oriana (X210)
A 21-night Central Mediterranean cruise on Adonia (D208)

Please call us on 0845 839 9344 for more information on how to register for these cruises today!

Cruise ships showing the Royal wedding with Kate & William

2011-03-04T16:03:00.004Z

Most cruisers are used to the buzz surrounding a large screen set up on a cruise deck and the celebrations that follow the World Cup football so this year it will be a refreshing change to have a different, more special, screening.

On Friday 29 April Prince William will marry his sweetheart Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. Many Cruise Lines are going to ensure that none of us miss this special occasion by screening the wedding live on board.

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises will show the Royal wedding across their fleet with Princess Cruises, P&O Cruises and Cunard set to do the same.

P&O Cruises' managing director Carol Marlow said: "As Britain's favourite cruise line it is only fitting that our passengers should have a front row seat from unique locations around the globe. It will certainly be a grand celebration with almost 14,000 passengers sailing with us at this time."

No doubt the ships during the Royal Wedding Cruise will offer additional ways to join in with this event - look out for celebration cocktails of the day, Royal quizzes and competitions and plenty of memorabilia.

To find out more information on which itineraries will be sailing during the Royal wedding call our cruise experts on 0845 839 9344 or visit our website www.idealcruising.com

The Perfect Med Cruise - Valentines Gift from just £499

2011-02-09T13:01:00.001Z

The perfect Valentine gift? Visit the wonder and romance that is Venice with this 7 nights med cruise with MSC from just £499. This offer is featuring in Travelzoo today so expect it to sell out soon!

Ship: MSC Magnifica

Dates: 5,12,19 November 2011

For more details on this MSC Med Cruise click here

Prices per person

Room type	Prices from
Inside Stateroom	£499
Outside Stateroom	£599
Balcony Stateroom	£599

What's included?

Your en-suite accommodation with facilities as per grade booked

All your meals on board

Welcome buffet, the Captains cocktail and Gala evenings with special menus

Daytime activities and facilities

Gym and sports facilities

All evening entertainment including games, parties, theme nights and theatre shows

Mini, Junior and Teenagers Club, children and teen activity programs

Golf simulator, video games and casino

Formula 1 simulator, 4D cinema and teen disco on selected ships

All UK and overseas port taxes

UK Air Passenger Duty on fly-cruise holidays

Transfers to and from the overseas port and airport (where applicable)

Flights included

Port stops

DAY	PORT	ARRIVAL	DEPARTURE
First Day	Fly UK to Venice - Sail at 17.00
Day 2	Bari, Italy	10:00	15:00
Day 3	Katakolon, Greece	08:00	13:00
Day 4	Izmir, Turkey	09:00	15:00
Day 5	Istanbul, Turkey	07:00	17:00
Day 6	At sea
Day 7	Dubrovnik, Croatia	11:00	16:00
Last Day	Venice - Arrive 09.30 and return to UK

Call 0845 839 9344 for more details

Claim your Cruise Voucher Code Today!

2011-02-07T13:03:00.002Z

We love Ireland! And to show how much we are giving you the chance to book this amazing 4 night short cruise, Southampton to Cork from just £298pp. Use cruise voucher code 'FEBSALE' gives you an additional 6% off any cabin grade on this itinerary when booked online.PLUS book an outside and get a free upgrade to balcony!
To claim your extra online discount simply enter your voucher code 'FEBSALE' at Step 3 of the booking process. Voucher expires Friday 11th February.

For more information on this short cork cruise click here

Exclusive Caribbean Offer - Unbeatable price!

2010-10-01T14:19:00.001Z

IDEAL CRUISING'S INCREDIBLE EXCLUSIVE - as featured in this week's Travelzoo
LAST FEW CABINS REMAIN - Please hurry to avoid disappointment.

15 night Caribbean cruise on P&O Cruises Ventura

19th November 2010
Fly UK/Barbados (overnight on ship) - Barbados - Bonaire - Aruba - Ocho Rios - Grand Turk - St Maarten - Antigua - St Lucia - Dominica - Barbados/Fly UK

20th November 2010
Fly UK/Barbados - Bonaire - Aruba - Ocho Rios - Grand Turk - St Maarten - Antigua - St Lucia - Dominica - Barbados (overnight on board)/Fly UK

Inside from £899
Outside from £999
Balcony from £1,299
Click here for more information

If you can't see the sailing you're looking for then call or go online today!
For further information on any offers please visit our website at www.idealcruising.co.uk

National Cruise Week 2010

2010-09-21T15:24:00.002Z

So this week celebrates National Cruise Week where more than 2,000 travel agencies will hold events to draw attention to the world of cruising.
'What does that mean to you?' I hear you cry. Well, the nice people at the cruise lines all get their heads together and come up with some smashing incentives for you to book your cruise this week, highlighting just how much value for money a cruise is compared to other forms of travel.

In keeping with the theme Ideal Cruising have provided some fantastic offers available only this week. For more information look out for the National Cruise Week logo.

Olly Smith brews up Autumn cocktail treats

2010-09-09T15:19:00.000Z

Ollie Smith on Azura

As Hallowe’en on October 31 draws spookily near, TV drinks expert and celebrity Olly Smith has created four new cocktails to warm up those autumn evenings.

Olly Smith, who oversees The Glass House on Azura, Britain’s newest and largest cruise ship, said: “On a dark, chilly night there is nothing better than gently brewing spices and spirits. They fill the house with the aroma of comfort and a sense of festivity. Autumn evokes magical smells of crackling fires and glorious tastes like ginger parkin and of course, it’s mulled wine heaven. My recipes here are for old favourites with a twist and new ones which will soon become legendary.”

Dragon’s Blood!
My kids love this – serves two.

10 ml Cassis
10 ml Grenadine
200 ml fizzy water

Garnish with a slice of blood orange.

For the full effect, make matching Dragon’s Blood ice cubes (use the above recipe but replace fizzy water for still, pour into an ice cube tray and freeze as normal).

You can always customise it into a more grown up cocktail by adding a tot of blackcurrant vodka or sloe gin!

Mulled Wine
This is a simple drink to create – and you can easily customise your own version. The key is not to boil the wine, just keep it warm. You can add orange juice, brandy and sugar to the base, a clove or two, a knob of fresh ginger, a cinnamon stick and you can load it with oranges, lemons and limes or try using slices of fresh mango for a tropical twist. The rule of thumb is keep tasting until it’s right – and don’t over do the cloves or they make it bitter!

Mulled White Wine
This couldn’t be simpler, choose a fruity leftover white wine, add freshly chopped pineapple, a few lemon wedges, honey and a cinnamon stick. Strain and serve with a sliced lemon garnish and sugar to taste (and you can give it a kick with a dose of leftover spirit – brandy, vodka, or Cointreau for an orangey tang).

Olly’s Secret Punch
Gently heat equal measures of leftover port, Cointreau and Southern Comfort topped up with fresh orange juice in a pan. Don’t let it boil. At the last minute squeeze two halves of blood orange into the pan and toss in the squeezed halves. I prefer not to add sugar as the port makes my secret punch gloriously sweet. Garnish with an orange slice and serve in glass mugs.

Olly Smith will be travelling on Azura regularly throughout 2011 and 2011 - for details see www.idealcruising.co.uk. A variety of Olly’s cocktails are available on Azura this autumn

Books to take on your Cruise Holiday

2010-09-09T15:14:00.000Z

Jewel of the Seas

There really is no better time to whip out the latest novel, than on a cruise holiday. There are plenty of comfortable spaces around a ship that you can settle down to a few chapters before dinner.

One on my fondest memories of cruising was a 4 day jaunt across to Amsterdam on board the Jewel of Seas - they have the most fantastic solarium with a roof. The weather was pretty poor during our day at sea but the solarium more than made up for it. The décor was delightfully Asian/tropical. the temperature was warm and the loungers were almost too comfortable. I could only ever read a few chapters at a time before I found myself dozing again.

Anyway back to the point of this post! I wanted to give you the heads up on the top books to take away with you in the coming months. Here are a few of my personal recommendations:

The first paperback on my list is The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne. This story is told from the eyes of a young boy in Germany, the son of a Nazi Officer. Its difficult for me to give you a full synopsis without spoiling the story. I can assure you this book is light hearted in places, shocking in others but most of all its an eye opener. Keep the tissues at hand, you might just need them!
I have to add The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson to my list as it is definitely the best book I've read in a few months.
I would probably class this as crime fiction. It fairly stereotypical with its characters but the plot is complicated and yet totally believable. Hopefully you won't have seen the movie to put you off a very good read.
Another crime fiction novel I thoroughly enjoyed was Dan Brown's latest offering, The Lost Symbol.
Yes, I am a Dan Brown fan so I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book. This time Robert Langdon's adventures are set in America. I admit, this book isn't a masterpiece on its own but as part of a collection it fairs well.
If you enjoy a good spiritual read then My Whispering Angels by Francesca Brown is just the book for you. Its basically a true story of how the author was diagnosed and ill with ME for over 2 years. In her fight to come to terms with her illness, she meets her angel, Anne. This book is half autobiography and the rest is more instructional on how you too can connect with your angel. I'm sure I don't need to say that this book isn't for non believers.
Ok I haven't strictly read this yet myself, I've just borrowed it through a friend who claims it to be the most poignant, wonderful, witty book you'll read this year - The Fry Chronicles: A Memoir by Stephen Fry. The book follows on from a previous autobiography 13 years previous. Since then Fry has become quite a household name as a comedian, author, presenter and of course, Tweeter.

Let me know your thoughts - whether you agree or disagree!

Todays e-Newsletter Crammed with Cruise Offers

2010-08-18T13:56:00.001Z

THIS WEEKS AMAZING CRUISE DEALS - Sail away from £679!

If you're keen to sail away with a bargain here are just a small selection of our top offers, hand-picked by our cruise experts. Whatever your choice of cruise, our travel specialists are here to offer you outstanding service, unbiased information and the best deals available! We have selected some of the newest offers available as well as some sailings that are just too good to miss.
Join our Global Community on Twitter and Facebook and catch up with all the latest news, competitions,reviews, deals and much, much more...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
£799 - 7 night on Celebrity Equinox - Mediterranean - 2nd September 2010
Fantastic Late Deal
Click here

£1,195 - 14 nights on Independence of the Seas - Italian Med - 25th September 2010
Great Low Fare
Click here

£699 - 7 nights on Costa Concordia - Mediterranean - 1st October 2010
Magnificent Med Deal
Click here

£891 - 14 nights on Fred Olsen's Boudicca - Western Med - 5th October 2010
Sail from Newcastle!
Click here

£1,695 - 30 nights on P&O Cruises Aurora - Caribbean - 16th October 2010
Only £56pp per night!!!
Click here

£699 - 7 nights on Celebrity Constellation - Mediterranean - 16th October 2010
Classic Med itinerary
Click here

£999 - 12 nights on Queen Victoria - Mediterranean - 19th October 2010
Unbeatable low fare
Click here

£699 - 7 nights on Costa Serena - Eastern Med - 31st October 2010
Amazing Itinerary
Click here

£1,369 - 15 nights on P&O Cruises Ventura - Caribbean - 19th November 2010
Up to £400 FREE on board spend*
Click here

£1,399 - 15 nights on P&O Cruises Azura - Caribbean - 26th November 2010
Up to £400 FREE Onboard Spend*
Click here

£1,299 - 15 nights on Sea Princess - Caribbean - 29th November 2010
Up to £400 FREE Onboard Spend*
Click here

£679 - 11 nights on Independence of the Seas - Canaries - 10th December 2010
New Reduced Fare
Click here

£969 (balcony) - 5 nights on Queen Victoria - Christmas Markets - 15th December 2010
Buy one, get one free! - Exclusive to Ideal Cruising
Click here

£899 - 7 nights on MSC Magnifica - Eastern Med - 19th December 2010
Christmas Cruise! £200 FREE on board spend*
Click here

If you can't see the sailing you're looking for then call or go online today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't forget! Princess 2011/12 Exotic On Sale Now!
For further information on any offers please visit our website at http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/index.php?source=blog or call us on 0845 296 1864
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We look forward to hearing from you,
Ideal Cruising
Terms & Conditions:

Terms and conditions apply, please call for more details. All offers are subject to availability and can be withdrawn without notice. Offers available for new bookings only. Prices are per person and based on 2 sharing the lowest available cabin, unless stated. *Free spend is per cabin, based on 2 sharing and only applicable to certain dates and cabin grades, amounts may vary by cabin grade. Savings already included in prices. Flights based on London, regional flights available, airline may vary and supplement may apply. Prices are based on a fluid pricing system and may vary. If you are paying on a credit card a 2.5% surcharge does apply.

New Kids on the Block Carnival Cruises Concert

2010-08-12T14:44:00.003Z

I wasn't much of a 'New Kids on the Block' fan to be honest, when I was younger I preferred the English boy bands however I know I was the odd one out. My friends all had the posters, had the keyrings, knew all the words to every song. Bordering on the obsessional. And so, time has moved on, they're married, a few have had kids and now my friends have blossomed into seasoned cruisers. So, as you can imagine I'm actually quite scared to tell them about the concert that will be held on Carnival Cruise line in May 2011.
This will be the 3rd time NKOTB have performed at such an event at sea and by all accounts you don't just see them perform then never catch them, again - oh no, something far worse happens... they hang around, they host competitions, you'll see them at the bars and restaurants and even hosting poolside games.
Last year their cruise sold out in a matter of hours just proving there's life in the old (sea) dogs yet!

I fear all this will all be far too much excitement for my ageing friends but worse than that, I fear those poor lads will be hounded by them the entire trip. So, my decision is made, my lips are sealed and theres no-one but me and you going to ever know *wink*.

http://tiny.cc/cruiseholiday

USA ESTA Applications

2010-08-12T14:16:00.001Z

Quick message about the USA ESTA - From September 2010 the USA will be charging $14 per person to obtain the ESTA Visa, this is currently free of charge to UK citizens and is valid for 2 years. If you are looking to travel to or via the USA in the next 2 years it would make sense to apply now, the form can be found at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html
It takes just a few minutes to complete and in most cases the visa is issued instantly.

UNBEATABLE 2-for-1 Cunard Christmas Markets Cruise Offer!

2010-08-11T10:08:00.001Z

Get a BALCONY cabin for 2 people for just £969... bear in mind Cunard's own website is advertising the same cabin at £875 for 1 person!
This package includes a 5 night sailing on Cunard's Queen Victoria from Southampton, full board accommodation inclusing 24hour dining and a balcony cabin for two. Remember, you wont need flights as this cruise sails back into Southampton.
The itinerary will take you to Amsterdam, then Zebrugge (for Bruges and Brussels) then on to Le Havre for Paris before sailing home.
The joy and atmosphere of Christmas Markets really is unsurpassable. This prices makes this an incredible offer - please share it with your friends as all booking must be made before 18th August - thats if it doesnt sell out before!

View the Cunard Christmas Markets Cruise offer here.

Looking for a Cruise Deal? Book by 21st August 2010

2010-08-10T15:28:00.002Z

Click on the image to view full size

Tour & Lunch onboard Holland America Maasdam

2010-08-06T14:17:00.004Z

This week I got to take a look at Holland America's Maasdam while it was docked in Dover. Luckily for me it was just before the rain came, the sun was high in the sky and not a cloud to be seen so I got to see the ship in all her glory.
This was my first time on a HAL ship so I was intrigued to see how it would match up to the company ethos. Now I know I chose one of the older ships in the fleet but that didnt matter to me - if anything it made more sense, this way I get to see the service and atmosphere onboard for what it is. All without being seduced by new furniture and sparkly decor.

The ships staff were very attentive which ever part of the ship I happened to be, but of course I noticed the service most at lunch. My waiter was gracious and ready to answer any of my queries or requests. He brought more bread without asking, topped the wine before I'd noticed the level going down and brought out the food in a timely and effortless manner. I was more than impressed.

The lunch itself was just delicious - i'm not really a beef lover but i (rather wisely) chose the filet mignon which turned out to be cooked to perfection, medium but with no blood, simply full of melt-in-the-mouth flavour. As HAL has a good reputation for food, the quality of my lunch only served to reinforce that.

The ship was pretty easy to navigate my way around due to the size and layout. Most of the facilities were grouped towards the center of the ship on levels 6,7 & 8 then other facilities either side of the Lido pool. There was notabley plenty of space on the deck areas which were filled with comfortable loungers.
I got to have a sneaky peak into one of the few empty outside twin staterooms while I mooched around the lower decks. The spaciousness of the cabin was such a breath of fresh air to me - having been stuck in pokey cabins on other cruise lines. The decor wasn't necessarily to my taste but I am one of those aweful creatures that prefers minimal, modern, beiges and curves.

The kind staff in the spa took me for a mini tour of their facilities including the Thermal room - I particularly liked the idea of relaxing on heated stone loungers in a steamy room whilst staring out through the large windows to sea. Dipping into the whirlpools every 10 minutes to reveive my senses.
The fitness area was suprisingly large and found it to contain all the equipment the avid gym-goer would need.

The most modern and the most recent additions to the ship were the culinary arts center, wine tasting and Explorations library/cafe. The culinary centre was set up like a small theatre with a purpose built kitchen taking the centre stage. Any demonstrations there would, im sure, be easy to view and feel like you are part of the process rather than just a spectator.
The library was larger than expected, a very comfortable area that exuded a scerenity that masde me want to drop my backs and put my feet up with a coffee and the latest hardback!

All in all, my tour showed me that even the older ships on the Holland America fleet have an undefined charm that cannot be overtaken by the lures of any new ship. Long may Maasdam sail the seas and fly the flag of excellence.

7 of our Favourite Cruise Ship Cakes

2010-08-02T12:50:00.000Z

Its probably no secret that we like cakes in the Ideal Cruising office. Thats why we decided to put together a slideshow of our favourite cruise ship themed cakes accross the world wide web.

And lets not forget that we owe a big thank you to Kelly Tayor, one of our multi-talented cruise specialists, for her special cruise ship themed birthday cake (photo on the right). Made specially for Ideal Cruising's 6th birthday. This photo was taken with a bity of a dodgy phone camera - within and hour there were barely crumbs left. Yum, thanks again Kelly!

.

This week's Top Offers, Exclusives & Late Deals

2010-08-02T08:09:00.006Z

This week we have some great cruise deals lines up for you. If you have any questions or you would like to book one of the Top Cruises, please call our cruise specialists on 0845 839 9344

'Sale' Away in 2011 - Independence of the Seas
April - December 2011
FREE Spend upto $200 (selected sailings)
FREE Car Parking (selected sailings)
3 - 18 nts now... from £276
View this cruise deal here
P&O Early Booking Sale March 2011 - March 2012
FREE Onboard Spend up to £250 per cabin
FREE Parking or Coach Transfers (selected sailings)
PLUS Extra Savings on Balcony cabins
2 nights only... from £179
View this cruise deal here
Prices Too Low to Show!
Brand New Celebrity Eclipse
Selected dates, Aug & Sep 2010
Limited Cabins - Don't Miss Out!
View this cruise deal here
2011 Sale Bonanza - Early Booking Spectacular!
FREE Onboard Spend up to $900
FREE Parking or Coach Transfers (selected sailings)
PLUS Savings up to £1,000 per cabin
3 - 29 night now...from £333
View this cruise deal here
Exotics Double Bonus - Queen Mary 2 & Queen Victoria
November 2010 - March 2011
COMPLIMENTARY Hotel Stay - Up to 3nts
PLUS New Discounted Prices
11 nights now...from £1,375
View this cruise deal here
2011 Triple Bonus Deals
Celebrity Eclipse - Apr - Oct 2011
FREE Onboard Spend up to $200
FREE Car Parking (selected dates)
FREE Cabin Upgrades (selected dates)
4 - 16 nts now...from £368
View this cruise deal here
Fantastic New Offer - Celebrity Constellation
25th Sept, 9th & 16th Oct 2010
Exclusive Offer to Ideal Cruising
Cabins are Limited - Don't Miss Out!
7 nights now...from £699
View this cruise deal here
Cunard 2011 Mega Sale
April 2011 - December 2011
FREE Onboard Spend upto $2,560 per cabin
FREE Car Parking (on selected sailings)
PLUS Early Booking Savings upto £800 per cabin
2 nights from £338
View this cruise deal here

Please remember these prices are correct at time published. For more information please call our cruise specialists on 0845 839 9344

Recipe for Dutch Apple Cake served onboard Holland America Cruises

2010-07-28T11:25:00.001Z

This recipe is a tried and tested favourite onboard the Holland America fleet. if you would like to make this cake for yourself,m the recipe is listed below.

APPLE FILLING

3 ¼ pounds baking apples (about 11)
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons cornstarch
¾ cup sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2/3 cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
¾ cup raisins

1. Peel and core apples. Slice ¼-inch thick and place in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch, sugar and salt; set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, bring 2/3 cup water to a boil. Whisk in reserved cornstarch mixture and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is thick. Scrape cornstarch mixture over apples and toss to coat well. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and raisins, and stir to combine; let cool completely. (Filling can be refrigerated, covered, up to a day in advance.)

SWEET PASTRY

2 sticks unsalted butter (½ pound), softened slightly
½ cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
2 ¾ cups flour
Créme anglaise (optional)

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine butter and sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Pour in half the beaten egg (reserve remainder) and beat until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Beat in vanilla and salt.

2. With a wooden spoon, stir in flour until combined. Do not overmix. Gather dough into ball, kneading with your hand until it comes together; divide into 2 pieces, 1 slightly larger than the other. Flatten larger piece into a disk and smaller piece into a rectangle; wrap each in plastic and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead; keep refrigerated. Let soften slightly at room temperature before rolling out.)

TO ASSEMBLE

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Butter a 9-inch round springform cake pan, or spray it with nonstick spray. Roll out larger piece of dough (disk) onto floured surface to ¼-inch thick. (If your pan is 3 inches deep, circle will need to be 15 inches in diameter.) Ease crust into bottom and up sides of prepared pan, patching as necessary. Leave a ½-inch overhang.

2. Spoon apple filling into crust. Roll out dough rectangle until it is less than ¼-inch thick. Cut lengthwise into twelve ½-inch wide strips. Place 6 strips 1 inch apart atop apple filling. Place remaining 6 strips diagonally atop first 6 strips, forming a diamond lattice pattern. Trim strips even with bottom crust. Fold dough overhang in, pressing onto edge of cake pan. Press dough edge to seal.

3. Brush dough strips with remaining beaten egg. Bake cake for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F. Continue to bake until crust is golden and apples are tender, covering crust edges with foil if browning too quickly, about 1 hour longer. Cool at least 2 hours. Remove side of pan and serve cake slightly warm or at room temperature with créme anglaise, if desired.

TIP

Do not add cold eggs straight from the refrigerator to creamed butter and sugar. If your eggs are cold when you need to use them, warm them in their shells in a bowl of hot tap water first. - Guenther Cussigh, corporate executive chef.

ALL INCLUSIVE STAR BUY CRUISE! With FREE UPGRADE to OCEANVIEW!

2010-07-27T14:17:00.001Z

This offer is too good not to shout about!
5 nights All Inclusive 4* hotel stay in Malaga PLUS 5 night Full Board cruise onboard Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas - OCT HALF TERM. Thats 10 nights from only... £699pp
Click here for more information on this incredible cruise deal

A Great Concept in Cruising for the Solo Traveller

2010-07-26T12:38:00.002Z

Hats off to Norwegian Cruise Lines, their latest innovation in singles cruise travel aboard their newest ship, Norwegian Epic, really is quite a breath of fresh air.

Solo travellers can often be punished with high suppliments and made to feel as though they dont fit within the social fabric of a cruise holiday. NCL have taken the time to understand the problems facing single cruise travellers and taken steps to put things right.

Onboard NCL's Epic, you will find 128 studios designed specifically for one person. The rooms are compact and bijou but definitely a step in the right direction for the single cruiser.

The critics have stated they're not a space you would want to be confined to day and night but I think thats pretty harsh - they are more than fit for purpose. The bed is a full size double for starters and the bathroom design ensures the space is used well. I particularly like the feeling of airiness that the window to the corridor gives – you see out but others can’t see in. The 100 sq ft of space also includes unique storage areas, flat screen TV and a desk. And lets not forget the private access you get to the Studios Complex & Studio Lounge.

The Studio Lounge is a stroke of genius in my opinion. A unique, two story lounge where all other single guests can socialise without feeling alone. Expect lots of comfortable seating, two big-screen TVs, a private bar and a coffee machine where you can help yourself to espresso, cappuccino, and other coffee drinks throughout the day.

The prices for the singles cabins are very reasonable though I should imagine the limted number will sell early. If you would like further information on NCL Epic Single Studios please call our cruise experts on 0845 839 9344.

All in all this is a great concept, one which will hopefully filter through to other cruise lines in time. Well done NCL!

Our Top Ten Gadling Cruise Tips

2010-07-26T10:23:00.000Z

This week we decided to pay hommage to Gadling's 100% reader-generated feature, "100 words or less" In a nutshell, this is where YOU—the expert traveler—get to share your expert travel tips with Gadling. Some are brilliant, some are fun and some are quite bizarre - one thing is for sure, its a great read.

Here's our Top Ten Favourite Cruise Tips

Pack a dry erase board and markers (our favourite for sheer randomness)http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/29/pack-a-dry-erase-board-and-markers-cruise-tip/
Pack a swimsuit in your carry-on bag
http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/26/pack-a-swimsuit-in-your-carry-on-bag-cruise-tip/
Get the right cabin for you
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/09/cruise-tip-get-the-right-cabin/
Wear your room key
http://www.gadling.com/2010/03/18/wear-your-room-key-cruise-tip/
Use two-way radios
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/20/cruise-tip-use-two-way-radios/
Bring these 6 Essential Items
http://www.gadling.com/2010/02/20/cruise-tip-6-essential-items-to-be-sure-to-bring-with-you/
Bring Grandma
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/19/cruise-trip-tip-bring-grandma/
Research your excursions
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/06/your-best-cruise-tips-in-100-words-or-less/
Book early
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/07/your-best-cruise-tips-in-100-words-or-less/
Write, don't call
http://www.gadling.com/2010/01/07/cruise-tip-write-dont-call/

For more like these please visit the Gadling Top 100 Cruise Tips here.

World Cruise Reality or Dream?

2010-07-21T14:59:00.001Z

Ever fancied taking time off for a World Cruise? I'm sure as I mention those words your eyes have glazed over and you stare into the distance with a large sigh. Well you're not alone, the notion of a world cruise seems to be the unattainable holiday that you can only hope to try in another life. Well in the past that may have been the case but these days the World Cruise is extremely good value - in fact your biggest problem will be convincing your boss to give you the time off. But assuming that wouldn't be a problem, or that you may be lucky enough to have reached retirement age, it doesn't have to be such a distant dream. Prices are very reasonable from about £74 per night - that's less than a decent hotel! Take a look at our P&O World Cruises to see for yourself.

10 Questions Every First Time Cruiser Should Ask Themselves

2010-07-02T12:55:00.001Z

Which destinations would i like to to visit during my trip?
Do I want a warm climate?
How much can I afford to spend?
Do I want an all inclusive cruise?
Do I want to fly or do I want to sail from a UK port?
Am I looking for a casual experience or a more formal cruise?
Do I need to be kept entertained or am i ok lounging by the pool with a book?
Am I looking for an adult only ship or one suitable for families?
Am I looking for an inside, outside or balcony?
Am i willing to forfeit any of the above in order to get a good deal?

Once you know the answers to these, you're ready to call your cruise specialist, Ideal Cruising on 0845 839 9344

Tips to Stay Slim on a Cruise

2010-06-29T14:57:00.002Z

Staying slim on a cruise holiday could be a nightmare, think 24 hour buffets and endless choices to tempt you. Or maybe you have just started dieting and exercising and your cruise is just around the corner. Will you dread stepping back on the scales when you return?

Cruising has changed over the last few years; it’s not just bigger ships offering more destinations, now many have encompassed a healthier option for those who wish to stay slim on their cruise holiday.

Think of it like a 5 star Health Resort, with your every need catered for. It is a lot easier to start eating healthily or remain on your healthy eating plan if someone else is doing the cooking, planning your daily meals, and counting all the calories for you. The options to take up a new form of exercise are bountiful, maybe you’ve always wanted to try Yoga, Tai-chi, or aerobics. Or just discover what all those machines in the gym can actually help you achieve. On a cruise ship you have the luxury of trying them all to see which suits you, a tiresome and potentially expensive option once back on dry land.

One of the key elements to staying slim on a cruise is to set yourself a routine, choose certain times to eat and try to stick to them, which is much easier if you have pre-booked an exercise class. Of course being on holiday means time to unwind and crack open a bottle or two of wine, which can be the downfall of any healthy eating plan. If like myself you are a lover of the vino do not despair, try mixing it with a slim line tonic to make a refreshing spritzer, or save that special bottle that you really like for a pre planned meal where you have taken the calories into consideration. Also remember you don’t have to drink the whole bottle in one sitting, ask the waiter to seal it for you and enjoy with your next meal.

Avoid, avoid, avoid the buffet restaurant unless you have nerves of steel. I challenge only the robots of our species to not pile the plate with those extra tempting calorie laden titbits, or indeed go back for seconds and thirds. At the more traditional type of restaurant you can choose your meal without having the temptation of looking at what you know you shouldn’t have. One tip that has over the years helped me enormously, ask the waiter to remove/don’t put there in the first place, is the bread basket, it is oh so easy to spread with butter and nibble away till your actual meal arrives

If like me you are a natural grazier, a lit bit of something and often suits the way you eat, and then seek out the many options on board of fresh fruit which will be in abundance, or raw vegetable, even try if you haven’t already great freshly made smoothes that are a great way to fill yourself up. Obviously go for the options that don’t contain coconut, which unfornately for a coconut lover is laden with calories.

Cruise holidays also offer the chance to join in with on deck sports and activities. Walking around the deck certainly beats walking back at home on a rainy day. Views of the ocean are inspiring and creative, and indeed reflective. Take this time to be selfish, and relish in the wonders of what you have achieved or would like to achieve.

Then there are the swimming pools. Maybe there is nothing more luxurious then swimming in an open air pool aboard a cruise liner as you gently glide across the ocean, and of course a great opportunity to tone up. An option that I particularly like is jogging in water, not only are you supporting all the major muscle groups, but you will find you can keep going a lot longer than if you were to jog around the deck. If you haven’t seen anyone jogging in the pool before, be the first, you will soon find you have quite a following.

One of the UK’s favourite cruise brands, P&O Cruises, Sports & Spa offers a wealth of options to regenerate mind, body and spirit. Their ocean view gymnasium with its up to date equipment and personal trainers can be combined to build a comprehensive well-being programme. P&O Cruises have literally taken the cruise holiday to another dimension with their ‘CruiseTone’ option, which incorporates a balance of healthy eating menus, personal trainers, and classes ranging from Pilates, Yoga, to the more energetic aerobic classes. Of course all of these activities need to come with some much deserved relaxation, and here again P&O Cruises do not disappoint with their excellent Holistic Spa. Here you can wile away the hours being pampered with the latest treatments in facials, aromatherapy, reflexology to name but a few of the vast list of beauty and relaxation treatments available.

Staying slim on a Cruise holiday is two-fold; it is how you exercise and what you consume. But the fantastic facilities and healthy food options have now pushed Cruise holidays to the fore. You can now look forward to coming home to a healthier, slimmer, more revitalised you, and of course a cruise holiday to remember.

Original article written by Amanda Barnes for Ideal Cruising

What are your thoughts on being charged for airline 'extras'?

2010-06-25T14:13:00.001Z

It seems that airlines are squeezing every possible penny from the air traveller. Take a look at Thomas Cook's plans to charge for inflight entertainment at £7.50 per person... Read the full article here http://www.worldtravelguide.net/news/3591/news/Thomas-Cook-Airlines-to-charge-for-in-flight-entertainment.html

Posted via email from Ideal Cruising Posterous Blog

No fly cruises, no hassle holiday

2010-06-24T17:00:00.001Z

The recent events surrounding air travel have had a massive impact on the way we book our holidays. Before a few months ago, we wouldn't think twice about our travel method - if we wanted to go to Spain, we would have booked a flight. But since the pain of regular airlines strikes and the impact of the Icelandic volcano ash, we have been forced to seek alternative holiday arrangements...
Read more of this article: http://www.worldtravelguide.net/feature/354/index/No-fly-cruises%2C-no-hassle-holiday.html#ixzz0rUahN9rB

Posted via email from Ideal Cruising Posterous Blog

Recycling operations on a luxury cruise ship

2010-06-23T12:30:00.001Z

Whilst all 1,432 passengers on board Holland America's Zaandam, are enjoying their 5-course meal at one of the ship's luxury dining restaurants or unwinding with a hot-stone massage in the invigorating spa, the crew are busy below deck, sorting out tons of waste and recyclables. Read the rest of this article here: Recycling operations on a luxury cruise ship

Posted via email from Ideal Cruising Posterous Blog

Your cruise holiday is safe in our hands

2010-06-22T19:00:00.002Z

As a member of ABTA (K0476) and part of Europe’s largest consumer co-operative we can offer you complete peace of mind that your holiday money is safe. Your cruise holiday is in our hands and we know how much it means to you. More reasons to book with Ideal Cruising here http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/why_choose_us.php

Posted via web from Ideal Cruising Posterous Blog

Interview with Sophie Higgins, Head of Sales UK, Azamara Club Cruises

2010-06-17T13:00:00.002Z

1. Azamara Club Cruises are still relatively unknown in the UK, can you explain the essence of Azamara Club Cruises?
Azamara Club Cruises is part of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ltd and is the upscale, boutique brand within the portfolio. Everything we offer on board is uniquely presented and each cruise focuses on complete destination immersion – we have 2 ships in the fleet but we visit 140 ports which is an incredible global deployment and mean that no two cruises are the same.

2. Who would Azamara Club Cruises appeal to?

This is very much a brand for the discerning traveller who wants to take time to get to know a port or city. As with any boutique brand, our two ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest sail with only 650 guests, so there is a more intimate feel from the moment guest’s board. We’ve also really slowed down the experience so that itineraries include much longer stays in ports such as 3-nights in St Petersburg or multiple overnight stays in Southeast Asia, including Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong. Guests who enjoy the finer things in life will really love this brand.

3. Who are Azamara Club Cruises main competitors and what makes Azamara Club Cruises unique?

What makes us unique is our ability to visit more ports and really let the guest get up-close-and-personal with the cities that we travel too, even those that are slightly further afield such as a 3-night excursion from Mumbai to take in the Taj Mahal. None of our itineraries are ‘round-trips’, which means that guests can create their own bespoke itinerary depending on the number of itineraries or land-based excursions they combine. We’ve realised that ‘one-size’ doesn’t fit all and by offering real destination immersion to our guests that this value is not attainable elsewhere. We recognise that upmarket boutique land based hotels are our competitors.

4. Why do you think Azamara Club Cruises offers value for money?
It is the entire package that one of our cruises offers, as well as the host of items that are included – our guests enjoy bottled water, sodas, speciality coffees and teas offered at no charge throughout the voyage, whether in public venues or in staterooms, as well as house wines during their meals. Our housekeeping and dining gratuities are also included in the price of the cruise. We provide shuttlebus service to/from port communities, where available at no extra cost to the guest.

Combine this with the destinations and itineraries and we have already received the most amazing feedback from customers who loved the intimate experience and personal service levels.

5. Can you tell us about Azamara Club Cruises itineraries and best destinations?
All our itineraries are unique in that they do not have the same embarkation and disembarkation ports – and guests can create their own bespoke cruise as by connecting any number of the 7-night itineraries consecutively. I think we offer some truly wonderful destinations but I’d certainly like to be able to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities offered such as watching the Grand Prix from the ship whilst in Monte Carlo.

6. Azamara Cruises recently changed their name to Azamara Club Cruises. What other changes have been made?
We made a number of changes in January to the brand which were implemented over a course of a couple of months. The most significant would be the name change, as the brand became known as Azamara Club Cruises.

The other key changes revolve around enhancing the senses, seeing the destinations; savouring the wine and cuisine on board/in port, listening and expanding knowledge through our enrichment and land programmes; touching all of our guests with extraordinary service; and breathing in a healthier lifestyle with programmes to help guests balance their physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual needs.

7. What is your favourite element of Azamara Club Cruises?
For me it has to be the opportunity to really explore exciting destinations in the comfort and intimate style onboard an Azamara vessel. Plus of course the extensive choice of complimentary ice creams found onboard are pretty amazing!

8. In one sentence, why should people cruise with Azamara Club Cruises?
Simply because, anyone who sails with us will simply love where our ships will take them.

Beat the Queue by Booking your Cruise Early

2010-06-16T10:59:00.002Z

Booking your cruise early for 2011 makes more than just good sense - it can make you money! Yes thats right, booking early means you can benefit from free onboard spend as well as the obvious early-bird savings on your overall cruise price. You may also take advance of our low deposit, free cabin upgrade and free car parking offers. Call us today (or click the link below) to see how you can save by booking early!
Early Cruise Booking Offers

Posted via web from idealcruising's posterous

Standby Cruises and Cancellations

2010-06-15T13:28:00.001Z

Looking to go on holiday in the next couple of weeks? Having trouble finding a real bargain?
Well, If you want someone else to do all the legwork and find a last minute cruise holiday on your behalf, why not sign up to the Ideal Cruising Standby Cruises Service?

This new service means you get a personal call whenever a suitable cruise offer comes up. This could be a cancellation or a standby cruise. You simply fill out an online form and an Ideal Cruising agent will do the rest for you.

Standby cruises can go for as little as £44 per night, which is way less than staying in a hotel!

For more information go to Ideal Cruising Standby Cruises

Holidays keep you sane!

2010-06-15T08:55:00.001Z

I would holiday every other week if I could, but alas I have a mortgage to pay and a job to do! That said, I can never believe how anyone copes without a holiday for longer than a 6 month period - I've heard people say (proudly) ‘I haven’t taken a holiday in 5 years!’ No wonder they're always ill, stressed out and old before their time! I'm no doctor but anyone better qualified people than me could tell you that going on holiday is essential for a number of things :

Dealing with stress and strain
Overcoming anxiety
Allowing your mind & body to rest completely
Overcoming illness
Reconnecting with loved ones

A holiday can take many forms and as you can imagine, my favourite is the cruise holiday. But it doent really matter what or where - it just needs to be time away from your everyday responsibilities. Leaving your work emails and phone alone, taking time to rest properly.

Many people think that just 'taking time off' and staying home is as good as a break away. I tend to disagree with this theory. After all, the temptation is too great to think about everyday stress's, Your bills will still drop on the doormat. People can still call you. Your friends and family still drop over unannounced. No, what you need is a complete break from real life to really benefit.

So if you're reading this thinking - im that person that hasnt had a holiday in over six months, why not book some time off and take a break away from it all. Im sure you'll come back to this post to thank me.

CRUISE PRICES TOO LOW TO SHOW!!

2010-06-10T12:12:00.001Z

Independence of the Seas
Selected dates June - August 2010
No Flying - Sail from Southampton
EXCLUSIVE TO IDEAL CRUISING
Please call 0845 296 1852 for details!

Click here for Independence of the Seas Offer

Posted via web from idealcruising's posterous

Modelling legend Twiggy Godmother to luxury cruise ship Seabourn Sojourn

2010-06-09T09:44:00.001Z

British fashion icon Twiggy, more recently known as a judge on TV's America's Next Top Model, was chosen to christen the latest Seabourn ship, Seabourn Sojourn.
After a short speech, Twiggy pressed the button to release the champagne bottle which thankfully broke (averting the mythical mariners bad luck).

The exclusive event was held whilst the ship was docked in the Thames River across from London's Canary Wharf. While the christening itself was releatively short it was followed by a black tie celebration where several hundred guests were presented with a five-course meal and a fireworks display on deck.

Seabourn Sojourn is the second of three new sister ships being rolled out over three years in a major expansion programme tripling capacity.
The ship's maiden voyage begins on Sunday followed by an inaugural series of 12- to 14-day voyages of Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic this summer.
Call our cruise specialists on 0845 296 1852 for more details and a competative quote.

Posted via web from idealcruising's posterous

A great new way to buy your cruise - P&O Cruises Flexicruise

2010-06-09T08:29:00.002Z

Flexicruise is the new way to book your cruise with P&O Cruises. How does Flexicruise work?
There are two departure groups of cruises to choose
from, you simply need to decide whether you would
like to cruisebefore or after Christmas. The first group
of pre-Christmas holidays consists of five Caribbean
cruises and the second, nine Caribbean holidays.
To find out more click on the image...

Posted via web from idealcruising's posterous

Read our New to Cruise guides

2010-06-08T14:48:00.001Z

If you’re new to cruising, you’ve come to the right place. In this collection of articles we will concentrate on some of the big questions like costs, what it's really like onboard, and other frequently asked questions.

One thing you can be sure of from your first cruise, as long as you plan carefully and choose the right ship and destination suited to you, you're in for the holiday of a lifetime!

http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/new_to_cruise.php

Posted via web from idealcruising's posterous

Amazing Star Cruise Buys!

2010-06-08T14:40:00.001Z

Crown Princess - 29th July 2010
Norway & Iceland - Sail from UK
Fantastic Reduced Price
School Hols - Kids from just £399!
Amazing low fare from £899pp
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-special-offers-779.html

Posted via web from idealcruising's posterous

Party Cruises for 2010

2010-03-15T10:06:00.001Z

Party Cruises 2010

Special Birthday or Anniversary...
perhaps try a NEW cruise line...
or just enjoy a relaxing short break.
New discounted fares
2 - 5 nights from only... £241pp
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-special-offers-637.html

As seen on Travelzoo this week

2010-03-04T10:48:00.001Z

This week we had an exclusive Alaska cruise and stay offer featured on Travelzoo... now you can get access to exactly the same deal. This offer is very popular so get in quick!

Offer of the week
14 nt Alaska Cruise & San Francisco Adventure
Sea Princess, May - September 2010
Bonus 1) FREE upgrade Outside to Balcony
Bonus 2) 3 nights FREE in San Francisco
14 nts now only... from £1,299

Call our cruise specialists on 0845 296 1603

Fred Olsen Amazing Late Deals

2009-12-04T13:04:00.000Z

Take a sneaky peak at todays email offers from Fred Olsen.

http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/E-shot/idealcruising04122009/

Oasis of the Seas first photos!

2009-12-04T12:50:00.003Z

Here are some photos from Royal Caribbeans newest ship, Oasis of the Seas. I'm not even sure these images do her any justice, take a look for yourself...

Oasis of the Seas

Royal Promenade

Cupcake shop on the Promenade

Rising Tide Bar

Youth Zone

Studio B -Ice Rink

Comedy Live

Central Park

The Boardwalk

These photos are the property of Ideal Cruising. They may be downloaded for personal use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.

Ideal cruising Xmas Sale

2009-12-02T11:32:00.000Z

What better way to celebrate Christmas than to treat yourself to a cruise? Ideal Cruising have launched a pre-January sale so feast your eyes on some festive cruise delights!

How would you like....
Independence of the Seas 2010
Up to $200 Free Onboard Spending Money
Free Car Parking at Southampton
from £642

or perhaps even...

CHRISTMAS MARKETS CRUISE
December 2009
4 - 8 Night Cruises
Boudicca, Balmoral & Black Watch
Up to £35 free onboard spend
Limited Availability
from £225

Visit the website for details on the Christmas Cruise Sale

Oasis of the Seas - a first look

2009-11-29T21:19:00.003Z

Driving towards Port everglades Oasis of the Seas dominated the landscape, a Princess ship was moored behind and looked small in comparison. The new terminal was very organised, well laid out with ample check in areas, from kerb to ship they aim for 15 minutes we did it in ten!

Boarded ship on deck five taking you straight into Royal Promenade. WOW. This really highlights how much larger this ship is, promenade is twice the width as Freedom class. Before we started t explore this amazing ship we went to cabins, once in a cabin you could be on any Royal Caribbean ship, but once outside the cabin it is a different story.

The Boardwalk was the first area I came across. As you walk into the area you immediately get the effect of the Seaside, the old fashioned seaside pier with the small quaint shops and eateries and taking centre stage a working Carousel and all leading down to impressive amphitheatre at back of ship. The background music was fun, quite loud but worked well with atmosphere. - I was not entirely sure how much noise could be heard in Boardwalk balconies that overlooked the area, this would be a concern if booking one of these cabins. The Boardwalk was a family area and was quieter in evenings. The two main featured restaurants were Johnny Rockets and then new addition to Royal Caribbean, Seafood Shack, both of these restaurants do carry a small surcharge. I will be back to experience more in this neighbourhood.

Have been on ship for three hours and although had really quick check in, we were still missing cases. When we arrived in Miami, we had to put our cases in one area and get on the coach so we therefore did not travel with them. There had been a problem with the transfer of cases, once the ship did receive them our cabin steward had retrieved our cases and had them with us quite quickly. I was still in same clothes we had travelled I was desperate for a shower and get changed. It was a quick change but made it for a quick drink in Schooner bar before Dinner.

The Opus dining room was beautiful three tier, however seemed to be divided into smaller sections, seemed more intimate, there was a good mixture of large and smaller tables, even many tables for two. The food did not disappoint, a good menu choice and excellent quality, service was first class, staff very friendly. Although Royal Caribbean are catering for such big numbers, they certainly have the right formula.

Then we come to the Windjammer, this is definitely in my opinion best buffet restaurant at sea, the choice, the setting, service, organised and of course yummy.

Johnny Rockets a fifties diner, on many other Royal ships, this one is in a better position located in Boardwalk, the casual restaurant is a fun place, with good burgers, shakes and there famous onion rings, however a few teething problems, which they are trying hard to overcome, they have no juke box at moment, and as that is a key part of the restaurant it was disappointing, staff particip(e in dance routine every half hour, and we missed out on that. I think that's enough about food at moment.

After all that talk about food the Sports zone is the next spot to go, very buzzing, lots of activities including zip line which has attracted a large queue, I am not of them in line however. There is a golf course including a kids version, full size basketball court, two flow-riders, new table tennis pods, this area really seems to be popular, the area has been cleverly decorated in surf theme, and there is still plenty of seating for spectators.

In addition you have 4 main pools, one is for sport, one for kids with lots of fun water spouts and a mini lazy river, you then have a beach pool and a main pool, the sun deck has plenty of sun chairs and numerous hot tubs. There seems to be plenty of deck space, in centre of four pools there is a connecting walkway/bridge where the steel band are situated, I do love a good steel band, sunshine and a book.

All in all a magnificent ship that must be seen to be believed.

A view of Oasis of the Seas by Amanda Carder, Ideal Cruising

Royal Caribbean Sale now on!

2009-11-23T13:03:00.001Z

Offers end 30th November. Visit Ideal Cruising today to find out more http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-special-offers-445.html

Always good to hear a customers view

2009-11-17T15:44:00.001Z

The weather has been gloomy this week but a ray of sunshine always breaks out when we get nice comments from customers. Today's letter read:

Dear Donna,

We recently sailed on our Azamara Journey cruise, booked through your company, and had the best cruise of our lives so far; it was simply fabulous.

I just wanted to thank you and all staff involved in our booking for offering a superb service and an excellent price. We won't hesitate to use Ideal again and to recommend you at any time.

Many thanks again,

Helen

Thanks Helen, we're glad you had a fantastic trip :-)

Oasis of the Seas docks in Florida

2009-11-13T15:13:00.001Z

Although its Friday the 13th, there is no bad luck surrounding the Oasis of the Seas arrival in Fort Lauderdale today.

What I wouldnt give to be watching that magnificent example of ship engineering sailing in to harbour. The sight of the massive $1.5 billion vessel would have been awe inspiring. After all, the Oasis of the Seas is nearly 40 percent larger than the industry's next-biggest ship and five times larger than the Titanic. The ship will accommodate a whopping 6,300 passengers.

Royal Caribbean, you sure have exceeded yourselves this time - which cruise line dare challenge them for the crown of cruise innovators?

Double Discounts PLUS £300 Spending Money

2009-11-12T15:20:00.005Z

*****************************************************
£300 Free Spending Money - Ventura Sale, 1 week only.....
*****************************************************

We are delighted to bring you a fabulous new offer courtesy of P&O Cruises. P&O Cruises Ventura, designed for newcomers and families, has an amazing 7 Day Balcony sale. P&O Cruises will be offering DOUBLE DISCOUNTS plus DOUBLE FREE SPENDING MONEY...

This fantastic offer is only available for 1 week, so call now to avoid disappointment!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1st January 2010 - 15 Nights - Caribbean - Superior Deluxe Balcony Prices from £2049pp
DOUBLE Discount plus £300 FREE Spend* - You can also depart 2nd January 2010
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-27010.html

15th January 2010 - 15 Nights - Caribbean - Superior Deluxe Balcony Prices from £2049pp
DOUBLE Discount plus £300 FREE Spend* - You can also depart 16th January 2010
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-27022.html

29th January 2010 - 15 Nights - Caribbean - Superior Deluxe Balcony Prices from £2049pp
DOUBLE Discount plus £300 FREE Spend* - You can also depart 30th January 2010
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-27011.html

12th February 2010 - 15 Nights - Caribbean - Superior Deluxe Balcony Prices from £2089pp
DOUBLE Discount plus £300 FREE Spend* - You can also depart 13th February 2010
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-27023.html

26th February 2010 - 15 Nights - Caribbean - Superior Deluxe Balcony Prices from £2089pp
DOUBLE Discount plus £300 FREE Spend* - You can also depart 27th February 2010
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-27012.html

12th March 2010 - 15 Nights - Caribbean - Superior Deluxe Balcony Prices from £1499pp
DOUBLE Discount plus £300 FREE Spend* - You can also depart 13th March 2010
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-27030.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Don't miss out - this unbelievable offer ends Sunday 15th November!
For further information on any of these offers please visit our website at www.idealcruising.co.uk or call us free on 0800 458 8213
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Booking your Cruise Holiday with Confidence

2009-10-23T12:06:00.000Z

Cruise agents tend to offer much better fares than going direct to the cruise line It’s very easy to assume that a cruise agent is legit when they have a smart website and plenty of good deals on offer. But, hiding behind that telephone number or website could be a large reputable travel agent or just a one-man operation from a living room somewhere. So, how can you tell the difference and find a good, reputable cruise travel agent and avoid a cruise booking disaster?

One of the easiest ways to protect yourself is to book with your credit card. Both the initial deposit and the final payment are protected under insurance with most major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Luckily, the law in the Credit law UK states (Fair Credit Billing Act) that you are entitled to protection (via a chargeback of disputed fees to your account) if a merchant fails to provide the product or service that you have paid for.

Its very important to remember this protection does not apply to debit cards. It’s imperative that you check with your own credit card company on their policy before you book.

Check up on an agency before booking your cruise holiday. Ask if the agency belongs to ABTA and ATOL and ask for their licence numbers – you can look them up on the corresponding websites for verification.

Once you have made your booking it’s wise to check the booking has actually been made with the cruise line. Ask your travel agent for your cruise operator reference number so that you may call the cruise line direct – your booking should be accessible immediately with the cruise line under that reference number. Not only will you then know that your information and money ha arrived in the correct place, but you'll also be able to book your shore excursions in advance.

Another good idea is to purchase cruise travel insurance. Check the policy details as not all policy terms and conditions are the same. Some cruise lines offer their own insurance but these do not tend to cover you if the cruise line goes out of business.

Trust your instincts, if something doesn’t feel right or if the deal seems a little too ‘amazing’ then you’re probably right.

Ideal Recommends... Top Cruise offers this week

2009-10-21T15:22:00.001Z

Azura Maiden Voyage, P&O Cruises Brand New Ship in the P&O Cruises Fleet. £100 Free Spending MoneyPrices from £1399pp p&0 cruise offer»

Unbelievable Deal!!! Ocean Village15 Nights, 25th Nov 2009. In the Caribbean -Amazing Fares from just £1049 ocean cillage cruise offer »

New Reduced Fares - Med to Manhatten. NCL Gem on 29th Nov 2009, 15 Nights Fly Cruise - an amazing £899pp ncl cruise offer»

Exciting New Itinerary, Royal Caribbean, Brilliance of the Seas, 8 - 14 Nights, Jan - April. Cruise Dubai from £844 royal caribbean cruise offer »

Up to $400 Free Spend Queen Victoria. September - November 2010. Ports include Istanbul, Egypt & Dubrovnik. Limited Availability queen victoria offer »

For more information www.idealcruising.co.uk

Dates for your diary - Celebrity Chef Cruises

2009-10-21T08:05:00.007Z

The trend of getting celebrity chefs to create signature menus on board cruise ships continues. P&O Cruises have no less than 3 celebrity chefs on their payroll, Gary Rhodes, Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar. There are many rumours that the aforementioned chefs have put their names to signature restaurants but never make an appearance on board. I can confirm now that this is completely untrue, having met both James Martin onboard Ocean Village and Marco Pierre White onboard P&O Ventura. I can also now provide a list of dates that you may catch these chaps in action next year. The three Michelin starred chefs Gary Rhodes, Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar are lined up to visit their restaurants on the following departures next year. They will lead cooking demonstrations, sign copies of their books as well as spending time with their chefs in the kitchens and amongst guest in their restaurants.

Gary Rhodes will be on board during the following itineraries:
*Arcadia 15-night cruise departing 19 June 2010, J008. Ports of call include Zeebrugge, Amsterdam, Oslo, Stavanger, Flaam, cruise in Sognefjord, Olden, cruise in Nordfjord, Trondheim, Akureyri and Reykjavik.
*Arcadia 13-night cruise departing 2 November 2010, J019. Ports of call include Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Alicante and Gibraltar.
*Oriana 12-night cruise departing 11 July 2010, X011. Ports of call include Copenhagen, Nynashamn, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Zeebrugge.
*Oriana 7-night cruise departing 27 August 2010, X015. Ports of call include Corunna, Bilbao, Le Verdon, Brest and St. Peter Port.

Marco Pierre White will be on board during the following itineraries:

*Aurora 12-night cruise departing 19 April 2010, R002X. Ports of call include Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Cadiz, Lisbon and Vigo.

*Oceana 14-night cruise departing 15 May 2010, E011. Ports of call include Gibraltar, Cartagena, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Cadiz.

*Ventura 7-night cruise departing 5 June 2010, N014. Ports of call include Corunna, Bilbao, La Pallice, Brest and St. Peter Port.

*Ventura 14-night cruise departing 3 July 2010, N017. Ports of call include Barcelona, Cannes, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Palma, Valencia and Gibraltar.

*Oceana 14-night cruise departing 2 October 2010, E021. Ports of call include Gibraltar, Cartagena, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Cadiz.

*Ventura 14-night cruise departing 22 October 2010, N027. Ports of call include Tenerife, Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Barbados.

Atul Kochhar will be on board during the following itineraries:

*Azura 16-night cruise departing 12 April 2010, A004. Ports of call include Malaga, Katakolon, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Korcula and Gibraltar.

*Azura 16-night cruise departing 23 July 2010, A010. Ports of call include Malaga, Katakolon, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Korcula and Gibraltar.

*Azura 12-night cruise departing 8 August 2010, A011. Ports of call include Madeira, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lisbon and Vigo.

*Azura 7-night cruise departing 21 September 2010, A014. Ports of call include Dublin, Cobh, Bilbao and Brest.

Be sure to book up early as these sailings will sell out fast! For more information view our P&O Cruises section of the website and search your chosen itinerary from there.

Amazingly low fares – Balconies from only £399

2009-10-15T13:53:00.003Z

Every week Ideal Cruising work alongside the UK’s favourite cruise lines, selecting from over 1000 itineraries to create the most exclusive promotions for our members. This week we have teamed up with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises to bring you the very best value offers available.
These brilliant offers won't last long! Call today! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
£595 -- 07 Nov 09 for 7 nights -- Splendour of the Seas Fly UK/Venice - Dubrovnik - Kusadasi - Santorini - Corfu - Venice/Fly UK
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-26474.html

£779 -- 09 Nov 09 for 10 nights -- Vision of the Seas Fly UK/Athens - Rhodes - Crete - Katakolon (For Olympia) - Valletta, Malta - Tunis - Malaga - Lisbon/Fly UK Pay for an Inside and receive an Oceanview^
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-29138.html

£855 -- 20 Nov 09 for 10 nights -- Celebrity Solstice Fly UK/Rome - Rome (Civitavecchia) - Sicily - Athens - Mykonos - Kusadasi - Rhodes - Santorini - Naples Rome/Fly UK 5* cruising from only £86pppn
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-26332.html

£999 -- 28 Nov 09 for 14 nights -- Explorer of the Seas Fly UK/New York - (Overnight Hotel) - Cape Liberty, New York - San Juan - St. Thomas - St. Maarten - Dominica - Barbados - Antigua - Cape Liberty, New York/Fly UK (overnight flight)
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-31328.html

£899 -- 31 Jan 10 for 8 nights – Brilliance of the Seas Fly UK/Dubai (overnight on ship) - Dubai - Muscat, Oman - Fujairah - Abu Dhabi - Bahrain - Dubai (overnight on ship) Dubai/Fly UK Exotic Dubai itinerary – New low fare
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-31716.html

£849 -- 06 Feb 10 for 9 nights -- Freedom of the Seas Fly UK/Orlando - Overnight hotel stay - Port Canaveral, Florida - Labadee - Ocho Rios - Georgetown - Cozumel - Port Canaveral, Florida - Fly Orlando/UK (overnight flight) Great low fare – from only £85pppn http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-28122.html

£1349 (Balcony) -- 04 Mar 10 for 12 nights -- Celebrity Millennium Fly UK/San Juan (overnight hotel stay) - San Juan - Tortola - St. Maarten - St. Lucia - Barbados - Grenada - Curacao - Aruba - San Juan/Fly UK (overnight flight) Fantastic Balcony Price http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-30479.html

£899 -- 21 Mar 10 for 8 nights -- Brilliance of the Seas Fly UK/Dubai (overnight on ship) - Dubai - Muscat, Oman - Fujairah - Abu Dhabi - Bahrain - Dubai (overnight on ship) Dubai/Fly UK Exotic Dubai itinerary – New low fare
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-31723.html

£849 -- 25 Apr 10 for 10 nights -- Independence of the Seas Southampton - Madeira - Tenerife - Gran Canaria, Canary Islands - Lanzarote, Canary Islands - Vigo - Southampton $100 FREE on board* spend PLUS FREE car parking
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-33856.html

£399 (Balcony) -- 26 Apr 10 for 3 nights -- Celebrity Eclipse Southampton - Paris (Le Havre) (Overnight) – Southampton. Fantastic Balcony Price
http://ww.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-38222.html

£1,149 -- 15 May 10 for 14 nights -- Independence of the SeasSouthampton - Gibraltar - Toulon - Florence/Pisa -Rome (Civitavecchia) - Sardinia - Cadiz - Lisbon - Vigo - Southampton ($) $100 FREE on board spend* PLUS FREE car parking
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-33851.html

£899 -- 20 May 2010 for 9 nights -- Rhapsody of the Seas Fly UK/Seattle - Transfer to overnight hotel - Seattle - Juneau - Skagway, Alaska - Tracy Arm (cruising) - Victoria - Seattle/Fly UK (overnight flight)
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-34760.html

£1299 (Balcony) -- 21 May 10 for 11 nights – Brand New Celebrity Eclipse Southampton - Madeira - Tenerife - Gran Canaria - Lanzarote - Lisbon - Vigo - SouthamptonPay for an Inside and receive a Balcony^ PLUS FREE car parking
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-33831.html

£899 -- 27 May 2010 for 9 nights -- Rhapsody of the Seas Fly UK/Seattle - Transfer to overnight hotel - Seattle - Juneau - Skagway, Alaska - Tracy Arm (cruising) - Victoria - Seattle/Fly UK (overnight flight) Amazing Alaskan Itinerary http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-34761.html

£929 -- 31 May 10 for 12 nights -- Jewel of the Seas Harwich - Copenhagen - Stockholm - Helsinki - St. Petersburg (overnight) - Tallinn - Gothenburg – Harwich
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-33864.html

£1,065 -- 03 Jun 10 for 12 nights -- Celebrity Century Fly UK/Barcelona - Nice (Villefranche) - Florence/Pisa (Livorno) - Rome (Civitavecchia) - Sicily - Mykonos - Ephesus - Athens - Naples - Barcelona/Fly UK. BRAND NEW Pricing
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-38377.html

£1,399 -- 31 Jul 10 for 14 nights -- Independence of the Seas Southampton - Gibraltar - Ajaccio, Corsica - Cannes - Barcelona - Ibiza - Malaga - Lisbon - Vigo – Southampton
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-itinerary-details-33849.html
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For further information on any of these offers please visit our website at http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/ or call us free on 0800 458 8213~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celebrate solo cruises with Costa Cruises’ new initiative

2009-08-18T13:46:00.002Z

To make cruising even more inexpensive for solo tourists, Costa Cruises is decreasing its single passenger supplement by up to 50% for bookings after 1 December 2009.With cruising evolving an progressively well liked holiday alternative for those journeying solely, the move is certain to be affectionately met – especially as Costa Cruises has the biggest fleet in Europe (14 boats in total), and can cater for all flavours and interests.

For those looking for some rest and relaxation, Costa’s four newest boats – Costa Concordia, Costa Serena, Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica – brag the luxury Samsara Spa, amidst the biggest bobbing spas in the world, spanning two decks with up to 6,000 rectangle metres of sheer luxury.Costa Luminosa, the ‘ship of light’, has a thrilling 4D movies, a golf simulator and outdoor putting green, while Costa Pacifica, the ‘ship of music’, has a notes studio where visitors can slash their own CDs and lounges where instrumentalists perform.
Both boats furthermore characteristic a Grand Prix going by car simulator, utilised to train authentic F1 drivers.MD of Costa Cruises, Marco Costa, remarks, “Cruising is the flawless vacation for those journeying solely because there is so much to do, especially aboard Costa ships.

We have excellent activities, truly unbelievable dining experience and a broad alternative of seashore excursions, flawless if you desire to relish some alone-time or meet like-minded people.”With over 250 destinations and 1,100 excursions, Costa Cruises boasts lone tourists a comprehensive alternative of cruises, covering the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, the Far East, North America, the Caribbean and South America.

Ideal Cruising Top Ten Offers

2009-07-04T14:39:00.000Z

There are some really hot cruise offers around at the moment and with the weather so bad why not book yourself a dream cruise to take away the UK blues?

Don't forget to check out the Top Ten from Ideal Cruising. It's packed with exclusive offers and it's updated regularly!

http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/cruise-special-offers.html

If you don't see anything suitable just give them a call for a tailor made package to suit you.

Celebrity Chefs on P&O Cruises

2009-07-01T14:03:00.000Z

When it comes to a cruise one of the expectations that you hold high is that regarding the dining that is available, with P&O cruises these expectations are reached, if not smashed. The reason being is thanks to the vast array of dining options that are open to you. Formal dining rooms, grill restaurants, oriental and pan-pacific restaurants as well as tapas bars and pizzerias are just a selection of the types of dining options that are open to you when it comes to P&O cruises. However the dining option that is taking the cruising world by storm at the moment comes in the form of celebrity chefs opening their own restaurants on board the ships.

There are a number of celebrity chefs who are currently teaming up with certain cruise lines in order to create their own restaurants on the ships and the cruise line P&O are no exception. These restaurants supply a great way for holiday makers to enjoy five star food at reasonable cost, something they wouldn’t be able to do elsewhere.

Each cruise line contracts certain chefs; in the case of P&O they now have three of the top chefs on board; Gary Rhodes, Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar. All three of these highly acclaimed chefs hold Michelin stars for their dishes and each of these offer signature styles of food so no matter what food you’re in the mood for there will be something to suit all tastes.

Having your meals cooked by such outstanding chefs whilst on a cruise is adding luxury to luxury. Sampling food cooked and prepared by such chefs is worth coming on a cruise for all by itself. So what should you expect from Gary Rhodes, Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar when it comes to the food they will serve whilst working with P&O cruises?

Due to his dedication and continued pursuit for perfection, Gary Rhodes has found himself at the forefront of the culinary world. He is now a well known chef, restaurateur and celebrity as well as author. His various restaurants are what have won him a wide collection of Michelin stars as well as his traditional British cooking, which is what he brings to P&O cruises. Some of the dishes that he serves up are Asparagus and Lambs lettuce salad and Roast beef with foie gras and morel mushroom Madeira sauce. He gives diners a high quality dining experience the likes of which are normally reserved for visitors of his Twenty Four restaurant in London.

Certain Oriana and Arcadia ships are the P&O cruises that Gary Rhodes will be present on, whereas Marco Pierre White will be on board for some of the Ventura, Oceana and Aurora cruises. So what will Marco Pierre White have on offer?

Classic Italian fare is Marco’s speciality, offering simple yet stunning dishes. He has already been named the godfather of modern cooking and is the youngest Briton to be awarded three Michelin stars. As well as sampling his cooking within the ships restaurants you can also opt to buy private cookery sessions to groups of up to eight adults and children. Within these sessions you will join Marco in creating a three course meal as well as get to ask him any cooking questions that you have.

Last but certainly not least Atul Kochhar has recently signed a deal with P&O cruises to bring his culinary skills on board to the company’s new superliner the Azura in 2010. Atul Kochhar is the third Michelin star chef to join this cruise line and he will bring a new restaurant called Sindhu, which means fusion. This will serve holidaymakers with modern British dishes that have an Indian Twist.

Cruise lines all across the country are now enlisting top chefs to open up restaurants on their ships. So if you are going on a cruise this year or you have one planned in the near future then make sure you look out for celebrity restaurants and sample some of the food that they have to offer because let’s face it, this will probably be the only opportunity we get to do this so let’s make the most of it.

More information on Oasis of the Seas

2008-07-01T21:42:00.001Z

Those clever people at Royal Caribbean have created a fab microsite all about Oasis of the Seas. You can view artist impressions, building progress and promo videos.

See for yourself at http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/

Naming ships - the best job in the world?

2008-06-25T19:34:00.001Z

I have come to the conclusion that if I could pick a dream job it would have to be 'naming ships' - not as in ship launch, godmother stuff but actually thinking up the names of the ships myself.

If any cruise lines are reading this and would like to hear my fantastic ideas - get in touch! (I would post them here but I dont want my ideas stolen)