National Cruise Week 2011

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

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

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

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!!

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

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

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

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4.  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. 

5. 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?

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!

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!

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

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

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

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!