The Perfect Med Cruise - Valentines Gift from just £499

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!

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!

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

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

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

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:

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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

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...

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£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!

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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
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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

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

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!

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

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