Tips on choosing Cruise Destinations

You have plans for a holiday? Not sure what is the right cruise holiday or destination for you? Here are some pointers that will help you in choosing what is right for you. There are a lot of cruises that promise to take you to the most exotic places in the world, provide excellent facilities and give full value for your money.

The first thing that comes to your mind when you think of a holiday, the place you wish to see the most and the things that you want to do will help you in deciding your cruise destination. If the turquoise colored beaches and white sand appeals to you, Caribbean cruises will help you realize your idea of a holiday. The Caribbean cruise holiday allows you to explore many beautiful and diverse islands.

If you have an interest in history and want to uncover the ancient wonders of Egypt, Nile cruise holiday is the best way to do it as all the historic sites lie along the banks of the Nile River. The rich and the diverse cultures of the orient are truly mind-boggling. The Far-East cruises are here to help you to experience these places in earnest.

The true beauty of Alaska with its wilderness and glistening glaciers can be fully seen from the Alaska cruises. Looking for serenity and beauty at the same place, Alaska is that place. The Baltic Sea has played a vital role in the development of the world. Baltic Cruise holiday offers what you need to see and allows you to understand its history.

If tranquility and beauty is what you want on your holiday, go for the Hawaii cruises that take you to the Hawaiian Islands which have a relaxed atmosphere due to a sense of isolation from the outside world.

All of these cruises provide excellent facilities on board and have their itineraries planned perfectly. This ensures that the travelers have the most memorable experience in their life. So make your choice based on your likes. Choose wisely and expect the best.

A Cruise and lots more: Miami Beach

If you love the sun and are looking for an ecstatic beach experience, Miami Beach is the place for you. Even if you don’t like fishing, snorkeling, diving and sunbathing, you would certainly love watching those who do. This place together with the luxury that the package promises allows you to forget all your worries and relax.


Instead of Miami Beach, this holiday package provides another option for its travelers, a road trip to the Key West. The Key West road trip is a delight that would rekindle the youth in you. The drive to the Key West is an experience which one should not miss. The view of the little islands across the turquoise sea from the bridges connecting them is mind blowing.

This holiday doesn’t end here. Both the Miami Beach and the Key West road trip packages include a ten day journey on the majestic Queen Mary 2 cruise ship. It sails from Fort Lauderdale via New York across the Atlantic to Southampton. The itinerary is perfectly planned to ensure that the travelers are extremely comfortable throughout their journey.

The ship offers a lot of entertainment to its travelers to make their stay memorable. This ship has a Pub, the Canyon Ranch Spa, Casino and a Commodore Club to enhance the traveler’s comforts. The only planetarium at sea is housed by this ship which also hosts many feature films.

Unlimited Fun in store at a low price. Grab the deal now!

Meet the largest Ocean Liner in the World

Cunard Queen Mary 2 is the grandest and most luxurious cruise vessel operated by Jetline. They offer the most exotic and colorful journey of a lifetime and a vivid cruise experience. They take charge right from the inception of guests onto the vessel and bestow blissful grandeur and treatment by offering the best ever amenities and luxury ever offered across any cruise line in the World. From chilling SpaClubs to Energizing Recreational Centers they offer a travel package which encompasses luxury, amenities, services and above all enjoyment and excitement.



Cunard has taken special care in designing the staterooms of Queen Mary 2. The Grand Duplexes offered are the most lavish and exotic suites afloat. They offer well-Furnished Staterooms with an Expansive Living Room, a Marble Bedroom with whirlpool bathroom and a sea-view window, and finally a spacious balcony which make up a comfortable and an aristocratic accommodation. Dining is another aspect which reflects their supremacy. They operate multi-cuisine and elegant restaurants catering multi-varied dishes savoring the taste buds of our beloved guests. Pinnacle of Amusement is rendered by them as the Sun sets. From thrilling dances at the ballroom to the curvy dances performed at the Commodore Clun, the night is highly an enthralling time to spend at the decks of the Queen Mary 2. They Royal Theatres run vivid and lively shows which keep their guests amused and engaged.

Dining is the most aristocratic service offeredon board Cunards Queen Mary 2. Operating in both an Open Courtyard as well as Compact Indoors they provide a five star customer service in dining and cuisines. The Open Courtyard offers multiple informal dishes served by the best ever chefs. The Compact Indoors are serviced by High Quality English Todds who provoke the taste buds of guests by their variety and service.

With an occupancy of nearly 3090 guests, a diversified crew comprising of 1254 dedicated members, travelling at a controlled speed of 24 knots and finally with a five star rating, the Queen Mary is dedicated to serve guests from all around the globe with luxury and honor. Hop into the Queen Mary and Enjoy Heaven upon Earth!

Cruise with style - Golden Princess

Is holidaying and exploring beautiful places in your agenda? And do you intend to do it in style?  Princess Lines Golden princess is here to meet all your needs. Golden princess is a luxury ship that is operated under the princess cruises and is the best selling ship of 2008/09. It is fully equipped and provides lots of entertainment to its travelers.


Each Golden princess cruise can accommodate up to 3100 people. Different types of cabins and deck plans are available. The cabins range from being ostentatious to simple equipped with essential amenities and you can make your choice based on your likes and needs. A lot of deck plans such as Aloha deck, Baja deck, Dolphin Deck are available for you to choose.

Golden princess provides three formal dining rooms, three state-of-the-art show lounges, a world-class art collection, a variety of pools, a nine-hole putting course, a kid's video game arcade, and more than 700 balcony staterooms to ensure that you have a great time on board.

A lot of Golden princess cruises have been charted till November 2010. Choose the time of year which is ideal for you and book your cruise soon to avoid disappointment. This ship gives complete value for your money. Plan ahead and enjoy!

Dreaming of a holiday in a beach?

Are you a holiday enthusiast dreaming of spending a few days on the white sandy beaches? Do you wish to lie back on the sand and take in a place that is regarded as a paradise on earth? You have come to the right place. The Caribbean cruises are the best choice for you. It takes you on a journey of your lifetime and covers a lot of exotic beaches that provides entertainment at its best. The itinerary includes a lot of islands that are a must-see for an enthusiastic traveler.

Beauty and experience at its best is what Caribbean cruises intends to provide to its travelers. You will be given a warm welcome at each of the destination ports and a lot of activity will be planned for you ranging from snorkeling and scuba diving to safaris through tropical rainforests in St Lucia and swimming with stingrays in Grand Cayman.

Caribbean cruises cover a lot of small islands that big ships cannot reach. This allows you to explore those islands which are rich in beauty but are normally skipped because of non-accessibility for the big ships. Each island in the itinerary offers you a totally different experience ensuring that it is worth your pocket.

Caribbean cruises provide a wide range of packages for a holiday enthusiast to choose. Apart from its excellent itinerary, it places a great deal of importance on luxury. It ensures that all the essential amenities are available on board so that the travelers feel at home. Thus Caribbean cruises offer you a blend of fun, comfort and beauty. Grab the deal and you won’t regret.

Cruise the Caribbean with Azamara Journey and the Far East with Azamara Quest

Azamara Journey offers some great Caribbean cruise deals along with Panama Canal cruises from November 2010 till April 2011. The cruises will include a vast array of 23 ports from 13 countries.

The not-to-be-missed Caribbean cruise on the Azamara Journey will have a roundtrip from Miami, visiting ports in the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, St. Martin, St. Kitts, Guadeloupe, St. Barts, St. Lucia and Dominica.

This Azamara cruise ship usually has all-adult crowds, but it’s best to check the particular cruise you choose.

The Azamara Quest cruises to the Far East give you the opportunity to sail across the Indian Ocean to exotic ports such as Dubai, Bombay, Cochin, Penang, Pt Kelang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and more. This premium cruise liner also has Middle East and Europe cruises that are similarly enticing.

The Azamara Quest has two specialty restaurants, concierge service, spa, piano bar, wine bar, live entertainment: basically, the works. It is a small cruise ship, hence an exclusive cruise holiday is guaranteed.

Both ships provide the purchase service called ‘ChoiceAir’, initiated by parent company Royal Caribbean Pvt Ltd. This service allows you to choose specific airlines and flight times while looking for the best published fares. So, you know the airline itinerary as soon as you book. Also the air support team from Azamara will be available to you before, during, and after the cruise at just a $15 fee per person for domestic flights and $25 per person for international air.

Thus, cruises with the Azamara ships – Quest and Journey – are your ticket to a memorable holiday. They are convenient, fun, and abound with luxury.

P&O Cruises’ brand new Cruise ship Azura to debut in April 2010

Azura is the newest addition to the P&O Cruise fleet and you must experience to believe it. Book your cruise holiday to the Mediterranean now on P&O Azura, which will begin operations in April next year.

The 3,100 passenger superliner will set sail from Southampton to the most wonderful of cruise destinations like the Baltic, Canary Islands, Norwegian Fjords, the Caribbean, and so on.

Azura’s maiden voyage to the Mediterranean is a classic 16-night cruise with ports of call in the central Mediterranean like Venice and Dubrovnik.

Among the features that will add to your unique experience aboard the P&O Cruises’ ship is the Indian fine dining restaurant, Sindhu, steered by Michelin-starred Chef Atul Kochhar. It will also offer fine British cuisine. Pan-fried lobster tail in coconut milk and other exotic delicacies will tempt you into this restaurant, which is just one of the 11 dining venues on board.

The ship will also have an open-air cinema-at-sea, an open-air spa and single cabins.

TV wine expert Olly Smith has been pulled in to help create a new wine bar and restaurant concept – The Glass House. A must for wine lovers, The Glass House menu will feature different wines recommended with each course, all served by the glass and expertly matched by Olly.

You can enjoy a great night life at sea at Manhattan, an entertainment venue inspired by the dynamic city of New York.

And with all the different cuisines to taste and relish, a visit to the ocean view gym will help you keep fit in a fun way on your cruise vacation.

P&O Cruises Azura combines traditional cruise values of service with the flexibility and choice that today’s contemporary customer. The high level of early bookings for April 2010 Azura cruises goes to prove how popular P&O cruise line is.

Oasis of the Seas Balloon Mystery

There has been mass debate regarding the strange spherical object that is tethered to Royal Caribbean’s latest ship Oasis of the Seas since photos were posted on STX Europe’s web site as the ship undergoes sea trials. Speculation about the balloon flying above the 220,000 ton, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas has been raging and its ideas of its intended use includes a weather station and blimp cam, although a cruise industry website believes it is a trial balloon ride.

The balloon is connected to Oasis of the Seas by a cable to the aft of the ship and it flies 50 metres above the vessel. It can be lowed via the cable to its docking station on the upper deck of the ship and it is believed that a gondola or basket will have space for passengers.

Royal Caribbean’s Chairman Richard Fain has not confirmed the rumours and has posted on his blog: "The idea is interesting, but it has such a cornucopia of practical issues that I give it less than a 50 percent chance of being used on Oasis," he writes. "If we don't use it on the ship, I will consider it just another of the many ideas our people develop that didn't work."

Norwegian Epic cruises go on sale

Cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Epic, went on sale yesterday with a choice of Caribbean Cruises on offer. The first Eastern Caribbean sailing from Miami is scheduled for July 17 2010 and the ships’ alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries are available through April 2011. Norwegian Epic's Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship's Western Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.

The 4,200 passenger Norwegian Epic features many new innovations that include the first Ice Bar at sea, an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea, an extreme rock-climbing wall 33 foot high and 64 foot wide, plus several new types of accommodations such as the curved New Wave staterooms, the largest ship-within-a-ship suite complex at sea, spa and family friendly accommodations. In addition to all this Norwegian Cruise Line will be enhancing their Freestyle Dining on board Norwegian Epic with 14 restaurant choices and 18 bars and lounges to choose from.

Southampton fourth terminal to open Saturday 9 May

The new £19 million terminal at Southampton is set to open on Saturday 9^th May. The new facility is the first purpose-built cruise terminal to be built in the UK for almost four decades and will receive around 4,000 passengers travelling through it every day.

Ocean Dock, as the new terminal will be known, is located opposite the site of the old Ocean Terminal which was once home to many of the great transatlantic liners of the last century, when the port was first known as the ‘Gateway to the World’. The new terminal will stand both as testimony to Southampton’s ocean-liner history and as a symbol of the modern cruising age, with cruises from the UK becoming ever popular.

P&O Cruises ship Ventura will be the first ship to use the new berth. Priority use of the terminal will go to Carnival Cruises brands such as Princess Cruises and Ocean Village. Doug Morrison, Port Director at ABP Port of Southampton said: “Over the last few years, the cruise industry has seen enormous growth, which has securely positioned the port of Southampton as the cruise capital of Northern Europe. The new terminal is essential for the Port’s future growth within the cruise market but also represents a significant economic contribution to the Southampton region.”

Roaming mobile services coming to MSC Cruises

Guests travelling on MSC Cruises ships are set to have greater mobile phone services after the cruise line have signed up with leading maritime mobile phone firm On Waves to provide roaming services on all ships.

Constantin Simeonidis, chief executive of On Waves, said the launch of code divisional multiple access (CDMA) services will enhance passenger experience across the cruise line's fleet.

"To have renewed the trust of an organisation like MSC Cruises is a great endorsement," he commented, adding: "We expect the launch of CDMA services will further increase overall usage of mobile devices."

The new service will also be included for all MSC Cruises new builds in the future.

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth maiden voyage all sold out

Cunard Cruises maiden voyage on their new Queen Elizabeth ocean liner has become the fastest selling voyage in the cruise lines history.

29 minutes! That is all it took for the 13 night Canary Islands voyage to sell out, beating the record of 36 minutes set in June 2007 for the final sailing of Queen Elizabeth 2. More than half of the remainder of the maiden season cruises were then snapped up within 90 minutes.

Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard, said that bookings had been particularly strong from people in the UK, the US and Germany.

"This is an impressive record set by what will be an impressive ship and speaks volumes for the Cunard brand as well as for the resilience of the cruise sector," she commented.

Cunard Cruises latest ship Queen Elizabeth is set to launch in autumn 2010 and will only further enhance Cunard Cruises illustrious reputation for exquisite ocean travel. Queen Elizabeth will feature many luxurious and elegant public rooms, plus a bowling green, a croquet lawn and even country house parties.

Broadway musical Hairspray set to wow on Oasis of the Seas

The award-winning musical ‘Hairspray’ is set to debut on Royal Caribbean cruise lines eagerly anticipated Oasis of the Seas when the new ship sets sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December 2009. One of two productions taking place in Oasis of the Seas’ grand Opal Theatre, ‘Hairspray’ will open with a wide range of cruise industry firsts that Royal Caribbean will be debuting with the launch of their new ship.

“We are thrilled to bring to our guests a ground-breaking entertainment feature such as Hairspray on Oasis of the Seas,” said Peter Compton, vice president, Entertainment, Royal Caribbean. “The addition of this popular musical to Royal Caribbean’s entertainment lineup will undoubtedly take cruise entertainment to the next level and cater to the evolving tastes of vacationers. Guests will be able to enjoy an award-winning Broadway-caliber production on Oasis of the Seas along with a myriad of revolutionary onboard amenities for a most memorable cruise vacation.”

Set in 1962, ‘Hairspray’ follows the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big aspirations who wins a spot on the local TV dance program, ‘The Corny Collins Show’ and finds herself transformed into an overnight teen sensation. The show has been licensed to Royal Caribbean for three years aboard Oasis of the Seas under an agreement struck with the aid of New York City-based Musical Theater International and Broadway Theatrical; the show will be available exclusively to the cruise line.

Oasis of the Seas is set to offer a myriad of diverse entertainment options for guests including an innovative aerial show which is yet to be formally announced but will make its home in the Opal Theater. In addition to the headlining shows, guests can visit Entertainment Place, one of seven diverse neighborhoods on Oasis of the Seas, which will offer Jazz on 4, an intimate lounge filled with live jazz and blues; Comedy Live, featuring side-splitting comedy; Studio B with an ice show, ‘Frozen in Time’ featuring the writings of Hans Christian Anderson; and more.

Basil Brush to sail on Ocean Village cruises

The most famous fox in the world is set to sail with Ocean Village Cruises this July – none other than Basil Brush will be the latest family favourite to perform an exclusive fun family show on board which will be his first ever season of live shows at sea. Basil will be boarding the original Ocean Village for a summer of sailing around the Western Mediterranean, joining other children’s icons such as Bagpuss and Paddington Bear

The legendary puppet first hit British TV screens back in 1963 and became known for his cheeky jokes and famous ‘Boom boom!’ catchphrase. Guests on board will be able to enjoy live shows in Ocean Village’s Connexions Bar from July onwards and will also be able to have their photo taken with Basil, complete with his trade mark tweed cape, waistcoat and cravat.

The performance will take place on all Ocean Village ''Emperors and Espresso'' fly cruises, running for seven days from Palma to Ajaccio on Corsica.

According to Travelmole, Gill Haynes, Ocean Village head of marketing communications, said: "We think parents will be as amused as their children to find Basil on board – his shows make great family entertainment and reach across the generations.

"This trio of retro children's icons is sure to charm the kids and send parents hurtling down memory lane."

British cruises with P&O are snapped up!

P&O Cruises have sold out on their new itineraries featuring UK ports in just over half an hour. This is the first time P&O Cruises have offered such holidays in the UK and judging by the reception they look to be the holiday hit of the summer.

Among the trips on offer are cruises to ports such as Newcastle, Milford Haven and Belfast. So step aside St Tropez, Barbados and Venice – the hot new destinations for cruise ships seem to be much closer to home. P&O Cruises have introduced only one cruise on board P&O Atermis so far to gauge demand but it now looks like there is a strong desire to see parts of the country you couldn’t normally combine in a holiday.

Next year P&O Cruises will be deploying both Artemis and Oriana on round-Britain routes so if you missed out this time make sure you get in early for next year. Michele Andjel, a spokesperson for the cruise line, commented: "There's a strong desire to see parts of the country you couldn't normally combine in a two-week holiday. Programmes like Coast have been really popular, and the whole surge in interest in the provenance of British food has helped give people an appetite for exploring their own country."

In related news, cruises on board P&O Cruises newest ship Azura have recently gone on sale. Along with its sister ship P&O Ventura, Azura will be the largest ever built for the cruise line.

Princess Cruises offer two new three-day sailings on Ruby Princess

Princess Cruises have added two new sampler cruises for the new Princess Ruby Princess, giving guests the chance to experience the delights of the newest addition to the fleet at a great value price. There are two three day cruises from Fort Lauderdale departing on Monday 14 December and Thursday 17 December, both calling in at the line’s private island, Princess Cays – an exclusive beach resort offering a day of relaxation and water sports. The sailings replace a previously scheduled wet-dock which has now been deemed unnecessary.

Ruby Princess was launched in November 2008 and features many of Princess Cruises most popular new features, such as the dramatic piazza-style atrium with intimate small-bite eateries and engaging street performers. There are a whole host of enticing dining venues including the signature Sabatini’s Italian restaurant and the Crown Grill steak house. Ruby Princess also offers Princess Cruises’ newest innovation, the relaxing adults-only oasis called The Sanctuary.

Cunard and Oxford University Press introduce the Science Club

Cunard Cruises is joining forces with Oxford University Press (OUP) to introduce the Cunard/Oxford University Press Science Club. This innovative venture will be a multi-faceted membership programme featuring the new on board Science at Seas lectures performed by prominent science writers.

Guests on board with Cunard Cruises will also be able to join the Science Club providing ongoing opportunities to stay abreast of the most current popular science publishing through quarterly OUP email newsletters, invitations to book launches and much more. The programme is set to kick off on Queen Mary’s 8 April, 2009 westbound transatlantic voyage and there will be three leading scientists and science writers on board for lectures, book signings and interviews.

“We are delighted to partner with Oxford University Press, the world’s oldest and most prestigious publishing house, to offer the new Science at Sea programme that specifically addresses our guests’ passionate interest in this discipline,” said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Cruises.

“Our guests are not merely on a voyage, but on a quest for knowledge and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Whether tackling evolution, genetics or biodiversity, this programme will allow our guests to learn from some of the world’s most accomplished scientists,” Marlow added.

Science at Sea only further demonstrates Cunard Cruises ongoing commitment to providing their guests with the industry’s most compelling on board enrichment opportunities. Cunard Cruises have the award-winning Cunard Insights programme, as well as the Cunard Book Club and they also continuously pursue the best and brightest minds to tackle the most fascinating and relevant issues of the day.

Plans for Queen Elizabeth 2 put on hold

Cunard Cruises epic ship Queen Elizabeth 2

was reportedly sold to Dubai company Nakheel for a sum of £50 million, but it seems the Middle East is not impervious to the recession as plans to transform Cunard Cruises iconic ship have been put on hold.

Britain’s most famous ship offered luxury cruise holidays to passengers for over 40 years and ended its service with Cunard Cruises late last year when the company could not justify the expense it would cost to bring the ageing ship up to the new health and safety standards introduced to the cruise industry.

It was intended that QE2 would undergo a complete refurbishment, included turning the engine room into a large entertainment suite and removing the famous red funnel to be replaced with an enormous glass structure which would house the hotel’s grandest suites and penthouse.

It seems that a few months down the line the ambitious plans have ground to a halt and could even be shelved completely. The Dubai hotel company Nakheel have commitments to other hotel deals in Palm Jumeirah and the construction of Trump Tower, which seem to be priority at the moment.

We’ll keep you posted of any further developments; hopefully plans for Cunard Cruises best known queen will not be cast adrift.

Princess Cruises bookings surpass last years result in first 2 months of 2009

Princess Cruises have reported a boom in bookings during the first two months of the year, surpassing the same period last year by nearly 6 per cent. Princess Cruises have put this down to lower prices and travel agents who have maximised the cruise line’s sales support tools to generate business in the current economic climate.

"Travel agents gave us a record-breaking reservations day in January, and this further result shows that they continued to sell Princess cruises at an extraordinary rate throughout the first two months of the year," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer service.

"Agents understand that the best strategy at this time is to promote what's selling--and Princess is selling. We want to thank, and congratulate, our travel partners for their exceptional efforts. Despite the headlines we see every day, now is a great time for agents to build their cruise business. And we're there to help agents do this not only with attractive fares, but also with great tools."

Amongst the promotional offers available was the Princess Balcony Bonanza, with free upgrades to a balcony stateroom at the price of a standard ocean-view stateroom and the Alaska cruises Wilderness Sale featuring four new Seattle based cruise tour options that included air and bus transfers, plus a free stateroom upgrade.

MSC Poesia rocking all the way to Jamaica

MSC Cruises are set to showcase a number of rock’n’roll acts on board their MSC Poesia ship in November, it has been revealed.

The events will take place between the 15^th and 20^th November, in which time MSC Poesia will sail from Fort Lauderdale in the US to Jamaica and Grand Cayman.

Among the bands that will be playing is StoneRider, Stereoside, enderafteR, Broken Teeth and Skid Row. There will live concerts as well as plenty of other activities to entertain guests throughout the cruise, including karaoke sessions, Guitar Hero tournaments, contests, charity auctions and Q&A sessions with the artists.

One of MSC Cruises newest ship, MSC Poesia was christened in Dover last year and will be making a voyage to Israel later on in the year, calling in at Rome, Turkey, Greece and Croatia.

Spring is on the way! Book up now for Bank holiday cruises

The seasons are changing and spring is finally on its way, which not only means daffodils and lambs being born but also some well earned rest for the Brits with all the up and coming Bank holidays.

What better way to escape from it and make the most of those extra days off then by setting off on a cruise closer to home and with many cruise lines offering cruises departing from the UK it is even easier to get away.

The first of the public holidays this year is the Easter weekend between Friday 10 April and Monday 13 April. After that there are two May bank holidays on Monday 4 May and Monday 25 May, followed by a final summer bank holiday on Monday 30 August.

There are some fantastic cruises sailing out from Southampton, with five big ships including Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Princess Cruises’ new flagship Grand Princess, setting sail during the August bank holiday.

How about a two-night mini cruise on P&O Cruises’ incredible new ship Ventura, sailing to Brugge departing on the 30 August? Or Cunard Cruises’ 4 night Western Europe cruise on board Queen Victoria departing on the 2 May?

These are just a few of the many options available to take advantage of those lovely extra days off so why not give us a call to check out all the latest offers.

Holidays defying credit crunch in 2009

It looks like holidays will be bucking the trend of the credit crunch this year, with a recent study showing that over 75 per cent of holidaymakers will be planning to spend as much on their holiday this year as they did in 2008.

Carnival Cruises have conducted their annual poll which indicates that nearly half of the people they questioned said they would rather cut back on buying designer clothes in order to pay for their holiday.

This all bodes well for cruise lines continuing to sail in the face of the economic turndown by introducing even more news ships throughout 2009. MSC Cruises will be introducing MSC Splendida in June to the line’s second flagship, to be followed by the smaller MSC Magnifica in December.

Meanwhile, Silversea Cruises are set to debut the 36,000 ton Art Deco-styled Silver Spirit, able to carry 540 passengers and boasting the line’s largest staterooms with almost all of them featuring a private balcony.

David Dingle, chief executive of Carnival Cruises line, said the findings of the poll confirm that there are plenty of holidaymakers planning to go on holiday this year, despite the economic downturn.

"Considering a cruise holiday includes accommodation, almost all food, entertainment and flights, it really does provide exceptional value at a time when the credit crunch is hitting our wallets," he commented.

Celebrity Cruises present Mediterranean food experience

Celebrity Cruises is well known for indulging its guests to the full and it comes as no surprise that they are joining forces with the magazine famed for celebrating the world of great food and sharing it with other, Bon Appétit. Celebrity Cruises and Bon Appétit will be presenting ‘Celebrity’s Mediterranean Experience with Bon Appétit’, an at-sea feature focusing on the pleasures of cooking and dining.

The 2,038 guest Celebrity Summit will be hosting the event, departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico on the 18 April, sailing to Barcelona, Spain. Celebrity Summit will be calling in at several tantalising ports of call along the way that exemplify Mediterranean flavours, including Tenerife, Canary Islands; Agadir, Morocco; Malaga, Spain; and Valencia, Spain.

Throughout the sailing there will be numerous culinary demonstrations performed by Joey Campanaro, chef/owner of New York restaurants ‘The Little Owl’ and ‘Market Table’. Joey is well known for his creative culinary style, combining only the freshest ingredients with bold, rich flavours that the Mediterranean is famous for.

Activities onboard will reflect the focus on the region’s epicurean and cultural highlights. The ship’s casual restaurant will offer numerous Mediterranean-themed buffets throughout the voyage. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in Mediterranean-themed food/wine trivia competitions, a Mediterranean cooking class hosted by the cruise director and the ship’s executive chef, Spanish-language classes, regional dance classes, and a recipe contest.

Holland America increase Panama Canal cruises

Holland America Line is to be offering an incredible 45 Panama Canal cruises on nine different ships in 2009. Ranging in length from 10 to 28 days, Holland America Line’s Panama Canal itineraries feature more port of call options than any other major cruise line, with many port visits exclusive to Holland America Line.

Guests travelling on Panama Canal cruises with Holland America Line can experience daylight transits of the historic and fascinating Panama Canal and the opportunity to visit diverse and intriguing ports of call throughout their voyage.

“We’ve increased our Panama Canal capacity significantly this year to make 2009 a very exciting season, especially with full transit cruises through the winter season,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “While the roundtrip Florida canal experiences have been very popular, our guests have been asking for more Panama Canal cruises between the east and west coasts throughout the winter season. So now, there are canal cruises to suit everyone’s tastes for season, length and ports of call.”

More couples marry at sea with P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises are one of only two cruise lines offering the chance for couples to be married at sea and it seems that nautical nuptials are becoming ever popular with many couples. P&O Cruises married 371 couples at sea last year, 32% more than in 2007 and 64% more than in 2006. In response to this upturn P&O Cruises have launched a dedicated website to provide all the information couples need to plan their big day at sea – www.pocruise.co.uk/weddings.

The average UK wedding costs a wallet bursting average of £19,200, whereas weddings at sea packages start from as low as £950, including the licensing fees, venue, ceremony conducted by the ship’s captain, VIP treatment including priority boarding, floral arrangements for the ceremony, wedding music, wedding certificate, champagne, invitations, thank-you notes and an onboard wedding coordinator.

Carnival Sensation undergoes massive revamp

Carnival Cruises’ Carnival Sensation has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation during a 35 day dry dock, as part of Carnival’s ‘Evolutions of Fun’ program. The 2,052 passenger Carnival Sensation now boasts a whole host of fabulous new facilities and features, including a vast water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat and a re-designed tropical themed main swimming pool.

Carnival Sensation has also had ninety-eight balconies added to the existing ocean-view staterooms and a new Circle C facility for 12 to 14 year olds. The new Carnival WaterWorks has a 300 foot long water slide – the longest at sea – along with two 82 foot long racing slides and many other water spray apparatus. Also new is the Serenity Adults-only retreat area, designed as an oasis of comfort and relaxation.

Celebrity Equinox to launch early

The construction of Celebrity Cruises sister ship to Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, is proceeding so well that there will be a ‘soft’ launch prior to the ships maiden voyage on 8 August.

The much anticipated Celebrity Equinox is set to depart from Southampton on 31 July on a roundtrip through the beautiful Norwegian Fjords. Celebrity Cruises are offering guests booked on Celebrity Equinox’s inaugural sailing the opportunity to combine their 10 night ‘Best of Europe’ cruise with the 8 night ‘soft’ launch, making for an incredible 18 night voyage.

The 8 night Norwegian Fjords cruise features ports of call at Stavenger, Flam, Geiranger and Oslo whilst the 10 night maiden voyage will visit Paris/Normandy (via Le Havre) and Cherbourg, France; Vigo, Cartagena and Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal, and Gibraltar, UK, ending in Rome (via Civitavecchia), Italy.

Celebrity Solstice best sundeck in top ten list

Celebrity Cruises amazing new ship Celebrity Solstice has certainly made an impact since its debut, topping a list of the best cruise ship sundecks.

The list was compiled by review site Cruise Critic, who named Celebrity Solstice as having the best sundeck with a fantastic range of facilities including butler service around the pool and secluded areas where guests can enjoy a relaxing massage. Celebrity Cruises newest ship is home to a staggering array of amenities and even features a lawn club, complete with real live grass.

Other ships making the sundeck top ten include MSC Cruises Fantasia, which boasts a fully retractable roof that allows guests to enjoy the top deck even in less sunnier climates. Norwegian Gem also featured with sun loungers with chilled towels and Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Independence of the Seas with its own surf simulator.

Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor-in-chief of the website, said: "This list represents not only the best of what’s on offer on today's cruise ships, it also demonstrates how much the sun deck has progressed from a humble collection of deck chairs on the stern deck to a fully integrated leisure and relaxation environment."