Cunard Liner Nominated for Luxist Award

Whilst much of the press and media focus may currently be on the impending debut sailing of Cunard Cruises' Queen Elizabeth, it has been revealed that another of their ships could be set to steal the limelight. Having already won the Luxist Awards Readers' Choice Award in January for the Best Caribbean Cruise Line, Cunard's Queen Mary 2 has now been nominated in the category of best summer cruises.

Named after the grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mary 2 has been chosen as a possible winner for the Luxist award with its twelve day Mediterranean trip. Offering cruises from Southampton , the liner first spends day three sea days before sailing around to the port of Barcelona. Taking in the sights of Spain for an entire day, the Queen Mary 2 moves on to Monte Carlo and sails from Rome to Naples, before heading back to the UK via both Lisbon and Gibraltar.

Highlighted as one of the best ways in which to explore the Mediterranean, Luxist has included the voyage amongst the nominee's for the best summer cruise partly due to the ship herself. Breaking the record for the largest ship built when she was finished in 2004, the Queen Mary 2 and her 1,132 feet were larger than even the Titanic. Cruising 5mph above most other ships at 30mph, ballrooms, theatres, lounges, bars and five swimming pools grace 14 beautiful decks, providing an enormous amount of entertainment for those aboard. And having already won the Readers Choice Award earlier this year, the Queen Mary 2 could be set to take acclaim once again.

P&O Cruises Benefit from Cruise Re-Fit

Carnival Australia, operator of P&O Cruises , has revealed that another of their cruise ships it receive a re-fit. Estimated to be worth £2m, the Pacific Pearl will be overhauled by contracting firm Mivan, providing passengers with a range of brand new services.

Completing the work on the cruise ship for Christmas, Mivan will carry out operations in Singapore, reconstructing the liners Connexions & Oasis Bars, Sunweaver Café, and Salt Grill & Waterfront restaurants. Following designers concepts for the Pacific Pearl's sister ships, Pacific Sun, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Dawn, she make her inaugural cruise on December 22 nd from Auckland. Becoming part of P&O Cruises Australia's fleet, the new re-fit will mean that those taking cruise holidays at the end of 2010 through to 2011 will be able to enjoy the upgraded restaurants and services onboard.

The news comes after Mivan successfully carried out a re-fit of the Pacific Dawn earlier this year. Like the work to be carried out aboard the Pacific Pearl, major reconstruction of the restaurant and dining facilities were made, ensuring that the four ships offer the best eateries for guests that they can. Speaking of the contract Business Development Director for Mivan, Stephen Mills explained “Mivan has maintained its strategy for the cruise ship sector, keeping dedicated Project Managers and outfitting teams focused on this market and client base.” He added that with a better working relationship with P&O all aspects of the project would move smoothly, offering an attractive new option for those looking at cruise deals.

Cruise Holidays Appeal Across the Ages

As recent reports have revealed that the number of British individuals taking to cruise holidays is increasing, an industry expert has revealed that there is no reason that such getaways shouldn't appeal to people of all ages. And whilst the traditional cruise passenger is often stereotypically characterised by their older age, new and modern boats are attempting to attract a younger crowd.

Explaining the changing phenomenon of the cruise industry, Cruise Critic's editor in chief, Carolyn Spencer Brown, revealed that cruises with unusual destinations or a wide range of onboard activities were rising in popularity. Meanwhile with cheap flights allowing for tourists to take opportunities of more adventuresome cruises further afield, younger passengers were beginning to take note. “Cruise lines have vastly improved the variety of activities on offer and updated classes to reflect the shifting demographic of those onboard,” Ms Spencer Brown explained.

In particular, cruise deals with unusual and unique activities have been shown to attract a wide range of people, with younger passengers taking interest in onboard cookery courses or digital photography classes. And with Marco Pierre White holding cooking demonstrations regularly on several liners, there are some big names to add to the mix. Meanwhile, with the upcoming autumn and winter season traditionally slow for the industry, younger passengers may just find an appealing and discounted cruise offer that provides a new and attractive getaway that they've never experienced before.

Cunard Reveals More Queen Elizabeth Details

In the run up to the launch of Cunard Cruises new Queen Elizabeth there has been a lot of talk surrounding new design and innovative features that will set the liner apart from previous models. With less than three months until the 90,400 ton ship makes its inaugural sail, construction is still heavily underway, but new details have emerged for Cunard's new liner.

Holding a total of 2,092 passengers the Queen Elizabeth structurally looks very much like her sister, the Queen Victoria. However, Cunard have taken great care to ensure that the décor stands apart, leaning towards the art deco period of the 1920's and 30's rather than the traditional classic interiors of the past. Meanwhile there have been some major changes to public spaces, providing an added attraction for many looking for cruise deals . Increasing the number of cabins on offer by 38 due to the Queen Elizabeth's structural differences, for the first time ever Cunard have introduced a separate dining area for guests staying in their top class Britannia cabins. Meanwhile, they have altered the Queen Victoria's Winter Garden to create a stunningly styled and Kew-like glasshouse on their latest liner. The Games Deck has also undergone a transformation, with chic styling providing a sense of country, croquet and bowls.

Currently still being built in Italy, the Queen Elizabeth is due for launch in 11 weeks. And with a high level of anticipation over Cunard's latest endeavour, passengers may be queuing up to get their first glance of this glorious new ship.

New Dining Options Revealed by Cunard

Popular cruise company Cunard Cruises has revealed that they are to offer a new dining option on their Queen Elizabeth cruise liner. Announcing that they were re-launching one of their previously most fashionable restaurants, Cunard explained that the Verandah Grill would be introduced with an a la carte menu.

Cunard's Verandah Grill was one of the company's most successful and fashionable restaurants with those on their cruise holidays . Previously established on the Queen Elizabeth's predecessors, the R.M.S Queen Mary and R.M.S Queen Elizabeth, the grill hosted movie stars, members of the royal family and top business officials. Paying a one-pound supplement in the 1940's and 1950's, such individuals enjoyed some of the finest cruise cuisine whilst aboard their transatlantic crossings.

Now revived by the company, the a la carte pricing at the Verandah Grill is the first time Cunard has used such a concept. Offering French cuisine in both contemporary and classic options, meals will be charged per plate. Moderate prices of about $7 for starters, $18 for mains, and $7 for desert, allows for passengers to sample the delights of the restaurant without breaking the bank whilst, with service included, tips will not be expected.

Despite introducing the a la carte pricing aboard the Queen Elizabeth, Cunard is not the first company to implement such menus. NCL's Norwegian Epic already prices per plate at their noodle bar, whilst MSC Cruises use the method in several of their onboard restaurants.

P&O cruises announces 5 new world cruises

The kings of world cruises, P&O Cruises have announced that they will have 5 world cruises for 2011/2012 season. The adult only ship the Arcadia, is embarking on a 72 night world cruise to Alaska. This can be booked in full or in segements with one fo our most popular offers being cruise to San Fransisco and then changing ships onto the Sea Princess. Lead in price for this starts at a great price of £3499.

Later in the year the Arcadia will then be over to Australia and New Zealand and will be a 109 night cruise.  Highlights include, the Opera House, partial transit down the Amazon and finally into China to see the great wall.

The whole 2011/12 programme will take in 177 ports of call and go into 55 countries. Carol Marlow Managing Director of P&O cruises explained. "That there is something for everyone on our something for everyone with a broad range of cultural and modern experiences in addition to breathtaking landscapes and iconic landmarks.

The 2011/12 P&O world cruises are on sale now so contact cheap cruises specialist Adore Cruise.

How to find cheap cruises?

We are forever being asked how we get so many cheap cruises. So we will let you into some of our little secrets. A lot of our success is due to our experience within the cruise industry. Between the management team we have over 40 years of experience in working some of the biggest names within the cruise industry.

This therefore gives us a massive advantage. This experience come in different forms and guises from being a marketing manager for one of the largest cruise lines in the world, to having a product and comnmercial manager who use to work for the worlds largest cruise agency. So in effect, we know what sells at what price and at what time of year.

We also have some excellent contacts within the industry who ask our opinion on prices to move stock. This is where the magic comes in. It is all well and good having a cruise at £200 where the flight is at £900. So our expertise comes in sourcing the right cruise deal at the same time having the airlift on offer to really put a package together which beats the market place by a distance

Late disembarkation on Royal Caribean cruises

After succesfully trialling this year, Royal Caribbean cruises will be rolling out late disemabrkation from when the cruise ships arrive in their turnaround port. The pilot was introduced on Brillaince of the seas and Splendour of the Seas.

The benefit will be for the people who have late flights and dont want to be at the airport hours early, it will aslo mean you will not need to worry about your luggage until you get off.

You will not be able to stay in your cabin but you will be allowed to vacate it couple of hours later than normal but they will be keeping some of the facilities open such as the Gym, Spa and some of their restaurants.

The only nad news about it all is the cover charge of $35 per adult and $20 per child. Would I pay it, most proably not, cheaper to hire a car for the day but can envisage a lot of people will take it up so they dont have to rush out of bed at 5am.

If you want Royal Caribbean cruise holidays go to http://www.jetlinecruise.com/

It is raining cruise deals.

We have already commented today on how many cruise deals there are out there at the moment but this is one of the best of the year so far. It is onboard Cunard cruise line the Queen Mary 2.

The largest ocean liner in the world has launched a promotion for best grade of cabin of time at booking (excluding suites) on the 19th July. On this day you can buy a balcony at only £400 per person. Yes that is less than £60 per day for all your food and entertainment. Yes you need to add a one way flight back from New York but this is in our opinion is deal of the month.

You can if you require extend your stay in New York. Hotels for this time of year start at around £75 per person per night for a reasonable 3* centrally located room in Manhattan.

The above deal is one of many coming from Cunard Cruises but with the Indian summer, world cup and Wimbledon all the cruise lines seem to be in the same boat(Pardon the pun.)

Oops we did it again.

Yes, England as usual have fallen by the wayside and let the whole nation down and failed to do well in the world cup. The old excuses have been trotted out, the players were tired, the altitude hurt them, the ball crossed the line etc. However it did not stop them being beaten by the Germans.  We can hang our heads in shame but were we really expecting anything different

There is good news though. It is now the time to book some amazing last minute cruise deals. Due to the world cup there are still some amazing last minute bargains out there for even July and August. This is near enough un heard of in recent years. One of the cruise lines with some of the best prices are P&O cruises. On certain cruises they have slashed prices with savings of up to 40% off. There cruises during summer months are no fly cruises and involve cruising from Southampton. There is a whole raft of itineraries and durations and there are still some 3 and 4 birth cabins left if you have a family

So don’t be too despondent as we are out, go and book yourself an amazing cruise deal.

NCP EPIC is coming soon

The countdown to the brand new NCL Epic is on its way. The largest ship ever built by Norwegian Cruise Lines is in its final stages of being finished before it's sea trials and ready for its maiden voyage on the 26th June 2010.

The maiden voyage for this cruise from Southampton to New York is still available at £899pp including 2 nighst extra in the big apple.

Oasis of the Seas is here

Oasis of the Seas is now finally here and been with us for just under 2 months. The level of interest has been astounding. Due to this we have built a dedicated website to this amazing ship. You can find deck plans, picks, information and amazing deals at the following Oasis of the Seas website.

Things that you need to know about the ship are as follows. It is the width that makes the difference. You walk in on the Royal Promenade and it is like being in a shopping mall. The ship is though out, all the entertainment is together. The dining options are togther.

Is it a wortha premium. Yes!!!

How much, would spend £200 more per person than Freedom class but no more than that.