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Tuesday, 1st May 2012
Cash tips have been phased out in favour of electronic tips that are now automatically added to passengers' on board accounts.
Carnival UK Chief Executive Officer David Dingle, who heads up P&O Cruises, told the Guardian the move was intended to 'make crew more responsive' and offer protection against a tipping pool that's shrinking amid the economic downturn. Dingle said that crew were 'much happier' and the new arrangement was a win-win for passengers, staff and P&O. He said many crew earned more than £1,000 a month, but tenuous times meant that, 'sadly, our customers were reluctant to pay the recommended level of tipping.'
Like other lines that collect gratuities automatically, P&O allows passengers to remove the tips at the reception instead. Those who want to reward exceptional service can still pay tips on top of the auto-gratuity in cash direct to the crewmembers of their choice if they wish.
Crewmembers could, in theory, win under this new system. If passengers don't tip enough, which, according to the Guardian report, is an increasing trend, the crew should still get their bonuses if they meet the targets - although it seems clear from a comment from P&O Cruises that it doesn't expect to have to find the money for tips from elsewhere. A spokeswoman told Cruise Critic: 'Our scheme is designed to share fairly the tips that customers leave our staff and also to ensure that there is consistency of earnings for our people. Clearly, if there were a trend in which customers ceased tipping our staff then we would have to design a different remuneration scheme.'
Bolsover are sure the staff on board will continue the impeccable service they offer.
Monday, 23rd Apr 2012
Leave behind the British winter and cruise to sunnier climes in 2014. Fred Olsen's Grand Voyages aboard Balmoral and Black Watch are packed full of variety and contrasts. With so many highlights it’s almost impossible to pick a favourite; and the beauty is you do not have to choose – the world will be presented for your exploration and enjoyment. Expertly mixing historic destinations with modern marvels, thriving cities with untouched landscapes, and days at sea that will be as invigorating or relaxing as you wish.
Take a look at the itineraries below and Early Booking Offers below:
- LOW DEPOSIT OF ONLY £750pp - for a limited time only*
- UP TO £550pp ON BOARD SPEND - Amount varies by cabin type^
Balmoral L1401 - 5th January 2014 - 105 nights
Fares from £8599pp
Ports of Call: -
Southampton ~ Cádiz, Spain ~ Mahon, Spain ~ Alexandria, Egypt ~ Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt ~ Safaga, Egypt ~ Salalah, Oman ~ Port Rashid, Dubai, UAE ~ Muscat, Oman ~ Mumbai, India ~ Cochin, India ~ Colombo, Sri Lanka ~ Yangon, Myanmar Singapore ~ Hong Kong, China ~ Hiroshima, Japan ~ Osaka, Japan ~ Yokohama, Japan ~ Nawiliwili, Kauai, Hawaii ~ Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii ~ Hilo, Hawaii ~ San Diego, California ~ Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico ~ Acapulco, Mexico ~ Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala ~ Puntarenas, Costa Rica ~ Willemstad, Curacao ~ Bridgetown, Barbados ~ Castries, St. Lucia ~ St. John’s, Antigua ~ Philipsburg, St. Maarten ~ Ponta Delgada, Azores ~ Southampton
Black Watch W1401 - 14th January 2014 - 113 nights
Fares from £9399pp
Ports of Call: -
Southampton ~ Funchal, Madeira ~ Praia, Cape Verde ~ Recife, Brazil ~ Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Montevideo, Uruguay ~ Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Ushuaia, Argentina ~ Valparaiso, Chile ~ Isla Robinson Crusoe, Chile ~ Hanga Roa, Chile ~ Papeete, Tahiti ~ Rarotonga, Cook Islands ~ Auckland, New Zealand ~ Bay of Islands, New Zealand ~ Sydney, Australia ~ Brisbane, Australia ~ Townsville, Australia ~ Cairns, Australia ~ Rabaul, Papua New Guinea ~ Madang, Papua New Guinea ~ Puerto Princesa, Philippines ~ Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia ~ Muara, Brunei Darussalam ~ Singapore ~ Port Blair, India ~ Chennai, India ~ Mumbai, India ~ Salalah, Oman ~ Aqaba, Jordan ~ Safaga, Egypt ~ Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt ~ Alexandria, Egypt Valletta, Malta ~ Gibraltar ~ Southampton
Book your Grand Voyage of a lifetime and call us now on 01246 819819
*Low deposit of only £750pp - Please be aware that this may increase inline with the change to first edition fares. ^Up to £550pp on board spend amount varies by cabin type and is available to the first two passengers in each cabin only. Visas and vaccinations are required at an additional cost - please call for details. Travel insurance is additional. A 1.5% charge applies to all payments made by credit card and American Express. E&OE.
Friday, 20th Apr 2012
72-NIGHT CIRCUMNAVIGATION, OVERNIGHT STAYS IN MAJOR CITIES, EXTENDED OVERLAND ADVENTURES
From Machu Picchu to Buenos Aires, and the Chilean Fjords to Rio de Janeiro, Regent Seven Seas Cruises covers the continent of stunning extremes and eclectic experiences of
South America like no other. Discerning travellers looking to discover their Latin spirit need look no further than the ultra-luxury line’s collection of extraordinary South American voyages and why they should choose to experience it, with Regent.
Top 10 reasons to visit South America with Regent:
1. Unique 72-night circumnavigation
Experience ALL this stunning continent has to offer with their unique 72-night circumnavigation
2. Experience the heartbeat of major cities
Take advantage of their overnight calls to really feel the rhythm of several of the continent’s main cities and destinations, including: Cartagena (Columbia), Lima (Peru), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Fortaleza (Brazil) and Manaus (Amazon).
3. Long haul in style
Enjoy return BUSINESS CLASS flights and other exclusive benefits when you sail their 72-night circumnavigation.
4. Comprehensive range of itineraries
Select your South American sojourn from their collection of 12, 14, 22, 24 or 72-night port intensive voyages.
5. FREE and unlimited exploring
Choose from an unrivalled assortment of completely free and unlimited shore excursions. Learn to Tango, experience a penguin safari in the Puerto Madryn or go native with jungle trekking in Manaus. On Regent's 72-night circumnavigation you can choose from an unbelievable 176 completely free excursions!
6. Explore more with Regent's Adventures Ashore...
Their FREE 2 and 3-night overland, extended Adventures Ashore programmes to Iguazu Falls and Macchu Picchu offer the most exciting experiences and dramatic scenery available.
7. Refreshingly stress-free
Enjoy a 1-night luxury pre-cruise hotel stay on 2013 itineraries and embark Seven Seas Mariner refreshed and ready for your South American adventure.
8. Experience a cruise down the Amazon River
Experience life beyond the ordinary with Seven Seas Mariner as she sails down the Amazon River taking in: Indian settlements, equatorial vegetation, grass huts and a life of hunting and fishing unchanged since the time of early explorers.
9. Set your heart racing on Valentine’s Day in the hottest of cities
Fall in love with the amazingly seductive city of Buenos Aires when Seven Seas Mariner calls in on Valentine’s Day.
10. It’s ALL included...
Fares with the world’s most inclusive luxury cruise line include: FREE flights and transfers, FREE unlimited shore excursions on every voyage, ALL fine dining including speciality restaurants, ALL drinks at any time of day, ALL gratuities, ALL onboard activities and use of luxury amenities, in-suite dining and 24-hour room service, Butler service and iPad in Penthouse Suites and above.
An example of lead-in fares is as follows:
Seven Seas Mariner - 2012
26 Nov | 10 nights | Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires | £3,909 per person (G)
6 Dec | 10 nights | Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro | £5,389 per person (C)*
16 Dec | 22 nights | Rio de Janeiro to Miami | £7,081 per person (G)
Seven Seas Mariner - 2013
7 Jan | 72 nights | Miami to Miami | £27,379 per person(G
7 Jan | 14 nights | Miami to Lima | £6,509 per person (G)
21 Jan | 24 nights | Lima to Buenos Aires | £10,599 per person(G)
14 Feb | 12 nights | Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro | £6,399 per person (G)
26 Feb | 22 nights | Rio de Janeiro to Miami | £8,869 per person (G)
Don't forget your regular Cruise Club member's discount is also available IN ADDITION to these incredible savings. Bookings can be made by calling our Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Wednesday, 18th Apr 2012
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard D. Fain has been inducted into the prestigious British Travel and Hospitality Industry Hall of Fame.
The annual awards ceremony – which took place at London’s Savoy Hotel last night – was created in 1994 to recognise individuals who have made an ‘outstanding contribution’ to the travel and hospitality industries. Fain joins an exclusive list of past recipients, including low-cost airline pioneer Sir Freddie Laker, Sandals founder Butch Stewart, Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and Carlson chairwoman Marilyn Carlson Nelson.
Fain joined Royal Caribbean in 1979 as an outside director on the Board of Directors. He became the global cruise vacation company’s chairman and CEO in 1988. Under Fain’s leadership, the business has grown to become the world’s second largest cruise line operator, introducing the most innovative ships to the global leisure market. The Miami-based corporation is renowned for its pioneering approach to ship design and development, expansion into Asia and continued investment in onboard guest facilities and experiences.
Prior to joining Royal Caribbean, Fain spent 13 years as treasurer, chief financial officer and joint managing director of Gotaas-Larsen Shipping Corp., a London-based owner and operator of cargo ships.
Hall of Fame inductees are nominated by a committee of senior UK travel industry leaders and trade associations.
Monday, 16th Apr 2012
Visit Northern Europe’s most fascinating Baltic capitals and enjoy an authentic choc fest...
MSC Cruises without a doubt offer some of the most innovative and exciting theme cruises, and joining forces with Gerry Wilton, international chocolatier and founder of the world’s first 'chocolate themed hotel’, offering a voyage of discovery with a difference.
There’s no sign of Willy Wonka, but MSC Opera will transform into a chocolate factory as she departs Southampton on 13 May for a 11-day cruise, visiting IJmuiden, Tallinn, St Petersburg and Copenhagen before returning to Southampton.
During the four days MSC Opera is at sea, Gerry will host a series of mouthwatering, hour-long chocolate classes, one at 11am and one at 3pm.
However these are not your typical theory classes in which the teacher holds court, rather ‘hands on’ tutorials where the emphasis is very much on interactive fun.
Guests will learn all about the history of chocolate and the fascinating production process from bean to bar. They will taste samples from all over the world and even paint portraits of themselves - using scrummy white, dark and milk Belgian chocolate - which will then be framed for them to take away.
They will sample chocolate cocktails, learn how to make both molded chocolates and Belgian truffles and generally enjoy every calorie-laden minute!
Cruise prices start from just £559 per person, while all four chocolate lessons cost an incredible £30 per person all in. Please note that places will be limited to just 60 people per morning and afternoon course.
For more details call our Sale Team on 01246 819819.
Wednesday, 4th Apr 2012
Royal Caribbean Internationaltoday announced that Liberty of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas will be offering sailings throughout Europe in 2013.
The new deployment features 121 sailings on 25 itineraries. Added to the already announced Independence of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas’ deployment from Southampton, Royal Caribbean International’s 2013 Europe cruise offerings will feature five of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships, sailing to some of Europe’s must-see destinations.
“Royal Caribbean International is the perfect choice for couples and families to experience and share all the wonders, flavours and colours of Europe,” said Dominic Paul, Vice President & Group Managing Director for EMEA, Royal Caribbean International
“Liberty of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas already offer holidaymakers so many things that other operators do not, such as the DreamWorks Experience onboard Liberty of the Seas, or a real ice-skating rink featuring breath-taking shows onboard Navigator of the Seas and even self-levelling pool tables onboard Serenade of the Seas. In fact, Royal Caribbean International will be the only cruise line to feature Madagascar 3 in 3-D at sea in Europe this summer onboard Liberty of the Seas, making it a perfect option for families.”
As the only ship in Europe to offer the DreamWorks Experience, as well as featuring Madagascar 3 in 3-D, Liberty of the Seas will delight guests with onboard entertainment featuring the lovable characters from DreamWorks Animation’s popular films. Guests can also watch DreamWorks Animation’s films in 3-D in the ship’s onboard 3-D cinema. Shrek and Fiona, Alex the lion, Po the Dragon Warrior, and many more characters also join in daily to greet guests, offer photo opportunities and lead themed-activities for kids.
Holidaymakers can also choose a Royal Caribbean International Europe Cruisetour to experience the not-to-be-missed destinations that lie inland in Spain in Italy. Royal Caribbean Cruisetours combine a sailing onboard one of the cruise line’s ships with an escorted land tour itinerary. Guests can choose from a five-night Venice, Florence & Rome Cruisetour, which features tours of the must-see attractions in the three cities followed by a sailing onboard Navigator of the Seas, or a four-night Madrid & Barcelona Cruisetour, which is coupled with a sailing onboard Serenade of the Seas.
Europe cruises for these five ships are open for booking and additional sailings for this region will be announced later in April. Call Bolsover Cruise Club today on 01246 819819 for further details.
Tuesday, 3rd Apr 2012
To celebrate 20 years of delivering the most coveted luxury experiences to its guests, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is marking its 20th Anniversary this summer with a special collection of sailings in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Alaska and two special sailings with the line’s President. In honour of this two-decade milestone, the commemorative sailings, ranging from seven to 14 nights, are on each of the ultra-luxury line’s three all-suite ships and include an array of memorable surprises for guests including special fares, selected itineraries with free Business Class upgrades on any suite category booked, specially designed luggage tags and commemorative pins. A gala 20th Anniversary dinner will also be hosted on each voyage.
Guests on two special sailings will be joined by Regent Seven Seas Cruises President Mark Conroy, who holds the distinction of being the longest-standing president of any cruise line. At the helm of the line since 1992, Conroy will celebrate the occasion with guests aboard Seven Seas Mariner on the 10-night sailing from Rome to Istanbul departing 16 June and then again on the 14-night sailing from Lisbon to Venice departing 23 August. Guests can get to know Conroy personally at Town Hall forums and intimate cocktail receptions during the voyages. Guests will also receive an engraved crystal Tiffany plate, which will be showcased as part of an onboard display and sent to guests upon their return home.
“Twenty years is a long time to be with the same company, and I am so proud of our commitment to luxury, innovation, and enrichment in cruising,” said Conroy. “I can’t think of a better way to mark this milestone with Regent Seven Seas Cruises than to share it with our guests while exploring some of the most beautiful destinations in the world.”
As with all Regent Seven Seas Cruises sailings, guests enjoy unlimited and complimentary shore excursions in every port and, with their cruise fares being the most inclusive in the marketplace, they include: return flights and transfers gourmet dining without cover charges, open bar and onboard gratuities.
Click here to learn more about Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Wednesday, 28th Mar 2012
P&O Cruises New Loyalty Program commences 1 April 2012, replacing the current Portunas Club.
The new club, which will launch first onboard Ventura on April 1, has six tiers; Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Baltic and Ligurian, and significant new benefits.
Points from the previous loyalty program, which had three ‘tiers’ Ruby, Sapphire and Gold, will be automatically transferred to the new P&O Cruises Peninsular Club.
Entry into each of the new tiers requires a minimum number of nights to have been spent on board a P&O Cruises ship, plus at the highest levels, a degree of recency and frequency of cruising. As the number of nights you spend on board increases, so too does your tier status.
The tiers
For each night you spend on board a P&O Cruises ship, you'll be awarded 10 loyalty points applied at the end of your cruise. Once you have earned a minimum of 150 points you will automatically become a member of the P&O Cruises Peninsular Club.
The tiers are named after oceans and seas of the world, each of them cruised by ships from the P&O Cruises fleet. They are arranged in order of size (in accordance with The Times World Atlas) with the smallest sea in the scheme, the 'Ligurian Sea', being the name for the most exclusive tier.
The tiers are based on the number of nights spent on board which are then converted into points. The points required per tier are set as follows:
Pacific 150 - 500 points
Atlantic 501 - 1000 points
Mediterranean 1001 - 2000 points
Caribbean 2001 + points
The Baltic and Ligurian Tiers
In addition to the first four tiers there are two further levels exclusively for passengers who have accumulated 2501 points or more and have cruised frequently in the 3 years preceding the start of their next cruise.
Baltic 2501 points plus 80-200 nights spent on board in the 3 years preceding the start of your next cruise
Ligurian 2501 points plus 201 or more nights spent on board in the 3 years preceding the start of your next cruise
In order to keep membership of the Baltic and Ligurian tiers exclusive, membership is only ever granted on a 'cruise by cruise' basis. So when you become a member of one of these tiers, in order to remain so for your next cruise, you must have spent at least 80 or 201 nights on board over the three year period prior to that cruise. If you do not maintain this level of cruising you will resume Caribbean tier status and its associated benefits. Of course, membership to the Baltic or Ligurian tier will be reinstated as soon as you regain the specified number of nights on board.
P&O Cruises have also released details of their new 2013/14 programme which goes on sale from 21 April 2012 onwards. View the 2013/14 itineraries here. We are taking pre-registrations now on 01246 819819.
Monday, 26th Mar 2012
Viking River Cruises christened the first four of their brand new 190-passenger Longships on 21 March 2012, Viking Idun, Viking Odin, Viking Freya and Viking Njord. The celebrations took place in Amsterdam and was attended by over a thousand well wishers, all eager to see the beautiful new arrivals.
Each of the four Viking Longships was appointed a Godmother who represents a key pillar of Viking's heritage, Actress Joanna Lumley, Godmother to Viking Odin, represents inspiration, Rebecca Eaton, executive producer of Masterpiece and Downton Abbey is Godmother to Viking Freya, and represents culture and heritage, Lisa Randall, theoretical physicist, is Godmother to Viking Idun, and represents discovery, Gail Wiswedel, one of Viking's most travelled guests, is Godmother to Viking Njord, and represents journeying.
"As we celebrate our 15th anniversary in 2012, we're proud to say this is the biggest day in our company's history. The christening of four new Viking Longships is the first step toward an exciting new horizon in our future," said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking River Cruises. "By the end of 2013, we will have launched an unprecedented 12 new Viking Longships in two years, and today we are thrilled and honoured to have had such an eminent and sophisticated group of women helping us christen the first four of those vessels."
The christening of the four new Viking Longships represents the first time in modern history that four cruise ships have been christened at once, with Viking Odin and Viking Idun christened in Amsterdam and Viking Njord and Viking Freya christened via satellite from the Neptun shipyard in Germany.
You can now see a fascinating short film on the build of these remarkable ships, and a film on the preparations leading up to the historic launch. CLICK HERE to view the film.
Monday, 19th Mar 2012
Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises today announced the appointment of Ellen Bettridge as President of the Americas. She will head the company's Fort Lauderdale office.
Bettridge, whose appointment becomes effective 9th April, will join Silversea with an extensive background in the retail travel industry. Most recently, she served as vice president of the American Express U.S. Retail Travel Network. Over the course of her 20 years with American Express, she served as a travel counsellor, account development executive, field performance manager for the eastern region in corporate services, and director of account development in corporate services.
Bettridge, as President of the Americas, and Steve Odell, as President of Europe and Asia Pacific, will both report to Kenneth W. Watson, the company's chief operating officer.
Silversea believes the new structure will further strengthen its worldwide sales and marketing organisation.
About Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is recognised as an innovator in the luxury cruise line industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ship Silver Explorer, Silversea Cruises' itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, both polar regions and over 450 fascinating destinations in between.
Click here to read more about Silversea Cruises and view our latest offers.
Wednesday, 14th Mar 2012
Dining options onboard the Royal Princess have been revealed, ahead of the ship going on sale tomorrow.
Princess Cruises said an “array of stylish and exciting new dining features and innovations have been added”, including special design features in the main restaurants and some more relaxed, contemporary dining features.
New special features include a circular wine cellar where passengers can have a private dinner with up to 12 seats, and another first at sea is, The Chef’s Table Lumiere, a custom-made glass table, which is surrounded by a curtain of light.
The Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant combines with the Wheelhouse Bar to offer dining and entertaining in one location, while a grand wine display connects the famous Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria with the Vines Wine Bar.
Meanwhile, the Horizon Court buffet restaurant has been doubled in size with 900 seats. This includes “action stations” with specific cuisine options like Asian or Mediterranean, and a Hibachi grill, multiple rotisseries and carving stations, a taqueria, and made-to-order salad stations.
In a new development the ship will also feature a separate pastry shop featuring freshly-baked patries and deserts.
For further information on the new Royal Princess click here. We are taking advance registrations NOW!
Friday, 9th Mar 2012
One of Viking's all-time favourite river cruises, the Elegant Elbe, has just gone on sale for 2013 – at an all-time, ridiculously low price!
If you book before 30 June 2012, you'll get an amazing early booking discount of £1,000 per person! That means you could sail on this wonderful holiday in 2013 from just £995 per person.
History, culture, stunning landscapes – the Elegant Elbe has it all. From brilliant Berlin to picturesque Prague (with a hotel stay in each of these cities) there's no better way to see the best of Germany and Czech Republic, nor better value! You can also see an overview of the itinerary below:
Day 1 Berlin: Viking meet you at Berlin airport & take you to your hotel
Day 2 Potsdam: Transfer to ship via Potsdam; guided tour of rococo Sanssouci Palace or baroque New Palace Magdeburg – Board your ship & evening at leisure
Day 3 Dessau: Tour of Wörlitz Park & Gardens, a UNESCO site
Day 4 Wittenberg: Escorted walk featuring Martin Luther's house & Castle Church, a UNESCO site
Torgau – Walking tour & see Hartenfels Castle.
Day 5 Meissen: Porcelain factory tour & demonstration; guided city walk
Day 6 Dresden: Embark on a tour of Dresden, nicknamed 'Florence on the Elbe'
Day 7 Elbe River: Scenic cruising through Saxon Switzerland Bad Schandau – Bastei excursion with panoramic Elbe views
Day 8 Litoměřice: Guided tour through historic city centre & sampling of regional Bohemian beers
Day 9 Melnik: Leave your ship; transfer to Prague. Panoramic tour of Prague city, a UNESCO site;
Hradčany Castle tour, hotel check-in & evening at leisure
Day 10 Prague: We take you from your hotel to Prague airport for your return journey to the UK
We're now also taking 2013 bookings for river cruises; Douro, River of Gold and the Magnificent Mekong itinerary through Vietnam and Cambodia. Both of these itineraries also have a fantastic early booking discounts of £1,000 per person – but only until 31 March 2012, so don’t miss out.
Call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819 for further details.
Wednesday, 7th Mar 2012
As time nears on the highly anticipated new ship from Princess Cruises’, Royal Princess, the line is holding an unprecedented charity auction for a chance to secure a stateroom aboard the ship’s inaugural sailing on 16 June 2013. The auction, which opened on eBay on 2 March 2012, will enable one lucky bidder to become the very first passenger booked on the ship, while at the same time raising money to support worldwide charitable causes.
All proceeds from the eBay auction will go directly to the Princess Cruises Community Foundation charity, that supports causes around the globe.
The winning bidder will secure a coveted cruise for two on the maiden voyage – a seven-day, four-port Iberia sailing from Southampton to Barcelona with calls at Vigo, Lisbon, Gibraltar and Malaga. The lucky passengers will sail in a new class of accommodation debuting on Royal Princess, a deluxe balcony stateroom offering additional space, a sofa bed and enhanced amenities.
Bidding started at just $1, and the 10-day auction will close with the highest bid winning the cruise on March 12, 2012. Anyone with an eBay account, regardless of location, may bid on the cruise.
“We don’t open the books on Royal Princess until March 15, but we know many passengers are eager to reserve their stateroom,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “This auction will give someone the unique opportunity to be the very first passenger booked aboard the ship’s maiden voyage while at the same time supporting the worldwide charities that benefit from the work of the Princess Cruises Community Foundation.”
Learn more about the new Royal Princess here and pre-register now to secure your preferred itinerary and atateroom.
Monday, 5th Mar 2012
Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas has entered Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore to begin a month-long, $54 million refurbishment.
Rhapsody of the Seas, a 'Vision-class' ship, will receive new dining and entertainment venues as well as technological upgrades. The ship will also receive a bow-to-stern refresh to include; all furniture, carpet and upholstery and the renovation of all staterooms.
“Rhapsody of the Seas’ dry dock is part of Royal Caribbean’s commitment to continue to deliver the Royal Advantage to our guests,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “With our $300 million investment through 2014, no ship in our fleet will go untouched and our guests will have an unrivaled vacation experience no matter which destination in the world they visit or on what ship they sail on.”
When the enhancements are completed on March 28 2012, Rhapsody of the Seas will sail a 15-night voyage from Singapore to Sydney, Australia. From there, she will sail across the Pacific with a combination of cruises from Australia and Hawaii, before beginning her Alaska season in May 2012.
For further information on Rhapsody of the Seas cruises click here.
Thursday, 1st Mar 2012
Royal Caribbean Cruises has confirmed it will exercise its option to build a second Sunshine-class cruise ship to be delivered in the spring 2015.
The ship will be built by German shipbuilder Meyer Werft on substantially the same terms as the first Sunshine ship.
“This confirms our continued confidence in the success of this new generation of ships and our strong conviction about the Royal Caribbean International brand,” said Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive of Royal Caribbean Cruises.
Sunshine-class ships are the second largest in the Royal Caribbean fleet, behind Oasis class vessels. Royal Caribbean has its first Sunshine class ship scheduled for delivery in the fall of 2014.
Look our for further updates coming soon......!
Wednesday, 29th Feb 2012
Norwegian Cruise Line is introducing the hit game show “Deal or No Deal” to its fleet of Freestyle Cruising ships. The line has partnered with TimePlay, a world leader in multi-player interactive technology and content, to bring this highly interactive and fun game show to the high seas. The popular show challenges contestants to play and deal for prizes in a high-energy contest of nerves, instincts and raw intuition. “Deal or No Deal” is currently offered twice per cruise on all Norwegian ships (except Pride of America).
Based on the successful television format that has aired in more than 50 countries, the on-board rendition uses content from the show and allows everyone in the audience to participate in real time to win prizes, playing along with the randomly selected contestant who has the chance to win cash. True to the television series, players will be confronted with sealed briefcases full of varying prize values. Without knowing the prize value inside, the contestant has to decide whether to keep the case until it’s unsealed at the end of the game. The pressure mounts in each round and after a pre-determined number of cases are opened, the participant is tempted by the mysterious “Banker" to accept an offer in exchange for what might be contained in the contestant's chosen briefcase in which they will have to decide whether to make a deal or exclaim, “No deal!”
For a chance to beat the banker and win exciting prizes, guests participate as a randomly selected contestant or play along as an audience member for $19.95 per person. Audience prizes range from a seven-day cruise to cash and on board prizes. Guests should consult the ship’s Freestyle Daily once onboard for exact times and locations.
View our latest NCL deals here.
Wednesday, 29th Feb 2012
According to Celebrity Cruises, anyone who believes that cruise ship dining is driven by quantity over quality has not experienced its award-winning cuisine. The James Beard House in New York City has taken note of Celebrity’s culinary leadership, and as a result will feature cruise line chefs for the first time on April 5, 2012, when Celebrity’s master chefs Jacques Van Staden and John Suley will cook at the legendary venue.
The James Beard House is known for its events, including guest chef-led dinners, which aim to educate, inspire, entertain and foster an appreciation of cuisine among members as well as the general public, while benefiting the non-profit James Beard Foundation. Once the home of American culinary pioneer James Beard, who laid the groundwork for America’s gastronomic excellence, the James Beard House is today regarded as a culinary performance space.
“We selected Jacques and John to cook at the James Beard House because the culinary journey that they have created for guests on Celebrity truly is outstanding,” said Izabela Wojcik, director of house programming, The James Beard Foundation.
“We are honored that Celebrity Cruises is being recognized by an institution wholly committed to culinary excellence, education and exploration,” said Van Staden. “We want people to realize that the cuisine we’re serving on our ships is extraordinarily unique, creative, and modern, and it’s a large part of what makes the Celebrity vacation experience unique. What we offer has in many ways changed the dynamics of cruise ship dining, and there’s no better way to tell our story than by cooking at the James Beard House.”
Van Staden and Suley have shaped a six-course menu reflective not only of Celebrity’s modern, innovative cuisine, but also of their own ingenuity, technical prowess and globally influenced style, the cruise line said in a prepared statement. The menu for the April 5 dinner showcases the chefs’ adeptness at “merging a range of ingredients, spices, techniques and flavor profiles to create a brilliant progression of tastes, from light and clean to rich and dense.”
Celebrity’s in-house sommelier and beverage programming expert, Chanelle Duarte, developed the wine selections to complement each course. Selections were chosen not only for their texture, body and flavor, but also for their prestige and, in some cases, boutique nature – characteristics which align with Celebrity’s cuisine.
The April 5 dinner will begin with an array of six hors d’oeuvres and canapés, many of which are inspired by the chefs’ history of cooking together as well as other career experiences that have shaped their culinary style. An eggplant imam bayildi with chickpea fritters pays homage to the Middle Eastern-inspired meze in the popular “M’s Favorites” in Qsine, the Celebrity Cruises specialty restaurant that aims to awaken palates through a playful and whimsical approach to familiar and memorable dishes from around the world. Paired with this and the other hors d’oeuvres will be several California wine “stars” – a celebratory 2009 Etoile brut sparkling wine (produced by Moet & Chandon) and a 2007 Cakebread Cellars sauvignon blanc selected for its high acidity, which will drive guests’ palates to crave more flavors – flavors that will be delivered during the dinner. Another highlight of the hors d’oeuvres and canapé service will be the use of custom-designed serving vessels instead of traditional presentations. Highlighting the chefs’ creativity and expressiveness, this approach will not only complement the flavors and textures of the food, but also help tell the story by immersing guests in a fuller, multi-sensory experience.
The meal will begin with a light, clean hamachi tartare and carpaccio with blood orange-ginger espuma, pepquino salad and sakura cress, accompanied by Ichishmia sake. From there, each course will become progressively richer, culminating in a fifth course that will showcase the chefs’ passion and technical expertise alike. Their “lamb quattro” will include four cuts and preparations of lamb on a single plate: za'atar-crusted lamb loin; lamb ravioli; merguez sausage boolani; and lamb rib with morels, pea blini and lamb jus. The highly limited-production, Napa Valley-sourced Amuse Bouche, a twist on the classic Pomerol-style Bordeaux blend, will offer a classic food and wine pairing to round out the rich explosion of flavors guests will experience in this course.
The dinner marks the second time that Van Staden, Celebrity’s VP of Culinary Operations, has cooked at the James Beard House and the third time that Suley, Director of Culinary Operations, has done so, in roles held before they joined Celebrity. Duarte curated the wine selections for one of Suley’s previous James Beard House dinners.
Both chefs will be part of Celebrity’s Excite the Senses culinary-themed cruise sailing on the Celebrity Eclipse from Miami on March 24, 2012.
Experience the delights of Celebrity Cruises' cuisine aboard one of their stunning ships this year. Take a look at our latest Celebrity offers, some of which include FREE FLIGHTS and FREE On Board Spending Money!
Tuesday, 28th Feb 2012
Norwegian Cruise Line are introducing their signature Brazilian-style steakhouse on board additional ships.
Moderno Churrascaria debuted on board the Norwegian Epic, and was the first of its kind at sea. Due to positive guest reviews, Norwegian Cruise Line has took the step to offer this unique dining experience on eight of their freestyle cruising ships.
Moderno Churrascaria is currently available on board Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Pearl. Norwegian Gem will be outfitted with this unique restaurant in late February, followed by Norwegian Jewel in March and Norwegian Star in April of 2012.
Moderno Churrascaria offers guests a whole new experience in dining at sea. The Brazilian “Churrascaria” or steakhouse, boasts a delicious salad bar filled with appetizers, gourmet vegetables, soups, salads and more. The experience is not only delicious, it is also interactive, as guests are greeted by passadors serving a wide selection of beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausage at your tableside. The speciality restaurants can now be pre-booked and a cover charge of $20 per person applies.
Take a look at our latest NCL cruise deals here.
Friday, 24th Feb 2012
Bolsover Cruise Club are pleased to announce that we have been selected as finalists in not one...but three categories in the Agent Achievement Awards 2012.
The annual awards ceremony will be held at the Lancaster London Hotel on 26 March 2012. A black tie event that will attract some of the UK’s top performing agents to see who truly is the best of the best.
Bolsover Cruise Club are extremely pleased to be selected as finalists in the following Categories; Call Centre of the Year, Large Cruise Agent of the Year and Call Centre Manager of the Year, for our very own Sales Manager Michelle Newbutt.
Now celebrating its 16th year, the Agent Achievement Awards is the UK’s leading travel agent national awards programme. Created to recognise and honour excellence and achievement within retail and online travel agents throughout the UK.
This will be a great accolade for us should we bring home the trophies for any of these categories, as it will further solidify why we are the UK's No.1 Cruise Specialist.
Look out for further updates.
Friday, 24th Feb 2012
Royal Caribbean International have invested $300 million to ensure their cruise ships offer you the ultimate holiday experience of a lifetime, every time!
The latest ship of Royal Caribbean International's fleet to be transformed is Splendour of the Seas. Now offering you 'The Royal Advantage' the extensive enhancements include; 124 New balcony staterooms, an iPad in every stateroom, lots of great new dining spaces and options, as well as the new addition 'Diamond lounge' exclusively for Crown & Anchor guests.
By 2014 the entire fleet will be fitted with the new features just take a look at what they have in store by clicking here
Like what you see why not take a look at our Royal Caribbean collection...
Royal Caribbean collection...
Friday, 24th Feb 2012
We are pleased to announce that due to the phenomenal success of Celebrity Eclipse in the UK, the newly refurbished Celebrity Infinity will be operating out of Harwich with an appealing range of 10, 11 and 12-night Norwegian Fjords, British Isles and European wine harvest cruises from May 2013.
The announcement was made by Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises, when he visited London this week. In addition, Hanrahan confirmed that Celebrity Eclipse will continue to offer its popular programme out of Southampton in 2013 for its fourth consecutive summer season at the port.
"UK holidaymakers are incredibly supportive of Celebrity Cruises and this is demonstrated by Celebrity Eclipse achieving the highest customer satisfaction ratings of all our ships" says Hanrahan. "Our decision to base Celebrity Infinity in Harwich affirms our belief in the strength of the UK business and is in direct response to increased demand for more Celebrity Cruises holiday experiences."
Celebrity Infinity has recently Undergone a significant refurbishment as part of a $140-million, four-ship enhancement programme which is introducing the most popular and innovative features of its newest 'Solstice-class' vessels across the fleet. This includes new spa inspired Aqua Class accommodation paired with the exclusive healthy eating specialty restaurant Blu, an ice-topped Martini bar, an Italian coffee shop and gelateria Café al Bacio and the award-winning Qsine; the novel restaurant first introduced to Celebrity Eclipse to much acclaim.
Full details of Celebrity Cruises' 2013 summer deployment will be announced in early March, and the new Celebrity Infinity cruises from the UK will go on sale in mid-March this year.
For more information on Celebrity Cruises click here.
Thursday, 23rd Feb 2012
A select group of 175 'Ten Pound Poms' and friends remembered their life-changing voyage to Australia at a special event on board P&O Cruises Oriana in Sydney today.
To celebrate the 175th year of its heritage, P&O Cruises went on a search for the so-called Ten Pound Poms, asking them to tell their favourite stories about their journey to Australia as part of the post-World War II assisted migration program between 1947 and 1972 .
More than 1500 entries were submitted, with stories of couples who met and fell in love onboard their journey to Australia, those who migrated to escape ill health caused by the British climate and even one passenger who kept the key to his cabin after his voyage to Australia – and today gave it back.
The group of 175 winners and friends celebrated at a special lunch along with P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, who hosted the event and celebrity Godmother and Sydney resident, Darcey Bussell CBE.
Take a look at these pictures of the days celebrations...
Don't miss your chance to join the celebrations on the 3 July 2012 when for the first time ever all seven ships of the P&O Cruise fleet will be in Southampton - Hurry there is only limited availability on each of the sailings!
Thursday, 16th Feb 2012
Viking River Cruises have anounced their brand new Douro, River of Gold itinerary is NOW on sale for 2013! This fabulous new cruise sailing on their new ship, Viking Douro, will sell fast so be sure to give us a call now to secure your stateroom. Viking are currently offering a discount of £1,000 per person on every cabin category over the entire season with a lead-in price of £995 for December.
Imagine – a glorious holiday on Portugal's beautiful River Douro, with a two-night stay in Lisbon and a day trip to the medieval Spanish city of Salamanca. Take a few minutes to look at the itinerary below:
Day 1 Lisbon - Meet at Lisbon airport & take you to your hotel; free time
Day 2 Lisbon - Panoramic city tour featuring the Tower of Belém, Jerónimos Monastery, a UNESCO site; free time; optional fado dinner show
Day 3 Porto - Hotel check-out; scenic coach transfer via Coimbra; embark your ship; evening at leisure
Day 4 Porto - Tour of city centre, a UNESCO site; port wine tasting; afternoon free time or optional Guimarães excursion. Bitetos Dinner at Alpendurada Monastery
Day 5 Régua - Excursion to Lamego featuring the Sanctuary of Our Lady & its baroque staircase
- Pinhão Rejoin your ship; Portuguese folkloric music show
Day 6 Pinhão - Morning at leisure, perhaps visit the railway station with its spectacular azulejos tilework. Barca d'Alva Quinta do Seixo excursion & wine tasting
Day 7 Salamanca - Full-day excursion to Salamanca, a UNESCO site; guided city tour & lunch; afternoon free time. Vega de Terrón Evening at leisure
Day 8 Vega de Terrón - Castelo Rodrigo excursion; dinner & wine tasting at Quinta da Avessada in the Douro Wine District, a UNESCO site
Day 9 Régua - Excursion to Vila Real; guided tour of Mateus Palace & Gardens
Porto Evening at leisure
Day 10 Porto - Transfer from your ship to Porto airport for your return flight to the UK
If you'd like any more information, call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819, or to learn more about Viking River Cruises click here.
Wednesday, 15th Feb 2012
As a valued Cruise Club member, we're pleased to offer you a glimpse inside Princess Cruises newest ship in this Royal Princess® video tour.
Join Alan Buckelew, President and CEO of Princess Cruises, along with Rai Caluori, Executive Vice President of Fleet Operations, as they unveil the magnificent atrium of Royal Princess.
You'll get a glimpse of spectacular new venues such as the charming Italian-inspired gelateria and the trendy seafood bar, which overlooks the sweeping atrium and everything it has to offer.
Plus, the hosts will reveal the new, innovative ways Princess Cruises will be helping passengers escape completely.
Royal Princess' European Debut
Sailing their popular Grand Mediterranean itinerary from June through October 2013, Royal Princess will call in the the most incredible ports in the region.
Click here
to view the itineraries.
Royal Princess' maiden season goes on sale March 15, so pre-register with Bolsover Cruise Club now on 01246 819819 and start planning your next cruise on Royal Princess as she embarks on her maiden season!
Click here to view this unique video.
Monday, 13th Feb 2012
Braemar, which in previous years has been based in the Caribbean over the winter, will be based in Tenerife from January to March 2013. Braemar will depart from Southampton on 6th January 2013, on her repositioning cruise of seven nights before commencing exciting new itineraries to include the Canary Islands, West Africa and the Cape Verde Islands.
Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“This is a really exciting, innovative development for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. While we know that many of our regular cruise guests relish several days at sea, there are many would-be cruisers who are slightly younger and cannot take time for a leisurely voyage, or simply prefer to start enjoying their sun-seeking as soon as possible. The short and easy flight to Tenerife means that guests can start to enjoy their cruise holiday in the sun within hours. This is a great new product to help agents sell cruises to those who might otherwise take a traditional package holiday.”
Prices for the new fly-cruises start from as little as £599 per person, including exclusive charter flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Santa Cruz, Tenerife.
For more information call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Wednesday, 8th Feb 2012
Liverpool cruisers will be pleased to see the return of Fred Olsen's Boudicca to the city in Spring 2013. Fred Olsen have confirmed they will be offering 10 cruises from the cities Pier Head Cruise Terminal on a variety of worldwide itineraries.
Matt Grimes, Director of Planning for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“After a year’s absence, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is excited to be returning to Liverpool for the summer 2013 cruise season. Our loyal guests have asked us to do so and I am sure that they will be delighted that, once again, they will be able to enjoy a Fred. Olsen cruise without having a long journey to a south coast port to start their holiday.”
Boudicca will be offering a wide range of cruise itineraries from Liverpool in 2013, of varying durations – from a 12-night Canary Islands cruise in April 2013 to a four-night mini-cruise in August 2013
The coming months are sure to be an exciting time for Liverpool, applications to build a new secure baggage and customs facility will be made in the coming weeks and the buzz is sure to boost the cities trade with the opportunity for guests to enjoy the city pre/post cruise.
For further details of Boudicca's sailings call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Wednesday, 8th Feb 2012
For the second year in a row, Seabourn's luxury cruise ships have sailed to the top of the Conde Nast Travellers list. With five of the top seven spots in 'the worlds 100 best cruise ships' being taken by Seabourn. Once again Odyssey was the highest rated small cruise ship, with Seabourn Pride coming in second.
"These honours truly belong to Seabourn's hardworking crew," said Seabourn's president, Richard Meadows. "We're extremely proud of them, and we know that these rankings are a direct result of the exceptional way they care for our guests."
The list, that will be published in the magazine's February issue, outlines the scores of each ship in a variety of categories, including service, itineraries, food and dining, activities, design and layout, and more. Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Legend received the highest scores in three categories: 97.1 for cabins, 98.8 for food/dining and 93.5 for design/layout, respectively.
All six ships offer key elements that set Seabourn apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas; superb dining in a choice of venues; open bars throughout the ship; fine wines poured at lunch and dinner; the aforementioned award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel right at home on board.
This is a magnificent accolade for Seabourn.
If you're considering sailing aboard the yachts of Seabourn then take a look at their Signature Savings Event, offering up to $1000 on board credit per suite, complimentary hotel stays plus more for a limited time only.
Wednesday, 1st Feb 2012
There are now just 30 days to go until the newly upgraded Minerva arrives, and you can see Swan Hellenic's latest blog with all the most recent news from Minerva's upgrade.
With less than 100 cabins remaining, your last chance to sail aboard Minerva this spring is on 'Vintage Iberia and Italy' departing 16 March 2012 and 'Postcard from the Mediterranean' departing 29 March 2012. As well as £200 onboard credit per booking on Balcony Suites, you can now also experience additional inclusive excursions - worth up to £700 per person!
With Minerva's return fast approaching, and availability growing increasingly limited, we recommend booking now to take advantage of these exceptional offers - and be one of the first to sail aboard the newly upgraded Minerva!
Call Bolsover Cruise Club today on 01246 819819 and let us take care of your booking.
Tuesday, 31st Jan 2012
For the first time ever, in their homeport of Southampton, the three Cunard Queens will be together for a Royal Rendezvous to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee on 5 June 2012. In the evening, Cunard will light up the sky over their three ships with their own tribute to Her Majesty, before they set sail on the following cruises:
Queen Elizabeth - 14-night St Petersburg & Baltic Explorer voyage
Queen Victoria - 17-night Adriatic Explorer voyage
Queen Mary 2 - 5-night Summer voyage (Netherlands, Belgium & France).
Do you wish to be a part of the celebrations? Book now - there's is still availability! Call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819 to discuss availability and fares.
Monday, 30th Jan 2012
More than 1000 guests joined Travel Weekly on Wednesday 25 January 2012 at the Grovesnor House Hotel in London, for the annual 'Globe Travel Awards'. Presented by Travel Weekly Group editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley and comedian Jack Whitehall.
In an evening spent celebrating Britain and the Brish travel industry. With winners including; Best Mainstream Cruise Company: Royal Caribbean International, Best Premium Cruise Company: Celebrity Cruises, Best Specialist Cruise Company, Including River: Hurtigruten, Best Luxury Cruise Company: Silversea Cruises, Favourite Cruise Company: P&O Cruises.
The audience also enjoyed entertainment from X-factor star Mischa-B, beatbox champion Faith SFX and Heather Small, before celebrating long into the night to the sounds of Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson
Clive Jacobs, chairman of Travel Weekly Group, said: “The Globes continue to set the benchmark for industry events, and tonight’s show was a great celebration of our industry as we enter this Olympic year.
“Globe winners can truly claim to be the best in the industry, and tonight we have honoured some outstanding companies and individuals.”
Congratulations to all the winners. Looks like you had an amazing evening.
See the highlights here
Thursday, 26th Jan 2012
It is with regret that MSC Cruises announces that Antony Worrall Thompson will no longer be performing a series of culinary demonstrations on board MSC Splendida next month.
The company is however delighted to inform its guests that Michelin award winning chef Paul Rankin will be joining MSC Splendida in Barcelona on Sunday 5th February 2012. A series of appearances at sea on Monday 6th February will then see him showcase some of his best loved dishes – and a selection unique to MSC.
One of the UK’s most popular chefs, Paul Rankin won Northern Ireland’s first Michelin Star, whilst his trailblazing Cayenne in Belfast is among the country’s top restaurants. A regular on TV shows such as Ready Steady Cook and Ten Mile Menu and the writer of numerous best-selling books, Paul is also a passionate supporter of local produce, so much so that in 2002 he launched The Rankin Selection, a range of traditional foods now stocked in supermarkets throughout the UK.
Paul will be joining MSC Splendida on her 8 day, 7 night cruise departing 4th February 2012 (Genoa, Barcelona, Valletta, La Goulette (Tunisia), Civitavecchia (Rome), Marseille, Genoa).
For further information or to book an MSC cruise call Bolsover Cruise Club today on 01246 819819.
Tuesday, 24th Jan 2012
Below is a statement from Lord Sterling, the Chairman of Hebridean Island cruises, regarding the Hebridean Princess.
"I am delighted to announce that the Grant of a Royal Warrant of Appointment to the Queen has been approved and it is a great pleasure to inform you that Roger Allard will be the personal warrant holder. This is a wonderful compliment to the Ship’s company and all staff ashore. I think I am right in saying that this is the first time a Royal Warrant has been awarded to a shipping company and I am sure that all sister companies within the All Leisure Group will be proud to receive this news."
Royal Warrants of Appointment have been issued for centuries to those who supply goods or services to a royal court or certain royal passengers. Suppliers must have had a trading relationship with an individual in the family for at least five years before they can be considered for a warrant.
For further details of Hebridean Island Cruises click here.
Monday, 23rd Jan 2012
Silversea Cruises has tapped renowned wine experts Lyn Farmer and Richard Nurick to host a Wine Series enrichment programme on six voyages this year.
Farmer is a widely published wine and food writer and senior editor of The Wine News magazine, and has been honoured in the US with the James Beard Foundation Award for best writing on wine and spirits. He has judged international wine competitions and led tastings and tours to food and wine regions throughout the world.
Richard Nurick, a retired London wine merchant, is a distinguished wine judge and lecturer who has taught wine appreciation courses at Newbury and Henley colleges in the UK He is currently a full judge with the International Wine Challenge, a prestigious global competition open to all wines sold in Britain.
Steve Tucker, Silversea's vice president of field sales for North America, said: "Our Wine Series voyages are a great way for guests to broaden their understanding and appreciation for fine wines. We're delighted to have such acclaimed wine lecturers as Lyn Farmer and Richard Nurick on hand this year to conduct the wine presentations on these special voyages."
On each wine-themed cruise, discerning travellers with a passion for fine wines will enjoy sampling great vintages and learning about the tradition and art of winemaking in special tastings and lectures. Depending on the itinerary, guests may also have the chance to explore some of the world's most celebrated wine regions on optional guided shore excursions.
The following Wine Series voyages will be hosted by Lyn Farmer:
Voyage 3203: Silver Shadow departs Auckland 4 February on a 19-day sailing to Fremantle (Perth) with calls in Napier, Wellington, Picton, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Port Lincoln, and Albany.
Voyage 4210: Silver Whisper departs Monte Carlo 1 May on a 12-day sailing to Southampton with calls in Palma de Mallorca, Cadiz, Portimao, La Coruña, Bilbao, Bordeaux and Le Verdon.
Voyage 1220: Silver Cloud departs London 13 August on a 14-day sailing to Monte Carlo with calls in Saint-Malo, Bordeaux, Bilbao, Lisbon, Cadiz, Malaga and Sete.
Voyage 1232: Silver Cloud departs Buenos Aires 22 December on a 16-day sailing to Valparaiso (Santiago) with calls in Montevideo, Punta del Este, Puerto Madryn, Stanley (Falkland Islands), Punta Arenas, Laguna San Rafael, Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Montt.
And Richard Nurick will host the following:
Voyage 4220A: Silver Whisper departs Southampton 26 July on a 9-day sailing to Lisbon with calls in Bordeaux, St Jean de Luz, Bilbao, Gijon, La Coruña and Vigo.
Voyage 4220B: Silver Whisper departs Lisbon 4 August on a 9-day sailing to Southampton with calls in Oporto (Leixoes), Bilbao, Bordeaux, Saint-Malo and Honfleur.
Silver Savings apply to these cruises and is a capacity-controlled programme and subject to availability. Don't forget Cruise Club members will also receive their regular discount. For more details of theme-cruises or Silversea sailings, call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Friday, 20th Jan 2012
Travel Weekly Magazine sent their 'Mystery Shopper' out this week to find who was the 'best of the best' amongst four cruise call centres. Their enquiry was for a jazz-themed cruise with a specific budget in mind, and it was our Sales Consultant Leigh Thorne who won them over with a whopping 97% score!
Travel Weekly's scoring system is based on advice & product knowledge, customer service skills and overall experience. Mystery Shopper revealed it was due to Leigh's helpfulness, enthusiasm and willingness to go the extra mile that won her the top spot ahead of Thomas Cooks (29%), Reader Offers (71%) and Cruise.co.uk (78%).
We feel this is another glittering example of why we're officially the UK's No.1 Cruise Club!
Wednesday, 11th Jan 2012
After another successful and challenging year at Bolsover Cruise Club, staff members enjoyed the company’s annual Christmas party held at Hotel Van Dyk in Barlborough last weekend. After pre-dinner drinks and a delicious 3-course meal, Managing Director Michael Wilson brought the room to attention to announce the winners of the three esteemed staff awards.
Before he began, there was a surprise acknowledgement this year for the staff member whom had booked the highest value cabin, totalling a whopping £101,000, which was booked by Sale Consultant Amber Lynn-Harness. Amber was delighted to be rewarded with a bottle of Champagne courtesy of the Directors.
Next was the announcement of Non-Sales Person of the Year. The recipient of this award for an astonishing second year running, was Gail Anderson, Senior Sales Administrator. This award is particularly heartfelt as it was voted for by Gail's fellow colleagues, and she was once again proudly selected due to her friendly nature and exceptional desire to help people. Gail has been a crucial member of the Administration Team since joining Bolsover Cruise Club in 2008. Organising tickets, handling client queries and continually assisting the Sales Team all contributed to her winning this award.
The next award of the night was for the Most Improved Sales Person of the Year, which was deliberated by the Management Team and Directors. This was an incredibly tough decision to make as there were three very strong contenders, each of whom had joined the company in the last two years and shown remarkable progress. The runners-up Jessica Armitage and Poppy Outram were greeted with a round of applause, however the recipient of this award was Emily Mellard, Senior Sales Consultant, who joined Bolsover Cruise Club in 2010. Emily has a wealth of travel experience, including spending four years at sea with P&O Cruises. With the benefit of Bolsover Cruise Clubs' extensive training programme she has become one of the most capable members of staff in the company.
Michelle Newbutt, Reservations Manager, commented that “Emily is a fantastic attribute to Bolsover Cruise Club. She has used the intensive training she received effectively, combined with her enigmatic personality and personal travel experience to provide our clients with the outstanding service they have come to expect from us”.
The final award was for Sales Person of the Year, and went to Chloe Williams, Senior Sales Consultant. Like Gail, Chloe has now won this fantastic achievement for a second consecutive year, which was deliberated by the Management Team and Directors based on cumulative sales figures for 2011, along with her commitment to the company. After four years at Bolsover Cruise Club, Chloe has established herself as a key salesperson, offering exceptional customer service and even receiving letters of praise from clients.
Reservations Manager, Michelle was delighted Chloe had won the award yet again stating, “Chloe encompasses all that Bolsover Cruise Club stands for, her dedication to the company and customer service she offers is outstanding. Chloe is also a true team player and an inspirational member of staff”.
(Pictured above from top to bottom: Award-winners Chloe, Emily and Gail).
Monday, 9th Jan 2012
Royal Caribbean International's Splendour of the Seas has now completed its revitalisation, offering guests even more onboard.
The new dining options onboard Splendour of the Seas include:
The Asian ‘Izumi’ restaurant
Chops Grille, the signature steakhouse
The Boardwalk Dog House hotdog counter
The Park Café deli-style restaurant
A new a la carte menu in the Viking Crown Lounge
Guests will also find additional new amenities onboard Splendour of the Seas including:
124 new balcony staterooms
Royal Babies and Tots Nursery
A Diamond lounge
A Concierge Lounge
Upgraded technology including touch screens and an outdoor movie screen
Check out the stunning photographs on our facebook page
For further details of Splendour of the Seas sailings call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Monday, 9th Jan 2012
Sapphire Princess arrives today at the Victoria Shipyards drydock in British Columbia to begin a dramatic, four-week transformation. The drydock continues a multi-year fleet renovation process that has brought Princess Cruises' signature features to most of its ships.
When the ship re-enters service again on February 4, passengers will be able to enjoy a brand-new Piazza atrium with the International Café and Vines wine bar, plus the new Alfredo's Pizzeria. On the top decks, passengers will enjoy poolside movies on the new giant Movies Under the Stars screen, and an opportunity to relax in the ship's "pocket of tranquility," the adults-only Sanctuary.
"It's been an incredible process over the past few years to retrofit these popular features onto our earlier-introduced ships, but we know our passengers appreciate that they can now find their favorite amenities on virtually any vessel in our fleet," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.
The many changes to Sapphire Princess include:
New Piazza Atrium -- The ship's atrium space will be redesigned to include this signature Princess feature -- a European-inspired social hub of the ship combining always-changing quick bites and light meals, beverages, entertainment, shopping and guest services. The Piazza will feature the International Café for pastries, fresh panini sandwiches, salads, fresh-baked cookies and a variety of coffee drinks. Passengers will also enjoy a new Vines wine bar offering a selection of more than 30 wines by the glass, plus a selection of tapas and sushi, and a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle.
Alfredo's Pizzeria -- Introduced last year aboard Grand Princess, Alfredo's will expand to its second location on Sapphire Princess. The sit-down pizzeria serves up an enticing menu of freshly prepared, hand-stretched, individual-size pizzas. Named for the line's master executive chef, Alfredo Marzi, the pizzeria will feature an open kitchen where passengers can watch chefs create their custom-made pies.
Movies Under the Stars -- Sapphire Princess will be the final ship to introduce Movies Under the Stars on board. The giant poolside movie screen will showcase feature films, concerts, awards shows and sports events, and passengers can enjoy their viewing on padded loungers under warm, fleece blankets. Complimentary popcorn and other treats enhance the al fresco entertainment experience.
The Sanctuary -- Sapphire Princess is also the final ship to receive The Sanctuary, a tranquil retreat exclusively for adults. Added prior to drydock, the new Sanctuary space has already received an enthusiastic welcome from passengers enjoying the enhanced comforts of this peaceful oasis, as Serenity Stewards attend to their every need, offering refreshing beverages, light snacks, pre-loaded MP3 players, and the cooling mist of an Evian atomizer.
Also part of the renovation are several relocated and upgraded venues, including the Art Gallery, Internet Café and Library, and the Photo-Video Gallery. New carpet and upholstery will be installed throughout the ship, and staterooms will feature new flat-screen televisions.
The newly renovated Sapphire Princess will debut on February 4 in Los Angeles when the ship will depart on a 14-day Hawaiian Islands cruise.
For information about Sapphire Princess click here.
Wednesday, 4th Jan 2012
Cunard Line has announced it is to pay tribute to their regular passenger Sir Jimmy Savile by staging a sailing past his burial place in Scarborough.
The DJ, who died in October 2011 aged 84, cruised extensively aboard Cunard Line. His final voyage was on board Queen Elizabeth on her maiden voyage around Britain last September. The ship has been specially scheduled to sail past Scarborough on 1 August 2013.
Sir Jimmy was among celebrity guests during a naming ceremony in Southampton aboard Queen Elizabeth when the Queen officially named the vessel in October 2010.
A spokeswoman advised the ship would sound its whistle in respect to Sir Jimmy, who was "a true friend of Cunard". "He was marvellous on the ships, always speaking to anyone and everyone as he made his way round the decks," she said.
For further details of Cunard cruise deals call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Friday, 23rd Dec 2011
1947 was the peak of the post war baby boom and 2012 will see a record number of British people celebrate their 65th birthday. If you were one of these Baby Boomers, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines really don’t want to miss all these birthday parties, so they’d love you to celebrate on board one of their elegant ships. And if your 65th birthday falls during a 2012 cruise, they’ll give you all this to help you celebrate:
• £50 on board spending voucher
• Reprint of newspaper from your day of birth (subject to availability)
• Special champagne breakfast for two
• Complimentary pre-dinner cocktails for two
• All participants will also qualify to enter a prize draw – a chance to win 65 days’ worth of free cruising – which will be drawn in January 2013: that’s something else to look forward to.
So what are you waiting for? Call Bolsover Cruise Club today on 01246 819819 and celebrate your 65th birthday in style!
*Your Celebrate Sixty-Five package must be pre-booked at least 28 days prior to departure: and if you would like to bring along family and friends, ask about special group cruises prices and free places on your chosen cruise!
Tuesday, 20th Dec 2011
As the famous Strictly glitter ball turned for the last time this series on Saturday, fans can join the stars of the show next summer on two P&O Cruises holidays.
P&O Cruises will have top names from the highly-rated BBC programme on two Oriana cruises – a 12 night Canary Islands cruise on 28 May 2012 and a 14 night Norwegian Fjords cruise on 14 July 2012. Passengers can learn how to jive, foxtrot, rumba, quickstep and more from the professionals and join acerbic judge Craig Revel-Horwood for a night in the theatre.
As some of Strictly Come Dancing’s most loved professionals show off their award-winning routines, passengers will also be able to see a collection of the exquisitely intricate costumes worn by the celebrities and stars this series.
P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow said: “We are so excited to bring the magic of the Strictly ballroom to Oriana this summer. Our passengers will be able to learn with the professional dancers, watch extraordinary show dances and hear some of the secrets of this global phenomenon.”
Richard Halliwell, Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing With The Stars’ commercial brand director, said: “The Strictly brand is very well suited to an ocean cruise given the heady mixture of elegance, romance, high-class entertainment and exhilarating destinations. We’re very excited about this new adventure with P&O Cruises and I believe Craig Revel-Horwood has already packed his bags!”
Prices for Oriana’s X206 12 night Canary Islands cruise departing May 28 start at £1,349 per person. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call are Ponta Delgada, Horta, Madeira, Gran Canaria, Lisbon and Vigo.
Prices for Oriana’s X212 14 night Fjords cruise departing July 14 start at £1,599 per person. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call are Stavanger, Alesund, Trondheim, cruise in Trondheimsfjord, Ny Alesund, Tromso, Bergen, Eidfjord and cruise in Hardangerfjord.
Dancing with the Stars is one of BBC Worldwide’s flagship brands. Sold to over 75 countries worldwide, with 35 local versions produced, it is a global phenomenon which now holds the Guinness World Record for the Most Successful Reality TV Format of all time.
These cruises are expected to be extremely popular. For further details call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team now on 01246 819819.
Monday, 19th Dec 2011
Harwich International Port’s growing cruise business has received another major boost. Fred Olsen's Black Watch will be offering a further three cruises from the Essex port in May 2013; to the Baltic, Norway and Lapland, through the Gulf of Bothnia and mini-cruises scheduled to depart in June. With these cruises ranging in length from three to 14 nights they are sure to be a welcome addition to Black Watch’s programme.
Harwich International Port has developed over a number of years into one of the UK’s leading cruise ports. Matt Grimes director of planning for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said:
“Harwich International Port has long been on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ radar as a turnaround port following a series of successful transit calls in recent years.
Its direct rail connections from London – whereby guests alight right next to the cruise terminal – make this an extremely easy port to access”
This is sure to be the start of an exciting new chapter for both Fred Olsen Cruise Line and Harwich International Port. For Fred Olsen cruise deals departing from Harwich call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819 today.
Sunday, 18th Dec 2011
Royal Caribbean International has unveiled their new global branding campaign. The newest feature, a conch shell as a phone – dubbed the ‘Shellphone’ - communicates the campaign’s fabulous slogan: “The Sea is Calling. Answer it Royally.”
Set to hit the UK in 2012 with the airing of a series of television commercials showing everyday people interacting with the “Shellphone”.
Marketing senior vice president Betsy O’Rourke said:
“’The Sea is Calling’ is a global-scale campaign that will resonate with people no matter where they live, what language they speak, or whether or not they've cruised before.
“And we want vacationers everywhere to know that Royal Caribbean's distinctive and innovative ships, personal service and breadth of destination experiences is how we ‘Answer it Royally’.”
Consumers will be asked to “answer the call of the sea” by declaring where in the world they would like to cruise, to be entered into a sweepstake at www.facebook.com/royalcaribbean
For further information on Royal Caribbean cruises in 2012 call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Tuesday, 13th Dec 2011
For an incredible quarter of a century, Bolsover Cruise Club has led the way in the UK cruise market as pioneers in offering personalised customer service, a philosophy which has proven to be highly successful. This has resulted in us being awarded the title 'Top UK Independent Agent' for a staggering 25 years in succession for both P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises, an esteemed accolade no other UK cruise agent has come close to achieving.
Each year, Carnival UK holds a prestigious 'Cruise Awards' evening to celebrate the very best of the luxury cruising sector, and to recognise the efforts of all involved in making this sector a huge growth area in recent years. It was during this ceremony on 12 December 2011 aboard Queen Mary 2 in Southampton that an historic milestone in Bolsover Cruise Club's history was marked, as we received top honours from P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises for an outstanding 25th time.
Derek Wilson, Michael Wilson, and Michelle Newbutt represented the company on this landmark occasion and were extremely proud to be presented with the awards. On receiving the awards, Derek commented that, "When we look at where we've come from, such humble beginnings as a local travel agent which serviced the needs of the surrounding villages, to where we are today, it goes without saying that I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished. It's such a monumental achievement for the company and reaffirms our credentials as the No.1 Cruise Specialist."
Michael also commented, "To say we're delighted to retain this title for 25 years would be a huge understatement! These awards are tribute to all the hard working staff at Bolsover Cruise Club and we are incredibly proud of their effort in driving the company forward."
Also recognised at the awards ceremony was Derek Wilson who, along with his wife Audrey, son Michael and daughter Julie, founded the original company in the 1960's. Derek was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the Cruise Travel Industry in a career spanning nearly forty years. Celebrating his 76th birthday in a couple of days, Derek still works part time as a consultant, sharing his years of experience within the cruise industry with new members of staff.
Following the ceremony, David Dingle, CEO Carnival UK, commented, "I have worked with Bolsover Cruise Club since their inception in the early 80's and it has been a pleasure to watch their growth and success over the years. I am delighted that they have achieved this fantastic milestone. I was also thrilled that we were able to recognise Derek's unique contribution in this way."
We believe it's our firm roots as a family run business, with first-class customer service as our utmost priority, that has been our recipe for success for a quarter of a century. These awards have made us even more determined to lead the way in the future.
Friday, 25th Nov 2011
From the start of the European Season in 2012, P&O Cruises will be introducing a new scheme designed to remove the confusion over the age-old question of tipping.
P&O Cruises say: "We are proud of our reputation for excellent customer service, and our crew work extremely hard to deliver the high standards that you, our passengers, quite rightly expect of us. We are therefore keen to remove the confusion and occasional embarrassment you and your fellow passengers may have over how, how much and when to tip, especially for anyone new to cruising.
With this in mind, on all cruises from the start of the European Season in 2012, we will add the current recommended daily tipping rate of £3.10 per person to each passenger’s on board account. This rate is the same as the suggested rate that has been in place for several years and your tips are shared between the restaurant teams and cabin stewards.
We have had a similar arrangement in place for some time for those passengers dining in the Freedom Dining restaurants on board Oceana, Ventura and Azura. This practice works well both for our passengers, removing any awkwardness and confusion, and for our restaurant teams as they receive a fair and more consistent level of tips. This is why we have decided to extend the scheme to the restaurant teams and cabin stewards on all seven P&O Cruises ships from the start of our European cruises next year.
We understand that some passengers may consider it inappropriate for us to specify an exact amount to be left as a tip. We have done so to remove any confusion over what is considered a suitable tip and to remove the need for you to carry cash for this purpose. Should you choose to alter the amount that you wish to tip you can do so at any stage of your cruise through the Reception desk on board. However, should you wish to reward still further a specific individual for delivering exceptional service, you are of course welcome to do so."
P&O Cruises have written to all passengers who have a cruise booked on a 2012/2013 sailing to advise them of the changes. The new scheme is effective from the below cruises:
Ventura - N206 - 23 March 2012
Oceana - E204 - 21 March 2012
Azura - A207 - 30 March 2012
Adonia - D203 - 9 April 2012
Oriana - X202 - 10 April 2012
Aurora - R202 - 12 April 2012
Arcadia - J202 - 27 April 2012
If you have any further queries, do not hesitate to contact us on 01246 819819.
Friday, 18th Nov 2011
Celebrity Cruises today is celebrating a "delicious" array of honors in CruiseCritic's 2011 Editors' Picks Awards.
The fourth annual awards, rating cruise lines in 25 different categories, netted Celebrity four top honors -- more than any other cruise line in the competition, all supporting Celebrity's longtime culinary leadership.
Below are the categories in which Celebrity ranked #1, paired with CruiseCritic's rationale as to why....
Best for Dining: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity is the tapas bar of at-sea dining. Always innovative when it comes to onboard cuisine, the food-savvy line recently introduced yet another creative dining option on its new Celebrity Silhouette -- a combination cooking class-steakhouse. Fleetwide, the line excels when it comes to spa cuisine, French indulgence and high quality buffet and main dining room choices.
Best Alternative Restaurant: Celebrity's Qsine
With the whimsical Qsine, Celebrity puts the fun back in onboard dining. The restaurant focuses on comfort food with a twist -- think spring rolls served in actual springs and sushi lollipops -- all ordered off of iPad menus. The presentation -- and photo ops -- alone are worth the $40 per person surcharge.
Best for Healthy Cruising: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity’s focus on offering a wide range of healthy dishes in formal restaurants and more casual venues makes it easier to stay on a wellness track, even when faced with the usual cruise temptations.
Best for Wine Lovers: Celebrity Solstice-Class
Wine aficionados will find no shortage of sipping options on Celebrity's Solstice-class ships, which introduced Cellar Masters, a self-service wine bar that allows passengers to sample at will. Celebrity also offers a series of special food and wine sailings, which feature either a guest chef or wine maker, and a slew of special events. For the price conscious tippler, beverage packages, for which cruisers pay a flat daily fee entitling them to all the wine (and other drinks) in a certain price range, have been a huge hit.
For further information about Celebrity Cruises, or to order your copy of their latest brochure, call Bolsover Cruise Club today on 01246 819819.
Thursday, 3rd Nov 2011
P&O Cruises has doubled its ex-UK capacity next year from one ship to two as both Oceana and Oriana sail from Southampton throughout winter 2012/13 on cruises of two to 35 nights duration.
Oceana’s second year of winter cruising from Southampton includes, for the first time, two short cruises for Christmas and New Year. These cruises offer the chance to spend Boxing Day in Copenhagen or New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam, for some authentic festive celebrations whilst only being away for four or seven days.
Oriana will offer seven ex-UK cruises including a 10 night Baltic cruise in December calling in popular Christmas market destinations such as Copenhagen and Hamburg; and a 12 night Canary Islands cruise in late January to ports including Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Casablanca.
P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said:
“P&O Cruises already offers the greatest choice of ex-UK cruises and next winter will have 39 roundtrip cruises from Southampton from October to April. A growing number of people are keen to holiday in the winter, but don’t necessarily want to fly, so this additional range of cruises from Southampton will increase their options sill further. Convenience is a key booking factor for our passengers, with travelling to Southampton so easy – and then their holiday starts right away.”
This is in addition to the four winter world cruises from January to April 2012, from and to Southampton, including Azura’s maiden world cruise.
Tuesday, 1st Nov 2011
Cunard flagship to receive significant enhancements
Cunard Line has released details of the planned refit of the company's flagship Queen Mary 2, in preparation for her eighth birthday in January 2012. The major refurbishment and redesign includes new carpets, curtains, bedcovers and linens, and will make a voyage even more appealing on board the grandest ocean liner at sea.
Taking place at the Blohm & Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, from 24 November to 7 December, work will take place in all staterooms, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, the Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants, the Commodore Club, the Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar, Sir Samuel's and the Play Zone / Kids' Zone. The popular Golden Lion Pub will be completely redesigned.
Picture of the New Commodore Club Design
The noted Tillberg Design company, who were involved in Queen Mary 2's original design, have been engaged by Cunard to handle the new designs.
Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, says:
'Queen Mary 2' is an iconic leader in the world of luxury ocean travel and continues to receive high ratings by guests and the cruise industry. A ship that still turns heads everywhere she goes, she is unquestionably the pride of our fleet. We are committed to maintaining that impeccable reputation, and this significant refurbishment is an important investment on behalf of our guests."
The 14-day refit will require a team of thousands of workers replacing the equivalent of almost ten football fields of carpet and manufacturing about 18 miles of fabric into over 6,000 individual items.
Specific plans include:
•Staterooms All 1,310 staterooms aboard Queen Mary 2 will receive a fresh look with new carpeting, curtains, bedspreads and some will receive new furniture. The revised design will be in keeping with current designs but with an enhanced sense of comfort as can be experienced in luxury hotels around the world.
•Golden Lion Pub With its increasingly popular traditional British pub lunch menus, busy bar, exciting sports events and nightly music offerings, the Pub will benefit from a complete refurbishment and redesign to enhance its endearing appeal. The new design retains the British pub atmosphere and also evokes an American country club feel similar to the warm colours and plush seating in the same venues aboard sister ships Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Upgraded television screens will also be installed.
•Canyon Ranch SpaClub An extensive refurbishment of the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea will include the teak surrounds of the hydrotherapy pool and adjacent wet areas and a general upgrade of all the facilities. In addition, new exercise machines in the fitness centre and new and improved features in the Beauty Salon will be installed.
•Queens Grill and Princess Grill Restaurants A new, lighter carpet design for both of Queen Mary 2’s exclusive Grill restaurants, the finest at sea, will enhance the existing ambience.
Picture of the redesigned Queen's Grill
•Commodore Club One of the most popular public rooms on board, this lounge overlooking her bow will be refreshed with a new carpet design and additions to the white leather furnishings of chairs, sofas and bar stools.
•Veuve Clicquot Champagne Bar This venue featuring the exquisite Veuve Clicquot brand of champagne will see a new carpet and soft furnishing.
•Sir Samuel’s This busy venue, which features speciality coffees during the day and an impressive menu of wines at night, will receive new carpeting and furniture coverings.
•The Play Zone / Kids Zone These facilities for younger guests will undergo a complete refurbishment, including new soft play areas, plus upgrades to the very latest in electronic gaming technology and entertainment.
In addition to the refit, when Queen Mary 2 returns to service on 8 December, she will introduce several new on board features, details of which will be disclosed soon.
Queen Mary 2 was recently named the world's Top Large Resort Ship in the new 2012 Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising. By continuing to invest in both her technical and hotel areas and retaining her grand status with the largest ballroom at sea, the only planetarium at sea, the first Todd English Restaurant at sea and the largest library at sea, Cunard will ensure a consistently special voyage experience that will meet guests' expectations.
Call Bolsover Cruise Club for details of Queen Mary 2's cruise itineraries and fares on 01246 819819.
Monday, 24th Oct 2011
Cunard Line, one of the oldest names in shipping but with the youngest fleet at sea, is to offer its guests the opportunity to be married on board for the first time in its 171-year history.
Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, explains:
"Most of our competitors have been developing increasingly popular and lucrative Weddings at Sea programmes, and these are now very big business in the cruise industry. We receive a lot of enquiries about the possibility of being married on one of our ships particularly about weddings mid-Atlantic on board Queen Mary 2, which no other company can offer".
Cunard's 'Weddings at Sea' programme will begin after the World Voyages have been completed in Spring 2012 and will offer a number of packages on all three ships. A brochure detailing the programme will be issued in November, and the programme will go on sale in December 2011. Call our Sales Team today on 01246 819819 to register your interest.
Wednesday, 19th Oct 2011
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan yesterday announced that Norwegian Cruise Line’s new state-of-the-art 4,000 passenger ship, Norwegian Breakaway, will make New York City its year-round home port from May 2013 to March 31, 2015, with an inaugural season sailing to Bermuda. Norwegian Breakaway—which will be the largest ship ever to home port in the City—will replace Norwegian Star, and embark on a minimum of 88 cruises from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
“By making New York City home to its newest ship, Norwegian Cruise Line is further confirming our standing as a top cruise destination and a place that tourists from around the world want to visit,” said Mayor Bloomberg.
“New York is not only one of our top markets, but also my hometown,” said Norwegian Cruise Line Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sheehan.
“Therefore, I am thrilled to announce that New York will be the year-round home for our next generation Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Breakaway. In addition, we are offering an exciting inaugural summer itinerary cruising to the beautiful island of Bermuda, a much sought-after summer destination.”
In a first for Norwegian, it was also announced that America’s most popular living artist, pop icon and New Yorker, Peter Max, has been commissioned to paint the signature hull artwork for the ship, which is scheduled for delivery in April 2013.
“Since Norwegian Breakaway will be making her home in New York, we felt it was fitting to ask the artist best associated with New York, Mr. Peter Max, to paint the ship’s hull,” said Kevin Sheehan. “I am a huge fan of his work and know that the art he creates for Norwegian Breakaway will make the ship instantly recognisable.”
With paintings on display in hundreds of museums and galleries worldwide, Peter Max and his vibrant colours have become part of the fabric of contemporary culture. Max has been successively called a Pop Icon, Neo Fauvist, Abstract Expressionist and the United States’ "Painter Laureate." He has achieved his place in history having painted for various Heads of State, including six U.S. Presidents.
“I love painting large canvasses. I’ve painted a plane and a stage for Woodstock, but never a ship. I love ships and have travelled on them many times in my life. To see my artwork floating on Norwegian Breakaway out at sea will be a dream come true,” said Peter Max.
Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise line to homeport year-round in New York City beginning in 2003. Since then, the company has been committed to bringing its newest and largest ships to the Big Apple, with two ships calling in New York City since 2005. In 2013 alone, Norwegian Breakaway is expected to make 34 calls at Manhattan Cruise Terminal (MCT). In addition, Norwegian Gem will continue to call year-round at MCT, with an expected 47 calls, and Norwegian Star will make 15 calls in 2013 before being replaced.
Currently under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Breakaway will be 144,017 gross tons and is scheduled for delivery in April 2013. Following inaugural events, the ship will sail a series of 22 seven-day cruises from New York to Bermuda beginning May 12, 2013 through Oct 6, 2013. Departing on Sundays, the ship will spend three full days in Bermuda, along with three days at sea. Norwegian Breakaway’s New York to Bermuda cruises are scheduled to go on sale on October 17, 2011.
Norwegian Breakaway represents an opportunity for guests to “break away” from the routine of work, school, and daily stress, and find a true respite at sea. Norwegian Breakaway, and sister ship Norwegian Getaway (scheduled for delivery in April 2014), will take the best of the best from all of Norwegian’s existing ships, drawing on the line’s experience of having launched 10 ships in the past 10 years – starting with Norwegian Star and Sun in 2001 and culminating with the launch of Norwegian Epic in 2010.
For more information about NCL cruises contact Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Wednesday, 12th Oct 2011
Inspired by guest interest, Celebrity Constellation will be based in Southampton from September 2012 for a series of wine and food themed cruises. Joining sister ship Celebrity Eclipse for the first time, the seven food and wine themed sailings takes Celebrity Cruises UK fleet deployment to two ships. Open for booking from 14 October, Celebrity Cruises has also announced a number of overnight and extended stay to ensure guests can immerse themselves in this world-renowned region.
Throughout the 2012 harvest season, 7 September – 18 November 2012, Celebrity Constellation, which recently completed a $40 million renovation, will sail from the UK to some of the top-producing wine regions in France, Spain and Portugal. The new itineraries feature overnight stays in Le Havre (for Paris/Normandy) and Le Verdon (for Bordeaux), France, as well as Bilbao, Spain. Guests also have the opportunity to enjoy tours and tastings at some of the region’s most renowned wineries, experience grape harvesting for themselves and learn how Port is blended and aged.
Celebrity’s onboard experience will reflect the flair and flavour of the region too with partnerships with local wineries, including Rioja tastings, Champagne brunches, Bordeaux samplings, Port and food pairing dinners and more, including special events in the ship’s Cellar Masters bar. A seasonal wine package featuring special selections from the region also will be added to the onboard drinks packages available.
Dominic Paul, vice president and group managing director, UK, Ireland and Northern Europe, RCL Cruises Ltd, commented:
“ We are delighted to see the newly revitalised Celebrity Constellation return to the UK and join Celebrity Eclipse in Southampton. Our new wine and food itineraries are in response to customer demand and the overnight stay will really enable our guests to immerse themselves in the experience. There is no other cruise line that offers such an enormous breadth and depth of experiences in this highly rated region during harvest season”.
After departing from Southampton, Celebrity Constellation’s new wine-themed itineraries begin with three consecutive overnight stays: one each in Paris (Le Havre) and Bordeaux (Le Verdon), France, and Bilbao, Spain, and also feature visits to Vigo, Spain and Porto, Portugal. The sailings from Southampton depart on 7 and 19 September; 1, 13 and 25 October; and 6 and 18 November 2012. The ship’s 15-night transatlantic voyage from Europe to the U.S. will depart Southampton on 30 November 2012, with visits to Paris/Normandy (LeHavre), France; Lisbon, Portugal, and Tenerife, Canary Islands, ending in Miami, Florida.
These cruises are on sale from 14 October 2011. For further details and fares please call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Tuesday, 20th Sep 2011
Voyages of Discovery has added ports of call in the Cayman Islands, Brazil and Menorca among seven new destinations for 2012/13, the maiden season of MV Voyager.
Voyager will commence her maiden voyage in November 2012 with a Mediterranean itinerary before crossing to the Caribbean and Central and South America. The ship’s itineraries will include Natural Wonders of Latin America and A Portrait of the Amazon before it undergoes a three-month refurbishment, returning to service in spring 2013.
In winter 2012/13, the vessel will cruise down the Amazon River as part of a 147-day Grand Voyager No-fly Cruise. Another South America itinerary, the 96-day Grand Latin America Discovery, includes stops at Belize, Rio de Janeiro and Aruba.
Voyages of Discovery is part of the All Leisure Group alongside fellow cruise lines Swan Hellenic and Hebridean Island Cruises. For further information about Voyages of Discovery please call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Monday, 19th Sep 2011
We are delighted to announce that Swan Hellenics' small-ship, Minerva is set to undergo an extensive multi-million pound upgrade, which will take Swan Hellenic and Minerva into the next era.
Whilst sustaining the existing number of passengers and retaining their renowned country-house style ambience, the new specification will feature an increased number of balcony cabins, the creation of spacious new public areas and an upgrade of all 181 en suite passenger cabin facilities. In addition, the improved ship efficiency, manoeuvrability, comfort and environmental performance will greatly enhance your comfort on board.
These planned improvements are taking place from November 2011 to March 2012, with a new programme of cruises commencing in Spring 2012.
For further details of sailing aboard Minerva contact Bolsover Crusie Club's Sales Team on 01246 819819.
Monday, 5th Sep 2011
Last weekend, Bolsover Cruise Club attended a popular three-day annual outdoor Country Fair event located in the magnificent setting of Chatsworth Park in Bakewell, Derbyshire. We hosted a trade stand in order to meet visitors in person and offer information about who we are and what we do. We were accompanied by our preferred cruise partners, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Cunard Line, and our staff were on hand to offer information and advice on cruise holidays, as well as answering any questions and even making reservations.
The 1000 acre park is set in the magnificent landscape of Derbyshire’s Peak District National Park, and surrounds one of Britain’s best-loved historic houses and estates, Chatsworth House. Offering commanding views and inviting walks, Chatsworth also boasts spectacular gardens and fountains, animals, famous works of art, shopping, and sumptuous dining in the Fine Food Village. With it’s stunning location and myriad attractions, the Chatsworth Country Fair attracted large crowds from all over the country. Massed piped and military bands, demonstrations and parades, hot air balloons, parachuting and over 300 varied trade stands and rural crafts made this a memorable event with something for everyone.
The weekend was a success and we thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many new Cruise Club members there. We'd like to thank everybody who visted us and we look forward to hearing from you soon!
For further information about what we do and to discuss our latest cruise offers, call our friendly Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Thursday, 25th Aug 2011
Royal Caribbean International have recently announced their huge new campaign: Pack More Into Your Holiday.
The Pack More Into Your Holiday campaign is designed to highlight the incredible range of options offered on a Royal Caribbean International cruise. From the onboard experience—packed with bigger and better features than ever before—to the range of stunning destinations.
This amazing campaign offers you superb low fares and $100pp free on board credit* per stateroom on selected sailings of 6 nights or more visiting Europe, the Mediterranean and Dubai, plus don't forget you will also enjoy your additional Bolsover Cruise Club member's discount.
To get Travel Agents into the spirit of this promotion, Royal Caribbean have given staff the chance to become a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title holder for the 'Fastest Time to Pack a Suitcase'! Yesterday, a Royal Caribbean representitive visited our office and staff members were put to the test, battling for the 'Fastest Time to Pack a Suitcase'!. The winner was Sales Consultant Kimberley, who achieved the fastest time of 53 seconds. Unfortunately, this didnt beat the current record holder in our region, who acheived an incredible time of just 46 seconds!
To view the Pack More Into Your Holiday cruise offers, follow this link http://www.bolsovercruiseclub.co.uk/banner9-cruise-deals.phtml
Friday, 12th Aug 2011
Cunard has introduced a new four-night winter voyage on board Queen Mary 2, departing Southampton on 8 December 2011. With prices starting at just £599 per person including a free upgrade from inside to balcony stateroom*, the voyage’s star entertainment will be the four-tenor classical pop group, Blake.
Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, explains:
“We have been able to introduce this extra pre-Christmas sailing because Queen Mary 2’s planned refit in November can be completed in less time than we allowed. Passengers on this additional voyage will not only benefit from keen pricing and top quality entertainment, but they will also be the first to experience the totally refurbished Queen Mary 2!”
In the drydocking, all the cabins and most of the public rooms on the ship will be refurbished.
The itinerary for the Southampton roundtrip voyage features Le Havre (for Paris) and Zeebrugge (for Bruges), as well as a whole relaxing day at sea.
Blake launched their first album in 2007, and saw it go straight to number one in the UK Classical Album Chart. In 2008, the group secured a Brit Award for Album of the Year. They have subsequently sold over half a million albums.
Peter Shanks continues:
“This short voyage is an ideal way to experience Queen Mary 2 for the first time, and it will make an ideal Christmas break for those anxious to get into the festive mood”.
Don't forget, Bolsover Cruise Club members can also enjoy their regular members discount in addition to these great fares. Call our Reservations Team today on 01246 819819 to check availability and up-to-date fares.
*Free balcony upgrade is subject to availability and change. Please enquire for details.
Tuesday, 9th Aug 2011
Oxton seafarer, Captain Hamish Reid, retired from P&O Cruises on Sunday August 7, after an on board career of almost 40 years.
Captain Reid, who first joined P&O Cruises as a deck cadet in 1972, spent his final cruise at the helm of 1,800 passenger ship Oriana, where he has been Captain since May of this year, on a 16 night central Mediterranean cruise.
Reid who retires after 39 years of continuous service, worked his way up through the ranks from deck cadet, through third, second and first officer, chief officer and deputy captain before being promoted to Captain in July 2000.
Captain Reid, has served on board Oriana, Arcadia, Aurora, Oceana, Ventura, Artemis, Canberra, Grand Princess, Crown Princess, Golden Princess, Diamond Princess, Pacific Princess, Sun Princess, Regal Princess, Ocean Village II, Ocean Village I and Queen Victoria.
P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said: “Captain Hamish Reid has been an enormous asset to P&O Cruises. A firm favourite of passengers, he will be greatly missed by passengers and fellow crew members alike. We wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
Captain Reid, from Oxton, Berwickshire is retiring to the Scottish boarders with his wife Ann and daughter Grace.
About P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises can trace its roots back to 1837 and 2012 will mark the 175th anniversary of when the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company was 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 then has evolved into a popular holiday choice and now P&O Cruises carries more British cruisers than any other line. Today, as trusted cruise experts, P&O Cruises has a fleet of seven ships offering holidays tailored to British tastes combining genuine service, a sense of occasion and attention to detail, ensuring passengers have the holiday of a lifetime, every time. Azura was launched in April 2010 – officially named by Godmother Darcey Bussell CBE. Small ship Adonia was added to the fleet in May 2011, named by Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE, and a new 141,000 ton as yet unnamed ship will be added to the fleet in spring 2015.
For further information about P&O Cruises call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Monday, 18th Jul 2011
Picture this: An endless expanse of the sea behind a lush, green lawn from the vantage point of a luxurious, private cabana. That’s what awaits vacationers who book “The Alcoves” on Celebrity Cruises’ stylish new Celebrity Silhouette, and now, those bookings can be made online.
“This is yet another vivid illustration of our commitment to ensuring our guests can spend more time enjoying every moment of their vacation, versus planning what they’d like to do after they’re onboard,” said Celebrity’s Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo.
Eight chic, cabana-style settings comfortably accommodating two to four guests each, The Alcoves are designed to allow for relaxation and seclusion within a hip ambience, just steps away from the lively vibe of The Lawn Club. Within The Alcoves, guests can enjoy stunning views of the lawn and sea; ambient mood lighting for cozy, romantic evenings; complimentary amenities including a fresh fruit plate, hand-held fans, chilled towels, four bottles of water, and all-day use of an iPad loaded with a variety of music, movies, games and magazines. Additionally, fresh, themed picnic baskets with delectable selections from Celebrity’s speciality restaurants, as well as a la carte beverages, are available for an additional charge, and just a phone call away, via Celebrity Silhouette’s dedicated Alcove Attendant. Wine and cheese under the stars also can be arranged, along with special spa services, once onboard. Guests enjoying The Alcoves can even stay in touch with family and friends back home, if they choose, as the area is fully WiFi-equipped (fee applies).
The Alcoves can be booked online for full-day rentals, from 9 am to 9 pm, or even for the entire voyage. Rates are $99 per Alcove per day on days in port, and $149 per day on days at sea. To make a booking, visit www.celebritycruises.com. Special values are available for guests who book one of The Alcoves for several days or for the entire cruise.
Adjacent to The Alcoves, guests will find eight inviting hammocks and two whimsical, oversized Adirondack chairs, each offering complimentary, additional opportunities to relax amidst the atmosphere of the lawn and sea.
Celebrity Silhouette enters service 23 July 2011, enhancing guests’ precious vacation time with a host of industry-first venues and experiences within The Lawn Club. In addition to The Alcoves, those new experiences include the industry’s first interactive, outdoor grill, “The Lawn Club Grill,” where guests can select and grill their own meats side-by-side with Celebrity’s expert chefs, or have them cooked to order; Celebrity’s first Art Studio, with engaging courses led by professional artists; “The Porch,” a breezy, casual dining spot offering sandwiches, coffees and captivating views of the sea and the lush lawn; and, at the center of the ship, with views of the sweeping, glass-encased Grand Foyer and its signature ‘live’ tree suspended within a commissioned work of contemporary art, yet another entirely new venue, “The Hideaway,” an intimate, quiet space reminiscent of a childhood tree house.
Call Bolsover Cruise Club today on 01246 819819 and ask about our latest offers aboard new Celebrity Silhouette.
Monday, 4th Jul 2011
CELEBRITY CRUISES TO FIRE UP GUESTS’ CULINARY PASSION AT CRUISE INDUSTRY’S FIRST INTERACTIVE, OPEN-AIR GRILLING RESTAURANT
Celebrity Cruises’ award-winning culinary program is heating up this summer with the introduction of its newest ship, the 2,886-guest Celebrity Silhouette, which will feature the industry’s first interactive, open-air grilling restaurant. “The Lawn Club Grill.”
“People tend to associate grilling with the relaxing, carefree mood of summer – exactly what a Celebrity vacation is all about,” said Jacques Van Staden, Vice President, Culinary Operations. “What can be better than experiencing something that’s popular among so many cultures around the world, while relaxing near a lawn of growing grass, surrounded by an endless view of the sea?”
By combining a premium culinary experience with the sensation of relaxing on the top deck of a ship, surrounded by live grass and cool ocean breezes, Celebrity’s aim is to celebrate the passion people have for grilling, as they enjoy their precious vacation time.
The highlight of the dining experience at the 58-seat Lawn Club Grill will be the opportunity for guests to serve as their party’s “Grill Master,” by being paired with a Celebrity Cruises chef to assist in preparing the menu for their table over custom-built, ventilated grills. This unique, one-on-one interaction will give the Grill Master a one-of-a-kind, firsthand lesson in proper grilling techniques and other tricks of the grilling trade. All guests will have the opportunity to choose from a gourmet salad bar, a la carte “build your own” pizzas and more than 12 grilled specialties. “Grill Masters” who wish to demonstrate their grilling prowess – or learn a few tips by being paired with a chef – will receive a complimentary apron as a memento.
“Our guests consistently tell us that fresh, exciting culinary experiences are essential to their enjoyment of their vacation, and we are always looking for new ways to deliver that to them,” said Van Staden. “Just as we introduced the ‘uniquely unordinary’ experience of using iPad-based menus to design individual culinary journeys featuring dishes presented in unexpected ways in Qsine on Celebrity Eclipse, we are introducing customized, open-air grills to the cruise vacation dining experience.”
The Lawn Club Grill – now available for online, pre-cruise bookings for ticketed guests – will be open from 5-10 pm nightly and from 12-2 pm on one “sea day” during each cruise. A reservation fee of $30 per person is required.
The latest in Celebrity’s award-winning Solstice class of ships, Celebrity Silhouette will offer several additional industry-first venues and experiences within The Lawn Club. These include relaxing, private, wi-fi-equipped cabanas called “The Alcoves”; “The Porch,” a breezy, casual dining spot offering sandwiches, coffees and captivating views of the sea and the ship’s lush lawn, and “The Art Studio,” where vacationers can bring out their inner artist. The ship also will present another entirely new venue, “The Hideaway,” an intimate, quiet space reminiscent of a childhood tree house.
For more information on Celebrity Solstice class of ships, call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Thursday, 23rd Jun 2011
CELEBRITY CRUISES CELEBRATES SUMMER SOLSTICE WITH PLANS TO BRING “SOLSTICISING” FULL CIRCLE
In-demand ‘AquaClass’ accommodations, hip ‘Celebrity iLounge’ and imaginative ‘Qsine’ specialty restaurant are among a host of new additions.
In one of the most ambitious revitalisation plans in the history of the cruise industry, Celebrity Cruises will build on the highly successful “Solsticising” of Celebrity Constellation when it Solsticises Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Millennium in just five short months beginning this November.
“Solsticising” is the term Celebrity coined for its more than $120-million initiative to complement its Millennium Class quartet’s design and ambience with some of the most popular attributes found on its widely heralded Solstice Class ships.
Illustrative of its ongoing commitment to offer an unparalleled vacation experience, highlights of the Solsticising effort include the addition of AquaClass, Celebrity’s soothing, spa-inspired veranda-category accommodations, paired with the chic, Mediterranean-themed speciality restaurant, Blu, offered exclusively for AquaClass guests; the “uniquely unordinary” Qsine speciality restaurant, and the hip “Celebrity iLounge.”
“This is an incredibly exciting initiative for us – and more importantly, for our guests, as indicated by their response to our already-Solsticised Celebrity Constellation, whose ratings are consistently through the roof,” said Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. “The Millennium Class ships already have a large and loyal following, having repeatedly ranked at the top of many of the world’s most prestigious consumer surveys. Their style, design and ambience served as significant inspiration for the design of the Solstice Class, and now, we’re bringing it full circle – and in just two years’ time – incorporating on the entire Millennium Class what our guests enjoy most on the Solstice Class. It ties the whole fleet together in a very powerful way.”
One of the many Solstice Class features resonating powerfully with vacationers – and therefore being added to Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Millennium – is Celebrity’s trend-setting AquaClass, spectacularly designed to enhance that all-important feeling of truly being away. The modern, luxurious, spa-inspired staterooms include spacious, private verandas; exclusive access to the stylish specialty restaurant, Blu; complimentary access to the Persian Garden and Relaxation Room in the AquaSpa; a personal Spa Concierge to book exotic AquaSpa treatments; use of plush Frette bathrobes and slippers; enhanced personal care products, and plentiful in-room amenities, including Hansgrohe shower heads, fog-free bathroom mirrors, aromatherapy selections, and daily deliveries of complimentary bottled water and teas.
Another Celebrity exclusive – “Qsine,” the novel restaurant introduced on Celebrity Eclipse last year, and set to debut on Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Summit following each ship’s revitalisation in December 2011 and January 2012, respectively – will be presented on Celebrity Millennium, too. The first restaurant at sea to present a menu and wine list on an iPadTM, Qsine serves a blend of classic and contemporary dishes in custom-made serve-ware, such as spring rolls served in vertical springs, and popcorn shrimp in theatre-style popcorn boxes. Celebrity’s VP of Culinary Operations and Master Chef Jacques Van Staden, says the restaurant and menu were designed to take what guests expect of a speciality restaurant and “turn it upside down” in a captivating, entertaining and flavourful way.
Joining AquaClass, Blu and Qsine in the “Solsticising” of Celebrity Millennium will be:
*the hip Celebrity iLounge, which debuted on Celebrity Eclipse and made Celebrity Cruises the industry’s first Authorised Apple Reseller
*the “cool,” ice-topped Martini Bar and Crush
*Celebrity’s vibrant creperie, Bistro on Five
*the inviting Café al Bacio and Gelateria
*Cellarmasters wine bar, complete with the “Enomatic” state-of-the-art wine serving system
*entirely new verandas added to the ship’s spacious, luxurious Celebrity Suites
*additional new oceanview and inside staterooms
*an expanded collection of original, contemporary art
As previously announced, Celebrity Infinity will emerge from Solsticising December 3, 2011, followed by Celebrity Summit in January 2012, and now, the line has formalised the same plans for Celebrity Millennium from 21 April - 12 May 2012. Each will be Solsticised at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas.
Celebrity Cruises’ iconic “X” is the mark of the world’s top-rated premium cruise line, with spacious, stylish interiors; dining experiences elevated to an art form; personalised service, with a guest-to-staff ratio of nearly 2:1; unexpected, trend-setting onboard activities, all designed to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity sails to Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Bermuda, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, and year-round in the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity also offers immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. One of the fastest-growing major cruise lines, Celebrity’s fleet currently consists of nine ships, with two additional Solstice Class ships scheduled to join the fleet: Celebrity Silhouette in July 2011, and Celebrity Reflection in Fall 2012.
To enquire about Celebrity Cruises, call Bolsover Cruise Club now on 01246 819819 and ask about our Cruise club members' fares.
Tuesday, 7th Jun 2011
Senior Cruise Consultant, Diane Atkinson recently attended a presentation in Southampton for her huge achievement of bookings on P&O Cruises Azura, during her maiden season. Diane made the highest amount of bookings in the country, and her hard work and dedication was recognised with a presentation ceremony on board Azura.
Diane and her chosen guest, fellow Senior Cruise Consultant Yvonne Lowbridge had a tour of the brand new P&O Cruises head office in Southampton and were able to meet all the support staff they work with on a regular basis over the phones. They also had lunch on board Azura with P&O Cruises Managing Director, Carol Marlow. The Captain of Azura and celebrity Olly Smith also joined them for photo opportunities and the presentation itself.
Having not travelled aboard Azura previously, P&O Cruises Managing Director Carol Marlow was keen to know the secret of Diane's success. Reservations Manager, Michelle Newbutt, said "Diane is certainly a worthy recipient of such an impressive accolade, having worked extremely hard and with such dedication, as she has continued to do so since she joined Bolsover Cruise Club in 1997".
Diane was presented with a framed photograph and hand written card congratulating her on this achievement from Azura’s Godmother, Darcey Bussell. Speaking of the day, Diane stated “I feel very honoured to have received this acknowledgement and it was fantastic to see all the new offices over looking the quay in Southampton. It was also a pleasure to dine with Carol Marlow, someone who is so knowledgeable and influential in the cruise industry”.
Wednesday, 1st Jun 2011
THE LARGEST EVER CRUISE SHIP BUILT FOR BRITAIN WILL BE A “MODERN CLASSIC”
P&O Cruises today announced that it will expand its fleet with a 141,000-tonne cruise ship, built by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, scheduled to enter service in March 2015.
The as-yet-unnamed 3,611-passenger vessel will be the largest in the P&O Cruises fleet, as well as the largest cruise ship built specifically for the British market.
To be built at Fincantieri‟s Monfalcone yard, the all-in cost is approximately €155,000 per lower berth. Ushering in an exciting era for P&O Cruises, the ship will offer a stylish and innovative new design and an unprecedented number of passenger facilities, along with many of the brand‟s classic and iconic features. Specifications and new product innovations will be announced at a later date.
Commented Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc‟s chairman and CEO, “P&O Cruises is Britain‟s number one cruise operator, and is synonymous with high quality holidays that celebrate its rich British heritage. The UK continues to be a key growth market and innovative vessels such as this new P&O Cruises ship – targeted specifically to British clientele – underscore our commitment to leading the expansion of this important cruise region. With a progression of highly successful new ships introduced over the last 15 years, P&O Cruises is uniquely experienced in designing vessels to meet the specific needs and aspirations of British passengers. This newly ordered ship will underline P&O Cruises‟ position as Britain‟s favourite cruise line.”
P&O Cruises Managing Director Carol Marlow said, “This next-generation ship will deliver the ultimate P&O Cruises experience, with "sophisticated wows‟ and new features to attract thousands of newcomers to our brand, and equally to resonate with existing P&O Cruises passengers by giving them the "P&O-ness‟ they recognise and love. She will offer "the best of the best,‟ combining the favourite classic features of Oriana and Aurora, the choice and variety of Azura and Ventura, and a host of new ideas and concepts which together will deliver to our passengers the holiday of a lifetime, every time they travel with us.”
Thursday, 12th May 2011
With all the Royal excitement in the air Royal Caribbean International are thrilled to announce The Royal Giveaway, a chance to win a cruise every day with Royal Caribbean International.
And one lucky couple who found out just how easy it was to enter were Bolsover Cruise Club members Mr & Mrs Coe of Chesterfield, who bagged themselves a free second cruise after making another firm booking with us on 9 May 2011!
Here’s how it works
● From 8 May – 6 June 2011, every person who books a Royal Caribbean International cruise sailing in 2011 will have the chance to win a second cruise for two people, including flights, absolutely free. To enter, just register your details online the same day you book, and your name goes into the draw the following day. Royal Caribbean will be announcing each day’s lucky winner on Channel 5 between 5pm–5.15pm.
This is the first travel promotion of its kind on Channel 5, and they will be running TV spots each day so viewers can get a feel for what makes a Royal Caribbean International cruise so special.
Bolsover Cruise Club are delighted Mr & Mrs Coe were the lucky winners on 9 May 2011, and also well done to Rose, the Sales Consultant who booked Mr & Mrs Coe's original cruise and encouraged them to enter the competition. Royal Caribbean have awarded Rose with a very nice £50 M&S voucher!
Monday, 18th Apr 2011
Flagship Queen Mary 2 introduces 3-D films and new interactive Insights Programmes
As Cunard Line prepares to launch flagship Queen Mary 2’s seventh transatlantic season on 26 April 2011, the company announced on 15th April 2011 a new dimension in entertainment. New on board entertainment experiences include 3D films through a partnership with RealD, dynamic, interactive songwriting workshops, and RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) “street theatre” performances and writing workshops.
3-D Partnership with RealD
Starting on Transatlantic Crossings in early May, Queen Mary 2 will offer 3D films in association with RealD, the world’s most widely used digital 3D projection technology, presented in the ship’s stadium-style seating theatre, Illuminations.
Throughout June, the opera “Carmen” - a co-production of RealD and London’s Royal Opera House – will be featured, providing viewers the best seat in the house, taking them on a magic carpet ride into the heart of this famed opera - immersing them into this exciting story of love, jealousy and betrayal. CARMEN IN 3D is a dazzling film, filled with some of the best-loved music ever written - and performed by a world-class cast. With English subtitles throughout, it is the perfect event for life-long opera fans and first-timers alike.
In addition, forthcoming summer 3D blockbusters will be shown including Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
Professional Insights Songwriting Programme
Also new this year, professional songwriter and producer Chris Difford, formerly of the 1970’s British new wave band Squeeze, will conduct songwriting workshops with four other professional song-writers as part of the Professional Insights series.
With Difford’s songwriting programme, guests will be able to collaborate in small groups with guitarists, pianists, singers and bass players from Queen Mary 2’s performance company. The best songwriters then will have the opportunity to record their songs in a studio on board to take home. Difford and the songwriters also will be performing well-known Squeeze favourites during the voyage. Difford’s Professional Insights songwriting programme will be offered on the following voyages:
*10 -17 May (Southampton – NY)
*24 June - 1 July (Southampton – NY)
*15-22 August (Southampton – NY)
*20-27 Sept (Southampton – NY)
*27 Sept – 7 Oct (New England and Canadian Sojourn)
Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, says:
“Cunard’s guests have come to expect top-notch entertainment and enrichment programmes, and our new offerings will enhance their experience even more. Once again, the worlds of theatre, music and literature truly come alive on board, providing guests the combination of accessible world-class entertainment with the opportunity to tap into their own creative sides.”
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
The RADA graduate company continues to celebrate its longstanding relationship with Cunard with daily workshops and classic performances.
This year, RADA will go beyond the Royal Court Theatre to feature several new interactive offerings including dramatic re-enactments throughout the ship. These “street theatre” performances will be taken from such classic works as Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales and Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing:
The Pilgrim’s Journey: The actors will travel in costume around the ship in characters from The Canterbury Tales as they would travel to Canterbury; they will stop several times for a short scene / improvisation.
Much Ado Around the Ship: Two groups of actors will perform short scenes from the play around the ship.
A Bedtime Story: Taking place in the Grand Lobby, one of the RADA actors will sit in an armchair, surrounded by a small group of guests and read a bedtime story; requests can be taken for night 6.
The Canterbury Tales Performance, Royal Court Theatre: RADA will perform a different Canterbury Tale each month, performing the complete works over the course of two years. At the end of each performance, the audience will be encouraged to choose their favourite tale; the actors will then ask for short stories to be called The Cunard Tales to be written by members of the audience; these will then be workshopped and performed by the actors and participants in Workshop 3.
Also new for 2011, RADA appears in two of Queen Mary 2’s lounges, blending musical components with performances featuring poetry, piano and jazz including:
Jazz Poetry with the Mark Hodgson Trio, Chart Room: The actors will perform rhythmic, jazz and rap poetry accompanied by the trio.
Passion and Piano, Winter Garden: The actors will read passionate poetry and prose accompanied by the piano. They will also read chosen pieces and take requests from the audience.
For details of Queen Mary 2's sailings call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Friday, 15th Apr 2011
More than 12,800 Brits will be travelling with P&O Cruises on 29 April 2011, meaning the largest collective wedding celebration at sea.
The six ships will be cruising as far apart as the Panama Canal to Palma, the Atlantic to the Bay of Biscay.
On board each ship, passengers will receive a Royal Wedding invitation in their cabin and the wedding coverage will be broadcast in all possible areas on board, including the SeaScreen giant cinema screen by the pool on Azura.*
Great British sailaway or deck parties will take place throughout the day, with decorations and flags, and evening entertainment will include a Royal Gala Ball and a specially themed quiz. Films shown will have a royal theme, such as The Queen, The King’s Speech and The Princess Diaries for younger cruisers.
P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: “The Royal Wedding will have the nation gripped on April 29 and we would like people to celebrate in true P&O Cruises style. We create a sense of occasion better than anyone, and have made sure that the day will be a wonderful celebration for everyone on board.”
The P&O Cruises ships will be in the following locations on April 29:
• Arcadia – transit Panama Canal headed towards Puntarenas, Costa Rica
• Aurora – crossing the Atlantic from Barbados, next stop Madeira
• Azura – alongside in Palma
• Oceana – returning to Southampton from Gibraltar
• Ventura – alongside in Southampton
• Oriana – alongside in Palma
*Subject to satellite communications. One venue per ship will be kept ‘wedding free’ for any passengers not wishing to watch the ceremony.
Monday, 11th Apr 2011
Bolsover Cruise Club is proud to have successfully achieved our most spectacular P&O Cruises launch ever!
During the week commencing 2nd April 2011, P&O Cruises released their new 2012/13 programme for sale over a series of five days and our Sales Team worked extremely hard to ensure they secured bookings for our Cruise Club members as soon as they were released.
Wednesday 6th April 2011 proved to be a particularly spectacular day, as it included the public 'On Sale Day' of P&O Cruises' seven Grand Event Cruises, two of which were completely filled in a matter of hours! This resulted in a record breaking day for P&O Cruises with the most bookings ever produced on one single day....EVER! This exceeded their previous record, which was set on the occasion of Ventura's first day of sale on 2 April 2007.
Subsequently, this too became a record day for Bolsover Cruise Club, with an overwhelming demand for 2012 P&O Cruises from our regular and new members alike, we booked over 3000 passengers in one day. Our achievement on Wednesday was particularly impressive in light of the current economic situation, and we'd like thank our loyal members, many of whom tell us it's our excellent and personalised service which encourages them to return to us time and time again. Our Sales Consultants worked tirelessly to ensure all our members were booked on their preferred cruises and it's this dedication which has resulted in us becoming the most successful travel agent during P&O Cruises launch.
Friday, 25th Mar 2011
CELEBRITY CRUISES TO "GO BIG" IN SUMMER OF 2012 WITH LARGEST-EVER EUROPE LINEUP
· 19 distinct Mediterranean itineraries, new Venice homeport offerings,
first-time Iceland and Fjords sailings to expand Europe lineup
· Summer/early fall season to offer broad geographic appeal with
Europe, Transatlantic, Alaska, Bermuda, Canada/New England itineraries
Recognising that people’s vacation time is precious, Celebrity has shaped a 2012 Europe lineup that exemplifies the premium cruise brand’s focus on offering a multitude of ways for people to have the best vacation experience possible. Some extended overnight stays and eight new ports will add even more depth to Celebrity’s already broad Europe offerings; these include Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; Akureyri, Iceland; Bari, Catania, and Ravenna, Italy; Skijolden, Norway; Koper, Slovenia and Fuerteventura, Canary Islands. Travelers can enjoy these and the 62 other ports Celebrity will visit in Europe in 2012 in ultra-premium style, as Celebrity is deploying four of its award-winning Solstice Class ships to sail full Europe seasons in 2012. They will be joined by the recently “Solsticised” Celebrity Constellation.
The 2,886-guest Celebrity Silhouette, which will debut later this year, will be the first Celebrity ship to offer a variety of sailings from Venice, Italy. These will be a series of roundtrip, Venice-based cruises and open-jaw cruises between Venice and Rome, ranging from 11-13 nights in length, from May through mid-August of 2012. Sailing along the Adriatic Coast as well as in Greece and Turkey, these itineraries will be port-intensive, with only one or two “sea days” on each cruise. In mid-August, Celebrity Silhouette will offer eight Holy Land voyages roundtrip from Rome, ranging from 11-14 nights in length.
The 2,850-guest Celebrity Eclipse, which launched in 2010 and features the first “Celebrity iLounge” and unique specialty restaurant Qsine, will be based in Southampton, England for the summer of 2012. She will offer four unique 14-night itineraries in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia/Russia, Iceland/Fjords and Canary Islands/Azores. A brand-new expanded Baltic season will include cruises to Iceland and the Norwegian Fjords, with an overnight, in-port stay in Reykjavik, the world’s northernmost capital of a sovereign state and a hub of nightlife and shopping, and a full-day visit to Akureyri, the country’s second-largest urban area.
Celebrity Constellation, which was retrofitted with a series of Solstice-class venues last year, will offer a variety of cruises from Amsterdam, including seven Scandinavia/Russia cruises, one Arctic Circle cruise and one Norwegian Fjords cruise. Additional offerings on Celebrity Constellation will include three port-intensive, 12-night Greek Isles and Turkey cruises with only two sea days, and three 12-night Holy Land sailings that each feature three immersive days in Israel: a two-day overnight, in-port stay in Ashdod and Alexandria and a full-day call in Haifa.
Celebrity’s flagship Solstice Class vessel, Celebrity Solstice, and sister ship Celebrity Equinox will continue 2011’s itineraries, which are proving to be popular choices among premium vacationers. Celebrity Solstice will present two distinct choices of 12-night Mediterranean sailings roundtrip out of Barcelona, Spain: a an itinerary highlighted by an overnight, in-port stay in Venice, and an itinerary that will include calls at Mykonos, Santorini and Kusadasi. Celebrity Equinox will homeport in Rome (Civitavecchia), and perform 10- and 11-night cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean, visiting ports in Greece and Turkey. The 11-night itinerary will include an overnight, in-port stay in Istanbul, Turkey, allowing vacationers more opportunities to absorb the ancient city’s dual cultures and mystique.
Celebrity's Europe season will be bookended by transatlantic sailings that will transition the ships from Europe to their next destination; these cruises range from 13 to 15 nights in length and feature ports such as Barcelona, Lisbon, the Azores, the Canary Islands and Paris/Normandy (Le Havre).
Along with fantastic fares and your usual Cruise Club members discount, you'll also receive up to $200 per stateroom FREE on board credit*! Call Bolsover Cruise Club now on 01246 819819 to enquire.
Tuesday, 15th Mar 2011
As the first steel plate was cut today marking the official start of construction of Princess Cruises' next ship, the line unveiled the vessel's profile, released preliminary details about some of its features, and revealed its name -- Royal Princess.
This will be the third time the name Royal Princess has been given to a Princess ship.
Debuting in spring of 2013, the new 141,000-ton, 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is the first of two new-generation ships for Princess which are being built by Fincantieri at their Monfalcone, Italy shipyard. The prototype design is an evolution of the line's classic style of ships, while including some new features and expanded signature spaces.
A new design element revealed today is an over-water SeaWalkSM, a top-deck glass-bottomed enclosed walkway on the ship's starboard side extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel. From here passengers can enjoy dramatic views, including to the sea 128 feet below. On the ship's port side, passengers will find a similarly-unique cantilevered SeaView bar, featuring cocktails with unbeatable vistas.
Also on her top decks, Royal Princess will feature a new adults-only pool surrounded by seven plush private cabanas that appear to be floating on the water. Two additional pools will flank a tropical island that will offer pool seating by day, and by night will become an outdoor dance club, complete with a dazzling water and light show. Princess' signature adults-only haven, The Sanctuary, will be expanded both in size and amenities. The popular poolside theater, Movies Under the Stars, will play a starring role mid-ship with an expanded size and high-definition viewing.
"Princess passengers will easily recognise our next ship as a natural progression in our fleet," said Princess President and CEO Alan Buckelew. "We're taking the best features of our newest vessels that have been such customer pleasers, and taking them to the next level. Just as the original Royal Princess ushered in a new era for our company with its innovative design, we expect our new Royal Princess to do the same."
Inside the ship, one of the line's hallmark venues, the Piazza atrium, will be significantly expanded. This area will be the multi-faceted social hub of the vessel, combining always-changing quick bites and light meals, beverages, entertainment, shopping and guest services.
All outside staterooms on Royal Princess will have balconies, which means that 80 percent of the ship's staterooms will include this desirable feature.
Royal Princess will include 260,000 square feet of inside public space with multiple dining and entertainment venues, as well as other special features and amenities which will be revealed over the coming months.
For further information on Princess Cruises call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Department on 01246 819819
Wednesday, 2nd Mar 2011
CELEBRITY CRUISES TO TAKE SOLSTICE CLASS STYLE TO AUSTRALIA
Award-winning Celebrity Solstice to make Down Under debut
Get ready for some company, Sydney Opera House. Another thing of beauty will share Sydney Harbour when premium cruise brand Celebrity Cruises sends its award-winning Celebrity Solstice to Australia and New Zealand for the winter of 2012-13.
“Celebrity Solstice has satisfied guests around the world since we introduced her in 2008, and the obvious next step is to send her to Australia,” said Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “With this move, we are delivering another way for people to have the best vacation experience possible, in one of the most stunning geographic regions of the world.”
Australians will enjoy the return of the Celebrity Cruises brand to the region this coming winter with the deployment of the 1,814-guest Celebrity Century. Her subsequent replacement by the 2,850-guest Celebrity Solstice is a symbol of the premium cruise brand’s ever-expanding global presence and the popularity of the service, activities, cuisine, and stylish design exemplified on its Solstice Class ships, which are frequently rated as the best by consumer- and travel agent-focused publications around the globe. Recent accolades include the Solstice Class being named among “Best Cruise Ships” by Frommers.com and Celebrity being named “Best Premium Cruise Line” and “Best Cruise Line in Europe” by the readers of Travel Weekly.
“Travelers around the world value their vacation time, and we want to give them more opportunities to enjoy Celebrity’s signature attributes, including the first Lawn Club and Hot Glass show at sea, more spacious staterooms, our AquaClass staterooms geared toward the spa enthusiast lifestyle, multiple specialty restaurants, the Celebrity iLounge and state-of-the-art entertainment, in more places. The culture and way of life in Australia and New Zealand are an ideal backdrop for our Solstice Class style and the overall onboard experience.”
Celebrity Solstice will transition from a 2012 summer in the Mediterranean to Australia/New Zealand via the Suez Canal and through Southeast Asia before arriving in Sydney, Australia in early December. The repositioning sailings will include multiple overnights in ports including Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Cochin, India.
Upon arriving in Australia, Celebrity Solstice will present a series of 12- and 13-night open-jaw sailings between Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand. The season also will include a circumnavigation of Australia, consisting of two open-jaw sailings between Sydney and Perth (Fremantle). Many of the itineraries include overnight stays in Sydney.
Celebrity Solstice will continue a series of destination-immersive onboard activities that will debut during Celebrity Century’s upcoming Australia/New Zealand season; activities include local vineyard and wine shore excursions, onboard talks by local cultural entertainers and speakers, and destination-focused food and drink menus. Some activities will be complimentary.
Celebrity will continue to offer its popular Australia/New Zealand cruisetour program geared toward guests who wish to combine a land-based vacation with a cruise. Premium concierge-style service is the hallmark of Celebrity’s four- and five-night pre- and post-cruise escorted land tour packages in Australia, which will visit destinations including Port Douglas (Great Barrier Reef), Ayers Rock (Uluru) and Sydney. A six-night pre-cruise New Zealand package will visit Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown and Sydney. Highlights include a full-day tour over the Great Barrier Reef and a gourmet barbecue dinner under the outback sky in Ayers Rock. All of Celebrity’s cruisetours are escorted by local tour directors, and include hotel accommodations, transportation, select activities, breakfast and some additional meals.
Full details will be available on 23 March 2011, when bookings for Celebrity’s new 2012-13 Australia/New Zealand itineraries will open for sale. Bookings for the 1,814-guest Celebrity Century’s 2011-12 Australia/New Zealand cruises are open now. Call Bolsover Cruise on 01246 819819 for further details.
Wednesday, 23rd Feb 2011
Legendary singer to take centre stage at naming ceremony for Adonia
Britain’s greatest and best loved female performer, Dame Shirley Bassey DBE, is to be Godmother to Adonia, the latest addition to the P&O Cruises fleet.
Dame Shirley will name the stylish ship in a glittering ceremony in Southampton on Saturday 21 May 2011. Adonia is considerably smaller than the larger ships of today. Carrying just 710 passengers, the ship will be able to reach off the beaten track ports of call, yet is big enough to provide an extensive range of on board facilities. Exclusively for adults, Adonia will offer an atmosphere that is intimate and refined – and the on board excellence for which the company is renowned.
“I have had the most exciting career imaginable, but to be invited to be Godmother to a cruise ship is something very special and very personal,” said Dame Shirley.
“Dame Shirley is Britain’s most successful female artiste ever, a national treasure who defines the word ‘superstar’. We are Britain's favourite and most successful cruise line and can trace our British history back longer than any other line. It’s a perfect match and I am sure on our naming day she will need no excuse to “get the party started!“ said P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow.
During a career that has included 135 million record sales, Dame Shirley Bassey has had many incredible highlights, including being the only singer to record three James Bond movie theme songs & most recently releasing The Performance – an album which she describes simply as “The performance of my life” . Dame Shirley has received numerous awards and accolades including being named a DBE [Dame of the British Empire] in 1999.
“Adonia will be the jewel in the P&O Cruises crown and will celebrate all those things our regular passengers love about cruising with us – a classic dance floor, Crow’s Nest observation lounge, formal nights, classical music recitals, guest speakers, silver service dining and a dedicated card room. Loyal cruisers and those new to cruising alike will be charmed by the refined P&O Cruises experience Adonia will offer, and entertainment will form a vital part of that, so it is entirely fitting for Dame Shirley to give Adonia the best possible start to her life with P&O Cruises,” continued Carol Marlow.
Over 500 invited guests will witness the naming ceremony on Adonia’s top deck in Southampton Docks on Saturday, May 21, prior to the vessel’s maiden voyage the following day, a 16 night cruise to the Western Mediterranean, which includes calls to Alghero in Sardinia; Portofino in Italy; Sete in France; Port Mahon and Barcelona in Spain.
For details of Adonia's 2011/12 sailings and our special offers, call Bolsover Cruise Club now on 01246 819819.
(Photograph by Mary McCartney)
Tuesday, 22nd Feb 2011
Cunard’s newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, arrived in Sydney for the first time this morning, following her larger sister, Queen Mary 2, into Sydney Harbour in another historic meeting of the Cunard Queens. This morning’s visit marks the first time two Cunard liners had ever arrived together in Sydney Harbour. It also recalls an earlier meeting when the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth – both then World War II troop ships – passed each other at Sydney Heads on 9 April 1941.
Queen Elizabeth met Queen Mary 2 outside Sydney Heads before 5.30am before following her sister into the Harbour and berthing at the Overseas Passenger Terminal at around 7am. Both ships are midway through their world voyages, Queen Elizabeth having sailed from New Zealand while Queen Mary 2 arrived from Adelaide.
For further information about Cunard full world cruises and shorter world sectors, please call Bolsover Cruise Club now on 01246 819819. We have many special offers so call now!
Wednesday, 9th Feb 2011
Makeover Will Include Piazza Atrium, Tea Lounge, Pizzeria and Nightclub
The most significant transformation ever of a Princess Cruises ship will occur this spring aboard UK dedicated ship, Grand Princess. During a 24-day makeover the ship, which was the prototype for the line’s “Grand Class” vessels, will undergo a remarkable renovation to receive many of Princess’s trademark features introduced since the ship’s 1998 debut, including the signature Piazza atrium. Several new features will be also be added including a unique tea lounge and library called “Leaves”; and “Alfredo’s,” a full-service pizzeria showcasing this renowned Princess dish.
A brand new nightclub called One5, inspired by its deck location, will be created on the top deck of the ship, replacing its iconic Skywalker Nightclub, which has given the ship its distinctive profile. Skywalkers will be removed from its 18th deck perch, with its replacement located on deck 15. This change will significantly improve the operational performance of the ship, including greater fuel efficiency.
“This is the largest makeover we’ve ever undertaken for any of our ships,” said Pieter van der Schee, head of brand marketing Princess Cruises UK. “Grand Princess was the most innovative cruise ship when she was launched and is already very popular in Britain. With the latest innovations from her recent sister ships added she will be an even greater attraction for British cruisers looking for a pampering, relaxing holiday.”
The changes will be made during a drydock from April 11 to May 4 at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas ahead of Grand Princess’s return to Southampton for a programme of summer cruises. Highlights of the dramatic makeover include:
· Crown Grill – A classic steakhouse with rich wood surroundings, this specialty restaurant features an open, theatre-style kitchen where chefs custom-prepare premium aged beef and fresh seafood items, including live lobsters.
· Leaves Tea Lounge and Library – A fusion of tea lounge and library, the new Leaves offers a distinctive opportunity for passengers to custom-blend a variety of base teas with herbs, fruits and spices to create a personalised tea blend. Created in partnership with Mighty Leaf Tea Company, one of the world’s premier makers of artisan teas, Leaves will give passengers an impressive choice of up to 500 different tea blends to suit their palates. A trained tea sommelier will assist passengers in blending a personalized tea creation, which they can enjoy in the midst of the library and a good book.
· Alfredo’s Pizzeria – Known for serving the best pizza at sea, Princess will introduce Alfredo’s, a new sit-down pizzeria with an enticing menu of freshly-prepared individual-size pizzas. Named for the line’s master executive chef, Alfredo Marzi, the pizzeria will feature an open kitchen where passengers can watch chefs create the pizzas they’ll enjoy with a glass of wine or other beverage.
· One5 Lounge – The new One5 lounge will replace Skywalkers as the place to be for nighttime dancing and relaxing. The new lounge on deck 15 (hence its name) takes its inspiration from the chicest urban nightclubs, and will offer a cool vibe, contemporary seating and lighting, and a dramatic back-lit bar.
· Crown Grill – A classic steakhouse with rich wood surroundings, this specialty restaurant features an open, theatre-style kitchen where chefs custom-prepare premium aged beef and fresh seafood items, including live lobsters.
Also part of the renovation will be 10 new suites; remodelled casino, boutiques and art gallery; enhancements to the Horizon Court, Lotus Spa, and wedding chapel; and the addition of Crooner’s Martini Lounge.
The newly renovated Grand Princess will debut in Southampton on 21 May with new itineraries to offer more choice to past passengers, as well as a 3-night Weekend Sampler to offer new customers an opportunity to try out the brand. In addition to her popular 14-night Mediterranean cruises and 7-night short-breaks Grand Princess will sail two 17-night cruises from the UK to the central Med, including Venice, an 11-night cruise to the Canary Islands and Madeira, and a 14-night cruise to Norway and Spitsbergen
For details of Grand Princess sailings in 2011, including our Special Cruise Club departures, call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Department on 01246 819819.
Monday, 13th Dec 2010
170 YEARS ON, CUNARD APPOINTS FIRST LADY CAPTAIN
When Inger Klein Olsen assumed command of Cunard's Queen Victoria on Wednesday 1 December 2010, she made history by becoming the venerable shipping line's first female Captain. But her first task as Captain was simply to take the ship, without passengers, to drydock in Hamburg for its planned refit. Next Wednesday (15 December), though, she will be on the bridge as the ship sets sail with a full complement of passengers.
43-year-old Captain Olsen was born and brought up in the Faroe Islands, which goes some way to explaining her maritime abilities, and she joined Cunard in 1997 as First Officer on board Caronia. In 2001 she transferred to the Seabourn fleet - at that time part of Cunard. She sailed on Seabourn Sun and Seabourn Spirit before being promoted to rank of Staff Captain on Seabourn Pride in 2003.
Following some years with other companies within the Carnival group, Captain Olsen returned to Cunard in August this year as Deputy Captain of Queen Victoria.
Commenting on the new appointment, Cunard's President and Managing Director, Peter Shanks, says:
“While we are far from being the first shipping company to have a female Captain, it is nonetheless noteworthy when such a long-established British institution as Cunard makes a break with its captaincy tradition. But as Mark Twain drily observed, 'the folks at Cunard wouldn't appoint Noah himself as Captain until he had worked his way up through the ranks'. Inger has certainly done that, and we are delighted to welcome her as our first woman driver”.
Captain Olsen now lives in Denmark.
Bolsover Cruise Club has many Special Cunard Departures in 2011 with massive savings and free on board spending money of up to $3200 per couple*. Call our Reservations Team today on 01246 819819 for further details.
Wednesday, 1st Dec 2010
On Monday 29 November 2010, Derek Wilson, along with Director Julie Straw attended a prestigious annual awards ceremony, held on board P&O Cruises' Aurora in Southampton.
The much-coveted 'Carnival UK Cruise Awards' is a glamorous event held to to commend the most successful cruise travel agents in Britain. It was during this ceremony that Bolsover Cruise Club received top honours from P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises, retaining our unbeaten title as 'Top UK Independent Agent' for a staggering 24 years in succession.
Derek and Julie were extremely proud to receive the two awards, which were presented by P&O Cruises Managing Director Carol Marlow (pictured above with Captain Pembridge on board Aurora). Of the awards, Derek Wilson commented;
'We are delighted to have been recognised for our hard work and dedication again this year. Having won this highly regarded accolade annually since 1987 we believe our award-winning formula of first class customer service and value for money are what keeps our loyal Cruise Club members returning to us year after year.'
Thursday, 25th Nov 2010
Passengers on board any of the seven ships in the P&O Cruises fleet on Friday April 29, 2011 need not worry about missing out on the royal wedding as the ceremony from Westminster Abbey will be shown live on board.
Philip Price, head of brand marketing, said: "The whole nation will be gripped on April 29th as the Royal wedding takes place at Westminster Abbey. 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."
The ships in the P&O cruises fleet will be in the following locations on 29 April:
Arcadia - 2,000 passengers watching as they finish their transit of the Panama Canal and head towards Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Aurora - 1,800 passengers watching as they cross the Atlantic heading home from Barbados, next stop Madeira
Azura - 3,100 passengers watching on the giant SeaScreen by the pool, from Palma
Oceana - 2,000 passengers watching from the open sea en route to Southampton from Gibraltar
Ventura - 3,100 passengers watching from Southampton (turnaround day)
Oriana - 1,800 passengers watching from Palma
Up to three lucky couples can share their wedding day with the Royals, and be married by the ships Captain on board Aurora as they sail across the Atlantic from the Caribbean. The P&O Cruises Weddings at Sea programme provides an affordable and stress free way to get married and wedding certificates feature the nautical coordinates of their wedding location.
As Ventura is in her home port, Southampton, passengers sailing on this date will be able to join in with a special Royal sailaway party, with flag waving, champagne and a celebratory atmosphere.
For details of these cruises featured please call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Tuesday, 23rd Nov 2010
Guests on board Cunard’s three ships – Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth – on 29 April 2011, the day of the Royal Wedding, need have no fear of missing one second of the historic union of the future King and Kate Middleton.
Each of the three ships feature Royal Court Theatres - West End in style and West End in size – where the wedding ceremony will be broadcast live.
Queen Mary 2’s Royal Court Theatre seats over 1,000 guests, who will be able to watch events unfold in plush cinema comfort as the ship sails between New York and Southampton, on a seven-night transatlantic crossing (26 April – 2 May).
Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, says:
“If demand for seats exceeds supply we are able to use our Planetarium and lecture room, Illuminations, which seats a further 450 passengers”.
The Royal Court Theatres on the smaller Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria seat over 800 passengers, and they too will be used to screen the Royal nuptials live.
Peter Shanks continues:
“Cunard is a company with an enviable heritage and unparalleled links to the Royal family – our ships were named wither by Her Majesty The Queen or by her apparent successor, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. It follows then that our passengers are likely to have an above average interest in the pageantry of a Royal wedding. We intend to cater for that and ensure they do not miss one minute.
“Royal weddings don’t happen that often and with our impeccable Royal connections we intend to ensure that our red ensign ships lead the British merchant marine in marking this momentous day”.
At the time Queen Elizabeth will be at sea heading for Southampton, and Queen Victoria will be at sea in the Mediterranean.
The day will also be one of celebration on all ships, with that evening’s dinner featuring a commemorative menu and a champagne toast.
For further details of these cruises call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team today on 01246 819819.
Sunday, 21st Nov 2010
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new brochure of 52 specially selected, ex-UK cruises for 2011, offering exceptional value for money – The Captains’ Collection. All the featured cruises offer additional savings on the prices in Fred. Olsen’s second edition brochure, and selected cruises offer Double Savings. The special rates detailed in the Captains’ Collection are applicable on bookings made up to and including 28th February 2011 (subject to availability.)
The Captains’ Collection includes cruises on all four Fred. Olsen ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Black Watch and Boudicca. The selected cruises all sail from a variety of UK ports, and destinations include – Norway and the fjords, Greenland and Iceland, the Arctic and North Cape, Russia and the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the Adriatic, the Canary Islands and ‘Around Britain’.
The Captains’ Collection savings can be up to £400 per booking, and discounts vary, depending on the cabin grade and duration of the cruise. On a cruise of 16 nights or more, there are savings of £400 on a Suite, £300 on a Superior Outside Cabin, £250 on an Outside Cabin, and £200 on an Inside Cabin. These savings are all based on twin cabins; on a single cabin, the saving is between £100 and £200, depending on grade. Even on the shortest cruises – 2-3 night mini cruises – there are still savings from £40 - £100 per booking.
Examples of cruises offering double savings are:-
Braemar M1110 Iberia cruise of 14 nights, departing Dover on 14th May 2011. This cruise calls at Amsterdam, then the Spanish ports of Vigo, Motril, Alicante, Barcelona and the island of Ibiza, and finally Lisbon (Portugal), before returning to Dover,. The cruise offers Flagship Golf and has an ArtsClub theme of ‘Wine’. Prices start from £1,199 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. Flagship Golf is an optional package for golfers, charged at £375 per player.
Balmoral L1104 Baltic cruise of 14 nights, departing from Southampton on 13th May 2011. This cruise transits the Kiel Canal, then calls at Saaremaa in Estonia, the capital Tallinn, Finland’s capital, Helsinki, St Petersburg in Russia – for an overnight stay to explore this stunning city – then Copenhagen and Alborg (both Denmark), and returns to Southampton. Prices for this cruise start from £1,359 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. This cruise also offers Flagship Golf and has an ArtsClub theme of ‘Antiques’.
The Captains’ Collection brochure also gives details of a new coach service – PortLink – which collects guests from convenient pick-up points around the North East, North West and South West of England and South Wales, to take them to join their cruises in Dover, Southampton or Portsmouth. Full details of this new service appear in the second edition of the Fred. Olsen Cruises Worldwide 2011/1012 brochure.
Don't forget you'll also receive Your Cruise Club member's discount when you book with the UK's No.1 Cruise Specialist. Call Bolsover Cruise Club now on 01246 819819 and take advantage of our many benefits, including complimentary on board spending money and free transport options on selected departures!
Friday, 19th Nov 2010
To support Children in Need this year, staff at Bolsover Cruise Club held a 'fun day' in our office in an effort to raise as much money as possible for such a great appeal.
Friday 19 November saw staff making a donation for the privilege of wearing casual clothing, and they also took part in a series of fund-raising activities throughout the day, such as a Tombola, various 'Pudsey' competitions, and a rather delicious cake and bun sale.
There were some fantastic prizes up for grabs, which were kindly donated by staff themselves. Pictured left are 'Pudsey' competition winners Vikki (Senior Administrator), Grant (Sales Consultant), Sharon (Team Leader) and Angela (Senior Administrator).
Many clients who visited our Cruise Bureau on Friday were also keen to make a donation, and at the end of the day we'd raised a whopping £460! Managing Director Michael Wilson kindly offered to double the total amount raised, making a grand total of £920!
Well done to everyone for their efforts, particularly those who had organised the event, and we're delighted to have contributed towards projects supporting disadvantaged children and young people around the UK.
Tuesday, 16th Nov 2010
When Artemis leaves the fleet next May the number of holidays exclusively for adults available within the P&O Cruises programme will be effectively reduced as Adonia, her replacement, is a smaller ship. P&O Cruises therefore wish to add a third ship to offer this type of holiday. They feel they can do this as Azura, the most recent ship to be added to their fleet provides additional holidays for families.
P&O Cruises have seven ships in their fleet and after 30 November 2011 four will continue to welcome families (Aurora, Azura, Oceana and Ventura) and three, (Adonia, Arcadia and Oriana) will be exclusively for adults. P&O Cruises are totally committed to satisfying the holiday needs of both families and those travelling without children.
To enquire about P&O Cruises latest offers contact Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Wednesday, 20th Oct 2010
For an unprecedented 17th year, Crystal Cruises has been voted the “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” for 2010 by the influential readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine (U.S.). The ultra-luxury line holds the distinction of having won the award more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort in history.
“To win one Condé Nast Traveler award is truly gratifying. To win 17 times is a tribute to Crystal Cruises’ outstanding people, who consistently exceed our guests’ expectations with exceptional service and decidedly memorable Crystal experiences,” says Gregg Michel, president, Crystal Cruises.
Considered one of the highest honours in hospitality, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate the best-of-the-best hotels, airlines, cruise lines, cities, rental car companies and islands. More than 26,000 subscribers voted in the 2010 survey. Travellers evaluated cruise lines on their Activities/Facilities, Cabins, Crew/Service, Design/Layout, Food/Dining, Itineraries and Shore Excursions to determine the overall score. The full list of travel awards are published on the magazine’s website and in its November 2010 issue.
Attesting to the consistency of its luxury travel experience, in 2010, Crystal was voted the “World’s Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure (U.S.) for a 15th consecutive year, and “Favourite Cruise Line- Large Ship” by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller (U.K.), as well as top honors from trusted travel agent consortiums and travel trade publications.
To enquire about Crystal Cruises schedule of sailings, or for your copy of their brochure, call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Thursday, 23rd Sep 2010
Celebrity Cruises celebrates autumnal equinox by naming fifth ship in widely heralded Solstice Class fleet
In light of the images of sun and shadow conveyed in the names of Celebrity Cruises' stylish Solstice Class ships, the world's top-rated premium brand is marking autumnal equinox by announcing the name of the fifth in its 'Xceptional' series: Celebrity Reflection.
"Selecting the name of the fifth ship in the class led us to reflect back on the significant impact the Solstice Class has had on the cruise industry," said Celebrity's President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "Our Solstice Class ships offer the finest in premium cruising, with service provided by the best men and women in the hospitality business, as evidenced by the tremendous response from our guests, travel partners and the press, and a continuously expanding series of prestigious awards. There is no question that Celebrity Reflection will deliver an equally outstanding vacation experience for our guests."
Following delivery in November 2012, Celebrity Reflection will join Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Silhouette, rounding out the $3.7-billion class.
* The hip "Celebrity iLounge" that made Celebrity Cruises the industry's first Authorized Apple Reseller
* Uniquely unordinary "Qsine," the first seagoing restaurant to feature a menu and wine list on an iPad®, and an engaging food-as-theater dining experience
* Celebrity's iconic half-acre Lawn Club, with real, growing grass
* Ten unrivaled dining venues, including Qsine
* Modern, stylish interiors designed by some of the world's best architects and designers
* Hip, cool nightclubs and lounges, including CellarMasters, complete with the industry's first installation of the innovative Enomatic by-the-glass wine serving system
*One of the broadest and best wine offerings in the industry, served by one of the world's largest staffs of certified sommeliers
* One of the world's largest permanent collections of original contemporary art, and the industry's first self-guided art tours to be presented on an iPad®
* Widely varied entertainment, including breathtaking aerial acts
* The extensive array of entertaining and enriching onboard programming offered through "Celebrity Life," including instruction on the latest iPods®, MacBooks® and iLife® classes; language learning through Rosetta Stone®; comparative wine tastings with Riedel Crystal, and enrichment presentations with Smithsonian Journeys
For further informationon Celebrity Solstice class cruises, call Bolsover Cruise Club's Sales Team on 01246 819819.
Monday, 20th Sep 2010
In line with the Cunard tradition of commissioning appropriate sculpture or portraits for display on board each ship named by a member of the Royal Family, the company has commissioned an official portrait of The Queen for the new Queen Elizabeth, due to be named by Her Majesty next month.
This new official portrait will be unveiled by the artist today at a private event at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
The portrait, which shows The Queen in the Yellow Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, was painted by 31-year-old Lancashire-born Isobel Peachey. Although an accomplished award-winning portrait artist, she had never before been commissioned to paint a royal portrait. She says:
“At my interview with Cunard, I answered many questions about how I would approach an important commission – but it was only at the end of the interview that the subject was revealed as The Queen. This was both a shock and a marvellous surprise”.
Commenting on how the artist was chosen, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Peter Shanks, says:
“Apart from being impressed by the quality of Isobel’s work, which we originally saw on display in the National Portrait Gallery, we were keen to offer the commission to a young artist who had never before had such an opportunity. Isobel is, in fact, the youngest female artist ever to paint the monarch, and the quality of the finished work is such that our confidence has been greatly rewarded. It is a truly wonderful picture of Her Majesty. It is even more remarkable when you consider that, lacking a private studio, she executed this magnificent painting in her mum’s attic!”
The Queen granted three sittings for the portrait, a three-quarter length painting which shows her dressed in blue and wearing Queen Victoria’s collet necklace and earrings, which she also wore for her Coronation in 1953.
The Queen will see the finished portrait for the first time on 11 October when she visits Southampton to name the new liner Queen Elizabeth. The portrait will hang in a prominent position in the ship’s Grand Lobby.
To view the official portrait visit the News Room on Cunards website:
http://www.cunard.co.uk/About-Cunard/News-Room/
For further information abot Queen Elizabeth's sailings contact Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Wednesday, 1st Sep 2010
HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN TO NAME QUEEN ELIZABETH
Cunard Line is pleased to confirm that Her Majesty The Queen will name the company’s new Queen Elizabeth, the third Cunard ship to bear the name, at a ceremony to take place in Southampton on Monday 11 October 2010.
The naming will be a milestone in British maritime history and will be a major event of worldwide interest.
Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, comments:
“The naming of a Cunard Queen is a very special occasion and this will be an historic event in the true sense of the word. The Queen launched Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967 and named our current flagship, Queen Mary 2, in 2004. We are both honoured and proud that Her Majesty will name our new liner Queen Elizabeth.”
Her Majesty was also present at the age of 12 at the launch of the first Queen Elizabeth on 27 September 1938 when she accompanied her mother, Queen Elizabeth, to Clydebank for the launch.
The Naming Ceremony will take place in Southampton on Monday 11 October and the ship will set sail on her maiden voyage the following day.
For further information on Queen Elizabeth sailings please contact Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Thursday, 19th Aug 2010
Ever since Queen Mary entered service in 1936 Cunard’s Queens have been famous for offering the best on-board shopping featuring some of the finest luxury brands and gifts from around the world. The new Queen Elizabeth, which enters service in October 2010, will be no exception.
Queen Elizabeth’s ‘Royal Arcade’ will feature the first-ever sea-going branch of Fortnum & Mason. Since 1707 Fortnum & Mason has been the quintessential English store situated in the heart of London’s Piccadilly and issued with three Royal warrants. The branch on board Queen Elizabeth will offer unique foods, gift wear and award-winning hampers.
Shoppers on board Queen Elizabeth will also be able to purchase brands that have never before been available at sea. The new Cunarder will be the only ship in the world to feature the following luxury products:
• Hackett: Men’s Designer Clothing by Hackett of London, producers of the finest authentic and classic menswear – ‘The home of the essential British kit’.
• Harris Tweed: World-renowned for their genuine hand-woven Scottish woollen fabrics.
• Anya Hindmarch: English fashion accessories designer who always had a passion for bespoke details. Queen Elizabeth will feature the latest bespoke designs on board.
Queen Elizabeth will also offer:
• Chopard: For 150 years Chopard has offered watches and jewellery of exceptional quality, exclusively created to the highest standards in Geneva. To celebrate the launch of Queen Elizabeth the company has produced the ‘ Chopard Queen Elizabeth watch’ – a limited edition watch combining the dual branding of Chopard and Cunard and available at $18,000; both luxury and heritage brands.
• Penhaligons: Issued with two Royal warrants and made in England using the finest rare ingredients from bergamot to jasmine.
• Aspinal of London: Founded on the fundamental premise of offering their customers the most beautiful objects of unsurpassed quality and design for home and living. The signature collection on Queen Elizabeth will capture the Cunard luxury trademark.
To celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s introduction three brands have launched special items:
• Clogau: The jeweller to The Queen has produced a gold Queen Elizabeth limited edition pendant exclusively for Cunard.
• Rotary: A specially-commissioned ‘Queen Elizabeth watch’ will only available onboard the Queen Elizabeth.
• Halcyon Days: The company has commissioned a special pill box that links the heritage of the brand with luxury at sea.
A new ‘Cunard Signature Collection’ on board Queen Elizabeth will offer a premium logo collection ranging from travel accessories to designer clothing.
Cunard were the first to offer suit hire facilities at sea and Queen Elizabeth will continue this valuable service with Moss Bros Hire being available providing everything needed for elegant formal events with all lines available at high street prices.
Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, says:
“Decades of experience have told us that the on board shopping experience is important to our guests and Cunard has an unrivalled reputation for providing the finest shopping at sea. Queen Elizabeth will be no exception and I am very excited with the range that will be offered on board by quality world-famous brands that are a perfect fit with the Cunard brand”.
Queen Elizabeth will be the second largest Cunarder ever built and will join her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria as part of the youngest fleet in the world. She will feature many unique Cunard traditions linking her with her sisters and their predecessors, together with all the modern day luxuries Cunard’s passengers have come to expect. There will also be features that will give the vessel her own style and personality.
The first Queen Elizabeth was one of Cunard’s greatest ships, and the new Queen Elizabeth will reflect her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist.
From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at an experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship’s adherence to liner traditions, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, luxuriously endowed with rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, hand-woven carpets, gleaming chandeliers, and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilized era of travel.
Queen Elizabeth will depart on her Maiden Voyage on Tuesday 12 October 2010. This 13-night celebration will leave from the company’s home port, Southampton, and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal.
Call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819 for further details.
Monday, 12th Jul 2010
On Sunday 11th July 2010, a number of Bolsover Cruise Club staff joined 2500 women to walk, jog and run 5k to help Cancer Research smash their fundraising target of £116,000 for Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.
The Bolsover ladies endured sizzling temperatures as they ran around their hometown of Chesterfield, wearing bright pink t-shirts sponsored by Bolsover Cruise Club's Managing Director, Michael Wilson.
Sales Supervisor Wendy said of the event, ''It has been an extraordinary and very emotional day. The atmosphere has been fantastic and I'm extremely proud of us all for completing the course, some in just 37 minutes. We would like to give a big thank you to everyone who has sponsored us, as we've raised a massive £1500 so far.''
The ladies had a great day out and were overwhelmed with the support they received. They enjoyed a well-deserved cold pint at the end of the day whilst discussing who would be partaking at next years' event….
Monday, 14th Jun 2010
Cunard’s new Queen Elizabeth, scheduled to enter service in October 2010, will offer the most popular dining opportunities from her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria but will also introduce several exciting twists which reflect Cunard’s past and the company’s desire to appeal to a wider public.
Peter Shanks, President and Managing Director, says:
“In planning for the dining and bar options on board Queen Elizabeth, we looked for inspiration in venues Cunard has created during its 170-year history and took the best from those. With Queen Elizabeth, Cunard will be one of the oldest names in ocean travel but with the industry's youngest fleet, so it is natural for us to recognise our past while catering for the needs of today’s travellers.”
Whether guests are taking traditional afternoon tea, pre-dinner cocktails or a sumptuous meal they will enjoy them in venues that exhibit art deco overtones, rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, gleaming chandeliers and cool marbles, with service being in the tradition of Cunard Line.
Cunard’s Global Culinary Ambassador Jean-Marie Zimmermann, who is responsible for all things culinary on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, will continue in this role on Queen Elizabeth.
The Verandah
Render of The Verandah Restaurant on Queen Elizabeth
The Verandah Grills on board the original Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were perhaps the most exclusive dining rooms at sea, on a par with exclusive private clubs in London, New York and Paris. These Grills were available to first-class passengers who wanted a truly exclusive experience and the rooms would be frequented by royalty, film stars, the rich and the famous. In keeping with this tradition, The Verandah on the new Queen Elizabeth will offer an exquisite cuisine, contemporary design and impeccable service with menus created by Chef Zimmermann who has paid homage to his homeland’s fine French cuisine.
The Verandah is a light and elegant room with artwork inspired by the whimsical murals on the first two Queens, where vintage menus will tell the story of the dining experience on board the original Queen Elizabeth. It will be open for lunch and dinner for a small surcharge.
The dishes will evoke the personality and flavour of regions such as Périgord, Pyrenees, Alsace, Bresse and Burgundy and will include Monkfish and Rascas Fish Bouillabaisse, Magret Duck, Baked Brie de Meaux Brioche, and Hot Vanilla Soufflé infused with Edmond Briottet Peach Liqueur.
The Grills
Guests travelling in Queen Elizabeth’s suites will enjoy dining in the Queens Grill and Princess Grill restaurants which will be located on top of the ship (Deck 11), enclosed by graceful and gently curving panoramic glass walls on the seaboard sides, and cantilevered out over the side of the vessel above Deck 10. The Grills restaurants will offer single seating and A la carte menus, featuring classic dishes Cunard passengers have come to know well, together with new specialties.
The restaurants, although architecturally similar, will be decorated distinctly in an Art Deco fashion to create an individual feel in each dining room. Grills guests also will have exclusive use of their own private bar and lounge, conveniently located next to the Grills restaurants, complete with resident Concierge.
French-style doors will open from each Grills Restaurant onto the Courtyard, an exclusive patio area, where al fresco dining will be offered. Steps will lead up to the Grills Terrace, a secluded retreat that is on the ship’s uppermost deck, where Grills guests can enjoy luxurious sun beds and dedicated waiter service.
Britannia Restaurant
The main dining room, the Britannia Restaurant, is destined to be one of the most remarkable dining rooms at sea, spanning Decks 2 and 3 at the stern of the vessel. Art Deco decorative features create a dramatic backdrop for this two-tiered dining room that is sure to evoke memories of classic ocean liner restaurants. A sweeping staircase, ideal for making a grand entrance, and a backlit decorative ceiling are among the focal points. Breakfast and lunch will be open seating and guests have the option of either early or late sitting for dinner.
Britannia Club
Like Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth also will offer the Britannia Club, where guests travelling in AA category staterooms will enjoy single-seating dining at a time of their choosing. On Queen Elizabeth the Britannia Club is a separate dining room adorned a beautiful ceiling of backlit decorative glass panels, a sand-blasted decorative glass wall and panoramic windows for sea views.
New dining options in The Lido
Open 24 hours a day, The Lido on Deck 9 will be a light, spacious, casual area sea views. At night several new dining options will be offered:
Asado features South American cuisine and the traditional style of cooking on a grill. Guests may choose from a selection of dishes from the Rotisserie and Grill, such as Roasted Chimmichuri Chicken and Argentinean Lamb Chops with Pistachio.
Aztec will offer authentic regional Mexican cuisine exploring the variety of spices and ingredients which are native to the country. Guests can look forward to appetizing dishes such as Chile Relleno de Espinaca and Banana-Wrapped Snapper Veracruzana.
Jasmine offers Pan-Asian cuisine, drawing on influences from Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and China. Tantalizing dishes are inspired by the many flavours of the region, producing dishes that range from Aromatic Crispy Duck to Char Siew Pau.
These are available to all guests for a small surcharge of $10 per person. For those seeking a more informal dining option for dinner, a buffet station will remain open.
The Garden Lounge
Located on Deck 9 this palm-filled conservatory with a magnificent vaulted glass ceiling will, on select sea days, offer a Champagne afternoon tea service, featuring Veuve Clicquot Champagne, for a surcharge of $25 per person. Occasional evening ‘Supper Clubs’ will combine dining with dancing under the stars. Small plates of savories and sweets will be served while live musical entertainment is presented.
In addition guests will be able to enjoy pub food in the Golden Lion Pub, traditional afternoon tea in the Queens Room and a wide variety of bars will allow guests to select one that suits their mood.
For further information on Queen Elizabeth's sailings contact Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservatiosn Team on 01246 819819.
Thursday, 10th Jun 2010
During a beautiful sunset ceremony on the River Thames in London, The Yachts of Seabourn’s highly anticipated new Seabourn Sojourn was named by British supermodel Twiggy, who served as godmother to the new yacht. More than 700 guests and staff attended the naming ceremony and burst into applause as the bottle of champagne smashed.
Sojourn arrived into London in the early hours of Friday morning and began two days of celebrations. Guests at the Naming Ceremony on Friday were treated to the best of Seabourn’s epicurean delights at a deck party before Twiggy officially named the yacht at 1900hrs. Followed by a gala dinner and a sunset party where guests were entertained by electric string quartet, Siren, culminating in an epic firework display over the London skyline. On Saturday 5th June, Breast Cancer Haven hosted a charity fundraising event onboard Sojourn to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. Guests included the charity’s ambassador, Kimberley Walsh, BBC News Reader Sophie Raworth and actor, Julian Fellowes.
A number of Bolsover Cruise Club staff were kindly invited to spend the day aboard Seabourn Sojourn last weekend, which was a fantastic opportunity for them to experience first-hand the opulent decor and facilties on offer, which Sales Consultant Andy describes as ''American chic at its very best.''
If you would like to discuss cruises aboard Seabourn Sojourn call Bolsover Cruise Club's experienced Reservations Department on 01246 819819.
Thursday, 13th May 2010
The Yachts of Seabourn is delighted to announce that Twiggy is to be the Godmother of its newest yacht, Seabourn Sojourn, at a glamorous naming ceremony hosted on board on the River Thames Friday 4th June 2010. On Saturday 5th June, the Yachts of Seabourn has donated Seabourn Sojourn to Breast Cancer Haven as the venue for an exclusive fundraising gala event to celebrate the charity’s 10th anniversary.
Twiggy exploded onto the international modelling scene as a London teenager in 1966. She went on to define the term ‘supermodel’ and to become the icon of 1960s style worldwide. In the early 1970s she became an actress and singer winning two coveted Golden Globe Awards for her first film ‘The Boyfriend’. In the 1980s she took Broadway by storm in the Tony Award winning Gershwin musical ‘My One & Only’. More recently she has been a judge on America’s Next Top Model and fronted the phenomenally successful Marks & Spencer campaign. Along with this she designs her own clothing and bed linen line in the UK and has just launched her ‘Twiggy London’ collection in the USA on the Home Shopping Channel.
She is an ardent campaigner for animal welfare and breast cancer support. Twiggy’s renowned elegance and style perfectly complement the values of Seabourn, reflected in the gracious lines and sophistication of Seabourn Sojourn which she is delighted to be naming in her home town of London.
“I am incredibly excited that Seabourn has asked me to be Godmother to Seabourn Sojourn.” said Twiggy. “Her stylish interiors and sleek silhouette make her one of the most elegant yachts at sea. I am thrilled that Seabourn is combining their inaugural celebrations with Breast Cancer Haven’s 10 year anniversary – it really is a wonderful organization.’’
Pamela Conover, president and CEO of The Yachts of Seabourn commented, “Seabourn enjoys a truly international clientele and welcomes a significant number of new and repeat British guests on nearly every sailing. As such, it is entirely appropriate that we should choose London to introduce our beautiful new vessel to the world. We are all very much looking forward to welcoming Twiggy on board Seabourn Sojourn on 4th June. She is the perfect choice to name our beautiful new yacht in London. ‘’
Following an early morning transit of the River Thames, Sojourn will position mid-river at Greenwich for two days of inaugural celebrations, and will sail from there on its maiden voyage on Sunday 6th June.
Seabourn Sojourn is the second of the three new, ultra-luxurious vessels to be launched by the Yachts of Seabourn in a three-year period. The first, Seabourn Odyssey, launched in 2009, has already been hailed as a “game-changer” in the luxury cruise segment. Seabourn Sojourn departs on its Maiden Voyage from Greenwich on 6th June 2010. Destinations on the 14-night ‘Northern Star Sojourn’ cruise include Scotland, Denmark, Iceland, the Norwegian Sea, Norway and the Netherlands. The voyage ends on 20th June in Dover.
Seabourn Sojourn will sail a series of 12- to 14-day voyages of Scandinavia, Russia and the Baltic throughout the summer season of 2010. Fares start from £ 2499* per person. All fares are based on double occupancy and are fully inclusive, including all tips and gratuities, fine-dining, open bar and fully stocked mini-bar. Many cruises inclusive of flights and transfers.
When you book with Bolsover Cruise Club you'll also receive an additional Cruise Club members discount so call us now to discuss your requirements on 01246 819819.
(*Fare inclusive of flights and transfers – 15 September 2010, Copenhagen/Dover, excludes Bolsover Cruise Club discount)
(Twiggy photograph by www.brianaris.com)
Wednesday, 5th May 2010
Princess Cruises has announced that contracts to build two 3,600-passenger ships have been finalised with Italy's Fincantieri shipyard. The new ships - which each will have an all-in cost of approximately €155,000 per lower berth - are scheduled to enter service in spring 2013 and spring 2014. At an estimated 141,000 tons, the as-yet-unnamed ships will be the largest in the Princess Cruises fleet.
The ships' design will be evolutionary, in keeping with the themes of the line's newest vessels, but with some new features and innovations. For example, all outside cabins will feature balconies, bringing the percentage of balconies on the ships to 80 percent of all staterooms.
The company's signature Piazza - the ship's central atrium featuring dining, entertainment and retail - will be expanded, as will the popular Sanctuary, spa, and restaurants.
"We're pleased that in this challenging economic environment, the order for these new ships is a testament to the confidence in the growth potential of the Princess brand," said Alan Buckelew, president and CEO of Princess Cruises. "These new ships will include the features from our newest ships that have been so well received, and take them to the next level," he added.
Giuseppe Bono, chief executive officer of Fincantieri, said, "We are grateful for this vote of confidence in Fincantieri. We are proud to have met the requirements of Princess Cruises, one of Carnival's most prestigious brands, with an innovative design both from a technical and architectural point of view."
Specific amenities and design elements for the new ships will be revealed over the coming months. For further information about Princess Cruises and our latest offers call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Department on 01246 819819.
Wednesday, 5th May 2010
The Yachts of Seabourn announces a change of deployment for its popular, 208-guest Seabourn Pride in the summer of 2011. The intimate, all-suite vessel will reposition from its winter Southeast Asia season in the spring and sail a series of 12-day Baltic & Russia cruises between Stockholm and Copenhagen, along with two 15-day round trip cruises from Copenhagen to Norway’s Fjords and the North Cape. The revised schedule will be available for review at www.seabourn.com on 25th May, and will also open for sale on that day. Call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Department on 01246 819819 to pre-register.
Seabourn Pride’s schedule will complement that of its larger sister-yacht, the 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn, which will be sailing shorter, seven and nine day voyages of the Baltic and Norway.
The company had previously announced that Seabourn Pride would remain in Asia for the whole of 2011, sailing in China, Korea and Japan during the summer months. The decision to move the vessel back to Europe is a response to the popularity of the destination.
“The Baltic and Scandinavia region has been a perennial favorite for summer cruising among Seabourn guests, and Seabourn Pride has been extremely successful there” said Seabourn president and CEO Pamela Conover. “With the tremendous influx of new, first-time Seabourn guests in the past year, we want to offer the alternative of slightly longer Baltic itineraries, visiting some smaller, Seabourn Pride-style ports that have proven popular in the past.”
The revised schedule has Seabourn Pride sailing four 12-day voyages of the Baltic and Russia, two 15-day North Cape cruises and two 14-day Baltic cruises positioning between Copenhagen and Dover. Fares start from £4,390 per person including return airfare, based on double occupancy, for a 12-day Baltic Harbors & Russia voyage.
Seabourn Pride’s 10 and 12 day cruises of China, Korea and Japan departing through October 2010 are being offered at special Seabourn Value Fares from £3,499 with roundtrip airfare included, or from £2,199 cruise-only. Fares are per person based on double occupancy, PLUS don't forget you'll also receive your regular Cruise Club members discount in addition to these great fares. Call our Reservations Team today on 01246 819819 for details.
Monday, 19th Apr 2010
As Celebrity Cruises celebrates on April 24 the naming of Celebrity Eclipse, the third in the brand’s $3.7-billion series of five sleek Solstice Class ships launching from 2008-2012, it also will begin a significant revitalisation of its Millennium Class ships, starting with Celebrity Constellation.
During a drydock period in Hamburg, Germany, from 24 April to 9 May 2010, and in a vivid illustration of Celebrity’s “Designed for you” brand platform, Celebrity Constellation will be refit with some of the most popular venues on the line’s Solstice Class ships. Celebrity has released new renderings of Bistro on Five, the vibrant, popular creperie, and the Tuscan Grille specialty restaurant, to give guests and travel partners a visual taste of just two of the new venues that will welcome guests sailing on Celebrity Constellation on May 9 and beyond.
In addition to its new Tuscan Grille and Bistro on Five, Celebrity Constellation will re-enter service with a new ice-topped Martini Bar; the cool Café al Bacio and Gelateria; Cellarmasters wine bar, including the Enomatic, state-of-the-art wine serving system allowing guests to select and serve wines of their choice by the glass, at the touch of a button; more sumptuous suites, with all new furniture, flat-screen TVs, upholstery, bedding and carpeting; restyled staterooms, with entirely new carpeting, flat-screen TVs, upholstery and bedding; and new colour schemes, carpeting and upholstery reflective of the Solstice Class in every public venue.
Celebrity Cruises is designed for discerning cruisers, with modern, sophisticated environments, impeccable service, enriching and inspiring onboard programs, and world-class cuisine. The ultimate in premium cruising, Celebrity sails in Alaska, California, Canada/New England, Europe, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, and year-round in the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity’s fleet currently consists of nine ships. Its $3.7-billion investment in building five stylish Solstice Class ships between 2008-2012 represents the largest five-year investment in premium cruising.
For further information about Celebrity Cruises, call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Tuesday, 9th Mar 2010
Cunard Line has announced that the world's most famous ship, its magnificent Queen Mary 2, will be based in Australia as part of her World Voyage in 2012 for a history-making circumnavigation which will see her visit five states and the Northern Territory.
Queen Mary 2's "Royal Circumnavigation of Australia" is a first for Cunard.
The largest ship ever to visit Australia, Queen Mary 2 will call at eight Australian ports during her time Down Under including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays as well as maiden visits to Cairns (Yorkey's Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her circumnavigation will also include a call at Bali.
Customers will be able to choose from three circumnavigation options - a 22-night voyage departing Sydney on February 14, 2012, a 20-night voyage departing Fremantle on February 8, 2012 and a 21-night voyage departing Adelaide on February 11, 2012.
In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters, as she sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country. As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each enjoy two visits from the liner during her Australian season.
The Australian deployment will be the longest Queen Mary 2 has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.
Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said Cunard had strong and proud links with Australia, going back many years.
"Recognising the strong growth of cruising in the Australian market and increased demand from Australians for the unique Cunard Line experience, we are delighted to base the most famous ship in the world, Queen Mary 2, in Australia in 2012," he said.
Shanks said he expected very strong demand for the voyage from Australian and international markets. It will also be an attractive option for those UK guests who want to go around the world and during the voyage take a few weeks out to visit friends and family in Australia. The voyage will go on sale at the same time as the 2012 World Voyage in the Summer. More details will follow shortly to enable our travel agent partners to take pre registration enquiries.
To register your interest in Queen Mary 2's cruises call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Wednesday, 24th Feb 2010
Following the appointment of Captain Christopher Wells as Master of its new Queen Elizabeth, Cunard Line has selected three more Senior Officers who will be on board the ship when she enters service in October 2010.
Robert Howie, Hotel Manager
Fife-born Robert Howie brings almost 25 years of experience – on land and at sea – to his new post as Hotel Manager aboard Queen Elizabeth. He held the position of Food and Beverage Manager aboard Queen Mary 2 in the ocean liner’s inaugural year and was then promoted to the prestigious position of Hotel Manager on Cunard’s flagship in 2005. Robert was also the first Hotel Manager on board Queen Victoria when she entered service in December 2007.
As Hotel Manager Robert is in charge of all onboard operations covering housekeeping, food and beverage, entertainment and human resources. Prior to joining Cunard, Howie had served in senior managerial food and beverage positions for Princess Cruises – both shoreside and onboard – since 1990.
Alastair Greener, Entertainment Director
Alastair Greener from Marlborough – about as far from the sea as you can get in the UK – has a love of both the sea and stage: characteristics that will serve him well as he prepares to join Queen Elizabeth as Entertainment Director. Alastair has also served as Cruise Director on both Queen Mary 2 and QE2 and was the first Entertainment Director on board Queen Victoria.
Currently he is the face of the very popular ‘We Are Cunard’ blog which is the site to visit for all the latest news on this new Cunarder. He was also asked to represent CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) as a media tour spokesperson. Alastair is a member of the British Actors’ Union and has appeared in a wide range of film, theatre and television productions, including the BBC’s ‘House of Cards’ and Warner Brothers’ ‘Black Beauty’.
Prior to Cunard, Greener had joined Princess Cruises in 1997 and served on eight ships within the fleet.
Hamish Sunter, Staff Captain
Despite his Scottish forename, Hamish Sunter is proud to be a Yorkshireman. Halifax-born Captain Sunter joined Cunard in 1990 as an officer on Cunard Princess where he remained for three years. He also obtained his Master’s Certificate at this time. In 1993 he was transferred to QE2 as Junior First Officer and left that ship as Chief Officer in 1998. After two years Hamish was keen to go back to sea which he did in 2000 with P&O Cruises and sailed as First Officer on several of their ships. He returned to Cunard as Chief Officer on Queen Mary 2 in October 2005. He rejoined QE2 as Staff Captain in December 2006 and has also served in that capacity on board Queen Victoria.
Colin Black, Chief Engineer
Colin Black, from East Lothian, joined P&O / Princess Cruises in 1990 as a CPO Mechanic on board Royal Princess. He subsequently moved up the ranks to First Engineer prior to being given the responsibility for the newbuild of Princess Cruises’ Dawn Princess, followed by Ocean Princess. In 2001 he was seconded to the Southampton Office working within the newbuild department and in 2002 he moved across to P&O Cruises serving onboard Oriana, Aurora and then the new Arcadia. Colin’s first appointment as Chief Engineer was onboard Tahitian Princess in 2006 and her sister ship Pacific Princess.
In 2007 he was assigned as Technical Fleet Services Project Manager for Queen Victoria thereafter taking over as Chief Engineer.
Peter Shanks, Cunard President and Managing Director, says:
“Our passengers will be delighted to find so many ‘old friends’ aboard Cunard’s newest ship. One of our distinguishing characteristics is the number and frequency of our repeat guests and they will truly appreciate ‘coming home’ to these familiar faces.”
Queen Elizabeth will feature many unique Cunard traditions linking her with her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, and their predecessors, together with all the modern day luxuries Cunard’s guests have come to expect. There will also be features that will give the vessel her own style and personality.
The first Queen Elizabeth was one of Cunard’s greatest ships, and the new Queen Elizabeth will reflect her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist.
From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at an experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship’s adherence to liner traditions, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, luxuriously endowed with rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, hand-woven carpets, gleaming chandeliers, and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilized era of travel.
Queen Elizabeth will depart on her Maiden Voyage on Tuesday 12 October 2010. This 13-night celebration will leave from the company’s home port, Southampton, and will call at Vigo, Lisbon, Cadiz, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife (overnight call) and Funchal.
For further information about Queen Elizabeth call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Friday, 12th Feb 2010
Silversea Cruise Holding Ltd. today announced the appointment of Enzo Visone as Executive Chairman of the Board of Silversea Cruises.
Manfredi Lefebvre, in nominating Visone, underlines his commitment to the industry and to Silversea, as the Board of Silversea Cruise Holding Ltd., the parent company of Silversea Cruises, will be strengthened considerably. Manfredi Lefebvre remains on the Board as Deputy Chairman.
"We are pleased to welcome Enzo to this position," said Lefebvre. "Enzo has had an illustrious career as an international manager and CEO in high-end consumer goods in both private and publicly listed companies. He has lived and worked in eight different countries bringing a cultural know-how that is essential in developing international businesses. I have known him for many years and am convinced he will add enormous value to Silversea Cruises. Visone will work closely with Amerigo Perasso, Silversea's President and CEO, and the entire management team in which I confirm my complete confidence to further strengthen the company's leadership position in the luxury cruise sector."
Lefebvre added, "While I will continue to contribute my consolidated experience in the industry, I will now have more time to dedicate to other business interests and philanthropic projects for which I will also avail myself of Enzo Visone's support, without distancing myself from the core business that is Silversea Cruises."
Visone has dual nationality (British/Italian) and was educated in London where he graduated in economics. He brings to the company decades of hands-on management experience acquired in international companies in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. Most recently he served as Chief Executive Officer in an asset management company based in Milan. Prior to that he was CEO of the Campari Group, a major player in the global branded beverage industry, and where he led a phenomenally successful campaign to grow the Group internationally.
Silversea Cruises is recognised as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper -- and launched in December, Silver Spirit -- all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the addition of the regal expedition ship Prince Albert II, the company's itineraries encompass all seven continents.
In the U.K., Silversea has been voted "Number One" small-ship line in the Readers' Choice survey conducted by Britain's Condé Nast Traveller magazine (eight times), Best Cruise Line by The Guardian and The Observer Travel Awards and Best Luxury Cruise Line according to UK’s Travel Weekly Globe Awards (2010). International awards include "World's Best" by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (nine times) and by the readers of Travel & Leisure in the US (seven times); "World's Leading Luxury Cruise Line" from World Travel Awards (2007); "Five Star Diamond Award" from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (2009); "Best Luxury Cruise Line" by Spain's Cruceros & Destinos magazine (2008); "Best Cruise Line" by Australia's Luxury Travel Magazine (2009); and Best Luxury Cruise Operator according to Asia's Travel Weekly (2008).
For further information about Silversea Cruises call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
Thursday, 28th Jan 2010
NCL Freestyle Cruising is bringing its largest and most innovative ship to date to Europe for summer 2011. Debuting in June this year, Norwegian Epic will spend summer in the Mediterranean as part of her 2011 / 2012 deployment.
The 153,000 tonne ship will sail a seven-day Western Mediterranean itinerary from Barcelona, Spain from May until October 2011. Ports of call include: Florence/Pisa (Livorno); Rome (Civitavecchia); Naples, Italy; and Palma, Majorca, Spain, along with two full days at sea.
UK guests will be able to pre-register their interest in Norwegian Epic’s Europe sailings by calling Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
“By bringing the ship to Europe during her second season, we are combining the excitement of Norwegian Epic with a very popular European itinerary,” says Kevin Sheehan, NCL’s chief executive officer.
“With her world-class entertainment, wide range of accommodation, incredible amenities and plethora of dining options, Norwegian Epic will offer the best cruise experience for a wide range of travellers looking to enjoy Europe in a whole new way.”
World-class entertainment is Norwegian Epic’s hallmark. For the first time at sea, Blue Man Group will perform their exhilarating fusion of comedy, theatrics and paint, exclusively on the ship.
In addition to world-class entertainment, the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic incorporates innovations such as several new types of accommodation – including the recently announced Studios for solo travellers, the largest luxury Villas suite complex at sea, and spa and family-friendly staterooms.
Kids will have a blast with Nickelodeon at Sea offering Nickelodeon-themed family entertainment and programming including character meet and greets and interactive game shows.
About Norwegian Epic
World-class entertainment is Norwegian Epic’s hallmark. For the first time at sea, Blue Man Group will perform their exhilarating fusion of comedy, theatrics and paint, exclusively on Norwegian Epic. In the only “big top” at sea, Cirque Dreams and Dinner will present a one-of-a-kind interactive theatrical dining experience with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination. Legends in Concert, the original and world’s greatest live tribute show, will be featured for the first time at sea in more than a decade on Norwegian Epic, along with The Second City improvisational comedy and Howl at the Moon, the world’s greatest rock ‘n roll dueling piano show that encourages audience participation.
The ship also boasts unique nightlife options with the first Ice Bar at sea and Spice H20 with non-stop entertainment day and night; an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea - The Epic Plunge; seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids’ and teen activity areas. In addition, Norwegian Epic will offer the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 20 dining choices and 20 bars and lounges.
For more information please call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Team on 01246 819819.
Wednesday, 27th Jan 2010
Azamara Club Cruises will transition to a primarily all-inclusive experience, with the following included in the cruise fare beginning with the first voyages in April 2010 on Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest:
A specific brand of bottled water offered at no charge throughout the voyage, whether in public venues or in staterooms;
Specialty coffees and teas;
Staterooms assistant and dining gratuities;
Shuttlebus service to/from port communities, where available;
Destination-influenced entertainment and enrichment programmes;
All meals and room service;
House wine at lunches and dinners;
Self-service laundry.
Specialty dining in Azamara Club Cruise’s intimate Prime C steakhouse and the Mediterranean-influenced Aqualina will be complimentary for suite guests for the duration of their cruise.
For further details about Azamara Club Cruises call Bolsover Cruise Club's Reservations Department on 01246 819819.
Friday, 22nd Jan 2010
The countdown has begun! Fred Olsen's new Summer 2011 programme will go on general sale from Thursday 25th February 2010. The Preview Brochure contains 63 departures on Black Watch, Boudicca, Braemar & Balmoral departing between April and November 2011.
The brochure will also contain special preview fares that will be lower than those featured in the Fred. Olsen Cruises Worldwide 2011/2012 first edition brochure, so don't delay - advance register and enjoy HUGE savings in addition to your regular Cruise Club members discount.
Further details of itineraries and preview fares will be released shortly. All Oceans Members have now been sent an Advance Registration form.
To speak to our Reservations Department call Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819.
