Staff Cruise Reviews & Expert Cruise Advice

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On 19 July 2009, the 2,850-guest, 122,000 GRT Celebrity Equinox from Celebrity Cruises arrived in Southampton ahead of almost two weeks of celebrations. A number of Bolsover Cruise Club staff were delighted to have been invited to visit the only cruise ship launching in the UK this year, just days before she was officially named in the city on 29 July by the founder of the breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, Nina Barough CBE.

"This was a unmissable opportunity for us to personally experience the new Solstice Class addition. With the promises of groundbreaking new features and design from the minds of the world's top designers and architects, we were keen to find out whether the ship could live up to the hype." Says Reservations Supervisor, Wendy. The $800 million ship is aimed at experienced cruisers who want to try a new cruise experience with revolutionary features. And once on board we discovered these were in abundance….

Take, for example, The Lawn Club - located on the highest deck, it's a phenomenal area the size of more than eight tennis courts, which lets you relax and enjoy outdoor activities on its magnificent, freshly manicured real grass lawn. Yes, that's real grass on board! Here you can enjoy a distinctive Country Club atmosphere, and maybe join in a game of boules, croquet, putting and outdoor concerts. The grass really is greener on Celebrity Equinox!

For us, The Lawn Club concept was astonishing, but then we discovered the AquaSpa…. Undoubtedly the most unrivalled Spa afloat, the AquaSpa was far more advanced than any of us had experienced on a ship. Guests can enjoy a plethora of pampering options in one of 26 treatment rooms, including Aroma Stone Therapy and even a 24-carat gold facial! Whilst spa's aren't a new phenomena on cruise ships, the extensive facilities here are on another level and definitely born with the Spa enthusiast in mind. So much so, in fact Celebrity Cruises has introduced AquaClass, a grade of stateroom entirely for such passengers. These accommodations are located on the deck below and incorporate select spa elements, allow exclusive access to spa amenities and also features assigned seating in Blu, AquaClass' own speciality restaurant.

Celebrity Cruises and The Corning Museum of Glass together bring you yet another innovation on board, the Hot Glass Show. This is an interactive setting where professional glass blowers create beautiful pieces of art before your very eyes, taking the format of cruise lectures to a whole new level.

The overall choice of activities and entertainment are impressive by day or night. If shopping's on your agenda, head for Shops on the Boulevard, or visit the sophisticated Galleria Boutiques. For the wine connoisseur, swing by Cellar Masters to learn more about your favourite wines and discover new vintages. For the book-worm there's a spacious two-storey library packed to the rafters with best-sellers and classic reads. Enjoy inspiring evening production shows and musicals in the grand theatre, or choose to enjoy a cocktail in the panoramic surroundings of the outdoor Sunset Bar. With several energetic and intimate bars and lounges to choose from, you can be as lively or restful as you wish.

We were amazed to find there are a staggering ten different restaurants on board developed in partnership with some of the world's most creative culinary minds. These range from a café located next to the fitness centre serving low calorie meals, to a steak house and Asian fusion option offering Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese dishes. Before succumbing to the rhythmic sounds of the evening's celebrations, our party enjoyed a particularly mouth-watering five-course meal in the Main Dining Room. The elegant and sophisticated décor of this restaurant is mind-blowing! Imagine stunning chandeliers, a two-storey glass wine tower and beautiful ocean views. Not to mention exceptional cuisine and exemplary service from our waiters! Already we're convinced our clients would love the style and glamour of Celebrity Equinox, and yet we still had so much more still left to discover….

We were keen to catch a show in the theatre after our meal, where we were pleasantly surprised with the professional performance, and also the electrifying atmosphere was superb! This put us all in good spirits, and while some of us left to dance the night away in Quasar, a contemporary night club with a retro flare, the rest of our party went up to the Sky Observation Lounge to be serenaded by a wonderful singer.

Having sampled the wide selection of drinks on offer, we retired to our rather luxurious staterooms! Contemporary in design and extremely spacious, our accommodation was impeccable yet cosy. We found that 80 per cent of all accommodation on the ship features a private balcony, and the staterooms were designed with input from a panel of women who requested larger rooms and clever storage solutions that maximise space. Genius!

After having difficulty waking from our comfortable beds the next morning, we all met in the dining room once again, this time for a hearty breakfast (we could get used to this!) before disembarking the ship and setting off on our journey back to our office.

"Along with these impressive new features, we learned that Celebrity Equinox is one of the first cruise ships to embrace renewable energy resources and the power generated by 61 onboard solar panels is enough to operate all the onboard lifts. The ship is a successful collaboration of modern-day technology with timeless elegance, gourmet cuisine, exclusive entertainment, spacious accommodations and the signature service Celebrity is known for. It's no wonder then that Celebrity guests and the travel press, such as Condé Nast Traveller, consistently rate Celebrity ships among the finest in the world." Says Wendy.

Ahead of P&O Cruises official naming ceremony for Ventura, the newest addition to their fleet, Bolsover Cruise Club was invited to Southampton to enjoy an overnight visit on board. With all the excitement surrounding the much-anticipated arrival of the UK's biggest superliner, we were keen to find out if Ventura could really live up to the hype, and I'm delighted to say we weren't disappointed!

As promised, P&O Cruises have delivered a masterpiece, filling a void in the evolving British cruise market. Newcomers and families in particular will love the relaxed, informal yet adventurous style of cruise that Ventura provides. With the average age on board expected to be 44 years, her contemporary design and artwork, created by non-other than British designer Nick Munro, her multiple choice of bars and dining rooms, five swimming pools and extensive children's play areas will certainly appeal to a wide audience.

Approaching Southampton, Ventura's massive outline on the horizon gives the impression that she will be big and busy, yet surprisingly on the inside she's light and airy, with a cool ambience and intimate layout which conveys quite the opposite. Walking around the ship it becomes clear that there is no shortage of family fun to be had. We were bowled over with the impressive children's play areas on Deck 16; four separate large rooms to be precise, each catering for different age groups. There was also a 'Tumbler's Night Nursery' for younger sailors, plus Noddy himself was on board to liven up playtime through themed activities.

On the deck directly below we found Ventura's family dining venue, The Beach House. Open 24 hours, this buffet-style restaurant offers a variety of children's favourites, plus more sophisticated fayre. High chairs, bibs and children's cutlery were provided, and celebrity chef Marco Pierre White has given the menu his own twist, ensuring the food is a hit with all ages.

There are eight other dining venues located around the ship, from Frankies' Pizzeria, to the special ambiance and sociable atmosphere of the main dining room, The Bay Tree. Here you'll discover a more traditional cruise dining experience, while Marco Pierre White's The White Room adds a sense of occasion, perfect for an intimate dinner for two.

"I was pleasantly surprised with the stylish Select Dining venue East, situated on Deck 7, which served a delightful fusion of Asian cuisine. The restaurant was beautifully adorned with rich dark wood and plush, red carpeting, providing a modern, yet distinctly eastern vibe." Says Senior Administrator, Vikki.

At the front of the ship on Deck 16, an amazingly large and fully equipped gym occupies a prime position, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering sparkling ocean views. This is arguably one of the largest gyms I have personally seen at sea, and the quality and variety of equipment definitely rivals that of other ships. There is a spacious studio where exercise classes are held, and next door is the Oasis Spa. With numerous treatment rooms and a serene and peaceful ambience, we were tempted by a little pampering.

Another innovation on board Ventura is the beautiful Ivory Suite - an idyllic venue in which to host a romantic wedding at sea. With an increasing number of couples choosing to tie the knot in a more contemporary setting, the Ivory Suite is the perfect location to begin married life, with a honeymoon to follow. Couples are given a great choice of extra touches to complement their dream day, such as wedding flowers, cake, photography services, commemorative stationery, champagne packages and much more.

While Ventura's modern and contemporary style may not appeal to regular sailors preferring a more traditional and classic cruise experience, her range of stylish accommodation, from inside cabins to opulent suites, definitely cater for all tastes and budgets. Each accommodation, including her 881balcony cabins and suites, were tastefully decorated and adorned with luxurious touches such as flat screen TV's and in-cabin pamper packs made up of divine Temple Spa products. We were especially impressed with her exceptionally spacious AE grade Family Suites, which featured two separate bedrooms and a sofa bed, enabling them to sleep up to six people.

The magnitude of the ship was again reflected in the vast array of evening venues. We were spoilt for choice, whether to watch a professional show in the Arena Theatre, a comedian in The Tamarind Club, a 'Legends' theme show in the Havana night club, or simply to relax in one of the numerous sophisticated bars. The Metropolis bar was one in particular we were all eager to visit, as we'd been watching with interest on the P&O Cruises website, the making of it's innovative 20 metre floor-to-ceiling video wall. With footage from around the world, this wall displays dramatic cityscapes so you can gaze 'out' upon Paris, New York or Sydney as you sip your favourite tipple.

Having sampled them all, we found ourselves drawn to The Exchange, Ventura's distinctly British styled warehouse bar. Found on Deck 6, just a few steps from the casino, we joined in with a rather noisy but fun Karaoke night, with our Sales Consultant Louise belting out a few hits! With beer on draught, and entertainment such as quizzes and live bands, plus occasional televised sporting events, this popular spot offers a little taste of home. After dancing the night away in the cuban themed Havana night-club, we retired to the quiet retreat of our inviting cabins to sample the very comfy Slumberland beds.

It is safe to say that without doubt Ventura exceeded our high expectations, and with the imminent launch of her 2009/2010 maiden season, we know she'll be a hit with our new and existing Cruise Club members.

On Sunday 9 December 2007, Bolsover Cruise Club was invited to attend an annual UK Cruise Awards evening held on board Cunard's new £300 million cruise ship, Queen Victoria, where we were thrilled to once again receive top honours for our contribution of sales and professionalism in 2007. The event, hosted by Carnival UK and attended by over 655 of Britain's top cruise travel agents, saw us crowned with the esteemed title of 'Top UK Independent Agent' for both P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises for our 21st consecutive year. Reservations Manager, Michelle Gannon, took to the stage in Queen Victoria's Royal Court Theatre to receive the awards, presented by Giles Hawke, Head of Sales at Complete Cruise Solution.

The event, held in her home port of Southampton, was an ideal opportunity for staff to satisfy their curiosity and experience first-hand the glamour of Queen Victoria ahead of her Maiden Voyage departing Tuesday 11 December. During the overnight stay we were able to tour the ship at our leisure, and we learned that although she is smaller than the 150,000 tonnes Queen Mary 2, at 90,000 tonnes and with 16 decks of pure elegance, Queen Victoria is certainly Cunard's most luxurious ship.

We entered the ship at the three-tiered Grand Lobby where a harpist was playing, and immediately noticed the magnificent staircase and artwork. As we walked around the ship the elaborate furnishings created a gracious atmosphere, and we visited Cunardia - the first museum at sea housing maritime memorabilia. On further inspection we came across the impressive library, housing over 6000 titles, and it's inviting décor of warm mahogany and the ornate spiral staircase and leather sofas were certainly appealing.

Walking outdoors onto 10,000 square feet of glorious open deck, there was a choice of two swimming pools, and a Sports deck offering traditional Ocean Liner games from shuffleboard to quoits. The Winter Garden is a grand conservatory filled with greenery, and has a retractable glass roof so it is a light and relaxing place, which can be enjoyed in all weather. With Queens Grill and Princess Grill accommodation, guests have exclusive access to The Grills Lounge, The Grills Upper Terrace offering superb sea views, and also out into the private retreat of The Courtyard. Here you can enjoy a liberating feast al fresco, or take afternoon tea and scones in its tranquil surroundings.

The staterooms were equally as elegant, with comfortable beds, bathrobes and slippers, ample wardrobe space and satellite TV showing films and music. We were allocated A5 grade balcony staterooms on decks 5, 6 and 7, each boasting superb views. We were able to view some of the Queens Grill Grand and Master Suites, which at approximately 1918 - 2131 sq ft provided very spacious surroundings, along with Butler and Concierge service, a bar stocked with spirits, wines and soft drinks, personalised stationary and a full bathroom with bath and shower. In addition to these guests occupying Queens Grill accommodation also receive daily fresh fruit, fresh flowers, pre-dinner canapes, and can enjoy in-suite dining from the Queens Grill menu. The Princess Grill Suites ranged between 335 - 513 sq ft in size, and offered similar features to the Queens Grill accommodation but without the fresh flowers and in-suite bar.

Once dressed for dinner we were treated to a drinks reception in the exquisite Queens Room, where you could appreciate an ambience reminiscent of that enjoyed by Queen Victoria in her much loved home, Osborne House. This is also where waiters orchestrate a sublime white gloved serving of afternoon tea. Cantilevered balconies, ornate frescos and backlit glass panels rising to the height of two decks provide the perfect backdrop for Captain's cocktail parties and themed balls. Here Queen Victoria's Captain, Paul Wright welcomed us all before we moved into the magnificent two-tiered Britannia Restaurant on Decks 2 and 3. With its eye-catching artwork and truly tantalising cuisine, the Britannia restaurant is just one of several delightful dining experiences on board Queen Victoria.

Our delicious five-course meal was followed by a few drinks in one of the many bars. There was a vast choice of evening venues, from the Champagne bar to Churchill's cigar lounge, or the Empire Casino to the Golden Lion pub, with its impressive beer and cider selections complementing tasty gastro pub-style menus in this authentic and traditional Cunard venue. We also experienced the grand auditorium of the Royal Court Theatre - a stylish West-End-style venue which is the first Theatre at sea with Private boxes. Later in the evening we visited Hemispheres, a contemporary night-club on deck 10 which sits beneath a splendid glass-domed roof. In this stunning venue we were entertained with a live band and music until the early hours.

We believe that Queen Victoria is a classic ocean liner with traditional British Camaraderie and the conventional essence of a cruise, together with all modern luxury facilities, which will become a firm favourite amongst many of our Cruise Club members.

The Naming Ceremony
Following the Cunard tradition of inviting royalty to officially name their new ship, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall was the guest of honour on Monday 10 December, in the presence of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, along with over 2,000 VIP guests from around the globe. To mark the prestigious occasion there was a Victorian-era-themed street fair with waterside entertainment and a dramatic fireworks display.

Sales Consultant, Roland, travelled aboard the luxurious Regent Seven Seas Voyager last summer, on an Eastern Mediterranean itinerary departing from Athens. Having sailed with various major cruise lines previously, Roland decided to experience for himself whether a Regent Seven Seas cruise lived up to it's prestigious reputation.

"After a relaxing pre-cruise stay at the Hotel King George in Athens, we were collected by private mini-bus to transfer us to the ship. We were slightly early for embarkation so our driver decided to give us a tour of the city en-route to the port. On arrival it was clear to see Regent Seven Seas Voyager was immaculately clean and well-looked after. This attention to detail became even more apparent throughout my stay, with the continuous polishing of lifeboats and painting of the ship's exterior. I have to say Voyager was the most pristine ship I have experienced yet."

Voyager provides all-suite accommodation, and Roland occupied a standard Deluxe Suite. "I found my standard suite to be the equivalent size to that of a mini-suite found on larger vessels. I was greeted with a welcome bottle of Champagne and fresh fruit, and I was delighted with the remarkably large teak-decked private balcony - perfect for dining al fresco. The walk-in wardrobe provided ample storage space too."

"Everything in my suite had been designed in meticulous detail, with only the finest upholstery and a marble-appointed bathroom boasting a full-size bathtub, which made for a refreshing change. Indulgent Anichini linens and a feather-down duvet adorned the European King-sized bed. Other special touches were evident, such as the beautiful white orchid flower arrangements in my suite, made by the cabin stewardesses themselves, and other magnificent floral displays were located in various public areas around the ship."

"All the staff on board Seven Seas Voyager adopted an American 'Can-do' attitude towards service, and this highly personal and impeccable service exceeded anything I have experienced before. My glass was always refilled without me having to ask, and I never had a problem finding a sun-lounger, as a member of staff would be ready and waiting to carry one to wherever I chose to sit."

"One of the special features of Regent Seven Seas Voyager is that at 50,000 tonnes, she could accommodate 1000 passengers, but they choose to only ever carry approximately 600 people at any one time. This results in more space on board and a higher ratio of staff members to passengers - amongst the highest at sea. What's more unusual for a ship of this size is that she features four restaurants on board, including the sublime Le Cordon Bleu Signatures Restaurant.

As an all-inclusive ship, the complimentary room service included in-suite dining. Evening meals were served course by course to the cabin and could be chosen from the main restaurant menu. A table top was provided in my walk-in wardrobe, which could be used in the sitting area or on the balcony, perfect for if you wish to entertain fellow passengers in-suite or dine under the stars. Beverages including select wines, spirits and even Champagne were served right throughout the ship, so you'd never see an empty glass! All on board gratuities were also included."

"A Regent Seven Seas cruise is all about indulging the mind and body. Along with their superb facilities and interesting itineraries, they also offer Enrichment Programmes, where Expert Guest Lecturers provide workshops or induction courses in various subjects such as Bridge, Le Cordon Bleu cookery classes, photography or history. I met some very fascinating and interesting people on board."

"Regent Sevens Seas Cruises are a superbly exquisite product, and what makes them an even more appealing choice is that their travel arrangements are very flexible. If you want to enjoy a pre or post-cruise hotel stay, or upgrade your flights, nothing is too much trouble. I can personally say a Regent Seven Seas cruise definitely fulfils it's promises."

Our holiday got off to a stress-free start, and as this was our first time sailing from the UK, my wife Jayne and I were pleasantly surprised with the well-organised car parking system. We drove to the terminal building at Dover and were able to pull up and unload our cases straight onto the porter's trolley, then go and park our car in the secure car park. From here check-in was fluent and we only had a short wait to board Boudicca. We thought this a much better way to travel than sitting in airport departure lounges for hours on end!

The ship appeared bigger than I had imagined, and once onboard we were invited to take a short guided tour of the ship to help find our way around. All the staff were immediately warm and courteous, and we were personally shown to our cabin. Having only sailed on larger vessels, I was slightly apprehensive about the amount of activities and choice of facilities there may be, but having toured the ship my mind was straight away put to ease.

I would say the ship had plentiful public areas for all passengers to enjoy, from the Observatory Lounge at the front of the ship where you could relax and follow the ships' progress, to the Neptune and Lido Lounges where acitivities took place. Tea and coffee were readily available in each of the lounges with a full selection including speciality and herbal teas. The ship also had a large library/games room, which appeared to be a popular haunt. We noticed smoking was restricted to designated areas around the ship.

The daytime and evening activities were both varied and entertaining. The craft workshops on board proved to be extremely popular, so much so that they were moved to the restaurant and were full on every occasion. The entertainment staff worked very hard, and the cabaret shows drew everybody in with their comedians and magician. The films on offer on our in-cabin television were a nice mixture of old and new.

We had chosen this Artic Glacier cruise not only for the fascinating ports of call, but also because it was Fred Olsen's popular Artsclub Photography cruise. Fred Olsen's Artsclub cruises are an excellent opportunity for enthusiasts to combine the relaxation of a cruise holiday, whilst indulging in a special interest. Example topics include gardening, music, painting and antiques to name a few. Each of these specialist cruises includes an expert Guest Lecturer on board, a celebrated master in their own field, who is on hand to share their knowledge and experiences through lectures, discussions, or relaxed get-togethers during days at sea.

The Artsclub photography cruise was understandably held on this particular itinerary, due to the stunning Nordic vistas, contrasting scenery, and the marine, bird and wildlife population. A photographer's paradise, Jayne and I relished the opportunity to practice taking some fantastic pictures.

Throughout the cruise, the ship held a photograph competition, whereby entrants could choose from three categories from which to take the best photo: Landscape, Portrait or Life on board. It was this very competition where I claimed 2nd prize for my landscape photograph of a waterfall taken in Trollfjord, whilst catching a glimmer of a rainbow (see above right). More surprisingly, Jayne pipped me to 1st prize with her scenic photograph of Magdalene Fjord, seen through our cabin porthole! (see left). Jayne was thrilled to receive the winner's a bottle of wine and leather notebook with pen.

"Photography is all about being in the right place at the right time, and cruising certainly gives you that opportunity".

We did decide that this particular cruise was perhaps more suitable for adults rather than children, due to nature the ports we visited, although there were a small number of children on board, and they seemed happy and well looked after. There was a children's club offering varied activities for them. Single travellers were very well catered for, with a small number of single cabins to accommodate them, and dance hosts and regular singles gatherings enabled people to get to know one another in relaxed surroundings. The whole atmosphere on board Boudicca was warm and friendly.

The dining options on board Boudicca were impressive. We ate in the main restaurant mostly, but tried alternative dining rooms such as Tintagel, Secret Garden and the Four Seasons restaurant. The service we received from our waiters was outstanding, and the ship also provided an excellent selection of wines, beers and spirits all comparable prices to the UK.

Both Jayne and I were of the same opinion, that a cruise aboard Boudicca is a great way to holiday in relaxing surroundings, and to enjoy stunning scenery. Her amiable atmosphere, excellent cuisine, professional staff and choice of itineraries departing from the UK all make for a perfect alternative style of holiday. We'd like to thank Fred Olsen for our wonderful holiday experience, and we will certainly be happy to travel with them again.