MS Prinsendam Ship visit

I was lucky enough to visit Holland America's MS Prinsendam on Monday 12th of July. There was quite a 'stir' in South Wales as this was the first Cruise Ship to berth at Newport Docks!!

We arrived promptly as many of the cruise clients were boarding coaches to see the delights of Newport and the Wye Valley - what the mostly American guests thought of Newport in Summer (in the torrential rain) I can only guess....

We boarded for our tour on the smallest of the Holland America Line fleet of 14 ships. She is 38,000 tonnes with only 318 staterooms and a passenger capacity of 793. Built as Royal Viking Sun in 1988 and then operated as Seabourn Sun, HAL took delivery of her in 2002, following an extensive refit.

As it was around midday we went straight for lunch.... in the Pinnacle Grill, the alternative, reservation only(small cover charge of $20), dining venue - elegant surroundings and the most attentive service. The menu included Thai crab cakes, tomato and basil soup with a choice of Salmon, Filet Mignon or Pasta followed by rasberry tart and coffee... an excellent start. The Pinnacle Grill is one of 5 restaurants each with their own intimate character.

(Fontaine Dining Room)

On with the tour - I found it easy to navigate and get my bearings onto the Ocean Bar with bandstand, comfortable seats and dance floor. Past the Fontaine Restaurant with its two traditional set dining times or the flexible 'as you wish' dining - where you can dine at a time to suit you. There are spectacular sea views and tables set with Rosenthal bone china and silver service.


Then upstairs to the Promenade deck. This is where the luxurious

'Lanai' staterooms are situated - Deluxe verandha outside share a private covered deck and hot tub.


The explorers lounge with bandstand for after dinner music and where the complimentary hot and cold hors d'ouveres are served before dinner.


Past the Java Bar - where for a small charge espressos, cappuccinos and lattes's are served all day.



Also on this deck is the Photo Gallery, Culinary Arts Theatre (state of the art kitchen for demonstrations and workshops with celebrity chefs on board to host lectures, wine tastings and seminars. On past the Boutiques and front desk to the Queens Lounge - the main show lounge with seating for 521 and with 2 shows nightly.

Up one more deck to the 'Greenhouse Spa' and then up 2 decks to the Lido deck and the Neptune lounge and Lido pool and bar.
here also is the Lido Restaurant featuring a wonderful buffet and casual dining. Free coffee and tea available 24 hours and also the ice cream parlour..

One more flight of stairs brought us to the crows nest - an observation lounge with floor to ceiling windows, a piano bar and a spectacular view.

I enjoyed the visit immensly and thought that Prinsendam brought back echoes of traditional cruising and would be ideal for my more discerning clients. But with prices as these - great value for money -

Itineraries for 2009/10 include:

• Western Europe 14 days Sep 6th
  
• Mediterranean 14 days Sep20, Oct 4, 18
  
• Transatlantic 24 days Nov 1
• Amazon Explorer 26 days Nov 25
  
• Caribbean 14 days Dec 21
  
• Grand South American & Antarctic Voayage 70 days Jan 13
  
• Grand mediterranean & Black Sea Voyage 54 days Mar 24
  
• Transatlantic 21 days May 17
  
• Nothern Europe 18days June 7

My next trip

Due to our 'Longship' status with Fred. Olsen Cruises for selling so many cruises, I have been invited on board M.S. Balmoral this Friday for a 2 night cruise to Antwerp from Dover. I have been allocated a K Grade outside single cabin and I will post the photo's on here shortly. With only one business session it looks like a fun trip.

Silversea offers free flights to boost European cruise bookings

Silversea Cruises is offering British travellers free roundtrip economy flights from the UK to kick start bookings. The free flights are being offered from London and selected regional airports on 28 voyages to Europe and the Mediterranean this summer. The free Air Programme also includes complimentary transfers from airport to ship on day of embark and disembark. Business Class fares now start at just £199 for selected European voyages and £1,999 for Alaskan and Caribbean voyages - representing savings of over 50%. "We've created these new programmes to make it as attractive as possible for guests, who may have been holding back, to move ahead with their travel plans for 2009," said managing director for UK and Ireland Trudy Redfern. The special air incentives are being offered subject to availability.

Royal caribbean news

Independence to sail ex-UK all year

posted Thursday, April 23, 2009
Independence of the SeasRoyal Caribbean has intensified competition in the ex-UK cruise market by opting to base one of the world’s three largest ships year-round in the UK for the first time.The 4,000-berth Independence of the Seas (pictured), which in 2007 was the first new ship the line dedicated to the UK, will sail its first ex-UK winter season out of Southampton in 2010.The line said the decis ion was based purely on its confidence in the UK market. But it also represents a further challenge to the dominance of P&O Cruises in its Southampton home port.The repositioning of Independence will be more than made up for in the Caribbean winter season with Royal’s new bigger 5,400-passenger ships, in 2010 and 2011, according to Robin Shaw, Royal Caribbean’s managing director.He said he was “confident” there was pent-up demand for an ex-UK winter programme.“The shoulder periods in late April and November have proved very, very successful with Independence, so this is an extension of something we already do,” he said.“This reflects our confidence in the underlying strength of the UK market, which I’m convinced could double or treble in the near future.”Independence’s winter 2010-11 programme will add 15 cruises to the UK market and go on sale on June 1. It will offer two itineraries – 11-night Canaries cruises and 18-night trips to the Mediterranean – with prices leading in at £749. Call us to get the best fares NOW

First images of Norwegian Epic
The first images of Norwegian Cruise Line’s 4,200-passenger ship Norwegian Epic have been released by the company.

The details of the line’s largest ship Norwegian Epic emerged ahead of cruises going on sale this spring.

Under construction at a French shipyard, the 19-deck vessel will be 1,068 feet long and 133 feet wide when completed in May 2010.

Group block bookings will open exclusively for travel agents later this month. Cruises are scheduled to go on sale to consumers this spring.

Details of itineraries and prices to be offered for cruises by the 153,000-tonne Norwegian Epic are expected to become available at the same time.

by Phil Davies