Cruise Ships

Fred Olsen announce two new cruises out of Belfast

Alan — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:11:24 +0000

The director of planning at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is Matt Grimes and he has recently announced that there are going to be two additional cruises running from Belfast coming next year.

He recently commented, “We are very pleased to be able to announce that our Boudicca vessel, which can accommodate nearly 900 guests, is going to be sailing on two the exciting journeys from Belfast Harbour next year.

This is going to be particularly good news for people living in the local area as they will no longer have to take a flight in order to enjoy a cruise with our company.” The vessel is going to be operating a mini cruise, which just travels to Liverpool and also a 12 night cruise in Iberia.

The commercial director at Belfast Harbour is Joe O’Neill and he commented, “We are delighted to hear this announcement and are glad that we will be working with the cruise company again. It provides a fantastic opportunity for those in Northern Ireland to take a cruise without having to travel too far.”

Belfast Harbour has previously been utilised by the cruise line in 2007 when 500 people were involved in a cruise on the Black Prince. Mr O’Neill continued, “In recent years the facilities in the harbour have been significantly updated and it is now acting more as a gateway for tourism in Northern Ireland.”

Harwich is also going to be added to the list of ports that Fred. Olsen Cruises operate from in 2013. The sister ship of the Boudicca, the Black Watch, is going to be sailing from the port in the spring and summer. This is going to provide a good opportunity for local residents to go on a cruise without having to travel to the port of departure.

Liverpool terminal set to open

Alan — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:33:45 +0000

Liverpool City Council has announced that its new Pier Head terminal will be open for business in just three months, offering cruise ships an alternative destination to Southampton when they make their UK calls. Southampton has criticised the decision to build the Liverpool port facilities with money from the UK government and the EU, saying that the new facility creates unfair competition to its more established services.

The shipping minister, Mike Penning, had decided to seek independent advice on how much of the public funds the city of Liverpool should be expected to pay back when it starts to make money from Pier Head. A government inquiry couldn’t come up with a figure by itself, leaving all parties back where they started.

However, in an effort to ensure that the new facility can start to receive cruise ships as soon as possible, the City Council has offered to pay back whatever money the government deems necessary – likely to be more than £8 million to the EU and between £5 million and £9 million to Westminster – so that they can get on with the important business of preparing Pier Head for its first cruise turnaround.

Council leader Joe Anderson has revealed that a customs office and baggage handling facilities will now be built at Pier Head, with the city paying back the money in instalments as cruise ship business starts to fill the coffers. He added that he was excited about the opportunities that this development created for Liverpool and was personally looking forward to the first cruise ship arrival as this had been a major campaign promise when he won the local elections.

Unfortunately, Anderson may have to do his homework on the cruise ship industry if he hopes to attract their business; in his press conference he said that he hoped to be able to welcome top shipping companies such as Ocean Village to the city – despite the fact that Ocean Village was transferred to P&O in 2010.

It is hoped that the first cruise ship will depart Pier Head at the end of May, and is expected to be Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Ocean Countess on May 29. As the new facilities will not be ready by then, travellers arriving by car will have to park in an older area of the port before being transferred by bus to Pier Head for boarding.

Port director at Southampton, Doug Morrison, was happy to hear that Liverpool had agreed to pay back the public subsidies once the new facilities started earning money, but he insisted that a commercial enterprise should never have been given government funds in the first place. He added that he had no problem with healthy competition, but millions of pounds from public bodies had given Liverpool an unfair advantage over its cruise ship competitors.

The announcement that Pier Head will be open sooner than expected came on the same day that Fred Olsen revealed its 880-berth ship Boudicca will be returning to Liverpool, with 10 cruise departures from the city in spring and summer of 2013. One local travel agent was delighted with the news as he knew many customers who had decided not to go ahead with cruises because their only option for a departure point was in the south of England, a long drive from the north-west.

Do cruises appeal to adventure-seeking over 50s?

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:04:59 +0000

For the past few years, those aged over 50 have been demonstrating their youthful spirits. Not only has this age group embraced new technologies at a phenomenal rate but they have also begun seeking more adventurous holidays, proving that even those in their senior years can have fun.

With older citizens focusing on a more active way of life it is wondered whether cruises still appeal to this mature audience. Whilst cruises have now expanded to cater to passengers of all ages, they are still largely enjoyed by those in their later years – but what about those who are looking for something adventurous?

Senior holidays

According to a report in 2010, more elderly people are now taking a senior “gap year” with 75% having multiple holidays each year. However, a simple trip to the beach is not always enough to satisfy these adventurous pensioners, many of which are looking to embrace something more active.

Cruises, a popular option with the over 50’s, have been reported to notice this trend as well. According to one cruise firm, approximately 1,500 of their 1,800 passengers were signed up to experience the “full itinerary” on their cruise rather than sticking to specific segments.

Considering cruises offer a range of different activities for their passengers this report demonstrates how cruises still remain an ideal holiday option for those more mature in years.

Technology and holidays

Whilst those aged over 50 are now looking for a holiday experience that is more adventurous, how they book their holidays is also changing.

A study in 2006 saw travel sites receive a sufficient number of visits from those aged over 50 during a four week period. This snap-shot of internet usage saw travel sites attract one fifth more visits from older individuals when compared to average figures. Cruise sites were found to attract 45% more visits – demonstrating that today’s ‘silver surfers’ are more than comfortable about using the net to find the best deals.

Those who frequented these sites were found to be both older and wealthier – something that is hardly surprising when 80% of the UKs wealth was claimed to be held by over 50’s in 2010.

Financial planning

For those in this age bracket, financial planning is therefore essential. Whilst these individuals may be thought to have bigger bank balances the fact is that many of them still struggle with their finances.

This is because their incomes are often significantly lower whilst many of their outgoings have remained the same. With more time to spend taking holidays and enjoying trips out, the older generation could soon find themselves short of money – leaving them in a difficult financial situation.

To protect against this, financial planning is essential. All adults should think of investing in a private or company pension during their working life, to offer them greater provisions in their older age.

On top of this, future finances should also be considered and older Brits should look at 50 plus insurance policies to help provide for their families.

These policies offer a lump payment to relatives or friends after your death, helping to relieve their burdens during a time of grief. The money can be used to cover funeral expenses or to pay any outstanding debts.

This gives older people the peace of mind that they will not be leaving a troublesome financial situation for their families to deal with.

Cruises and life insurance policies not just for elderly

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:02:22 +0000

Certain products, such as cruises and life insurance policies, are often seen as being aimed at a particular age demographic. Generally associated with those in their senior years, these products are eager to show Brits that they are suitable for all – but is this really the case?

The above perception of these products is not uncommon in Britain yet a number of recent reports have suggested that opinions could be shifting.

Cruises are now enjoyed by holidaymakers of all ages and various industries are routinely reminding their customers that life insurance is something you can never invest in too soon. By neglecting these products due to a misconception over their purpose you could be missing out.

Without life insurance you could be leaving your family to cope with difficult financial situations in their time of grief, while failing to take a cruise could mean you miss out on this wonderful holiday activity.

Cruises

For those still unsure about the suitability of a cruise for younger passengers it is important to remember that nowadays there are numerous cruise liners and trips available. Whilst some firms may cater specifically to those in their senior years, others may make younger families their target audience.

These firms are likely to offer a range of onboard activities to their passengers – with evening entertainment being directed to all age groups. Children’s clubs are another common addition to these cruise liners, with different age groups all being offered a range of activities to enjoy.

This is in addition to the range of events aimed at adults, with themed nights and evening entertainment offering every passenger the best possible experience.

The value for money offered on a cruise is also proving to be popular with passengers of various ages as British households continue to feel the financial pinch.

Many families are facing financial difficulties in light of the current economic climate and a cruise offers them the chance to enjoy a convenient holiday which offers value for money by visiting numerous destinations during a single trip.

Life insurance

Another product which is being aimed at those outside of the older age bracket is life insurance. According to reports, as much as half of UK adults are living without this cover and the reasons for doing so are varied.

Whilst some expect the cost to be too high, others feel that it is something which they can leave until they’re older – an assumption which is dangerous to make.

Thankfully, numerous bodies are releasing facts about the important of life insurance for adults of all ages.

Providing an easy way to protect your family after your death, life insurance policies can provide financial assistance to those struggling with grief after losing a loved one.

Any adult should consider investing in this policy – regardless of their age. The sooner that the investment is made the larger the payment is likely to be in the end and that means friends and relatives may have less to worry about when sorting your affairs.

Royal Caribbean Cruises – Visit the Canaries in Style

admin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:45:37 +0000

Cruising to the Canary Islands with Royal Caribbean Cruises will be an experience you’ll never forget.

The Canaries are incredibly popular with UK holidaymakers all year round. While some choose to fly, there is a much more leisurely and enjoyable way to get there and explore more than one island at a time.

Below is a quick guide to what you can expect when you book a cruise to the Canary Islands with Royal Caribbean Cruises.

Getting there

Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the seas cruise ship can take you from Southampton on a journey stopping off at Spanish and Portuguese Ports, before arriving at the Canaries.

On one such cruise, five days after departing Southampton, you’ll arrive at Gran Canaria, with a day-long stop off at Tenerife the next day.

Clearly, if you want to spend longer in these Canary Islands, a cruise holiday with Royal Caribbean may not be your best bet; there are plenty of cheap package holidays available for that. However, being on board and cruising to and from these islands is a great experience in itself, and offers a completely different type of holiday.

Exploring your cruise ship

The Independence of the Seas is one of the world’s best loved cruise ships. As soon as you step aboard, you’ll be in awe of the sheer scale of this vessel and the overwhelming choice of activities and entertainment.

Particular highlights laid on by Royal Caribbean include a climbing wall, surf simulator, ice rink, boxing ring, whirlpools, mini golf, and theatre shows.

There are plenty of restaurants on board to suit every taste, as well as a wide selection of accommodation to suit cruise passengers of all ages and financial means.

Things to do on dry land

There are excursions available which provide an action packed day on Gran Canaria, Lanzarote or Tenerife. When you book with Royal Caribbean Cruises, you should ask about any available excursions as these usually need to be booked well in advance.

With a choice of beaches, volcanoes, and water sports to enjoy, an excursion or day on the beach will enhance your cruising experience. It will also give you lots to talk about and look back on once you’re back on board the Independence of the Seas.

Book your Royal Caribbean cruise to the Canary Islands today, as these are always very popular.

Author Bio: Visit http://www.co-operativetravel.co.uk/cruises/Royal-Caribbean-Cruises/ to browse their range of Royal Caribbean Cruises on board the Independence of the Seas.

Costa Concordia details emerge

Alan — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:35:46 +0000

Newspapers and TV news reports have been dominated in recent days by images of the capsized cruise vessel Costa Concordia, which grounded off the coast of Italy on Friday evening killing at least six people and injuring many more.

Holidaymakers and crew on board the vessel reported that the luxury cruise ship had departed the port of Civitavecchia earlier in the day and was passing close to the small island of Giglio when there was a loud noise followed by sudden darkness as the power on board the Costa Concordia failed.

Many of the passengers were at dinner or attending entertainment events when the accident happened at around 9.30pm local time, meaning that those who did risk plunging into the Mediterranean when the vessel began to list were dressed only in evening wear.

It is traditional for cruise ships leaving Civitavecchia to pass close to Giglio in order to greet the locals who turn out to see these huge vessels heading out to sea. Early reports from the area suggest that the captain of the Costa Concordia, Francesco Schettino, had veered off the normal course and was too close to the island which is surrounded by treacherous hidden rocks.

For his part, Schettino has insisted to police and investigators that he was a safe distance from the shore and that the rocks which caused the disaster did not appear on any of his nautical charts. The captain was taken into custody by local police following the incident, a standard measure when accidents of this kind occur.

Once the Costa Concordia had struck the rocks, creating the large hole which is clearly visible in the side of the vessel, the cruise ship began to list after taking on water and was almost entirely capsized within 90 minutes of the impact. It was at this point that the captain gave the order for the 3,000 passengers and 1,000 crew to abandon ship.

Many on board the vessel report that the evacuation took a long time to get started and that they had been scheduled to go through a drill the next day. Some claimed that it was impossible to find muster points in the chaos, while several lifeboats could not be used because they were on the side of the vessel that was already underwater by the time they were told to leave. Many took matters in their own hands, jumping into the freezing water and swimming the nearly 400 metres to the island of Giglio.

One local sailor, who has worked on the ferry running between Giglio and the mainland for many years, insisted that Schettino had been sailing the Costa Concordia too close to the shore, with some reports saying that the captain had been keen to impress a friend who was visiting the island especially for the traditional sail-past.

Schettino, speaking to the world’s media for the first time, insisted that nautical charts showed underwater rocks at a distance of 150 metres from shore while he was sailing the Costa Concordia over 300 metres from the tiny island.

Not everyone has been critical of Schettino’s actions in the aftermath of the collision, however, with some experts claiming his decision to try and turn the vessel into Giglio’s harbour after it started listing could have saved many lives, even though this lead to the cruise ship grounding in shallower water.

Strictly Come Dancing cruise

Alan — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:47:22 +0000

Strictly Come Dancing is a television show that has become a global success and has meant many new ventures have been spun off from it. It is now possible to find fitness DVDs based on the series as well as other items such as make up and clothing. One of the most radical new ideas based on the television show are cruises with a Strictly Come Dancing theme.

The BBC has recently entered a deal with the tour operator in order to allow them to offer masterclasses on dancing by some of the professional dancers seen on the show. It is also possible to meet some of the judges who have been involved with the television series. Most of the cruises are going to operate in northern Europe as well as the Mediterranean and they are going to begin sailing next year.

On board the ships there are going to be displays of the various costumes that have been worn throughout the series. The trips are another way for the BBC to make even more money from the success of the television show, which is already estimated to generate about £100 million every year for the broadcaster.

The television show brings in most of its revenue through broadcasting rights that are sold in nearly 80 countries around the world. This year, the show is being broadcast for the first time in new countries such as Indonesia, South Korea and France.

In the US the show is known as, Dancing with the Stars, but there are other names with which it is called around the world. Sometimes the BBC is involved with the production of the television show but in other cases the rights are sold to another company who produce it.

The United States brings in the most money for the BBC and since its launch it has been a record-breaking revenue generator. Last year the television show was named by the Guinness Book of Records as the most successful reality TV show, when it comes to finances, of all-time.

Live events are also another big revenue earner and in the last four years over 1.5 million tickets have been sold to events which have generated over £10 million. The cruises are the second type of holiday to be launched tied in with the franchise, in 2009 luxury hotels in the UK started offering four night breaks with dance classes. These holidays also often featured judges and performers from the show coming to get involved.

Live performances also occur in the United States and it is expected that within coming years there are going to be more events of this type in other countries. Merchandising is another big revenue generator and there are even books being published in relation to the brand. One of the latest additions to the brand is the launch of children’s books, which are targeted at 8-year-olds.

Broadcast magazine deputy editor is Chris Curtis who has commented, “Strictly Come Dancing often compete with the X factor but recently the BBC have got the line-up right and more people are now tuning in to their show rather than the offering from ITV. It is also a very profitable enterprise for the BBC because the costs associated with making it are relatively low when compared to something like a drama.”

Cruises Down The Rhine

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:19:35 +0000

Taking a cruise down the Rhine river is one of the best ways that you will ever get to see the numerous hidden delights that exist along the length of this beautiful waterway. Stretching from the Alps right through to the North Sea, the Rhine presents those who travel along it many amazing sights during their journey. A big advantage that a river cruise has over one at sea is that it gives you a real taste of how people really live in the countries you visit.

The cruise liners that take you along the Rhine are obviously a great deal smaller than the ocean going liners, and usually carry a maximum of around 200 passengers. The cabins found on many of the boats can be classed as luxury, and there will be a large amount with balconies where you can sit and relax while you take in the sights and sounds that you are gracefully passing by.

You can also find cabins that include televisions, telephones and showers and many boats will also have hairdressers, saunas and fitness centres to further enhance your enjoyment. A river cruise is an ideal compromise for those who love the idea of taking a cruise but blanch at the thought of spending days looking out over endless miles of ocean, as there is always something new to see along the banks.

Rhine River cruises will afford you the luxury of taking in fascinating villages, dense forests and many cities with international importance. It’s also fun spotting famous landmarks, as well as admiring the vineyards, castles and wildlife as the boat floats by. While the boat does go at a faster speed than a canal boat, they are invariably slower than a cruise ship so you do get to enjoy the sights, it doesn’t whizz past.

The one thing a river cruise does have in common with the ones on the sea is that they will dock at certain places so passengers can leave the boat and experience the attractions as opposed to only seeing them. These can be small and interesting village, or large vibrant cities, depending on which itinerary you have chosen. An example is a stop at the historic village of Cochem, then waking up in the morning at Cologne.

There are numerous travel agents and online sites that offer river cruises down the Rhine, it is simply a case of deciding which sights you wish to see the most and booking your cruise accordingly.

Article Courtesy The River Cruise Line

Win a cruise to Iceland with new travel community website

Alan — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:09:09 +0000

Noble Caledonia’s unique small cruise ships have been in existance since 1991, and for the past 20 years they have been sticking to their slogan of providing ‘big experiences on small ships’. The interesting itinerary of the company’s cruises has wide appeal for the more adventurous traveller who enjoy taking trip to amazing places of the beaten track whilst at the same time benefitting from the knowledge passed on by guides and guest speakers.

Cruises from Noble Caledonia take in a vast and varied range of destinations, and those who want to take an exploration cruise to Antarctica or follow the footsteps of Marco Polo by journeying in style down the Silk Road from Moscow to Beijing know exactly who to turn to. When there are so many choices, it is always to be able to talk to fellow travellers to ascertain where your next fun and educational trip will take you.

Noble Caledonia’s newly-launched Travel Post community website is one such platform where adventurous explorers can re-live their travels, stay in touch with friends they have met on cruises and make new friends.

The site is also a wonderful resource for those researching travel options. Travel Post website has so many inspiring travel articles, photo galleries, video clips and regularly-updated blogs from Captains and expert field staff.

Of course, adventurous travellers would rather board a cruise ship than read about cruises. Which is why Noble Caledonia are marking the launch of the site with a new Explorer’s Competition.

A few clicks of the mouse to register as a Travel Post member and enter the competition could result in you setting sail on a journey to a land of ice and fire…

The competition winner will receive a cruise for two aboard the MS Caledonian Sky’s Passage North cruise – a cruise which takes in the UK’s dramatic North Coastline before heading to the Faroe Islands and Iceland.

To enter the competition register by clicking here or visiting http://travelpost.noble-caledonia.co.uk/competition

Entering the competition gives you the chance to experience the thrill of adventurous travelling first-hand.

If you do win, you can always write about your travels on Travel Post!

Costa Concordia £9,000 compensation offer

Alan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:44:10 +0000

The Italian company that owned the infamous Costa Concordia that sunk off the coast of the country has offered passengers a total of about £9,000 as compensation for their emotional and personal damages in the crash.

The deal comes after Costa Cruises and consumer groups representing the passengers from Italy met to talk about what is owed to those on board. In addition, all transport and medical expenses that were incurred as a result of the crash will be fully refunded to passengers along with the price paid for the actual cruise.

Reuters news agency reported that Codacons, the consumer group, has told passengers not to take the deal claiming that they are owed much more. Two US law firms and Codacons are instead pursuing a class action lawsuit in the United States against Costa Cruises claiming that each passenger should be entitled to at least £160,000. The lawsuit has been filed in the US because the US based Carnival Group actually owns Costa Cruises.

One of the firm’s lawyers, Mitchell Proner, stated that there are 110 claimants involved in the lawsuit and that the lawsuit can pertain to as many as 3,000 passengers that are from sixty or more countries, many of which are Italians. The passengers do not have to accept the £9,000 that is being offered to them, but it is the only quick and easy way to get reimbursed for the ordeal.