Virgin Voyages – the brand new cruise line first announced in 2014 – is launching it’s first cruise holidays in early 2020.

What itineraries will Virgin Voyages offer?

All cruises will set sail from the home port of Miami and sail around the Caribbean. Most itineraries are short – four or five nights with some one week cruise holidays over Christmas and New Year. Ports of call include:

• Costa Maya on the Yucatan Penninsula, Mexico
• Bimini, Bahamas
• Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Are Virgin Voyages child-friendly?

Quite simply – no. Virgin Voyages are adults only, and they define an adult as 21+

How many ships do Virgin Voyages have?

They will launch with one ship – “Scarlet Lady” and have placed orders for three more. Each ship is the same class (110,000 tonnage; 1,150 crew; 1,430 cabins; 2,800 passengers) and are planned to be delivered in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

What’s included in a Virgin Voyage?

Tips, Wi-Fi, Food (available 24 hours), Soft-drinks, Tea & Coffee.

So you can expect to pay for excursions, spa treatments, alcoholic drinks, premium soft-drinks (fresh juice for example).

Does Virgin Voyages offer single cabins?

Yes they do have single cabins. It’s also possible to book a double cabin for single occupancy.

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering guests ‘FREE Drinks & Tips’ on over 120 cruises from April to December 2020 – on all new bookings made up to 4th February 2020 inclusive – with prices as low as £599 per person.

Find out more by visiting the Fred. Olsen deals page.

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To get you inspired we have collected together some great photos of the Disney Cruise line experience. Call us free today and ask us anything about a cruise with Disney. It’s possible to book cruise only or a complete package – you can even book a Caribbean Disney cruise in combination with a stay at Walt Disney World in Florida. Med cruises can be combined with a hotel stay in Barcelona or Venice.

Captain Mickey looks relaxed in Venice

Enjoy the med from Disney Magic

Mickey and Minnie star at the Walt Disney Theatre.

A young guest enjoys time with Minnie

A Young guest meets Minnie onboard Disney Dream.

Mickey and guests on the beach.

Disney Magic in port, Villefranche.

Villains Tonight! a stage show onboard Disney Dream.

Guests on deck watching fireworks

Disney Magic in The Bahamas

Disney Magic in Villefranche-sur-Mer, France.

On board with Captain Mickey.

The Disney Dream

Watching “Little Princess” onboard Disney Dream

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Experience a variety of exciting and interesting places around the Western Mediterranean with a cruise from Palma, Mallorca, while living a comfortable cruise life aboard the Thomson Majesty or TUI Discovery. Depending on which route you choose, you will experience everything from the beautiful islands of Corsica and Sicily to the big cities such as Naples, Rome and Barcelona.

Cruise only or cruise & stay / stay & cruise – the choice is yours!

The week-long cruises are based on Mallorca, and you choose if you want to book a flight only, cruise or combine with an extra week of sun and sea in Majorca. You may then choose which destinations and hotels you want in our extensive range on the island.

Relaxation and experiences

TUI Discovery is the company’s largest cruise ship, with fine cuisine, entertainment and excellent service on offer. On almost every day the ship is bound for a new port of call. You choose if you want to go on tour, stroll on your own or stay on board and relax by one of the two pool. The atmosphere onboard is cosy and snug and you have primarily British passengers for company.

Options for families and couples

This summer Thomson cruises offers both family-friendly cruises and selected departures only for adults. The latter applies for selected departures during the year, when passengers from 17 years upwards are welcome on board. For families all the Thomson cruise ships have a kids club, child friendly shore excursions and family friendly dining.

Relaxed atmosphere

The ship’s public areas have large bars are perfect for mingling and cozy corners, perfect for a nightcap. Thomson Dream has four restaurants offering everything from round-the-open buffets or delicious a la carte dishes. Of the two pools have a retractable roof. The theatre, which is split between two floors – with a mix of chairs, booths and seating for two – feels like a little slice of London’s theatre district, West End, down to the sea.

Two different cruise itineraries

The two alternative routes cruise lets you experience the best around the western Mediterranean. The routes and their dates are below. Here’s a description of the program in brief:

“Mediterranean treasures”

You start with a visit to the versatile Sicily and then make a trip to Naples, where you have the opportunity to join a guided tour of Pompeii. Next, expect the eternal city of Rome and the French island of Corsica. The cruise ends with a visit to the tiny fishing village of Palamos on the Costa Brava coast of mainland Spain. From here it’s not far from Figueres to the famous Salvador Dalí Museum.

“Potpourri Mediterranean”

The cruise begins with a visit to the Italian Riviera, and then makes forays in Tuscany with exciting excursions to Florence and Pisa. Then you get the opportunity to visit two French beauties, Napoleon’s island of Corsica and Sète with exciting excursions in the Languedoc-Roussillon. The cruise ends with a full day of incredible Barcelona, before returning to Majorca.

See what’s included
The holiday price includes flights to and from Palma (lots of UK airports available), transport between airport and ship and full board (excluding beverages) on board. Possible supplements apply on cabin upgrades and certain flights.

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The 2014 edition is out now.

In its 29th year of publication and referred to by some as “The Cruise Bible”, The Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships 2014 published by Berlitz which has just been released makes a great Christmas present for anyone passionate about cruise holidays.

With so much choice in the Cruise Industry today the Berlitz guide is the most authorative guide you can buy.

If you value impartial in depth research into cruise ships and cruise lines then this book comes highly recommended. Over 250 cruise ships are profiled and rated on the Berlitz rating system which gives ships “points” out of a possible 2’000. There’s some superb analysis and insight throughout the book.

Click here to buy online or read customer reviews at Amazon.co.uk

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Take advantage of some excellent value cruises to the captivating Caribbean in this special offer from P&O cruises.

P&O Cruises are offering customers the chance to fly direct to the Caribbean sunshine and enjoy a two week cruise with outside cabin on either Azura or Ventura. If the thought of escaping the British winter appeals to you, where better to escape the cold weather and grey skies than the Caribbean – an archipelago of islands made for cruising?

Need To Know – Late Deals with P&O Cruises

• Flights and transfers are included in the price.
• Flights are to and from Barbados and are available from Birmingham, Gatwick and Manchester.
• There is a 1.5% surcharge for booking your cruise with a credit card. Payment with debit card incurs no extra fees.
• P&O “Getaway Fares” require full payment at time of booking.

A Caribbean cruise would be, for many people, the perfect antidote to the cold, snowy winter we may have this year. Imagine sipping cocktails in Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada … the list goes on. That’s the beauty (and it is literally some beautiful islands you can visit) of a Caribbean cruise – a new port of call each day. Most of the available cruise are for 14 nights and have 8 to 10 ports of call. These are almost all fly cruise’s but the good news is that it’s more than just London flights that are available. You can fly from London Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester. Click here to sign up for Caribbean Cruise deal alerts (by email) or Click here to visit POCruises.com

Dunns River Falls – Popular Jamaica Shore Excursion

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Here is the first thing you should know about packing for a cruise. Packing in this context is not the same as packing to go on any other type of holiday. Get it right and your trip will be an enjoyable and successful one. But if you get it wrong you’ll forever be cursing yourself for not bringing what you needed and packing what you didn’t.

Clearly you’ll get better at it the more cruises you take. But if you have booked your first cruise already, it would be nice to get it right first time, wouldn’t it? That’s what this article is for – to help you figure out what you need and what you don’t. So let’s get started shall we?

Know Your Limits

A no fly cruise (cruise departing from the UK) will typically offer a much larger baggage allowance than a fly-cruise. All cruise lines differ in their maximum luggage allowance, but be aware of the limits on your flight if you are taking a fly-cruise. You might also want to consider your cabin size – a small cabin can get cramped if you have large suitcases taking up precious space.

Don’t fall for shorts and nothing but shorts

When you go on a beach holiday you probably pack in as many pairs of shorts as you can find. But don’t fall for this when you’re packing for a cruise. You won’t be able to wear them anywhere and everywhere, and you might find you’re stuck for things to wear if you pack too many pairs to the detriment of other clothing items.

Walking shorts are a bit different, but the really short shorts should be avoided en masse.

Find out what the dress code is

This can vary according to the particular cruise you are on. Cunard Line for example has traditionally been very formal, whereas Royal Caribbean is for the most part casual with 2 formal nights per week on average. Check the details of your own cruise once you have booked it (or beforehand, if you want to be sure of knowing exactly what is expected) and use them to help you.

Remember that all cruises should warrant fairly smart clothing at all times. You can dress casually – in fact you will probably do this for much of the time, but there is a big difference between dressing casually and looking scruffy. Make sure you always opt for the former. This applies when going ashore as well as making use of all the facilities on your cruise ship.

Think about your carry-on bag

You’ll be pleased to know you don’t have to struggle with the rest of your luggage when it comes to boarding your cruise ship. All you have to worry about is your carry-on bag, and that means you should have everything you need to get by from the moment you step on board.

Obviously this should include your passport and other travel documents. But you should pack a few clothes in this bag as well, just in case it takes a while to get your suitcase. Once you’re on board you might be excited to try some of the facilities you’ve got to look forward to. That’s why it’s a good idea to pack your swimwear in your carry-on otherwise you’ll have to wait for your suitcase to turn up.

A change of clothes – something light and comfy and easy to pack – is a good idea too. Any valuables such as a camera and phone should be kept in a separate, easy to access pocket. Think of the basics you would need to settle in and enjoy yourself if your suitcase didn’t turn up for a day or two and you’ll be fine.

Formal dress

Most cruises will require formal dress for some of the time. It is normally only for dinner reservations and then it may not apply every evening. Again, find out what applies to your specific cruise before you pack, so you are able to buy any outfits you may need in addition to what you already have. If your cruise is for a week or two you will only need one, possibly two, formal outfits. A longer cruise may require one or two more depending on the length of time you will be at sea.

Think practically

With regard to packing your carry-on and your luggage, it is wise to think practically. For example make a pile of the absolute essential items you wouldn’t be able to travel without first, and then go from there. Find out what facilities and items will be provided in your state room as well, such as a shaver and a hairdryer. This can help you narrow down the items you need to pack for your trip.

Another area worth a mention is entertainment. No matter how many facilities are on board your ship, you will still want to take a few magazines or books with you to enjoy. This is where an e-reader comes in extremely useful, since you can carry hundreds of books in a very small space.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt a cruise holiday can be enormous fun, incredibly relaxing and very inspiring too. It can take you to foreign shores you may never have visited before. But you will enjoy it far more if you are able to pack for it and plan for it in advance.

A lot of these skills come with experience – the more cruises you sail on the easier it will be to pack for them. But if you follow the tips and advice given above you will be far more successful at getting it right the first time you try. Happy cruising!

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CruiseOffers.co.uk latest infographic shows some interesting facts and figures about the cruise industry.

If you like our latest Cruise Industry Infographic, you are more than welcome to embed it on your own website or blog and you can do so by simply copying and pasting the code below:

<a title="Cruise Holiday Facts & Figures Infographic" href="https://www.cruiseoffers.co.uk/2013/02/06/infographic-cruise-holiday-facts-figures/"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.cruiseoffers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/cruiseoffers2.jpg" alt="infographic - how big is the cruise industry?" width="800" border="0" /></a><br /> Cruise holidays infographic from <a href="https://www.cruiseoffers.co.uk/">www.CruiseOffers.co.uk</a>

Cruising in Comfort: The New Wave of Recreation

A holiday is one of the most rewarding experiences to alleviate everyday stresses. The cruise industry is the fastest-growing category in the leisure travel market. Since 1980, the industry has experienced an average annual passenger growth rate of approximately 7.2% per annum. According to a recent Telegraph article, the number of holidaymakers who took a cruise in 2011 exceeded 20 million for the first time, an increase of 1.9 million or nearly 10% of the previous year.

Countries That Cruised in 2011

• 1.7 million British holidaymakers, a slight increase from 1.62 million in 2010.
• 4.5 million for the rest of Europe.
• 11.5 million North Americans.
• 2.9 million from the rest of the world.

Ships Ahoy!

The cruise industry averaged 17 million worldwide passengers in 2012, a 4% increase over 2011.

Since 1990, over 185 million passengers have taken a 2+ day cruise. Of this number, over 70% of the total passengers account for the last 10 years, and nearly 38% in the past 5 years.
Cruisers tend to book 3.3 months before the trip.
In 2012, potential cruisers sought cruises at a length of 7.5 days, exceeding the length of 6.7 days back in 2008.

Cruiser Characteristics

Of the target demographic, 73,121,000, or 55% of people have taken a cruise. Fewer than half

of those (32,838,000) have done so in the past three years. Based on a 2011 CLIA Market Profile Study, other

characteristics include:

• 50+ is the average median age of all cruise passengers.
• 79% of all cruisers are married.
• 86 % of first-time cruisers are recent college graduates.
• 44.6 % of all cruisers are 25 and older.
• In USD, the average cruiser income is $40,000+.
• 60% of all cruisers will repeat a cruise in the future.
• 80% of all cruisers travel with spouses.
• Only 2% of all cruisers travel alone.

Most Appealing Cruise Destinations

The industry’s growth is headlined by the Caribbean, accounting for 39.8% of all itineraries in 2011. Other sought-out destinations include:

• Caribbean – 45%
• Alaska – 24%
• Bahamas – 23%
• Hawaii – 15%
• Bermuda – 15%
• Mediterranean/Greek Islands/Turkey – 14%
• Europe- 13%
• Panama Canal – 8%
• West Coast of Mexico – 8%

Why Cruise?

>> When comparing the benefits of cruising to other holidays, the top 7 choices include:

• Travel Experience – 56%
• Pampering – 44%
• Fine Dining – 51%
• Relaxation – 44%
• Easy to Plan/Arrange – 53%
• Good Value for Money – 50%
• Reliable/Convenient – 44%

Cruiser Costs

Cruisers spend a considerable 25% more on holidays than non-cruisers, averaging $1,700 £1085 (to non-cruise spendings of $1,300 / £830).

• 49% of cruisers received a discount or used a promotional offer on their last cruise.
• 66% fly to the cruise origination point and pay an average of $376 (£250) each for the flight.
• Cruisers average between $171-$234 (£110-£150) in spending per day.

>> Furthermore, 48% of all cruisers believe that websites and online travel retailers provide the best prices on cruises, almost three times the rate of travel agents at 17%.<<

Cruises are literally making waves amongst holidaymakers, providing an entertaining and safe means of recreational travel. According to the Passenger Shipping Association, the number of Britons taking a holiday cruise was estimated to be 1.7 million in 2012. For those interested in these floatable getaways, please consider www.cruiseoffers.co.uk for cost-efficient cruise deals. Here you can find the widest range of tailor-made cruise options, spanning various lines and exotic destinations. Sea, sand and savings; sounds like the perfect combination to ensure your holiday is nothing but smooth sailing!

Data Sources

Source: http://cruisenewz.net/cruises-2012-fresh-ideas-facts-and-info-on-2012-cruises/
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/cruises/cruise-news/9540714/Cruise-holidays-grow-in-popularity.html
Source: http://www.statisticbrain.com/cruise-ship-industry-statistics/
Source: http://www.f-cca.com/downloads/2012-Cruise-Industry-Overview-Statistics.pdf

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2013 brings with it more opportunities to set sail on a cruise – and this year there are several brand new cruise ships to consider as your base for your cruise holiday as well.

Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching the Norwegian Breakaway this year, promising an experience like no other. With a range of stunning features, its most notable addition is Rock of Ages, live performances of the hit musical on board every cruise. You can also visit its Jazz and Blues Club for something a little more laid back. The Norwegian Breakaway will be sailing from Rotterdam to Southampton on 28th April 2013 and then from Southampton to New York (7 day cruise) on 30th April. Based in New York NCL will then offer itineraries from the Big Apple to The Bahamas, Florida, The Caribbean and Bermuda.

Carnival Sunshine

Not strictly a new ship, The Carnival Sunshine is the result of an eye watering $155’000’000 refit given to the Carnival Destiny. Boasting a stunning atrium, the Redfrog Pub (just one of the bars available) and the Cloud 9 Spa for true relaxation on the waves, the new 3’000 passenger ship is set to launch in April this year. And if the luxurious surroundings are a little too much for you to handle, you can get fit with their range of activities instead, including the ropes course and challenge. For Summer 2013 Carnival Sunshine will offer Med itineraries from Venice and Barcelona.

MSC Preziosa

Spring will see the luxurious MSC Preziosa launch into action, boasting an infinity pool, a futuristic disco and several themed bars. You can also look forward to enjoying the on board Aurea spa and opt to eat at the all day buffet if you don’t want to be constrained by time. The MSC Preziosa will offer an “adult only sanctuary” known as the Top 18 Exclusive Solarium which features premium deck space and stunning sea views, dedicated spa service, bar menu and complimentary fruit skewers.Those with children will love every feature of the aqua park designed especially with them in mind too. MSC Preziosa which has a passenger capacity of 3959 passengers offers Med cruises from Genoa.

AIDAStella

The new AIDA Stella is to be launched by AIDA Cruises in March this year. AIDA ships rank highly on sport and fitness facilities, as well as spa facilities, and they stand out for their eye catching smiles painted on the front of each ship. The stella is sure to be no different, and since it is brand new it is bound to exceed the expectations even of those who are familiar with the brand. MS AidaStella boasts 1097 cabins, 7 restaurants and 12 bars.

Which new ship are you looking forward to seeing most?

Now is the time to make your booking to sail on one of the forthcoming new cruise ships being launched this year. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample the luxury you are assured of in this situation – join the Cruise Offers VIP club and get exclusive offers from leading cruise lines.

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CruiseOffers.co.uk presents an infographic showing you the largest cruise ships currently operating, along with some facts about the size and scope of the Cruise Industry – both in The UK and on a global scale.

If you like this Cruise Industry Infographic, you are welcome to embed it on your own website or blog by copying and pasting the code below:

<a title="Cruise Industry Infographic" href="https://www.cruiseoffers.co.uk/2012/08/30/cruise-industry-2012/"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.cruiseoffers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/cruiseoffers-blue2.jpg" alt="Cruise Industry 2012 - Biggest ships and more" width="600" border="0" /></a><br /> <a href="https://www.cruiseoffers.co.uk/2012/08/30/cruise-industry-2012/">Cruise Industry 2012 infographic</a> by <a href="https://www.cruiseoffers.co.uk/">CruiseOffers.co.uk</a>

If you would like the infographic in another colour or need any help adding it to your site please feel free to get in touch. If you want to host the infographic on your own server that is fine but please remember to link to this page.

More about this infographic
For anyone that can’t see the infographic (it’s one large image, maybe difficult to scale on mobile devices for example) here are some more details.

A) Which are the largest cruise ships currently operating?

• Allure of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• The Norwegian Epic
• Freedom of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• RMS Queen Mary II

B) Facts about cruising

• The average length of a cruise is 7.2 days.
• 14% of all cruise passenfers are retirees.
• 39.8% of all cruises visit The Bahamas.
• 79% of passengers are married and 71% are graduates.

C) How big is the cruise industry?

• More than 16 million people went on a cruise in 2011 (worldwide).
• The cruise industry forecasts 17 million passengers for 2012.
• Since 1990 over 185 million passengers have embarked.
• 60% of all cruisers are repeat customers.
• 70% of all passengers originate in North America.
• The average cruise passenger is 46 years old.

D) The UK Cruise Industry

• 10.63% of global cruise passengers come from The UK.
• The Cruise Industry contributed £2.28bn to the UK economy in 2011.
• The UK’s busiest port is Southampton with 1.5 million passengers per year.
• The Cruise Industry provides employment for 78320 people in The UK either directly or indirectly.

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