CruiseDirectUK

Cruise Direct: 2010 for 2009 Prices ... and more!

2009-08-12T12:36:00.003+01:00

Incredible, amazing, fantastic ... call it what you will. We at Cruise Direct have some remarkable offers on P&O and Princess Cruises at the minute.

It's 2010 cruises for 2009 prices, it's up to $200 free on-board credit, it's free kid places on selected sailings ... it's incredible.

Visit Cruise Direct today for all of the amazing details!

Sign up for tickets before they sail away!

2009-08-10T14:44:00.003+01:00

Ahoy!

Just over two weeks to our one-off Cruise and River Cruise One Day Sale. Clear the diary for Saturday 29 August to ensure that you can grab one of our bargains that will be available for one day only.

If you're in Glasgow or the surrounding area then be sure to register for tickets now ... before they're all gone. Either call Cruise Direct on 0800 093 0655 or register via our website at www.cruisedirect.co.uk

And if you're not in Glasgow then don't despair, all of our amazing One Day Sale Cruise offers will also be available to all of our customers by telephone.

Whether you're planning your first of fiftieth cruise our friendly, expert consultants will be on hand to ensure that we find you the very best cruise deal to suit your needs.

Aye Aye!

Massive One Day Cruise Sale!

2009-08-07T12:23:00.003+01:00

Announcing Cruise Direct's amazing Cruise and River Cruise One Day Sale!

Sat 29 Aug from 10am to 6pm in our Glasgow superstore we'll have representatives from all of the biggest and best cruise lines with expert info and incredible special offers that will be available for one day only. We'll also be serving refreshments to all our visitors all day. Shiver me timbers!

Whether you're planning your first or fiftieth cruise be sure not to miss out on what's sure to be a brilliant day. Book your free tickets now! Call our ticket line on 0871 226 2953 to guarantee your tickets!

Ventura has now completed her inaugural summer season

2008-11-18T15:52:00.001Z

Ventura has now completed her inaugural summer season and is starting her first winter season in the Caribbean. Since her launch in April we have welcomed on board over 4,000 travel agents and some 57,000 passengers. Many of you, your staff and your customers have let us know your views on this extraordinary ship and because of this interest, and our shared passion to deliver a holiday like no other, I thought that I would write to share with you my views on "Ventura so far".

As we anticipated, her first year of operation has seen large numbers of our past passengers wanting to experience the ship. She has also played host to unprecedented numbers of newcomers who have been attracted by her innovation, scale and choice.

In general newcomers have reacted very favourably to Ventura and we continue to see this as our primary focus. That said, we have had some challenges in marrying the differing needs and expectations of a new audience with those who have travelled with us many times before. Indeed the first year of operation for any ship is always its most difficult and the team on board have worked extremely hard to consistently deliver against our passengers' expectations. Their commitment has been rewarded with customer satisfaction scores that are now comparable to her fleet companions.

Customers aren't just telling us what a fantastic holiday they've had; they're also telling visitors to the growing number of cruise dedicated online review sites. A large majority of recent reviews on such sites gave Ventura an overall rating of 4 stars and above, and an overwhelming number awarded 5 stars. Don't just take my word for it though, read exerts from these reviews, which I have included as an addendum or, better still, visit one of these sites for yourself.

Despite eliciting such praise from our customers, we continue to review and enhance all elements of Ventura's operation and I am pleased to be able to share with you some of the changes we'll be introducing.

Freedom Dining We have experienced particularly heavy demand for Freedom Dining at peak times, especially during the summer school holidays. In order to realise this concept to the full, and thereby ensure that it does indeed offer customers the flexibility that they desire, we have increased the number of tables within the Cinnamon Restaurant and will be introducing specialist software to enable the team to effectively manage the utilisation of the range of restaurants around the ship.

More significantly though, passengers will no longer need to book a table in advance. Instead they can enjoy the ultimate freedom of arriving at the time they would like to dine and, where possible, they will be seated immediately. This is the system that we operate on board Oceana with great success. Additionally, our entertainment scheduling is being improved and phased to offer increased choice and flexibility at a range of times, thereby alleviating 'peak time' demand.
Beach HouseIt's not just the main dining rooms that will offer an improved service, the Waterside food court and adjacent family dining restaurant, The Beach House, haven't escaped our attention. The standard of presentation is being enhanced in both these food courts and The Beach House will evolve to offer an additional informal dining venue with waiter service. This will offer customers, particularly families, another plated meal option.

Balcony FurnitureI also have some good news for passengers travelling in one of Ventura's 880 balcony staterooms next year. In spring 2009 we will be introducing new furniture including a reclining chair, which will allow sun-lovers to make even more of their balcony. This will have the added advantage of helping to alleviate the high demand for loungers on the open deck, which we experienced during the summer school holidays.

SunloungersI acknowledge that sunbed availability has been an issue during some of the summer school holiday cruises. In order to address this we have decided to devote some of the space originally allocated to Cirque Ventura on Deck 19 as an additional sunbathing area. This will give those passengers who like to spend some time relaxing in the sun more space to do so. We will retain the bungee trampolines which have been a real hit with passengers aged from 8 to 84! And we will continue to offer the Cirque Ventura circus skills school teaching the art of juggling, tightrope and stilt walking.

New TerminalOf course, some of the challenges presented by welcoming such a vast ship into the P&O Cruises fleet aren't just on board; the sheer number of people boarding this vessel has inevitably meant a greater requirement for car parking. This has been at the forefront of our minds when planning for the brand new cruise terminal currently under construction and, as a result, the new terminal will be better able to accommodate such demands when it enters use next year.

The reviews online, the customer satisfaction scores and the letters we regularly receive from our customers, all indicate that Ventura is becoming a much loved member of our fleet, with the children's clubs, East, The White Room, Cirque Ventura, the stage shows and our staff on board all cited as reasons why customers' holidays on board Ventura are so extraordinary. We are sure that the adjustments we are making will compliment the experience and further enhance the success of Ventura.

In summary, Ventura is carving out her own substantial niche within the P&O Cruises fleet and is offering the contemporary and innovative holiday experience that she has been created to deliver, and is appealing to the very customers that she was designed for.
The P&O Cruises brand, and the ships that help define us, is constantly evolving to ensure that we remain Britain's leading cruise line. Azura is destined to add another string to our already eclectic bow, as you'll discover in our next announcement on Tuesday 25th November.
Thank you for your support thus far and I, the ship's officers and crew and my management team look forward to working with you as the next remarkable chapter in our history unfolds.

Yours sincerely

Nigel Esdale
Managing DirectorP&O Cruises

Exerts from online reviews:

Review by Jones, Rotherham on 26th Oct 2008 "We went as a group - myself, husband, 2 children aged 11 and 12, husband's mum and dad, his sister, her partner and daughter aged 3. We read lots of reviews on here and wondered if we had done the right thing, now having been on her all the negative reviews have gone out of the window. The ship is modern, big, and a joy to travel on".

Review by Thomson, Motherwell on 26th Oct 2008"We have just returned from our recent cruise on board Ventura. We had a fantastic time, we ate each evening in the Cinnamon Restaurant and we also had a superb meal at The White Room. The service in the restaurants was excellent and although we opted for freedom dining, we had the same waiter for most of the duration of the holiday. Our two teenage children, aged 17 and 15 years old, spent a large amount of time with the many new friends that they had met in Decibels (teenagers den), they had such a good holiday that they did not want their vacation to end. I would remind people that the ship is in fact a family ship and even although there was over 300 young people / children on board it was hardly noticeable".

Review by: martin, Doncaster on 11th Oct 2008"We were on Ventura canaries cocktail n816 this was our 1st ever cruise and I have to say I was a little worried after reading some negative reviews on this site, we had a wonderful time & I would more than likely return to this ship. We were on freedom dining, ate in the waterside & beach house mainly on port days & used cinnamon a couple of times on sea days, no complaints on either side & there was always plenty of choice! We ate in Marco's restaurant once, plenty availability for bookings in advance & I have to say the food & service was fantastic & worth the supplement! Just wish I had the chance to try East as well, maybe next trip! We were always able to find spare sunbeds they may not always be where you want, but are available".

Review by: jackson, trimdon grange on 30th Sep 2008"Sailed on the 31st of August to the canaries. After reading the reviews was a little concerned but we had a brilliant time. The ship was lovely, inside cabin spacious with a lovely walk in wardrobe and adequate space. Been on Aurora and Oceana and loved both ships and this was just as good. Food was excellent, so was kids club for our 7 year old in fact we hardly saw him. The theatre group was very good but I must say the musicals were very modern and I do prefer something where I know the songs and can join in. The food was of excellent standard in the restaurants, waterside, beach house and frankies grill. Did not try east or white room restaurants as was more than happy with the bay tree restaurant. All in all this was an excellent value for money holiday and beats any package holiday. We will continue to cruise with P&O for many years to come already booked for Ventura in June".

P&O Extras are so Suite

2008-10-09T11:46:00.003+01:00

P&O passengers who buy suites and mini-suites will now benefit from a range of added extras. Priority check-in and welcome flowers and baskets of fruit are part of the deal with a welcome glass of sparkling wine also delivered to your cabin. Pre-dinner canapés will also be offered to these passengers on formal nights in their suites. Passengers who book larger suites will be given a choice of a hot breakfast or afternoon tea also brought to their staterooms.

In keeping with all Cruise companies P&O are trying very hard to attract clients to their luxury offerings. This end of the market tends to be the least affected in difficult times and certainly there are offers available. Cruise Direct have some amazing offers in their specialist Luxury Cruise department, it's well worth a look.

Carnival Cruise announce refit plans

2008-10-07T09:16:00.001+01:00

CARNIVAL UK has published plans for the addition of 48 new balconies across 3 of its scruise liners. Carnival Destiny has just sailed from dry dock with an additional 16 new balcony cabins and Carnival Triumph & Carnival Liberty will soon boast 32 new balconies between them when the emerge from dry dock on their next visit.

Destiny and Triumph will also have a have Carnival’s Seaside Theatre added and Liberty will be fitted with 2 new “deluxe penthouse suites” which can accommodate up to 5.

Record Sales for Cruise

2008-10-07T09:02:00.002+01:00

A major cruise operator has recorded it's best ever month of sales in September, showing that the cruise market is still alive and well despite the doom and gloom of the credit crunch.

As stock markets plumet the taste for cruising is still as strong as ever with the comapny bringing in over £3 million in sales revenue in the month. Sales were spread out over all seasons and were reflected throughout the market.

Barrhead Travel also are recording similar sales growth over an extended period as are Cruise Direct.

Catriona Parsons, Sales manager said "This is a phenomenal period of growth in the cruise market. We at Barrhead Travel have worked hard to be sure that we have the right product on sale at the right prices" she added our success is also as a result of our insistence on the highest standards of customer service. Weare lucky to employ some very good, highly motivated and experienced staff who are constanly scouring the market to find the best deals for our clients.

Luxury Cruising missing the Crunch

2008-10-06T09:25:00.002+01:00

Luxury Cruising is still as popular as ever despite the "credit crunch", it seems that at the very top end there is still a steady demand for the very best of everything.

Luxury Cruising has never really wained despite the popularity that informal cruising has gained over the last 5 years. The section of the market that caters for the most luxurious experiences afloat will always be in demand as those who can afford the time and justify the expence seek their relaxation.

CruiseDirectUK have recognised this and are one of the leading companies in the field offering some fantastic bargains on the best cruises available. Here are some of the bargains they have on offer

14 February 2009 - Crystal Symphony – 19 Night Tour

From £3642.00pp

** Upgrade to Deluxe Veranda Stateroom £640.00pp **

Itinerary:

Fly UK – Miami

Private transfer from Airport to Hotel

Le Meridien Sunny Beach Resort, Miami

2 nights Room Only

Private transfer from Hotel to Port

14 nights on board the Crystal Symphony

Deluxe Stateroom with Large picture window

Private transfer from Port to Hotel

Hyatt Regency Huntingdon Beach , Los Angeles

2 nights Room Only

Private transfer from Hotel to Airport

Fly Los Angeles –UK

Day 1: Miami

Day 2: At Sea

Day 2: Grand Cayman

Day 3: At Sea

Day 4: Cartagena

Day 5: Panama Canal

Day 6: At Sea

Day 7: Caldera

Day 8: At Sea

Day 9: At Sea

Day 10: Acapulco

Day 11: At Sea

Day 12: Cabo San Lucas

Day 13: At Sea

Day 14: Los Angeles

***

These tours are subject to availability and prices are subject to change until confirmed in full.

14 June 2009 - Crystal Serenity – 7 nights Fly Cruise

From £2458.00pp

** PLUS $100.00pp ON BOARD CREDIT**

**Upgrade to a Deluxe Veranda Stateroom from £425.00pp**

Itinerary:

Fly UK TO Venice

Private transfer from Airport to Port

7 nights on board the Crystal Serenity

Deluxe Stateroom with Large picture window

Private transfer from Port to Airport

Fly Rome to UK

Day 1: Venice

Day 2: Venice

Day 3: Dubrovnik

Day 4: Corfu

Day 5: At Sea

Day 6: Taormina

Day 7: Sorrento

Day 8: Rome

***

Tours are subject to availability and prices are subject to change until confirmed in full.

19 June 2009 – Crystal Symphony – 11 nights Tour

From £3505.00pp PLUS $150.00pp ON BOARD CREDIT

**Upgrade to Deluxe Veranda Stateroom £725.00pp**

Itinerary:

Depart Dover 19 June 2009 to Stockholm

11 nights on board Crystal Symphony

Deluxe Stateroom with large picture window

Private transfer from Port to Airport

Fly Stockholm to UK

Day 1: Dover

Day 2: At Sea

Day 3: Oslo

Day 4: Copenhagen

Day 5: Visby

Day 6: At Sea

Day 7: St Petersburg

Day 8: St Petersburg

Day 9: St Petersburg

Day 10: Helsinki

Day 11 Stockholm

Day 12 Stockholm

***

Tours are subject to availability and prices are subject to change until confirmed in full.

Fantastic Cruise Special Offers from Cruise Direct

2008-10-03T14:04:00.000+01:00

New York Stay & Transatlantic Voyage
Onboard Queen Mary 2

26 April 2009 • 8 Nights from just £849pp

6 nights Full Board on the Fabulous Queen Mary 2

Stay 1 night FREE In a 4*hotel

Book a BALCONY cabin & receive 2 nights FREE in New York

Other dates available 14 April & 5 November 2009

Fly non-stop from Glasgow or Edinburgh to New York, transfer to your 4 star hotel for a 1 night stay.
See the bright lights of the Big Apple, international mecca and melting pot, with expensive brownstones, colourful neighbourhoods, great museums and ambling parks. Some come just for the shopping:
there’s Bloomingdales on Lex, Tiffanys on Fifth, Barneys and the unique boutiques along Madison.
Or head downtown and explore the trendy shops of SoHo

Transfer to Queen Mary 2 - the grandest, most magnificent ocean liner ever built. She's a true heir
to the timeless elegance, legacy and inspiration of the great Cunard liners of legend. You'll notice it the moment you walk through her doors into her soaring Grand Lobby, and be awed from the first instance you experience the famous Cunard White Star ServiceTM.

Sail between New York and Southampton and experience six unforgettable days to revel in activities. Your days and nights at sea offer an abundance of possibilities. Spend a refreshing moment beneath a waterfall in the AquaTherapy Centre of the Canyon Ranch SpaClub®, browse the books in the largest library collection at sea, attend lavish Royal Nights balls, indulge in our traditional Afternoon Tea in the Queens Room and dine on the finest cuisine and perhaps best of all, be among the privileged travellers who can say they have experienced an extraordinary legacy

22 October 2008 Silver Shadow 17Nt Tour

From £4995pp

Itinerary:
Fly UK - Papeete Private transfer from the Airport to Hotel
Overnight stay at the Sofitel Tahiti Resort, Papetee
Private transfer from Hotel to Port
16 Nights onboard the Silver Shadow
Suite Accommodation - All Inclusive

Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Rangiroa, French Polynesia • Day At Sea • Nuku Hiva • French Polynesia •
Day At Sea • Day At Sea • Day At Sea • Day At Sea • Hilo, Hawaii, USA • Honolulu •
Oahu, Hawaii, USA • Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, Usa • Day At Sea • Day At Sea • Day At Sea Day At Sea • Day At Sea • Los Angeles, California

Private transfer from Port to Airport
Fly Los Angeles - UK
Upgrade to Veranda Suite £300pp
Upgrade to Business Class Flights £2650pp

Availability and costs subject to change at all times

15 November 2008 Silver Shadow 18Nt Tour

From £3765pp

Itinerary:
Fly UK - PapeetePrivate transfer from the Airport to Hotel
Overnight stay at the Sofitel Tahiti Resort, Papetee
Private transfer from Hotel to Port
16 Nights onboard the Silver Shadow
Suite Accommodation - All Inclusive

Los Angeles Day At Sea • Day At Sea • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico • Day At Sea •
Acapulco, Mexico • Day At Sea • Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala • Day At Sea • Day At Sea • Panama Canal, Panama • Cartagena, Colombia • Santa Marta, Colombia •
Day At Sea • Day At Sea • Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Private transfer from Port to Airport
Fly Miami - UK
Upgrade to Veranda Suite £300pp
Upgrade to Business Class Flights £2375pp

Availability and costs subject to change at all times

12 December 2008 Silver Shadow 12Nt Tour

From £2495pp

Itinerary: Fly UK – Barbados
Private transfer from Airport to Hotel
3 Nights at the Almond Casuarina Beach Resort, Hastings All Inclusive
Private transfer from Hotel to Port
9 Nights onboard the Silver Shadow Suite Accomodation - All Inclusive

Bridgetown, Barbados • Castries, St. Lucia • Roseau, Dominica • St. John's, Antigua •
Gustavia, St. Bart's • San Juan, Puerto Rico • Day At Sea • Day At Sea • Key West,
Florida • Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Private transfer from Port to Airport
Upgrade to Veranda Suite £120pp
Upgrade to Business Class Flights £1850pp

Celebrity Cruises announce new routes

2008-09-24T08:52:00.000+01:00

New routings for the Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Mercury, offer cruisers more alternatives from the Eastern Seaboard cities of Baltimore, Maryland, and Charleston, South Carolina, and also the popular Caribbean cruises that feature San Juan, Puerto Rico. however Celebrity will alsp not be continuing with

its Australia and New Zealand sailings that were previously planned for the end of 2009 and 2010 on Celebrity

Millennium.

Holland America Invest $200,000,000

2008-09-18T10:59:00.001+01:00

Holland America Line is to spend $200 million in upgrades, enhancements and new features on five of its ships.

The work will begin when Veendam enters an extended dock in spring 2009, and the last ship is slated for completion in late 2010.

Over the next two years, the ms Statendam, ms Ryndam, ms Maasdam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam will undergo extensive dry docks to create new venues, new staterooms, new decor and more.

Enhancements will include a new resort pool concept, on Lido deck called The Retreat, with a shallow area where guests may lounge in chairs with their toes in the water.

Each ship also will have an additional 44 to 46 staterooms, 32 with verandahs and the remaining will be inside staterooms.

"In an era where cruise lines are building ships to carry more than 5,000 passengers, Holland America Line remains focused on mid-sized vessels," said Richard Meadows, CTC, executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest services.

P&O - 2010 Cruise details are out NOW

2008-09-16T15:49:00.000+01:00

P&O Cruises’ adults-only ship Arcadia is to embark on its first world cruise in winter 2010.

The world circumnavigation departs on January 10, 2010, sailing westbound via the Caribbean, Mexico, US, New Zealand and Australia, with two weeks in Asia and a return sailing to the UK via India and Egypt, passing through the Suez Canal.

Key ports of call are: San Francisco, Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney, Whitsunday Islands, Hong Kong, Sihanoukville, Ko Samui, Singapore and Aqaba.

Prices for the 94-night itinerary start at £8,599, including a 45% early booking discount.

Meanwhile, Aurora will undertake a 104-night Grand Voyage departing from Southampton on January 5, 2010.

The vessel will sail via the Mediterranean, pass through the Suez Canal to visit Egypt, India, the Far East, Japan, Australia and the Indian Ocean, before returning via South Africa.

Prices lead in at £9,549, including the 45% off offer for bookings made by November 30.

Double on board credit of up to £750 per person is also available before that date.

Line voyages ranging from 38 to 66 nights in duration are priced from £4,099.

P&O Cruises’ managing director Nigel Esdale said: “These two world voyages complete our most varied winter programme yet, with two week Caribbean fly-cruises and month-long Southampton round trip sailings already on offer for winter 2009/10.

“Our expanding fleet means we can offer more variety and choice for our passengers, in terms of deployment, destinations, length and cost of holiday.

“Winter cruising and longer voyages are particularly popular with experienced cruisers and present a significant commission opportunity for agents.

“But we are finding that an increasing number of first time cruisers are opting for world voyages as their first cruise, so should by no means be overlooked when working with ‘new to cruise’ customers.”

More than 2,000 passengers are already booked on complete world sailings for 2009, according to the company.

Courtesy of TravelMole

MSC Cruises order 2 New Ships

2008-09-11T11:07:00.000+01:00

MSC Cruises yesterday announced that their Cruise fleet will expand further with the order of 2 new ships.

They will be built in the French Aker Yards in St Nazaire. The new vessels will be called the MSC Meraviglia and MSC Favolosa, and will be completed by early 2011 and 2012 respectively. They will be the 5th and 6th

Vessels in the Musica class, weighing in at 93,000 tons and boasting 1,275 cabins with a potential occupancy of 3,013 passengers per ship. The delivery of these 2 vessels will raise the total number of ships in the MSC fleet to 14 bringing to a close this phase of the companies development plan.

Holland America to spend $200 million on Ship upgrades

2008-09-08T12:33:00.001+01:00

5 Holland America Line vessels will be upgraded in the next year and a half at a cost of $200,000,000.

The Statendam, Ryndam, Maasdam, Veendam and Rotterdam will be taken into drydock to have extensive work carried out which will include new venues, cabins and decoration.

The improvements will introduce additional balconys and new categories of cabin. The aft Lido Deck's pool will welcome a new area called The Retreat, and will also feature an upgrade to the cabins and bathrooms aboard

32 new cabins with balconires will be added with another 12 without.

On the 4 bigger ships, 12 cabins close to the spa will have new balconies also 3 inside cabins, will change to 'spa staterooms' with a range of substantially improved facilities.

The Rotterdam, will change 23 cabins to the upgraded spa staterooms.

On the 5 Vessels, lanai cabins will be made by changing the windows of 42 cabins with lanai doors that will open out onto the promenade deck, thuis will also add 4 extra cabins.

The Veendam will go into dry dock early in 2009, all ships are expected to be finished by late 2010.

Oasis of the Seas on Sale

2008-09-04T09:49:00.001+01:00

A huge demand is anticipated as the Oasis of the Seas goes on sale.

The Cruise ship which will sail on it's maiden voyage in December next year, is almost half as big again as the world current biggest Cruise liner.

Royal Caribbean, the ships owners are expecting a bumper sales day as interest has been masive in the ship

Extra staff have been drafted in to cope with the sales rush and a series of special events are being staged in CruiseDirect and Barrhead Travel to Mark the occassion.

Ocean Village opens up the Caribbean

2008-08-29T11:47:00.001+01:00

Ocean Village will operate 14-nt durations in the Caribbean next winter. 10 of these will operate to new destinations which will not be available on 7 nt sailings

3 different fly-cruise options will be available on 2 ships with the price starting at £1,199 pp.
This price includes a fantastic 45% reduction available from CruiseDirect Samana in the Dom Rep, Grand Turk, Mayreau and Colon will be available on Barbados cruises.

14 night cruises only area available as this is what research has show to be clients preference, with more than 85% of people choosing this option.

Prices revealed for Oasis of the Seas

2008-08-22T12:13:00.000+01:00

Royal Caribbean International has revealed that prices for nine-night fly cruises on mega ship Oasis of the Seas will start at £1,299 per person.

The ship is one of the most hyped vessels of all time and, with capacity for 5,400 passengers, will be 40% larger than the current largest ship in the world, Independence of the Seas, which is also owned by RCI.

Oasis of the Seas will make its first sailing on December 12^, 2009 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The inaugural season will begin with 19 consecutive seven-night sailings to the Eastern Caribbean, with ports of call at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau, Bahamas.

From May 1, 2010, Oasis of the Seas will alternate its Eastern Caribbean itinerary with the Western Caribbean itinerary, which will call at Labadee, Royal Caribbean International’s private beach destination in Haiti; the new port of Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico.

The ship will feature the first ever outdoor park at sea, called Central Park.

Cabins will go on sale on September 3^rd and the company is so confident of strong sales that it has decided not to offer early booking discounts.

Jo Rzymowska, associate vice president and general manager, Royal Caribbean International, UK and Ireland, said: “Oasis of the Seas is the most hyped holiday experience ever to be available. We are predicting a day of mammoth sales on 3^rd September.

“The prices represent phenomenal value for money and includes access to some of the most groundbreaking facilities ever available from a leisure resort, especially when you consider that this one will be at sea.”

Carnival Cruise Lines reorganise categories of staterooms

2008-08-19T11:50:00.001+01:00

CARNIVAL Cruise Lines is revamping the categories of their staterooms on board their vessels to better portray the cabins in terms of windows, balcony's and also where they are on the ship.
They say the staterooms will now be graded differently on upper and lower decks even though the actual cabins are the same. Indeed this will also be applied according to the position of the cabin within the deck. This they hope will allow passengers to choose more easily their preferred location and type of cabin. This new arrangement means a better cabin will cost slightly more than one in a slightly less popular position.

Carnival Valor will be the 1st to feature this style of grading with the remainder of the fleet following this path later in the year.

MSC Cruises order 2 new Cruise Ships

2008-08-19T09:24:00.001+01:00

MSC Cruises has placed orders for two new ships.

The renowned French shipbuilding yard Aker have reportedly received an order from MSC Cruises for 2 Muscia-class vessels, to be delivered in February 2011 and February 2012.

The MSC Fantasia, the companies biggest vessel launches in December 2008. At 133,500-tonne the ship will increase the fleer to 10 vessels, increasing to 12 in February 2012.

New Hot Cruise Deals from Cruise Direct

2008-08-18T12:30:00.002+01:00

Cruise Direct have recently brought out some of the most outstanding cruise deals seen fora long time.
We have listed them below please contact CruiseDirect or Barrhead Travel for the details

Ocean Village Exclusive Offers
– these offers are at least £190 cheaper than any other agent

Crete to Barbados
Ocean Village
30 October 2008 12 nights
Fly Manchester to Heraklion – Alicante –Madeira – Antigua – Barbados Fly back to Manchester
Prices from £749pp

Mediterranean Mixture
Ocean Village
23 October 2008 19 nights
Fly Man to Heraklion –Limassol –Rhodes –Kusadasi –Santorini- Mykonos- Alicante-Madeira-Antigua-Barbados
Prices from £999pp

Caribbean Chaser
Ocean Village
30 October 2008 19 nights
Fly Man to Heraklion –Alicante –Madeira-Antigua- Barbados- Tortola- St.Barts- Martinique-Grenada – Barbados
Prices from £1,099pp

Princess Cruises
– this is an exclusive offer to Barrhead Travel and Cruise Direct
Sea Princess – Caribbean Cruise
28 March 2009 15 nights

Fly Direct from Glasgow to Montego Bay –Gran Cayman – Aruba –Bonaire –
La Guaira – Grenada – Barbados –Dominica – Antigua- St.Maarten – Tortola –Samana – Montego Bay fly back to Glasgow
Prices from £1,493
$150 FREE to spend onboard per cabin

Cruise Direct have
FRED OLSEN – These prices are less than any other agent
£50 per cabin onboard spend

Around Britain Cruise
Onboard Black Prince
01 June 2009 9 nights
Cruising from Greenock to Dublin, Falmouth, St Peter Port, Greenwich, Leith, Oban, Greenock

Inside cabins from £719pp
Plus £50 FREE to spend onboard

Shanghai's new expanded Cruise Terminal is open for business

2008-08-14T11:15:00.001+01:00

Last week the Costa Allegra became the first ship to sail into Shanghai's newly expanded cruise terminal. This is a major development for the Chinese city as it will allow the port to handle 4 cruise liners at once.

Given the name the "water Drop" because of the shape of the main terminal building this marks a substantial improvement of the facilities available to the vessels visiting the port.

China and Shanghai in particular are ever growing in popularity as a Cruise and tourist destination, and will benefit substantially again from the focus on China provided by the Olympic games in Beijing.

P&O Ferries order 2 massive ships for Dover Calais

2008-08-12T10:57:00.000+01:00

P&O Ferries have placed an order with Aker Yards for the 2 biggest ever ferries to sail between Dover and Calais. At 360million Euro's (approx £288 million) they represent a substantial vote of confidence in cross channel services. The service will begin in December 2011 when ship number one is launched with the 2nd ship entering service the following September. They will supercede the Pride of Dover and the Pride of Calais, both of which have given the Ferry company sterling service.

Aker will build the ships in Rauma, Finland.

P&O are considering an order for 2 more ships of the same type, weighing in at 49,000 gross tonnes and 210 mtrs long they will be the biggest ships that the facilities in Dover can presently handle. Uniquely for a ferry they will be the first vessels to be able to manouver under their own steam in 50 Knots of wind. An additional 3rd deck will offer space for just under 200 cars, and will have capacity for 2,000 passengers

P&O, Cunard, Princess Cruises, Ocean Village 2009 /2010 Now on Sale

2008-08-11T10:40:00.002+01:00

P&O, Cunard, Princess Cruises, Ocean Village have opened bookings for a number of their most popular sailings stretching as far ahead as Summer 2010.

These are all available at CruiseDirect and Barrhead Travel, details of how to book can be found on their websites
The cruises in question are:

P&O Cruises World Cruise 2010
P&O Cruises 2nd Edition 2009
Cunard 09 Main ED2
Cunard World Cruises 2010
Princess Cruises Exotics ED1 2009/10
Princess Cruises Med ED2 2009
Ocean Village Caribbean Preview 2008/09 Advance

Fred Olsen install interactive television on board

2008-08-07T08:58:00.001+01:00

The Fred Olsen Cruiseline have installed an interactive Television facility on 2 of their cruise ships.

The Balmoral and Braemar will offer a facility which will allow passengers to find information on excursions ashore, and enable them to browse and buy from the shops onboard without leaving their cabin. They can order Breakfast, room service, choose from the wine list prior to dinner, or buy goods duty free, line up a film for the evening, reserve shore excursions and book their next holiday afloat, all via the TV.
A major benenfit for both passenger and the company is the resulting reduction in queues However those who prefer the personal touch can still make their bookings in person.
The plan is to introduce this service to the whole fleet in the not too distant future.
Cruisedirect and Barrhead Travel Cruising are recommended agents for Fred Olsen.

Drive a Ferrari whist ashore

2008-07-31T15:34:00.002+01:00

P&O Cruises have come up with one of their most inovative ideas for a shore excursion. Driving a Ferrari around town for the day is one of a set of options available along side the regular shore based excursions currently on offer. If that sounds too scary then how about racing a private yacht along the coast. P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale said: “We are attracting more new cruise passengers than ever before and these holidaymakers are looking for something a little different to do on shore than a guided coach tour. “We can now offer them experiences that simply would not be possible on any other type of holiday.” The Ferrari option is of course available in Italy, to cruisers who arrive in Livorno, while racing a private Beneteau 40 yacht might appeal when your cruise takes in Antigua. Zip wiring trips through the rainforest can be experienced in Jamaica. For the more romantic amongst us there is the opportunity to create your very own personal fragrance whilst in Grasse, near Cannes, with help from a master perfumer. Exploring, glaciers and ice-fields near Reykjavik may well appeal to some. Some of these new excursions are available now with others available in 2009.