P&O Adonia Visit

Following the recent cancellation of my overnight stay on Adonia, the most recent addition to the P&O fleet. I was once again invited down to Southampton to have a look around and sample the menu with fellow agents from around the UK.

It was also very nice to meet Carol Marlow, the managing director of P&O Cruises. She was very welcoming and pleasant, it was nice to meet the lady I see everyday in the brochure!

On arrival I was amazed with the size of this tiny ship, something i'm not quite used too. As I stepped aboard it felt a little cloaustraphobic and became very evident that this ship only caters for around 700 guests, but this small ship will be great going into the ports that the bigger ones cant reach and P&O have set up some great itinaries for her to visit.

We were given a map with a route to follow and we set off to discover all she had to offer. Adonia has a traditional feel and the decor is very simular to others in the fleet, she also has all the facilities you would expect on a bigger ship but on a smaller scale.

She has one pool on deck with a running track and a sparking new gymnasium and spa. We looked at all the grade of cabins and I was surprised to find that the inside cabins were so large, I wouldnt hesitate to use one of these. At the other end of the scale the suite was amazing with its living area a bedroom with endless wardrobe space and a stunning bathroom with a whirlpool bath!

We had lunch in the main restaurant and was offered the full menu which was very nice and included a blue cheese mouse for starter, Goose for main and cheesecake for dessert followed by a coffee to finish of! The meal was cooked to a fantastic standard and I left feeling very full for the long journey home!

No More Kids!

The summer is coming and were all trying to plan the perfect family holiday, If you're anything like me I forget about the school holidays and at the last minute I'm rushing around trying to find the perfect trip!

The only problem with doing that is that you don't always get what you want. I'm currently having this issue as some of my customers want to go away in the school holidays on a fantastic cruise with the Grand Princess from Southampton.

Although the Grand Princess has cabins available they are currently not taking any more children on board and claim;             "NO INVENTORY AVAILABLE FOR THIS AGE GROUP".

Cruising from Southampton is becoming increasingly more popular and so to get your perfect cruise it pays to book early. It's not only Princess that offer this service, P&O, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Fred Olsen are just some of the operators that also sail from the south!

I have access to all of the cruise companies that leave the UK, and will be happy to look at something for you. Give me a call on 0800 408 6164.

Rafting on the River

Another bank holiday over with and I certainly made the most of it!

We went to the  National Watersports Centre which cater for all types of activities on the water.

With the weather as bad as it was here in the Midlands on Monday, a group of us decided to go white water rafting on the River Trent in Nottingham. The rain lashed down and the wind made it colder out of the river than in so we took advantage of that and spent most of the day swimming!

Its a great experience on this man made course with qualified instructors and excellent equipment to hire. Prices are really competitive and if you can get a group together of 6-8 you can have your very own raft which heightens the experience.

It's been a couple of years since I've done anything like this, I used to go every year to the River Tryweryn white water rafting centre in Wales which is longer and wilder.

 I am also a keen sailor, canoeist and diver, basically if it involves water I'm there!

Ding Dong!

It's only 17 weeks before my big day and I'm getting excited!

The long awaited time is creeping up fast, it was back in November 2009 when my princess said yes in Jamaica. We went straight into planning the big day and within a couple of months everything was sorted.

We found a beautiful venue just north of Birmingham called, Moxhull Hall. Availability was very low and so we have waited until September this year to take advantage of this fantastic venue. Our fingers are crossed to have our ceremony outside in the stunning grounds and then celebrate the day in the marquee with a band and a hog roast!

We then fly out the next day to Mexico to be pampered and spoilt for two weeks, it truly is going to be a fantastic memorable day!

As for the stag do which I posted about earlier in the year. I'm going out for a nice meal with family and friends and maybe a cheeky drink!!

No Sparks for Italian Thoroughbreds!

I Drive an Alfa Romeo and over the last six months it has spent more time in the garage than on the road. It is currently with an auto electrician as I have lost vital electric systems to keep the car working!

Alfa Romeo has a reputation of unreliability, which I can only agree with as I have experienced every possible problem. I write this with the news of an Italian Cruise liner hitting the head  lines as it too has lost vital systems due to an electric fault.

The MSC Operahas been crippled in the Baltic Sea and Tugs have been sent to tow the stricken vessel to a port in Sweden. The Opera has no power and cannot offer it's usual high standards. This a very unfortunate incident and one that very raley happens within the cruising industry. MSC will ensure that all passengers will be taken care off and uphold there strong position within the cruise market.

Every time my car lets me down, I look forward to getting it back as I wouldnt drive anything else. MSC will correct the problems and soon be back on the waters.

It wouldn't be Italian if it didn't break occasionally!

Adonia, Small Ship Charm

 



Not long now before the launch of P&O's latest addition, The Adonia.

Adonia will be the fourth name to be carried by the ship.  She was originally built as the eighth and last of Renaissance Cruises, it then became Minerva II, sailing under the Swan Hellenic flag until that company was sold off.

The ship then joined the Princess fleet, where she was re-named Royal Princess.

Adonia is an exciting introduction to the P&O fleet and one that enables P&O to diversify the range of cruise destinations that they offer.

I have been invited to the Launch on the 20th May with my colleagues. We will have a sneak preview of this newly refurbished ship sampling the food and service, look out for the photos when I get back.

Adonia's cruise calender starts on the 22nd May 2011 with some fantastic intineries. P&O customers have been asking for a smaller ship that is adults only and here it comes.

What are your thoughts about this new ship? Would you like to try it?

This Time Last Year

It was one year ago when disaster struck the travel industry as the volcano in Iceland erupted halting flights all over the world!

I was in Lanzarote at the time and my week long holiday lasted almost 3! It had a big impact on everyone as flights were canceled around the world. Those people not being able to join there cruises were covered but it the economy took a big hit.

I have recently returned from Lanzarote again, my family and I wanted to go back to rest and enjoy it as last year the circumstances led to stress and worry.

We had a fanatastic holiday even with the rain and clouds, it would appear that England was having superb weather whilst we ate tapas and sipped cocktails!

With the worry of flights and strikes hanging over our heads at the moment, cruising out of the UK is becoming very popular and the industry has grown since this time last year.

With companies such as P&O, Fred Olsen, MSC, Princess and Royal Caribbean all offering sailings from various points across the UK. The choice has been broadened and the operators will start offering more sailings to cater for the customer.