Getting married on one of Cunard's Queens

A little while ago I wrote about the growing popularity of getting married on board ship. It seems even the great liners can't resist the pull of a wedding. From 2012 Cunard will be offering on board weddings. Couples will be able to choose between the three Queens - Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 or Queen Victoria.
In order to do this Cunard has to change the registration of their liners from Southampton England to Hamilton in Bermuda which means they will no longer fly the British Red Ensign flag - a change that will disappoint those who love the Britishness of Cunard. (I am sure the red pillar post box on board will remain however!)

Getting married on board ship will appeal to many - and some will choose to also honeymoon on board - maybe encouraging the rest of the wedding party to disembark in port after a few days so they can enjoy the romance of a cruise!

Safety concerns and the Costa Concordia

The tragedy of the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy in the last week will have many thinking about the safety aspects of cruise liners. The chances that you will be caught in a shipwreck are very small but the fact that is has happened is enough.

This accident looks like it may have been the result of human error or faulty navigation equipment
The cruise industry is very safety conscious.
Douglas Ward author of the  Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Ships writes in the latest newsletter: "In light of the Costa Concordia tragedy, it is timely that new IMO (International Maritime Organisation) regulations due to come into effect soon require that all newly built cruise ships have the capability to "return to port" in the event of a major casualty or fire. In other words, all new cruise ships will, in effect, become their own (large) lifeboats. The rules were made because of the sheer size of new ships introduced in the past few years."
You can read more about the safety program here. 
The other matter that clearly needs to be addressed is that of life boat drill. Many cruise lines - including Cunard, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian - hold life boat drill before the ship leaves port - and the fact that on board the Costa Concordia the drill had not yet taken place is part of the tragedy.  I have not witnessed anyone not paying attention at life boat drill but I understand that some passengers on some ships don't take it seriously. It is to be hoped that they do from now on.

Airy fairy air fare

What is it that makes every day in travel exciting? Yes - even I find it exciting...
Learning, and doing stuff - sorry, talking like a kid - Learning, and assisting our clients; that's what.
So today, I rose to that challenge when shown an air fare booking by a client who had used points to gain a credit from a retail chain travel agent. The itinerary, to the Americas, was Economy class travel for 2 persons and a credit had been applied for the points used - and the balance paid by credit card.

How I wish I could now write " And we saved them $xxx...!!!"
But unfortunately, the tickets had already been issued.
Our calculation, even with no applied credit, and despite the fact that we charged the applicable  merchant fee, would have saved our client $476 on exactly the same flights.

Frankly, I was surprised. Yes we are cruise specialists, but we are above all a full-service travel agency.
If you have one (of that endangered species) it pays to get them to check those "deals".

Last minute cruise specials

It's not too late to cruise!
Those big, beautiful ships just keep coming and going in our harbour... and you could still be aboard for a cruise!
The beauty of being a specialist is that we can see exactly what is still available on these ships.
Here are a few of the best that still have cabins - see this example below - on offer...

Diamond Princess - voyages you could catch...
29th Dec from Auckland to Sydney arriving 11th Jan.
11th Jan - Sydney to Auckland
4th Feb - Sydney to Beijing
27th Feb - Beijing to Singapore

It is surprising to see such a popular ship anything less than fully-booked at this time!
We still have balcony cabins available on the Sydney - Auckland sailings, and the fares look like low, rather than high-season!

At sea is still an adventure...

 Your chosen cruise is going to be a great holiday - of course! But the rules of seafaring life mean plans can sometimes be set aside. Here's a tale that shows the spirit of seamanship is as strong today as ever...

Night dash by Crystal liner to rescue Atlantic rowers

15 DEC: Crystal Cruises liner Crystal Serenity rescued two trans-Atlantic rowers thrown into the sea when a giant wave struck their eight-metre boat.

Londoner Tom Fancett and Dutch friend Tom Sauer, both 23, were picked up southwest of the Canary Islands while competing in the Atlantic Challenge, billed as the world’s toughest rowing race.

Britain’s Falmouth coastguard, which co-ordinated the rescue, said the emergency beacon from the men’s boat was triggered at 7.54pm on Tuesday, 760kms from the Canary Islands.

The nearest ship, the Bahamian-registered Crystal Serenity, was 200kms away.

"Crystal Serenity turned back and proceeded at speed through the night to the position. Within seven miles (11kms) of the position they saw a red flare," a coastguard spokesman said.

The two men were spotted soon afterwards, clinging to a life raft.

Though having spent some 10 hours in the water, they were taken aboard uninjured.

Getting married on board

Cunard has just announced that  from 2012 it will be possible to get married on board the QM2, Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth. Details are not yet available.

Many cruise lines already offer this service.
Whether you can get married at sea depends on where the ship is registered and also on the laws in your country - however you can usually get round this by getting married on board, but in port - and then sailing.

For those who love to cruise this could be the answer to wedding woes. In March 2011 a South Australian couple were the first to marry on board a P&O Cruise Ship when they tied the knot on the Pacific Jewel then sailed with their guests for 10 days of celebration and holiday.
P&O has a Ceremony at Sea package which is available on all their ships.  There are of course a number of legalities that need to be taken into account - just as there would be for a shore wedding - but if the couple and their wedding party are all able to cruise, this could be perfect.  P&O's package includes priority check-in, the bouquet, a photographer, the wedding cake and dinner on board in a speciality restaurant for the couple.
Other cruise lines that can offer weddings include: Princess, Celebrity/Azamara, Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Holland America.
If you like the idea of a wedding on board (and the idea of reducing some of the angst that planning a wedding can bring) then wedding cruise (02-99681600) and we will look into what is available to suit your schedule.

Seven Wonders of the World updated

The Grand Canyon, Machu Picchu and Mount Kilimanjaro don't make it apparently, but Iguazu Falls, Halong Bay and Table Mountain do! At least that is according to a Swiss foundation that was founded in 2001 to establish the Seven Wonders of the World for today's travellers. The original wonders have long since passed out of traveller's itineraries and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Lighthouse of Alexandria were 2 of the original wonders, all man-made. This latest list from the New 7Wonders Foundation focuses on natural wonders. Voted on via text message and the internet over a couple of years the new Seven Wonders are likely to be:

• Halong Bay in Vietnam
• The Amazon Rainforest
• Iguazu Falls, Brazil
• Jeju Island, Korea
• Komodo, Indonesia
• Puerto Princesa, the Philippines
• Table Mountain, South Africa

There will be many who disagree with this list - as with any such poll, but it is interesting and I am sure it will increase the number of people who want to visit those Wonders they have not yet discovered for themselves. 

Quick break in New Zealand

Have neglected the blog for a couple of weeks - but one of those was spent on New Zealand's north island, bushwalking - and enjoying the splendid scenery.  We spent 3 days in Rotorua exploring the area - for the second time. A day's walking in the Waimangu Volcanic Valley with a cruise across the Lake Rotomahana and the areas that once were the world famous pink and white terraces. Fascinating and awesome this area is seething with activity - mud and streams bubble and vapour rises from tree tops. The story of the last major eruption of the volcano and the destruction of the terraces in 1886 when the area was a popular tourist place is fascinating. A day in the museum at Rotorua, that was once a health resort, filled out the story of that violent night.
The museum is world class. Housed in the Bath House, an architectural wonder built in the 19th century to accommodate the travellers who had come to Rotorua for the health-giving properties of the waters and much, this building has an absorbing history - and we spent a day there, missing out on a trip to the spa. This was a pity and our only regret of the trip - we didn't leave enough time to book in for a spa and massage! We had to get to the Chateau Tongariro1

We arrived at the Chateau, in the National Park in the late afternoon as the sun was beginning to play its last rays on the magnificent Mount Ngauruhoe which was capped with snow. The hotel is excellent and we booked three nights so we could attend the Tango Ball in the Chateau on the first night and then explore some of the park over the next 2 days. We could see why this mountain featured in the 'Lord of the Rings' movies and over the next few days explored some of the terrain that also provided the backdrop for these involving fantasies.
Our last stop was overnight in Waitomo. Throughout the trip we really enjoyed the food and wine in the restaurants we discovered along the way, but the food at the Huhu Cafe in Waitomo was highlight. All fresh, local produce (except for scallops which apparently cost the earth in NZ and are too small) and wines. Slow-cooked roast lamb and home-made ice cream were among the best we've eaten. Waitomo is famous for its caves of stalicites and stalagimites and the glow-worms - and rightly so.
It was a great week - one I had planned with care so that my partner and I and our 2 friends could have an experience of New Zealand's north island that was tailored to our needs and expectations.

Cruising solo

Cruise lines can levy up to 200% surcharge for those who want to travel alone. They do this because cabins are configured for 2 persons and the basic fare is calculated per cabin. They also need to make up for the revenue they project that they will lose on the second person's drinks, shopping and other extras on board.
Some of the cruise lines have decided that this is cutting out quite a lucrative part of their market as many singles will not travel with such a financial burden.
Fred Olsen, P&O's Azura, Costa and Norwegian Cruise lines now have single cabins that don't come with the massive markups.  In 2010 NCL launched the Norwegian Epic which has 128 solo cabins.
Other cruise lines that favour singles include Crystal, Discovery, Hurtigruten and Saga. Some such as Silverseas offer single discounts for those who book early.
Many of the river cruise lines offer discounted solo rates.
If you are a solo traveller there are a few benefits you can look for in a cruise including:
* dance partners. As a dancer I was made aware of these dancing men when I cruised on the QM earlier this year and a couple of years ago on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner. The single women who love to dance knew that there would be partners, that they would dance all night if they wanted to and for many this was a highlight of their cruise.
* activities that don't require a partner - these days cruise lines offer so many lectures, demonstrations and 'workshops' that it is worth checking just what is on offer before you book. Interactive workshops, learning a new language, cooking demonstrations, art or acting classes, even presentations, can introduce you to other travellers.
* plenty of social activities such as cocktail parties and karaoke nights
* if you have a particular passion choosing a themed cruise, such as golf, cooking or dance cruise will ensure that you meet plenty of like-minded travellers.

These days it can be a good idea to have your travel agent on the look out for special deals for singles as they are coming up more and more.  You can cruising solo- or phone 02 9968 1600

Radiance of the Seas meets passenger feedback

Radiance of the Seas is on her way to Australian waters. Fresh from a multi-million dollar makeover, this ship which entered service in April 2001 and carries 2112 passengers will be followed by her sister ship Rhapsody of the Seas.

Due to arrive in Sydney on the morning of 15 October, she will be the biggest ship based in the region and she will stay here until early April 2012. As well as a 34-night circumnavigation of Australia Radiance of the Seas is offering weekend getaways of 2 nights, 14-night and 16-night cruises to New Zealand and trips to Hobart and Melbourne.

The refit of Radiance has been based on passenger requests, say the owners the Royal Caribbean line. Those who have travelled before on this vessel can expect to find staterooms for singles, new dining venues, an English Pub, an outdoor movie screen, improvements in the lounges and a new Royal Babies and Tots Nursery. And all the carpets and soft furnishings have been replaced.

These new restaurants include a Samba Grill where the Seaview Grill was. Offering different meats, all carved at the table and South American specialities like the caiparinhas (one of my all-time favourite cocktails since I first visited South America) which promises to be a favourite. The Chef's Table will be a venue seating just 14, offering a five course meal with wines to compliment the food. On a similar theme Rita's Cantina will offer Mexican cuisine - and another South American favourite, the Margarita - no cover charge and no reservations.
If you prefer Japanese the Izumi will be more to your taste. Here they promise traditional Japanese food, including sashimi. Or you may find Giovanni's Table with it's focus on the food of Tuscany is more your thing. And when you just feel like being casual there's the new pub or the Park Cafe.
Can't imagine getting around all these restaurants in a week - let alone a weekend taster - and I haven't even mentioned the hot dog House…. you can see I enjoy my food.
I'm looking forward to visiting this ship when she comes our way… and I hope many of my clients will take advantage of her long stay in our waters!
Pic is of the Radiance in dry dock in British Columbia, Canada where many ship fitouts take place.