Credit or Debit?

Posted on May 14, 2012 by David

I was about to Publish another story but this issue is a sore subject and one which I’m going through myself, so I thought I’d get your views.

I have cruised many times and usually use my debit card to set up my on board account, however I’m off on the Norwegian Epic on the 23rd of this month and I have been told I cant use it!

I cant see what the problem is, surly a debit card is more trustworthy any way! I’m getting very stressed about it and i’m at breaking point with this. Our forum site has some questions about this and it suggests I can use my card, but all correspondence says otherwise and whenever I question this direct with NCL I am told no way!

The only other option is to put cash down at $100 PER DAY! Well they can take it off my card or not let me on that’s final but i’m not being bullied into obtaining a credit card.

I was very much looking forward to my trip, and spending some time on the Epic but now I just want it to go away and stop stressing me out.

Have you ever been on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship? Did you encounter the same issue?

Please let me know as I will be quite interested to find out why they say this!

Drop me a line at davidb@cruise.co.uk or give me a call on 0800 408 6164.

 

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Are You Well Covered?

Posted on May 6, 2012 by David

With travel companies feeling the pinch and more and more airline failures hitting the news. Are you the customer protected enough in this downturn of the economy?

Holiday companies are covered by ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents), and the companies who package holidays are covered by ATOL (Air Travel Organisers Licence).

It is the ATOL licence that protects the holiday company and you, when you taylor make you’re own holiday and book flights that are not within a package.

Up to now your holiday price has included the £2.50 protection fee but this has been brought up by the government for change. They feel that the level of cover should change depending on the value of your trip and in this climate I don’t think that’s a bad idea!
Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers commented: “These improvements will mean that up to six million extra holidays will be protected each year, providing much needed clarity and reassurance for millions of people.
“These reforms will equip Atol to deal with the realities of the modern holiday market, enabling the scheme to protect holiday makers more effectively for many more years to come. This is an important step forward for consumer protection.

I think this a wise move and gives more confidence in booking the holiday of a lifetime. Cruise.co.uk are fully protected by ABTA and ATOL giving us the ability to create your dreams.

Try something different and have a look at one of our Taylor Made packages, great value all over the world. Give me a call on 0800 408 6164 and tell me where to take you.

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Messing About on the River!

Posted on April 29, 2012 by David

It’s weather like this that brings back the memories of my childhood when our family holiday consisted of a 4 hour drive up north and a week of stress as my dad tried to manoeuvre our rented river cruiser along the Norfolk BroadsNorfolk Broads!

It has rained non stop all weekend and this is why I remember those holidays, we always rented the boat with the sliding back roof to lap up the sun as we meandered down the river but the sun never came.

With this style of cruising you have to find somewhere to moor every night then wade through the tress and mud to find life and food! It’s like camping on water and great fun and I plan to take my family there one day.

It’s holidays like that that bring the family together but I have to say it also made me prefer the finer things in life which spurred me onto cruising, a bigger river in a bigger boat with fine food and wine, great!

If you want to spend some great time with your family I can give you all the help you need, if it’s a family fun ship or a boat on the river I’ve done them all.

Would you try a river cruise?

Give me a call on 0800 408 6164 I’d love to tell you about it.

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P&O Launch 2013/14 Fares

Posted on April 22, 2012 by David

P&O have now released the long awaited fares for the upcoming year but only for the top three levels of the Peninsular Club.

On Monday 23rd April fares for March, April and May in 2013 get released to the general public with the remainder of the months being released over the next week!

Cruise.co.uk have been taking customer orders for desired cabins and fares that are being offered for the launch, each sailing boasts a 10% Celebratory saving and a 5% Early Booking Discount. Not only this but they are offering free parking and extra spending money for your voyage.

So far the launch has been a great success and the next week will prove to be the same as our pre registrations are growing by the day. It’s a sure way of getting what you want for the price you want.

P&O offer fluid pricing which means fares can rise and fall at the blink of an eye making it very unpredictable to say if these fares will drop. It’s vital to book early for larger cabins or cabins that sleep 3 or 4 people particularly around  school holiday times as these are most favoured by all our family cruisers.

So to avoid disappointment register today for your dream voyage in 2013. Call me on 0800 408 6164 or email davidb@cruise.co.uk

 

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Balmoral re lives the Voyage

Posted on April 15, 2012 by David

Sunday 15th April 2012 is the 100th year since the fateful maiden voyage of the Titanic.
We all know the story of the Titanic and how this terrible event occurred.Fred Olsen Fred Olsen’s Balmoral is at the site with relatives from those who were aboard the Titanic all those years ago.

But the Balmoral’s journey has been far from plain sailing! Not long into the journey the ship had to turn back as a cameraman from the BBC had fell very I’ll.

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The cameraman fell ill about 16 hours after the Balmoral left the Irish port of Cobh in County Cork. He was examined by medical staff on board and the ship had to head back towards the Irish coast to allow the airlift to take place.
The Balmoral set sail from England’s south coast last Sunday, travelling near Cherbourg in north-west France and stopping off at Cobh in the Irish Republic, before setting off for the spot in the North Atlantic where Titanic went down.
Deckboys then threw wreaths into the water from three sections of the cruise ship.
The 1,309 passengers of the ship heard the captain make an announcement before an emotional minute’s silence was held.

With the recent disaster of the Costa Concordia and all of the recent t.v. Footage shown, it has made people think twice about cruising. But one very fundamental factor in both of these cases is the same! Human Error!

What do you think about this? Let me know at davidb@cruise.co.uk

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Dave didn’t wait to book. You shouldn’t either.

Posted on April 8, 2012 by David

This is the new campaign from Royal Caribbean, encouraging customers to stop waiting and book now!

Royal Caribbean have reduced cruise only and fly cruise fares for 2012, they have plenty of availability and they are trying to fill their ships.

Fares start from £399 per person for a 7 night Western Mediterranean Cruise which really makes cruising more accessible as the recession bites.

With the fly cruises they have flights from: Scotland, Newcastle, Manchester and  London. With fares starting from just £598 per person! Its not to be missed!

There are many offers to be had at the moment as the cruise companies try to fill there ships for the summer and all the latest deals and information can be found on our website www.cruise.co.uk alternatively give me a call on 0800 408 6164 to discuss you’re next cruise.

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Great Service? Tell us why!

Posted on April 1, 2012 by David

I’m writing this article whilst lying on my sun lounger in Egypt after a conversation I had last night with the hotel manager!
We are staying at the Tropicana Sea Beach Hotel in Egypt.
The hotel caters for all nationalities and the staff can speak many languages.
At cruise.co.uk we pride ourselves on great service and ask you to write about it. My point here is that I complimented the management on his great team, he told me that the hotel only ever gets bad feedback on trip advisor and begged me to put a positive comment on there!
We are very quick to pass on negative feedback and it only takes a minute to tell people about the good.
If you have received good service tell us about it.

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Have you been on a cruise and written a positive or negative review? Share your story

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See you in Two Weeks!

Posted on March 11, 2012 by David

Well it’s that time of year again, time for the first holiday of the year.

We normally book way in advance but being cautious in this current climate we decided to leave it until the last minute. It didn’t pay off in the end as the holiday didn’t come down in price!

But I don’t care, a long relaxing break by the pool with a cocktail in the hand is just what the doctor ordered!

Were off to Sharm el Sheik in Egypt for two weeks all in, we’ve been there before and really this time is all about the sun and sand! I cant wait!

So I’ll be back on the 27th March if you need me or you can get hold of one of my colleagues on 0800 408 6200 or click here to access all the latest deals. 

See you soon

 

David

 

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Epic Fares and an Epic Adventure!

Posted on March 4, 2012 by David

The Norwegian Epic was launched in 2010 and has been a huge hit for us Brit’s over the last two years. This super cruise liner carries over 4000 passengers and boasts some very impressive features!

It is great for all the family too! With an Aqua Park, cinema and Spongebob Square Pants putting in an appearance. It really has some thing for every group.

NCL has an impressive fleet with plans to introduce two new super liners over the next few years, however the Epic continues to wow with its modern and bright decor. NCL offer a freestyle dining concept onboard meaning there are no set or traditional dining times as per other cruise liners. The freestyle concept has always been a huge hit for NCL, which again is ideal for families.

It would be great to see this ship sail from a UK port in my opinion but there are no plans for this in the future.
If you have a big family or your planning a group holiday the Epic has two bedroom villas that sleep up to 6 and unlike the majority of other cruise lines the Epic has plenty of them!

All in all it’s a fab ship, with fab features and the best part about it all is the price!

Have you cruised of the Epic? Share you Epic cruise experience!

Give me a call on 0800 408 6164 to discuss your next family trip.

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Is it Time to Throw the Towel in?

Posted on February 25, 2012 by David

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With at least one new cruise ship being finished and released into the oceans for their maiden voyages, do you think that an older one should be recycled?

Just like a relationship you know when it’s come to an end and there are some companies out there with ships that were built in the 70′s. They don’t let 30 year old coaches/trains perform public service and my question to you is, “Do you think it acceptable”?

With technology evolving and expectations getting higher I think some of the cruise giants should take the step on updating an aged fleet.

I would love to hear your views on this, please leave a comment on one of the cruise lines you believe fits this bill!

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