Confused? Late Deals Explained !!

If you have been shopping around for a late deal cruise holiday lately you will have noticed how fantastic the prices are now compared to past years. However you also may be a little confused as I was at the beginning at some of the offers regarding port parking and on board credit and what is actually included in the late deal...................well...............



Basically here's the real deal............

Option 1 - The really low fare, NO EXTRAS !!! all these from £399pp deals that have been flying around are real they are available but you do not get any port parking or on board credit it is simply a one off low fare and nothing else. With this fare it also has to be paid in full at time of booking no matter when the cruise is departing and is 100% cancellation charges! Also you do not get to pick you cabin number you are simply booked on a grade and are guaranteed this grade of cabin or above if you are lucky and get upgraded, all cabins are allocated by the cruise line.

Make Sense?

Option 2 -  Pay a bit more and get the extras your use to !!! certain cruise lines such as P&O and Cunard are currently running a June Summer Sizzlers promotion along side their low fares no extras promotion. These deals mean you will pay more for the cruise but you will receive your free port parking and some on board credit, also you can pick you cabin number. Every cruise is different and it really does depend on the cruise you have chosen as which deal is better for you. Your specialist cruise consultant will make sure they check both deals to ensure you get the right one for you!

I hope this helps as I have had a lot of questions about this and clients thinking that you get the on board credit and port parking on the low fare deals, fact is these low fare deals are already amazing and I know we all want something for nothing but also we know that life doesn't quite work like that.

Are We Safe At Sea?

New reports show that over the past 30 years, eight cruise ships have sunk, resulting in a total loss of life of 36 people, most of whom were crew on the tall ship Fantome, attempting to outrun a hurricane, when it sank in the Caribbean in 1998. Today, the Concordia incident adds 17 more to that list, and perhaps 16 more that were missing at press time.

While any loss of life is one too many, the modern-day cruise industry has a strong safety record, having carried more than 200 million passengers over the past 30 years. And not to forget, more than 4,000 people were safely evacuated off the Concordia under very difficult circumstances, despite the many media reports of panic and chaos.

In the unlikely event of having to "abandon ship” is how the importance of lifeboat drills is typically stated to passengers. With the Costa Concordia grounding and the lingering pictures of the capsized ship, that event may not seem so unlikely anymore to the millions watching television and reading newspapers. But the fact is that major incidents are unlikely, considering that more than 19 million people cruised in 2011 and more are expected to cruise in 2012.

There are many systems and procedures in place to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, but it boils down to the human factor: the competence and professionalism of officers and crew, which in turn is put into place through training and recruitment. Life-saving equipment includes lifeboats on each side, capable of accommodating at least 50 percent of the people onboard, so that the lifeboats on both sides will accommodate at least 100 percent of the people onboard. In addition are inflatable rafts for at least 25 percent of the people onboard. The latest generation of lifeboats are bigger and better equipped, enclosed and self-righting. New regulations are intended to make release and retrieval systems safer. Ships also carry lifejackets for passengers and crew, as well as immersion suits for crew.

So people I would say ignore the above picture as this is a very infrequent occurrence and YES we are safe at sea !

New To Cruising Grab A Last Minute Mini Break

If you are new to cruising and it is taking your fancy to try a cruise but your not sure how you are going to enjoy it and if 1 or 2 weeks is too long just in case you do not (which you won't by the way) then many people choose to do a mini cruise from Southampton.

A mini cruise is a fantastic taster into the  wonderful world of cruising and I can guarantee you will not be disappointed and with there being so many great late summer deals around its more cost effective than ever to take that leap and give it ago

Check out some of these amazing mini cruise deals below

	Southampton, England : Brussels/Bruges (Zeebrugge), Belg : St Peter Port, Guernsey, Uk. : Southampton, England
Ventura 20th Jul 2012 for 3nts	WAS:	£412	£467	£578	View Offer.
	NOW:	£229	£259	£299
Hurry, limited availability! Click here to see more mini cruise deals !!! A weekend away in the UK in a hotel would cost more than these prices and by the time you have added meals out on a lot lot more. With a mini cruise all your fabulous meals are included and soft drinks all your entrainment, some of the most amazing shows in the world in A class theatres. Plus you are surrounded by 4* luxury throughout and getting to enjoy some great ports of call. Just imagine how nice it is to wake up in a different destination every morning and have your breakfast on the your private balcony overlooking the view. BLISS !!! NOT TO BE MISSED

Happy Jubilee Weekend

I would just like to wish everybody a fantastic Jubilee weekend, I hope you are as lucky as myself to have the whole 4 days off.

Many of you will be having street and garden parties with your nearest and dearest I do hope the weather the holds out for us all. I too will be catching up with friends and family but mainly relaxing :-)

For those of you heading down to Southampton I am sure you will have an amazing experience to remember forever. Historically British cruise line Cunard is going to be organising a fantastic day of celebrations as the Queen is the only one to have attended the naming of all 3 ships.

These are the five key events:

5.30 a.m. – 6.15 a.m. – Arrival of the three ships

All day – festival and stalls in Mayflower Park

6.20 p.m. - 6.45 p.m. – Red Arrows aerial display

10.20 p.m. - 10.35 p.m. – Fireworks display at City Terminal

11 p.m. – Three ships sail down Southampton Water together

Cunard will be running its own radio programme, Cunard FM, for the day, broadcasting on 87.7 FM from 8 a.m. to midnight with music, celebrity interviews and live commentary of the events, as well as the musical soundtrack to the fireworks display. But you'll have to be within 3km of Carnival House in Southampton to pick up the signal.

And to everyone on board the Cunard sailings what a once in a lifetime opportunity make sure you take lots of pictures to upload to our website.

Happy Diamond Jubilee Everyone !!!