Who Is The Best ???

Want to know who is the best cruise line and what for? well over the last 12 months 26,000 of Cruise.co.uk real passengers have been rating their experiences and here are the final results.

Best Cruise Line - Cunard

Best Cruise Ship - Queen Victoria

Best Food - Queen Victoria

Best Entertainment - Independence Of The Seas

Best For Kids - Oriana

Best Staff - Adventure Of The Seas

Best Cabins - Celebrity Eclipse

Best Excursions - Queen Victoria

And the overall winner is.............

Click on this link to see even more results and reviews today http://www.cruise.co.uk/cruise-reviews/

Thailand The Last Chapter

OK this is the last chapter of my travels back in November I promise.

After 2 great days in Phuket we decided to move further down the coast to a beach resort we had driven to the day before that we really liked called Kata, and finally the sun had come out so we got straight on the Internet and booked a 4* beach front hotel with swim up pool bar.

It was so hot that I defiantly got my tanning hours in I had lost the previous two days. The hotel was gorgeous the views like something out of a post card (see above) we had a very relaxing day.

We made the decision to get the ferry and go to Phi Phi island the following day as we were desperate to visit the island that we had heard so much about and experience it first hand. The ticket was very cheap around £5 for a 2 hour ferry ride, which was very pleasant as you sailed past all the amazing scenery.

Everything was going brilliant we approached the island it was stunning I actually felt like i was in the movie The Beach (as this island was were it was filmed) until we reached are accommodation. I was not happy! the room was horrible, dark, pokey nothing compared to the accommodation we had stayed in back in Phuket and that was half the price of this. So we made up a little fuss as you do, got our money back and started to trail the long, narrow, busy streets of the island.............. 2 hours later after enquiring in around 10 different B&B's, hotels even a hostel about prices and viewing rooms, lugging our suitcases and bags round in the hot weather and yes you guessed we were back where we started! well the hotel next door to it. And when i say hotel i mean little beach huts that at first were so cute and authentic but after one night's sleep in it, it wasn't that great simply because it was so easy for the mosquito's to get in and didn't we know it, I had more than 28 bites just on the bottom half of my leg ssuddenly the dark dingy rooms weren't sounding so bad. We stayed another night before we decided to move on as the island was fantastic. The beaches beautiful and pure island life i would recommend visiting here.

Below is the viewpoint that we walked up to at sunset (stunning)

 Below is a Thai boxing match we stumbled upon one night out in the bars

Below a fire show we went to on the beach (the nightlife was out of this world)

The island was actually wiped out by the Tsunami a few years ago, which i didn't realise till i started to notice all the evacuation signs while walking around. It was quite an erie feeling knowing what had happened there but amazing to think how far the island had come since.

So we jumped on another ferry and headed to Krabi for 4 days of bliss in a lovely 4* apart hotel we found on the Internet. After quite a hectic few days on Phi Phi Island and the weather finally staying hot and sunny we just wanted to chill by a nice pool with a cocktail, which is exactly what we did.

Krabi was a nice resort not an awful lot going on at night but great beaches and fab hotels to relax in.

Well like all things they must come to an end and we headed to Bangkok to catch are return flight home. I will say I wasn't too impressed with the city I did feel a bit out of my depth if I'm honest, but everyone is different.

Overall a fantastic experience and I cant wait to go back someday.

See China A Different Way!

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A Different Perspective

River cruising is quite possibly the optimal way to travel. Unlike on a bus tour, you will not spend hours on the highway, but spend your time being in your destination, instead of trying to get there. And instead of endless waves on an ocean cruise, on a river the world reveals itself to you with its constantly changing scenery along the rivershores.

Viking River Cruises operates the world’s largest and leading fleet of deluxe vessels built specifically for river travel. With its fleet plying the waterways of Europe, Russia, Ukraine and China, Viking has welcomed more than half a million people on magical, enlightening journeys through these exciting places

See China A Different Way!

This 17-day odyssey explores China’s cradle of culture with an epic 11-day Yangtze cruise between Chongqing and Nanjing. See all the wonders of Beijing, Xian and Shanghai—the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terra Cotta Army and Old Shanghai. And, uncover the roots of Chinese civilization from Jingdezhen, birthplace of porcelain; to Mt. Jiu Hua’s remote Buddhist Temple complex; to Suzhou with its elegant classical gardens. Those who really want to understand the origins of Chinese culture should strongly consider this itinerary, our ultimate China experience.

All Aboard the.....

Viking Emerald

Cruise the Yangtze River on this beautiful, state-of-the-art river cruise vessel, brand new for the 2011 sailing season. Enjoy a roomy stateroom, junior suite, suite or presidential suite—every one boasting sliding glass doors opening onto a private balcony. One of the most extraordinary river cruising vessels in the world.





Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing
]Welcome to Beijing, China’s former imperial capital whose rich history dates back more than 3,000 years. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.* After check-in, you have free time to relax.

Day 2 Beijing
After breakfast, travel to the Badaling Hills to walk the fabled Great Wall of China. Lunch in a local restaurant is followed by a stroll along the Sacred Way, a tree-lined avenue with massive animal sculptures guarding the Ming Tombs. This evening you can relax and dine at your hotel—or, enjoy an optional evening featuring China’s famous Peking duck and a recital by performers from the world-renowned Peking Opera. (B, L, D)

Day 4 Beijing & Xian
Today, discover the sights and sounds of traditional Chinese life in Old Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleys) via rickshaw.† Visit a silk carpet workshop for a demonstration. After lunch, fly to Xian, China’s capital during several important dynasties. From 618 to 907 A.D., the Tang Dynasty presided over one of China’s most glorious cultural periods. This evening, you may choose to dine surrounded by the song and dance of this colorful era, or dine and relax at your hotel. (B, L, D)

†Rickshaw tour only available on Beijing to Shanghai itinerary direction.

Day 5 Xian & Chongqing
After breakfast in Nanjing, enjoy a scenic journey to Suzhou, nicknamed "Venice of the East" for its intricate canals. Take a guided walk through the Old Town and along the city’s canals, then tour a silk factory and the exquisite Fishermen’s Garden.

After lunch, continue to Shanghai; check in to your hotel and have dinner with evening free to relax or explore. (B, L, D)

Day 16 Shanghai
This morning, tour Old Shanghai and the Bund, an elegant riverfront promenade lined with historic buildings. Visit the comprehensive Shanghai Museum to see some of its extensive collection of art and artifacts. Dine in a restaurant, then enjoy a performance of the famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe. (B, L, D)

Day 17 Shanghai
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and we take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or continue your China journey with an escorted land program that includes 3 nights in Hong Kong and 1 night in Guilin. Sightsee and shop in Hong Kong, then enjoy a relaxing day along Guilin’s scenic Li River. (B)
The following meals are included:

B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

Dates this River Cruise is available in 2011 are

May 16th, May 28th
August 3rd, August 15th
November 3rd

Call me now to check prices and availability !!!

Cuba Is On The Cruise Map At Last!

Thomson Dream arrived in Cuba yesterday – the first British-owned cruise ship to call at the communist island in years.

The arrival of the 1,500 passenger ship, which docked in Havana, is a signal that other European cruise companies will begin returning to the island.

Havana is an all round destination you will not be disappointed.

Why Havana?  There is nowhere else quite like Cuba's capital, and that is why so many travellers have a holiday in Havana as top of their wish lists. Rather dilapidated and grubby, the energy and enterprise of the locals make up for the dereliction of the Spanish architecture, and the nightlife is second to none.

When To Go To Havana?  Anytime is a good time to holiday in Havana, although the winter months between December and April are the high season when thousands of northern hemisphere sun-seekers travel to Havana.

Who Is Havana for?  Havana is a great place for anyone who is in pursuit of pleasure. A Havana vacation is for those happy to sip rum cocktails at sunset, eat excellent cuisine, and salsa the night away. Travel to Havana if you enjoy involving yourself in the atmosphere of your destination and be prepared to go with the flow.

The Thomson Dream offers a 2 week Caribbean cruise, which stops in Havana for 3 nights FANTASTIC !

Call me for more details today !

Chapter 4, Thailand

We said goodbye to Singapore, which was lovely and hot and HELLO to rainy Thailand. I can't say I have ever arrived at a destination where its been raining so hard you can hardly see out the aeroplane window until the day I landed in Phuket.

It must be one of the worst feelings when you arrive on holiday and it's raining but determined not to get down about it we plodded on through the airport and out of arrivals. It was very hectic outside the arrivals gate, I was so glad that a colleague from work had given me the advice to make sure that I walked past all the chaos right outside the terminal and to walk round the corner and there I would see a taxi rank which was set prices and a lot cheaper than the quotes from the Thai men outside arrivals. We quickly jumped in a taxi and began the 40 minute journey to Patong Phuket's busiest tourist resort, I must say it was a bit of a culture shock starring out the window looking at how the people in Thailand live, but the they were so nice and helpful and also it was very safe to walk around the resorts.

We stayed in a very cheap hotel in the back streets of Patong about 15 minutes walk from the beach and I must say it was lovely! I could not believe that for 900 Thai Baht (£20) a night we could get a room as nice as that one, see pic's below

So after we had checked in, sorted ourselves out and been to the bar to get a cocktail we decided to go for a wander. It was a bit daunting at first walking along the road no pavements trying to dodge the scooters, and every other shop was a massage parlour with Thai girls outside saying "you want massage" which after a while became too much and we gave in and decided to have one, well you can't exactly say no when its only 250 Thai Baht (£5). An hour later after the best massage of my life I was feeling rather relaxed, we headed back to the hotel and got ready for dinner and of course to go and check out Thailand's famous nightlife.

And what a shock the nightlife was, although I did expect more lady boys haha! After a nice Italian dinner we walked down to Bangalore Road It was crazy, hectic and buzzing. I don't actually think I can describe it you need to experience it for yourself.

The next day the weather was still a bit cloudy so we decided to go elephant trekking, It was amazing I had never been on an elephant they are so timid lovely animals.

 The elephant carried us up a hill to an amazing viewing point overlooking the sea it was spectacular

I also got to feed a baby elephant they had some milk, so cute.

By the afternoon the weather still had not picked up and as we were pondering around the stools and markets I walked past a scooter hire shop. Obviously my first thought was NO WAY I HAVE NOT GOT A DEATH WISH! but then I thought to myself "when in Rome" "when in Thailand" why not! So on we jumped I even had a pink helmet, which my friend who I went with Nicola then proceeded to call me Lady Penelope for the rest of the day.

It was extremely funny driving around on the scooters I must admit I did get rather scared on a few occasions and I had a near miss with a car when I went a bit too wide going around a corner, we drove all over the island that afternoon and found a lovely beach resort called Kata Beach.

We stopped and watched the sun go down on the beach and decided that we liked the resort that much that we would come down and spend a night there before we moved on to Phi Phi Island.

Next up Chapter 5 Kata Beach and Phi Phi Island.