• NEWS • NEWS •• NEWS • NEWS • YOUR PERSONAL CRUISE CONSULTANCY

01264 350750 • www.cruisein.co.uk • 01264 350750 • www.cruisein.co.uk Cruise In Limited, 8 Westmarch Business Centre, River Way, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1NS Tel: 01264 350750 Fax: 01264 361222

July 2012

Dear Friends,Can you believe it’s July already? I know what you are saying - not if the weather’s anything to go by! If you are on holiday in the UK during the next few weeks, we wish you a wonderful time and hope the weather will pick up. We are pleased to bring you our second edition 2013/14 Cruise Collection brochure with this mailing. Many of the offers have been extended until the end of August so there is still time to book at the same prices. Some additional cruises have been featured in this Newsletter that missed the brochure print run, namely a couple of Cunard world cruise segments and a page of Norwegian Cruise Line Mediterranean offers for 2013. Please remember, our prices for all cruises with all Cruise Lines will beat other agents merely on the strength of credit card charges. As you know, we don’t believe in making money on the back of already steep costs. We look forward to seeing many of you on the Douro River cruise very soon! Happy reading!

Yes, you did see this superb cruise in the May 2012 Newsletter and it is now featured in our second edition brochure. We are repeating the offer because the price has come down by a whopping £200 per person! Celebrity have added their early booking discount and we’re delighted to pass it on to you. There aren’t that many chances to sail through the Bosporus to the magical Black Sea in the luxury of the recently refurbished Celebrity Constellation. At this price, grab it while you can. There are fabulous ports of call in Greece and Turkey, and the chance to add-on nights pre or post cruise in Istanbul, the ‘capital city’ of that fabled part of the world.

12 night istanbul & the black sea25 September 2013

Istanbul, Turkey - Athens, Greece - Mykonos, Greece - Kusadasi, TurkeyBosporus Strait (cruising) - Yalta, Ukraine - Sevastopol, Ukraine

Odessa, Ukraine (overnight) - Burgas, Bulgaria - Istanbul, Turkey (overnight)

aMaZing cRuise in PRices

Stateroom Grade Cruise In Price

Interior 11 Call

Ocean View 7 £1199

Balcony 2B £1679

Concierge Balcony C3 £1769

aqua Class Balcony a2 £1889

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes return flights from London Luton, Istanbul transfers, port & air taxes, full board and entertainment on cruise. Flights subject to 2013 schedules. Price includes £200pp early booking discount, expires 31 August. Other airports may be available at a supplement

CeleBrItyCOnstellatIOn®

PRic

e

Reducti

on

ExclusivE loyalty club offEr

If yOu BOOk any CruIse Of 7 nIghts Or mOre

by 31 august 2012

LOYALTYCLUB

Full Details

on Page 3

Thanks to many of you who have returned your questionnaire to us. This will provide valuable information for the future to determine and help us select mailings of special interest to you. Needless to say, we are still collating the massive response! We can assure you that all information will be used solely by Cruise In. Welcome to the Inner Circle!

cRuise in loyalty club QuestionnaiRe

Norwegian Cruise Line comes to the Mediterranean with three excellent ships in 2013, ranging from the mid-sized Norwegian Spirit at 75,000 tons to the all-singing all-dancing 155,000 ton Norwegian Epic. Kim, Vicky and a large group enjoyed Norwegian Epic so much last October that they wrote a rave report on their 7-night cruise from Barcelona. We’ve now signed a new contract with NCL which is beneficial to anyone wishing to book on any Norwegian Cruise Line ship, so don’t be afraid to ring us when you have decided when you next want to cruise! You may get a surprise at just what we have to offer!

4-Star Norwegian Spirit

Built 1998 75,000 Tons

Built 2010 155,000 Tons

4-Star Norwegian Epic

noRWegian cRuise lines Fleet in the MediteRRanean in 2013

Built 2006 93,000 Tons

4-Star Norwegian Jade

4-STAr NOrwEGIAN SPIrIT12 Night Grand Mediterranean

Venice - Athens, Greece - Izmir, TurkeyIstanbul, Turkey - Mykonos, Greece

Naples, Italy - Rome, Italy - Livorno, ItalyToulon, France - Barcelona

Cabin grade 29 apr 14 Oct

Inside If £949 £999

Outside Og £1099 £1119

Balcony BD £1349 £1399

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes return flights from London Gatwick, port and air taxes, full board and entertainment on cruise.

Other sailing dates and itineraries available on Norwegian Spirit, please call

4-STAr NOrwEGIAN EPIC7 Night western Mediterranean

Barcelona - Naples, Italy Rome, Italy - Livorno, Italy

Marseille, France - Palma, Spain - Barcelona

Cabin grade 5 may 6 Oct 13 Oct

Inside If £669 £599 £599

Balcony Bf £799 £749 £749

mini suite mC £869 £799 £799

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes return flights from London, port and air taxes, full board and entertainment on cruise. Regional flights available subject to schedules, some may carry a supplement.

Ship departs every Sunday from Barcelona from 5 May to 13 October 2013, please call

for prices on other dates

4-STAr NOrwEGIAN JAdE7 Night Greek Isles

Venice - Corfu, GreeceSantorini, Greece - Mykonos, Greece

Katakolon, Greece - Venice

Cabin grade 18 may 12 Oct

Inside If £699 £649

Outside Ok £799 £779

Balcony BD £999 £1029

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes return flights from London Gatwick, port and air taxes, full board and entertainment on cruise.

Other sailing dates and itineraries available on Norwegian Jade, please call

All

inte

rio

r im

ages

fro

m N

orw

egia

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pic

Cruise In gloss 3 suitcase setspecification: Blue, red or grey

Code size Weight litres

1018 53cm Trolley Case53 x 36 x 24cm

2.9kg36L

1018 66cm Trolley Case66 x 43 x 29cm

3.6kg68L

1018 78cm Trolley Case78 x 51 x 34cm

4.5kg115L

Cruise In alpha 3 suitcase setspecification: silver, Charcoal or Champagne

Code size Weight litres

708 55cm Trolley Case55 x 34 x 23cm

3.0kg39L

708 65cm Trolley Case65 x 42 x 27cm

3.7kg61L

708 76cm Trolley Case76 x 51 x 30cm

4.5kg97L

cruisE iN loyalty club suitcasE offEr

BOOk any CruIse Of 7 nIghts Or mOre By 31 august 2012

anD graB yOurself a set Of neW Cases WOrth £250 - fOr Only £80!*

LOYALTYCLUB

LOYALTYCLUB

Cruise In are delighted to offer, with any new cruise booking of 7 nights or more made by 31 August 2012, an exclusive set of three luxury Alpha suitcases worth £250, for only £80 or the Gloss range for £100 including delivery to your door! This distinctive and high-quality luggage will enhance your cruise enjoyment. The cases are dramatically styled, lightweight polycarbonate or moulded ABS with distinctive ribbed design or gloss finish. They are available in a range of colours. The cases all have ‘four wheel drive’ for extreme 360 degree

manoeuvrability. Just to use them will blow you away. We’ve included the handles, wheels and pockets in the dimensions shown to comply with airline and check-in regulations. Cruise In have tested the cases and sizes for twelve months. The largest is suitable for UK departures. The middle size suits every airline as hold luggage. The smallest is ideal for all overhead lockers. All you have to do to claim your 3-suitcase set for £80 is make a new cruise booking of 7 nights or more by 31 August 2012.Terms and conditions apply.

Alpha Or Gloss* - The Choice Is Yours!*Gloss available at a £20 supplement

12 night Mayan Mystique • 9 DeceMber 2012 • rivieraitinerary

Miami - george town, grand caymancozumel, Mexico - belize city, belize

santo tomas, guatemala - roatan, hondurascosta Maya, Mexico - Key West, Florida

Miami

Onboard credit included: $300 per stateroom

stateroom grade 9 Dec

Veranda B4-B1 £2099

Concierge level Veranda a4-a1 £2199

Penthouse suite Ph1 £2499

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes return flights from London Heathrow, one night pre-cruise Miami airport hotel, port and air taxes, full board and entertainment on cruise.

Massive Price Reduction! Caribbean Winter Warmer

rIVIera

staterOOm PrICe staterOOm PrICe staterOOm PrICe

Interior 10 £1779pp Balcony 2B £1999pp Concierge Balcony C3 £2079pp

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes direct flights from London Heathrow, two nights pre-cruise Fort Lauderdale hotel room only, port and air taxes, full board and entertainment on cruise. Indirect Manchester flights available at a supplement. Prices are subject to availability and offers can be withdrawn without prior notice.

staterOOm PrICe staterOOm PrICe staterOOm PrICe

Interior 11 £1699pp Balcony 2B £1899pp Concierge Balcony C3 £2029pp

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes direct flights from London Heathrow, one night pre-cruise Miami airport hotel room only, port and air taxes, full board and entertainment on cruise. Indirect Manchester flights available at a supplement. Prices are subject to availability and offers can be withdrawn without prior notice.

Having cruised the Caribbean quite regularly in November and December, this would be one of my top recommendations for the months to come. I’ve always experienced good weather at the early part of the season, and what better way to spend the 14 nights cruising but on the spectacular, sophisticated, 5-star Celebrity Eclipse, my favourite class

of ship. It’s worth mentioning the new taxes and fuel increases have affected airline fares a great deal. So when you look at these prices, please bear in mind the value of the cruise element is stunning, especially to experience ‘the best in the world’. The prices listed below include 2 nights room only in a good quality hotel close to Fort Lauderdale beach. This increases the total duration to 17 nights allowing for the night flying home. While we still have these exclusive prices, I’ve only one recommendation - go for it!

dReaMin’ in the caRibbean!Vicky's recommendations...

17 night ultimate caribbean 15 november 2012

2 nights Fort Lauderdale hotel + Fort Lauderdale - Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas - Philipsburg,

St Maarten - St Johns, Antigua - Castries, St Lucia Bridgetown, Barbados - St George’s, Grenada - Kralendijk,

Bonaire - Oranjestad, Aruba - Fort Lauderdale

16 night ultimate caribbean25 January 2013

Itinerary: Fort Lauderdale - Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas - Philipsburg, St Maarten - St Johns, Antigua - Castries,

St Lucia - Bridgetown, Barbados - St George’s, Grenada - Oranjestad, Aruba - Willemstad, Curacao - Fort Lauderdale

ANd If YOU CAN’T MAKE ThE ABOVE dATE, hErE’S ANOThEr OPTION:

Celebrity eclipse®

CaBIn graDe 5 nIght CruIse

CruIse + OstenDe

main Deck a £525pp £655pp

main Deck B £545pp £675pp

upper Deck £615pp £745pp

springtiMe in hollanD

Don’t leave it long to book our next Springtime cruise with only 110 places available! The beautiful 5-star Elegant Lady will be our luxurious home for five nights as we sail Dutch waterways with a wonderful two nights in Amsterdam. From here there will be optional tours to the renowned Keukenhof Gardens, Amsterdam by day and night or Volendam and Edam. You won’t want to miss the chance to see Delft, the canals and Pottery as well as The Netherlands Open Air Park near Arnhem. We will also have our regular Cruise In Band for entertainment together with Jonathan Burrows and Tommy Lees. For coach travellers, you will enjoy two additional nights in Belgium.

5 or 7 night springtiMe in hollanD & belgiuM 5 nightFroM £525

3 april 2013

rotterdamamsterdam (two nights)

arnhemnijmegenDordrechtrotterdam

7 nightFroM £655

3 april 2013

rotterdamamsterdam (two nights)

arnhemnijmegenDordrechtrotterdamostende

(2 nights b&b for bruges)

01264 350750www.cruisein.co.uk

5-starelegant laDy

your travel optionseurostar & international trainTravel by Eurostar from St Pancras or Ebbsfleet to Brussels and onward by International Train from Brussels to Rotterdam and return. You will be met by coach at Rotterdam station and transferred direct to shipside. Return transfer also included. Standard premium on Eurostar and first class on international train available at a supplement of £95pp.

add a night in brusselsAdd a night either way on your journey to and from Rotterdam for just £65 per person per night bed and breakfast in a 4-star hotel. Choose your outbound train time to suit travel arrangements to London and enjoy some time in Brussels.

FlightsFly direct from London airports and a variety of provincial airports, some at a supplement. Transfers may be available to purchase at a later date subject to numbers.

ashford to rotterdam and returnThis option is only available for those wishing to extend their cruise holiday to 7 nights. Travel from Holiday Inn, Ashford by luxury Contiki Holland Coach with our regular driver Peter, as we board our shuttle for the 35 minute crossing before continuing our journey with stops en-route to Rotterdam. The return will travel from Rotterdam to our hotel near Ostende for 2 nights and will include travel to Bruges and any other tours if applicable. We return to Ashford by 2pm on the last day.

our coachesWe use left-hand drive Continental coaches for tours and transport supplied by Contiki Holland. These are of the highest standard. They stay with us for the total duration, with the same English-speaking drivers. Each coach has toilet facilities.

ultiMate sWitZeRland, Rhine & Moselle aPRil 2012

16 nights on the Rhine. Two 8-night cruises. It sounded a lot of days and nights for the many back to backers onboard as well as musicians and staff. But where did all the time go? Who knows, but it was a one of the best river cruises we have ever undertaken. The weather, as described in one of the thank you letters, was well summed up. We had our winter holiday the first week and the summer on the second! In fairness, the weather wasn’t at all bad throughout, especially as it only rained when we

were sailing. Some of the tours were awesome. The highlight for many was the trip on Lake Thun to Interlaken and the lunch on top of Harder Kulm. There were also many delighted people who undertook the Jungfrau trip on the mountain railways. Both cruises enjoyed brilliant entertainment from our resident 4-piece band augmented by the brilliant accordion wizard Tommy Lees plus our own Jonathan Burrows, musical director and pianist who provided us with an hour concert on each cruise which had

Thank you for yet another really enjoyable and well arranged cruise. We know we can just relax and forget everything on a holiday organised by you. It was good to catch up with friends old and new and to listen and ‘shuffle’ (I can’t say dancing for us) to the Cruise In band. Looking forward to the next one

in November.Jean & Brian Morris

Images courtesy of Lorraine Ayres, Allan Pickup and Alan Metheringham

ultiMate sWitZeRland, Rhine & Moselle aPRil 2012

the audience cheering and applauding for more! As always, the food was good and plentiful with excellent buffet breakfasts and lunches, plus served dinners of the highest order. It was nice to visit some new places on the Rhine, and on the second cruise even better as we had such good weather for our two day sojourn into the Moselle and featuring Cochem. As always, our coaches and regular drivers from Contiki Holland, Pete and Wim, did us proud moving vehicles into position every day without

anybody realising they had! Well done lads! Many of you had the chance of meeting Vicky and Kim on this trip. They enjoyed it so much they have booked in for the next river cruises as well! Thank you all for joining us and for the many thank yous we received, a few of which appear on this page. We look forward to seeing many of you again on the Christmas Markets in November and Springtime in Holland in April.

Dear Rose & Cliff,

Joan and I would like to thank you for

making our holiday on the Rhine so

enjoyable. Good to catch up with old

friends and entertainment was very

good as usual. Thank you very much

for the lovely cake, card and present

for my birthday. Please thank Vicky

and Kim for looking after us.

Love and best wishes

Joan and Artie

aRabian & asian adventuRe With Queen MaRy 2

22 Nights • 27 January 2013 – from £2649ppItinerary: Dubai – Abu Dhabi, UAE – Cochin, India – Colombo, Sri Lanka

Langkawi, Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Singapore – Ko Samui, ThailandBangkok, Thailand – Phu My, Vietnam – Hong Kong

PanaMa canal adventuRe With Queen victoRia

18 Nights • 17 January 2013 – from £1999ppItinerary: 1 night pre-cruise hotel New York

New York - Fort Lauderdale – Falmouth, Jamaica – Cartagena, ColombiaFull transit of Panama Canal - Acapulco, Mexico - San Francisco

One of the best 'itinerary rich' segments of this superb world cruise and an opportunity not to be missed for cruising on Cunard’s beautiful 5-star Queen Mary 2, with every conceivable luxury and

renowned Cunard service and food.

Amazing value and a superb cruise! If you want to see the Panama Canal, why not experience the warmth and hospitality of Cunard’s 5-star Queen Victoria with superb service, gourmet food and luxurious surroundings. Also consider some of the brilliant add-ons including maybe two or three

additional nights in San Francisco.

STATErOOM GrAdE PrICE STATErOOM GrAdE PrICE STATErOOM GrAdE PrICE

Interior d8 £2649 Premium Balcony B5 £3239 Princess Suite P3 £5139

Oceanview C4 £3139 deluxe Balcony A4(free upgrade from B5)

£3239 Queen’s Suite Q7 SOld OUT

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes scheduled direct flights from Heathrow, air and port taxes, full board and entertainment on cruise

Add NIGhTS IN dUBAI Or hONG KONG, PlEASE CAll

STATErOOM GrAdE PrICE STATErOOM GrAdE PrICE STATErOOM GrAdE PrICE

Interior d8 £1999 Balcony A7 £2389 Queen’s Suite Q7 £4999

Oceanview C5 £2169 Princess Suite P4 £4469

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes scheduled direct flights from Heathrow, air and port taxes, one night room only New York airport hotel, full board and entertainment on cruise

Add AddITIONAl NIGhTS IN NEw YOrK Or SAN frANCISCO, PlEASE CAll

Now here’s a first! For the first time ever, the luxurious 5-Star Celebrity Infinity will be home porting in the UK. She’ll be based in Harwich in 2013 for three months, covering Northern Europe. We’re delighted about it and so it seems are a lots of others. We’re currently booking more of these cruises than almost anything else! Yes, the itineraries are fascinating. Yes, the prices are brilliant value. Yes, the ship is a stunner. But the combination of them all with Harwich is proving the real winner. Book now while the prices still include the early booking discounts of £200pp on the 11 Night 24 June sailing, and £100pp on the 10 Night sailings and what's more, free parking at Harwich or free coach travel!

11 NighT From £899 24 June 2013

harwich - torshavn, Faroe islands - reykjavik, iceland (overnight) - akureyri, iceland - geiranger, norway - bergen, norway - harwich

An itinerary full of contrasts. On the one hand the spectacular natural wonders of Iceland and the ‘far outpost’ feeling of the Faroe Islands, stretching on to the sophistication of Bergen. It’s a perfect pick-and-mix,

everything you want it to be and more. And you couldån’t ask more of your fabulous ship. Celebrity Infinity has recently undergone a ‘modern luxury’ makeover. She now features more staterooms,

more balconies, an expanded art collection and completely new decor throughout.

icelanD & norWegian FJorDs

stateroom grade 24 June

Interior 12 £899

Ocean View 8 £1019

Balcony 2B £1319

Concierge Balcony C3 £1469

aqua Class a2 £1589

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes port taxes, full board & entertainment on cruise. Price includes Celebrity Cruises early booking discount of £200 per person, expires 31 August 2012.

Free parking at harwichFree coach travel

10 NighT From £769 24 may, 14 June, 2013

harwich - oslo, norway - stavanger, norway - olden, norway - alesund, norway - geiranger, norway - Flam, norway - bergen, norway - harwich

the Magic oF the norWegian FJorDs

This cruise takes you to a world of its own; a world of fjords, a world of overwhelming grandeur, of immense mountains and awe-inspiring wilderness. The famous North Cape of Europe is further north than Alaska! Reindeer roam wild on the barren hills. The fjords tower over cruise ships in a way that’s both picturesque and awesome. The sheer magnificence can literally take your breath away. That’s if you’ve any breath left after all the pleasures of the fabulous Celebrity Infinity.

stateroom grade 24 may 14 June

Interior 12 £769 £909

Ocean View 7 £859 £1009

Balcony 2B £1099 £1239

Concierge Balcony C3 £1219 £1369

aqua Class a2 £1309 £1449

Price per person based on twin occupancy includes port taxes, full board & entertainment on cruise. Price includes Celebrity Cruises early booking discount of £100 per person, expires 31 May August.

Free parking at harwichFree coach travel

celebRity inFinity coMes to haRWich

A wonderful 3 nights, 4 to those that went by coach and had a night in Rouen and a visit to Honfleur! This was a superb Loyalty Club event that went down well with everyone! The Seine Princess was the flagship of the CroisiEurope fleet with larger cabins than all their other ships and built originally for the American market. The value of a ‘Cruise’ with the ship moored in view of the Eiffel Tower was just unbelievable. Even we can’t fault anything these three-nighters offer. Where could you get full board, wine and drinks with lunches and dinners, entertainment and transport for the money to be in Paris? We sailed on the Evening Dress Ball night to the outskirts which was just brilliant. The third night we again cruised, taking the bateau mouche route

through the sights of Paris with a commentary on the return following dinner. I’m sure many of you will go again! If you’ve never been before, read on and join us for a little of the Parisienne experience!

loyalty club PaRty in PaRis FebRuaRy 2012

Dear Cliff & Crew, Len and I would like to thank you all for the

wonderful trip to Paris. We stayed on the Seine

Princess along with you good selves and we

recognise what a lot of work and effort you all

put into making our holiday enjoyable. You Cliff,

put your heart and soul into the holiday, going

to great lengths to make not only our days but

our evenings full of fun. We felt as if we were one

big family and loved every minute of it - thanks

a million. But it didn't end there - we have just

received a CD full of photos of our magical

moments which we very much appreciate, you

and your crew are very caring - no other travel

company would do that - rest assured that we will

book our holidays through you whenever we can

and we will also tell everyone about you too.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Len and Pat Mortley

an eaRly valentine's PResent!3-night 'PaRis 0n the seine'

4-staR luxuRy seine PRincessFRoM £325

no sMoKing cruise

3 nights in PaRisExClUSIVE CrUISE IN ChArTEr

tRavel by euRostaR oR coachFull boaRd including Wine With

lunch and dinneR!Enjoy the glamour and the buzz of three wonderful nights in Paris, moored just 10 minutes walk from the Eiffel Tower. 4-Star MS Seine Princess, one of the French CroisiEurope fleet offers excellent

What the tRiP includes• Price per person based on two sharing a twin cabin with

television, air con/heating and ensuite shower/wc

• Mooring fees and port taxes

• full board from dinner on day 1 to Breakfast on day 4

• house wine, water, beer, fruit juice and coffee with meals

• Parisienne cabaret show and entertainment

• Gala farewell dinner and Paris by night cruise

• return travel by Eurostar from St Pancras or Ebbsfleet or coach from holiday Inn, Ashford

• Cruise accompanied by Kim and Vicky

Main deck £325uPPeR deck £375

suites £475

tRavel oPtionseuRostaR 9 to 12 FebRuaRy 2012

Travel by standard class Eurostar from St Pancras at 12:24 or Ebbsfleet at 12:42 to Gare du Nord, returning on a 11:13 or 13:13 train with a journey time of approximately two and a half hours. Transfers to and from Quai de Grenelle are not included.

coach tRavel FRoM holiday inn ashFoRd 9 to 12 FebRuaRy 2012

Leaving the UK by coach at 10am for the shuttle crossing of 35 minutes and a four hour journey to Quai de Grenelle, Paris including stops. Disembark at 9am on 12 February for the return journey to Ashford, anticipated arrival approx 14.00.

Fly to chaRles de gaulle, PaRisFly from many UK airports at supplements starting at £40 per person. Transfers are not included.

'PaRis on the seine' • 9 - 12 FebRuaRy 2013

Arc de Triomphe

Hotel Des Invalides

Eiel Tower

Louvre

Hotel De Ville

Notre Dame

Opera House

GaleriesLafayette

Seine Princess

Cham

ps Ely

sees

MRER

Bir-HakeimChamps de Mars

facilities for our stay in Paris with superb cuisine and service.The Seine Princess was built in 2002 for the American market. As a result there are only 65 cabins giving 20% extra space per person over her sister ships.

01264 350750 • www.cruisein.co.uk • 01264 350750 • www.cruisein.co.uk Cruise In Limited, 8 Westmarch Business Centre, River Way, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1NS Tel: 01264 350750 Fax: 01264 361222

The information and opinions contained in our newsletters are the views of Cruise In and do not necessarily represent those of our suppliers and business associates. While every care has been taken in the production of this newsletter, Cruise In accept no responsibility for errors or omissions.

T7027

oceania MaRina - ten out oF ten Plus - and loads oF MeRit MaRks!

hello doveR!

hello belFast!

We’ve rarely looked forward to a cruise so much and we weren’t disappointed. We knew we were going to be cosseted in luxury for twelve wonderful nights and so it proved to be. What we couldn’t have anticipated was the level of luxury. Let’s be fair, working in the cruise industry as we do, we’re lucky enough to have sailed on many, many ships. We are totally spoiled, experienced cruisers - we’ve done almost 50 cruises! But nothing prepared us for the level of excellence Oceania provide. The comfort was just astonishing. The beds and linen were exceptional, the finest we’ve ever experienced and we’ve known some fine beds and linens in our time. The food, well, it was just magnificent. The variety of foods offered in the speciality restaurants is just exceptional. And, remember, there is no extra charge for any of these. All you have to do is book your time. Whereas, of course, in the main restaurant it’s open house, you eat when you like. As many of know, I’m always particularly interested in the theatre and the theatrical performances. And talk about understatement - by the way, understatement is another of Oceania’s hallmarks - it’s part of what makes them so special. Oceania call their theatre a ‘show lounge’! But to my eyes, well, I couldn’t believe it! The ‘show lounge’ is, for me, the most beautiful ultra-modern theatre with the most amazing, comfortable, American size seats with leg room better than club class on a plane! There’s a marvellous lighting and technician’s booth, in just the right place, to do ‘theatrical justice’ to the performers on the beautifully proportioned stage. The entertainment for a ship of this size was exceptionally good, as was the 8-piece theatre band who backed and created total 'live music' for all of the shows. Oceania Marina is truly wonderful and Cruise In are proud to be associated with her. She fully lived up to everything Kim and Vicky said when they went on the naming cruise for Riviera in May. The itinerary, too, was brilliant, absolutely fascinating. Sure, we would have preferred the weather to have been more clement. But what’s a little moisture and some wind in your hair when you know you’ve Oceania Marina to come home to! And, oh, those beds!

It was really good to meet twenty of our Southern England clients on an Oceania Marina ship visit on 6th June. We planned the ship’s visit for Loyalty members to coincide with Rose and I being onboard during our 12-night British Isles cruise. As a visit it was very rewarding with the chance to see the different cabin options and the layout of the ship with its many speciality restaurants. After the tour, we were treated to a seven-course gourmet lunch with wine accompaniment. Getting up from the tables, saying good-bye and driving home was tough for those who had to. For us, finding our cabin and having an afternoon siesta before lifeboat drill was as hard as it got!

A real first for Cruise In – a chance to meet some of our loyal Belfast clients! On a wet 12th June, twenty people found their way into the docks to join us for an identical visit to that of Dover. OMG! What a thought. Another 7-course meal with wine and we were already experiencing gourmet meals every hour of every day! It went well. It was all over too soon and it makes one realise the importance of these ‘meetings’ with clients who we normally never get to see. Thanks to you all for coming. Thanks also to Yvonne and Bob Jellie who invited Rose and I to a whistle-stop tour of Belfast in the afternoon. It was brilliant. We were taken to Stormont and enjoyed a personal tour with a guide even though the television cameras were rolling with so much historical movement going on! Then we passed the Titanic exhibition, had a quick look inside City Hall and the Titanic garden………and all with the rain not relenting! Isn’t it nice to know we have friends in all places especially Northern Ireland! Thank you Yvonne and Bob!

Cliff and Rose

Regards and best wishes from Cliff and the Crew at Cruise In.