Captain Greybeard - Page 178 of 209 - Your expert guide to cruise ships and cruise holidays

Queen Elizabeth’s master named

Cunard have announced that Captain Christopher Wells is to take command of their next cruise ship, Queen Elizabeth, which will be making its maiden voyage in just over a year's time. It's not the first time he has been in charge of a new Cunard liner. In 2002 he became part of the site team at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard during the construction of Queen Mary 2. and he was the first Staff Captain of the new ship when she was handed over to Cunard on 22nd December 2003, remaining with her until May 2005. He later went on [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T16:00:38+00:00 3 September 2009|Cruise Ships|1 Comment

Book early for the best seats

Ready to book a cruise on a Celebrity ship, or on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, which in December will take over the title of the largest cruise ship afloat? Then be prepared to start planning ahead. For not only will you be able to book the cabin of your choice, and the excursions you want to take from each port of call, you can choose which nights you intend to have a special dinner in Celebrity's premium restaurants, or when you want to see one of the spectacular shows on Oasis. Celebrity's announcement about their new restaurant options [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T16:00:38+00:00 3 September 2009|Cruise Entertainment|0 Comments

Basking around in Bilbao

Here's the second of this week's reports from First Officer Blackbeard. It only covers his first day in Bilbao, so he's got some catching up to do on his later excursions to Santiago de Compostela and the Douro River. When I mentioned to people that I would be flying out to Bilbao to join the Spirit of Adventure, the standard response, "Oh, you must go to the Guggenheim." And they are completely right; it is a magnificent, sparkling, modernist masterpiece and no-one should take a trip to the city without paying a visit. But it's not the only reason to [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T16:00:38+00:00 3 September 2009|Cruise Destinations|1 Comment

Your chance to slurp with Smithy

We have seen Olly Smith selecting wines on TV's Saturday Kitchen - now there's a chance for everyone to share a tasting session with him online. The man who is masterminding the wine list for P&O's next cruise ship, Azura, is holding a series of samplings throughout this month, starting at 7.00pm tonight, September 3. Each week viewers at home will taste along with Olly and can also enter a competition to win a case of wine. On the final week he will host a live webchat, answering questions on the wines and his latest venture at sea. Participants will [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T16:00:38+00:00 3 September 2009|Cruise News|0 Comments

Blackbeard gets his sea legs

First Officer Blackbeard sends his first report from the cruise ship Spirit of Adventure, somewhere at sea off the coast of northern Spain . . . While Captain Greybeard may well be a hardened cruise expert, who can provide with help and advice and the latest updates in goings-on at sea, what you haven't had on this blog is the wide-eyed exploits of a cruise virgin. Hi, my name is Russell. I'm 27 and I have never cruised before. For the next week I will be at sea and at various ports of call as I travel along the coast [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T16:00:38+00:00 31 August 2009|Cruise Destinations, Cruise Ships|0 Comments

Blackbeard’s adventures in Spain

Greybeard's apprentice takes to the seas this week. First Officer Blackbeard, as we'll call him for now, flew to Bilbao this morning for a week's cruising to Malaga on board Spirit of Adventure. He's probably more suited to the Freestyle frolics of a Norwegian Cruise Lines ship, or the resort-style attractions of Royal Caribbean, so I shall be interested to hear what he makes of one of my favourite smaller ships. He was hoping to have time to visit the Guggenheim Museum before the ship sails this evening, and on Tuesday he should be on an excursion to Santiago de [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T16:00:39+00:00 30 August 2009|Cruise Destinations, Cruise Ships|0 Comments

Around the world in 60 ways

Nearly 60 sectors of world cruises on four P&O cruise ships go on sale on Tuesday (September 1) in a new magazine-style brochure for 2010-11. Arcadia, Artemis, Aurora and Oriana will be visiting 89 destinations in 46 different countries and as well as the four full world voyages travelling a total of 132,000 nautical miles, there will be 57 shorter holidays available, from 13 nights to 37. P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: "The new brochure is styled as a travel magazine with destination features written by well-known travel writers. "The prices for all featured holidays will be cruise [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T16:00:39+00:00 30 August 2009|Cruise Deals, Cruise News|0 Comments

This week’s top cruises

Savour the sights of Shanghai, the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Fukoka, and Cheju, South Korea's "Island of the Gods", aboard the Costa Classica. Fares (cruise only) from £409 based on two adults sharing an inside cabin. Leaves Shanghai on Sept 25. Call 0845 351 055 or www.costacruises.co.uk. Sail from Barcelona on September 26 aboard Celebrity Century for a seven-night cruise to Cannes, Portofino, Livorno, Civitavecchia and Naples. Fares (cruise only) from £493 pp. www.thelca.com or call 0870 122 5115. Seven nights on Norwegian Jade from Barcelona on September 27 cost from £919. Ports include Naples and Cannes. www.cruise118.com or [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T16:00:39+00:00 28 August 2009|Cruise Deals|0 Comments

Bank holiday cruise ship bonanza

Nine cruise ships will bring a Bank Holiday bonanza to Southampton this weekend, worth an estimated £8.5 million to local businesses. Up to 45,000 passengers will be embarking and disembarking on Saturday and Sunday, as some of the biggest cruise ships in the world arrive in port. The local council estimates that each person arriving in the city to start a cruise spends an average of £380 in hotels, shops, the airport and other transport. But while taxi drivers and baggage porters will be looking forward to making enough money to pay for their own cruises, the arrival and departure [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T16:00:39+00:00 27 August 2009|Cruise Destinations, Cruise News, Cruise Ships|0 Comments

Basil Brush charts a new course

Donald Duck was not the only children's favourite taking to the high seas this week. Basil Brush joined the Ocean Village cruise ship and immediately headed for the bridge to take over navigational duties. The famous fox won't actually be in command of the vessel - he will be performing live shows in the ship's Connexions bar, and posing for pictures with children and their parents during Mediterranean sailings for the rest of the summer. He'll have a chance to meet up with Bagpuss and Paddington Bear, who are also on board. I hope there are no showbiz tantrums over [...]

By John Honeywell| 2017-06-15T16:00:39+00:00 27 August 2009|Cruise Entertainment|0 Comments