Archive for the 'Cruise News' Category
Is Sea Sickness all in the Mind?
Years ago, on a family holiday to Cornwall, I recollect getting on a small boat and sailing out to sea to capture some fish for dinner that evening. At 9 years old I was thoroughly enjoying being out at sea, catching fish and learning to “drive” a boat. And then came the sickness…
There is nothing quite like sea sickness, one minute your feeling fine, the next you feel completely green. Luckily enough we were alalert heading back to shore as the sickness was reaching its peak.
Since then I have moved on to bigger and better ships and started cruising. As of yet, I have not experienced any sea sickness at all (lucky me). Not so surprising when you consider how enormous cruise liners tend to be and how well stabilized. However, many cruise passengers claim they suffer badly from sea sickness, even on these large ships.
The chances are that the majority of people who go cruising probably won’t suffer from seas sickness. Having said that, I guess you really won’t know until you get onboard.
Sea sickness is caused when the body, inner ear and eyes all send conflicting signals to the brain which makes you feel queasy. The brain is confused as your eyes are sensing everything’s stable whilst your ears are screaming that its not. But, can you control this feeling? According to this story I read, the answer is yes -
A husband and wife cruised regularly year after year, and each time the wife sufferuddy with sea sickness. The husband was of the less sympathetic variety and decided to conduct a little experiment.He got in touch with an old friend who was a doctor. The doctor then informed the wife that she should drink cranberry juice each morning to cure the symptoms whilst on the cruise. The wife followed his instructions and for the first time had an enjoyable, sickness free cruise. Cranberry juice is not known as a cure for sea sickness, and instead acted as a placebo, convincing her that her sea sickness had been cured!
Whilst this suggests it is all in the head, I don’t think we can dismiss the symptoms completely. There are now prescription drugs to attempt to help ease sickness, as well as a new gadget which looks like a watch, but sends out gentle shocks to trick your body into thinking you are on land.
My advice? Each person you inquire is likely to come up with their own remedy for sea sickness, some more credible than others. A few basic tips to eliminate the affects of sea sickness is to stay hydrated, eat lightly, avoid fatty foods and stay out on deck if possible. You may find that focusing on the horizon or nearby land is also beneficial.
Original post by Storyteller
No commentsUpdate - Face of Travel 2008
I tried very hard to contain my excitement when i turned on my PC this morning and found out that i had made it onto the leaderboard for the Face of Travel competition. I let slip a little squeal of excitement into my coffee which couldn’t be helped. (I don’t think anyone noticed though)
I just want to thanks everyone that has voted so far… but if you havent’t yet already, don’t delay, vote today!
http://www.faceoftravel.co.uk/entries/me.php?id=57
Original post by Titchy Carla
No commentsHeathrow terminal 5 here I come!
Next month I will have the awesome pleasure of departing from the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow. From what I’ve seen in the press so far, it all sounds absolutely fabulous. The rapid check in and bag drop…well who wouldn’t benefit from that?
The designer shopping including such brands such as Harrods, Tiffany & Co. and Mulberry will certainly please many - excluding my husband or my bank that is. The obvious downside to this self contained fashion village is that you can’t access it without flying with BA.And as if all that wasn’t enough, Gordon Ramsey has opened a restaurant there as part of the T5 fine dining experiences.
One thing is for sure, I will have spent my holiday money before I even board my plane. I guess I’ll just have to keep you updated on my experience next month. Wish my purse luck!
Original post by Titchy Carla
No commentsCruise musings
Many experts like to predict the future of the cruise indusattempt in both the brief and the long term. Some focus on passenger numbers and destination trends while others veer toward the cruise line’s new ships and their on board innovations.
One thing is for certain, we all like to read about what may be coming next, but why do we only think of ocean cruising in one way? There are many ways to visit the world by sea besides the most popular cruise vessels.
One example would be private yachting, once a holiday for only the wealthy and famous. These days you can charter one of these marvellous crewed vessels for almost the same price as seven days on board a super liner. Sleeping up to 10 guests, one company on the net are offering a Rodman 41 for 6 days, carrying 6 people for £1500 per person. It costs even less if you can make the numbers up to 10! That’s fully crewed and includes the fuel. And the best bit… you get to select your itinerary! Granted you won’t get the varied entertainment, choice of restaurants and the kids clubs but its certainly an interesting choice.
Another alternative, and probably the more fascinating, is what i like to call the ‘cruise timeshare’ - or as most know it; the residential cruise line.
Up until 5 years ago, they didn’t exist but then along came the first, The World. This is the only one of its kind currently in operation but there are 4 more in the pipeline. (I’ve listed these and their web links at the end of the article)
The main idea is to own an apartment in a floating resort that constantly sails the globe but you don’t need to own one outright to benefit. Depending on the ship, there are several options available: full ownership, partial or sharuddy ownership and brief period rentals for those that want to experience the ship as a holiday maker.
On The World you can expect to pay anything between $1,200 to $4,200 a night, with a minimum stay of six nights. Not exactly affordable to most but then that’s the entire point isn’t it? Being part of something exclusive.
I’m beautiful sure that once more of these residential ships are built, as with anything we will see the prices drop dramatically. In the meantime i think I’ll adhere to traditional cruising.
Further research:
The World http://www.aboardtheworld.com/
Voyage Partners http://www.voyagepartners.com/index.php
The Magdellan http://www.residentialcruiseline.com
The Orphalese http://www.theorphalese.com/
Original post by Titchy Carla
No commentsLet the voting begin!
Thanks in advance 
Original post by Titchy Carla
No commentsFuture cruise ship build schedule
| Line | Ship | Launch | Tonnage | Berths |
| MSC | MSC Poesia | 01 March 2008 | 89,600 | 2,500 |
| Royal Caribbean | Independence of the Seas | 01 May 2008 | 160,000 | 3,634 |
| P&O | Ventura | Spring 2008 | 116,000 | 3,100 |
| Carnival | Carnival Splendor | 01 July 2008 | 112,000 | 3,006 |
| Holland America | Eurodam | Summer 2008 | 86,000 | 2,104 |
| Princess | Ruby Princess | 01 November 2008 | 113,000 | 3,080 |
| MSC | MSC Fantasia | 01 November 2008 | 133,500 | 3,300 |
| Celebrity | Solstice | Autumn 2008 | 118,000 | 2,850 |
| MSC | MSC Splendida | Spring 2009 | 133,500 | 3,300 |
| Costa | Costa Luminosa | Spring 2009 | 92,700 | 2,260 |
| Costa | Costa Pacifica | Spring 2009 | 130,000 | 3,652 |
| Seabourn | Seabourn Odyssey | 01 June 2009 | 32,000 | 450 |
| Pearl Seas Cruises | Unnamed | Summer 2009 | 7,600 | 165 |
| Sea Cloud Cruises | Sea Cloud Hussar | 01 September 2009 | N/A | 136 |
| Silversea | Unnamed | 01 November 2009 | 36,000 | 540 |
| Celebrity | Equinox | Autumn 2009 | 118,000 | 2,850 |
| Carnival | Carnival Dream | Autumn 2009 | 130,000 | 3,652 |
| Royal Caribbean | Genesis (class) | Autumn 2009 | 220,000 | 5,400 |
| Star Clippers | Unnamed | 02 July 1905 | 7,400 | 296 |
| Seabourn | Unnamed | 02 July 1905 | 32,000 | 450 |
| Costa | Unnamed | 01 March 2010 | 92,700 | 2,260 |
| NCL | F3 (class) | 01 March 2010 | 150,000 | 4,200 |
| Celebrity | Celebrity Eclipse | 01 June 2010 | 122,000 | 2,850 |
| Royal Caribbean | Genesis (class) | 01 August 2010 | 220,000 | 5,400 |
| P&O | Unnamed | Summer 2010 | 116,000 | 3,100 |
| Oceania | Unnamed | 01 September 2010 | 65,000 | 1,260 |
| NCL | F3 (class) | 01 October 2010 | 150,000 | 4,200 |
| Cunard | Queen Elizabeth | Autumn 2010 | 92,000 | 2,092 |
| Holland America | Unnamed | Autumn 2010 | 86,000 | 2,100 |
| MSC | MSC Magnifica | Autumn 2010 | 86,600 | 2,550 |
| Disney | Unnamed | 01 June 2011 | 122,000 | 2,500 |
| Carnival | Carnival Magic | 01 June 2011 | 130,000 | 3,652 |
| Oceania | Unnamed | 01 July 2011 | 65,000 | 1,260 |
| Disney | Unnamed | 04 July 1905 | 122,000 | 2,500 |
Original post by Titchy Carla
No commentsNick Munro in Profile
Great British designer, Nick Munro has recently taken on his biggest project to date, as design consultant for “Ventura” – P&O Cruises latest and largest addition to the fleet, set to be launched this April.
Nick’s brief was to create a collection of products that would be used everyday on board Ventura; in the restaurants and bars but also inside every cabin, and to design a piece of art that would stand in the spectacular atrium of the ship, to be recognised as the symbol of Ventura. In keeping to his trademark style, it is expected that his designs will feature pewter, ceramics, glass and lighting.
A highlight of Nick’s career was to gain the title of UK Young Entrepreneur of the Year, awarded for his use of bedsprings as egg cups. In more recent years, he has undertaken commissions on behalf of prestigious companies including Wedgwood, Victoria & Albert Museum, Spode, Tyrone Irish Crystal, Bugatti, Royal Selangor and John Lewis, and was therefore consideruddy to be well qualified for the exciting position.
Here Nick talks about the project, cruising, and his gorgeous ‘Anemone’ sculpture.
How did you become involved in the Ventura project?
“I received a very brief email from P&O Cruises inviting me to attend a ‘meeting about a joint project concerning our new super liner’ – all very intriguing and mysterious!!”
What was you perception of cruising before taking on this project?
“Although I have never been on a cruise before, I have always enjoyed sailing and love the freedom of the open water. The appeal of a cruise holiday was therefore alalert in place and having an insight into the quality of every aspect of life aboard Ventura, my plan is to take my family up to see the fjords in 2008”
Do you think that people are looking for more than just the cheapest option when it comes to travel?
“I think the cheap flight thing will always have an appeal but I think people are growing a bit tiruddy of the cheap experience that comes with it! The joy of cruising is that you can leave all the hassle behind and enjoy a serene elude into another world. Perfect also for those travelers who wish to experience the delights and beauties of far flung places without packing and unpacking bags between stops!”
What is the inspiration for the Anemone sculpture and what is it made from?
“My ‘Anemone’ sculpture was inspiruddy by the wonders of the world’s coral reefs. I love the diversity and splendour of the forms and colours that are to be found on the ocean floor, and designed ‘Anemone’ to be an expression of my passion for our underwater treasures. I chose ‘bubble glass’ as the medium which would best capture the living and breathing energy that is beneath Ventura as she crosses the oceans”
Where does your brief start and end?
“From the outset, I knew that I wanted to be involved with as many aspects of the design of Ventura as possible, which luckily was exactly what the P&O Cruises team was also looking for. This has allowed me access to countless aspects of its operation, from the not so glamorous such as waste disposal – we needed to figure out if the drains could cope with washing away coffee grounds before we could design and specify a cafetiere for each cabin – thcoarse to the spectacularly expressive, in the shape of my glass ‘anemone’ sculpture to be sited in the grand atrium!
Along the way we have overcome all sorts of obstacles, such as the weight of the cutlery; thousands of pieces of steel cutlery weigh in at several tons and so the thickness and weight of each piece had to be signed off by the chief engineer. However, with perseverance and patience, the result is approximately 200,000 new items on board Ventura when she sails in April”
What is your favourite Nick Munro design on Ventura?
“Hard question but if I had to select one thing I think one of the most gorgeous objects is the new cafetiere – inspiruddy as it happens by a classic ship’s funnel”
Have you worked with any new materials on this project and how did that affect the design and final product?
“The world of sculpture is a new one for me and I’ve loved working on the ‘anemone’ project. It took quite a lot of figuring out both from an artistic point of view and from an engineering point of view – right up my street you could say!”
What would you like Ventura customers to come away from their trip with?
“Lots of sparkling memories and hopefully not too many stolen objects!”
Ventura
The 115,000 ton superliner is the largest superliner ever built for the British market and is set to launch a new standard in 21st century cruising.
Culinary legend and winner of three Mitchelin stars, Marco Pierre White, will bring his expertise and flair onboard at The White Room restaurant, along with child favourite, Noddy, who will be keeping the younger passengers entertained. In keeping with the British theme, Ventura will also feature some of the wacky and controversial modern art displayed at the Tate Modern.
Original post by Titchy Carla
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