Swan Hellenic Minerva really gives you a traditional cruising experience

Last Saturday I was lucky enough to enjoy a few hours on Swan Hellenic, Minerva whilst it was in port at Dover before she set sail for the Mediterranean.  It was the last time she will be on UK shores until next June and to say good bye and for a select number of future Swan Hellenic passengers with Lord Sterling himself onboard to host the lunch.

Swan Hellenic Minerva

Unlike my recent visits the Minerva brings you back to what I describe as a traditional cruising experience only 12,500 tons and holding just 360 passengers you feel a really sense of companionship whilst onboard, and I would say anyone who sails upon her will get to know their surrounding and fellow shipmates very quickly.

It does not have the whirlpools, and spa facilities like so many vessels today, but what she does give you is a sense of warmth as you work your way through the ships with wooden furnishings and brass. The main restaurant operates an open dining policy for main meals, and there is an alternative which is the Verandah restaurant, both with waiter service.  If the food is anything like what we samples for lunch people with have no complaints!

Unusual maybe for a small vessel there is a cinema room onboard, often used for documentary films I believe for the port intensive itineraries, which are a feature of Swan Hellenic. With the Minerva being the size it is it can visit so many more ports than the larger liners of today, making it the perfect cruise ship for the older explorer in you. The library onboard is quiet impressive and larger than any I have seen before, the array of books, educational and fictional, as well as up to date magazines, is sure to keep anyone entertained.

Minerva Library

Again an unusual but nice feature is the smoking room, a dedicated room with relaxing leather sofas for people to enjoy a cigarette or cigar, a perfect way to ensure people are not disturbed by the smoke. Also a card room is available for people to organise card games throughout their cruise, which comprises of a number of card tables and chairs. The cabins though basic in style, were spacious wand with a number of grades to choose from i am sure people can find one to suit their needs, at the end of the day how much time do we spend in these cabins anyway.

I have to mention the deck area, with splash pool all beautifully laid out with teak furniture, this when enjoying a sunny day would be the perfect place to relax. One thing that was disappointing for me was the deck space with Astroturf and plastic sun loungers, for me something that the Minerva lets itself down on and would be so easy to change and bring in line with the rest of the ship, and its traditional styles.

So as we bid farewell to the Minerva until next year, I can honestly say I was surprised at what she had to offer, and yes it’s not a cruise ship for families or I would say even younger couples, but where it sits is the perfect traditional cruise line and ship for older cliental looking to discover unusual itineraries and a county house style feel, who enjoy guest speakers and a great atmosphere.

Celebrity Equinox – 2 Nights Onboard This Brand New Cruise Ship

I returned last Friday from a few days aboard the new Celebrity Equinox, lucky enough to be onboard for the naming ceremony and to get a chance to trial the facilities onboard Celebrity Equinox. After a few days the other week aboard Holland America Line Eurodam I was looking forward to this and seeing how the 2 brands would compare, with both being in the premium cruising category.

Celebrity Equinox - Naming Ceremony

Well I have to say they are strangely completely different for me and a totally different experience. Then I thought about an article the day before I boarded that Celebrity Cruises was with this class of ships (more so the Celebrity Eclipse but none the less the same ship as the Equinox), looking to get into the P&O and Cunard customer bases and hoping to attract customers across from them.  And again I have to say I feel Celebrity have launched something not like either of these two cruise lines for me, so will be interesting how they market the Celebrity Eclipse to the British consumer to fill it next summer.

As I parked my car next to the ship I got out and looked up and I have to say my first impression was a good one a sleek ship, which you could see was very much based around balcony cabins. As I went onboard I was greeted and shown to the elevators that took me to my cabin on Deck 8, I have to say one thing that struck me on this short journey to my cabin was the sense of no expense spared even the corridors to cabin were well designed, wider I believe than normal and the use of colour was a welcome sight rather than the usual drab carpets and plain cream vinyl looking walls.

The cabin itself a balcony stateroom was of good standard, slightly narrower than I have experienced on most cruise

Celebrity Equinox - Exterior

ships, but strangely seems slightly longer. The beds were comfortable, sitting area ok, maybe a bit more thought than a very squared cream coach would have been good, but what they had embraced was technology with a state of the art screen and wireless key board to use to watch tv, get excursion information, internet and also your room service.

The balcony was of adequate size with a table and 2 chairs, maybe a sun lounger chair for one of these would have been nicer, as with a balcony many people do like to spend time relaxing in this private space. Where the Celebrity Equinox does score very highly is the bathroom, both spacious and well designed, with a quality feel throughout with work tops, draws and cupboard space all nicely finished in wood, rather than the usual white! Also the cabin storage outside was plentiful, all in all the cabin had the sense of the premium brand Celebrity positions it as.

Next it was off to explore the ship, firstly let me start with the bars, and well there really is a lot of options on this front 13 in total….. not sure why a ship of this size needs so many, but they did all offer a different ambiance and you did seem to stumble across one around every corner. I would recommend out of them all the Martini Bar which seemed popular most evenings, and had lovely areas to sit down and relax in, many of them private.

Celebrity Equinox - Silhouette Restaurant

The restaurants did impress me, the Celebrity Equinox has the main restaurant (Silhouette) that is cool white and glass styled on 30’s Hollywood and 3 alternative restaurants onboard the Oceanview (main buffet), Aqua Spa Cafe and Mast Grill (poolside) all of these included in the standard full fare price. I thought the Oceanview offer a good selection of foods from around the world and the breakfast buffet selection was good. One problem though them provided no trays….so to get a meal and drink and cutlery all in one go was a little tricky, and maybe something they need to look at, as none of us have 4 hands.  The one thing the Equinox offered was a number of paid for restaurants that incur a cover charge these intimate restaurants offers specialty dining and do offer a change from the norm.

Both nights I ate in the Silhouette restaurant and here I have to say was like two completely different dining experiences, the first evening was what can only be described as distinctly average, with the food luke warm at best and quality not something that I would expect on a Celebrity cruise ship. But before you think how disappointing the following evening was completely different,  the quality and service was impeccable, the food of the highest order and I have to say the whole dining experience after the previous evening was a delight. Not sure what happened on the first evening but I hope for Celebrity’s sake they do not give that experience to customers.

Now onto the ship facilities itself, the first thing I have to mention is without a doubt the grass lawns, a feature that one has to only be impressed with do offer something no other cruise line can at this stage, and for the older cliental who fancies a game of crown green bowls great, but I was surprised at the amount of deck space given up to the lawns which look great but could this space be better utilized with other activities? The ship does boast good shops, the best library I have been into at sea, glass blowing, an absolutely massive casino and a spa but not too much else.

Celebrity Equinox - Pool

So if you want a relaxing holiday by the pool great but do not come on here looking for activities because there just is not many to do. The main pool area with its water feature, shading canopies, quirky seating and even hammocks was well laid out and a great place to enjoy the sun! The spa was good, but for a premium cruise ship not what I have seen on other ships, the indoor pool area was a great design but rows of sun beds everywhere, did again lose its attraction for what is a 5* cruise ship.

The evenings as I have previously mention can be in one of the many bars, the theatre which I want to point out is very impressive, and what’s more the show I saw onboard was one of the best I have ever seen on any cruise ship, with some of the cast I believe from Cirque du Soleil, but do not quote me on this, but if not they are as good and impressive. The casino is well stocked with usual slots and tables, with plenty of space here to enjoy yourself, or you could choose to relax to some live music in the Sky Observation Lounge.

So to summarize what does the Celebrity Equinox give you as a cruising experience, well for me the Celebrity Equinox is for older people looking to escape life, somewhere that is designed to the highest levels, ground breaking in many ways in its architecture and somewhere it is easy to relax, it will appeal to those that just want to switch off.

The ship for me is designed in every way to get you to spend once onboard and you will need a budget to allow for this to fully enjoy the experience. For couples looking to escape try this Celebrity class of ship as you will not be disappointed, but will loyal P&O and Cunard customers come onboard, only time will tell, I thing once onboard they will love the experience, but it will be getting them on there in the first place that may prove more difficult than Celebrity think.

For more information & videos visit the Best Cruise Deal dedicated Celebrity Cruises page  or visit  www.celebritycruises.co.uk

Cruise Aboard Holland America Line ms Eurodam

I have just been lucky enough to return from a trip aboard the ms Eurodam last weekend, and Holland America Lines’ really have hit the spot for me when it comes to cruising at sea.

Everyone will always have their preferences but like most I like my indulgences and this weekend break from Dover to beautiful Copenhagen reminded me of what cruising is about. After a quick and easy embarkation through Dover Port which for me really has got things right with a swift process throughout, maybe a larger drop off area would advised in the future as was busy when I was there on Friday lunchtime and only a few hundred embarked in Dover that day.

Eurodam in Dover

Once aboard I made my way to my deluxe veranda outside stateroom on deck six, once inside I made myself familiar with the cabin a good sized bathroom with a bath/shower, comfortable bed and sitting area, and a lovely sized balcony perfect to enjoy a few chapters of my book later on whilst on our voyage to Copenhagen.

When walking around the ship I was instantly ay home and felt as if nothing had changed since my last visit in July 2008 at its launch. It was a sunny afternoon as we left Dover so the pool area which has a retractable roof was open and people were out enjoying the sun and a few drinks by the pool, with a few brave enough to be in the pool and Jacuzzi’s.

One feature that caught my eye last year and again this time around was the cabanas along one side of the pool area a nice touch for people looking for some privacy and a touch of luxury and these can be rented for a fee of between $30 & $50 for a day, and includes bottled water, personal music player, towels, bathrobes, fruit, a glass of champagne and strawberries, a great purchase for the true romantic and people looking for a private lazy day by the pool. One to be kept in the locker for if I take the other half with me next time, sure to keep her happy for the day!

I have to say the service onboard throughout my stay was first class the cabin attendant was very good indeed and I put this to the test by asking for a shirt to be ironed at 3pm in the afternoon on the day of my arrival ready for getting ready for dinner at 6.30pm and at just after 6pm I had a knock on the door with my shirt pressed as requested.

Eurodam Gym

Each morning I left my room to return just after lunch time to find the cabin was cleaned and bed made up as one would expect from any good cruise line, and each evening on returning to my cabin I found the beds turned down and a chocolate on the pillow as you come to expect when cruising nowadays.

Onboard during the day I did feel that sometimes I was looking for something to do, as ms Eurodam does not have the vast facilities onboard like many of the newer cruise ships arriving in our ports, but what they do have onboard is interesting and unique. One of these is the culinary arts centre that was well attend with chefs doing cooking demonstrations in the morning and a wine expert doing a wine tasting session in the afternoon and  everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The other highlight for me is the digital workshop powered by Microsoft Windows, a workshop that was showing even those of us who have limited experience with a camera or even a computer how to get the most of our holiday snaps and turn them into a slideshow, edit pictures and those who had a video camera how to make good family movies, rather than the usual shaky movie we watch at home on our return.

During the evening as always on a cruise there were plenty of options, from an organised pub crawl, which was serving cocktails! But all seemed to be having fun, to karaoke which was absolutely packed both nights with young and old all enjoying themselves and as always there was the good and bad on stage… One evening after dinner we ended up in the delightful piano bar, followed by a dance or two in the night club, with many joining us after the evening show in the main stage show lounge that everyone said they had enjoyed. For those looking to have a flutter there is the casino as on most cruise ships and was busy at all times as ever!

Finally I have to mention the dining experiences I enjoyed whilst aboard (I think I added a fair few pounds in 3 days!), on arrival poolside I visited the main snack bar for a quick snack and on offer was the usual burgers and hot dogs as well as honey glazed pork skewers, I decided to go for these and I sat down to a mouth watering delight, an absolute must for anyone who goes on ms Eurodam. That evening I dined in the Rembrandt Dining Room, the food was excellent with good service throughout the 5 course meal, I tried the Lobster and Steak for my main course which was superb and afterwards what I believe is a Holland America Line speciality The Baked Alaska, and with this all the lights in the restaurant were turned down and the waiting staff and chefs treated us to The March of The Baked Alaska which saw them all parade around the restaurant to music and lights and each of them holding a Baked Alaska dessert, it certainly put a smile on every ones face.

The following lunchtime I tried the Tamarind Restaurant a Pan-Asian restaurant the food was once again of the highest order, not to my personal tastes as quite hot on the mouth for a lunch time, but never the less I am sure to many people’s liking. That evening though I believe I may have had one of my best meals aboard any cruise ship to date in the Pinnacle Grill, what I would describe as an intimate dining experience perfect if looking for a romantic meal and something that little bit special whilst on holiday. I was happy to enjoy this experience with some colleagues and friends and was the perfect end to a great cruise experience, all of us agreeing what a lovely meal we all had, I personally opted for the mini crab cakes for my starter which were moist and fresh, followed by one of the finest pieces of fillet minion steak I have had, it just melted away in the mouth, and to finish it off I enjoyed a caramel soufflé.

All in all I have to say I believe Holland America is a gem waiting to be discovered by the British cruise holiday market, and one that I hope more people are willing to discover sooner rather than later as I believe they really do put the word “premium” into the premium cruising experience.

For more information visit the dedicated Holland America Line section at Best Cruise Deal where you can read more and watch their latest videos online.

Or visit www.hollandamerica.com for their latest itineraries.

Why This Summer is a Great Time To Take A Cruise Holiday

This summer is one of the best times to think about taking the family on a cruise holiday. The momentous changes that the cruise lines have been through in the past few years have gone some way in changing the image of cruisers – it’s certainly not all blue rinse these days as some of the lines cater specifically for families, and some of the onboard activities are better than in the major mainland resorts – cinemas, climbing walls, bowling alleys, skating rinks, and of course kids clubs.

But the real reason to think about a cruise holiday this summer is price! There’s a lot of cruise ships out there so discounting is getting more and more competitive. You can pick up a week cruising around the Med this July or August – bang smack in the middle of school holidays – for £500 per person. Don’t forget, that’s full board – and many of the cruise ships include treats like ice creams, as well as the activities, in the price – so none of those little extras which always end up adding up to a lot!

Tempted? I recommend you look at Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) who are great at catering for families, with good sized family rooms, dedicated pools for children and clubs for all ages. Both sail from the UK meaning no flight costs!

And if you do take a family cruise this summer, whether it’s your first or not, don’t forget to share your experience on www.bestcruisedeal.co.uk.

Also you can check out one of the guides to help you when looking at the possibility of taking a cruise holiday.

Late Bookings! Is It Worth Hanging On For A Deal?

I’m wondering if the mixed messages coming from the cruise industry at the moment are there to create a ‘smoke and mirrors’ effect?  Cruise lines are reporting bumper bookings for 2010, generated, no doubt from the early booking incentives and low deposits being offered. 

It’s just as well given that they are having to provide value-added incentives, like onboard credits, in addition to reduced prices to generate bookings for this summer.

The way that the cruise industry markets itself will need to change.  The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) reported this week that more and more cruisers are booking late, within three months of departure.  That’s obviously a recession-driven pattern – people hold back from spending until the last minute, hoping they will get a bargain, and hoping they will be in a position to take a holiday.   The thing about trends like that is that they tend not to revert back once the economic situation changes. 

So, the cruise lines could find themselves having to re-evaluate their pricing and discounting strategies to address the downward spiral.  Hopefully they will realise what the public has been reliant on … cruise holidays, just like food, have a sell-by date.  And the closer you get to that sell-by date, the lower the price goes.

Where the supermarkets have the advantage though, is that they can cut capacity – if something continues to reach its sell-by date without selling, they will simply stop stocking it.  But with 10 new cruise ships launching this year, and another 29 on order between now and 2012 (PSA figures again), it seems like the cruise lines have ruled out this option.  Still, its great for us consumers – more choice and better value.

I’ll be interested to see how they handle this one!

For a look at the current late deals from Cruise Lines & Retailers see Best Cruise Deal – Late Deals

Oasis of the Seas – Neighbourhood Concept

When Oasis of the Seas launches in December 2009, she will feature the unique neighbourhood concept that will provide guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood in seven distinct areas of the ship. This unique concept, which also creates a vast array of accommodation choices for guests never before found at sea, is the result of a quantum leap forward in revolutionary cruise ship design.

An architectural marvel at sea, Oasis of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. She will be the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighbourhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale (Florida).

Find out more on the Oasis of the Seas

New Consumer Cruise Quotation Tool

BestCruiseDeal.co.uk have announced within the next week they will be launching a FREE to use quotation system for consumers. Consumers will need to become a member first which is free and then follow the simple menu system to choose their requirments. Then leading UK cruise retailers will quote anonymously on the consumers requirements leaving the consumer with a number of quotes and contact details of the cruise retailers.

Visit www.bestcruisedeal.co.uk for further details.

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