Leisure Travel e-Newsletter - June 2007

Every quarter we draw a winning name. The odds are miles better than winning the lottery (and cost you nothing!), so anyone who has not already done so, now is the time to subscribed to our free e-Newsletter, and be in with a chance of winning the subscribers' prize draw for the 2nd quarter 2007!

Emirates is once again offering free nights for a limited period at top class hotels in Dubai for its business and first class passengers. The Dubai-based airline is accustomed to rolling out these deals during the summer months when demand for premium seats is at its lowest, and this year is no exception.

UK-originating passengers travelling in business class from now to June 30 or between August 1 and September 15, can choose from two nights at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Grosvenor House by Le Meridien, or the Park Hyatt Dubai - first class passengers get three nights free of charge. The deal includes breakfast and all taxes, and the traveller may also stay on a bed and breakfast basis, with a guest, providing he / she has travelled on the same flight in economy or above.

To qualify passengers must book a return ticket before September 14, and use the complimentary accommodation in conjunction with the promotional flight – Skyward Miles cannot be used redeemed against this offer.

So, to take advantage of this offer, contact our consultants for details and to make your booking.

 

Canada for variety

 

Canada has long been a favourite destination for UK holiday makers, and offers a huge variety of holiday opportunities for the adventurous traveller. It is the 2nd largest country in the world, which means that visitors cannot see everything in one go. It contains 10 Provinces and 3 Territories, spans 6 different time zones and shares the longest unprotected border in the world with the United States.
 
The seasons in Canada are the same as ours, with the vast majority of visitors from the UK travelling between May and September. July and August offer the hottest weather (average temperatures can be over 25 degrees centigrade in some areas), with the Winter months providing picture postcard Christmas images and offering some of the best skiing and Winter activities in the world - Vancouver and Whistler are hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics.
 
Although huge in size, most of the population and sightseeing options are in the southern part of Canada, with the majority of the central region providing only flat prairie land. The most popular areas to visit are Ontario and Quebec in the East with Alberta and British Columbia in the West. Increasingly popular destinations are the Yukon in the North West, next to Alaska, and the Atlantic Canada provinces in the far east of the Country.

Canada offers visitors great value for money, and very few clients only visit once, even if the intention was a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ trip. The main cost involved is likely to be the airfare. As well as scheduled flights with Air Canada or BA, we can save you money by offering a low cost carrier such as Air Transat.
 
But please, do not try and see everything in one visit - you will end up rushing around without a chance to explore and then you will need a break when you return, to recover from it!

We usually advise clients to include a stay in a resort, lodge or ranch - clients can either relax for a few days or take part in the wide selection of activities on offer. If clients are looking for a special treat, we recommend a stay in a landmark Fairmont hotel or upgrade to Goldleaf Service on the wonderful Rocky Mountaineer Train Journeys.

Please contact our experienced consultants who will be pleased to advise you and make your arrangements. Whether it is your first trip to Canada or you have been many times already, we are confident we can help to make your trip really enjoyable, interesting and memorable!

The lure of Laguna Beach

 

Known for its miles of clean sandy beaches, working artists and annual festivals, Laguna Beach is the perfect California small town getaway for visitors near and far.

Located mid-way between Los Angeles and San Diego, the city of Laguna Beach is a seaside village of 24,000-plus residents that includes hundreds of local working artists and unique gift shops. It is home for people who seek the relative tranquillity of beach accommodation as well as endless cultural opportunities. These include dozens of art and music events throughout the year, as well as an art museum and a live stage theatre.

Four of the well-known summer festivals include the Sawdust Art Festival, Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters and Art-A-Fair. These annual festivals together attract hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world who experience original artwork in many  different forms. Scheduled throughout the summer months, unique paintings, sculpture, photography and ceramics are just a few forms of art that visitors can enjoy.

More than two dozen hotels, B & B's, seaside villas and full-service resorts dot the coastline throughout the town. There is accommodation for every taste and style.

When it comes to dining, Laguna Beach has many favourite, long-established restaurants as well as extraordinary choices in many ethnic cuisines. Whether for the trendy or traditional experience, the area has become known as one of the best dining destinations in Southern California.

Laguna Beach is Southern California's premier seaside destination located just 75 minutes south of Los Angeles and along the central coast of Orange County. Laguna Beach is primarily served by Orange County Airport located just 20 minutes away

 

North Luangwa National Park, Zambia

 

The North Luangwa National Park is one of the most spectacular and least inhabited wilderness areas in Africa.  There is a wide variety of wildlife resulting from the profusion of types of vegetation along the Luangwa River and the open plains.

Newly opened Delia Camp overlooks this magnificent river that provides food and water for so many animals and birds.  It is not uncommon to see large herds of over 2,000 buffalo, followed and hunted by the lions, which are also abundant in the Park.  Expect to see elephant, antelope, go looking for the elusive and beautiful leopards, sit under the shade of massive trees and watch the vibrant birdlife.

Built only last year (2006), Delia Campis situated in an area that is renowned for its plentiful wildlife.  Special attention has been paid to ensure the 5 bungalows (constructed of timber) blend into the environment whilst still allowing wonderful views of the river.  What a pleasure it is to sit on the viewing platform watching the animals come down to drink from the ever-changing river.  The bungalows are built well above the ground with a walkway between each unit.

The lodge has an enormous terrace of more than 300 square metres with views over the Luangwa River. Visitors often see buffalo, hippopotami, elephants and even lions come to drink. Lunch in the shade of the restaurant, with its exceptional views, is very popular. Candle-lit suppers are accompanied by the sounds of the African night.

All this, together with game-viewing by vehicle with highly qualified guides, makes this a truly memorable destination!

 

Some favourite destinations for 2008

 

China, Vietnam and Oman are tipped to be holiday favourites for 2008, with China being the hottest new destination, thanks to its hosting of the Olympics.

China and Vietnam are also examples of a new trend we are seeing, where people are looking for culture and history as well as great beaches.

Bookings to Sardinia are also tipped to soar next year, due to new flights, and both Greece and Turkey are likely to do well, according to a recent report

Egypt, which last year welcomed a million British visitors for the first time, is also on the up. Dubai continues to grow, particularly combined with the Maldives or Mauritius, and Cuba is dancing its way back up the charts.

Whether any of these destinations appeals, or you prefer to go against the fashion and find less well known places in which to spend your holidays, contact our specialist leisure travel consultants who will be pleased to research and arrange a holiday made just for you!

Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. announced recently that it had accelerated the acquisition of the remaining 50 per cent of The Royal Scotsman luxury tourist train, from the L&R Group. 

The Royal Scotsman is one of the world's leading luxury trains and offers a variety of fully inclusive itineraries throughout Scotland. It accommodates 36 guests in comfort and style served by a staff of 18, including 2 chefs. The Royal Scotsman provides guests with traditional Scottish hospitality and fine dining combined.

Insider access to the region is provided with private visits to Scotland's most prestigious estates, gardens and distilleries. The train currently operates from April through October and has been in operation since 1985.

Nick Varian, Vice President, Trains and Cruises commented, "The Royal Scotsman established itself as a Scottish travel icon more than 20 years ago and fits very naturally with our trains portfolio. We became involved in the sales and marketing of the business two years ago when we acquired a stake and we have been able to expand the customer base within Europe. Scotland will also always be a favourite with guests from America, as the train remains one of the best ways to experience Scotland's scenic beauty, as well as its cultural and sporting highlights."

The Royal Scotsman is one of three luxury Orient-Express tourist trains in the United Kingdom. The British Pullman, consisting of beautifully restored parlour cars of the 1920s and 1930s, operates in the south of England in association with the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express continental train, whilst The Northern Belle, composed of post World War II first class parlour cars in the theme of the great estates of the north of England, operates from a base in Manchester.

This acquisition brings the luxury tourist train operations to six within the company worldwide. The others are the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Europe, the Eastern & Oriental Express in South East Asia and the Hiram Bingham in Peru.

If you would like to consider enjoying one of these great train experiences, or any of the others around the world, do contact our leisure consultants who will be pleased to help you to select just the right one to suit you and to make all the arrangements.

If you are looking for complete relaxation on your holiday, to recharge your batteries, you could hardly do better than to sign up for the "De-stress Programme" at Quy Nhon, which consists of five days of spa treatments, meditation, yoga and other exercises, and a special spa diet. In between all the hard work of relaxation, you will feel like an adventurer, way out there in Quy Nhon - a backwater tourist destination, if ever there was one.

So, few have heard of Quy Nhon. It's out-of-the-way, and feels like you're really in Vietnam, not just at a huge hotel chain.

Demand for luxury travel, both in and outside Vietnam, shows no signs of slowing. But a new group of high-end travellers is emerging that seeks more from a holiday than just indulgence. A holiday must yield something besides two weeks of manicures and room service; travellers now want something to take home that lasts longer than a tan. Meditation, exercise, healthy diets, natural settings – all these things are part and parcel of a new class of leisure travel designed to meet spiritual as well as physical needs. "Wellness", as it is termed in the hospitality industry, has become big business, and resorts are exerting themselves to meet the challenge.

Over the last decade or so, Vietnam has become a more and more attractive destination for travellers. Its growing tourism industry and recent entry into the WTO have generated ever-increasing numbers of tourists (growing an average 20% per year over the past 15 years, according to the Asia Times). Although Vietnam, unlike many of its neighbours, has no real history as a place to come for healing, a large portion of these visitors are seeking some kind of retreat.

The Life Wellness Resort Quy Nhon, a 63-room boutique resort and spa focused on wellness, aaaims to cater for people wanting more than just pampering holidays.

The Life Resort splices the amenities of a high-end hotel with a retreat's mission of health and mindfulness, offering five-day all-inclusive programmes for energising, de-stressing, and detoxing. Increasingly, instead of room service and poolside cocktails, this is what people who visit the resort are looking for

In a country that few have so far visited, Quy Nhon itself is a destination that few have discovered. Off the beaten track and isolated from other tourist attractions, midway between Nha Trang and Danang, the Life Resort trades on its remoteness as the ideal location for a holiday of rest and peace.

Here you can satisfy your craving for a 4-star hotel with extensive spa services, matched with out off-season rates, good value, good food, spacious rooms, proximity to beach and mountains, an attractive, safe location, a conference room, lots of space and the possibility of taking over an entire resort, if that is your wish.

For more details of this, or any other spa or fitness holidays, do please contact us. Our consultants will be able to guide you through the huge variety of possibilities and help you to select exactly the right one for you.

By day, Singapore’s streets buzz with commerce and sense; by night, there are  fabulous parties and one of its clubs continues to rate as an internationally known chill-out icon. Welcome to Singapore – the new Capital of Cool. It’s hard for seasoned travellers to Singapore to believe but the island-state has, of late, become a magnet for those who love the nightlife.

Recently, local newspaper, The Straits Times, reported that the city was ranked number two for nightlife and dining in a well respected World survey. The findings, culled from interviews with 1,500 frequent travellers and travel experts, didn't surprise industry stakeholders who have had a hand in bringing hordes of revellers to the likes of hip party venues Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and One Rochester.

The successful growth of the market can be measured by the criterion of variety, according to Putri Trisulo, director of ReadyMade Projects – the firm responsible for bringing the cutting-edge film festival, ResFest, to Singapore – and a veteran clubber based in New York. "I think variety is always key and this normally comes from setting up something that hasn't already existed," he notes.

It is claimed by one club operator, who has eagerly injected innovation in the decor of his establishment, that there is currently an explosion in the creative scene from fashion, art and architecture to design, and all these synergies are crossing over into the nightlife circuit.

The Butter Factory has succeeded with this formula, working with Phunk Studio, Singapore's foremost talent and pioneer in the design scene. They put together an arts exhibition called Design Warriors, which serves as the backdrop for the lounge area of the club. Here, the latest tunes churned out by the hippest DJs and the robust conversations of customers, bounce off the works of art.

Zouk also employed Phunk Studio to launch its Artist in Residence series of club flyers, conceptualised by various graphic designers, thus enabling the venue to evolve into a platform for culture-related events and brand launches.

In a bid to attract patrons with the use of eye-catching decor, St James Power Station will feature a fly track which previously belonged to Cirque du Soleil, making possible acrobatic performances, as guests party the night away.

There's also a market for live music that features pop concerts for the adult audience who want to go out but don't necessarily want to dance. Besides using the choice of music played in the club as an indicator of what patrons can expect, the Singapore nightlife scene has increasingly been about target audience. There is a level of sophistication in the music genres played, especially through the emerging talents of local DJs, and this invariably creates a niche scene where you can go to a venue to meet like-minded people.

Such demands are increasingly common among locals, and travellers who come to Singapore with such expectations are unlikely to be disappointed. The locals are a sophisticated crowd who are becoming more global, well travelled and informed. Singapore is a cosmopolitan city, with the local workforce working hard and also partying hard.

With people more inclined to spend leisure time dining and wining, and the government relaxing limits on entertainment licences, all the signs point to a country in the process of moving from uptight to trendy, albeit avoiding any overtures from authorities to steer growth. A slippery slope, since the concept of fun can't be turned into another official project.

If you are thinking of a holiday in South East Asia or Australasia, let us plan your itinerary to include this vibrant city-state that has emerged from a long period of ultra-conservativism, to become a world-beating hot spot for clubbers and shoppers. It will surely give you an experience to remember!

Transatlantic business class becomes more affordable during the summer months. In the winter a business class ticket can cost 20 times more than an economy excursion. However, between July and September the ratio can be as little as three to one because it's a time when business people tend to stay at home leisure travellers  travel in larger numbers.

So every year the major transatlantic carriers fill their less full premium cabins with a summer sale. United was the first to announce discounted prices, which provide a saving of up to 65 per cent on full rates.

The carrier has published return prices of £1,464 to New York, £1,461 to Washington DC and £1,748 to either Miami, Tampa or Orlando.

Other destinations covered by the promotion include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and San Diego all for £1,843, while Las Vegas is offered for £1,888.

Some cities are served direct by United but for some others (New York being the prime example) require a connection at a US gateway.

Flights must be booked now for outward travel between July 1 and September 7. All travel must be completed by October 6. There's a minimum stay of a Saturday night. Once booked there's no refund. But flights can be changed for a £50 fee.

On the other hand, our specially negotiated fares in both Business class and Economy offer even lower fares, as you can see in our June Corporate Travel e-newsletter

Let us build these bargain fares into your holiday itinerary , which we will be pleased to create for you. Alternatively, if you prefer to spend less and travel in somewhat less comfort, there are many economy fares to chose from, with both United and many other airlines.

Some readers may already know that we have on our website a page entitled "Worldwide Leisure Events", to give surfers information about some of the most famous, interesting and fun events happening in the coming 6 to 9 months, one or more of which you may wish to incorporate into your next holiday.

We have extracted the following examples to give you a flavour, but strongly suggest you click here to see much more!

Fete de la Musique, Paris 21st June

On this longest day of the year, artists from around the world descend on Paris, offering a variety of free concerts across the city, in a choice of venues.

International Festival of Music and Dance 22ND June – 8th July

Music lovers will be captivated by the inspiring settings of Granada’s Alhambra, Generalife Gardens, monasteries and cathedral. As well as the larger performances, events can also be seen in churches, cafes and clubs across the city.

Calgary Exhibition and Stampede 6th to 15th July

Ten days of family entertainment and fun can be found at the Stampede, one of the world’s greatest rodeos. Wagon races, bucking broncos and bull riding events, are all part of this world famous event. It’s a must, for summer visitors to Western Canada.

Summer Restaurant Week in New York 10th – 14th July

This popular week returns, with many great restaurants offering fabulous prices on some of the very best 3 course lunches and dinners. A great opportunity to try the varied cuisine that Manhattan has to offer.

Jazz in Marciac, France 31st July to 15th August

Every year this small town in the south – west of France becomes home to one of the world’s finest jazz festivals. With free concerts held in the main square during the day, exhibitions, and evening performances, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy.

Onam Festival, India 27th August

For 10 days, the Kerala region is filled with colourful processions, singing and dancing to celebrate the memory of King Mahabali. Local people decorate their houses, and adorn themselves with new clothes to mark the event. A highlight of this festival is ‘Vallamkali’ a colourful boat race, with hundreds of men rowing to the sound of drums and cybals, each boat dressed with a scarlet silk umbrella hung with gold coins.

White Night, Rome 8th September

Spend a night on the town in Rome, with this annual experience. Over 100 events take place across the city, with 22 film theatres, 28 theatres, 24 museums, 51 art galleries and 9 cultural institutes staying open all night. Shops and food outlets are also open for the night, and free transport provided after 10pm.

Italian Grand Prix, Monza 9th September

With frantic support for the local Ferrrai team, Monza is certain to prove itself as one of the most exciting Grand Prix this season. For travel arrangements, and ticket packages, just give us a call.

Oktoberfest, Munich 22nd September – 7th October

Drawing visitors from across the globe, this German beer lovers extravaganza, is now the biggest public festival in the world. Main highlights, besides the beer, is the Oktoberfest Costume and Riflemen’s Parade, held this year on September 19th, the Parade of Oktoberfest Landlords and Breweries, and this year an agricultural festival.

Abu Simbel Festival, Egypt 22nd October

When placing his temple, Ramses II, angled it so precisely that the statues of the inner sanctum would light up naturally from the sun twice a year, once on the anniversary of his rise to the throne and once on his birthday. A daily sound and light show which takes place at Abu Simbel is a sight to be seen – the natural lighting of the temple twice a year, is a once in a lifetime experience.

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We have not listed travel arrangements as there are often countless options available. Please contact us for more information about the events above, in which you are inteerested, and we will research the most suitable for your requirements.

A new service, aiming to reduce the long queues at check-in, move passengers quicker through airports and make travel easier for everyone, has launched in the UK.

Personal Porter is the first company in Europe to offer travellers an online and seamless
global door-to-door luggage delivery service with real-time tracking via SMS.

The service bypasses traditional check-in, by picking up your luggage and sports equipment
from and delivering it to the addresses of your choice, ahead of your own arrival.

When compared with other existing door-to-door luggage delivery services, Personal Porter stands out as the only company to offer flexible luggage options, preferred time pick-up windows and pro-active luggage management.

With operations in both the UK and Australia, Personal Porter also provides unrivalled regional customer service and support.

Nick Blackledge, M.D. of Personal Porter said, "Airlines all over the world have identified luggage handling as a major issue and are wrestling with ways to address this. It costs the industry millions of pounds each year and we are witnessing the beginnings of how airlines will manage their luggage in the future."

A number of major airlines have recently introduced stricter new luggage policies, possibly
signifying the end of 'free luggage'.

We are pleased to offer our clients this new service, which minimises your risk of experiencing mishandled luggage, shortens your travel time by up to several hours on a return journey, and eliminates the hassle of dragging your luggage to and from the airport. Please contact us for more details.

In this section we bring you some of our outstanding offers that are currently available. Please do contact our specialist consultants about those which are of interest or have given you food for thought. We will be delighted to assist you and we have a vast selection of other tempting alternatives to help you to choose from, a small selection of which are on our website.

Sail away with our cruise offers

 

Luxury awaits you with these 2 All – Suite, All – Inclusive cruises. Nothing to pay on board – drinks and gratuities are all part of the price.

Mediterranean – free flights and free hotel stay

1st and 8th September 2007 - 9 nights from £2171 per person, balcony suite.

Calling at: Athens, Kusadasi, Santorini, Naxos, Sorrento, Civitavecchia for Rome, Monte Carlo

 

Grand Asia Pacific- Bangkok to Singapore

 

Far East – including free flights

22nd October 2007 - 13 nights from £3538, balcony suite.

Calling at Laem Chabang for Bangkok, Georgetown, Yangon, Cruise the Andaman Sea, Phuket and Singapore

Book for 2008 – 12 night Northern Europe- from just £749

 

Superliners, sailing from Dover

 

Enjoy amazing prices aboard one of the newest and most spectacular Superliners, sailing from Dover next summer.

Departures:13th and 25th July. 6th, 18th, 30th August

Calling at Copenhagenm Warnemunde for Berlin, Helsinki, overnight in Helsinki, Tallinn and Amsterdam

Longhaul beach at a budget price

 

Sri Lanka – Neptune Hotel – Beruwel

1 week All – Inclusive with a 2nd week absolutely free from only £699 per person.

You wont need to venture far from the hotel as breakfast, lunch, dinner, local alcoholic and soft drinks are all included for your 2 week stay. However if you wish to see more of the resort, you will find excellent watersports and a wide range of bars and restaurants.

Includes scheduled flights from Heathrow, local transfers and services of a representative in resort.

Spa specials

Spa and Opera at Bagni di Pisa, Italy – 3 nights from £695 per person.

Combine a spa break with a visit to the prestigious Puccini Opera Festival in Torre del Lago with this unique offer.

Travel between July 20th and August 9th and receive:

Half Board accommodation
Return flights to Pisa
1 ticket for Puccini Festival
A range of spa treatments

Yoga – Thalasso Spa Week at Sofitel Thalassa Vilalara, Portugal – from £1470

Travel 16th – 23rd September, or 7th – 14th October

Co-ordinated by Neo Ornolas, an internationally recognised yoga teacher, these programmes include:

10 yoga classes
3 well being seminars
6 days of Thalassotherapy
All meals from dietary restaurant menu

All in addition to free access hotel saunas, Turkish bath, fitness room, gym room and outdoor pool.

Price includes return flights to Faro, airport transfers, and superior deluxe junior suite accommodation.

New England and Niagara in the Fall –13 days from £899

 

Join this tour in September or October and enjoy the region’s spectacular scenery at its best.
.
Includes:

New England, plus visits to Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City
Return flights from London.

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These holidays offer just a snapshot of the vast range of holidays available around the world, so please contact Stephen, Sue, Astra or James on 01622 608265 or contact us for your own personal choice.

 

The Emerald Princess

 

British cruise passengers can really push the boat out this summer by taking advantage of the strong pound against the dollar on board newly launched superliner Emerald Princess.

Because Princess is a US company, the currency on board is dollars, giving Brits additional financial muscle when cruising on the 3,080-passenger ship.

For example, the $20 supplement for a 12 course Italian gala dinner in the sophisticated surroundings of Sabatini's trattoria perched high at the rear of Emerald works out at just £10 - a fraction of the price charged for a similar gourmet experience in the UK.

Likewise, the Crown Grill charges the equivalent of less than £15 for a sumptuous steak and seafood dinner with all the trimmings. Drinks are similarly great value.

The savings make splashing out on a rejuvenating treatment or massage in the calm surroundings of the Lotus Spa, far less damaging to your wallet.

Emerald Princess, with its multiple bars, 12 restaurants and cafes, four swimming pools and Movies under the Stars film screen on deck, offers a surprisingly understated American-style cruise experience with the kind of high standards of service you come to expect when visiting the States.

While the ship is vast, the clever design means that Emerald is divided into many separate areas, creating the impression that you are sailing on a far more intimate vessel.

The rear plunge pool and tiered decking area with a dedicated bar makes for a particularly secluded area to sunbathe and read.

The Lotus Spa area at the top, front of the ship features a large gym with wrap-around views. Modern treadmills, step machines and cycles feature together with bikes for spinning classes. A heated outdoor pool is a central feature of the impressive spa area, while The Sanctuary acts as an adults-only retreat.

Flexible dining means avoiding queues for the three main restaurants, which are included in the cruise fare. Even at busy times, passengers are provided with pagers to let them know when their table is ready.

Wines are predominantly American, with a few other New World selections plus French and Italian brands.

The Movies under the Stars concept is fun in the evening - you sit back and relax under blankets on loungers and even have popcorn to munch.

Emerald offers a quality cruise experience, without the brash surroundings of similarly-sized ships operated by other US cruise lines.

Whether you are considering cruising for the first time, or have been many times before, let our experts help you find the one best suited to you, from the myriad there are to chose from.

 

Southampton is Number 1 European Cruise port

 
Southampton has been crowned Europe’s number one cruise port as another major shipping line announces it is to operate out of the city next year.

Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) will be bringing its vessel, Norwegian Jade, to the docks for
a programme of summer voyages targeting the rapid growth and rising popularity of cruising in the UK.

Southampton will have a ringside seat as all the big names, such as Cunard, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and
Princess Cruises together with NCL, go head-to-head as they vie with each other for the biggest slice of the market with larger and more innovative vessels.

 

Agents account for the big majority of UK cruise sales

 

More than 80% of the 1.2 million Britons who took an ocean cruise last year booked through a travel agent.

The Passenger Shipping Association's annual cruise statistics released today show that last year's level of passengers was up 12% on 2005, and the number of UK cruise passengers is forecast to grow to two million by 2010.

On a per-day basis, cruises cost 1.5% less: £130 in 2006 compared with £132 in 2005, so cruising compares very favourably with many  other types of holiday, and is not just for those with deep pockets. 

Research by the trade body found that the most important factors for an enjoyable cruise are good food and drink (35%) followed by the itinerary (27%), standards of accommodation, and then value for money and price.
Good private and public facilities are also important, as is the range and quality of entertainment available on board.  

Cruises taken from a UK port increased by 12% last year to more than 450,000 and is forecast to grow further in 2008 when more ships will be offering ex-UK itineraries. Meanwhile, the fly-cruise market increased by 13% last year to 753,000.

The Mediterranean was by far the most popular overall cruise destination, accounting for around 38% of the 1.2 million cruises booked.

The Caribbean was the second most popular destination, with 17% of the market. 

There is an ever growing range of cruise products available on the market – reflected in the increasing PSA membership – boosted to 39 brands by five new members – offering something to suit everyone. Cruise ships vary in size from 49 passengers to almost 4,400 passengers, and itineraries cover a huge range from polar bear tracking and adventure cruises to simply relaxing and unwinding with state of the art on-board facilities such as gyms, spas, garden villas, surfing pools, ice skating rinks, bowling alleys, and first class dining.

With this vast range of choices - see our website for a small further selection- it is no wonder that most people prefer to discuss the options with a trusted specialist, who can match their preferences with a small number of ideal options from which to make the final selection. So please docontact our cruise specialists for expert advice, and ensure you have the cruise of your dreams.

A reader (it’s not known whether she is a blond) has responded to the joke at the end of April's Corporate Travel e-newsletter with the question:

Do you know why jokes about ‘Blondes' are always so short?  

She explains that the answer is “So that men can understand them!"

Now the inter-gender score is one all, perhaps we ought to call a halt to this contest before it gets out of hand!