Holland America Launch Dive-In Grill For All Ships!

Holland America are enhancing the current Terrace Grill by re-branding the popular lunch spot as "Dive-In at the Terrace Grill". The bistro-style grill by the ships' Lido pool will feature brand new signature hot dogs, burgers and fries, always go down a treat when having a lazy day by the pool.                                 

The first ships to open the new grill were the ms Amsterdam, ms Eurodam and ms Maasdam. The rest of the fleet will be updated throughout summer of this year. 

The whole menu uses fresh ingredients and Holland America's signature burgers which are handmade with fresh beef topped off with lettuce, tomato and Dive-In secret sauce on a toasted brioche bun. There is also a great variety of other toppings and even chicken too! 

Don't worry though the existing Taco Bar will continue to available where guests can make their own taco with handmade tortillas, or taco shells with all the best ingredients for fillings like chicken, beef and pork. 

It's making my stomach rumble just thinking about it! How about you? 

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All About Coach Tour & Cruise!

Never been on a cruise? Don't like flying? Want to see more of Europe? 

Then this a coach tour and cruise is definitely for you! 

Our coach dropping passengers off to join the P&O Ventura

With local pick up points throughout the UK there's no need to travel long distances to start your holiday. Boarding our luxury land cruiser, which has comfortable and adjustable leather seats, with generous leg room and aeroplane style tray table, TV screens, overhead storage and large viewing windows with tinted glass. An example of an itinerary is as follows: 

Starting in the UK travelling from the various pick up points to Dover where you board a ferry to France and stay over night in Lille. Travelling then onto Belgium & Luxembourg and spending the night in Alsace, the next morning you will travel onto lake Lucerne, Switzerland and then onto Verona, Italy for over night stay. The following day you will depart from Verona for Venice and board your ship for your 7 night cruise (full board). The cruise itinerary visits Bari, Katakolon,Piraeus, Izmir and Dubrovnik, after this you'll depart the ship and head onwards to Neydens, the next day you'll travel through the Burgundy wine region onto Paris for an overnight stay. After spending the night in Paris you will head back to home soil via Dover and then be dropped off at your local drop off point. 

Coach in Paris at the Arc de Triomphe

Throughout the coach tour you will be expertly guided by the extremely knowledgeable coach driver and your every need will be attended to by the hostess on board. You can buy light snacks, hot & cold beverages on board the coach either in Euros of Pounds also there won't be a journey leg longer than three hours, so there are frequent stops this means that you actually see more of Europe than is ever before. 

I honestly think it's a great idea as you already feel like you've been on a holiday before you've boarded your cruise. And it's a great way to make new friends with similar travelling interests a great on board experience!

Below are some photos of the coach to give a feel of what to expect!

Coach Interior

Generous Leg Room & Aeroplane Style Table

Reclining Leather Seats

Coach Exterior

Front View of Coach

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Quantum of the Seas - Float Out & Update!

Yesterday Royal Caribbean's New Quantum class ship the Quantum of the Seas was floated out from the Meyer Werft ship yard in Germany. As you can see construction is moving ahead at full steam to complete this grand ship. The 167,800-ton 4,180 passenger ship will have her maiden voyage in November this year from Bayonne, New Jersey, she is the first of three Quantum class cruise ships to be built. 

                             

Royal Caribbean have already announced that they are going to have a brand new dining innovation on board, with dynamic dining. Where the main dining room is to be replaced by five complimentary restaurants that offer a variety of choices for every palate. In total there will be 18 restaurants aboard offering passengers the most variety they've ever had at sea. 

The new Complimentary Restaurants include: 

American Icon Grill - classic American styled dining experience with the best-loved regional favourites from around the USA. 

Chic - Contemporary Cuisine, with fresh ingredients for modern palates. 

Silk - Pan-Asian style eatery with spices and exotic flavours from the Far East

The Grande - a classic European Ocean Liner restaurant with rich timeless dishes, every evening is an  excuse to dress up to the nines! 

Coastal Kitchen - a fusion of Mediterranean flavours combined with the riches of California's bountiful farmlands. 

It doesn't end there with there also being several sepciality restaurants to choose from such as: 

Wonderland - an elaborate feast where Royal Caribbean chefs imaginations run wild inventing a number of unique dishes never seen before. 

Jamie's Italian - which features some much loved Italian favourites all made using fresh pasta and seasonal ingredients. 

Michael's Genuine Pub - this is the first American gastro-pub at sea which offers simply prepared food and drinks all made from the finest ingredients. 

Solarium Bistro -  where every meal is under 500 calories so you can keep an eye on your waistline. 

Of course there will be the favourites such as Chops Grille, Johnny Rockets, Chef's Table and Izumi. Royal Caribbean are offering dining reservations well in advance with lots of options to book, using a new online booking tool which also compares restaurants. 

Moving onto the entertainment it's been announced that Mamma Mia will play onboard Quantum this adds to the growing trend of Broadway shows such as Hairspray, Chicago and Saturday Night Fever. 

 With all this and much more Quantum is set to be a rather impressive ship! What are your thoughts? 

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Oceania to Modernize Fleet by Updating Three Ships!

Oceania Cruises are planning to completely refurbish three R-class ships by June 2014, the 684-passenger Regatta, Insignia and Nautica will be updated with some of the most popular features that can already be found on board the O-class Marina and Riviera, this $50 million investment is to begin this month starting with Insignia's dry dock in Marseille. 

The additions to the three ships will include: 

• adding Baristas, Oceania's own coffee bar where passengers can enjoy Illy espressos, cappuccinos and pastries all for free. 
• a miniature golf course, shuffleboard courts and an array of deck games and sports, this will mean removing the cabanas. 
• The Canyon Ranch Spa will be revitalised with new steam rooms and changing facilities. 
• The Terrace Cafe will be updated complete with a brand new state-of-the-art grill, and a refreshed interior. 
• Main lounge will be refreshed also with new carpeting, chairs and upholstery. 
• In owners and Vista suites an addition of new bathrooms with oversized showers. All other cabins will have updated decor also.

I think it will be a great way to refresh the ships so if you've travelled on them before it will feel like a whole new ship. 

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MSC Cruises start taking payment via PayPal!

MSC have taken a leap into possibly the new way to pay for a cruise, using PayPal! Having already accepted payments via PayPal, this decision covers their summer 2015 and winter for 2015-16 sailings, which they've put on sale earlier than previous years in order to attract early bookers. 

MSC claim that using the PayPal system will make it easier for passengers to book cruises online and give them a greater sense of security as PayPal is now a well trusted online money handling service which is used by many companies.

Giles Hawke the Execute director for UK, Ireland & Australia said " MSC Cruises are constantly looking at ways to make life easier for our customers and we recognise that people's buying habits are changing. A number of customers have come to trust PayPal as a secure way of transacting online and we are certain that this new way of paying will appeal to those regular internet shoppers."

In my personal opinion I think this could be a great first, if it successful then all the other cruise lines will probably follow suit. 

I guess we just have to wait and see! 

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Norwegian Star Photo's & Review

Norwegian Star

Norwegian Star

Whilst the Norwegian Star was docked in Dover me and my colleague had the opportunity to spend an afternoon on board. Starting off with a talk and then a ship tour. We went from one end of the ship to the other, viewing the theatre, the spa, gymnasium, buffet restaurant, Italian restaurant, casino, art gallery, lido deck with two jacuzzi's and pool with slides, pool side bar and of course the main restaurant. 

The overall feeling of the Norwegian Star was very relaxed and pleasant, the décor on board was lovely, very clean and well kept all the staff were extremely helpful, well presented and cheerful. With numerous dining option on board you'd be spoilt for choice trying a different place every night. 

The main theatre was much grander than I was expecting it had a real traditional feel to it with beautiful décor I'm sure watching a show there would be an experience that would not be forgotten quickly. 

There was special kids zones which looked like they had great interactive areas so you can relax whilst the kids are having fun too! 

I really was impressed by the spa facilities on board, just walking in you immediately smell aromatherapy oils instantly relaxing you, as you can imagine I didn't want to leave this part of the ship! With a lovely indoor pool ideal for doing laps, also a hot tub and a jacuzzi to relax in, with lounge chairs with a stunning view from the rear of the ship I can only imagine how great the view would be on a sea day! 

We were treated to lunch on board in the main restaurant which in itself is pretty special, with a great traditional feel, grand décor complete with lovely flowers and a grand piano certainly a great dining experience even before the food has arrived! The menu was decent as it catered for most tastes including vegetarians, each course was brought very promptly, well presented and tasted great. My mouth's watering now just thinking about it! 

As this was my first experience on board a ship I think the Norwegian Star is a very good all round ship, it's not too big so you feel lost and not too small that you feel cramped. I would recommend this ship for a first time cruiser for sure! I'd be more than happy to sail aboard.

Take a look at my photo's!

Ready to Board!

Main Restaurant

Atrium

Stunning Theatre

Lido Deck- Pool Area

Full Equipped Gymnasium 

Spa Area

Spa - Relaxing Loungers

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Carnival Freedom to Start Multimillion-Dollar Dry Dock

The Carnival Freedom is due to undergo an extensive dry dock in order to add the line's first Bookville which is part of the new Seuss at Sea program, as well as signature Fun Ship 2.0 amenities.

Bookville will be a dedicated play area, with a reading room for children and families. The entire space will be themed décor, arts and crafts, toys and games all designed to encourage family time and imagination. There will be an interactive reading event called Seuss-a-palooza Story time which will engage younger cruisers in the author's wild and wonderful world. 

There will also be other activities available such as Green Eggs and Ham character breakfast with Cat in the Hat and friends, plus a fantastic character parade along the promenade. These activities will be scheduled to be available by 24th May.

That's not all Carnival will be adding Guy's Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Rum Bar, EA Sports Bar, Cherry on Top, Alchemy Bar, The Warehouse and Hasbro, The Game Show. So there will be even more for you to enjoy on board the Carnival Freedom. 

The initial dry dock will commence on the 19th of April this year until the 3rd of May in Freeport in the Bahamas. When completed the Carnival Freedom will resume her six and eight night itineraries around the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale including two new five night itineraries. The Carnival Freedom will be the first Carnival ship with the Fun Ship 2.0 amenities to sail short itineraries from South Florida. 

Carnival Breeze - Today

I think these updates will make give the ship a new revitalised edge in the market, and more appealing with short itineraries mainly to the US market, but for us UK folk you can always back to back a cruise.

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