Spanish cruising tips

• Malaga "I think you will be pleasantly surprise if you haven't been there in a while!"
• Lisbon  "The open top bus is a great way of seeing all the beautiful Architecture Lisbon has to offer"
• Vigo '"Santiago de Compostela' will be worth a trip too."

Tracey Holt
Cruise Specialist

Stories of the Week

Digital Story of the Week: Airways will allow ba.com users to hold seats for up to 72
hours without booking for a down payment of as little as £5. BA announced the move
on the 21st August saying: “This will give customers the time to make sure they’re
happy with their flight choices before paying for them”.

Cruise Story of the Week: Advantage has joined together with cruise group CLIA to
hold a series of regional cruise conferences for Cruise Champions and members
looking to grow their cruise business. One-day events will run in Birmingham on 8
October at Jurys Inn, Broad Street, Leeds on 9 October at Hilton Leeds City Centre,
Neville Street, and London on 22 October at Radisson Blu Portman, Portman Square.

Hotel Story of the Week: Taj Hotels and Resorts is to feature in a new television
documentary on the BBC. Due to air on BBC2, Hotel India is a four-part series and
launches on August 27 at 8pm.

Partnership Story of the Week: Princess Cruises is to offer a new chocolate range on
board after partnering with chocolatier Norman Love. The range will be unveiled on
Regal Princess during its inaugural Caribbean season and then rolled out to the rest
of the fleet in 2015.

Travel Story of the Week: Travel association Abta has predicted upwards of two million
UK residents will go on holiday over the August Bank Holiday, up more than 200,000
on last year. Abta said the Balearic and Canary Islands in Spain would again be the
most-popular overseas destinations, along with Greece, Turkey and Tunisia.

Cruise Story of the Week #2: Cruise & Maritime Voyages is giving potential customers
a taster of life onboard by offering lunch or dinner, bed and breakfast on the Marco
Polo while it is docked at the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury in October. The
chance to dine on the ship will be available on October 3 or 4 and guests can also
choose to stay overnight in one of the cabins and have breakfast the following
morning before disembarking.

Stories of the Week

Travel Story of the Week: Ryanair saw July passenger numbers rise by 4% to 9.15 million on the back of a strategy to improve customer service. EasyJet started the summer peak with a 7.7% hike in passenger carryings. Figures for July show that the budget airline flew more than 6.4 million passengers, up from 5.9 million in the same month last year.

Cruise Story of the Week: The final episode of fly-on-the-wall documentary The Cruise Ship was watched by 3.8 million people, according to Princess Cruises. This was the highest viewing figure for an episode during the four-part series, which centred around the senior team on board Royal Princess in its debut season in the Caribbean.

Digital Story of the Week: Search advertising spend up 24% in Europe, with 38% in UK clicks coming from mobile. Quarterly search advertising spend is up by 24% across Europe, with revenue up by 23%, research from Kenshoo has found. The research reveals the total volume of clicks on search ads rose by 11% from Q2 in 2013, while total impressions have fallen by 6% and click through rate is up by 17%.

Launch Story of the Week: Turquoise launches new health and fitness winter sun packages. Turquoise Holidays has created a variety of luxury winter sun holidays for clients seeking to cleanse mind, body and soul in advance of this year’s Christmas period. Packages range from a one-off week’s yoga holiday in the Maldives with a celebrity instructor to Wildfitness holidays in Africa, where guests take part in outdoor fitness activities in “stunning natural locations.”

Cruise Story of the Week: #2: Silversea Cruises is looking at the possibility of adding a new-build to its classic fleet. Speaking at the line’s 20th anniversary gala in London on Monday, the line's chief executive Enzo Visone said no contract had been signed but he was looking at expanding.

Social Story of the Week: EE show social media now accounts for 25% of all 4G data. EE show social media now accounts for 25% of all 4G data. Telecoms provider EE has published the results of a report into the impact of 4G data on the lives of its customers, showing that social media now accounts for a quarter of all network traffic on 4G, a higher proportion than that recorded by 3G.

Multi-million pound make-over for Aurora with new livery design

PÒCruises has unveiled its plans for a £26 million pound make-over for Aurora this winter, the first ship in the fleet to receive the bold new livery design.

The refurbishment will take place November 29 to December 18 in Hamburg, ahead of its Christmas and New Year cruise and before the South America & Pacific Adventure world cruise itinerary departing January 8, 2015.

Launched in 2000, Aurora's last refit was in 2009. The planned changes for 2014 include:

• A new look livery design, which celebrates PÒCruises heritage and its place as Britain's favourite cruise company. It features a contemporary version of the Union Flag on its bow and new blue funnels with illuminated rising sun designs
• The introduction of Sindhu restaurant for evening fine dining (replacing the library on deck 8) with an Indian fusion menu designed by Michelin-star celebrity chef Atul Kochhar
• The Glass House restaurant and wine bar is replacing Café Bordeaux on deck 8. Available for brunch, lunch and dinner it will house wine displays and wines selected by expert and TV presenter Olly Smith. Enomatic wine systems allow passengers to buy premium wines by the glass. There will also be a private room for wine tastings and dinners
• A complete refurbishment of the buffet restaurant (Lido deck, deck 12) with new décor
• In the evening, The Beach House menu replaces the Pennant Grill menu to include family favourites such as Fillet of Beef on Lava Rock
• A complete refurbishment of The Reef children's clubs with room names changed to reflect Reef club names across the rest of the fleet
• The introduction of Freedom Dining to Medina Restaurant with more tables for two and Marco Pierre White dishes on gala evenings
• A refurbishment of the Sidewalk Café and the introduction of Costa Coffee and brand new "Grab and Go" counter, a great option for breakfast and lunch on the go
• The library relocates to the current cyb@study space adjacent to the Crow's Nest on deck 13
• Casino and Champions refurbishment with new open-plan design, new furniture and improved stage area for entertainment, live music and quizzes
• Photography gallery upgrade to include more touch screen technology
• An extensive shop refurbishment

Cunard Fun Facts about the Queen Mary 2

Did you know?

• At 1,130 feet, Queen Mary 2 is five times longer than Cunard’s first ship, Britannia (230 feet), and 113 feet longer than the original Queen Mary (1,019 feet).
• She features 17 decks and towers 200 feet above the waterline, equal to the height of a 23-story building.
• Queen Mary 2 is more than twice as long as the Washington Monument is tall (550 feet), 147 feet longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall (984 feet), more than 3 ½ times as long as Big Ben (Westminster Tower) is high (310 feet), as long as 36 double-decker London buses (31½ feet each), more than three times as long as St. Paul’s Cathedral (366 feet), and only 117 feet shorter than the height of the Empire State Building (1248 feet).
• Queen Mary 2 will stretch nearly four football fields in length.
• There are several dining venues, all featuring ocean views, including Cunard’s traditional Grill Rooms for the higher stateroom categories and an elegant restaurant for the deluxe and standard categories. Recalling the classic dining salons of grand liners of the past, the magnificent three-deck-high main dining room will span the full width of the ship with a sweeping central staircase creating a dramatic showcase for those wishing to make the ultimate grand entrance.
• Another classic feature is the 360-degree Promenade Deck, recreating an environment, which historically served as an important social venue aboard transatlantic liners. The spacious deck, whose total circumference exceeds one-third of a mile, is lined with traditional steamer chairs while leaving expansive room for guests to stroll. Interior promenades circling several decks provide attractive walking venues, as well.
• The ship has a large indoor swimming pool in the spa as well as four outside pools, one of which has a retractable glass roof.
• A planetarium on board - the first at sea - offers a variety of constellation shows, as well as other presentations.
• One of the ship’s whistle is an original from Queen Mary so that her famous predecessor’s voice will once more be heard on the ocean. It is audible for 10 miles.

For the construction of Queen Mary 2…

• …some 300,000 pieces of steel were cut and welded into blocks in specialised workshops. Queen Mary 2’s hull is made up of 94 steel blocks (made from 580 panels), some of which weigh more than 600 tons, involving some 1,500 kilometres of welding. Her hull weighs 50,000 tons (more than a school of 330 blue whales) – not to be confused with her gross tonnage, which is 151,400.

Food & Beverage…

• The annual sugar consumption would make eight million scones
• Queen Mary 2 uses almost 7,000 boxes of strawberries each year
• The annual tea consumption would fill an Olympic size swimming pool
• Queen Mary 2 serves 1.5 million drinks per year, not including wine sales
• The annual beef consumption would supply a city the size of Southampton each year
• The onboard baking requires the use of nearly 8,000 industrial size flour bags Stacking them would make a pile five times higher than the Eiffel Tower
• The weight of pineapples used per year match the weight of 50 SUVs, almost 90 metric tons

Queen Mary 2 has…

• 2,500 kilometres of electric cable
• 310 miles (500 kilometres) of ducts, mains and pipes
• 2,000 bathrooms
• 80,000 lighting points
• 280,000 square yards (250,000 square metres) of fitted carpets
• 144,000 square yards (120,000 square metres) of insulating material
• 3,800 square yards (3,200 square metres) of galleys
• 3,000 telephones
• 8,800 loudspeakers
• 5,000 stairs
• 5,000 fire detectors
• 1,100 fire doors
• 8,350 automatic extinguishers

First ship emerges from $50 million fleet upgrade Oceania Cruises welcomes home Insignia

Oceania Cruises has welcomed Insignia back to the fleet following a two-year charter and an extensive dry dock.  Insignia is the first of three sister ships from Oceania Cruises to undergo a massive $50 million refurbishment.  Nautica and Regatta are scheduled to enter dry dock and receive similar enhancements over the next four weeks.  Renovating three ships from bow to stern in a six-week time period marks the largest refurbishment programme in Oceania Cruises' history.

The multimillion dollar makeover brings many of the interior design elements from the award-winning Marina and Riviera ships to Insignia, Nautica and Regatta while maintaining the warmth, intimacy and charm Oceania Cruises' guests cherish in the 684-passenger ships.  In addition to elegant new furnishings and décor for all public rooms, suites and staterooms, Insignia added several new guest experiences, including the ever-popular Baristas coffee bar, a cook-to-order grill at Terrace Café and new outdoor recreation on the Sports Deck.

In preparation for two special 180-day voyages, a version of the Artist Loft enrichment centre was added exclusively to Insignia during the dry dock.  The "Around the World in 180 Days" cruise departs from Miami on 10th January 2015, and the "180 Day World Odyssey" sails from Miami on 8th July 2015.

"This is a milestone moment for Oceania Cruises.  Not only did we welcome home a family member with Insignia re-joining the fleet today, but she comes out of dry dock essentially a new ship, reflecting an even higher level of elegance and design," said Kunal S. Kamlani, president of Oceania Cruises.  "By adding features our guests adore from Marina and Riviera to Insignia, Nautica and Regatta, it further enhances the upscale cruise experience and exceptional value for which Oceania Cruises is known throughout the industry."

Notable Enhancements Include:

• Suites & Staterooms:  There are significant updates to the Owner's and Vista Suites with an all-new bathroom design that is elegant, yet contemporary in nature.  The bathroom features wall-to-wall marble with a decorative inlay centrepiece, along with an expansive granite vanity that sits opposite an inviting oversized shower.  The Penthouse Suites have new furnishings, rich upholstery and a vibrant, yet calming palette that reflects the sea, sun and sky.  All staterooms were appointed with new décor elements featuring a refreshing sense of style and elegance.
•  Terrace Café:  The main casual dining option on board the ship is brand new from top to bottom.  A resplendent collection of new furnishings, floorings, fixtures and lighting accompanies the stunning floor-to-ceiling window views.  The pièce de résistance is the cook-to-order grill featuring delicacies such as steaks, chops and lobster tail.
• Baristas:  The popular coffee bar where master baristas prepare complimentary illy brand espressos and cappuccinos throughout the day now makes its debut on Insignia.  Baristas is the perfect location to relax with a beverage in one of the comfortable lounge chairs or sofas and is centrally located on deck 5, near the Grand Dining Room.
• Upper Decks:  The Sports Deck, located atop the ship, received a new miniature golf course and shuffleboard courts, along with other deck games.  The main pool area, ringed with luxurious sun beds, shimmers with blue and white mosaics, beautifully contrasted with rich teak decking.
• Relaxation & Enrichment:  The Canyon Ranch SpaClub exudes a sense of tranquillity with new décor elements including a flowing mosaic display.  Inside the spa, guests will enjoy peaceful steam rooms with beautiful new tile mosaics, along with renovated changing areas.  The all-new Artist Loft is tucked inside Horizons Bar, providing a variety of enrichment programs for guests to enjoy. 
• Lounges:  All of the ship's main lounges are refreshed and refurbished.  Horizons bar features a new colour palette of soothing sea blues, cocoa brown and mint, complemented by new sofa, chair and table furnishings.  Martinis maintains its classic ambiance with all-new furnishings.  The Insignia Lounge was completely refurbished with new carpeting and chairs, along with luxurious new fabrics and upholsteries. The transformed Insignia set sail on 8th May for a 7-day "Jewels of Europe" cruise.  Similar enhancements will be added to Nautica and Regatta during their upcoming dry docks, with Nautica scheduled to debut on 16th May 2014, for a 10-day "Cliffs & Coves" cruise and Regatta on 7th June 2014, for a 10-day "Majesty of Alaska" cruise.

Norwegian Cruise Line Launches Online Shopping Site

Norwegian today announced the launch of its online shopping portal at www.nclgiftshop.com with branded merchandise ranging from men's, women's and children's apparel to travel and promotional items, including special Norwegian Epic paraphernalia. Guests can purchase swag pre or post-cruise to build excitement for their upcoming sailing or check the site for items they may have forgot to purchase while on board.


The expansive product line features stylish gear for the resort-casual savvy cruiser including rhinestone-studded shirts for women and embroidered polo shirts for men, a leather passport and luggage tag set for the avid traveler and even the newest addition to the family can be well-equipped for Freestyle Cruising with a selection of baby bibs, onesies and t-shirts for toddlers.


The online store also offers travel partners a simple way to view and order an array of promotional items for their agencies, as well as giveaways for special events. Travel partners will receive 10 percent off their purchases when entering the promotion code PARTNER at checkout on a variety of items including embossed pens, wine sets, notebooks, beach balls, tote bags and more.


Norwegian's Latitudes members (past guests) will also receive 10 percent off purchases using promotion code LAT10, and to celebrate the online store's opening, the first 200 customers will receive a complimentary Norwegian drawstring backpack.


Fans of the line on Facebook should also stay tuned to the fan page at www.ncl.com/facebook for a special promotion code redeemable for an exclusive fan-only t-shirt. The first 200 Facebook fans that place an order on www.nclgiftshop.com will receive the t-shirt.


To purchase Norwegian merchandise, please visit www.nclgiftshop.com.