Category Archives: Cruises

Goodbye Marco Polo

Posted on 14/01/2021 by Patricia Dempsey

The year 2020 had been a very tough one for the cruise industry. Since the shutdown was completed in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have lost ships and cruise lines. Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) went bust in … Continue reading →

Posted in AIDA Kreuzfahrten, Canary Islands, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Cruises, Cunard, Fred Olsen Cruises, General, Lisbon, Marella Cruises, Northern Europe, P&O Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Pullmantur, Royal Caribbean, Saga Cruises, Ship Stalking, TUI Cruises | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Cunard World Club

Posted on 08/10/2019 by Patricia Dempsey

Cunard is one of the last cruise lines to still decide loyalty tier based on number of cruises. When P&O took over management from the end of 2007 and changed many things, I was surprised this unfair system remained. Likewise … Continue reading →

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New Visitor Centre Plans at Greenock

Posted on 04/04/2019 by Patricia Dempsey

Plans have been approved for an iconic building on the banks of the Clyde at Greenock to welcome cruise ship passengers. The plans, approved today (03.04.19) by Inverclyde planning board, are for a new visitor centre, restaurant and gallery at … Continue reading →

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70th Cruise!!!

Posted on 14/09/2018 by Patricia Dempsey

I can’t believe I’ve done so many, though have slowed down a lot since my 50th on Norwegian Breakaway in 2013. That’s due to work and ongoing health issues over the past couple of years so getting my priorities right … Continue reading →

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Farewell Oriana

Posted on 30/06/2018 by Patricia Dempsey

As everyone will know by now, Carnival Corporation, parent company of the P&O Cruises brand, have decided to sell their former flagship. To date, the name of the buyer nor what her purpose will be, haven’t been revealed just “Chinese … Continue reading →

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Passport Interviews

Posted on 03/04/2018 by Patricia Dempsey

Getting a passport for the first time can be exciting. It opens the door to explore the world. But what if you receive a letter asking you to attend an interview? That’s exactly what happened to my dad. It wasn’t … Continue reading →

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Cunard Dress Code Changing? (Updated)

Posted on 27/03/2018 by Patricia Dempsey

There has been no official announcement but cruises booked from mid-June 2018 no longer state Formal or Informal on the Voyage Personaliser. As with Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland America Line, Formal becomes Gala Evening while Informal is Smart Attire. … Continue reading →

Posted in Carnival Cruise Lines, Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Shipboard Announcements

Posted on 19/03/2018 by Patricia Dempsey

We’ve all been there. They say announcements won’t be in your cabin due to privacy and if you want to hear them, turn on whatever. Fair enough for things like bingo but what of the important ones? The one thing … Continue reading →

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Astoria Cruise – Rouen to Tilbury

Posted on 15/03/2018 by Patricia Dempsey

We had a full day in Rainy Rouen as we’d be sailing at 1.15am for Honfleur the following morning. I had arranged to meet my good friend Marie Mariani after 12pm so had a wander. I had been twice before … Continue reading →

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Astoria Cruise – Antwerp to Rouen

Posted on 12/03/2018 by Patricia Dempsey

Sailaway was at 4pm and we had a band playing us off. We were waiting for one passenger but no idea if he was on the ship or didn’t make it. It was formal night and the Captain’s reception. He … Continue reading →

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Astoria Cruise – Tilbury to Antwerp

Posted on 10/03/2018 by Patricia Dempsey

It was time for my spring cruise on this fabulous ship. In 2017, they had a short cruise to Amsterdam and Antwerp. This year was double, but again, it was the first after a winter lay-up. Cruise and Maritime Voyages … Continue reading →

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Happy 70th Astoria!

Posted on 21/02/2018 by Patricia Dempsey

This little beauty entered service as Stockholm for Swedish America Line on the 21st February 1948, setting sail from Gothenburg to New York. She came to international attention in July 1956 when she and the Andrea Doria collided off Nantucket, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Cruises, General, Portuscale Cruises, Ship Stalking, Southampton | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cunard Cabin Confinement

Posted on 04/12/2017 by Patricia Dempsey

With 64 cruises under my belt, I’ve usually been pretty lucky when it comes to requiring medical help onboard, even during a huge norovirus outbreak. That all changed during my 65th and most recent cruise on Queen Victoria from Barcelona … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruises, Cunard, General | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Dispatches: Secrets of Your Cruise

Posted on 04/07/2017 by Patricia Dempsey

I’m sure many of you watched this on Channel 4 last night (3rd July). I, along with my friend Maureen, were participants as they wanted people who had cruised to take part. Our little bit was recorded aboard the Princess … Continue reading →

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Choose Your Cruise!

Posted on 17/08/2015 by Patricia Dempsey

Hot on the heels of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ highly successful ‘4 Bs in Bergen’ comes a cruise where you select your itinerary. Departing from Southampton on the 10th October, passengers aboard this Braemar voyage will have a choice of … Continue reading →

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2015 Solar Eclipse

Posted on 19/03/2015 by Patricia Dempsey

On the 20th March, parts of the northern hemisphere will have a solar eclipse. In the UK, it will only be partial, unlike 1999, but the farther north you head, the more of the sun will be covered, varying from … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruises, Northern Europe, P&O Cruises, Saga Cruises, Voyages of Discovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Indy & Navigator OTS Return To Southampton?

Posted on 15/02/2015 by Patricia Dempsey

Navigator of the Seas was the second Royal Caribbean ship to be based in the port back in 2007 after two successful seasons with the smaller Legend. Navigator was my first Royal Caribbean ship and the ONLY one to date … Continue reading →

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My 2014 Highlights

Posted on 30/12/2014 by Patricia Dempsey

It’s been a funny old year for me, most notably because only did TWO cruises! Since my back, which has been bad since June 2010, was a good 90% better, it was time to start looking for a job and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Cruises, Cunard, Fred Olsen Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Saga Cruises, Ship Stalking, Silversea Cruises, Southampton, Voyages of Discovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Southampton Airport & Cruising

Posted on 12/06/2014 by Patricia Dempsey

Flybe, the regional airline, has been in Southampton for a long time now. Unfortunately, as they are a ‘no frills’ airline, it has made it difficult for the cruise lines to partner with them the way they do with major … Continue reading →

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MSC Ditches Premium Rate Phone Number

Posted on 14/05/2014 by Patricia Dempsey

A big cheer from me, as these 0843/0844/0845 numbers are such a rip off, especially when you’re stuck in a queue or using your mobile. MSC today have announced: MSC LAUNCHES NEW TELEPHONE CONTACT SYSTEM Due to our ongoing growth, … Continue reading →

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Voyager Cruise – Cadiz to Portsmouth

Posted on 04/05/2014 by Patricia Dempsey

After lunch it was time for a few dock photos then while back in the cabin, there was an announcement about testing the PA and alarm systems. Well it’s different! Sea Cloud II was sailing at 4pm but it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruises, Mediterranean, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Ship Stalking, Voyages of Discovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Voyager Cruise – Cartagena to Cadiz

Posted on 30/04/2014 by Patricia Dempsey

After breakfast, I went to ask about getting some euros, only to be told they do not put anything on your account. It has to be cash payment only, unlike other lines. Many credit cards can be only used in … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrity Cruises, Cruises, MSC Cruises, Saga Cruises, Thomson Cruises, Voyages of Discovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Voyager Cruise – Civitavecchia to San Remo

Posted on 24/04/2014 by Patricia Dempsey

Voyages of Discovery had organised my flights to Rome for the Springtime European Voyager cruise on their current ship, Voyager. I had only done Discovery once in 2012 and that was roundtrip Harwich so transfers were new to me. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Costa Cruises, Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn Cruises, Ship Stalking, Voyages of Discovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Traditional Cruising Verses Freestyle

Posted on 26/03/2014 by Patricia Dempsey

This has become a bone of contention among many who don’t like NCL’s concept of freedom of choice where you eat and casual dress code. Now Royal Caribbean are not only doing a slight version of it. It looks like … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fred Olsen Quartet in Bergen 2015

Posted on 22/03/2014 by Patricia Dempsey

With all this talk of Cunard’s Three Queens events for their 175th anniversary during the year, this little nugget of information from a media presentation slipped under the radar: All four Fred. Olsen ships will be coming together in Bergen … Continue reading →

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Child-Free Cruising

Posted on 04/02/2014 by Patricia Dempsey

Today I saw an interesting post on a Facebook group asking about “the best kid-free cruise”. Thankfully there ARE adults only ships out there, just not operating from the majority of ports worldwide. So instead of doing a nice cruise … Continue reading →

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Passenger Emergency Drills

Posted on 30/01/2014 by Patricia Dempsey

An online comment on an newspaper article about a crew member lost overboard from Celebrity Constellation prompted me to write this. In it, the poster wrote: We have been through numerous lifeboat drills on different lines. In not one of … Continue reading →

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Small Is Beautiful!

Posted on 06/12/2013 by Patricia Dempsey

I am, of course, referring to ships. A lot of people immediately dismiss a cruise on something less the size of a floating building but they have their positives. Less people, great atmosphere, can get into ports others can’t, lots … Continue reading →

Posted in Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruises, P&O Cruises, Saga Cruises, Voyages of Discovery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Vision OTS Post-Refit Cruise – 5th to 10th November 2013

Posted on 15/11/2013 by Patricia Dempsey

I’d booked the Sea & Sea tour and hoped it wouldn’t rain again! Took my brolly just in case. we had a couple of stops, including Marigot for an hour did a boat trip to see some underwater wildlife then … Continue reading →

Posted in AIDA Kreuzfahrten, Caribbean, Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Ship Stalking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vision OTS Post-Refit Cruise – 1st to 5th November 2013

Posted on 08/11/2013 by Patricia Dempsey

November began at 24c and we also gained another hour so were 2 behind GMT. A very lazy day reading on the balcony after going to the lecture. I finally finished a book I began on Independence a year ago! … Continue reading →

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