TAGS: So Much Love For Southampton Words by Having sailed from Southampton a few times, we used to see UK’s gateway to the world as a major cruise hub and nothing more. But with five terminals – including the Horizon Cruise Terminal which was built in 2021– more than 2 million passengers actually pass through Britain’s most popular port each year. No matter what floats your boat – from the mega ships to sleek boutique vessels and upscale luxury yachts – many lines sail from here to Northern Europe, the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean, the sunshine-bathed Canary Islands, the eterna ..read more

TAGS: Relight Our Fire! Gary Barlow to Perform on P&O Ships For Kids’ Charities Words by Gary Barlow is to perform on P&O Cruises’ newest ship Arvia and sister ship Ioana this Spring promising guests ‘a night they’ll never forget’. The Take That frontman will do two exclusive performances on each ship and all proceeds from the tickets sales for the shows will be donated to Child Bereavement UK and the Teenager Cancer Trust. The special performances follow sell-out shows last year as part of his role as music director of The 710 Club on Arvia and Iona. Now he will appear on a ..read more

TAGS: I’m Dreaming Of a Cruise For Christmas Words by Cruising is back and busier than ever before with popular cruise lines Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises both recording their largest ever booking days in the last few weeks. The entire cruise industry is looking extremely buoyant for 2023 with travel agents reporting bumper sales – up 35 percent on 2019 – so we’re not wasting any time and have asked Santa for a cruise for Christmas, wrapped up in a bow and placed under our tree, please. From affordable to hyper luxurious, designed for an ever younger demographic – more than half ..read more

TAGS: The epitome of expedition cool: SH Vega glides gracefully into service Words by Think you’ve heard the name Swan Hellenic before? You probably have, as this British heritage line was founded in the 1950s by two Brit travel agents – a father and son. Their inaugural sailing was a discovery cruise which sailed to the historical sites of Greece, with 128 university society members and three guest lecturers on board for added enrichment. Fast forward 70 years to 2022, and the adventurous brand has been reborn as a more upmarket international expedition line, all the while continuing to ..read more

TAGS: Gwyneth Paltrow’s Ultimate Birthday Present: A Wellness Cruise  Words by To celebrate turning 48, Gwyneth Paltrow posed naked on Instagram but she is cruising into her 50s on a wellness cruise around the Mediterranean. In an industry that reveres youth and beauty, the Oscar-winning actress admitted she once feared having a ‘full meltdown’ when she turned 50. But now the Shakespeare In Love star will be enjoying her birthday onboard Celebrity Beyond on what has been dubbed a Goop cruise – a ‘festival of clean living and alternative healing promoted by her lifestyle brand’ for ..read more

TAGS: A voyage of Fire & Ice! Cruise into the House of the Dragon  Words by Winter is coming but we won’t be giving it a frosty reception as we have the hottest new TV drama House of the Dragon to keep us entertained as the chilly, dark nights of autumn close in. Set 200 years before the battle for the seven kingdoms depicted in the Game of Thrones, this series, created by GoT author George R.R. Martin, is based on his 2018 book Fire & Blood. It documents the history of the House Targaryen – Daenerys’ distant relatives – leading up to the War of Succession, a new battl ..read more

TAGS: This is how to prepare for cruising post-pandemic Words by It’s been a choppy couple of years for cruise, but post-pandemic, we’re happy to report it’s pretty much business as usual out there on the rivers and high seas. Back in March 2020, when the WHO’s Covid-19 pandemic declaration and CDC’s subsequent no sail order in April came into effect, ships were grounded worldwide. Within as few as 60 days from suspension, expenditure in the UK alone was estimated at £539 million, and the U.S. economy faced an estimated loss of $32 billion in 2020, according to reports. Gi ..read more

Tags: British Isles cruise | luxury cruise | new ship | Regent Seven Seas | staycation Seven Seas Splendor: the classiest little number on the high seas December 29, 2021 Words by Rebecca Barnes Get a taste of the high life on board Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ new vessel, one of the world’s most luxurious ships I’m standing in my swish Penthouse Suite with my butler who, despite the face mask, is wearing an expression of sheer indignance on his face as we discuss my mini bar requirements and more specifically, champagne. ‘Why only half a bottle? I’ll be bringing you a full bottle ..read more

Tags: Discovery Yacht | expedition cruising | luxury | luxury cruises | Panache cruises | Scenic Eclipse Scenic Eclipse – where six-star expedition cruising is child’s play November 2, 2021 Words by The Cruise Blondes Toys on board the world’s first luxurious discovery yacht include two helicopters, and a six-seater submarine, but Panache Cruises’ founder James Cole discovers nothing’s off limits when it comes to keeping his toddler happy As the waiter hovered beside me, pen poised, I scanned the menu for the umpteenth time. But no matter how delicious the Michelin-star-inspired dish ..read more

Tags: Adults-only cruise | cruise | cruise news | Nicholas Farrell | over 50s cruising | Saga | Spirit of Adventure | Spirit of Discovery Talking about our generation Experience! Saga celebrates the savvy over-50s who don’t want to be called old fashioned October 25, 2021 Words by The Cruise Blondes They’re the fastest growing demographic in the UK and have the most spending power, so why are the over-50s so often ignored? Not any more, says Saga, who are celebrating age and the positive side of getting older He’s the star of stage, screen and TV, wowing audiences with his rendition ..read more