Are Wii addicted???

It is becoming more and more apparent to me that people are getting addicted to computer games. I try to ring my boyfriend, he's busy fighting people on the X Box. I ring my friend sister, she is busy racing her daughter on Mario Cart. I ring my mum, she's busy exercising on Wii Fit. Am I missing out?

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a quick race on mario cart from time to time, and quite enjoy the quiz challenge of Buzz when visiting my friends, but that's about it. It seems that some people play them at every given opportunity. So it's not surprising that cruise liners have cottoned on to this. Norwegian Cruise Lines have included a large entertainment room on their latest ship Norwegian Epic, dedicated to this craze. There are Nintendo Wii's and PS3's with extra large tv screens to play against eachother on. Children and teens can be amused for hours with the latest games and gadgets as well as Karaoke Machines and Table Hockey to mention a few. Somehow I can't help but think it may not just be the children and teens who will want to play along in this genious idea.

Nobody Forgets Their First Time.....

I have just booked a cruise for my Mum and Step Father. They are going on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance Of The Seas for 12 nights around the Med in August. This will be a first cruise for both of them and they are very excited. My mum came to me a couple of weeks ago and told me they had decided to go on a cruise to celebrate my step dads 60th birthday so wanted it to be something special and one to remember. I have gone out of my way to ensure I have booked a perfect cruise to suit their needs as I want it to be absolutely perfect for them. She hasn't been the easiest of customers, I have to say!!!

Also my mum has never fancied a cruise. She prefers a nice beach holiday in Greece or Canaries so that made it even more important for me to find her a dream cruise so she gets the bug like everyone always does.  I really hope I have found her a cruise she will never forget!

This got me thinking.......When was your first cruise, and how did you find the experience? Did you immediately get hooked and have booked several more since? Have you stuck with the same cruise liner because you loved it so much? Did you not enjoy it, was it not what you thought??

I would love to know, post your replies below.

Tea...? Coffee..??

I recently made a booking for a gentleman and his wife who were about to cruise with Cruise and Maritime Voyages for the first time. He found the cabin he wanted and a price that suited him, so everything was great. Until......he read our review site and found that someone had written a review saying Cruise and Maritime Voyages do not have tea and coffee making facilities in the cabins. This was important to him. He liked a cup of tea before bed and as soon as he wakes up. 

I looked into it for him and the reason they (and some other cruise liners) don't have them in the cabin is simply for health and safety.

Cruising for Cats........

Do you find it too hard to leave your precious pets at home whilst you go off on your jollies? Well Cunard is the one and only Cruise Line who allows cats and dogs onboard. Yes that's right....you can take your cat on the cruise with you. The purpose of this was not really introduced for those people who can't bear to be partied from the beloved pets, but more for people who are re-locating and using the cruise to get to get to their new home city etc.

Cruises from UK Ports......BIG thumbs up from me!!

If you have read my previous posts you will know that I used to fly as Cabin Crew and that I love to fly so much. So for me fly cruises would have always been my first choice. I always thought a flight was where your holiday began. However, after staying on the MSC Magnifica which was docked in Southampton, I can now totally see why people choose to cruise from UK Ports. It was so easy and convenient with no stress at all, and Check-In was efficient and pain free - unlike airports can be!!
From arriving at the Port on the coach to getting to my cabin was only around 15-20 mins which I was very impressed with. No queues, no need to purchase over priced food and drink for 2 hours like in a airport.
All in all, I was converted.....maybe flying isn't always as good as it seems.

Many Cruise Liners offer great deals such as Free Car Parking or Free Coach Transfers to UK Ports.

MSC Magnifica....Magnifique!!!!

Well as promised I am writing about my experience onboard the MSC Magnifica which some of here at cruise.co.uk got to stay on at the weekend. As we arrived at the Port in Southampton I was suprised at the size of the ship...it was a lot bigger than I thought. The check in was quick and efficient and the staff were very friendly.