This pretty little dress is one of my favourite cruise items this year. It’s very flattering, and at first glance doesn’t look like a beach dress. That allows you the flexibility to wear it around the ship during the day, or on shore excursions, without looking too beachy.
It is so cute and so comfy and suited to girls and women of all ages. The black one is my favourite, but I did have all four in my online shopping basket for a while, until I finally settled with one. I’m still tempted with the pink palm print one though!
The last day of a cruise is always a sad one. However when it’s your first time in Barbados, it’s hard to be anything but completely excited.
During my cruise on Viking Sea I had met many lovely people. On my second day in Puerto Rico, we were gathered in the terminal to depart for our horse riding adventure, and Julia bowled up to our group to join us. Looking the part in her cowboy boots, I immediately took to Julia and her bubbly personality. We chatted non-stop on the drive to the stables. It turned out that Julia was working onboard Viking Sea as HR Manager. When I told her I was looking to get some amazing beach photos, she kindly offered to help and arranged the whole thing!
I met Cassie Wilcox, Senior Writer for Viking Cruises UK, in the check in queue at Heathrow. After a few days on the cruise, Cassie told me she was desperate to get that soft white sand between her toes asked if she could join us.
TAXIS EVERYWHERE
If you’ve never been to Barbados on a cruise, it is worth knowing that as you emerge from the terminal building you are greeted by hundreds of taxis. There seems to be one person managing the operation. They will ask you where you want to go and find the driver for you. They seem to prefer lots of passengers on shorter journeys, so for three of us looking for a two hour trip we were not getting any takers.
Thankfully Julia sorted it all out and a lovely retired gentleman name Marson said he would be our driver. I needed to be back to the ship by midday as we were flying home, so we didn’t have a lot of time and I wanted to see as much as possible.
BROWNES BEACH
Marson was a real charmer and told us some great stories of his ballroom dancing. The first beach he took us to was Brownes Beach just 15 minutes from the cruise terminal.
Pristine white sand and crystal blue water at Brownes Beach.
It certainly ticks all the boxes for that dreamy Caribbean beach. We arrived around 9.30am so we had the beach pretty much to ourselves. Apparently it can get extremely busy so my advice is get there super early and head back to the ship when it gets too busy. All of the beaches we visited had sun-loungers and umbrellas for hire.
Julia and Cassie were really good fun to hang out with.
A big smile from Cassie as she gets that powdery sand between her toes.I love this photo of Julia laughing at me.That’s why she’s laughingWhat a great shot, even if I say so myself.
From there, Marson drove 5 minutes south to Needhams Point. We stopped at the Hilton Barbados Resort to take in the views and have a quick wander around the grounds.
The hotel has several gorgeous pool areas, it’s right on the beach and offers stunning views.
If you fancy staying there, you can check pricing and availability for the Hilton Barbados Resort here.
Next stop was Worthing Beach just 10 minutes drive away. Since Marson had told us so much about his passion for dancing, I asked if he would show me a few moves. He kindly obliged.
The best taxi driver in Barbados. Marson Craigwell shows off his moves.
We wandered along the beach and found a great place to stop and reflect.
We stayed there for a while, just soaking up the beautiful atmosphere. What an incredible place Barbados is. I want to go back at the first opportunity. Maybe a Christmas cruise?
There is a great restaurant and bar on the beach called Coast. We met the owner, Anna who bought the bar 4 years ago when she moved over from her home town of Milan, Italy. If you are visiting Barbados, make sure this is on your list of places to visit.
As you can see, I was far from ready to leave. What a gorgeous place. Barbados! I’ll be back!
The clothes in this post are my own and purchased by me. I have not been paid or gifted to endorse any of the products listed below. These affiliate links mean I will earn a small amount of commission on any purchases made via these links, at no extra cost to you.
I must say I am not a fan of linen at all. Whenever I have bought linen clothes in the past I have regretted it. But when I was scrolling through the Marks and Spencer website, this coral linen tunic dress dress stole my heart.
The M&S Collection is a good value, great product range that suits a variety of age groups. This dress comes in nine different colours and patterns including navy, aqua, beige, striped, black, blue and some gorgeous prints.
Because of the linen mix, it does not crease up like pure linen, but it’s still going to need a bit more care in packing and handling than your polyester. If like Viking, Princess and P & O Cruises, your cruise ship has a laundry room, you will have no problem quickly running an iron over it, before putting it on.
It’s really versatile too. I wore mine to the beach with a pair of fit flops, but I think you could dress it up or down however you see fit.
On the final day of my Viking Cruise, our lovely driver for the morning, Marson, recommended that we visited this beach. This was my first time in Barbados (read the post here) and it was the picture perfect Caribbean beach. We arrived around nine o’clock in the morning and the beach was virtually deserted. However, it is very popular with cruise passengers, so if you do want to spend the day there, get there first thing in the morning to enjoy the tranquility.
The water is very shallow so it is a great location to take children.
Recommendations and Affiliates
This is a product that I have purchased myself. The Brand have not endorsed or paid me to review this product. The product links on this page are affiliate links. This means, should you wish to purchase the dress, I will get a small commission from the brand at no extra cost to you.
It looked like we were in for another gorgeous day in the Caribbean as I enjoyed breakfast on my balcony. I woke up early again, partly due to jetlag, but also because of my excitement for the day ahead.
I visited St Lucia with my family back in 2009. We had such an amazing time there and we still talk about it now.
Room Service Breakfast in St Lucia
For those of you who regularly read my blog posts, you will already know how much I love being in, on or by the water. When I saw the option for whale and dolphin watching in St Lucia, I didn’t hesitate to book it. Although it is worth mentioning at this point, that the excursion was full and had it not been for the gorgeous Becky Wiggins (English Mum) letting me take her place on the trip, I would be looking at her photos instead of mine. So a HUGE thank you Becky for giving me this amazing opportunity.
Like most cruises, shore excursion groups meet in the theatre at the time specified on the ticket. Once everyone has arrived, they are escorted off the ship to meet their tour guide. The great thing about this trip is that the boat is a five minute walk from the cruise ship. So before we knew it, we were all aboard and sailing out to sea.
We sailed three miles off the coast while the two crew members made us feel welcome. There was plenty of room on the boat for people to move around and a choice of seating downstairs in the open or covered, and upstairs in the open or under cover. The crew frequently offered us refreshments which included Rum Punch and the most incredible bananas. I know you would expect St Lucia to offer great tasting bananas, but they were so delicious I turned to my neighbour and said “you don’t get these in Tesco’s do you?”
There was a fair bit of movement in the boat, so it is not for those of you prone to motion sickness and your safety is really down to your own common sense. This is a trip for the semi adventurous. It’s not exactly mountain climbing (Michael English), but if you are someone who always thinks the worst is going to happen, I’d suggest giving this one a miss.
The Time Of My Life!
I told one of the crew members that I would be videoing the experience for my blog and could he give me an idea of the best place to stand. Well be careful what you ask for, because no sooner had I said that, I was following him along the side of the boat to the front. I sat up on the ledge for a while and took in the breathtaking view. This was an experience that I will never forget. It was one of those moments when you just can’t believe it is really happening. One where you feel truly alive and you want to try and share it with the world.
The trip lasted four hours in total. I moved to the upper deck after a while where I felt better positioned to enjoy a rum punch. During the trip we saw dolphins, pilot whales and a rare spotting of false killer whales. Here is a short video which condenses the sightings and hopefully gives you an idea of the incredible experience it really was.
If you are visiting St Lucia without a cruise, you can book this excursion directly with Captain Mike’s.
Last Day Onboard
Back onboard for what was to be our last afternoon on the Viking Sea. I grabbed some more of the delicious food at the Pool Grill for a late lunch and met with the rest of our group by the pool. A steel band came onboard to entertain the guests. They were very good and did a great rendition of Take On Me by Aha.
I love the fact that the pool area is used in many different ways. All the seats were turned towards the band, similar to the set up for when they have a movie night.
Final Sunset and Sea View
It was that time that we all dread, that last day of the cruise, but inevitably it had arrived. I took one last wander around the decks while the sun was setting. Desperately trying to capture the feeling of that moment in a photograph, which is impossible. You know what I’m talking about don’t you? All cruisers do.
With bags packed, it was time for dinner. We had chosen to try another alternative dining venue. This time it was Chef’s Table, a five course wine pairing menu.
First Course – Lobster and Chicken Shu Mai
Having tried a variety of dining options during our Viking Sea cruise, I have to say that my two favourites were the main dining room and the seafood and sushi buffet. However, there is no additional charge to eat in alternative restaurants, so you can choose whichever you feel suits your palette.
Woah – It’s Not Over Yet
So the last day had finally come to an end and it was time for bed, but with one consolation – Barbados tomorrow!
I am pleased to announce today that I have bought a cruise ship of my own, to bring a unique experience to cruising.
Cruisers have been asking for changes to be made for years, but the cruise lines just aren’t listening. I wanted to provide a solution to the topics that arise time and time again.
GRATUITIES
For guests who do not wish to pay gratuities at all, there will be a self catering option. You will be able to order your food online through your regular supermarket before your cruise. Instead of requesting a home delivery, you will be able to request a ship delivery. (Please note this is only available for UK departures and must be ordered no later than 7 days prior to departure)
All areas with service staff will have key entry facilities. Cruise cards for passengers with the Gratuity Free Package, will be restricted to self serve areas of the ship only.
There will be a dedicated room on each deck, where you can collect clean bed linen and cleaning products for use in your room.
DRESS CODE
The three main restaurants, ‘Top Hat and Tails’, ‘Flip Flops’ and ‘Never Happy’ have been created to help people choose the style that suits them.
KIDS ONLY CRUISES
With the recent rise in Adult Cruises, kids have been feeling very hurt and left out. My new cruise ship will offer kid only cruises in the half term holidays, which will give them a break from their parents.
Please let me know what you think of my brand new cruise ship in the comments below. Happy 1st April to you all.
Despite the forecast of rain, it was still warm and balmy as I stepped out onto my balcony onboard Viking Sea, to take a look at St Kitts.
I will forgive you for thinking I was crazy not getting off the ship in St Kitts. However, I really wanted to get to know the Viking Sea a little better and this was the only port I hadn’t booked an excursion for.
As there was no rush to be anywhere, I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in bed.
When I was ready I headed out to explore the ship. Unlike other cruises I have been on, I found myself meeting and talking to other passengers. Maybe it was because we had met on the shore excursions, and the fact I didn’t have my son in tow. I think it was partly to do with me wanting to explain to people why I had a GoPro strapped to my head! I was also surprised to meet so many British passengers onboard.
Who Were The Vikings?
In keeping with the authentic experience Viking Cruises pride themselves on, there is a Viking Heritage Museum on deck two.
The impressive display of antiquities feeds the imagination of times gone by.
The people we now call “Vikings” were not a unified group or culture. Rather, they were the Norse peoples of Scandinavia – modern-day Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Principally they existed as farmers, but they also were settlers, traders, crafters, explorers and raiders.
Nordic Chic
Making my way outside, I walked through the Aquavit Terrace, which feels fresh with it’s nordic chic decor.
This leads you out to Viking’s signature infinity pool at the aft of the ship. I wasn’t the only one wanting to enjoy the onboard luxury. There were a few people in the pool and the hot tub.
Making my way upstairs to wander around the top deck, the view of the St Kitts mountains was stunning.
Lunch by the pool
Having missed lunch the last two days while off exploring, I didn’t want to miss it today. I had heard great reports about the Pool Grill which serves food until 2.30. It was getting close to that time already so I went to the main pool to get a closer look.
There was a lovely salad bar which included a gluten free Artesian Salad with Potato and Eggplant, a Marinated Fennel and Tomato and Prawns which was also gluten free. Although the food selection changes daily, I could have eaten the Eggplant salad every day. Burgers, hot dogs and fish are cooked to order at the grill and are served with coleslaw, red onion jam and a selection of toppings.
After lunch I found a great spot to top up my tan and relax for a while.
The bag I was using is a the Alex Folding Travel Bag by Mia Tui. They come in a wide range of designs including black, polka dots and multi coloured.
Afternoon Tea
Athough I was still full from lunch, my travelling companions were meeting in the Wintergarden for afternoon tea at 4.00pm. I popped by as I knew I would be off the ship the following afternoon.
It was a good job they had saved me a seat. Afternoon tea is hugely popular with the guests and I can see why. A classical trio created the perfect quintessential atmosphere for enjoying the delicate sandwiches and cakes. Fresh scones were served by hand and complimented by an extensive drinks menu including a wide range of teas. I opted for the mango tea, which was very refreshing.
A Perfect Moment
As we departed St Kitts, I jumped into the infinity pool to enjoy the view. I remember when I first saw an image of the Viking Cruise ships, and thought how much I would love to be in that infinity pool. I never imagined it would actually come true.
The Beauty of Cruising
From one stunning view to another. I returned to my room to get changed and enjoyed the sunset from my balcony. It never ceases to amaze me the constant beauty you experience when you look out over the ocean from a cruise ship.
Feeling all tanned and refreshed, I took a walk to the atrium to see what was going on. A very handsome guitarist sat playing classical guitar. The sound was beautiful and he smiled at me. (Ok I was pointing a camera at him, but just let me have this).
The World Cafe
I had been advised not to miss the seafood and sushi in the buffet restaurant, so went to take a look. I wasn’t disappointed.
I started with the seafood and a nice chilled glass of chardonnay. Wine and beer is complimentary with lunch and dinner, although I had the silver spirits beverage package which allows you drinks throughout the day for an additional $19.95 per guest per night.
This was the best sushi I have ever had.
After dinner, I took another stroll around the ship. As the Viking Sea was now sailing, the shops were open. There are not many shops onboard Viking Cruise ships, but the ones they do have are worth a visit. If you are looking for a jumper for extreme cold, this is the place to get one.
As you can imagine, everything is Nordic themed including the jewellery, ornaments, books and these cute but slightly scary viking head stuffed toys.
Why not take one of these little chaps home with you?
Movie Under The Stars
The main pool on the Viking Sea has a retractable roof so people can use the pool in the evenings. They also have a movie screen which is not used during the day, but some evenings they transform the space into a movie theatre.
Before people started to arrive for the movie “A Dog’s Purpose”, I took this short video of the room set up. What a lovely place to relax and enjoy a film, whilst you are sailing to your next destination?
I stayed to watch some of the movie. It was a cute film but it featured a dog and I knew whatever happened in the end, it would have me in tears. So I left early to avoid the inevitable blubbing, and went to bed. St Lucia tomorrow!!
There’s nothing better than having a balcony when you cruise, and on Viking Sea every room has one. Not only did I get a great view of the coastline, I also got a partial view of the Bridge.
It was warm and sunny outside with temperatures forecast for the high 80’s. I had booked a snorkelling excursion and was excited to try it for the first time.
Waking up to a beautiful view of St Croix
As my body was still on UK time, I felt really hungry as soon as I woke up. I needed to eat something quickly, so I ordered breakfast in my room and enjoyed a delicious feast before getting dressed.
Simple, Beautiful St Croix
I wanted to have a look at Frederiksted before leaving for the Buck Island trip. Thank goodness I did. St Croix is unlike any other Caribbean Islands visited by cruise ships.
There is no big terminal building, you simply walk along the pier into the quaint town of Frederiksted.
The Viking Sea docked in St Croix
As you reach the Customs and Immigration building, there is a small welcome party where you can taste the local rum while the DJ plays Caribbean music.
A warm welcome in St Croix
And if that doesn’t get you in the Caribbean mood, this lady will.
A vibrant welcome to St Croix
Frederiksted Historic District
There is a lovely area just at the end of the pier with benches facing the sea. The red building is Fort Frederik which was built in the 1750’s to guard the island from pirates. It now houses a museum and art gallery which can be visited for a small entrance fee. A clocktower overlooks Emancipation Park where in 1848, Danish Governor Peter Von Scholten emancipated the slaves.
I thought this was a really pretty place and not busy at all. There are a few tents set up with local sellers offering a range of local products but no big tax free jewellery stores or designer shops, which I find is a refreshing change. It might be different when one of the larger cruise ships visits. If you have any experience of this please let me know in the comments below.
Driving To Christiansted
We were the second trip of the day for our driver Stephen.
Religion is a very important part of Island culture and it wasn’t long before I had a sign from God.
Thankfully it was just the shadow of a window sticker on my leg. Or was it?
The drive to Christiansted, the largest town on the island, took around 20 minutes. En route I was surprised to see an oil production plant on the island, recently sold and renamed Limetree Bay Terminals LLC. More in keeping with the area was the Captain Morgan Rum Distillery, which has a visitor centre if you fancy a look around.
Arriving in Christiansted we gathered on grass area to meet our Caribbean Sea Adventures Crew. I took the opportunity to snap a few photos of the colourful buildings around us.
Once onboard the boat, it became apparent that I was the only person on board that had never snorkelled before. Many people had brought their own equipment.
Buck Island is a protected National Monument. Two thirds of the island is surround by a coral barrier reef. This provides the perfect eco system for a variety of marine plants and animals including endangered species.
I didn’t go too far from the boat for my first snorkel but what I saw and experienced was something I will never forget. It is hard to put into words the peace and tranquility I experienced even just putting my face into the water, but it moved me to tears when I emerged from the water.
Here is a 3 minute video that I have put together to give you an idea of what it was like. Have you tried snorkelling? If so I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. If you like the video please visit my YouTube channel and give it a thumbs up and subscribe to help me get famous :-). I hope you like the song as much as I do.
Back On Board
Back onboard the Viking Sea, you are handed a much needed chilled flannel to refresh yourself, and a warm smiley welcome from the crew who greet you by name.
After our wonderful day trip, I was thirsty and needed to cool off a bit. I ordered myself a Margarita on the rocks, no salt, at the Aquavit Terrace Bar, and headed to the infinity pool.
I watched the beautiful sunset as we sailed away from St Croix.
Then it was time for dinner in Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant.
Manfredi’s starter – CalamariFollowed by melt in the mouth Surf n’ Turf
The meal in Manfredi’s was delicious but I was so exhausted after another action packed day, I could barely stay awake to eat it. So as soon as I finished dinner I headed back to my room and flopped into the incredibly soft, comfy, cosy bed.
Is it me or does there seem to be a new cruise blog every week? It’s still a niche market compared to travel and lifestyle blogs, but as the cruise industry attracts more and more guests each year, so does the appeal to become a cruise blogger.
So how do you know which ones are worth following? Well the answer really depends on what you are looking for. Do you want facts and news updates? Are you looking for cheap tricks and tips? Do you want to know what the onboard experience is like? Are you focusing on a particular cruise line? These are all important factors to consider when researching blogs. What is right for one person, is not necessarily right for others.
To help narrow down your search, Feedspot have created a list of top 50 cruise bloggers. Yes that’s right, top 50! This is a completely unbiased list as Feedspot use a variety of metrics which determine the list order, including social media following.
I am thrilled that Ships and Champagne is included in the top 50 cruise blogs and looking at the list, I am honoured to be in the company of the cruise industry’s finest including Cruise Miss and Tips For Travellers.
Feedspot have designed a website that makes it easier for you to follow and read your favourite blogs all in one place. They cover all industries and interests so you don’t have to keep looking up new websites and blogs. You can also create daily alerts, so that you are notified when your favourite blogger publishes a new post.
For more information and to check out the list of Top 50 Cruise Bloggers you can visit their website here.
My Penthouse Veranda stateroom was on the starboard side which gave me the best views of the ocean in Puerto Rico. I sat down on my balcony to enjoy a coffee and the sun rising above San Juan and noticed a cruise ship in the distance. I love watching ships come alongside, so I was thrilled to see three other cruise ships entering the port, all from the comfort of my stateroom.
View of San Juan Port from Viking Sea 5011.
It was time for breakfast and to see the ship in daylight.
Taking in the Viking Sea with the beautiful San Juan back drop.
Walking to breakfast on the Viking Sea
The main pool onboard Viking Sea
Time For An Adventure
After a quick tour of the ship we headed out for our horse riding trip. There was no queuing to disembark the ship and we were offered chilled bottles of water to take with us as we left.
We took a mini bus to Carabali Rainforest Adventure Park located in Luquillo. Our driver gave us an entertaining guided tour during the 20 minute journey. However I had met a lovely lady named Julia, who works onboard the Viking Sea. We didn’t stop talking for the entire journey, so I missed the commentary, but made a great friend.
Everyone in the group was matched to a horse depending on their experience. Horse riding is second nature to me, so I was matched with Vulcan for the ride.
Not quite Lady Godiva
It was a blazing hot day, so we took it easy and just walked. We stopped to rest and cool off by the river.
Time to cool offI could have stayed there all day
With my new friends. Our guide, Jonathan and Julia from Viking.
It was a fantastic experience and the guys that took us out were great fun and really looked after us. We rode back to the farm, grabbed a beer and returned to the ship.
Thank goodness we were on a Viking Cruises shore excursion as we arrived back dead on 4.30, which was the all aboard time. That was cutting it fine. Had we been delayed though, the ship would have waited for us, unlike if we were doing the trip on our own.
Sailaway
Five o’clock was time for muster drill, so I had just enough time for a much needed shower. Being a 930 passenger ship, the drill took no time at all and we were soon sipping cocktails and watching the sunset.
The sun setting on San JuanThe waves crashing against the rocks of Old San Juan Fort – Castillo San Felipe del MorroThe dramatic San Juan coastline
Our group met in the Explorers Lounge for a pre-dinner drink. Viking’s ocean cruise ships all have an Explorers theme encapsulated in their interior design.
The Explorers Lounge with maps of star constellations framing the roomThe Explorers Lounge Bar with star constellation mirrorMeeting in the Explorers Lounge for a pre-dinner cocktail
For our first night, we decided to have dinner in the main dining room.
Smoked Sturgeon and Sevruga CaviarOriental Style Scallops and Lobster
After dinner we headed to the theatre for the Captains Welcome Aboard Speech.
Champagne on ice to welcome the guests onboard Viking Sea
There was not a spare seat in the house as Cruise Director Mark and the Viking Band kicked off proceedings with a wonderful rendition of Hello, Young Lovers.
The Captain was introduced to the stage and from the outset he was very funny. There was a lighthearted approach to introducing the rest of the senior management team as they walked onto the stage to the music of Pirates of the Caribbean.
By this time the travelling, jet lag and horseriding had made me feel extremely tired. So it was time for bed to be ready for more exciting adventures tomorrow.
If you want to visit a different picture perfect Caribbean Island everyday, a cruise from Puerto Rico will deliver this and more. However, there are no direct flights from the UK to San Juan so flying to Puerto Rico puts people off for many reasons. When Viking Cruises invited me to be their guest on Viking Sea, I didn’t think twice about the journey, but I did learn things from it that will help you to get the best experience possible.
All set for flying to Puerto Rico to board Viking Sea for a Caribbean cruise.
Snow Joke
Originally we were flying with BA via Philadelphia. However the reports of snow were making it likely that we would not get out of Philly for our connecting flight to San Juan. Luckily for me, Viking Cruises took care of everything and rebooked us on an American Airlines flight via Miami. However, this is a really important thing to consider if you are making your own flight arrangements. Flying via Miami also means your airbourne for a shorter period of time, however the stopover is longer so door to door, it will take longer.
Tip: If I were doing the trip myself, I would stay overnight in Miami and then fly to San Juan on the day of the cruise, or possibly book another overnight in San Juan. Also, book early and you may get a great deal on an upgraded seat and always, always, always have an airport lounge booked. For details on how to get the best deal for lounges read my Christmas In Florida blog post.
First glimpse of the sun above the clouds after taking off from Heathrow on American Airlines flight to Miami.
Standing Room Only
We weren’t the only passengers that had been re-routed to Miami, and this was clear by the lack of space on our flight. I managed to get my preferred window seat, however this meant I was trapped for 9 hours. When you travel with family, you don’t mind having to move them out of their seats, but as I was sitting next to an elderly couple, I didn’t want to keep disturbing them.
A few of my favourite things including this Mia Tui bag in rose gold.
There was only one thing for it. A glass of white wine, sunglasses and music on, and sit back and relax. For those of you who are thinking of flying on an American Airlines aircraft (check to see if you are on a codeshared flight), the wine and beer is complimentary, but spirits are $8 each. Cash is not accepted, so you must have a credit or debit card to hand. It wasn’t long before the wine and beer was gone, leaving no alternative than to abstain or pay up. Which one do you think I chose to do? Leave a comment below.
Dreaming of the Caribbean
American Airlines do have wifi onboard, which was great news, however I couldn’t get mine to work. When I asked a crew member about it, she told me I had to have downloaded an app. It does state in the in-flight magazine that you can simply connect onboard, however my new iPhone X was having none of it.
Fort Lauderdale stretch of beautiful sandy beach.
As we began our decent into Miami, I caught a glimpse of the beautiful Fort Lauderdale coastline. To my frustration the clouds covered Port Everglades, so my ship spotting would have to wait for another time. We then passed Miami Beach and I took this picture of the iconic crescent shaped Fontainebleau that was a well known favourite hotel of Frank Sinatra’s.
Aerial view of the crescent shaped Fontainbleau along the stretch of Miami Beach.
Feel The Heat
In case you don’t know already, I LOVE Florida! We had four hours to wait for our connecting flight, so I went and sat in the little park area across from the main terminal building. I could feel the heat in the air as soon as I stepped out.
It is a long time to wait in an airport for a connecting flight which is why I recommend adding on a stay in Miami. I mean why wouldn’t you want to? Just jump in a taxi to a beach hotel. Kick off your shoes, grab a sunset cocktail and enjoy the view.
So by the time we were boarding our second flight, everyone was feeling a bit jaded. However the excitement of the cruise and the Caribbean was keeping spirits high.
We touched down in San Juan around 11.30 pm local time and collected our luggage. We were met by Viking Cruises representatives who checked us onto the transfer coach. The process was very quick and easy. The drive to the ship was no more than 20 minutes.
Puerto Rico cruise port entrance and our first glimpse of Viking Sea
All Aboard
As we stepped onboard, the ship looked beautiful. I headed straight to my stateroom. I had a Penthouse Veranda on deck 5 which was easy to find on a ship that holds just 930 passengers.
My Penthouse Veranda (PV) 5011 Starboard onboard Viking Sea
The room was a welcome sight. The extra touches that Viking Cruises offers were very appreciated after the long journey.
A lovely welcome snack and nightcap.Viking Cruises really look after their guests by providing an in room coffee machine, golf umbrella, robe and slippers.No need to buy bottles of water as it’s all provided.Toiletries are provided and replenished daily.
It felt so good to be onboard. I dumped my bags in the room and had a quick look out on deck.
Although it was nearly 2am, the air was warm. I just couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
But now it was time to get some sleep to be ready for horse riding in the morning.
Sheri Griffiths is the face of Cruise Tips TV. A huge fan of cruising herself, Sheri provides cruisers with answers to all their questions in her YouTube show. She has a great personality and I wanted to know more about her life off camera.
When was your first cruise?
My first cruise was onboard Carnival Ecstasy in 1991. My Mom accompanied me on a Caribbean cruise as a high school graduation present, along with my little brother. I loved the experience, but longed for the time when I’d be able to cruise with my future husband. The best part of the cruise was the resort scuba dive in Grand Cayman. My Mom let me go alone (with a ship sponsored excursion), and it was one of the highlights of my “under 20” life.
Finally, that next cruise happened in 2003 (or so) after my husband I had been married for about 6 years. I was so excited to share the experience with him after scraping and saving for years, but WOW, had cruising changed. Diamond Princess was HUGE, and he was instantly hooked. We’ve never looked back, and cruise as often as we can. We still DO love a good land vacation on occasion as well.
How many cruises have you taken so far?
Somewhere around 28 total to The Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Canada & New England. We’ve sailed with Carnival, Princess, Holland America, NCL, and Royal Caribbean.
Sheri Griffiths – Cruise Tips TV enjoying the beach with her son
How long have you been doing Cruise Tips TV?
We’re in our 5th year of production. We have just over 350 videos for cruisers, ranging from packing tips to ship tours, and cruise vlogs.
How did Cruise Tips TV come about?
Our channel was born over a dinner table conversation. As cruise lovers, we would always film our trips, shore excursions and activities and create short movies, to preserve the memories. It occurred to us (one evening over chicken casserole!) that we could also create and share information, tips and even full ship video tours, so we decided to take the plunge and chose YouTube as our platform.
Travel had always been the “prime directive” in our family, so it seemed like a natural step to bust out our film equipment and share our passion with the internet world. We’ve changed our approach, style and content many times over the years, based on subscriber feedback and changes in our lives.
How many shows do you do a week? And how long does it take to prepare for each one?
We generally produce two shows per week. Each show takes a minimum of an hour of content prep time. Some episodes can take up to 4 hours of prep time, depending on the amount of research involved. Really, it’s the editing that is time intensive. Mr Cruise Tips TV edits our content full time, and still wishes he had more hours in every day. We try to involve our son in the process when we can. He is learning basic editing skills and helps with ideas. Sometimes, we give him his own camera to vlog with on cruises. He loves the KidCam!
What is an average day in the life for you?
I wake up at 5:15am, hobble to my kitchen for coffee, and head off to my day job. My husband is self employed and works from home, so I’m fortunate to have his help with the day to day. He’s does all the laundry, cleans the house, and makes sure that our son is well cared for during the week.
When I get home from work, I squeeze in dinner with my boys, catch up on social media, take a hot bath, and get ready to do it all again the next day. On the weekend, my primary focus is to spend time with my son, get as much exercise and outdoor time as possible, and go live on YouTube every other Saturday.
Sheri on the bridge of Star Princess
Do you have any tips for people thinking about starting their own You Tube channel?
Tip #1:
Be true to yourself. Mr. CTTV likes to say “keep your head down”, meaning, don’t look at what other people are doing to develop your content. BE YOURSELF, and don’t compare your ideas and content to others. People want to watch YOU because you offer something unique and individual. At the same time, it’s easy to delay starting a YouTube channel, because it can feel at times like “it’s all been done” already. News Flash – it has! But, you should still go for it!
Tip #2:
Consider whether you can be of service to others. The longer we’ve been creating content through our channel, the more we’ve realized the joy in being a resource. Those people then become a great resource for YOU. Our community of cruise enthusiasts bring ideas and tips to us week after week. We also count on them for honest feedback at times.
Tip #3:
Be Real. When we started our channel, I wanted to read from a teleprompter every episode, and sought to control every element of production. As time went by, our subscribers asked us to turn the camera around and vlog our cruises. I thought the notion was crazy. Each time the topic came up, my husband and I would look at each other and say “naaah, nobody wants to see that. It’s too real”. Then, in September of 2016, we finally jumped out of our cozy studio, and turned that camera around to capture the day to day of our cruise through vlogs.
As we’ve learned more about what our audience wants since that first cruise, one theme always surfaces. They want authenticity. They want to see when things don’t go as planned, they want to see me without makeup (aaah!). They want to be told when a shore excursion or experience falls short. They want to trust you to deliver the true experience.
Tip #4:
Expect to evolve. Listen to your audience (not to the trolls, of course) and consider if their suggestions can work for you. You can’t make everyone happy, but the more you expect to re-invent your content often, while staying true to being yourself, the more you can experiment and land on what works.
Sheri with her son in Ketchikan, Alaska
What was your last holiday?
My last holiday was a partial transit through the Panama Canal on Caribbean Princess. It was 10 days of heaven!
Have you got your next holiday booked and what/where is it?
Our next cruise is on Carnival Splendor, to the Mexican Riviera.
Being a Mum with 2 jobs must require organisation and focus? What is one thing you do that really helps?
I’m a huge list maker. I use my iPhone to make lists for every area of my life, from packing to my weekly objectives to ideas for our next episode.
What are your hobbies?
I love hiking, Zumba, gardening and cooking.
Name one or more things on your bucket list.
A holiday to Tahiti and her islands. I must see Bora Bora. We’ve been dreaming of this destination since we were married.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking their first cruise?
I’d encourage them to research, but not to over plan. Pack comfortable shoes. Choose the right cruise line, and…watch lots of YouTube videos. We have lots of content for newbies!
As you all know I absolutely love cruising. I live for it. Cruising brings me joy like I have never known before. It makes me feel alive, free, excited and adventurous. So to celebrate that, I really wanted a special dress for the cruise show. Thanks to Amazon, I found one.
Be Careful Buying Clothes From Amazon
Now you have to be careful buying clothes from Amazon because some of the stuff on there is nothing like the picture, but this dress by Hell Bunny was an absolute winner for me. Not just because the material and the price were great, but the design is very flattering (I think) for those of us that are going a bit appley. They have 25 different colours to choose from.
As much as I would love to have worn a pair of heels, it wasn’t ideal for walking around the cruise show. I have always struggled to find a nice pair of flat shoes, especially when I spend a day exploring a new ship. I love sandals, but they weren’t really very practical for February. These Melissa shoes were extremely comfortable and they smell so good. Made in Brazil, these plastic shoes designed by Vivienne Westwood, have a unique bubblegum smell to them.
I added a little neck scarf to give that 50’s look. This one was also on Amazon but it is not great quality, however they are fun to have and can be used to brighten up an outfit. I use mine now as a hairband which I think is quite cute.
I felt really comfortable in this outfit and I love the nautical theme dress. If you get the shoes you will fall in love with them I can assure you. I think I will make this my embarkation day outfit from now on. What do you think?
Disclosure: This post contains personal recommendations of items I have purchased and paid for myself. The links to the items are affiliate links, which means you pay the same price, but I may receive a small commission from the seller.
Azamara Club Cruises are passionate about travel. They want to help you see the world in ways that no other cruise line does. How do they do that? “With more port days than any other cruise line and longer in port than any other cruise line, allowing you to experience the destination”, says their UK Managing Director, Richard Twynam. The statistics speak for themselves with 80% of it’s itineraries in port. Out of those port days 47% are late nights and overnight stays.
Big Ship vs Little Ship
If you are looking for zip lines, surf simulators, sky diving and more, Azamara Club Cruises is not for you. These fancy features can be found on the mega ships of their sister brand, Royal Caribbean.
I took this photograph of Azamara Quest from Voyager of the Seas in Venice. You can see we were docked much further away, with the other ships.
Their recently renovated ships, Azamara Quest, Azamara Journey and new addition Azamara Pursuit, are more akin to boutique hotels than cruise ships. Accommodating just 686 passengers, with a 2 to 1 staff guest ratio, not only is the service impeccable but getting on and off the ship is a much smoother experience. Another small ship benefit is that they are able to dock closer to places they visit. So, when other ships passengers are queuing for a 30 minute coach ride into town, Azamara Club Cruises’ passengers are already there. Venice is a great example of this and, with the new regulations in place, Azamara Pursuit will be the largest cruise ship permitted to sail along the Grand Canal.
The most popular cruise port in Europe is Barcelona and most of the cruise ships dock a few miles away. Azamara Club Cruises on the other hand, dock at the World Trade Centre which is located at the bottom of Las Ramblas.
I took this onboard Norwegian Epic in Barcelona from the main cruise terminal. As you can see Las Ramblas is in the distance. You need a bus or taxi to get there.
They can also do river cruising and include itineraries that sail along the Kiel Canal, into the heart of Seville, Bordeaux and Ho Chi Min City. In Hong Kong most cruise ships moor at Kai Tack which is 40 minutes away from the city. Azamara Club Cruises dock at Ocean Terminal with panoramic view of the iconic skyline right from the ship.
Azamara Club Cruises are also offering country intensive voyages which gives guests get more than just one day in each country. These itineraries include Mexico, Cuba, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Italy, Greece, Japan, Israel, France, Croatia and Australia. Speaking at a recent event with Six Star Cruises, Richard Twyman told guests that Sydney is the most congested cruise port on planet Earth, and only has 3 cruise berths which are all full until 2023. He continued to say that Azamara Club Cruises are committed to Sydney and will be there for three years. They have secured the most sought after dock, right in Circular Quay itself. So for example if you take the 15 night New Year’s Eve In Sydney Voyage, you will be able to see the opera house from your balcony (depending which way you are facing).
Azamazing Evenings
Lucky guests who are cruising for six days or more have a real treat in store.
Azamara Club Cruises are the only cruise line who offer these complimentary experiences known as Azamazing evenings. This is an event where the cruise line take all 690 guests off the ship, to a special event and bring them back. This in itself is a highly complex thing to do. However the experience they have at an Azamazing evening is something quite incredible, and they offer this in 70 countries all over the world.
The first Azamazing event ever held was in Florence. They took all the guests to a private set of castles that overlooked Florence. They were given a tour by an Historian who explained when they were standing in the grand hall, they were standing in the room where Michaelangelo carved David. As if that wasn’t jaw dropping enough, guests enjoyed a tuscan buffet outside, and as the sun was setting over Florence the Three Tenors from the Florence Opera House came out and gave them a private concert.
Azamara Club Cruises were also the first cruise line ever to do a private performance of the original Riverdance at the Gaiety Theatre in the heart of Dublin. These once in a lifetime experiences are offered all over the world in places such as Rio De Janeiro, Ephesus, St Petersburg and Wellington.
Win a pair of Azamara Gloves
The lovely people at Azamara Club Cruises have given Ships and Champagne readers the chance to win one of five pairs of mobile friendly gloves. Simply answer the question below to be in with a chance to win yourself a pair.
This competition is now closed. Thank you to all of those who entered.
The London Cruise Show is just days away and I am so excited. I will be like a kid in a candy shop having all my favourite cruise lines under one roof. You will have the opportunity to visit all the cruise lines at their stands. They often have members of the Senior Management Team so you can meet them in person, plus all the latest brochures will be available for you to take home. In addition to the cruise line stands there are three theatres for interesting and informative talks, and a tasting area.
Is It For Me?
If you have never been to a Cruise Show, you are in for a treat. This year, Europe’s Largest Cruise Show, celebrates is 10th anniversary and has more to offer than ever. They have cruises for adventurers, explorers, foodies, singles, families, romantics, and even for people who don’t cruise. Yes that’s right, cruises for non cruisers. Well you will have to step onboard a ship, but Azamara Club Cruises are all about destination and experience. Don’t take my word for it, go and speak to them in person.
But I Don’t Want To Book A Cruise
It doesn’t matter, no one is going to force you into booking. In fact those people who do want to book at the show, usually have to get in line. The Cruise Show is a great place to do your research, ask questions, collect information and get an idea of what cruising has to offer.
Maybe you want to know more about a river cruising? Get a great overview by attending the talk on river cruising in Ask The Experts Theatre at 2.00pm. It is on both Saturday and Sunday and you can also visit them at their stands to ask about itineraries, facilities and special show offers.
The Expedition Theatre offers talks on those off the beaten track cruises – from Antarctica to the Amazon. Meet The Cruise Lines allows you to take a seat while a panel of cruise experts talk to you and answer your questions.
Win A Cruise
Some of the stands will be running competitions which range from luxury gift packs to cruises. What’s the catch? There is no catch, it just means you agree to sign up to their mailing list in return for a competition entry. You can always unsubscribe if you feel you are getting too much mail from them.
I will be at the show on Saturday so will tweet about any competitions I find out about.
What If I DO Want To Book A Cruise?
If you do want to book a cruise, I would suggest getting there early and get it done, so that you can enjoy the rest of the day. The offers at the show will be the best available for the year. You will be face to face with an expert who can guide you through the process. They will be able to go through the deck plans and help you pick the room you want.
Plan Your Day
You will get much more out of the show if you plan your day in advance. The Cruise Show has given me 25 free tickets, so you can book yours now and start planning what you want to do. This is my plan for Saturday 17th February. If you are coming along please let me know, I would love to meet you there. You can follow me on twitter on the day @flaviagray
10.00 – Say hello to the cruise lines, meet friends and enter competitions.
12.00 – Ask The Experts Theatre – Luxury Cruising
1.00 – Gin Tasting with G’Vine (see website for times and registration)
1.30 – Meet The Cruise Lines – Azamara Club Cruises
2.20 – Meet The Cruise Lines – Crystal Cruises
3.10 – Meet The Cruise Lines – Viking Cruises
All you need to know about the London Cruise Show…
What: London Cruise Show
Where: Olympia London
When: Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th February 2018
Book Your FREE Tickets To the 2018 Cruise Show Now
The London Cruise Show is offering readers of Ships & Champagne the chance to pre-book FREE tickets to the show with no added fulfilment fee or booking fee. Use exclusive code SHIPSANDCHAMPAGNE at checkout at https://cruiseshow.co.uk/london
It wasn’t so long ago that having an iPad on a cruise ship was innovative, but the latest thing to have now is a SkyPad. If anyone was going to do find a way to take you to the moon on a cruise ship, it was Royal Caribbean.
This incredible new feature is going to appear first on the UK’s favourite ship, Independence of the Seas which will shortly be undergoing a major multi-million pound refit. She will arrive in Southampton in May with new staterooms, waterslides, laser tag, a fish and chip shop, sports bar and much more.
Independence of the Seas will be fitted with the SkyPad virtual reality bungee trampoline
How Does It Work?
The SkyPad combines a bungee trampoline park with a virtual reality experience. Guests can choose to walk across moon craters and enjoy the feeling of zero gravity. They can compete in inter-galactic games or simply enjoy a top deck view of the ocean without wearing the headset.
There will be no charge to use the SkyPad initially, but this could change depending on popularity. Royal Caribbean have already started charging guests to use the North Star which is featured on the Quantum Class ships, which was complimentary at first.
Join Us Onboard
Why not try this for yourself on the 3 night sailing on 17th May calling at Cherbourg. Josh and I will be onboard and would love you to join us.
The current price for an OCEANVIEW cabin is just £359pp (it has increased by £10pp in the last few days and is likely to go up or sell out). Here is a link to the cruise on the Royal Caribbean International website BOOK NOW
The romance of the golden era of cruising is something most of us can now only imagine. So, I was honoured and thrilled to be invited to the private view of Ocean Liners Speed and Style at the V & A last week.
This new exhibition is being sponsored by Viking Cruises, and gives an insight into the history of some of our most loved ocean liners through the decades. If, like me, you love the elegance, grandeur, opulence and extravagance of cruising, you will be in your element.
It’s not all about the glamour though. The curators have also shown the dangerous aspects of cruising in those days. Items on display include belongings that have been recovered from wreckages or salvaged before disaster struck. These include a Cartier tiara saved from the Lusitania which sank in 1915, and the the exhibition’s final piece is a panel fragment from the first class lounge on Titanic, where the ship broke in half. (See bottom of page for video)
Ocean Liners Speed and Style Photo: Piers Macdonald
As you step inside the V&A’s Ocean Liners Speed and Style exhibition it feels like you have travelled back in time.
The collection consists of over 250 objects spanning the years 1850 – 1970. A simply mesmerising exhibition that covers all aspects of the ocean liner, including engineering, safety and design, promoting and advertising through the eras to high society lifestyle and fashion.
Ships featured in the exhibition include; Queen Elizabeth, QE2, Titanic, Bremen, The Great Eastern, Canberra, Normandie, Queen Mary, Olympic, France, Lusitania, Mauretania, SS United States and more.
Advertising and Promoting The Ocean Liner
An enviable 1:48 scale promotional model of Queen Elizabeth made for Cunard in 1949, is the magnificent centrepiece of the first room at the exhibit. The walls are adorned with posters advertising grand voyages. This one (above) offers a first class return ticket to Australia for £140. Sounds affordable until you realise that would be over £7000 today. The ports of call from London would typically be, Gibraltar, Toulon, Naples, Port Said, Suez, Colombo, Fremantle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane. So that is proof that cruising is much better value for money these days as for as little as £3,000 more you can see the whole world.
“The Largest Steamers In The World” poster for Olympic and Titanic, White Star Line 1911.
A selection of posters adorn the walls of the exhibition. Our obsession for the ill-fated Titanic is well catered for with plenty of pieces to capture the imagination.
Eerie: This poster advertising the first sailing of the Titanic that tragically never happened.
The Geeky Bit
If you are more interested in the technical side of things, there is a lot for you to get your teeth into. An entire section is dedicated to shipbuilding materials, engines, propulsion, hull design, speed, safety and comfort. Detailed design drawings and models of engine systems will captivate and fascinate you.
Politics and War
Footage of Adolf Hitler walking the decks of the Robert Ley in 1939, and details of how ships were designed to be able to quickly convert into armed merchant cruisers, serves as as a reminder of how important these vessels were in times of political unrest.
Glamour and the Grande Descente
The Grand Staircase on Olympic, with the Honour and Glory Crowning Time panel in situ c.1911
Making an entrance was an important part of the cruise culture for the First Class passengers. The Ocean Liners grand staircase leading into the dining room, was the perfect place for them to show off their most fashionable evening wear. This pre dinner ritual was often referred to as the Grande Descent.
Ocean Liners Speed and Style Photo: Piers Macdonald
There is so much to see at the exhibition that I haven’t even touched half of what is there, but go and see it for yourself. This really is a charming, fascinating and enjoyable exhibit that will appeal to all ages. I am already planning a return visit with my son.
Ocean Liners: Speed and Style will be open from 3 February until 17 June 2018, at the V&A in London. It will then move to the V & A Dundee opening on 15 September 2018 until 24 February 2019. Please purchase your tickets in advance to avoid disappointmen and are available at vam.ac.uk/oceanliners.
Ocean Liners Speed and Style Photo: Piers Macdonald
The sun made a surprise appearance last week, which was well timed with the Six Star Cruises event at Burhill Golf Club in Surrey. The stunning mansion house was the perfect place to talk about luxury cruising.
I was excited to find out more about Azamara Club Cruises, their newest ship Azamara Pursuit and their exclusive golf cruises in partnership with Perry Golf . Beth, from Six Star Cruises had told me that Richard Twynam was going to do a presentation, so I knew we were in for some great insight into the cruise line.
My friend Donna, and I were welcomed with a glass of prosecco and a lovely goodie bag. Beth gave us an insight into Six Star Cruises and told us about the amazing Concierge service they provide to their customers. She said they had one guest who was so comfortable with her agent at Six Star, that when she was on her cruise ship, she called her agent to ask directions to another part of the ship! Now THAT’S service!
Azamara Pursuit
“It’s the first time in maritime history that the Carnival Corporation has sold one of their ships to the Royal Caribbean Corporation. It’s never happened so it’s quite historic” – Richard Twynam
The first thing everyone wanted to know, was about their new cruise ship, Azamara Pursuit. The addition of a third ship to their fleet will increase the cruise lines’ capacity by 50%. Azamara Pursuit will introduce a total of 61 more destinations. These will include 41 late nights and 26 overnights in port, allowing guests to truly experience their destinations. Bookings are open for sailings up until 2019.
Richard Twynam told us “[we] tried to do the deal three times to buy this ship. We thought the second time it had gone that we’d never be able to get her, and then out of nowhere it popped up and we were able to close the deal very quickly.”
He continued, “For any cruise aficionados, it’s the first time in maritime history that the Carnival Corporation has sold one of their ships to the Royal Caribbean Corporation. It’s never happened so it’s quite historic. She has had a very well known life. Before she was Azamara Pursuit some may have sailed on her as Swan Hellenic Miverva II, she was also Adonia and then she became Fathom, then she went back to the Adonia and then she’s becoming Azamara Pursuit. We get hold of her in Freeport in the Bahamas in the middle of March and we will take her out of the water and the first thing we are going to do, I cant wait, is spray her hull Azamara Blue so she will look pretty, and we will then sail her across with Captain Carl Smith to Belfast.”
Maiden Voyage and Christening
Azamara Pursuit’s maiden voyage will depart from Southampton on the 1st August sailing a 13 day Norwegian intensive voyage. She will then sail to Iceland for 15 days then returning on the 28th August. Her Christening will take place in Southampton after which she sails off to Bordeaux for a wine cruise on the 30th August.
Suite Accommodation
Club Continent Suite – this is the entry level suite. Since the reimagination of the fleet, they have added a large vanity area with a lit mirror and hairdryer. Forty percent of the club continent suites have bathtubs, the others have good sized rain shower.
Club Continent Suite #8066 Azamara Journey
Club World Owners and Club Ocean Suites have a huge wraparound living space and balcony. There are many added benefits included in these suites including butler service, welcome champagne and fruit basket, a bottle of the premium spirit of your choice in your suite and $200 on board credit.
Club World Owner’s Suite #8091 Azamara Journey
A new suite has been introduced to the fleet. There are only two Spa Suites on each ship. Each one has an open plan bathroom and living space, and include a hot tub with a panoramic view of the ocean. As well as the other suite benefits, guests can enjoy spa credit and their very own ‘Night Under The Stars’
Perry Golf Partnership and The Masters
For Golfers who have dreamed of playing private clubs that are closed to the public, Azamara Club Cruises have made it a reality. They are the only cruise line offering a Cruise and Masters option for 2019, and Six Star Cruises are the first partner to do this with Azamara.
The Partnership with Perry Golf means you turn up at the port on the first day of your cruise, Perry Golf will take your golf bag from you where they tranport it by land, while you go by ocean. The next time you see it will be when it’s sitting on the back of a golf buggy on the first tee. They arrange all after game drinks, groupings, handicaps (doesn’t matter if you dont have a handicap), or if you want to play on your own or as a couple, Perry Golf take care of everything.
Most of the golf cruises are made up of 50% non golfers. For these guests, Azamara can arrange spa days for or other experiences.
For more information call Six Star Cruises on 0800 107 1279.
It’s just that I don’t usually notice because I’m having a good time.” Stacy Shaw
Stacy Shaw is the Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Virgin Voyages, based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. When Stacy and I met at the #Shiptease event in Genoa last year, I asked if she would answer some questions for my Cruise People series. Thankfully she agreed, so lets find out more about Stacy Shaw.
How did you come to work in the Cruise Industry and what was your first job?
After grad school, I moved from West Virginia to Florida… I was pretty tired of winter weather and wanted to be near my sister. We had been prepped by the Dean of Business & Economics, that it may take time to find a job. So I reached out to a recruiter as soon as I arrived, with the idea that I would wait tables for a while and enjoy some down time.
He sent me for an interview right away for an Accounting position that happened to be at a cruise line. I didn’t intend to start working in a office so quickly but it sounded pretty glamorous (the cruise line part), so I changed my plans. I lasted in that particular job for about six months before I got a little bored (sorry, Accountants) but it was the start to what would become a 23-year (and counting) career in travel and hospitality.
If you could have chosen anything else as a career what would it be?
I love animals so if I was better at science, I might have been a veterinarian. I always knew I would work in some sort of business, I just didn’t know what. Before I started in this industry, I had traveled to five states … never once out of my time zone.
I’ve now visited many states in all US times zones and more than 65 countries. I have found the education that comes from learning about other people and cultures invaluable and I think it made me a better person. I’m very happy with how things worked out!
Stacy with Boy George at the Virgin Voyages Shiptease
What makes Virgin Voyages stand out from other cruises?
People often ask which cruise line we will be most like and I find it impossible to answer that question. Our goal is to be unlike any other … to create a new category and be the only one in it. We’ve looked more to cool, hip hotel and land experiences for inspiration, so I think you’ll find it very easy to see what makes us stand out … when we can talk about that.
As VP of Sales and Business Development for Virgin Voyages, what is an average day like for you?
We’re a start-up so every day is pretty busy and very different. I try to learn something about Virgin or the other Virgin companies however and whenever I can. We have some great resources in the company who have worked for other Virgin brands, so I’m like a sponge around them. For now, we’ve been putting a strong foundation in place.
So I’ve been working on things like sales and distribution strategy, org charts and operating budgets … thinking about how we can be irresistible to our partners! I’ve also been working on finding a rock star leadership team in sales so there’s been a lot of Skype calls and interviews. We’re so fortunate to have a lot of interest when we post our gigs and we’re very focused on finding the perfect fit for every role.
What was your last holiday?
I tend to do more mini-holidays or weekend getaways than long vacations. I love exploring new places, most recently I went to Nashville for the weekend. It was great … the food, the nightlife, the music, the service, the people … I can’t wait until Virgin Hotels Nashville opens. I’m definitely going back.
I also did my first river cruise last year over New Years with a group of friends and loved that. Prague to Budapest on the Danube with AMA Waterways. We visited four countries that I hadn’t been to before (Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany and Austria) … all amazing. I would like to do another river cruise to the wine regions in France. And I love going to Spain any chance I get.
Have you got your next holiday booked and what/where is it?
I do. I’m going on a safari in South Africa with the same group of friends this summer. We’ll also spend a few days in Cape Town and visit some beautiful wineries. I did a safari in Kenya years ago but it was a site inspection with clients. Still, it was one of the most incredible trips I’ve ever taken but I’m very excited to do it again with people I love. That will be really special and a lot of fun.
Stacy hosts VIP Travel Partners at the Keel Laying Ceremony in Genoa.
Your job role must require organisation, focus and a lot of energy? Do you have any lifestyle / personal management tips you can give us?
I feel very lucky to be in an industry that I love and working for Virgin is a dream come true for me. It’s hard to think about what I do as “work”. I get paid to do the most amazing things and to think about ways that our company can make the world a better place. Don’t get me wrong, I do work pretty hard. It’s just that I don’t usually notice because I’m having a good time.
At Virgin Voyages, we’re creating something really special and I’m surrounded by the most creative, inspiring group of people. It’s hard not to be excited about anything I do in that environment. I would say the things that have helped me most in my career is a never-ending desire to learn, genuinely caring about the people involved with our business, always delivering on commitments, being respectful and a willingness to do whatever needs to be done without hesitation. Oh, and coffee, that helps a lot with focus and energy!
What are your hobbies?
I read and research a lot. More articles and historical info than novels … most everything online. I like to start my day with time to read (and drink coffee). I love learning new things and I like to understand a variety of viewpoints. Obviously, I love to travel and I do as much of that as I can. I’m interested in languages. I speak Spanish fairly well and know bits of Italian and French that I’ve picked up through travel. I find that people genuinely appreciate an attempt to speak to them in their language even if it isn’t perfect. I also enjoy trying local food and drinks wherever I am … always looking for a great restaurant.
Name one or more things on your bucket list.
Well, I think I’ve got the career and travel things covered. And I’ve met Richard Branson. So I guess the only thing left is an epic love story.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking their first cruise?
Now you can with MSC Cruises who announced today that they will be doubling their offering from Dubai and Abu Dhabi by having the totally refurbished MSC Lirica join MSC Splendida for the 18/19 Winter Season. This comes after continued growth and strong demand for cruises in the region.
MSC Lirica will offer brand new 11 and 14 night itineraries with longer stays in port. There will be an overnight stay onboard in Dubai, but the real jewel in the crown is the introduction of three new destinations, New Mangalore, Goa and Mumbai. With an overnight stay in Mumbai, this allows guests an opportunity to truly explore the treasures of India.
Discounted Shore Excursions
As if the new amazing itineraries and excursions weren’t enough, MSC Cruises are offering 20% discount on shore excursions booked in advance. The new excursions on MSC Lirica are pretty jaw dropping and include:
Dubai – EXCLUSIVE DUBAI: BURJ KHALIFA & LUNCH AT BURJ AL ARAB
Taking in iconic symbols of Dubai, such as Dubai Mall, Burj Al Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s famous gold souk
Abu Dhabi – THE LOUVRE MUSEUM & ABU DHABI EXPLORATION
Guests can tour the “Manhattan of Arabia,” with a visit to the new Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Bahrain – BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT IN A 4X4
A real adventure as guests blaze through the Bahrain International Circuit in the Sakhir Desert.
Muscat – MYSTICAL MUSCAT
Guests will have the opportunity to experience Oman’s spiritual and cultural heritage. The tour takes guests from the Grand Mosque, through to old Muscat and the traditional Omani market, Muttrah Souk. They will stop at the Bait Al Zubair Museum, and view the archaeological find along with the traditional dress and jewellery of Oman.
Qatar – DESERT SAFARI AND RELAX AT THE BEACH
Guests can experience an exhilarating ride through Qatar’s surrounding desert across the rolling sand dunes, ending up at Gulf Adventure camp which is an oasis of tranquillity located in the Arabian desert, kissed by the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf.
Goa – CROCODILES, MANGROVE & RIVER CRUISE
This one-of-kind river cruise, allows guests to discover Goa’s verdant landscape. As they head down to the mangroves where the Cumbarjua River flows; the will be impressed by the magnificent birdlife and freshwater crocodiles.
Mumbai – OVERLAND TO THE TAJ MAHAL
This incredible three day tour, takes guests through Mumbai, New Delhi, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra – where guests will experience the breath-taking Taj Mahal – and Cochin. They will experience an express tour through some of India’s most famous and memorable landmarks and get to spend two nights in luxury hotels.
New Mangalore – Jain & Udupi Temples
From the 15th Century Moodbidiri temple, to Udupi’s Krishna Temple, guests will visit the famous Jain temples of Mangalore.
Free Status Match
MSC Splendida will be offering 7 night itineraries in the region, and now is a great time to book. MSC Cruises are currently offering to match your loyalty status with them, to that of your regular cruise line. Not only that but they have an all in drinks offer and as always with MSC Cruises, kids go free. You just pay for port taxes.
Everyone seems to have a different opinion on this one, so here is mine.
Would You Do It In A Hotel or Restaurant?
Would you? So why would you do it on a ship. Can you imagine calling a restaurant to make a reservation and they ask if you would like to prepay your gratuities? The same goes for a holiday booking. You wouldn’t pay extra if you were booking an all inclusive holiday would you? So why is it any different on a cruise ship?
Is It Cheaper To Pay Gratuities or Give Cash Directly?
This depends how many people are in your cabin and how old they are. If I am travelling with both of my kids, pre paying gratuities seems like quite a lot of money for one adult and two children. In this case, I prefer to tip the stateroom attendant and waiters myself. Also, my kids won’t eat with me in the main dining room and there is a lot more work for the stateroom attendant with three of us in a room.
When I am travelling with just my son I tend to pre pay gratuities, because I will use the dining room a lot more with him when it is just the two of us as I don’t have someone to help me watch him in the buffet area. I need to be able to sit down and watch him while the food is brought to us. I think generally when travelling as a single parent, you rely much more on the staff in all areas of the ship.
Who Gets The Tips?
Who knows! The staff aren’t allowed to talk about it, the cruise lines say it is shared out equally among the staff but I had one stateroom attendant tell me something quite interesting. He said that when they are guaranteed a minimum wage which factors in the anticipated prepaid gratuities. If that minimum is not met, then the cruise line have to make up the difference. So, lets suppose that no-one prepaid their gratuities, would the cruise line then have to dig deep and make up the wages? Would that then mean that the cash received directly by the staff would be extra money? I don’t know. I guess they have to declare it. But the truth is, the staff risk losing their jobs if they talk about it so I say that gratuities should be included in the price and we have the option of leaving an additional tip onboard if we wish.
What Do You Think?
Feel free to leave your comments below. I’d love to hear from you if you have some evidence of what actually happens with the tips.
It’s the time of year that the cruise industry goes into overdrive and it’s the first time in 8 years that I have not been part of the frenzy. January and February – aptly dubbed as Wave Season – are the biggest booking months of the year. Many cruise lines and cruise agencies impose a holiday embargo on their staff during this period as they want all hands on deck. Why? Because what happens in these two months, will have a huge impact on the sales strategy for the rest of the year.
How Does Wave Season Work?
It’s no surprise that the objective of any cruise line is to sell every cabin on every sailing at full price right? So, that is the aim of Wave Season. Here are the 4 key steps to ensuring its success.
1. Cruise lines create a sales strategy otherwise known as a Wave Campaign. This consists of booking incentives for customers and sales incentives for travel agents.
2. Travel Agents are bombarded with information daily if not hourly, about the offers and deals from cruise lines and seduced by irrisitable booking incentives. These are very generous and can vary from £20-£100 per booking on a pre paid MasterCard (in addition to the usual commission), to free cruises, special events, the latest Apple device, concert tickets, shop vouchers and more.
3. Direct and electronic mail is sent out by cruise lines and travel agencies, to coincide with tv, radio, newspaper and social media adverts. With a multi channel approach, they inevitibly generate enquiries from potential customers.
4. The result is, the customer is prompted to call a travel agent or cruise line as they have seen an offer that they like, the agent is looking to get that incentive so does everything in their power to turn that enquiry into a booking with them. The customer gets a great deal on their cruise, the travel agent gets the incentive and the cruise line has one less cabin to sell. Win, win, win. Or is it?
Is It Best To Book In Wave Season?
Ah now this has to be the most frequently asked question other than “Should I prepay gratuities?” I can only give you my opinion on this, which is based on 8 years experience in booking cruises for people. Please feel free to voice your own opinion in the comments below. Sharing our experiences really helps the community as a whole.
The answer is YES if;
There is only one particular cruise you want to go on.
You are travelling in peak season such as school holidays or Christmas.
You don’t mind what time you dine in the main dining room.
You can go last minute.
If you don’t drink alcohol.
What Happens After Wave?
The honest answer to this question is that no-one really knows. I imagine a few top executives have a few plans in place depending on the outcome of Wave, but the travel agent (see Who Should I Book My Cruise With) that you speak to has no idea what is coming until the day it arrives. The top cruise agencies and cruise line staff may be told one or two days in advance about an offer at best, but the truth of it is, the next offer will depend on how many cabins have already been filled.
Here’s My Advice to Customers
I believe there are two things to think about before you make your final decision to book your cruise. Firstly, if you can’t make your mind up between Cruise A or Cruise B, I always suggest imagining that both cruises are free. Then you can find out which one you REALLY want. I believe it is worth paying a little bit extra for the cruise that you want, rather than comprising your total satisfaction for a few quid.
Secondly, you may have reached a decision but think it will be better to hold off to see what happens with the prices. Before you decide to put yourself through months of checking prices, the stress of hoping it will go down in price, and that there will still be availability, think about the fact that you could get that cruise booked right away and then relax in the knowledge that you are going on a cruise.
Here’s My Advice to Travel Agents
If you give your best to your customers, the rest will follow. Don’t be distracted with the carrot of a freebie or the temptation to feed your ego and be at the top of the sales chart. Think about your relationship to your customers. If you can gain a trusting relationship with one customer, they will be yours for life. Not only that but they will tell their friends about you. In the long run, you will have a solid business which you can take with you anywhere. This will give you value as an employee and longevity in the business, as well as respect within the industry and amongst your customers. Reputation is key.
Win A Cruise
