Cruising Archives - Jim Murty’s TravelTravelTravel

Happy talkin’ in the South Pacific

15th April 202415th April 2024 funtime65

Talk about things we’d like to do… happy talkin’ in the South Pacific with Royal Caribbean.

It’s 75 years since Rodgers and Hammerstein showcased the musical and the South Pacific to Broadway audiences.

And in truth little has changed in the idyllic islands in the three-quarters of a century since.

Or going back even further to the 19th century when Robert Louis Stevenson left Scottish shores for the South Seas for his health.

A Cruise Mystery

Our pals at RC have billed their Sunny Views and Exotic Hues cruise as…

‘Go swimming with the humpback whales near Tonga.

‘Explore one of the only uninhabited places on Earth in Mystery Island.

‘Vanuata or simply relax and slip into island time.’

As well as the world’s second-largest double barrier reef around the islands of New Caledonia.

Humpback whales glide between the islands of Tonga.

While what’s not to be intrigued by among the Loyalty Islands.

Quantum force

RC offers a seven-night cruise from €706 for a balcony room on Quantum of the Seas, departing from Brisbane.

For dates in December, January, February and March.

Now you want to know about the ship… well, in the interests of research we tried it out in port in Barcelona.

Where among the features that caught our eye was the FlowRider.

With Irish surfer Gearoid and the cruise crew as our guides I took my board and set it against 100,000 litres of rushing amazingness on the surf simulator.

As with all cruises, and particularly RC, the food and drink is plentiful, mouth-watering and varied.

And the entertainment is different gravy.

Take in an epic fusion of music and innovation at Sonic Odyssey. Or dive into the mysteries of the sea in the spell-binding production, Starwater.

So as Rodgers & Hammerstein posited… if you haven’t got a dream then how you going to make a dream come true?

Go ahead, book your flight out to Australia and sign up for some happy talkin’ in the South Pacific.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Debussy Galore on the Moselle

1st April 20241st April 2024 funtime65

He was the most unaffected self-made man and delighted in his knowledge of just one composer, so my doctor dad would have alighted on Debussy Galore on the Moselle.

Quite why the French fin de siecle musician was his songsmith of choice I should have asked.

In their limited record collection there were no Debussy or any classic LPs, only folk, trad or Irish rebel albums my Mum acquired.

But he would answer every music question on every TV game show with an elongated Debuuuuussy and a big smile.

Whether Parisian Debussy had a special connection with the Moselle, Belgium or the Netherlands is doubtful too.

Claude hopper

But Riverside Luxury Cruises settled on Claude Debussy to carry their name and passengers along the great northern European waterways.

The Riverside Debussy sets sail on July 10 from Trier near the German and Luxembourg border.

And meanders its way for eight days to Amsterdam.

Sing me a Melody

Book with Platinum Travel stay in a Melody Suite for from €3,950pp with a 0% Single Supplement.

Trier where you’ll begin boasts impressive Roman ruins.

You’ll cruise north-east and stop in Bernkastel, a health resort and wine-growing centre.

And join the Rhine at Koblenz, whose distinctive Deutsches Eck (German Corner) houses symbols of German unity.

Continue to see the vibrant Old Town of Dusseldorf and our own recommendation here… take in Little Japan.

Before heading for Antwerp, where more than 70% of the world’s diamonds are traded.

Rotterdam is noted as one of Europe’s great ports and innovative Cube Houses.

And this being the Netherlands windmills, of course, and Zaanse Schans’collection of iconic twirly mills and wooden houses.

Before you disembark in awesome Amsterdam, and you all know how we feel about the great city of arts, bikes and crepes.

Compose yourself

So what’s stopping you if you want the best all-singing, all-dancing way to explore this part of Europe.

It has to be Debussy Galore on the Moselle with Riverside Cruises.

Now while RC will cover everyone on the ship you’ll need to find your own way to Trier.

With hub Frankfurt your airport with all major airlines landing there but Lufthansa our go-to for Germany.

Of course, back in the day when Dad and Mum were honeymooning in these parts that wasn’t an option.

And Dad drove through France, Germany and Belgium… hope Debussy was on the radio.

Countries, Cruising, Deals

Sail into the Northern Lights

25th February 202425th February 2024 funtime65

Ever dreamt you could sail into the Northern Lights… well, in eight years in the Aurora Borealis capital of Scotland I never once saw the Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen

Many delights though, The Northern Bar, St Machar, Red Lion (Beastie), Blue Lamp (Lampie), Hotel Metro (‘we won’t go there) and countless others.

But I’ll have to take Mary Webb’s word for it and her knowledge of the fishing port/pre-oil city of the Fifties.

Like the heroine of Mary’s song I too have been a traveller all of my years.

And too many a sight I’ve seen although not yet the Northern Lights.

The ROL thing

It seems though that I was nearer than I thought when we cruised the Norwegian fjords with MSC and reached bonnie Bergen.

Switching tack which is after all a marine metaphor.

See I did pick something up from the captain I have since alighted on what I need, the ROL Cruise 11-nighter Northern Lights Special.

In their Classic Northern Lights sale from £1,249pp.

Now, the ROL cruise leaves out of Bergen, departing on either Halloween, November 22 and December 15.

Day 2 will be Florø-Molde where we are promised Northern Blooms.

Known as ‘The City of Roses’ it offers a fabulous mountain panorama view.

Circle of life

Day 3 will take you from Kristiansand-Rørvik and Day 4 Brønnøysund-Svolvær.

Now this is where things get really exciting and you enter the Arctic Circle.

And mark the moment with a traditional ceremony.

Brønnøysund is situated on a narrow peninsula on the mainland, surrounded by islands and water.

Captain’s call

Now the next five days are all tongue-twisters.

Day 5 – Stokmarknes – Skjervøy Day 6 – Øksfjord – Berlevåg Day 7 – Båtsfjord – Berlevåg Day 8 – Mehamn – Tromsø Day 9 – Tromsø.

Sailing along Raftsund, the Captain truly earns their money.

They may choose to take the ship into tiny Trollfjord if the weather allows.

The mountain walls will look so close you’ll think you can reach out and brush them!

To exit the fjord, the ship will rotate 180 degrees on the spot.

And we’re advised to keep an eagle-eye out for sea eagles.

Midnight sun

Day 10 will see you go from Bodø – Rørvik.

You can admire the midnight sun from Mount Ronvikfjellet or take a stroll along the chalk-white beach.

Day 11 is Trondheim-Ålesund, Day 12 – Ålesund back to Bergen, Norway.

And then disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight to London.

To show off your pictures, Instas and videos and TikToks to friends and family.

From when you got to sail into the Northern Lights.

Countries, Cruising, UK

On the banks of the Thames

8th December 20238th December 2023 funtime65

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since I first washed up on the banks of the Thames.

With liquid lunches and post-work drinks taken in Reading’s leafy neighbourhood of Caversham.

The flow of time has seen us move on since I first took up a pencil in anger.

And she snapped the great and the good and was deservedly garlanded.

But still Old Father Thames rolls on and sometimes I roll on a cruise on the river.

Now you wouldn’t expect me to have to get the tube through London.

Le Boat comes in

And boats of all shades and sizes drift down the river.

With our old friends at Le Boat more than holding their own with those around them.

Meandering down from royal Hampton Court.

Down through our old Reading and Windsor stomping grounds to Oxford’s dreaming spires.

Drive it yourself

And why? Because they are offering savings of 15% off all boating holidays for next year.

When choosing budget and comfort boats for short breaks of three to six nights.

And boating holidays of seven nights or more, when booked before Christmas Day.

A self-drive Le Boat cruise allows holidaymakers to explore the western section of the river.

Here, moorings are easy to find and the distance between locks is greater than at the river’s eastern end, which means more cruising.

A royal cruise

Stop at King Henry VIII’s home at Hampton Court, head to his successor Charles’s Windsor for a tour of the Castle.

Or visit Eton College, where 20 prime ministers were schooled.

A seven-night self-catered cruise on the River Thames, departing on 25 March, starts and finished at Le Boat’s base at Benson.

On board a Caprice sleeping up to six, is priced from £1,539/£256.50pp (£1,819/£303pp,saving 15%).

Transport to and from the base is not included.   

So whether you’re taking a trip down Memory Lane (and a memorable Christmas party cruise) off the Piper’s Island pier.

Or you’re a first-timer get away from it all on the banks of the Thames.

America, Countries, Cruising, Deals

The new Celebrity loves us tender

20th October 202320th October 2023 funtime65

I do love me tender and know this too.., the new Celebrity loves us tender too.

And that’ll be why their floating tender has become a fixture on Celebrity Cruises.

You always get a special floaty feeling aboard a cruise ship.

But none so floaty as the moving Magic Carpet.

Which we discovered for ourselves when we sailed on the inaugural launch of the $1billion Edge off Florida.

Carpet fitters

Tender living care: Celebrity’s Magic Carpet

At the top of the ship it hosts the delicious Dinner on the Edge.

Down to Deck 14, the Magic Carpet becomes an extension of the main pool area.

And on Deck 5, it opens out onto an open-air dining experience.

And at the bottom on Deck 2, it becomes an extension of luxury at the Destination Gateway.

Of course, the Magic Carpet which takes you down to a disembarkation boat for day outings to the Bahamas, or wherever, is just one of its cutting-Edge features.

Heaven Ascent

Feast for the senses: Celebrity culinary

Now our friends at Celebrity never rest and are showcasing their new ship Celebrity Ascent next month.

Where we can also look forward to the Rooftop Garden, The Solarium, and Eden.

There will, of course, be plenty of ascending on Ascent with 17 decks and room for up to 3,260 guests in double occupancy.

But you will, of course, have plenty of places to recline and refuel.

With 32 distinct restaurants, bars, and lounges.

Bahamian rhapsody

All good to finish that Bahamas cruise set in front of us on that inaugural Celebrity Cruise preview.

Its three-night Bahamas Getaway, starting from £540pp on November 26.

Leaving port central, Fort Lauderdale. While CC are tempting us too with a hop-on hop-off Debark Tour of Miami (ending at FLL Airport).

And that will save you walking aimlessly block to block in the wrong part of Miami.

Countries, Cruising

MSC, it’s deadly

18th October 202319th October 2023 funtime65

You don’t have to be cop-turned-cabaret singer Jack Grayling to work out that the Good Ship Murder is MSC, it’s deadly.

As soon as you see that deep purple lobby carpeting and Swarovski crystal staircases, all 80,000 bits of them, you know you’re home.

On the same MSC Virtuosa we sashayed down on a port visit in Dublin back in the day.

The Good Ship Murder is the new guilty pleasure Channel 5 whodunit in the sun (or whosunit if you will) for the winter.

Which glided into La Rochelle in its first outing last week.

Ooh La La Rochelle

It gave us the chance to see L’Ile de Ré, the port and the beaches where the wicked deed was done.

While the city in the south-west of France also boasts..

A medieval old town, Courbon Castle, gardens and Coulon, the Green Venice.

Of course, all the destinations on the show are on the MSC roster.

With the jewel of Portugal, Lisbon, trailed for this Friday, October 20.

We expect that the show’s writers will come up with more and more inventive plots and modus operandi.

But not having had an advance peek at the episodes we can only speculate.

That the choice of weapon this week is a poisoned Portuguese custard tart, the Pasteis de Nata.

Lisbon lie-ins

There are a choice of MSC cruises from Lisboa within Europe.

And like Magellan and Da Gama of old, across to the Americas.

When in port, of course, MSC put on a portfolio of itineraries.

So you will want to take in the noted Lisbon trams on a tour of the city.

While they will take you further afield to our old pilgrimage pit stop of Fatima.

And it never hurts to get the prayers in.

Sacred heart: La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

We can look forward in the coming weeks to visiting Valencia, Barcelona, Le Havre, Valletta and more in the coming weeks.

MSC Virtuosa accommodates over 6,000 guests.

With 10 dining venues, 21 bars, five swimming pools, top ents.

And Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea.

Hold on tight: With the Scary One on MSC

Now we notice that the fjords of Norway, where we visited with MSC, don’t seem to be on that list.

Where perhaps the genesis of the idea for The Good Ship Murder was formed!

When on a rainy morning on deck while leaning over the rail I felt a hand on my shoulder.

From my Scary One.

Still smarting from a perceived injustice, probably around maxing out the credit card in the on-board boutiques.

MSC, it’s deadly so enjoy The Good Ship Murder for what it is.

Because the only thing you’re likely to murder is the buffet.

Countries, Cruising

On a ROL cruising around the world

11th October 202311th October 2023 funtime65

Now if you’ve got a spare £1,549 down the back of your sofa and want to get away from it all why not get on a ROL cruising around the world.

The round-the-world cruise is of course the ultimate in travel aspiration though as I’m constantly reminded SHE has already circumnavigated the globe as a child.

Coming back from Australia on a working ship under the stewardship of her parents and visiting Tahiti, enjoying a Neptune crossing the Equator party and going through the Panama Canal.

For the rest of us we need to save our pennies for a lifetime although thankfully our friends at ROL are keen to help us out by cutting the price.

Panama chat

Pitching Arcadia’s official 2026 no-fly Grand World Voyage from only £99 per night it all hinges on that magical Panama Canal crossing.

You will, of course, be 100 nights at sea with six overnight stays and a full daytime transit of the canal.

Now your cruise which sets out on January 2026 will take you from Southampton to an atlas of countries (you do the counting!)

You’ll see Seville (from Cadiz) and one of the most beautiful harbours in the world in Valletta in Malta.

And get your first canal under your belt with a transit of the Suez and take in the Middle East and the Gulf.

Before your first overnighter in Dubai.

Asia and Oceania

You’ll dip your feet in the Sub-Continent in Colombo, Sri Lanka , take in south-east Asia before another overnighter in Singapore.

And that’ll set you up for your city-hopping odyssey of Australia and New Zealand before going all tropical in Fiji.

Say Aloha, or Howiya to Hawaii with another overnighter, in Honolulu.

Aperitifs in the New World

Sign of the times: Jimmy in old Los Angeles

ROL clearly don’t want to make waves with the Californians by getting involved in the big debate of whose city is better.

So they’ll get you off board in San Francisco and Los Angeles for overnighters.

Give you a sight of Manzanillo, Mexico, that unforgettable passaged through the Panama Canal, and a taste of Caribbean life.

SHE likes to regale us of when she visited Curacao, where the sea is as blue as their liqueur, although I hit back with Bridgetown, Barbados.

You’ll see both.

Before you head across the Atlantic and touch ground on the westernmost part of Europe, the Azores.

Early bird

Now what you need to know is that you’ll get on-board spending money of up to £1,910 if you pre-book by 8pm next Wednesday, October 18 to secure the lowest price.

And you’ll be on a ROL cruising around the world.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, South America

Pleasure cruise in the Falklands

25th September 202325th September 2023 funtime65

If you had a uniform and a gun you used to get there for free… but now the only big ships breaking the waves are a pleasure cruise in the Falklands.

This time too we come in peace which is what the Falklands offers, a tranquility that is hard to find in this hustle bustle world.

Our friends at ROL Cruises have the very thing, a 27-nighter which, in these more stable times, even includes a stop-off in Argentina.

A modern task force

This is MS Maud’s maiden season in the Antarctica including five days of icy exploration.

With exclusive savings of up to £6,200.

And an additional discount of up to £875 per booking, book by 8pm, September 30.

You’ll kick off your adventure rather differently than the fabled Brits from the Falklands.

Flying in from London for a Buenos Aires overnighter at a 4* overnighter.

Where you can go full Argentinian with a dinner and tango excursion.

Landing on the Falklands

The locals: The penguins are out in force

Take the next three days to enjoy the ship and sea and appreciate the feast you’ll enjoy rather than those soldiers’ rations.

Before you get to explore three days in the Falkland archipelago.

Enjoy a community walk around Stanley, taking in the Jubilee Villas gardens, Christ Church Cathedral and the Historic Dockyard Museum.

ROL’s landings, hikes and excursions are guided by the conditions.

But fingers crossed you’ll be able to visit albatross and penguin colonies.

And they are often found sharing space with seals.

South Georgia on our minds

And those of us old enough to have lived through those days will recall that it was South Georgia where the Falklands War started.

And your next two days will be spent cruising towards the island.

Of course there is more wildlife here than human life and that’s no bad thing.

The Expedition Team will fill you in on the polar history, geology and glaciology.

You’ll spend three days in the ‘Serengeti of the Southern Ocean’.

Its unique position free from sea ice makes the island a breeding site for large colonies of penguins, other seabirds and seals.

An Important Bird Area, it is home to albatrosses, petrels, shags, skuas and terns.

The team will also try to get you out to Grytviken, the final resting place of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton.

All white

Of course the highlight is getting to where the sea runs out and the ice begins.

When you see the icebergs in all their glory and its inhabitants, the Gentoo, Chinstrap and Adélie penguins.

You’ll spend four days exploring several possible landing sites, the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands.

You may also get a chance to go kayaking among icebergs and seals, or snowshoe to a stunning viewpoint

Before you take on Drake’s Passage, and we picked up on our travels that if you put a plaster behind your ear it will allay seasickness.

Chile chilly waters

And afore ye go you’ll transfer from Puntas Arenas, Chile, to Santiago to spend your last night in a 4* hotel before flying back to London.

ROL offers a choice of cabins but we imagine you’ll want the Arctic Suite (yes, we know that’s the icy north, but…).

The Arctic Suite comes in at £10,699, down from £12,099.

But you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty and serenity of one of the last unspoiled places on Earth.

On a pleasure cruise in the Falklands.

Asia, Caribbean, Countries, Cruising

Yacht join the fast set like Beyoncé

22nd September 202322nd September 2023 funtime65

We’re working ourselves up to the David Geffen or Diddy class and we imagine you’re the same… really, yacht join the fast set like Beyoncé.

One of the many advantages of travelling the world is getting wined and dined in exotic locations.

Where the super rich have been before.

And royalty, with Princess Margaret (Queen Elizabeth’s party-loving wee sis) christening the sea around Tobago on her honeymoon Nylon Pool.

As it’s so clear it resembled nylon stockings.

While we stood on that Caribbean sea bank Mags had probably done and can Geffen or Jeff Bezos or Barry Diller or Diddy.

Well, probably but we reckon if you’ve got the facilities of the world’s most expensive yacht, Geff’s $590m superyacht, you’ll stay on board.

Yacht to party with us

Of course, you don’t have to have the keys to a super yacht to enjoy yourself.

Or be the king and queen of hip hop like Diddy and Beyoncé to enjoy a good oul’ sing song.

Because give me a captain’s hat and a boom box on the Bosphorus and they say my name, say my name.

While whether you’re Bandanaman, Joe or Joanna Public or a diva the sunset is still the same around the Maldives.

And would you get a superstar going off piste and trying to cross disputed territory between Jordan and Israel on the Red Sea?

Geff’s gaff

But because we know you want to look through the keyhole to see how the super rich play we’re jumping on board with Ritzy Charters.

RC scoped Geff’s gaff to show us 82 (count them) rooms.

The yacht can accommodate around 18 guests and 55 crew members.

With a basketball court, wine cellar and an impressive luxurious cinema.

Yacht to see the others

Bezos’s tub on the sea is second most expensive at $500m and is the largest sailing yacht on the planet.

The Y721, also named Koru (Māori for strength, new life and peace) boasts a great-sized pool on its deck.

And accommodation for up to 18 guests and 40 crew members with Māori art to the fore.

Diane von Furstenberg and Barry Diller have a $200 million Eos super yacht rippling the waves.

Now if you’re lucky enough to be one of their 14 guests you’ll be bowled over by their glass staircase, a 14-foot world map, a jacuzzi and a figurehead of Diane.

Now for only $120m the VENUS yacht of Steve Jobs’ widow Laurene Powell ticks all the boxes.

The superyacht can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins and 22 crew members in 14 cabins.

And eek, the vessel’s annual running cost is around $10-$15m!

The Diddy of them all

The fifth most expensive celebrity-owned yacht is The Maraya, owned by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ and Beyoncé’s Maraya is only fifth dearest.

And guess what, he rents out the $65 million superyacht for $300,000 per week.

But you can always split that among your 12 guests at a time in six cabins.

And as you’d expect there’s all mod cons such as a sundeck jacuzzi, gym and wellness area, not to mention its very own chef.

Really, yacht join the fast set like Beyoncé.

But if you can’t make the most of what you’ve got.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe, Ireland

Ireland Iceland Island Fireland

17th September 202316th September 2023 funtime65

The financial joke was that the difference was one letter and six months, but we’re not the only ones linking Ireland Iceland Island Fireland.

Although it has taken our friends at Celebrity Cruises to make it a cruise route.

Celebrity is offering 11 nights for €1,684pp, on Apex, departing Southampton for Cork (Cobh) on June 27.

And taking in the pride of Iceland, Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Akureyri and making a detour to Kirkwall (Orkney Islands).

They are also offering up to 75% second guest, saving included.

Up to $200 to spend onboard and free parking in Southampton.

Navigating the waters

Now these may be uncharted waters for even the most experienced of cruisers.

But one of the most famous explorers of them all sailed this way 1,500 years ago.

Yes, only the first Westerner to reach America.

No, not that one, Christopher Columbus.

But St Brendan the Navigator who called Iceland the Land of the Smiths on account of the volcanoes.

Now Smithsland would, of course, have been a very different place.

But they’re right about something, there is a light that never goes out in the land of Ice and Fire… and the Northern Lights.

On-board luxury

You’ll enjoy five days at sea when hopefully you’ll get to see sharks just like Bren did back in the 6th century.

So you’ll be able to relax at the cabanas, disconnect at the art gallery.

Play Jenga on the rooftop garden, dance away at the club or pamper up at the salon.

And among the entertainment and culinary spaces we have happy memories of Eden from Celebrity Edge off Florida.

So follow in the footsteps of one of the great seaman, St Brendan the Navigator.

And make this your summer cruise next year… Ireland Iceland Island Fireland