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Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe, Ships

No Flim-Flam follow the fjords up to the Arctic

1st February 2025 funtime65

And when you imagine what’s over the Arctic then you think… no Flim-Flam follow the fjords up to the Arctic.

Not that we’d change anything about our MSC cruise in Norway.

Well, maybe the fog that descended on the day trippers on the Flam railway.

And the only way to do that is to stay on the right side of the Norse gods.

Circle with Celebrity

Of course not even the great Norwegian railways can carry you as high as the Arctic.

So to get in among the ice you’ll need to cruise there.

But while it’ll be a slow boat to the Circle you’ll have to get your skates on to avail of the Celebrity Cruises 2025 offer.

With bonus savings of up to €600 per room that ends February 3.

You’ll spend 12 days on Celebrity Apex from €2,189pp on July 5.

Departing Southampton and easing yourself into your cruise with a day at sea.

Jazzing it up

Your first port of call will be Haugesund where each summer they jazz things up with a music spectacular and a film festival.

Which will get you in the mood for Flam,

Where you can rumble 2,800ft up the wilds of Norway.

Or kayak through the calm waters of the Aurlandsfjord.

Now it’s as well to have all the deities on your side and you’ll get that opportunity on Olden.

Visiting Olden Old Church, built in 1759 on the site of the original stave church dating back to the 14th century.

Northern Lights and Midnight Suns

You’ll spend a day at sea to get to its capital Tromso.

Prime location for Northern Lights spotters and cable car vistas.

Nicknamed ‘The Paris of the North’ Tromso has an enviable culinary scene.

And we’re advised to have a pint at Mack’s Ølhallen, one of the world’s northernmost breweries.

While for culture vultures Tromso is well-served.

With the Arctic Cathedral and its stained-glass window, the Tromsø Cathedral; the Polaria and Perspective museums.

Gateway to the Arctic

By Day 8 the anticipation will be up and you’ll be transfixed when you see Honningsvag on the island of Magerøya.

Tagged the Gateway to the Arctic Circle the fishing town was rebuilt after World War II.

And it is one of the best places to experience the ‘midnight sun.’

Turning round you’ll head to Molde, ‘the town of roses’.

And hike up to the Varden Viewpoint.

And take in the scenery of the Molde Panorama and 22 snow-capped mountains and sparkling fjords.

Take to the Pulpit

Stavanger will be your last stop-off before heading back to England.

So it’s good to know you’re not overdoing it on the hike.

To Pulpit Rock, the cliff rising over 1800ft above the sea, with views of the Lysefjord and the surrounding lush terrain.

Of course, you’ll be well-served on a Celebrity cruise but there’s a further cornucopia of options on land.

Including outstanding fish and mussels, with French American, Japanese, and Indian influences found throughout the city.

Now your final day will be your last chance to unwind with the R&R on board.

Lounge by the pool, be spoiled at the spa and taste the delicacies or brush up on your putting (where else?)

Before arriving back on English terra firma.

And tell your friends and family not to Flim-Flam follow the fjords up to the Arctic.

America, Canada, Countries, Cruising, Ships

A deal for Greenland

19th January 202519th January 2025 funtime65

It’s the kind of offer The Donald himself would be celebrating… a deal for Greenland.

And Oceania Cruises are pitching an Iceland, Greenland and Canada in the Fall 20-night package with savings of up to 20%.

You’ll fly from London Heathrow to the Icelandic capital Reyjkavik on August 25 and make your way on the cruise ship Insignia to the fishing village of Husavik for whale-watching.

Skjalfandi Bay boasts minke, humpback and blue whales and white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises.

Before heading for The Donald’s next real estate acquisition.

Green with envy

All the human life in Greenland is in the south in Qaqortoq (and you’re welcome for that Scrabble word).

Qaqortoq is known for its stunning fjord views and colourful buildings.

You’ll visit the Greenland National Museum and see the famous Stone & Man sculptures throughout the area.

You can also take a boat trip around the nearby islands and hike up the Sermitsiaq mountain.

Or enjoy the vibrant local culture and delicious Greenlandic cuisine.

Old Canada and New England

This year’s blond: ‘The Donald’ in New York

Now you’ll go back in time for the Canadian leg of your odyssey to Saint John, New Brunswick, the country’s oldest city.

Known for its rich maritime history, highlights include the Reversing Falls, historic architecture and the Saint John City Market.

The Oceania Cruise bills itself as Iceland, Greenland and Canada but you’ll also get to enjoy the charms of New England too.

And visit Bar Harbor, Maine, Boston, Massachusetts and President Trump’s home city New York where you’ll fly back to London.

Ship ahoy

Your Ocean View cabin will come in at £5,799pp, down from £7,519.

And we’re advised to book by 8pm on January 26 to receive a free case of wine.

Now a bit about the ship… and Insignia is midsize with an elegant yet contemporary atmosphere.

With all the features you would expect… baristas, Grand Bar, bridge, card room, boutique, casino, shuffleboard, fitness center and track and putting greens.

There’s a Grand Dining Room, library, lounge, dining experiences and pool.

A spa terrace, steam room, styling salon and sun deck.

Not that our friend The Donald would ever need any toning up.

It all adds up to a deal for Greenland and we should all jump on board.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS

Africa, Countries, Cruising, Europe, Ships

MSC killing it again on their whodunit drama

15th January 202515th January 2025 funtime65

And of course we never have to leave our armchair with MSC killing it again on their whodunit drama it’s just more fun if we do.

We jumped right on board when we heard that our old cruise chums had lent their name.

Ship hot: Kate and Jack and The Good Ship Murder

And showpiece ship Virtuoso to the Shayne Ward and Catherine Tyldseley series.

Now we’re glad to say that we’ve enjoyed the pleasure of sailing with MSC.

And can vouch for the unmatched entertainment and hospitality they offer.

Although we never did see any passengers get killed.

Although The Scary One might have been tempted on more than one occasion and had me leaning over the edge too.

Hopping around the hotspots

Viewers have been hooked since on the scrapes Shayne’s crooner Jack and the ship’s First Officer get into as sailing sleuths in The Good Ship Murder.

Now it’s no reveal that the plots are thin but it never bills itself as Morse .

And is of course just an excuse for some escapism and a glimpse into the ship and the exotic destinations.

And so we have been transported at our leisure around the hotspots of Europe and North Africa, many which we’re glad to say we’ve enjoyed.

La Rochelle, the pride of south-west France, Lisbon, the gateway to the New World.

Precious Palma in Majorca, mystical Sicily, operatic Barcelona and the jewel of the Med, Malta’s Valletta.

And of course the Moroccan legend that is Casablanca where they always say ‘Sail it again’.

From Rome to Dubrovnik

We were caught out somewhat when Jack and Kate returned to the high seas in Rome.

To find out that Claire Sweeney’s ents manager Beverley was no longer on board.

And worried that someone had done her in but phew there was a Christmas episode lurking in our Catch Ups.

And in the Pearl of the Adriatic too, Dubrovnik, where we had spent our Pearl Anniversary year at the end of last year.

Ports of call

Good Ship Murder has promised us a whistle stop tour of other magical destinations over the coming winter weeks.

While we shiver back here in damp Britain and Ireland.

And we’re looking forward to some more of our favourites like the Canaries, Gozo and Athens.

And maybe they’re keeping the glorious and supernatural Norwegian fjords for the next series.

Either way we’re happy to see MSC killing it again on their whodunit drama.

MEET YOU ON THE SHIP

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Ya dancer it’s Strictly on Saga Italy and Croatia tours

3rd January 20253rd January 2025 funtime65

The New Year is when you make your new cruise plans and ya dancer we’ve found it’s Strictly on Saga Italy and Croatia tours.

All of which plays right into My Wee Jigger’s territory with her having withdrawal symptoms after Strictly wrapped up for the season.

Yes, of course, she’ll be taking in one of the tour dates this year but there’s always room for one more dance.

And where better than the high seas where Saga are taking the best samba and salsa stars there are around the Adriatic and the Italian Riviera?

On Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery.

Glitterball on the seas

My old paymasters, they’re the ones now serving us, shared the exciting news about the celebrity hoofers coming on board this year.

Luba Mushtuk and 2024 finalist Vito Coppola will be delivering showstopping performances in Saga Cruises’ Playhouse theatre.

While 2024 finalist Lauren Oakley, who danced with JB Gill after Amy Dowden was injured), and Neil Jones will join them in the Italian Riviera.

While Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington will join them in Croatia.

That’s not all though as newscaster and pirouetting pensioner Angela Rippon will also be on board in Croatia.

To talk about her life and career, the iconic moment she danced with Morecambe and Wise.

To the lands of Discovery: The Western Med

All this and much more over 22 nights on Spirit of Adventure, sailing on February 28 and taking in Croatia and the Treasures of the Adriatic, from £6,988pp.

And 18 nights on Spirit of Discovery around The Western Mediterranean and Italian Riviera, sailing on March 26, from £4,999pp.

Spirit of Strictly

Leaving from Portsmouth your Adriatic trip will actually start in the English Channel, traverse the Bay of Biscay and Atlantic and entering the Med through Gibraltar and Malaga.

Saga promises five included panoramic excursions, Malaga, the peerless harbour of Valletta, Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic, Split and Cagliari.

While the Spirit of Adventure will scoot you around an old favourite sea route, the Western Med.

With Gibraltar, Palma in Majorca, Livorno in Italy and Cádiz in Spain all pencilled in for panoramic excursions.

So what’s keeping you, the new year is the time to resolve to go cruising if you never have, and more if you have.

Ya dancer it’s Strictly on Saga Italy and Croatia tours.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS

America, Countries, Cruising, Deals

I’m a birthday celebrity get me out to there

23rd November 202423rd November 2024 funtime65

Because I knew they wouldn’t forget… I’m a birthday celebrity get me out to there.

The ‘there’ being the Bahamas which our friends at Celebrity Cruises had taken us to for the maiden voyage of Celebrity Edge.

On their tender, or boat, to give us sight of the islands.

Before turning right back without getting off.

Although, of course, getting back on board the $1m super cruise ship is never a hardship.

And also because they know how we flow Celebrity are luring us out again with a special birthday inducement.

Of a €50 saving per stateroom Ocean View, Veranda Concierge Class or Aqua Class €100 per stateroom saving or the Retreat stateroom €200 saving.

With the code BIRTHDAY to redeem.

Bahamian rhapsody

Our gaze fixed on Key West and the Bahamas, both of which have been on our horizon but honed out of view the nearer we got to them.

With suitcase packed and passport at the ready when the US shut the door behind them when Covid visited.

And this beardie missed out on his chance to walk in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway

And hook up with the second-most famous Glaswegian Billy Connolly, after myself, in his adopted land.

Celebrity is offering four nights on board Celebrity Summit.

Leaving from Fort Lauderdale from €365pp with up to 75 per cent off for a second guest and a saving of up to €700 per room.

As part of their Black Friday event with flight offers too.

While if you want to follow the other celebs to the Dom Rep.

Then Celebrity is also offering an Eastern Caribbean cruise from €365pp.

Happy Birthday to me

Now, as much as our cruise chums make us all feel unique we suspect that they are offering every one of their past clients this offer.

But, hey, we’ll keep the fantasy going because that’s what sailing on Celebrity is.

So you can keep your Aussie jungle, I’m a birthday celebrity get me out to there. To the Bahamas.

Countries, Cruising, Ships, UK

Celebrity Malala to Stena’s Fairy Pawmother

16th November 202416th November 2024 funtime65

Ship ahoy and cruiseheads don’t need me to tell them about naming conventions – but this is a new one on me as I float from Celebrity Malala to Stena’s Fairy Pawmother.

Every ship has her very own fairy godmother.

And contemporary godmums have moved on and got younger.

With crew on Celebrity Edge requesting the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner to launch their pioneering ship on its maiden voyage to the Bahamas.

With a cast of VIPs, Alesha Dixon, Kelly Hoppen, myself et al.

Pet project

On the Edge: And treated like a Celebrity

Fast forward to today and we’re celebrating a very different VIP… a very important pawson if you will.

The pick of Stena’s 87,500 pets crossing the Irish Sea.

Four-year-old Kea donates both her blood to help critically ill canines and her time to help train a generation of aspiring vets.

Kea saw off competition from 4,000 pets.

The competition marks Stena’s enhanced experience which includes 70 animal-friendly cabins across its Irish Sea routes.

And pet lounges on its Stena Superfast vessels operating between Belfast and Cairnryan, my old stomping ground.

Kea royal

At just eight-weeks-old, Kea found her forever home as part of Belfast belle Serena Maini and her family.

Over the years, Kea has been helping Serena at the Royal Veterinary College in London, both as a teaching dog and a blood donor.

Serena says: ‘Kea loves taking the trip from Cairnryan to see my family in Belfast.

‘It is incredibly pet friendly and super convenient. She has made the trip four times now.’

Pets win prizes

As well as the aforementioned those pet friendly facilities include kennels or dog lodges during the journey.

Guests can prebook the Pet Lounge from only £20 per pet.

Or where applicable, a pet-friendly cabin from only £55 per cabin (maximum two pets per booking).

All passengers who wish to travel with their pet in the pet lounge or cabin must pre-book in advance of travel.

And ensure all necessary vaccinations and documentation is up to date.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe, Ships

Wave goodbye and thanks Croatia and isle be back

19th October 202419th October 2024 funtime65

Mahmuti zbogom i Hvala Croatia i isle be back.

Or for those who aren’t fluent by now in Hravatska wave goodbye and thanks Croatia and isle be back.

Which, of course, in this idiosyncratic strip of a country of 1,423 islands means waving goodbye to a pancake machine.

Which is how we kickstart the contraption in the buffet at the Grand Park Hotel.

Playing to the balcony: The Grand Park Hotel, Dubrovnik

On our loveholidays and EasyJet odyssey in Dubrovnik.

It would, of course, be back on our kitchen worktop by now.

Had the Mother of all Dragons not packed the suitcase to the brim with olive oil from the islands.

A scoot around the Elaphiti Islands

We have, in truth, barely made an indentation on those 1,423 isles in our seven days here.

But we did bag three more, the Elaphiti Islands with Get Your Guide (from €60pp) on our last day.

And now with luscious Lokrum, just 700m from Old Town Dubrovnik already explored that makes four.

In all honesty, the Elaphiti Islands lacked the charm, or peacocks, of Lokrum.

And contrary to Pliny the Elder’s claims despite the origins of their name there are no deer on these Elaphiti Islands.

Although plenty of wee Croatian Old Dears, one of whom in Sipan fluttered her eyelids.

To draw Herself into buying her olive oil.

The cutting crew

We have come here on Triton which we pick up from the marina having been driven to the shore from our hotel.

Lorenzo, our dreadlocked polyglot Italian guide and Jakob, his barefooted Polish pal deckhand, get the party going.

We start with Abba and I am reminded of my starring part in Jimmy, Jimmy (A man after midnight) on the Bosphorus.

But word must have reached them and I am not asked to reprise it.

Jakob gives us a pep with plum Rakija chasers and Lorenzo tops us up with Dalmatian wine.

Choose your church

Now if you love yourself an oul’ church then the Elaphiti Islands, and Dubrovnik in general, will be right up your ulica.

With one church for every one in the audience.

Although you imagine St Jerome the Hermit wouldn’t have shared his.

And his doors on Lopud are shut when we visit.

My little flower: Herself on the islands

Our time on the islands is alas too brief, 45 minutes each, although we do get to leaf through the botanic gardens.

But hardly enough to get lost on the steep rocky steps in Sipan which houses a positively throbbing 419 residents.

To get to yet another monastery ruins and meet another moggie.

Bare truth about departure time

Now you’d think 45 minutes would be long enough for a nudist beach.

On Kolocep which boasts just 163 inhabitants and just as many cats.

But alas it is too far out to get there and back in time for departure.

With Jakob saying Triton leaves bang on time, kit or sans kit.

In search of a dense hot chocolate

Now despite everyone on the isles seemingly working in the hospitality sector not one serves la ciocolatta di calda densa.

The thick hot chocolate, sometimes found in Dubrovnik, and always in Italia.

There is enough time on our eight-hour boat trip though for Lorenzo and Jakob to wine and dine us some more.

With no shortage of fresh fish, chicken and vegetarian fare all part of the package.

While spirits and coffee are budget prices.

Negotiating the waves

Lorenzo and I parliamo Italiano as we rise to the rhythm of the waves and the Cuban dance music.

And I feel I have made a connection when I share that I loved visiting his hometown Bergamo.

That is until I over-reach and mangle my Italian greeting.

And when I shortchange him at the end when he gets the tip bucket out our prospects of being amichi fade.

And my parting ciao falls on deaf ears without even a buona notte e sogni d’oro in return.

Still, my pancake machine the next morning at breakfast loves and understands me.

So I head for home with a wave goodbye and thanks Croatia and isle be back.

And my wee pancake machine waves back.

Countries, Cruising, Ireland, Ships, UK

Stena’s Holyhead family hub is a racing cert

3rd October 20243rd October 2024 funtime65

It wasn’t always like this, for Fiftysomethings it was toy cars on the deck, but for today’s kids Stena’s Holyhead family hub is a racing cert.

It is safe to say that Seventies chidren, or maybe just this lad, got to know the deck of the ferry pretty well.

On those schoolday Easter trips from Stranraer to Larne with my Dear Old Mum, on our way to her Co. Donegal homestead.

And always on my eyes ducking passengers’ feet.

The Irish Sea diaspora

For those of the Irish Sea diaspora, and with air prices sky high, the car ferry was always the vessel of choice.

With the good people of Donegal and the north of Ireland always decamping to Scotland on account of its proximity.

And those from Dublin and the south relocating to England through the port of Holyhead on Anglesey.

The ferries became a window into the world of the Irish Diaspora on the move.

Men exchanging the craic in a swirl of smoke and booze in the bar.

And the women trying to keep their kids under control as their kids whizzed their newly procured toy cars through’ folks’ legs.

Bells and whistles

Times have, of course, changed.

And no tech-savvy kid would put up with a toy car for entertainment on a ferry.

And Stena has too with its bells and whistles family hub to keep Mum, Dad and Junior happy… and outta the way.

With an interactive wall, digital floor projections and a cutting-edge gaming corner, Stena Line.

And there’s space too on the top-of-the-range Estrid which I’ve road tested and so has their team of kid testers.

Estrid’s family hub boast a seating capacity for 115.

And Stena offers a 2.2 family and car return from Dublin to Holyhead on board the top-of-the-range Estrid from £353

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Easy flow today round the canals of Strasbourg

22nd September 2024 funtime65

There is an easy flow today round the canals of Strasbourg, the historically sought-after and fought-after French border bastion.

Canal boats now float through the jewel of Alsace-Lorraine, passengers disembarking to walk its cobbled stones.

Where once they resounded to the heavy thuds of army boots.

Alsace-Lorraine, the very name resonates from the pages of school history books.

The French Revolution, the Franco-Prussian War, two world wars.

EuroCentral Strasbourg

Strasbourg is a symbol of the European project with the first meeting of the European Parliamentary Assembly held here in 1958.

The predecessor to the European Parliament which succeeded the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community.

And now home to the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.

The latter, the last refuge for British Europhiles, which Eurosceptics naturally want rid.

Too much politics already, we hear you scream.

Riviera of dreams

But that’s why we’re here, to persuade you to explore the corridors of power in Strasbourg, as we did in the late Eighties.

And why not do it in style with Riviera Travel?

With eight days from €1799pp based on two sharing.

Of course, you do the politics, Riviera will do the patisserie, plonk and picturesque vistas.

You’ll leave from Cathedral City Koln, drifting down to Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle.

Heidelberg for steins

If the Rhine and the Moselle conjure up wine then Heidelberg is home to a very special stein store.

A staple stop-off on an Oktoberfest bus booze cruise.

Your Riviera cruise will help you, as billed here, lap up the easy flow today round the canals of Strasbourg.

And take you deep into Colmar in the heart of Alsace as your terminus.

Toast of the canals

Before turning you around and taking you back to Koln.

You’ll get seven nights on board a five-star ship with a free drinks passage and full board dining.

With return flights and transfers, return Eurostar and transfers.

There will be 11 included experiences and a Riviera Cruise Director and Concierge.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Europe’s longest road/rail bridge Denmark-Sweden

19th August 202419th August 2024 funtime65

Few structures underscore a city’s importance as the bridge that runs through it, particularly when it links two countries as with Europe’s longest road/rail bridge Denmark-Sweden.

Living in and around Edinburgh over two spells for nigh on 15 years I am treated to the spectacle that are the Forth Road and Rail Bridges.

And its cycle path, where you can breathe in the Firth of Forth Air and admire the Rail Bridge.

As captivating an experience as the Forth Bridges are they are bested in scale by the Øresund Bridge.

The 8km/4km bridge/tunnel connecting the Swedish coastline and Copenhagen.

All of which you might recognise from the Scandi Noir series The Bridge.

Scandi connections

Ride on: With Herself and American Tom in Copenhagen

Of course, Denmark and its Scandinavian neighbours are connected.

By more than its impressive Millennial bridge.

With Denmark, Sweden and Norway all bonded together at points in history through royalty.

On the right track: Great Railway Journeys

And today through its cultural links and rail network, all brought together by the likes of Great Rail Journeys.

GRJ, a great favourite of the dearly departed father-in-law old Casey Jones himself, also offers as part of its package cruises.

Around the stunning Stockholm archipelago and Copenhagen’s Nyhavn Canal.

Bridge of highs

Been there, Dane that: Copenhagen at its brightest

Twas from Wonderful Copenhagen that we caught our first glimpse of The Bridge.

On a cruise ourself with MSC when we stopped off in the Danish capital en route to the Norwegian fjords.

And, still it hovers over us a reminder that we need to visit Sverige.

And for no other reason than because my travelling pal Agnetha (no, not that one) has been pestering me ever since we first met in Prague.

But that’s where GRJ come in as they tempt us with their pitch.

‘Take in Oslo’s stylish modernity as well as its long and varied history.

On a guided tour, before travelling by rail to Stockholm.

‘In the Swedish capital, visit picturesque Gamla Stan, one of the best-preserved medieval centres in Europe.

Before embarking on a cruise round the islands.

‘Cross the iconic Øresund Bridge into charming Copenhagen to view royal palaces.

And sail along the Danish capital’s colourful Nyhavn Canal.’

A rail good deal

Included in your package which comes in at from £1,795pp is…

The expertise of a tour manager, standard class rail travel and all rail and coach travel throughout your tour.

Seven nights’ 4-star hotel accommodation, two nights in a 4-Star hotel in Oslo, 3 nights in a 4-Star hotel in Stockholm and 2 nights in a 4-Star hotel in Copenhagen.

Breakfast each day and three dinners and excursions included.

And they will fly you out from London Heathrow to Oslo.

And back from Copenhagen to London Heathrow.

While if you live further north, and yes one sticking point is that they don’t factor in Scotland in that equation.

Then you can depart from Manchester.

All worth thinking about and how three countries once united under the one blue-blooded family have found commonality, unlike this wee island.

Through Europe’s longest road/rail bridge Denmark-Sweden.