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Cruising in Croatia and you’re going to get married

15th August 202415th August 2024 funtime65

They say the first 30 years are the hardest but so much easier if you start off well… and when you’re cruising in Croatia and you’re going to get married.

Which is how they do it these days.

Fashions have, of course, changed since the mid-90s and that applies equally to weddings.

Yacht to get out there: Deluxe on the seas

So that rather than walk up the aisle in Herself’s hometown, albeit the picture-postcard rural village of Kintbury, Royal Berkshire in our case.

Today’s couples take themselves and a far smaller select of family and friends off to sunny shores.

Hands up who’s wed: Surrounded by the Adriatic

So if you can cope with the outlaws joining in on a wedding/honeymoon.

And it helps if they dig deep into their pockets then read on.

Nor will you be judged on how big your wedding is or how many pals you have.

Because 30 years on most will become just Christmas cards.

It’s MyWedding and I’ll cruise if I want to

MyWeddingCruise.com keep it small and intimate with yachts accommodating anything from 12 to 36.

Its Premier ship can accommodate up to 32 guests and features a diving platform, sun deck as well as spacious salon and social seating areas.

While its Premier Plus ship can host up to 36 guests with the same features but with a more spacious layout in addition to a jacuzzi.

The Superior ship the same with an extra-large sun deck and hosting up to 36 guests.

Elite Yachts, its most exclusive boat type, is ideal for an intimate guest list of up to 12.

The yachts feature six staterooms as well as a Master Suite and VIP Suite with private access; 5* service is a given.

Promessi you a life of happiness

Bridal sweet: And a happy wife is a happy life

MyWeddingCruise.com have got into bed with Croatian wedding planners Promessi to give you high-quality event bundles.

The Silver, Gold and Platinum Bundles all include the following across different standards and durations, reflecting different price points.

A bridal bouquet, wedding arch, centre pieces, décor, wedding cake, a DJ, photography and bridal hair/ makeup.

The Platinum Bundle also includes videography and ceremony musicians.

Separate add-ons can be provided for an additional fee; a celebrant, drinks package and magician, among others upon request.

Optional excursions can be organised and booked for an additional cost.

Recommended activities include the Mljet National Park, kayak hire to explore the local beaches.

Check it out: With our Croatian friends in Dublin

A cable car ride up to Mount Srd for picturesque views and wine tasting in Korcula.

Now back to us and 30 years after I made Herself the Happiest Woman In The World we’ll mark the date in Croatia too next month.

And in time-honoured tradition here…

MEET YOU ON THE ADRIATIC

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe, Ships

You too can be an Olympian Celebrity

9th August 20249th August 2024 funtime65

And as the newly-garlanded victors begin to cash in on their triumphs here’s how you too can be an Olympian Celebrity.

And at the heart of the Olympic story too in Olympia, the site of the first Games in 776BC.

The elite cruise providers are offering a timely As Good As Gold Olympia, Greece package which will make you feel a winner.

All part of your 10-night Greek Isles & Turkey.

Spoiled and ruined: At the Acropolis in Athens

Join your bus from your ship from the island of Kerakolon for Ancient Olympia.

Now, of course, any day excursion will never be long enough to channel your inner Olympian hero.

And I can vouch. from a rushed run around the Parthenon, that any time soaking up Hellenic Classical culture is worth it.

Olympic glory

During your visit you will spend an hour and a half.

A little less than the best Marathon runners will take.

You will explore the Temple of Zeus, the temple of Hera, the shrine of Pelops, the treasury, the Palaestra and Gymnasium.

After the guided visit you will have half an hour free time.

Before you will rejoin the bus for a five-minute drive to Touris Club.

By the beard of Zeus: The Temple of Zeus

Where you will taste snacks and enjoy traditional Greek folk dances.

With your booking you can get at least 30 per cent off guests 1 and 2, and up to $200 per room to spend onboard.

Also, you can include drinks & Wi-Fi for only £59pp per day.

All roads lead from Rome

Celebrity Equinox will sail you away from Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia).

And on to Mykonos, Greece, Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey, the jewel of the Bosphorus that is Istanbul.

Santorini back in Greece, Olympia (Katakolon) and Rome (Civitavecchia).

If you can’t wait and you’ve a spare €1,448pp down the back of the sofa.

For an Ocean View you can get away from August 23-September 2.

Or there are another six alternative dates from next May to September.

So there you have it, the quest does pay off when you too can be an Olympian Celebrity.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe, Ships

Asterisk Asterix and the Olympics

29th July 202429th July 2024 funtime65

Mais oui, the Games have indeed begun but still the fall-out continues from the Rain on the Seine, the Drag Queen Last Supper and the opening ceremony, but for us we want to asterisk Asterix and the Olympics.

Nor are we alone in feeling short-changed by the greatest Gaul of all being absent from the curtain-raising ceremony in Paris.

Particularly as our comic book hero and his bon ami Obelix boast such athletic prowess.

As featured in their adventures and particularly in Asterix at the Olympic Games.

Which was turned into the-then most expensive non-English and French film of all time, featuring inevitably Gerard Depardieu, back in 2008.

Now while Emmanuel Macron and the French Olympic Committee may have overlooked the appeal of Asterix.

Parc it with Asterix

Chantilly grace: A short train drive from Paris

Our friends at Irish Ferries know his popularity endures with enfants and grand enfants alike visiting their shores.

Which is why they are flagging up Parc Asterix, 20km from charmant Chantilly, itself only a 24-minute train ride from Paris.

It just so happens too that the Parc is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.

Now fresh for this year they boast a grand new attraction among the roller coasters and rides… La Tour de Numerobis.

Ride on: Roller coaster thrills at Parc Asterix

You’ll rise to a height of 40 metres and be rewarded with a panoramic view of the whole of Gaul from your perch in Egypt.

While for those who love a water ride Le Grand Splatch becomes La Revanche des Pirates.

Where Red Beard takes revenge on the Gauls.

We’re told that between catapults, nets and harpooning you will be required to show skill and courage to avoid being shipwrecked.

While on that theme there is a new float at the Gaulish Parade.

Gaul’s well that ends well

Asterix has flagged up the Défilé Gaulois to us.

Where you’ll see a parade featuring Astérix, Obélix, Cléopâtre, César, Barbe-Rouge and all our other favourites.

Which this year features a new chariot based on Asterix in Spain.

Now everyone’s a critic after the fact but here’s a thought Emmanuel…

Would it not have been better, a lot more fun, and probably a little less costly to just let Parc Asterix run the opening ceremony.

The perfect match

Parc Asterix offers a one-day/one-night stay.

For two adults and two children in a four-person room at the Hôtel des Trois Hiboux or the Hôtel de la Cité Suspendue in high season from €87.85pp.

And to get you there, Irish Ferries has the seasygoing option for you this summer.

On board its flagship W.B. Yeats.

With sailings from Dublin to Cherbourg from just €238.

For a car with one adult and child in August with an inside ensuite cabin.

So even if Emmanuel and the French organising committee don’t deem him worthy of their attention you can still Asterisk Asterix and the Olympics this summer.

Countries, Cruising, Europe, Ships

Da Day I’m docked with Diana in Leith

28th July 202428th July 2024 funtime65

Da Day I’m docked with Diana in Leith, dastreen she was in Lerwick, and Da Moarn she’ll be in Aberdeen, it’s just how I cruise.

Now if you think I’ve been drinking then that’s only because ye ken me, and ye ken Swan Hellenic’s hospitality.

From here to Sobriety: Sadie keeps me in tow

But no, for once I’ve had to forgo the champagne, wines and cocktails but thankfully not the cuisine.

As I put mind and body back together a full week after racking up the rounds at the Open golf in Troon.

All as a guest of Hilton Head Island and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.

Viking twang

So today is a new experience for Shipman Murty, cruising without the boozing.

I don’t know what the Vikings, around whom this Swan Hellenic 12-nighter Sailing with the Vikings cruise from Norway to Amsterdam, would think.

Or our old Aberdeen neighbours who have long since decamped to Elizabeth’s roots in Lerwick, Shetland.

But I hope they would appreciate my attempts at Norn/Shetland dialect which has been handed down the generations.

Since the days when Shetland was under the rule of Norway until it was given in a dowry to Scotland.

And, no, the Shetlanders were never asked and have never quite accepted it.

Oh Diana

Gateway to the Arctic: Only 20,423 miles to go

The Norsemen (or Normans) came, Thor and conquered down from the fjords along these routes that Swan Hellenic are taking.

Luckily for us, things have come a long way since those longboats of yore with Diana the largest vessel in the Swan Hellenic fleet.

Boasting nine decks, Diana offers 192 guests five-star 96 staterooms and suites, many with private balconies.

The ship is equipped with a heated outdoor pool, open deck Jacuzzi, gym, spa and beauty salon and sauna with panoramic views.

Restaurants include the Swan Restaurant, Club Lounge, Pool Bar and Grill and room service.

Chef has pans… will sail

Did we say that Diana invited along a chef just for the Edinburgh to Amsterdam leg of the itinerary?

Nicolai Wiedmer, owner of Restaurant Eckert in Grenzach-Wyhlen, Germany, who rustles up his own Gala Dinners.

And yes, myself and my own queen of the seas had to be prised out of our seats.

All to allow the cruisers who were off for the afternoon exploring Edinburgh back on.

And naturally we tried to hide ourselves away as stowaways.

All around the world

Now we all know the Vikings were famous seafarers but this Norway through Scotland to the Netherlands cruise is just a breeze for Diana.

She will travel the world in 2024/2025, with sailings to Swan Hellenic’s flagship destinations the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

And from Brazil to Papua New Guinea, Norway to New Zealand, Australia to Africa and Madagascar to the Mediterranean.

So while Da Day I’m docked with Diana in Leith then Da Moarn I could be anywhere in the world with Swan Hellenic.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

Columbus, The Great Explora and the Greater Spain

16th July 202416th July 2024 funtime65

Olé, olé, olé we’re on our way with Columbus, The Great Explora and the Greater Spain.

And Cassidy Travel and Explora Journeys which whisper it, or on second thoughts, shout it, who are a better bet than Columbus.

History has been kinder than it ought to have been to Columbus.

Who sailed the ocean blue in 1492 though didn’t know where he was going, which was the wrong way to Asia.

And even mistook manatees for mermaids.

Columbus on a pedestal

All of which appeals to this accidental tourist who has turned the wrong corner more often than not, and found an oasis.

Columbus is still trusting to instinct rather than updated maps to this day from his plinth in Barcelona.

Where he points not to America, where let’s remember he never set foot in, but to Algeria.

The great Catalan city honours the Genovese on account of his reporting to the Spanish monarchs after returning from the Caribbean.

And erected his 60ft statue by Las Ramblas for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona in 1888 in honour of his Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas.

Which if you’re lucky enough to first witness Barcelona from opened curtains on a cruise ship is the first thing you’ll see.

Carry on cruising

Barcelona will be your first port of call and departure point.

On your Journey to Stars of Casablanca & The Coast of Granada.

The Explora II will leave Barcelona in October 16 for ten nights from €4195pp (€500pp deposit).

Cassidy and Explora will put you in an ocean terrace suite.

And treat you to all-inclusive wining and dining

You’ll sail from the Catalan capital, overnight in Casablanca ad visit Cadiz, Puerto Banus (Marbella) and Motril.

While you’ll also get return flights from Dublin.

America, Countries, Cruising

Waving the Union Jack flag on Hawaii cruises

25th May 202425th May 2024 funtime65

George Washington would, no doubt, turn in his grave that they’re waving the Union Jack flag on Hawaii cruises.

That he commanded 13 colonies who fought valiantly to replace the Union flag with the Stars and Stripes for this.

Of course, Washington would have no concept of an America stretching over to seven islands in the mid-Pacific Ocean.

Nor for George, more used to standing on a shallow draft Durham cargo boat crossing the Delaware, a floating hotel of a ship.

The types you’ll see meandering around the 50th state of the Union.

When Britain ruled the waves

The Hawaii flag dates back to post the little-heralded Second War of Independence of 1812.

When King Kamehameha I adopted the Union Flag in support of the British Royal Navy who then ruled the waves.

With the seven interchanging white, red and blue stripes a nod to the number of islands.

Blue Hawaiis

All of which you may reflect on as you’re sipping your Blue Hawaiian meandering around the islands.

On your 13-night ROL Cruise, departing April 21st, June 9 and September 15.

You’ll fly from London to Honolulu and upon arrival you’ll transfer to a 4* hotel for your five-night stay.

And remember you’ll enjoy a complimentary Pearl Harbour & Honolulu city tour.

And visit to the Punchbowl National Cemetery, to the only royal palace ever constructed on US soil.

When you book a Balcony Stateroom.

The Pride of America

You’ll transfer to the port on Day 6 and embark on the Pride of America for your seven- night voyage.

You’ll overnight in Kahului, Maui, USA and take in its great shopping, galleries and attractions like the Maui Arts & Culture Center.

If you’ve been going easy on the buffets and Blue Hawaiis you can always scale the 10,000ft high summit of Mt. Haleakal.

And look down at 33 miles of black and white sand beaches.

Hula-hula lot of fun

Other jewels of Hawaii with hula-hula names such as Hilo, Kona.

Day 10 will see you enjoy the charms of Kailua-Kona, a town on the west coast of Hawaii Island (the Big Island).

Hulihee Palace is a former royal vacation home dating from 1838.

While Mokuaikaua Church, from the 1800s, is Hawaii’s oldest Christian church.

And for fans of colourful coral Kamakahonu Beach is the place to go.

Day 11 into Day 12 will see you overnight in The Garden Island.

Where you’ll take in the dramatic mountains of Kokee to the cool rainforests of Haena.

And intriguingly the tradition of the luau.

Before on Day 13 disembarking and transfering to the airport for your overnight flight to London.

Book by May 29 and receive an additional discount of up to £700 off the advertised fares per booking.

Check out rates on ROL’s site and be sure to have a spare £8,500 for you and your loved one.

And get waving the Union Jack flag on Hawaii cruises.

Countries, Cruising, Oceania

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.