Tag: www.princess.com

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Cruiseday Tuesday – Transatlantic

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My three Irish uncles had tried Glasgow but swapped it for New York (each to their own).

Glasgow had, in fact, rivalled New York as a shelter for immigrants in the 19th Century.

And especially Italians who had mistaken it for America’s biggest city when the ship stopped for refuelling on it’s way there.

No, not Glasgow: Photo by Nout Gons on Pexels.com

It might have helped had the Statue of Liberty been around then.

The Italians stayed in Glasgow.

And opened chippers and ice cream parlours and generally enlivened and enriched Scottish society.

A transatlantic cruise was fantasy for Uncle Danny, Petie and Eddie back in 1959 but they realised their American dream.

And their children, my cousins, have taken up the baton simce.

Sunway www.sunway.ie has a seven-night full board Transatlantic deal on board the Queen Mary Southampton to NY from €650.

Which reminds me, I must dig out my Old New York review, my old new take on the world of Hamilton.https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/04/15/sportstraveltraveltravel/.

But for now start spreading the news about Glasgow in my I belong to Glasgow review.

Rock opera

What a riff: We all love to rock it

The advantage of having an elder brother is that I got an early grounding in the right musical influences.

Back in the days of musical LPs (long-playing records… ask your parents) one stood out for its look.

The rock opera Tommy.

It is 50 years this month since The Who performed the bulk of it at Woodstock.

And I will return to that seminal moment in modern popular culture elsewhere on this site.

Book me up: Princess Cruises’ live entertainment

Musical shows are at the heart of a cruise experience.

As important as swimming pools, spas, food and drink, your cabin and on-shore itineraries.

Which is why I’m taken by Rock Opera which is to be showcased on Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess.

The show which will feature on the 3,600 guest Sky Princess in December as it sails the Caribbean will feature tenor Brian Justin Crum from America’s Got Talent: The Champions.

We’ve been promised a musical journey featuring an eight-piece live orchestra playing iconic rock songs.

Enchanted Princess gets the show in June for its inaugural season in the Med. www.princess.com.

Oh man, it’s Oman

Market time: With a difference in Oman

Andy, Sarah, Ian and Jane were (and I dare say still are) the kings and queens of the table quiz in Aberdeen.

And how I could have done with them at the Oman night earlier this year.

I think the only questions I got right were the ones on frankincense and myrrh and Sinbad the Sailor.

Of course there is a great deal more to learn about this exotic land.

And you can on Royal Caribbean’s seven-night Oman & United Arab Emirates cruise on Jewel of the Seas.

Departing on December 16, and returning from Dubai, it will visit Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Muscat and Oman.

Book by September 30. All-inclusive drinks too. From €519pps. Visit www.royalcaribbean.ie.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS

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Cruiseday Tuesday – rivers of dreams

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There’s an old Irish ballad which proffers that only the rivers run free.

Not getting into that just now, but the gentle rippling of rivers do make us feel free.

Life has stopped me from taking up the many invites to go on a river cruise but I shared my invitations by commissioning others.

And it didn’t help that they returned raving about their trips… and Uinworld.

Life on the river: Portugal

Uniworld is doing the work for us by flagging up five for 2020… and I’m flagging up Portugal for starters.

While most of us look towards the Algarve, and there’s no harm in that, I was introduced to the Portugal between Lisbon and Porto.

Uniworld offers 11 days from Lisbon to Porto on the new ship SS SAO Gabriel as part of its Portugal, Spain & The Douro River Valley.

From €3,999pps. Visit http://www.uniworld.com.

Let’s do this one bite at a time, so I’ll tell you about the charms of other featured properties Germany, France, Vietnam and Egypt soon.

And let me share my love for Portugal and the Venice of Portugal, Aveiro, in https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/secret-portugal/ And http://www.visitportugal.com.

Your own Venice boat trip

Grand: The Grand Canal

So your large cruise ships aren’t going up into the historic centre of Venice (and for good reasons).

Go with Le Boat instead, self-drive cruising on craft that can sleep between four and ten people.

You’ll be able to visit Venice and its hinterland at your leisure.

And also head towards Trieste, beloved of James Joyce, and south of the Venetian lagoon to nature reserve of the Po Delta.

The seven-night self-catered cruise starts and finishes at Le Boat’s base art Casale on the Caprice.

It sleeps p to six. Arrive September 21. From £783 per boat/£131pp (was £967 per boat, saving 19%).

Transport to and from base not included. Visit www.leboat.co.uk.

Cruising Down Under

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

The farter-in-law took his brood out to Australia in the Seventies.

And being the adventurous type he went off to see the Murray River… the traditional way.

These days he could have gone in luxury with Captain Cook Cruises.

They are offering a seven-night New Year’s Eve cruse on the Murray Princess, departing Mannum on December 27.

And it will follow in the footsteps of the 19th Century pioneers.

You’ll explore 420kms of the Murray River and learn all about Aboriginal history.

You will enjoy a New Year’s Eve a la carte dinner, festivities and dancing.

Early booking saver fares for the Mannum to Renmark New Year’s Ever cruise starts from A$2352pp twin share.

The cruise departs Mannum on December 27 at 4.30pm and arrives at Renmark on January 3 at 9.30am.

Your entry point to Australia is Adelaide. Check out your global airlines. And http://www.murrayprincess.com.au.

Medallion man

And now for a dip: On the Crown Princess

I like to share… and so do Princess Cruises.

Having enjoyed the luxuries of that ship recently on a day’s docking in Dublin Port and its new all-purpose MedallionNet WiFI I bring further good news.

The MedallionNet is currently available on eight ships including Crown Princess and Island Princess which will both be baed in the UK next year.

And now Princess tell us that it will be available on all of its ships by the end of 2020.

And now for the deal offer:

Princess Cruises has a seven-day Mediterranean and Aegean voyage on Enchanted Princess, departing September.

Sail from Rome (Civitaveccha) to Athens, calling at Naples, Kotor, Corfu, Charia and Mykonos. From €1,231pp,

With up to $250 on board spending money per person. http://www.princess.com.

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Cruiseday Tuesday – Grand Canyon

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Yes, I know it’s inland. I haven’t lost my marbles. Go cruising this Cruiseday Tuesday and also enjoy Grand Canyon and Las Vegas.

That’s what Jetlinecruise.ie is offering.

It’s a 13-nighter with a cruise on board the Carnival Cruise Line ship Inspiration, going from Los Angeles to Catalina Island and onto Ensenada, Mexico.

Carnival time: Carnival Inspiration

They’re billing it as a Taster cruise.

So you will be sailing on January 12 with flights from Dublin to Vegas.

With three nights Neon City and LA stay, two nights Grand Canyon Ranch stay and helicopter flight over the Canyon.

I think it’s a no-brainer. The California Pacific coast is everything you see in the movies while the Grand Canyon is jaw-dropping and Vegas is a whirl.

The Palazzo: In Venice

I saw some things, let me tell you… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/vegas-strip-the-light-fantastic/

You’ll also get a free upgrade to oceanview stateroom. www.jetlinecruise.ie

Jock of Gibraltar

A little bit of Britain abroad: Gibraltar

It’s the type of synergy that the media love… a Scottish manager of the Gibraltar national football team which allows the headline writers to pun Jock of Gibraltar.

That’s Gibraltar, a little corner of Britain off Spain, and also the oft-forgotten extra border in the Brexit head wrecker.

But don’t you worry about that. Just enjoy the Rock on your Pincess Cruises’ deal of the week… seven days Med cruise.

You’ll sail on Crown Princess for seven days, departing April 11, calling in Gib, Marseille, Genoa and Florence/PIsa.

From €1,049pp with free flights and transfers. Free flights and transfers from Dublin, up to €350pp. Based on two people sharing an inside stateroom.

That means the offer is available for bookings made up to August 12. www.princess.com

Amplified Allure of the Seas

With my other hat I like to dabble making cocktails at home for the Scary One but the amplified Allure of the Seas wants to put me out of business.

You see this is just one of the gizmos on board, and I’ve seen it and drunk the cocktails the bionic mixologist has come up with at the Bionic Bar.

And Royal Caribbean has $165m worth of new experiences including the tallest slide at sea, the Ultimate Abyss.

And glow-in-the-dark laster tag and a lunar landing themed escape room.

Why not try a seven-nighter West Mediterranean, departing May 17 and October 25?

You will depart and return from Barcelona.

And you’ll stop off in Palma, Marseille, Florence/PIsa, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Naples.

Visit www.royalcaribbean.ie

Budget offer – €1 flights

Table for two: Photo by Alexander Mils on Pexels.com

€1 flights you ask? That’s a budget.

And yes, it’s Royal Caribbean again.

Discover Corfu, Athens, Mykonos and more on Rhapsody of the Seas. With an award-winning kids and teen clubs too.

We were young, happy, free and sans kids when we honeymooned in Corfu (perhaps that was the source of our happiness and freedom.)

Prices from €1189, departing September 2020.

Countries, Cruising, Deals, Europe

The Princess’s Medallion Man

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Tales here from the Princess’s Medallion Man.

Have you ever stood in the middle of a ship and not known which end was fore and which was adt?

And then walked 15 minutes in the wrong direction.

Aye, aye Cap’n

That’s half an hour you could have spent much more productively, and enjoyably.

Have you ever wandered around aimlessly, full of bladder after poolside cocktails.

Not wanting to look an eejit by asking the way to the nearest toilet? Or to your room.

Captain’s log

Then I, Medallion Man, am here to help.

No, I’ve not gone all Seventies bling on you…

This is the simple new OceanMedallion key that will open up a world of opportunities on all five of Princess Cruises‘ ships in Europe.

I roadtested Ocean Medallion on board Crown Princess when it stopped off in Dublin Port at the weekend on its route around the British Isles.

And I can say I have finally found somewhere in this confusing world of ours where I won’t get lost…

I did though misplace my medallion on a couple of occasions.

In the big chair

Don’t worry, they’ll replace it for you although, of course, it would be helpful if you kept it attached to the band around your wrist, or neck.

Because they go everywhere with you.

So how does it work?

Well, you swipe your medallion off the computer maps of the ship and all her activities.

They are placed next to the lifts on all the decks (or floors). Equally you can hook them up with the app on your phone.

And what else do they do?

Well, you can order food and drink from the comfort of your cabin, and also out in the lounges and book an evening’s entertainment.

Medallion Man meddling

And you can check on where your partner is at any time.

If you want space though, and which of us married personages doesn’t at times, then you can do that too.

If you’re worried that your kiddie-winkles will disappear on you?

Well, our majestic maritime mistress has that covered too. The kids won’t be able to turn it off.

And, of course, the OceanMedallion is available to every passenger included in the price of the cruise.

And not forgetting – it also opens the door to your room!

I’ll touch again on what else is to love about Princess here and what’s on offer.

But my own Princess is calling so the Princess’s Medallion Man will have to get back to you.

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Cruiseday Tuesday: Rhine country

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Cruiseday Tuesday: Rhine country

Cruiseday Tuesday: Rhine country


— Read on jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/07/16/cruiseday-tuesday-its-rhine-country/

River of dreams… sail away with your Travel Editor of the Year and Cruiseday Tuesday. Uniworld River Cruises in Rhineland, Royal Caribbean’s special allure and Princess Cruises and the Canaries.

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Cruiseday Tuesday: Rhine country

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Cramped up in a booze bus to the Munich Beerfest in a tailback of traffic it certainly looked like those river cruise ships were certainly a more relaxed Germany holiday.

I’ve found as the years have glided by that Uniworld River Cruises are the way to amble along the river.

I was particularly taken on my teenage drinking trip when we stopped off at Nueschwanstein, the inspiration for the Disney Castle, with its swan theme. The Rhine really is fairytale stuff.

Serene: The SS Antoinette

Uniworld has a tempting range of discount offers on http://www.uniworld.com. The Castles Along The Rhine has a ring to it though doesn’t it? Eight days on the S.S. Antoinette from Amsterdam to Basel is under £3,000 (£2,999), down from £3,799. Depart September 22.

Flights are included for all 2019 departures. Included flights are from London Heathrow.

And here’s what you get…

Luxury living: On board the SS Antoinette

A Special allure

Royal Caribbean asks if we’re brave enough.

I am. I only did the Zipliner on Oasis of the Seas recently in Barcelona and FlowRider too, and again I’m a veteran of FlowRider having soared on it on Independence of the Seas.

The newly amplified Allure of the Seas is sailing from Barcelona next year.

So here’s what you can expect…

Royal Caribbean boasts that this is the tallest slide at sea… and I dare say the slidiest too.

The great thing about Royal Caribbean, apart from everything that is, is that they’re real party ships.

And the Music Hall is where to party on Allure with some great cover bands… and I’ve been known to sing along.. See my Royal Party on Independence….

Of course ships are known for their culinary excellence and Allure is no exception. I’d recommend Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar. It’s just how Mamma made it.

Now you want to see an offer. What about a seven-nighter Western Mediterannean with weekly departures from May 10 to October 25. You’ll take in Palma, Marseille, Florence/PIsa (La Spezia), Rome (Citavecchia) and Naples. From €1,079 per person based on two sharing., €2158 for two guests. €1pp flights, book by August 12. T&Cs apply. Visit http://www.royalcaribbean.ie.

A piece of cake… well, it had to be

Wow: Madeira. Photo by Valdemaras D.

Broomsticks airlines were running on time… and the mother-in-law had a smooth passage home.

She was asking for advice on where to go this autumn, and seeing as how I didn’t want to be turned into a frog (again) I suggested Madeira.

Madeira is unspoiled and not packed out with tourists. It’s also a great place to visit from a cruise ship.

Princess Cruises has an 11-day Canary Islands cruise, sailing from Southampton and taking in Vigo in Spain, Funchal in Madeira, Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Las Palmas in Gran Canarai and Arrecife in Lanzarote.

From €999 per person based on two sharing an inside stateroom but not including flights. Mothers-in-law come with their own broomsticks, though. For more information visit http://www.princess.com.

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Cruiseday Tuesday – My Princess

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It’s a couples’ dream… cruising. The lingering glances over dinner, the dancing, the spectacular shows, the moonlight walk on the top deck.

Of course, we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t occasionally disagree. I find the best advice is the one She gives: ‘When I want your opinion I’ll give it to you.’

So cruising has the advantage too of being big and varied and entertaining enough to give you both enough space to calm down if you get tetchy with each other. Best not have a quarrel on the top deck though, it can get slippy up there sometimes!

I owe Her a trip to the Bahamas after having had a spin around there last December and Sunway and Princess Cruises have the very thing.

They are offering a seven-night Bahamas & Virgin Islands Cruise on board the Regal Princess on February 29…. and you know what that means – Leap Year and all you loved-up ladies can propose to your gentlemen.

You’ll get all-inclusive drinks – Ocean Medallion (I’ll tell you more about that when I get on a Princess Cruises ship in Dublin later this month), wifi, gratuities and $200 onboard spend.

Price is €1599pp and includes return flights from Dublin, one night pre- cruise hotel stay, plus seven night cruise based on two sharing an interior stateroom, all taxes and fees. Transfers are extra. Visit http://www.sunway.ie/cruise-holidays or call (01) 231 1868. Visit http://www.princess.com.

Sand and sea

Dubai reaches for the skies: Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric.

Cruising always leaves you wanting more.

We had a choice last autumn of MSC cruises – the beautiful fjords or dazzling Dubai and the Emirates. We don’t regret catching the fjords, of course, but as the mist and rain drew in I did give a thought to how sunny Dubai would have been. And I settled on doing both.

Temperatures in Dubai hover between 23 and 33 degrees in December which is when you’ll go with Abbey Travel and MSC.

Leaving on Wednesday, December 11 and paying €589.00, you’ll get:

  • 11 nights cruise on board MSC Lirica in an interior cabin.
  • Free tea, water and coffee package and Wi-Fi Social Package.

Add on a Fantastica package from €30pp.

To book call 01 804715, visit http://www.abbeytravel.ie. Flights are extra but enquire at time of booking. Visit http://www.msccruises.ie.

Here’s a reminder of how good MSC cruises are from that fjords trip. https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/the-call-of-the-fjords/(opens in a new tab)

Ich bin ein Hamburger

As I famously said when I visited Hamburg last year at the end of that fjords trip.

Hamburg is a city that was very much to my taste and I’m sure you’ll be the same.

Royal Caribbean International is offering a seven nights’ Dutch and French Adventure on Explorer of the Seas, departing October 18 from Southampton, taking in Hamburg, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Paris/Normandy and Le Havre.

From €649 per person based on two people sharing. €1,298 for two guests. Sailing on October 18. Flight required.

And, of course, you’ll get the chance to walk on water with FlowRider which I road tested (again) on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas recently in Barcelona and which I’ll tell you more about real soon. And much, much more. Visit http://www.royalcaribbean.ie.

And get your teeth into Hamburg… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/hamburgers-and-ships/(opens in a new tab)

Your cruise

So just tell them what you want. It should be easy, right?

Norwegian Cruiselines and American Holidays know it and are tailoring your trip to your needs with their Feel Free at Sea deals.

Design your own bespoke holiday adding your choice of valuable benefits and luxuries.

For example I’ll be catching up with my friends from the Deep South tonight and tomorrow here in Dublin and have a particular itch to scratch… New Orleans.

Among its packages, NCL and American Holidays offers New Orleans Stay and Western Caribbean Cruise from €1,869 per person for next February. From €1,869pp.

So you’ll get all flights including one checked bag per person round trip.

Three nights at Le Pavilion Hotel, New Orleans. Seven nights cruise on-board Norwegian Getaway (based on Guarantee Ocean View Stateroom – add on Free at Sea upgrade from €120pp). Based on two sharing.

Call (01) 673 3804. Visit http://www.americanholidays.com. Visit http://www.ncl.com.

And you will, I know, but New Orleans breakfasts are gumbo and Sazeracs. You’re on holiday and on a cruise so there’s no point in being dry.

MEET YOU ON THE SEAS