Ship visit aboard the Voyager, Voyages of Discovery 30 May 14

We all met at the small continental ferry terminal of Portsmouth and boarded the smaller Voyager which offers 270 cabins, 87% of which are outside.  This is a small friendly ship with lovely staff and beautiful food.  This ship would appeal to the over 60s or those wanting a smaller more intimate ship.

 

 

They have a small gym but I am assured it is never very full

This was the lounge where we were served our welcome drink

There are several places to eat or relax like this outside area

This is one of the restaurants and there is open dining everywhere allowing you to eat when you chose.

This is the pool area with 2 jaccuzzis

This is another more formal restaurant

This is another bar area to relax with a good priced drinks.  A wine would be £4 and good selection of cocktails £4.30 and spirits were also very well priced

Reception area opposite shore excursion desks

This used to be the panoramic lounge but now a lounge for card tables and activities such as painting

This is an inside cabin with mirror (some do not have this)

This is an outside with picture window

Typical shower room for the lower category cabins

 

This is a balcony cabin

 

I did take many more photos which can be found on our business facebook page (we have 2) so if you 'like' our page for access to the full album.  For more information about this ship or any offers they have, including their 2 for 1 offer at the moment on certain cruises, call Sue, Gill or Deb on 01243377211 or email travel@emsworthtravel.co.uk

Cunard Victoria - CLIA cruise convention, Southampton 23 May 14

It was interesting to see the Cunard Victoria, whose larger sister ship the Queen Mary 2 I visited last year (see blog).  I have attached a few photos to give an idea of the fine quality of the ship with good use of rich quality wood throughout.  This ship would appeal to the more mature client or those looking for a smaller upmarket ship.  Dining is fixed to 2 sittings and the restaurant allocated is dependent on the cabin type booked.

Just before boarding the Victoria

Restaurant area

Lounge entertainment area

Bar area

Another bar to choose from

lobby area

One of the Restaurants

Theatre for shows and films

Champagne bar

Outdoor pool area - due to bad weather we were unable to go out on decks

Relaxation area

Hairdressers

There was a good size gym

There was an amazing spa with specialist in different treatments some of which are alleged to reduce the aging process and give immediate weight loss and cellulite reduction.

They also have dance hosts for single ladies wishing to have a dance partner

This is an upmarket ship aimed more at the over 50s or those wanted a relaxing ship with quality entertainment and food but do cater also for families with childrens facilities and clubs and a babysitting service.

For more information and offers, contact Sue, Gill or Deb on 01243377211 or email travel@emsworthtravel.co.uk.  More pictures can be found in our albums on our business facebook (of the 2 we have) so 'like' our facebook page to access these and many other cruise ships we have visited including RCCL Adventure of the Seas, Celebrity Eclipse, Oceania Marina, Queen Mary 2, Independence of the Seas, and other travel blogs.
 

CLIA Cruise Convention RCCL Adventure of the Seas ship visit

I chose to take advantage of the visit to the Adventure of the Seas whilst in port and I feel that Royal Carribean are fun ships appealing to the families and young at heart with a wide choice of activities on board including ice skating and rock climbing wall to name a couple.  This ship is not disimilar to the Independence of the Seas that I saw last year but it does not have the surf rider.  You can travel from Southampton or fly-cruise for very reasonable prices and it has great facilities for children and teens who can while away there time while the adults enjoy themselves. The following are a few pictures to give an idea but I have many more on our business Emsworth Travel (we have 2) so 'like' us to view the full album.

This is the main restaurant for the ship

There are quirky items throughout the ship like this

This is where we ate a lovely meal provided by RCCL

There are a choice of restaurants both formal and relaxed to chose from

This is an idea of the lovely food on offer

There are offers on drinks or drinks packages that can be purchased

It was a short visit as there were passengers boarding shortly after us but we managed to take a quick look at an outside cabin

And an inside cabin - as mentioned, you can opt to have an inside cabin overlooking the promenade but you have to be aware that there are lights and noise on the days that they have parades



They have a lovely indoor spa and gym
For more information and offers call Sue, Gill or Deb on 01243377211 or email travel@emsworthtravel.co.uk
 

Celebrity Eclipse ship visit 26 May 14 - CLIA Cruise Convention Southampton

As part of the cruise convention, we were able to visit 3 ships RCCL Adventure of the Seas, Cunard Victoria, and Celebrity Eclipse.  We had the longest time on board the Celebrity Eclipse and were able to view several categories of cabin/staterooms including inside, outside with picture window and balcony staterooms, suites including Royal and Presidential suites and the full album of photos can be found on Emsworth Travel business facebook.  Click on 'like' and you can access the full album.  We have 2 facebook accounts so make sure it is the business facebook. I have shown the lead in inside cabin and one type of balcony staterooms below.

There are several restaurants to chose from the above being the main dining area with no cover charge but some speciality restaurants have a cover charge. There is a cafe style restaurant for more casual dining.

 

This was our lunch menu which was delicious

This was the panoramic lounge with almost 360 degrees view.

This was one of the speciality restaurants called Murano serving good quality classic and modern contemporary cuisine

The display an idea of the food to expect and this is typical of Murano $45 cover charge for this restaurant

The Tuscan Grill is a popular choice and carries a cover charge of $25 or $35 depending on your choice

This is an idea of the food that they serve

There is also a creperie with a $7 cover charge so there is a good choice of food available if you want to have a change from the main restaurant which is included in the cruise price

 

There is a large gym and various classes available - some with charge

This is the indoor pool just for adults and connected to the spa area called the conservatory

These stone beds are warmed and very confortable and relaxing with superb views from the windows

 

There are a selection of bars to chose from and this is the Martini bar and Crush with ice top to the bar

This is another bar to chose with a different style

This is Cellarmasters which has a cover charge of $50-$150 depending on the number of wines that you would like to sample

Celebrity are the only ships who have 1/4 acre of real grass on this deck so that you can chose to play croquet, bowles or simply picnic or sunbathe.  Other activities in this area include glass blowing

They have a reasonable size outdoor pool area with jacuzzis

This is the lead in room which is an inside stateroom and a good size

This is an outside balcony cabin

This is a typical shower room

Other cabins shown on our facebook Emsworth Travel.  All cabins have tea/coffee making facilities in the rooms

This was a lovely modern luxury cruise ship with fantastic  food and service - they offer a range of special offers at the moment with reduced prices being one of them and also offering drinks packages offers and others - call Emsworth Travel 01243377211 or email travel@emsworthtravel.co.uk for more details

Sue Tooke