Cruise demand shines through

I was fortunate to attend a conference recently where the chief economist from a major bank and The RH Micahel Portillo shared the stage to discuss the economy. Fortunate I hear you question? More like, "how dull" you are probably thinking! In fact they were animating, entertaining and hugely educating, but their message was clear and uncompromising - whoever forms the next Government will have to deploy an austere programme of cutbacks that is likely to put a huge dampener on the already fragile recovery.

You wouldn't believe it right now if you are working in a cruise retailer this week. Demand for the new 2011/12 programmes that went on sale this week are at unprecedented levels, as valuable and often loyal customers look to secure deals on next year and the year afters new itineraries. It surely goes to show the continued good value of cruising as a holiday experience, and how people want to have something good to look forward to in the future.

Celebrating Success

You often hear about case studies being made of PR disasters, about how companies or individuals have scored a own goal, and how they will be used as examples of how NOT to do something. Well the lecture rooms and course books of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations will be referring to last week's Celebrity Eclipse's rescue mission to Spain to repatriate stranded passengers as a classic example of how to take the initiative, grab the opportunity and create a huge awareness for their new ship. The traditional naming ceremony took the back-burner as the rescue mission stole all the headlines - a rare positive story amongst a week of misery. Congratulations to the management at Celebrity Cruises who thought of the idea and acted so swiftly to execute it. Not only did it massively amplify the publicity for their splendid new ship, but it also exposed their product to an audience of holidaymakers who must have been cursing the disruption of flying and appreciating the luxury of cruising. On a personal note I missed my 2 day scheduled jolly on Eclipse last Thursday and Friday, but I remain in awe of the brilliantly conceived rescue trip that replaced it.

Message to Iceland

We think you misheard us, we said send us the missing cash not ash!

Eyjafjallajoekul's Impact

The customer services team at Ideal Cruising (http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/) have been working all weekend to try to find solutions to customers affected by the grounding commercial aircraft across Europe. For the time being this is seen a short term interruption, but if you believe the vulcanologist's this beast and it's big bad brother could cause intermittent disruption for many months to come. That has disastrous consequences for the aviation and holiday industries, and for customers looking for a guaranteed holiday this summer. I think we will see the emergence of a huge uplift in demand for UK departing cruises, and thankfully we have record numbers of ships based in the UK this year.

The Retreat

Just thinking back to the weekend and the time spent on P&O's Azura, I think the most appealing aspect has to be the outdoor spa terrace on deck seventeen, aptly named "The Retreat". Okay call me a snob, or more accurately call me someone who has spent too many holidays crammed round a busy pool with a cacophony of shrieking kids, I just love the thought of chilling out in such stylish and relaxing surroundings. There's an extra charge for using this area of the ship, (£20 I think), but it's well worth the premium in my opinion. If there are kids clubs, why shouldn't there be adults clubs!

Azura Launch

I was lucky enough to be invited to the naming ceremony of Azura, which was officiated by the elegant Darcy Bussell, and the eloquent Trevor McDonald on Saturday. There were also some "B" list celebrities on board including "Gail" from "Corrie" and bad boy Johnny Vegas. I chuckled as the invitation had specifically referred to the on-board alcohol policy and that anyone appearing to be overly intoxicated would be refused further drinks. Clearly Johnny hadn't read the small print!

P&O sure know how to throw a party. There was an illuminating firework display, flowing Taittinger, and a really endearing medley of dance film footage from some classic musicals which cleverly merged in to Darcy Bussell performing the same routine in real life out on deck.

In the village where I live we have 2 Italian restaurants, one fish and chip shop, one tapas bar, one Thai and SIX Indian restaurants. P&O are clearly aware of the trend by developing the Sindhu restaurant on board Azura which is a fusion of Indian and British food, and created by Atul Kochhar who was the first Indian chef to receive a coveted Michelin star award. Other attractions for the pallet on board are The Glasshouse, a wine bar endorsed by extrovert wine promoter Olly Smith, or for the more traditional there's stylish English pub called Brodie's serving Boddington's.

To view a selection of cruises on Azura please click on the link below:
http://www.idealcruising.co.uk/holiday-ship-cruises-259.html