Sunday,10th Feb 2008. Sorting out clothes etc to take. Just a couple of more days before we fly out to Buenos Aires/Rio de Janeiro and join ship on 15th Feb.

The Bremen is an excellent ship, the staff and crew are very attentive. The prospect of joining a Hapag Lloyd ship as a non-German speaker was a little unnerving, however once on board the crew all spoke English, the daily programme and newspaper are both supplied in multi-language formats as is the menu – so no need to fear!

There have been several excursions on the Zodiac’s and we have seen an array of birdlife and even monkeys! It is excellent to be able to get “up close” to the flora and the fauna of this region and our expert guides have always been on hand to highlight points of interest

Greetings from the Shadow…

An excellent few days aboard the Shadow. I was welcomed and taken to my excellent suite where a bottle of chilled Champagne and selection of canapes awaited. The bathroom is lavish and the choice of both a bath tub and shower was a welcome sight after a stressful journey (which would have been made all the worse had I not sent my luggage ahead of me with Mundy Carte Blanche). An Italian feast was enjoyed on the first night, and I have been eating ever since.

A day at sea was enjoyed yesterday and a good hour was spent in a massage chair in the panamara lounge. The attentive staff have also made me feel instantly at ease and at home.

A city tour of Amsterdam is planned for this afternoon and dinner at Le Champagne is bound to be a highlight this evening.

I did a taster cruise on the Queen Mary 2 just to see if I would like it. It was part of the transatlantic to Hamburg something I hadn’t realized but it did mean that a good half to threequarters of the passangers were German. We had a wonderful welcome in Hamburg the Hamburgers as they call themselves made a carnival out of it. There was some good points and bad ones but you can never be perfect. As the cruise director said this was a tranatlantic journey and it showed. The library was fantastic, I am a Harry Potter fan and the new book had come out the Saturday before we sailed on the Tuesday. They were able to reserve it for me and I managed to finish it before we returned to Southampton. The planatarium was also something no one should miss. On the downside I felt there should have been more activities and lectures and I wasn’t that impressed with the Britania dinning room but as there several other dinning area’s that wasn’t a problem. Something I really didn’t like was the amount of smoking allowed. I had expected in the light of the new British laws the ship to be almost totally non smoking. This was not the case all of the bars on the starboard side of the ship allowed smoking and this perminated throughout the corridors in the end I avoided that part of the ship alltogether. But all in all it was an enjoyable experience so much so i have booked a tranatlantic crossing for next year.

Day 7

Our final day on this short cruise was spent at Sorrento, a favourite of mine which has always been suggestive to me of what Scarborough might be like if only it were relocated to Italy. It’s unpretentious and intimate and always a pleasure to visit.

We sadly only had a morning here, but were at least entertained by a couple of fireplanes, which kept diving down to the waves right by the ship and filling their holds full of seawater, before flying up to a nearby mountain and depositing the whole lot (puzzled fish and all no doubt)on a forest fire that was raging there.

So tomorrow we take our leave of Windsurf, although we are spending a further three days in Rome, (highlight of the trip being a ‘special’ Sistine Chapel private tour organised by Mundy Carte Blanche). Did we like the ship? Yes we did; it’s certainly a very different type of cruise experience, more mellow and casual than many, and a little rough round the edges in parts. But somehow that seemed to fit our mood, and also the itinerary, perfectly.

We will certainly be sailing with Windstar again.

As a first time cruiser (and quite a young one at that) I was rather apprehensive before I boarded my 5 night Mediterranean cruise aboard Fred Olsen’s latest ship, Boudicca. I’m very pleased to say that all my worries, disappeared the moment I stepped onboard.

Warm welcomes and an never ending enthusiasm ensures spirits are keep high.

Cuisine onboard was in keeping with a British sense of tradition. From buffet lunch and breakfast, to poolside snacks and afternoon tea or a menu choice in one of the restaurants, the choice was commendable

The cabins and suites on board were all very clean and comfortable. The lower grades were quite basic, but practical and well looked after, with enough space to serve their purpose. My Balcony Suite was great, with en suite shower/bath, flat screen TV, DVD player, safe and well stocked mini bar. The room was spacious enough and extremely comfortable.

Entertainment, was catered towards the slightly older clients however, there was plenty to do and the evening shows were very entertaining

Overall, I would say that Fred Olsen is a charming product with lots to offer. Single travellers in my opinion will love these ships as the passengers and crew can’t help but befriend each other, as well as the dance hosts of an evening who ensure that no one will be left sitting alone. Fred Olsen’s vast mount of EX UK itineraries also mean that those who prefer not to fly can still enjoy a variety of interesting ports and excursions without the worry or hassle of flying.

I first travelled with Regent Seven Seas the year Voyager was launched so when I joined her again last November for a short cruise in the Med I was curious to see whether Regent are maintaining their high levels of service etc. I was not disappointed, the ship is in pristine condition and my highest expectations were met from all aspects of the cruise.

My Suite on Deck 9 was spacious and extremely comfortable. We had great weather so full use of the private veranda was made. I am a bit of a fiend when it comes to lotions and potions so was pleased to find my favourite Aveda products in the bathroom which were of a generous size and replenished regularly. Voyager boasts all suite accommodation and all grades have private balconies so no matter which grade you choose you will not be disappointed.

Apart from the main Restaurant, the Compass Rose, you will have the opportunity to enjoy alternative dining in no fewer than 3 other locations on board. You are definitely spoilt for choice and I would recommend that you make your reservations early. During my short cruise I was able to sample the Indochine menu in Latitudes, not my personal favourite but I am glad I tried it. Signatures had to be by far the best offering ‘Le Cordon Bleu’ cuisine, absolutely stunning ! both the food and service.

I always enjoy meeting new people and found that a lot of the passengers on board were repeaters who sang Regents’ praises, this surely is a testament in itself.

All in all I was thoroughly pleased with my choice of ship and would have no hesitation in cruising with her again. An added bonus this year is that Regent have gone all inclusive so away the worries of signing for drinks at the bar and wine for dinner.

Highly recommendable !!
Diana from Herts

This was my very first cruise and although my wife and I were a bit anxious about it all (thinking that we were too young and wouldn’t fit in) I must say that everything was fantastic.
Wind Surf is quite small so we weren’t overawed by the glitz and glam of some of the huge ships and another bonus is that they don’t insist on dressing up. Everything is quite informal onboard which leads to the friendly atmosphere. All we wanted was a week of relaxation, good food, good wine and good company and we got that in bucketloads.
All in all a fantastic experience that I would recommend to anyone.

Simon

Hebridean Spirit is a small luxury ship (4,200 tons) holding between 80 – 90 guests and 72 crew. From the time you arrive at the airport for your flight pre-cruise you are looked after in the full Hebridean way. A special area is reserved for Hebridean guests at the airport and refreshments served before you board.
Once on board the ship one is made to feel very special, nothing is too much trouble for the staff and every need is catered for. Being a fully inclusive ship there is no signing of tabs, trying to remember your cabin number etc. All port taxes are included in the fare, gratuities, all drinks unless you want a vintage champagne, special brandy etc, routine medical checks, use of the spa and gym, shore excursions.

My husband and I have visited Croatia, Italy, Greece, Libya, Egypt & Cyprus on Hebridean Spirit but we have been several times.

The cabins – well you can’t really call them cabins they are just like luxury hotel rooms, all have a well appointed bathroom with either shower & wc or bath/shower and wc. The bathrooms are a good size with lovely white fluffy towels, flannels, bathrobes and slippers. The towels are changed every day, although the last time we cruised they asked you to put the towels on the floor of the shower if you wanted them changed. We didn’t do that every day but still they were changed. The rooms either have double or single beds which of course is your own choice. The furniture and soft furnishing all looks really good just like an old world country cottage – very cosy. Everything you need is in the room, a tv/dvd, fridge with soft drinks and fresh milk every day. A kettle and teapot to make a proper cup of tea instead of just putting a tea bag into a cup, coffee sachets, suger etc. There is an iron/ironing board, trouser press, shoe horn, tissues in a pretty box. If there is something you need you only have to ask and it is supplied for you. I have never been on another ship where I think the bedroom stewards are spies because every time you left your room and came back something had been replaced or put in for you –amazing!

The main dining room is The Argyll Restaurant and very relaxing it is, just like a Michelin starred restaurant in London. The menu is quite varied and the food is good and very well presented. All the waiters, wine waiters and the Maitre d’ are very attentive, wine is poured again and again until you say, no thank you. Being a small restaurant you can either sit at a table for 2, 4, 6 or 8 and if you are just two and want to dine with friends you just ask in the morning if you can change tables and have a table for however many friends you wish to dine with, the crew are only too happy to help..All single guests are put on table with other singles and an officer always sits at the table in the evening as host. Dining al fresco is an option on the Mizzen Deck. This area has comfortable chairs with cushions, nice wooden tables with umbrellas, there is an undercover area for any guest who doesn’t want to sit in the sun. You can have breakfast or lunch on this deck which is supposed to be self service. The only thing you do is tell the staff what you want everything else is done for you even your plate carried back to your table, I guess it is “staff help self service with a smile”! Even if they see you lift a glass it seems it is a “guest crime” and they come running over to help. There is also afternoon tea with sandwiches, cakes, pastries etc around 4pm.
On the occasional evening there might be a special themed dinner served, weather permitting, on the Mizzen deck.

There is no entertainment on board except for a pianist tinkling on the piano pre and post dinner. This is a ship where you meet fellow guests and actually talk and get to know everyone on board. After the first day you feel it is one big party on board, everyone knowing everyone but certainly not being intrusive, if you want to be on your own you can, the choice is yours.

Shore excursions are arranged by the Shore Excursion Manager and every evening she or he will give a short talk before dinner about what is happening the next day and what time it begins, ends etc. If you don’t want to join in then you can just do your own thing and wander around the towns. Hebridean also have guest speakers/guest tour guides on board who are really very interesting and certainly know their stuff!

At the end of the cruise when disembarking you are still looked after right up to getting back to your flight destination, certainly not the holiday is ended, that’s it the end, hurry and get them all off the ship, as I have found with other cruise lines.

Hebridean Spirit as I’m sure Hebridean Princess is, a wonderful relaxing holiday experience with good food, fine wines and being pampered from head to toe; meeting nice fellow passengers and just being part of a very happy family atmosphere from beginning to end. Thoroughly recommended for anyone wanting a really relaxing holiday and especially for single people who wish to meet and make friends with other guests who are in a similar situation.

Jennifer Wellard
Mundy Cruising plc
Office Manager

Rome – Lisbon 03 May – 08 May 2007

Great to be back on Silver Shadow after 3 years.
the service and food was as good as I had remembered it. One of the evenings I had the opportunity to dine in the Le Champagne which is an alternative restaurant that has a $30 cover charge per person, but only takes around 24 people so needs to be booked, I can certainly reccommend this for special occasions.

It was my first visit to the Port of Poltu Quatu Sardinia, which was by tender and a very stunning port.

I also had the opportunity to see the first race of the 2007 Americas Cup as we were anchored off Valencia, making the spanish port the first European venue since 1851 for sailing’s oldest tournament. You had the choice of going ashore at midday and the ship collecting you at 5pm or staying onboard and going back out to sea to see the race, this was a very exciting day and created a great atmosphere on deck, weather was perfect.

We were overnight in Lisbon, Silversea arranged shuttle service to take you into the town centre they were running every hour, taxis were also available, journey time approx 15 minute. so plenty of time to explore.

In my opinion Silversea Cruises is a great product, where you can do as much or as little as you want to, with good accommodation and service.

MY DATE WITH THE WILD MAN OF BORNEO

I am always eager to discover new destinations so when I saw the Silversea itinerary featuring
Borneo, Brunei and the Philippines, I headed for Silver Cloud… and high on my list of must-dos was to meet the famed Wild Man of Borneo – more accurately the `man of the forest’ – the Orang Utan.

Our call at Sandakan provided the opportunity on a morning excursion to the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, around 16 square miles of virgin forest where orphaned, injured or displaced orang utans are cared for and trained for return to the wild. We were warned that, as with all wild life, there was no guarantee we would actually see the orang utans, but they are highly intelligent and knowing that if they turned up in the same place at the same time every day they would be fed, it seemed a pretty safe bet!

We were told we had to be early to be in position well before the feeding time as they would disappear promptly after their milk and bananas. On arrival at the centre we were lucky to have a fine day for a walk of about 20 minutes through the forest on along a wooden walkway to the viewing platforms – in fact it was a much easier trip than I had expected. Then the anticipation began: there were ropes strung among the trees leading to the feeding area, and we were told to watch for the ropes to start moving as this meant the animals were approaching. We all set ourselves up with what we thought were good photographic viewpoints and about 20 minutes before feeding time the ropes duly started to move!

The excitement mounted as we all tried to be the first to spot the tan colour among the dense greenery…. and there they were! We saw 8 of them of various sizes, as well as the smaller monkeys that were sneaking in to share the goodies.

Like most animals, they were natural performers, swinging along the ropes and through the trees, demonstrating their agility. They have four big strong hands, which they were using to grasp the ropes and branches, and the bunches of bananas they had snatched – but make no mistake, they were behaving naturally in their natural habitat. They are very strict at the centre that visitors are not allowed to get too close, or to touch or feed the orang utans.

It was a morning I shall not forget, another ambition fulfilled, and another realisation that a cruise can be so much more than just a lazy luxury holiday – though it’s great to have that as well!

Leptis Magna has to be one of the best archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. The site surpassed all of my expectations and was really bought to life by my excellent guide. The Amphitheatre was spectacular as was the old harbour which had the feel of a place once the heart and soul of this remarkable seat of Roman power. The beauty of Leptis Magna is there were no real crowds to speak of which was refreshing.

A week aboard SeaDream in the Caribbean was quite possibly the best cruising experience I have had. A great itinerary, weather to die for, fantastic service…the perfect way to celebrate my 30th Wedding Anniversary.

We spent two days in St. Thomas before boarding SeaDream. We hadn’t sailed on her before but had SeaDream strongly recommended by some good friend of ours and it didn’t disappoint. From the moment we arrived (greeted with Champagne and a smile from the brilliant staff) to the moment we had to say goodbye we felt as if this were our own yacht.

We recommend any of the itineraries with Virgin Gorda, Anguilla and Jost van Dyke as these were the highlight with the white sandy beaches and clear water which was perfect for snorkelling.

We can’t wait for next year!