Norwegian Fjords deals

Celebrity Eclipse is sailing the Norwegian Fjords, currently on sale for 2015/2016/2017

Some amazing offers to be had included the 123 Go promotion which is back and as popular as ever!







Prices from £799 per person, 7/8 night durations









Don't delay book today. Check out our website for more details











 www.cruiseclubuk.com
 

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Part 6 Australia best bits.... Sydney

Sydney

The first time I visited this iconic city will always remain memorable! We walked from Kings Cross down to Woolloomooloo and up through Potts Point… The moment we reached the top of the hill the stunning view of Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House unfolded in front of us, it actually took my breath away!!!!!

Top tip: Grab at snack at Harry’s café de wheels, serves pies and mash at the road side in Woolloomooloo. Lots of famous celebrities have stopped by too!

There is so much to do and see in Sydney it’s impossible to fit everything in if your limited for time. I’ve narrowed down what I deem are the best bits……

The best way to experience Sydney Harbour is from the water. Explore its Islands by ferry or take a thrilling jet boat ride.

Climb Sydney Harbour Bride

Interesting fact: Before Paul Hogan (from the movie Crocodile Dundee) became famous, he worked on the Sydney Harbour Bridge as a painter

Head to the world famous Bondi Beach, watch the life guards in action then take the Bondi to Coogee Trail. Starting at Bondi Iceberg rock pool the walk has amazing views taking in Tamarama Beach and then onto Coogee Beach.

Travel from Circular Quay on a ferry to Manly, takes approx 30 minutes. Wander through native bushland on the scenic Manly to Spit Bridge walk. Explore the shops, bars and cafes along the bustling pine tree-lined promenade. The ferry ride alone is on of Sydney’s signature travel experiences.

Don’t miss the Rocks, full of history and cobbled laneways. Just 5 minutes from Circular Quay you can take walking tours and discover its past, including ghost tours. Historic workmans cottages, art galeries, hotels with harbour views and Sydney’s oldest pub are all worth a visit too!

Explore Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, free guided walking tours through the 30 hectare site. Home to thousands of fruit bats, watch them take flight around the city come sunset!

Just a few hours drive from Sydney The Blue Mountains National Park is famed for the blue mist given off from the eucalyptus trees. Check out the three sisters rock formation and worlds steepest railway. Ideal for picnics, walkers and climbers.

  

   

   

            Hire a car and head north from Sydney to Hunter Valley, it’s a 2 hour drive. With 120 wineries on offer, sampling wines and fine dining whilst seeing the Australian countryside.

Free city tours are available and a great way to find your bearings! Head to Town Hall Square for the meeting point, operates twice daily.

Most cruise companies offer excursions in and around Sydney. Or this is an ideal pre cruise hotel stay (recommend 3 nights minimum). 

 

Keep reading my blogs as more to come. Part 7 is Brisbane

For more information check out our website: www.cruiseclubuk.com

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Quantum of the Seas Cruise Ship Arrives in Southampton!

Arrived last night from Germany!

Next generation ship will do 2 short cruises before heading over to New York.
10th November is christening day...... from May 2015 she will be based full time in Shanghai

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Part 5 Australia best bits.... Hobart, Tasmania

Hobart, Tasmania

Voted one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world….. and Hobart is the cheapest of all Australian Cities

Interesting fact: From Hobart’s port the next stop is Antarctica

Hobart is Tasmania’s capital and the 2^nd oldest capital in Australia, after Sydney. This compact city is nestled amongst the foothills of Mount Wellington and oozes with both modern and historic charm.

Walking is the best way to explore Hobart. Starting with Salamanca Place, a picturesque row of four-storey sandstone warehouses that date back to the 1830s whaling era. It now houses an array of bars, restaurants, cafes, shops and art centers. From here climb the 175 year old Kelly Steps to Battery Point and walk round Hobart’s oldest suburbs.  Find your way to Arthur Circus, where Hobart's oldest Georgian-era cottages. On Hobart's historic Hunter Street, imaginative architecture and interior design has transformed a waterfront jam factory into art hotel.


Mona (Museum of old and new art) This is a private collection up for public viewing. You are there to visit one mans idea of what art is. Take the 30 minute ferry ride from Hobart.  Stunning building and events vary throughout the year. It’s voted one of Australia’s best museums….. a must see

For a much wider panoramic view of the city, river and estuary, drive to



Mount Wellington - on a clear day the view extends from Ben Lomond in north-east Tasmania to the ranges of the Southwest.

Richmond (a historic village) is gateway to some of Tasmania’s wine growing areas. Most cruise companies offer day tours that feature everything mentioned.

Also worth a mention: Port Arthur- The best preserved convict settlement in Australia, listed as a world heritage site

Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

Meet a little devil at the Tasmanian Devil conservation park

Top tip: 10 minutes from Hobart, climb Mount Wellington for stunning city views

Keep reading my blogs as more to come. Part 6 is Sydney

For more information check out our website: www.cruiseclubuk.com

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Part 4 Australia best bits..... Melbourne

MELBOURNE

I’ve visited Melbourne a few times, my last visit was spending time with a good friend of mine who lived in the area. I felt I got to know the real Melbourne and wanted to share my experience with some tips and recommendations…..

Melbourne is set on the banks of the Yarra River it’s a mix of 1800’s gold boom architecture and modern glass skyscrapers.

It’s easy to escape the modern day traffic in Melbourne’s backstreets. These laneways bustle with cafes and bars, the fun part is finding them tucked away in secret alcoves and behind unassuming doors. Check out the street art including Banksy!

Melbourne certainly knows how to pack a punch. They invented the rooftop bar scene, which opens up every summer. You can listen to live music, watch movies beneath the stars, perfect places to spend summers days and nights.

Situated in the Southbank area is the Crowne Entertainment complex, it’s a mini city of shopping and dining. It takes up 2 city blocks and dominates the Yarra River. The highlight for me is a 90-minute Four Seasons light show which takes place every night. Outside they have chimney stacks lined along the boardwalk which shoots bursts of flames into the air. This can be viewed from one of the many terrace bars along the front.

Head to Eureka skydeck 88, which is the tallest residential building in the Southern Hemisphere. Get a 360 degree view of Melbourne.

Top tip: Southgate Pedestrian Bridge, nr Flinders Street station….. Pony Fish Island, great food, quirky drinks, awesome atmosphere, amazing sunsets

Use the free tram around the city its gold and red

Federation Square is Melbourne's meeting place. It’s a unique cultural precinct which brings together a creative mix of attractions, museums and galleries, along with many restaurants, cafes and bars. Located opposite Flinders Street station, within easy walking distance of most major attractions.

St Kilda is Melbourne’s bohemian seaside town, just a short tram ride. St Kilda beach lines the shores of Port Phillip Bay. Complete with a long palm lined front, it’s a chilled out place with a good choice of eateries and great for those seeking beach activities.

So many other places in the city worth visiting:  

Brunswick Street: for fine art, fashion and food, this is Melbourne’s Soho strip

Royal botanical gardens, Yarra Valley for its fine wines and stunning scenery

The birth place of Neighbours, I’ve been on the tour and it’s well worth it if you’re a fan!

Some great days out around the area can be had, including Mornington Peninsula, Phillip Island (watch the daily sunset penguin parade), The Great Ocean Road (amazing stunning scenery). Most cruise companies offer excursions to these places. For more information check out our website: www.cruiseclubuk.com

Keep reading my blogs as more to come. Part 5 is Hobart, Tasmania......

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Part 3 Australia best bits.....Adelaide

Adelaide

Capital of South Australia and gateway to the ‘outback’.

Having spent a few months in Adelaide, I can honestly say its an amazing city! With its relaxed vibe and Med like weather, it has something for everyone.

Referred to as the wine and festival capital of Australia., and fast becoming the lifestyle capital of Australia too. This elegant city is undergoing a rapid transformation, with world class festivals, amazing eco adventures and a flourishing bar scene.

The city is surrounded by parklands which makes it feel non city like, with historic buildings galore. Free buses and trams operate around the city giving easy access to all major attractions. Its also easy walkable with most attractions a short walk away from each other. Or hop on one of the free bikes on offer in the daytime, available from Bicycle SA, Franklin Street.

The East End of Adelaide is Rundle Mall where most of the major shops are. Housing over 500 outlets among its 13 arcades. You can easily pick up some quirky gifts.

Glenelg is a classic seaside town with lots of charm. A 25 minute tram ride from Adelaide’s North Terrace (Elegant boulevard, home to the Art gallery of South Australia, South Australia Museum and the botanical gardens. All a must see). This 1920’s vintage tram is free and drops you off behind the jetty. And it’s a great way to see the local historic houses on the tree lined streets as you pass by. Sandy beaches, shops, cafes and entertainment are all on offer. You can even swim with wild dolphins or go snorkelling.

South Australia is a well known for its wine, there is a great selection of wineries in and around Adelaide (nearest being Adelaide Hills, approx 20 minutes away) offering wine tours. Most cruise companies offer these as an excursion, the most popular being Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Its well worth exploring the area as they all offer something slightly different.

Take a trip over to Kangaroo Island, it’s a short flight or 3 hour ferry ride. Stunning scenery, strange rock formations, seals, penguins… a true nature lovers dream

 

      Keep reading my blogs as more to come. Part 4 is Melbourne......


For information on cruises that feature these areas please visit www.cruiseclubuk.com

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Part 2 Australia best bits.... Esperance

Esperance

Esperance, roughly translated, is French for hope

This is one of my favourite places in Australia (I’ve pretty much been to most places in Oz). It benefits from a moderate Mediterranean climate all year round.

A Beautiful costal town, it has the most stunning scenery with squeaky white sand and turquoise water. There are 5 national parks around Esperance. The nearest being Cape Le Grand approx. 56 kilometers from the town centre. Its one of Western Australia's best know and most spectacular national parks. Famous for lucky Bay where you can witness the sight of kangaroos sunbathing on the beach! 

Lucky Bay is also set against a stunning seascape of 110 islands, called the Rechereche Archipelago. It actually earned the town the title of 'Bay of Isles'. Daily cruise tours operate around the islands and also take in the local wildlife.

A great scenic drive from the town centre is the 38km tourist loop called the Great Ocean Drive, taking in some of the most beautiful coastal scenery Australia has to offer. You can also view most of the 110 Islands from the comfort of your coach and frequent viewing points.

Between June to October southern right whales and hump back whales can be spotted hugging the coast line, preferring sheltered bays to give birth. You don’t need to take a boat trip for this, they really do get that close!!!


Most cruise companies offer pre bookable excursions to visit all the above mentioned, which I would highly recommend looking at before you sail.





Keep reading my blogs as more to come. Part 3 is Adelaide......


For information on cruises that feature these areas please visit www.cruiseclubuk.com

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Part 1.... Australia best bits , intro and Perth

So many of us plan a once in a lifetime trip to Australia and to be honest we haven’t all got the bug to backpack nor the time. There is another way to experience the highlights this amazing Country has to offer and that’s by CRUISING. Many of the main companies offer itineraries featuring key destinations, such as:  Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, Circummnavigation

Over the coming weeks Ill be doing an in depth guide to the most popular destinations and what they have to offer. Be it a pre or post cruise stay, its definitely worth extending your stay to get the most out of the Cities.

Starting off with: Perth, Western Australia

Situated in the Indian Ocean, so expect a Mediterranean climate, it’s the sunniest of all Australian Capital Cities

Situated beside the River Swan, Perth is without a doubt stunning. The best views can be found at Kings Park (one of the biggest inner city parks in the world, and yes bigger than New Yorks Central Park). 400 hectares of parklands, treetop walk, indigenous cultural tours and much more.

Swan Bells is the worlds largest musical instrument on the foreshore of the Swan River. Climb to the top for city/river views complete with glass floor! www.swanbells.com.au Also from here you can jump on the free bus around the city

Perth boasts a total of 19 metropolitan beaches

ROTTNEST ISLAND is just a short ferry ride from Perth, a mere 19 kilometers. Boasts 63 stunning beaches, 20 beautiful bays and many coral reefs and wrecks. Being car free the best way to get around is by bike. Also home to the Quokka (a cute mini marsupial only found in Western Australia)

FREEMANTLE

Situated 30 minutes from Perth, I would highly recommend the ferry from Barrack Street (near to Swan Bells). Take in the leisurely cruise down the Swan River, maybe spot a dolphin and be in awe of the million $ houses.

This City blends old with new, creating an enriching cultural experience. Buzzing markets, lively bars, casual street cafes, a redeveloped fishing boat harbour with some of the best fresh local seafood.

If you are looking for something a little bit different Freemantle is the place to shop.

For those who enjoy their vino, then look no further than SWAN VALLEY, a short ferry ride up the Swan River takes you to this famous wine region.  Indulge in cellar door tastings of olives, cheese and chocolates or take the food and wine trail that stretches 32 kilometers.

Also its worth exploring Perth’s museums, art galleries and zoo.

Part 2 coming soon on Esperance one of my fave places in Australia
For more info email me: laura@cruiseclubuk.com

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