Taste of London 2015 & Celebrity Cruises

It's hard to believe that this is my fourth summer in London.  It doesn't seem possible.  One of the first events I attended that first summer was the Taste of London.  We haven't missed it since then.  You can read about 2012, 2013 and 2014 to see why we love this restaurant festival so much.  Of course, I wasn't going to miss it this year either. 

Cruising 101 - Shore Excursions

In previous Cruising 101 posts, I’ve talked about selecting and booking a cruise.
Today I’m going to talk about shore excursions. 

One of the best things about cruising is pulling into a new port each morning and setting out to explore.  How you spend your time off the ship can certainly make or break your vacation.  There are three ways to approach shore excursions.

1.  Book directly with the cruise line

Each cruise line will have a long list of excursions for each port.  Once you’ve booked your cruise, go through the list to see all of the exciting ways to spend your time on shore.  They offer a large variety at various activity levels.

There are several Pros to dealing directly with the cruise line.  Everything is planned for you.  Just show up at the assigned spot, get your numbered sticker and off you go.  You’re typically dealing with reputable tour companies that have a professional relationship with the cruise line.  In addition, if there are any problems along the way it will be handled by the cruise line.  Most importantly, if the tour is delayed the ship will wait for you to get back on board.

But, there are some Cons also.  To be honest, Matt and I often scorn the massive, shuffling groups of “paddle people.”  The groups can be very large and plodding.  The cruise excursions offered by the ships are sometimes the most expensive option.  

We rarely go this route, but the few times that we have turned out fine.  On a Caribbean cruise, we booked a last minute Dolphin Experience for my birthday which was fantastic.  On my recent MSC Cruise, I was pleasantly surprised with our city tour excursions in Genoa and Aix-en-Provence.  The groups were a comfortable size and the tour guides were terrific.  We also will sometimes use the cruise line's airport transfers for convenience.  

2.  Book with a local tour company

A little more risky, but we’ve had great results with this approach.  The biggest risk is that if you’re delayed, the cruise ship WILL leave without you.  It’s great sport on a cruise ship to head to the upper decks and watch the stragglers run for the boat as the horn blares its imminent departure.   But cruise passengers are the bed and butter for these local tour groups.  They are well informed and will get you back to the ship in plenty of time. 

We love this option for several reasons.  We’re directly supporting the local economy.  The groups are usually smaller.  With a smaller group, you are able to make the most of your time.  In fact, we often go with a private tour with just us and a guide, offering flexibility and individual attention.  You would think this option would be the most expensive, but it’s usually not.  We’ve actually saved money this way.  This is what we did in St. Petersburg, Athens and Ephesus.

I don’t recommend just walking off the ship and going off with one of the last minute operators vying for your business in the port.  It’s critical to select a reputable and professional tour company with great word of mouth referrals.  CruiseCritic.com is the best place to start.  We always book online well ahead of time and take advantage of the protection that comes with using a credit card.

3.  Strike out on your own. 

Depending on the port this is a pretty easy option.  But typically the ports are some distance from the city, so don’t expect to be dropped of at the city center.  It’s important to research your transportation options.  Buses or taxis will usually get you from the port to the city.  Public transport might also be an option.

This one also requires research so that you spend your time wisely and are prepared.   And keep an eye on the time.  You don’t want to arrive back at the port to see your cruise ship sailing away.  If you’re using public transport, be sure to have a Plan B.  In Stockholm, we were depending on a bus to get us back to the port only to realize that the bus didn’t run on Sundays.  That was a long (and grumpy) walk back to the ship. 

Here are some questions to consider when you’re deciding which option to go with?

What is the size of the city? 

Is it walkable? 

How usable is the public transport?

How far is the port from the city?

How safe is the city?

What’s your budget?

How big is your group?

What are the ages and activity levels of your group?

How much travel experience do you have?

How much research are you willing to do?

How much risk are you willing to accept?

Different itineraries also lend themselves to a specific option.  In the Caribbean, we usually head to a beach on our own or pre-book a water excursion.   Each stop on our Baltic Cruise was a city that we could easily explore on foot or with public transport.  (The exception was St. Petersburg where you can’t leave the ship without being part of a tour.)  Our Med cruise ended up being the most expensive because we booked excursions at almost every port. 

Two last points. 

1.  Be sure to consider the additional expense of shore excursions when budgeting for your cruise.  Costs can add up very quickly and even double the price of your cruise. 

2.  Pay attention to transfer times.  That excursion may sound wonderful but if it means three hours on a bus, you might want to pass.  Shore time is limited so make the best of it.

 So much to consider, isn’t it?  But, I promise it’s worth it.  

 

What about you?  How do you approach shore excursions?

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Cruising 101 - Booking Your Cruise

It's time to talk about cruising again!
Even though we don't currently have one booked, a cruise is never far from my mind.

So far in my Cruising 101 Series, I've given you some enticing reasons why you should cruise.
We've talked about Brits and cruising. I've given you some basic things to consider when selecting a cruise.

Matt has talked to you about solo cruising and I've compared a US cruise line with a European cruise line.

Now that you're convinced that a cruise is for you and you've selected the perfect cruise,

it's time to take the big step of booking that cruise!

There are a few things to consider when it's time to book that cruise. 

The first is should you use a travel agent or just book online?  

For my first cruise, I was booking for a family group of six and I was pretty clueless as to how it all worked.  A trusted travel agent that specialized in cruising was immensely helpful in figuring out all of the details.  She got us the best rates, made sure we took advantage of a last minute price drop and helped us with travel insurance.  I would recommend finding a Cruise Specialist with a really solid, word-of-mouth reputation and letting them help you out, especially with that first time booking. 

Another option is to book through a third party discount cruise website.  I've never actually tried this, but if the deal is right, you can check out the reputation of the company and you read the fine print, it might be a good option. 

 

Since that first cruise, I now book everything directly with the cruise line's website.  Once you are booked, you can log in to the passenger section of the website to complete all of your pre-cruise paperwork, find answers to frequently asked questions and get information about extras and excursions (which we will talk about next time.)  Between the booking and the cruise, there are often phone calls to customer service with various questions and I've had really good luck with the customer service.

When should you book?

If you've picked out your cruise, it's best to book as early as possible as they do often sell out.  (Last minute bookings are for people who can be a little more flexible and chase the bargains.)  Typically, a 10% deposit is required to book a cruise with payment in full about 90 days out.  The further out you book, the more time you have to make payments.  

Be sure to read the cancellation policy for any cruise that you book.  And consider cruise insurance, should anything go wrong with the booking.  Once I'm booked, I monitor the prices for any drops or deals that I might be able to take advantage of prior to the cruise.

You also have some very important decisions to make at the time of booking involving eating and sleeping.

Two of my favorite things to do on a cruise.

What time would you like to have dinner each night?

Many cruise lines offer two dinner seatings in the main dining room(s), early or late seating.  The nightly shows are scheduled around these seatings.  So you may eat first and then go check out the show or eat after the show.  It's purely a matter of personal preference.  We usually pick the late seating as it gives us time to get back on the ship after a long day in port with plenty of time to relax and get ready for dinner.  If you don't get the seating that you requested upon booking, or if you change your mind, a visit to the Maitre d' will often solve the problem.

Most cruise lines are also now offering a more flexible dining option where you select the time that is best for you.  Then you just reserve a table the night before.  We tried this on our Baltic Cruise and were happy with it.  Although, we did kind of miss having a set table, wait staff and companions for the entire cruise.  It's part of cruising that we really enjoy.  We are still in contact with dinner mates that we've met while cruising and we enjoy the social aspect of a scheduled dinner seating. 

Which cabin will be your home for the cruise?

There are basically four types of cabins:  inside cabin with no view, outside cabin with a view (window/porthole), outside cabin with a balcony or a suite.  I've never stayed in a suite, but I have stayed in the other three types.  Obviously, a balcony is always my first choice.  It just depends on the prices.

The Baltic Cruise that we went on was more expensive so we opted for an outside cabin with a window and were completely happy with that.  The inside cabins are the same size and just as nice, but you never know what's happening with the weather and sea conditions outside.  And I want to experience the ocean as much as possible on a cruise.  But, if that's what I can afford then that's what I'm taking.

Each cruise ship then has a larger variety of cabin categories based on the room type, size and the deck where they are situated.  You can make a decision on the category of cabin that you want and book a "Guarantee."  This means that you will at least get a room in that category (or you may even get really lucky and get an upgrade.)  But, the cruise line will select the location of your cabin and you don't have any say in where you will end up on the ship.

This was the option that I picked for that first cruise.  I ended up in the very front tip of the ship at the lowest passenger level, which meant three things.  I really felt the movement of the ship.  I heard the constant loud smack of the water against the hull of the ship as it sliced through the water.  And each morning when we docked, I was awoken very early with the sound of the massive metal anchors sliding to to the seabed on their massive chains.  Do you know how long it takes them?  It seemed like forever.  Don't get me wrong, I had an amazing cruise.  But, since then, I've selected the actual cabin that I will be staying in for the cruise.  

I study the deck plans, compare pricing and book a specific cabin number.  I prefer to be mid-ship, mid-level which is where I feel the least movement.  (I've only experienced seasickness once during really rough seas, but I still prefer to be in a more stable area of the ship.)  I also look at the deck plans to see if I'm over or under a nightclub or dining room that might affect the noise levels.  And I chose a cabin that is close to a set of stairs and bank of elevators which makes getting around easier.  Some of those long hallways can seem endless.

We always use the cruise line website to book a specific cabin.  But, you can also do this if you book over the phone.   They will tell you which cabins are available and you can cross reference with the deck plans to make the right choice.  

If you go this route be sure to pay close attention to the details on the deck plan.  Does the room have an actual window or it just a porthole?  Is there an obstructed view?  Is it a family room with pull-down beds?  Is it adjoined with another room?  There is a chance that you could be asked to switch if there is another passenger that needs that specific type of cabin. 

 I guess, it all boils down to how much control you want to have.

(I've never denied having control issues.)

You can relax, make some basic decisions and just go with the flow.

Or you can do some research and make some more specific choices.  

 I'm a big researcher and I find that the more I know ahead of time,

the more relaxed I am during the actual cruise. 

If you are considering or planning a cruise, I can't recommend www.cruisecritic.com enough.

You can find out more than you will ever want to know about cruising.

You can even ask about a specific cabin on the forums to see if anyone can send you pictures.

It's been invaluable to us.  (They are in no way endorsing my recommendation,

I just really think it's a great website.)

My next post in the Cruising 101 Series will cover some of the extras that come along with a cruise

such as drinks packages and excursions.

I'm also going to put together a post of Best Tips.  So if you are a cruiser,

I would love to include your tips in that post.  Send me an email at selena_jones@me.com.

 

Do you have any tips or questions for booking a cruise?

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MSC Splendida

Yesterday I compared US versus European cruising for my Cruising 101 series.

Today I'm going to show you the beautiful MSC Splendida.

I have a lot of photographs so you can get a feel for the ship.

First things first.  The MSC Splendida is massive.  With 18 decks, it's one of the largest ships that I've cruised on.
13 of the decks accommodate the 3,900 passengers served by a crew in excess of 1,300.
It's a beautiful and elegant ship, like a really nice floating hotel.

On the MSC Splendida, a large portion of the rooms are balcony rooms.  I love having a balcony room.  It's so nice to have that private area to have a coffee or nightcap and watch the ocean go by.  

I was close to the front of the ship so that I had a metal balcony rather than a glass balcony.
I didn't mind as it was pretty high up and it felt more enclosed.
 My room was nice and roomy, comparable to other balcony rooms that I've had in both size and amenities.  
It was clean and well maintained throughout my stay by the room steward.
However, I did notice the couch upholstery was stained and in need of a good steam clean. 

The MSC Splendida is a beautiful ship.
On most cruise ships there are usually 2-3 mid-level decks where you will find the public areas.
On these decks you will find the dining rooms, bars, galleries, shops, specialty restaurants, cigar rooms, libraries, internet cafes, reception, bars, the theatre and more.
On the MSC Splendida, these public areas are found on Decks 5, 6 and 7 and are extensive.
More than enough options for every interest and these decks never felt crowded.

There were several banks of elevators but they were very busy and you had to be quick.
There were many times when we had to run for an open door to have it close before we could get to it.
Because of the sheer size of the ship expect to do a lot of walking during your stay.

I love some bling and these crystal staircases were gorgeous.
The MSC Splendida has a very elegant European style.
It's certainly the prettiest ship I've ever been on.

I was very satisfied with the meals on board.  We ate most of our dinners in the Main Dining room.
I always got room service for breakfast as my wake up call.  Lunch was in the buffet each day.
The buffet is huge, as you would imagine to feed that many people.
They offer a very wide range of foods from burgers to pasta, plenty of fresh fruit and veg and wonderful desserts.
It was usually very crowded, but we were always able to find a table.

The dining room we were assigned, La Reggia, was very nice but a bit dark and closed in with no views.
I believe the other dining room has more views.
The ship is huge but I found it to have a bit of a closed in feel overall.
If you didn't have a balcony room, you wouldn't really even know that you were on a ship.
This is just a personal preference for me.
I want to know that I'm on a ship and I want to see the ocean no matter where I am.

There is a lovely Italian-tiled cafe serving yummy gelato.  There are wine bars and coffee bars.  All of these treats are extra and the expenses can add up if you aren't careful.

When your cruising, the meals in the main dining room and the buffet are included in the price of the cruise.
But most of the larger ships have specialty themed restaurants where you can also eat.  But, be prepared to pay an extra premium for these meals.

I was so excited that the MSC Splendida features a Tex Mex Restaurant.

It is casual dining with a western flair and the margaritas were wonderful.

The theatres on a cruise ship are typically mid level at the front of the ship.
This was the largest theatre that I've seen on a ship. 
I also noticed that they don't allow drinks which is different from other ships I've been on
that have drink service before each show. 

The ship has a large variety of bars and discos that get going late at night.

We were so busy during the day that we didn't have many late nights.

But, one night we did spend some time in a lounge watching the dancing and had a blast.

The staff did a great job of getting everyone up dancing and it was very festive and fun.

Along with the mid level public areas on a cruise ship, the top few decks are also full of fun things to do. 
This is where you will find the pools, sun decks, the buffet, more bars, sports centers and the spa. 
(So, when you cruising don't be overwhelmed with 18 levels. 
You just have to learn the public decks at mid-level and up top.)   

The MSC Splendida also has a pool area with a retractable roof
which means that you can enjoy the water no matter the weather.
I didn't really spend any time enjoying the pools and hot tubs on this cruise
but there were many people that did.

I did, however, spend a good amount of time in The Aurea Spa.  It was ah-ma-zing!
I had a Balinese massage, a body scrub and a facial and it was heavenly.
The MSC Aurea Spa is unique to MSC Cruises with a state-of-the-art gym, spa,and beauty facilities.
You can get a manicure, pedicure, even get your hair styled and enjoy the juice bar.  
 I've always wanted to visit the spa on a cruise ship and now that I have I'm completely spoiled.  

There is so much more on board.  I've only shown you a little bit.
There is a Sports Bar with a bowling alley, Formula 1 Simulator, 4D Cinema, arcade, a gym, running track, basketball court and an extensive children's program.
I've never been on a ship with so much to offer.  
With only three days on board, there was no way to squeeze it all in.

I was invited aboard the MSC Splendida with a small group of bloggers
for just three nights to get a taste of the ship and the cruise line.  
But, the regular itinerary for the Splendida is a seven day Mediterranean cruise
with stops in Italy, France, Spain and Tunisia with prices starting as low as £299 per person (that's not a typo!).
And children cruise for free on MSC.  (Be sure to check the MSC website for Terms & Conditions.)

I had an wonderful time on board the MSC Splendida and met some really great people.


But, cruising isn't just about the ship.
Later this week, I'll share with you the ports we visited.

What is your favorite part of cruising?

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 *I was a guest of MSC Cruises for a three night #MSCBlogCruise for the purposes of review.
All photos, writing and opinions are my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Picking the Right Cruise

Time for the next post in my Series Cruising 101 with Selena!

Hopefully, I've convinced you that cruising is a great option

and Matthew has given you a British perspective 

Now it's time to take the next step and select the perfect cruise.

The options seem endless.  So many choices!

This step can certainly be the most overwhelming,

particularly if this is your first cruise. 

Not to mention the pressure to get it right.

You're spending hard earned dollars and valuable holiday time on this cruise.

This is a big decision.   So how do you pick the right cruise?  

This post will break it down to four easy variables that will help you

make this important and exciting decision. 

Who?  (Cruiseline)    What? (Ship)    When? (Season)    Where? (Itinerary)

Who shall we cruise with?

Consider the cruise line's niche, culture and price. Each cruise line is different.  The key is to pick the one that best matches your personality and interests.    What do you want?  Family Fun.  Gourmet Meals.  Great entertainment.  Laid back vibe or party atmosphere.  Each line has their own specialty.  It's also important to consider the culture of each  cruise line.  There is usually a different feel between a cruise line geared towards Americans versus Europeans.  Does this factor into your decision?   Your budget (which we will talk about in a future post) will also help you answer this question.  There is a very wide range of price points in cruising from budget to luxury.  

What ship do we want to spend our time on?

Each cruise line will have a range of ships.  They can vary greatly in age, size and amenities and each of these will lead to a very different experience on board.  What amenities are most important to you?  A stellar kid's program.  Modern spa and fitness center.   Adult's Only pool.   Each year another Mega Ship is launched with anything that you can imagine on board.   But a smaller ship can get into smaller and more interesting ports.  What is more important to you? 

When is the best time to go? 

This one can really trip you up if you don't do enough research.  Imagine taking your European family on a Caribbean Cruise to discover that you've gone during Spring Break Week when every US college student has headed south to get their drink on.   It's important to consider holidays, school schedules, and who else is likely to be on the cruise.   You should also consider weather and travel seasons.  Know that if you cruise the Med in July it's going to be frickin' hot. And if you cruise the Caribbean during Hurricane Season you might miss a port (or get two extra days in Puerto Rico.  Not that we complained.) 

Where do we want to explore?

I love this one!  Where shall we go?   Do we want to lounge on beaches in the Caribbean?  Shall we explore ancient ruins and drink wine in the Mediterranean?  So many options, so little time.  But selecting an itinerary isn't just about the ports.  Be sure to think about your departure point and consider any extra time and cost involved.  Don't forget to think about sea days vs. port days.  As well, as how much time you have.  Three nights?  Two weeks?  Three months?  Itinerary is an important one.   

It's a lot to consider, isn't it?  But don't let it discourage you.

Some of these may have been decided before you even start this process.  Your dates might be limited by school holidays or your itinerary may be something that you already have your heart set on.  It's also important to note that each of these variables may hold different weight in your decision.  You want a cruise line that caters to families no matter where it takes you. 

So start by writing down these four questions and filling in the answers that have already been decided.  Then place them in order of importance for you and your fellow cruiser(s).  This is where the real fun begins!   I hate to even call it research, because it is so much fun.

Recommended Resources  

Cruise Brochures  (Take note of who their target audience is.  Is it you?)
Blogs (That's a no brainer.)
Online Reviews and Forums
Cruise Magazines
Cruise and Travel Shows

 Cruise Critic

Cruise Critic is our number one resource when planning a cruise.  If you don't do anything else I've suggested, visit CruiseCritic.com for their reviews, cruise news, invaluable articles and the community forums.  I've spent countless hours there and not one minute was wasted.

Cruise Specialists

Lastly, don't be afraid to ask for help.  With the internet at our fingertips, many of us have started bypassing the experts.  (Don't tell me you haven't Googled your symptoms and completely skipped a trip to your GP.)  A Cruise Specialist might be a lifesaver, especially if this is your first cruise.  Find one that comes highly recommended and let them help you wade through all of the details. 
 
When I was planning my first cruise, I was so nervous.  Not only was it me but five other family members were trusting me with this decision.  I used both a Cruise Specialist and Cruise Critic while planning a week long Caribbean Cruise.   I will admit to one minor meltdown upon embarkation.  (Everyone was looking to me to have all of the answers and guide them through the logistics but I was as overwhelmed by it all as anyone.)  And we did miss a port because of high winds.  But, I we all had a blast  and I fell in love with cruising.  

Once you get that first one under your belt, it gets so much easier.  I promise.

And I highly recommend a Caribbean Cruise.

It's the perfect way to start your very own love affair with cruising.

Next in the series, we'll talk about booking that cruise once you've made your choice.


What's your top tip for picking the perfect cruise?

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Royal Copenhagen

 *I received two complimentary 3-Day Copenhagen Cards from Visit Copenhagen for our visit.

Copenhagen is the seat of the government of Denmark and home of the Danish Monarchy.

The Danish Monarchy can be traced back over 1,000 and the royal family is deeply loved by the Danes.

So, of course there were several royal stops during our time in Copenhagen.

Changing of the Guard at Amalienborg Palace 

The Amalienborg Palace is made up of four identical buildings surrounding a cobblestone courtyard.
At noon each day, people gather around for the changing of the guards.
The guards are on duty to protect the royal family and take their job very seriously.
Don't get too close and don't sit on the window ledges of the palace. 

As we were leaving the courtyard, this official looking gentleman was rushing towards the palace with a very important looking briefcase.  I wonder where he is off to so hurriedly.

The back of the royal residence backs onto the water and these two smaller buildings are for the royal family to use when they are leaving by water.  The Royal Yacht HDMY Danneborg was in the harbor.  It is used by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and her family.

This young man was waiting behind the palace to be shuttled to the royal yacht.

I couldn't decide if he was a soldier reporting for duty or a young royal off for a cruise.

The Royal Reception Rooms at Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace is the home of the Danish Parliament, Supreme Court and the Prime Minister's Office.  The Palace also houses the Royal Reception Rooms which are used by the royals for official functions.  We donned paper booties and toured the stately rooms.

Notice the three silver lions guarding the throne in the painting above.

We will see them again later.

My favorite room was the Great Hall.  There are 17 bright and modern tapestries displayed here that tell the history of Denmark.  They are intricately detailed.  It took 30 weavers ten years to create the the stunning tapestries.

Rosenborg Castle

Built in 1606 as a country home by King Christian IV of Denmark, Rosenborg Castle now houses the royal collection.  It's a large and eclectic collection of royal artifacts, including the Crown Jewels of Denmark.

The three silver lions were made in the late 1600's and still guard the throne today.

We also visited the National Museum while visiting Copenhagen.  Admission to the museum, the Reception Rooms and Rosenborg Castle were all included with our cOPENhagen Cards.  There is so much to do and see in Copenhagen.  I'm so happy that we decided to extend our cruise holiday for a few extra days to explore this great city.

And that, my friends, is the end of our Baltic Cruise Review.

I hope I haven't bored you to death.  13 posts from a 10 day trip might be overkill.

But, we had such a great time and I wanted to capture it all.

What do you think?  Are you inspired to take a Baltic Cruise?

 I'm still working on the Bloggers Tea in November.

The list is already up to 16 lovely bloggers.  I'm so excited!

Please let me know if you want to be included.

 

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 *I received two complimentary 3-Day cOPENhagen Cards 
from Visit Copenhagen for the purposes of review.
All photos, writing and opinions are 100% my own.
As always, I promise to be open, honest and transparent with my readers.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.