All aboard Norwegian Escape!

Last month LoveitBookit.com were on board the gorgeous Norwegian Escape for her inaugural launch in Southampton. We offered one lucky competition winner the chance to join us, here is what Chris had to say about her….

“I was so excited to have of won a taster cruise on the Norwegian Escape with LoveitBookit.com and I was be able to take one of my best friends who has never cruised before.

After eventually deciding what to take on board for just one night we made our way to Southampton to greet the Norwegian Escape. First impressions of the ship were great and seeing the size of the ship and the brilliant hull art work was really impressive.

The boarding process was good and efficient (I’ve had a couple bad experiences on previous cruise holidays) and once on board and greeted by friendly staff, we decided to have a wander round to get our bearings of the ship, as I’ve never been on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship before.  You could tell it was a new modern ship, everything looked really impressive and exciting! I particularly liked the atrium and the Manhattan Dining Room.

We then ventured to the outside decks, where we got very excited to see the slides and ropes course. I had a go on the ropes later in the afternoon, it was great fun being so high up and totally exhilarating!

Dining options on board were plentiful, from full course fine dining to cheesy Nachos in O’Sheehans (which we enjoyed late at night!) We went to the buffet for lunch and it had plenty of choice of great tasting food, so much so we went up a few times for more.

Our room was a good sized interior room. I liked the switches for the ‘make up room’ which lit a light outside the room number, or ‘Do Not Disturb’. The room had all the standard amenities you would expect, including an easy to change thermostat and a decent hair dryer.

For the muster safety drill we were in the casino and while waiting I noticed the tables had the hull art work incorporated on them, a nice touch.

Sail away on deck was a brilliant atmosphere, even in the cold English weather. The bars were packed and everyone was enjoying the music and the staff were dancing around the pool and onstage, it really gave it a great atmosphere.

There was some options for the evening entertainment, like the Supper Club and Million Dollar Quarter, but we decided to go to a few various bars, such as Brew House and 5 O’Clock Somewhere to try them out and see what the atmosphere in each was like in each. Our favourite was Spice H2O playing upbeat modern music and serving a good selection of cocktails and other drinks. In a warmer climate we imagine that is definitely the late night place to be!

We wanted a couple more days on board to experience it more fully, but we did squeeze as much as we could in in such a short space of time! Overall, we a great experience and I would definitely consider choosing Norwegian for a freestyle cruise holiday in the future.”

Barcelona

In a series of new guides, we’re going to give you the low-down on embarkation ports. Traditionally, you don’t really get to see much on the port you depart from, unless you decide to add a few nights pre or post cruise. LoveitBookit.com are pleased to announce that we can now cater for those of you who want to cruise and stay and in 2016 Barcelona will welcome brand new ships from Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, as well as the ever popular Epic from Norwegian Cruise Line, among others, so call us today and let us plan your perfect Mediterranean break.

But first, let’s give you some inspiration…..

BARCELONA

The port is actually pretty centrally located, it only takes roughly around 30 minutes to get to the port. This puts it in a great location to get to and from for either a day exploring or a pre / post stay. You can reach the port by train or bus, but it does involve changing, so taxis are a better option and it’s pretty inexpensive, around 30 euros or so,  Some of the cruise terminals are only a walk away from prime tourist areas like Las Ramblas, a great starting point for any day out in Barcelona, but for those a little further away, there is a blue shuttle bus which takes you from the port to the Christopher Columbus monument at the foot of Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas leads you up through the heart of the city, with a historic opera house and many flower and produce stands along the route and restaurants to stop and watch the world go by. The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria is an absolute must see; a bright, bustling affair with fruits, meats and cheeses all ready for you to sample there at the stalls with an ice-cold cerveza or to take away. Be on your guard though, Las Ramblas is the most heavily pickpocketed area in the world.

Gaudi dominates Barcelona and trip to the Sagrada Familia should feature highly on your to-do list. This imposing cathedral is both stunning inside and out and is a work in progress, despite construction starting in 1882. Inside Gothic meets Art Nouveau in a kaleidoscope of colour and it’s definitely worth the queue to get in. Make sure you also take a stroll in Park Guell – it’s like being placed in a fairy tale with an English Garden feel. There are lots of other Gaudi buildings though which probably don’t feature quite as high on peoples to-do list’s, but if you have the time, Palau Guell, Casa Batllo, Torre Bellesguard and Casa Vicens are all stunning as well.

In a stark contrast to La Sagrada Familia, with it’s impressive vaulted ceilings the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia dominates the Gothic Quarter and is the offical cathedral of Barcelona. There is a wonderful market you can buy antiques and knick-knacks from near here and the medieval buildings surrounding it are wonderfully preserved. This area is a great place for tapas or pintxos, washed down with a good vermouth.

If you enjoy a hike then a trip up Mount Montjuic will reward you with fantastic views over the city and it’s generally quieter than most tourist areas due to the effort involved reaching the top. This mountain provided the spectacular backdrop for the 1992 Olympic games and you can explore lots of the buildings used here and you can even take a dip in the Olympic pool, as it’s open to the public. The main access point for the mountain is Placa Espanya.

Art-lovers will find themselves blissfully catered for, the Fundacio Joan Miro is one of the largest museums in the world and home to a collection of over 225 paintings, 150 sculptures and graphic pieces by the surrealist painter and his contemporaries and of course, Picasso spent his formative years in Barcelona; the Museu Picasso houses works from his early years and you can stop at Els 4 Gats, where artists such as Picasso and Salvador Dali used to chat, eat and discuss art.

If you would rather spend you time in Barcelona working on your tan, head to Barceloneta and the fabulous golden beach. It can get densely populated in the summer but the sea is warm and inviting and a stroll along the promenade will provide you with lots of opportunities to sit in a cafe and watch the world go by. There are lots of fabulous seafood restaurants along Port Vell as well, which takes you along the front of the habour. Can Sole and La Mar Salada are two particularly good ones, with impressive displays of their wares outside, inviting you in.

So whether you have a few hours or a few days to explore this beautiful city, you will find something for everyone. If you’re already a fan of Barcelona, let us know if you think we’ve missed anything!

First Time Cruisers: What To Pack?

If you’re cruising for the first time, it can be a bit daunting knowing what to pack – talk of formal nights and deck parties might get you you confused as to what is appropriate, so here are some top tips to help you…

1) Depending on who you are sailing with, you may find you will have some ‘formal’ nights were you are expected to dress up. Traditionally, this meant a tuxedo, but more commonly now it just means a suit and tie for men and a cocktail dress for women. However, the beauty of cruising means that if you don’t want to dress up for dinner there will be a dining area where you can get away with being more casual. Generally shorts aren’t acceptable for dinner and if you are sunbathing, you can’t go to the buffet in your swimwear (although you might get away with a cover up.) It does vary from cruiseline to cruiseline though, with companies like Norwegian Cruise Line going for a less formal approach and lines like Cunard still having tuxedos to rent on board.

2) You won’t need towels – they are provided in your stateroom and you can get fresh ones for sunbathing by the pool.

3) Depending on the ship you will need either a US or European mains adapter, some ships have outlets for both so one of each is probably a good idea. Some people like to pack a power strip, but some cruise lines frown upon these.

4) You won’t need to change lots of Euros or Dollars as ships operate a cashless system on board. However, if you plan to get off and explore in port, it’s useful to have some of the local currency for gifts and refreshments.

5) Take travel size bottles of toiletries with you; whilst bathrooms on some liners can be quite substantial you will still have limited counter space.

6) Remember comfy footwear! It’s tempting if you’re off to sunnier shores to only back flip-flops and sandals for the day, but lots of the excursions are often to historical sites or involve a fair bit of walking, so make sure you’ve got the right attire!

7) Whilst you can’t come laden with booze in your case, most cruise lines allow a bottle of wine per passenger to have in your cabin. Take it in your main baggage, but make sure it’s packed well so won’t break. If it’s not a screw top you’ll also need a bottle opener.

8) Baggage can take a few hours to get to your cabin, so if you want to hit the pool or need some essential with you for your first few hours on deck, make sure you put it in your carry on.

9) Spare coat hangers are always a good option if you have lots of stuff packed that creases easily, there will be a handful in your wardrobe but not always enough!

10) Even in the sun-drenched Caribbean the temperature can drop in the evening, especially with the sea breeze, so make sure you pack a jacket or something warm in case you need it in the evenings, especially if you’re out on deck.

11) Consider packing earplugs – this is especially helpful if you book a cabin on a guarantee basis and don’t actually know where on the ship your stateroom will be. You don’t want your beauty sleep disturbed so these can be a lifesaver.

12) Portable alarm clock – if you want to save your phone battery or don’t want to rack up lots of expensive roaming charges by accident then consider taking a small battery powered alarm, especially if you’re in an inside stateroom, when you wake up from your nap you won’t know if you’ve been asleep for 4 minutes or 4 hours.

13) Electricals – Spare camera memory cards, extra batteries, Kindles…make sure you have everything covered!

14) Medication – Whilst its unlikely you’ll be affected by motion sickness on today’s modern ships, it’s can’t hurt to make sure you’re prepared if you are. It’s all handy to bring any brands of things that you prefer and things like rennies in case you over indulge in the yummy buffet!

15) Extra baggage – unless you’ve left lots of room in your bags for all the things you may buy, then bring something that can double as an extra bag should you need to check it on the way home. All those lovely ports means more chances to pick up some local treasures, it all adds up!

Do you think we’ve missed something? What items can you not cruise without?

Spotlight on Italy

Italy is probably one of the most visually stunning countries in all of Europe. Ancient buildings, beautifully preserved as well as picture perfect beaches, rolling countryside and of course, the tasty food and wine.

Given the geography of the country, most of the major towns are easily accessible and feature heavily on cruise itineraries, such as this one on the Norwegian Epic, which covers all the ports in our personal highlights…

Rome

The main port to access Rome is Civitavecchia, from there, you are looking at an inexpensive train journey into the centre of Rome taking anything from 45mins to an 1hr 20 mins. However, most ships dock early and don’t leave until around 7pm, giving you a whole day to explore, just make sure you get off the ship early.

It is impossible to see everything in Rome in a day, so you are going to have to decide what are your must sees. You could easily lose a day at the Vatican, the museums are amazing and – as well as the Sistine Chapel – house some truly stunning works of art, so you could opt to do that and tour round the basillica. Or you could head into Rome proper, lose yourself on the winding streets and find time to visit major attractions like the Panetheon, Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps or The Forum.

Top Tip: There is a church practically on every corner in Rome, whilst they might not look like much from the outside, most are works of art with gorgeous painted ceilings and ornate carvings, so pop in to everyone one to see what you can discover inside.

Florence

Florence is arguably the most beautiful city in the whole of Italy and one of the beautiful cities in the world. You can access it from the port Livorno and from there Florence is a train journey away and takes roughly 1 hr 30 mins.

Like Rome, you can’t cover it all in a day, but you can’t miss a trip to see Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, as well as the Ponte Vecchio, the most famous bridge in Florence. Another must see is a trip to one of the largest cathedrals in the world, the Gothic-era Duomo. Entrance is free but it gets extremely busy, so make sure you get there early to try and beat the lines. Also make sure you pay a visit to the Church of San Lorenzo, where you can find the tombs of the Medici family and Donatello; you can also find Michalangelo’s Laurentian library here.

Top Tip: For designer fans, all the top labels can be found around Via de’ Tornabuoni.

Naples

The vibrant city of Naples is built in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, the only volcano on European mainland to have erupted in the last hundred years. Whilst probably not as high on the list as Rome or Florence, it’s definitely a ‘must-see’ city in Italy.

There are two amazing castles in Naples, one dating back to the 9th century, Castel Dell’Ovo and Castel Nuevo, which dates back to the 13th century and both are definitely well worth a visit. However, one of the main draws for Naples is it’s close proximity to Pompeii – this ancient Roman town was completely wiped out after Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. Thanks to Pompeii we know so much about Roman life as this town was preserved perfectly under the molten lava and was rediscovered in the 18th century and wander around this ancient town is not to be missed.

Top Tip: There is a fantastic hop on, hop off bus in Naples, which is a great way to see the local sites and cover more ground.

Pisa

Once a maritime power to rival Venice and Genoa, this beautiful Tuscan town is the closest tourist attraction to the port of Livorno; if you have already visited Florence then it’s definitely got to be the next place on your list.

Pisa is famous for it’s leaning Tower, the Torre Pendente’s bell tower leans at a slant of 3.9 degrees of vertical. No trip would be completely without the infamous photo op of you trying to push it back up! However as well as the tower, Pisa also offers some gorgeous Romansque buildings and Gothic churches to explore, as well as a buzzing and busy cafe scene around the Piazza dei Miracoli.

Top Tip: You can climb the bell tower, but it’s at a fee for 4 euros, so make sure you have change.

Come and work for us!

An incredible opportunity to join the team at one of the UK’s newest and most exciting cruise companies has arisen!

LoveitBookit.com is an award winning cruise specialist agency offering incredible cruise and destination experiences to customers. They are looking for sales specialists to work in their Manchester office with a passion for cruise, who can bring their fantastic sales expertise and other skills to the team. You must have proven cruise sales experience, full cruise product and destination knowledge and ability to sell whilst also maintaining excellent customer service.

Job Description 

• Taking enquiries and converting them into sales
• Maintaining and servicing bookings
• Quoting a wide range of different cruise products, port and destination experiences in order to sell cruise packages to customers
• Be pro-active in converting bookings from the leads generated and ability to cross/up-sell
• Flexible workings hours to suit the requirements of the company, including working weekends and evenings

Essential Requirements

• Sales and target driven to exceed personal and company objectives
• Proven cruise sales success
• Full knowledge of cruise lines, cruise line booking systems, port and destination information
• Ability to be self-motivated and to contribute as part of a team
• Excellent customer service skills

As LoveitBookit.com grows we are looking for employees who can be a vital part into the companies success. The right candidates will be given incredible opportunities to grow with the business and should be motivated to work towards the achievements and growth of the company.

if you are interested, please send a CV and covering letter to reservations@loveitbookit.com with ‘Recruitment’ in the subject field.

Spotlight on The Bahamas

The Bahamas is a stunning collection of over 700 islands and 2400 cays, glistening like jewels in the Atlantic. The capital, Nassau, is one of the most popular cruise ports in the world, welcoming over one million passengers a year and almost all of the cruise line’s private islands are part of this breathtaking archipelago. Technically The Bahamas are not in the Caribbean, but most Eastern Caribbean itineraries will make a stop here and given it’s close proximity to the coast of Florida, it’s fantastic as a short add on cruise of 3,4 or 5 nights as part of a longer cruise and stay holiday. You can cruise to The Bahamas all year round, but it’s best to avoid hurricane season – September to Mid November. High season is from December to April but there are still some fantastic deals to be found, like this great 10 night trip with Celebrity Cruises. You can cruise to The Bahamas over and over and still find something new to do, but here are some of our highlights of things to do in the main port of Nassau…

1) Cable Beach

This beach in Nassau is one of the best in The Bahamas, with stunning white sand and warm, crystal clear water, it’s like relaxing in a bath rather than swimming in the sea. A lot of the resorts have stretches of the beach you can relax on, but their is also a wide expanse for public use. You can also go kayaking or jetsking and there are lots of local vendors selling crafts. Don’t be afraid to barter on prices. Top Tip: You can pay for a day pass for some of the hotels, which will give you use of loungers, towels and some drinks thrown in too.

2) John Watling’s Distillery

If you want to live like the old magistrate of Nassau’s ‘Pirate Republic – the famous Blackbeard, you’re going to have to get yourself some rum, so what better place to do it find it than at the distillery for the ‘Spirit of the Bahamas’ rum. Set on the famed Buena Vista Estate in historic downtown Nassau, you can find out how this handmade rum is made, using old English rum-making methods. Of course, you get to sample the produce and sit in the beautiful ground and enjoy a rum cocktail or two.

Top Tip: The Mango daiquiris are to die for

3) Ardastra Gardens, Zoo & Conservation Centre

This a cute and charming little zoo, with quiet and serene gardens, a perfect stop off the beaten track when you fancy a change of pace. You can interact with the animals and there is a bird feeding experience where you can feed Lory Parrots slices of apple and a fantastic Marching Flamingo show, which is without a doubt the highlight of visit.

Top Tip: Make sure you look out for the stunning white Peacock

4) Aquaventure – Atlantis Paradise Island

Want to plunge down a water slide and through a tank of sharks? Then Paradise Island is the place for you! It can get busy if lots of ships are in port, so make sure you get there early. As well as slides, there is an aquarium with a chance to get up-close-and-personal with some of the marine life and also a shopping mall and casino, something for everyone

Top Tip: Sometimes it can be cheaper to pay for a hotel room for a night than pay for daily admission, so compare the prices

5) Versailles Garden & The Cloisters

The Cloister is actually a 14th Century French Monastery brought to the island in the 1960s and it is now a green paradise teaming with wildlife, amongst the lush gardens there are koi ponds and a gorgeous gazebo. It won’t take you long to explore to the gardens, but the views to the sea and over the habour are worth the visit alone.

Top Tip: The gardens are split in two; make sure you visit both of them.

Have we missed off your favourite place? Be sure to let us know!

175 Years of Cunard: The Three Queens in Liverpool

As part of the fantastic 175 year Cunard celebrations, the three Queens – Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary II – were to meet in Liverpool for the May bank holiday weekend.

The first Cunard ship, the Britannia, set sail from Liverpool in 1840, so it was only fitting that the fleet met back in their spiritual home outside the Cunard building, with thousands attending this historical event.

Queen Mary II sailed up to meet Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth at the foot of the Mersey and the three sailed back down the river in formation, before performing a full turn alongside each other in a fantastic display of water ballet! The event finished with an amazing firework display.

The Queen Mary II is going to back in Liverpool in July, when she departs from the port to re-create that first-ever transatlantic sailing. There are still cabins available on this once-in-a-life-time journey and if you want to jump on this cruise in Southampton – so you are already in Liverpool to soak up the atmosphere on board – prices start from an incredible £999pp.

Take a Tour of Celebrity Eclipse…

Sailing out of Southampton, the newly revitalised Celebrity Eclipse is definitely a ship to add to your to-do-list if you haven’t already sailed on her.

Take our tour and see for yourselves…

Check out the Anthem of the Seas

She’s finally here! Our very own Dan was at the launch of Royal Caribbean’s ‘Anthem of the Seas’ over the weekend, so we’ve got a guided tour of this fantastic new ship for you.

The Best Cruise Ships For First Time Cruisers…

If you have never been on a cruise before, trying to find the right ship can be like navigating a minefield. Everyone has different wants and needs on a cruise and there are hundreds of different ships to choose from. But there is definitely a ship for everyone, so we’ve given you some ideas to help you along your way…

Best For Families

Mickey Mouse – Castaway Cay

Almost all of the major cruise lines cater to families in some shape or form – offering kids clubs and the like – but some just edge it over others in terms of the facilities they have to help make your family holiday run that little bit smoother.

Whilst most cruise line’s don’t really cater for small babies and toddlers, both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer a nursery service (extra charges may apply) – which means adults get some free time too. Disney Cruise Line have a dedicated water play area for under 3’s and the staterooms are designed with families in mind, with split bath / shower options. For slightly older children and teenagers, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have exclusive spaces for them, featuring things like a teenager casino, a DJ party and their own ‘clubs’. Royal Caribbean also offer ‘My Family Dining’ – which means you can go as a family for dinner and then your kids will be collected and taken to their activity club for the evening, meaning you can enjoy the rest of your meal and some time after in peace.

Best For Adults

Dining on Regent Seven Seas

Whilst there are a couple of cruise lines that offer dedicated, adults only ships, there are several others that are a higher-end product and therefore you are unlikely to find many children on board.

P&O Cruises have three exclusively adults only ships – the Oriana, the Adonia and the Arcadia, so when you are travelling in the height of summer and want to avoid legions of children, these are your best bet. Cruise & Maritime Voyages ship the Marco Polo is also adults only and generally caters to a more mature crowd than P&O – it’s also a much smaller ship. Luxury cruise companies like Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania (the later two offering no dedicated childrens facilities at all) tend to have less children sailing on board, especially out of the main holiday seasons. However, a wide variety of ships – even Disney – offer adults only dining or ship retreats, you will find most Spas are off-limits to children, so you can relax somewhere child-free with most companies.

Best For The Health Conscious

Celebrity Cruises’ Persian Garden

 

If you are an avid cruiser you will know that the food is a big draw for many people when choosing a cruise – some polls even show that cruisers can gain on average a pound a day when cruising. For some, this prospect can sound truly horrifying but don’t let that put you off cruising, as there are plenty of options for those who take their health and fitness seriously.

Celebrity Cruises offer Aqua Class staterooms on their Solstice class ships. If you book one of these staterooms you not only do you get free and unlimited access to the spa, Persian Gardens, but you also have access to Blu – a restaurant exclusively for Aqua Class guests – where you can choose your clean-eating meals from a specially designed menu. On the cruise ships that also offer Canyon Ranch Spa’s on board – Cunard, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania – you can also find dining options with the health conscious in mind, as well as personalised fitness programs and classes. All cruise lines offer some kind of fitness facilities, even if it’s just a running track around the deck. Some Royal Caribbean state of the art gyms even carry a boxing ring and don’t forget the climbing walls and flo-riders. Who said fitness has to be boring?

Best For Single Passengers

Studio Lounge on Norwegian Getaway

The downside for travelling solo is that often you are charged double occupancy in order to sail, however – more and more cruise line’s are beginning to accommodate those that want to cruise solo, with studio cabins and exclusive areas for singles.

Norwegian Cruise Line offer studio cabins with no extra supplement on the Epic, Breakaway, Getaway and the new Escape (launching in November). All feature a flat screen TV, full-size bed and private bathroom. But the best bit is the exclusive lounge – a dedicated area for all studio-guests, holding pre-dinner social gatherings. P&O Cruises also offer studios on several of it’s ships, including new ship Britannia, likewise on Royal Caribbean’s latest ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas. Some other companies, whilst not catering for singles with specially designed cabins, often have programs geared towards solo travellers and can offer reduced or no single supplements from time to time, so it’s best to look out for promotions. Fred Olsen and Holland America are good options to look out for.

Best For Culture and Wildlife

Azamara Azamazing Evening at Ephesus

Some people might argue that with cruising, you’re aren’t in port long enough to truly immerse yourself in your surrounding, however, there are cruise line’s out there that offer the best of both worlds and even take you to places only accessible by sea.

Celebrity Cruises have a 98 guest mega-yacht, The Xpedition, which can take you to discover the the beautiful Galapagos, one of the last pristine environments in the world and home to an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty, where you can see sealions, turtles and dragon iguanas in their natural habitats. The Xpedition also visits the Antarctic too. If you want to spend more time in port, Azamara Club Cruises is a great option, it offers plenty of overnight stays and night touring as well as Azamazing Evenings – think hillside tenor concerts or red-carpet events to the local ballet –  the chance to experience local culture in a truly unique way.