Quantum of the Seas has arrived in Southampton

There are so many new cruise ships being launched in the next couple of weeks, and I want to go and visit them all....unfortunately I have to make do with my good ol friend the internet and view the many photographs and videos online instead

There is always so much excitement when a new ship is released, never more so than the new Quantum of the Seas with Royal Caribbean. How amazing does this ship look?


Now when I saw the Allure of the Seas all I could think of was WOW, this ship was fantastic, there was so much to see and do, and how good it was to say I've been on the world's largest ship (she beats her sister ship the Oasis by all of 2cm or something). But I honestly think Royal Caribbean have beaten their record by the Quantum and the Anthem of the seas. Every time you think they have thought of everything they prove they don't and come up with a new concept and more innovative ideas

So for everyone living in or near to Southampton I would say you MUST go down the the docks and see this fabulous ship before she leaves us for far away shores, but be quick she's only there for 2 more day

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Just booked my next holiday.....Hurtigruten here I come

How excited am I?

Went into work the other day and had an email with an offer that was too good to be true so the little voices in my head said book me now !!

So here I go again to the Arctic circle in the search for the elusive Northern lights.
Now don't get me wrong I have been so lucky to see them on 3 out of 4 trips but I want them to be bigger and better and more colourful than before....is that just plain greedy? I can quite happily say that I have now have a slight obsession with them (in fact slight is probably the wrong word). I want the perfect photo and no matter how many articles I read and how many books I read I still just haven't managed to get the perfect shot......but let me tell you when it's minus 30c and your hands and feet are frozen it's near enough impossible to focus a camera, select the correct setting and keep it still before they disappear.....as anyone who has ever followed them will know they are very unpredictable, lasting from seconds to hours

I can imagine you screaming at me saying are you crazy, is it really worth it?
Is it worth standing outside like a lemon for hours and hours just waiting... is it worth having your glasses freeze over so you can't see out of them (my mum)....is it worth trying to open the flask of coffee that you made to keep you warm and then finding out that it had frozen....is it worth falling down time and time again in snow that you don't realise how deep it is until you're already on your knees....
Well yes it is most definitely worth it. When you first see that little faint green line you think ooh is this it (to be honest the first time I saw them I thought is this what all the fuss is about? It looked like a cloud), but then they grow longer wider the curtains fall and they dance all around you if your really lucky. Its a feeling that makes you want to laugh and cry, dance and pray, but most of all its that you can go home and tell everyone that you saw them :)



And when you start looking at other peoples photos online....that's when you start planning your next trip

Which leads me to this cruise, I am so excited but scared at the same time, I'm used to luxury cruises so this is going to be an experience but a good one I hope. And the best bit about it, we'll be on the ship so if we get cold we can go inside for 5 minutes to thaw out

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One for the ladies

I have been most fortunate to be treated to a spa day in London at the exclusive Flagship Elemis Spa courtesy of Holland America cruise lines, little did I realise at the time that there are only 3 of them worldwide, and wow what an experience it was.

Holland America have an Elemis spa on board all their ships and exclusively use their products and I can honestly say if you are going to cruise with this cruise line then the spa has got to be a pit stop on your cruise. Their products are amazing, if  I recommend one treatment it would be the
Exotic Frangipani Body Nourish Wrap. Aromatic Tahitian Coconut and Frangipani flowers are soaked together to produce the Monoi oil which is poured all over the body and then you are cocooned in a nourishing foil wrap for ultimate luxury. Drenching the skin with moisture, this exotic therapy provides ultimate radiance, vitality and all over body glow, and I can honestly say my skin has never felt so soft and smooth, a perfect treat before getting glammed up for those formal evenings. And if you really want to treat yourself, combine this with Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Scrub, you will be in heaven and your skin will sparkle.

For the best deals on Holland America or any recommendations on the spa don't hesitate to drop me a line

                                .

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Brazil here we come.......but shopping not football

With all things world cup in Brazil at the moment, I couldn't help but share how much I love the country. I've been fortunate enough to visit the world famous Rio de Janeiro as well as parts of the North and South of the country.

What can I say about Rio, it has fabulous beaches, scenery, food, music and the energy and atmosphere has to be seen to be believed. But if you're anything like me the shopping is fantastic, especially if you like a bargain and something a bit out of the ordinary

Forget the shopping malls I loved wandering around the Hippie Fairs, these are Brazils craft markets that line the streets of Copacabana Beach on a daily basis, but also feature mainly in various parts of the city at the weekends, probably the most well known (and biggest) is the one every Sunday morning in Ipanema in the Praça General Osorio.

This is a shoppers paradise, over the years, the Ipanema Hippie Fair has evolved into a major arts and crafts market, showing off the works of some of the city's best artisans, it started out quite small and has progressively grown. If you want to buy presents for family, friends or yourself this is the place to shop.

A visit to Rio wouldn't be a visit without a visit up to Christ the Reedemer or Sugar Loaf mountain, but just as important is going to a typical Churrascaria (Brazil's famous restaurants where you are served meat in a restaurant until you are fit to burst) or drinking a Caipirinha (their famous cocktails), and for something that really makes you think wow I'm in Rio, you can't beat sitting at one on the beach front café bars that line the beachfront promenade drinking coconut water from a coconut and people watching, this is a definite must have moment, especially when you can turn to your left and see the long beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. And just before you leave one more must try and you'll want to return purely for this delicacy, is their famous Pao de Quejo's, it's difficult to explain but translates as 'Brazilian cheese bread'. I can only describe them as a kind of like a cheesy doughball, these are so Moorish and I guarantee you will fall in love with them ( I have actually just found a recipe and attempted to make them, not a bad effort I will have you know)

So if this sounds like the kind of place for you, contact me and I can recommend which cruise lines sail around South America and get you the best prices

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My Brand New Blog!

Hi all

Welcome to my very first blog :)

I'm Marcia and I love any aspect of travel and live for my holidays.

I've been working in the travel industry for almost 14 years, starting off with working abroad, progressing onto general travel and for the last 6 years I've specialised in cruises and I love them, it is such a fabulous way to travel and see different places. I've been to a fair few places around the Globe but there are still a few on my hit list so I'm slowly working my way through the countries. Any recommendations of where I should go next?

One of my favourite holidays ever has to be an Arctic circle and Norway cruise last year, I was lucky enough to go in June and I can only say that it was truly spectacular, from the stunning views of the Fjords, a double rainbow and the Midnight sun, it is a destination that is a 'must see'. Many people are a little dubious about Norway (weather expense etc) so please if anyone has any questions I'll be happy to answer them. Lets put it this way I enjoyed it so much I have just been back to the Tromso - the largest city in the Arctic and was lucky enough to see the Northern lights.....now that's another story I can tell.......

Anyway I'll be here to answer any questions about cruises travel and anything cruise related so please get in touch. I will also be posting information that I feel is worth sharing

Ciao for now

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