Kotor, Montenegro
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One of the undoubted highlights of Eastern Mediterranean cruises is visiting beautiful Montenegrin city Kotor. It has been my favourite port of call on several Mediterranean cruises and is one place that I absolutely love returning to.

To reach the city of Kotor cruise liners have to sail down the bay of Kotor, which is actually a ria. Although, when sailing towards the city it looks exactly like you are sailing down a Norwegian fjord. It is an absolutely breath-taking sail, and I was treated to some of the most picturesque views of my life. Being up high on board your cruise ship means you have a perfect vantage point to be able to look down on some of the little towns and villages you sail past.

Kotor

At certain points it looked like the ship wouldn’t be able to fit down the narrow channel but around every corner the ria seemed to open up again and it was a wonderfully long sail that lasted over an hour with beautiful views on either side.il. Make sure you get a good spot on the deck for the sail into or out of Kotor, and don’t forget your camera because the views are to die for!

On the slow, meandering sail down the ria the steep hills changed from being covered in lush green trees and bushes to more rocky and barren, and the contrasts were stunning sitting against each other. The azure water was so calm, and the only waves were created by the wake of the ship gently edging ever closer to Kotor.

After a beautiful sail you’ll be excited to get off the ship and explore the city of Kotor. It is a city that has so much history which is immediately obvious when you step off the ship. In order to enter the heart of the city you have to walk through gates in the old city walls which were originally built by the Venetians.

MSC Liner in Kotor

The city walls were originally built in order to protect the city from potential invasions, and the walls climb high up into the steep hillsides that surround the city. Visitors can follow the paths along the walls and take the steep walk up into the hills. The views from the top over the city and the bay are absolutely beautiful, and well worth the climb. If you’re planning to embark upon this climb then make sure you take a bottle of water with you as it is a reasonably strenuous climb in often very warm conditions.

Kotor has a collection of adorable streets. Some are narrow and winding whilst others are spacious and lined with lovely boutique shops.

Kotor Streets

There are many cafés and restaurants within the oldest part of the city where you can enjoy some delicious Montenegrin cuisine and drinks. The prices in Montenegro are significantly cheaper than much of the rest of Europe so you’ll find you’re able to enjoy some amazing food at very reasonable prices.

4 Essential Items to take on Your Cruise
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Before you embark upon your first cruise it can be really hard to know what exactly you’ll need to take and what you won’t. It’s best to plan ahead and know exactly what you’ll require whilst you’re away to save precious space in your luggage.

Plug Adaptors

Before you begin packing check out your chosen cruise line’s website for what type of plug sockets they have. All cruise ships are different and it is likely you will have to take an adaptor to allow you to use your electronics on board. What could be worse than beginning your holiday with the realisation you won’t be able to recharge your camera to take all those precious holiday photos!

plug

Check the Dress Code

One of the first things you should do is check the suggested dress code that will be listed on your cruise lines website. Make sure you know if there are formal nights on board and, if so, how many. Pack according to the dress code for evening wear, and for daytime stick to layers which are wonderfully versatile in case of changing weather.

Try to stick to one or two different colour palettes with your clothes. For example earth tones and monochrome. If you stick to one or two colours running through all your clothes then it’s easy to mix and match and create lots of different outfits from just a few different pieces.

If you’re planning to be active on your cruise holiday and visit the gym or take part in some exciting activities on board or whilst you are ashore then be sure to pack some trainers and suitable leisure wear. Also, don’t forget to take your swimsuit so that you can enjoy a relaxing dip in the pool on board, or some much needed chill out time in the Jacuzzi.

Formal Shoes

Sunscreen

No matter where in the world you are travelling to you’ll want to protect your skin. The sun is much stronger at sea, because it reflects off the water and increases your exposure. Be sure to have strong sunscreen to keep you protected, and a hat to cover your scalp. Nobody wants to spend their holiday looking like a lobster after too much sun!

Lobster

Camera and charger

You’ll definitely want to make sure you take your camera and your charger so that you’re able to capture all those wonderful memories from your trip. There’s a line between taking too many pictures and living in the moment though. Make sure you don’t see every moment of your trip through the lens of your camera!

Camera

So, now that you know the essentials for your trip what’s stopping you from getting out there!

Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas
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Recently Royal Caribbean released details about their plans for a new ‘super’ ship, Quantum of the Seas. This ship is planned to arrive in autumn 2014 and will then be followed by sister ship Anthem of the Seas in 2015. Quantum of the Seas is set to have room for more than 4,000 passengers, which will mean she is smaller than both Oasis and Allure of the Seas.

Quantum Exterior

Both Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas look set to be innovative, modern super liners with some exciting features that passengers will love.

There are plenty of facilities planned to keep both kids, and big kids, busy whilst on board. SeaPlex, a sporting and entertainment venue, is set to be the largest indoor activity space on a cruise ship. It will be home to a circus school complete with a trapeze, roller skating rink, basketball and volleyball courts, and will even have bumper cars!

Quantum Seaplex

Quantum of the Seas is set to present the first skydiving simulation experience at sea. This will be a place where guests can experience the feeling of free fall whilst held aloft by a giant cushion of air. It will allow passengers to enjoy the adrenaline rush of skydiving in a safe and controlled environment. Perfect for any thrill seeker!

There are also elaborate plans for a glass capsule named North Star that will take guests more than 300 feet above the ship and over the sea to enjoy the views off the side. It sounds like quite the experience for anyone who isn’t afraid of heights!

Quantum North Star

Alongside all of these exciting new features, passengers will still be able to enjoy all of the standard Royal Caribbean features they will have come to expect. There will be the typical adult only solarium, outdoor pools, an indoor pool with retractable roof, a childrens aqua park, rock climbing wall and the surf simulator, FlowRider that is always a favourite with guests.

Guests will still find their old favourites on board like the rock climbing wall and the FlowRider, an adults-only Solarium, along with an outdoor pool, a new indoor pool with sliding domed roof and a H2O Zone kids’ aqua park. The ship will also provide the most flexible dining options and more specialty restaurants than ever before.

Quantum Solarium

Quantum’s staterooms are set to be almost 10% bigger than the ones on board both Oasis and Allure of the Seas. There will be 8 decks with balcony staterooms overlooking the ocean.

Quantum Balcony

all images courtesy of Royal Caribbean Cruises

There will also be single cabins for solo travellers, some of which will have balconies. All interior staterooms are set to be equipped with ‘Virtual Balconies’ – floor to ceiling TV screens showing live views from the outside of the ship.

Relaxing River Cruises
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River cruises are becoming increasingly popular with the British cruising market. The beauty of river cruises is that they offer a more relaxed holiday than many of the bigger sea cruise lines. They enjoy a different atmosphere than that of the larger cruise liners. With fewer passengers and smaller ships they are more intimate and have an elegant, refined charm that passengers always love.

Although river cruise ships are smaller, they do not lose any of their luxury. Many river cruise vessels offer exclusively outside or balcony staterooms, so that passengers can always enjoy the views as the ship sails gently along the river. Staterooms are normally more spacious than those you would find on larger cruise liners too, meaning you’ll have more space to relax and enjoy your cruise holiday. Viking Sun French Balcony

River cruises allow passengers the luxury of ever changing beautiful scenery at all times whilst on board. The most beautiful stretches of sailing are preserved for daytime cruising to allow passengers to enjoy the views, but most of the real sailing is done at night, which allows passengers as much time in ports as possible.

Another benefit of river cruises is that the ships are small enough to dock right in the heart of most destinations, allowing passengers the most time possible to explore without having to take shuttle buses into the centre of a destination.

Within Europe there are many different rivers to sail upon. There’s The Douro, The Rhine, The Moselle, The Danube, The Main, The Elbe, The Rhone and the Saone (which converge in gastronomic French city Lyon). Many of the rivers can be explored together for example, The Main and the Rhine.

The beauty of river cruises is the ability to explore smaller towns and cities than you normally would on traditional sea cruises. Larger destinations such as Cologne, Vienna, Budapest are smattered with visits to small towns where the pace of life is slow and passengers can explore quiet towns and enjoy traditional architecture.

Cologne

Vienna

The Rhine is the most popular river for cruise passengers in Europe. Many of The Rhine’s itineraries will begin in Amsterdam and travel through Germany and to the Swiss border passing through some stunning scenery as the land rises and becomes more dramatic.

Further afield there is the River Nile, River Yangtze, River Mekong, River Dnieper and the River Volga. Each of these exotic locations would offer a very different style of river cruise from those within Europe. You’d get to explore local culture and traditions up close on a small, intimate river cruise ship, affording you a great snapshot of countries such as Russia and China.

For more information on Cruising by River click here

Norwegian Breakaway – See Whats On Board
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Last week saw the official launch of Norwegian Cruise Lines latest ship, Norwegian Breakaway. This large, modern ship can hold more than 4,000 passengers and has many exciting new features that guests are sure to love.

Norwegian Breakaway

Norwegian Breakaway features a host of different dining options for passengers to choose from. These include a steakhouse, an Italian restaurant, a seafood restaurant, a sushi restaurant and a teppanyaki space. Having never experienced teppanyaki at sea before this would certainly be a place I’d love to try out.

Teppanyaki Restaurant

The ship has an Aqua Park for kids and adults to enjoy. It is one of the largest aqua parks at sea and has five large water slides, two pools and four hot tubs. There is also a special area for kids to enjoy, complete with squirting water toys!

Aqua Park

For lovers of sports and activity there is a large sports complex which stretches over three decks of the ship. This includes a mini golf course, bungee trampolines, climbing cages, a rock climbing wall and a suspended activity course. This is sure to keep both kids and adults entertained at all times.

Sports Complex

There are excellent children’s features on board that are sure to appeal to families. Teenagers between 13 and 17 can hang out in ‘Entourage’, where there are video games, a video jukebox, movies and much more. There are also organised activities such as pool and pizza parties and group games.

For younger children there is a two story facility where ages 3 to 12 can dance on the interactive, light up dance floor, play at the circus school, play video games, watch films and do arts and crafts under the watchful eye of the fully trained staff. This means parents can have some well-deserved time off to enjoy the features of the ship that appeal to them.

One popular feature that Norwegian Cruise Lines have adopted on this ship is Studios – the first accommodations designed and priced specifically for solo travellers. This also allows Studio passengers access to the Studio Complex where solo passengers can enjoy the self-service wine bar, watch the 50” big screen television and get to know other solo travellers on board.

Breakaway Studio

There are also designated Spa Mini-Suites on board that aim to appeal to guests who would like to be pampered during their cruise holiday. These staterooms provide easy access to the Spa and Fitness Centre on board and are designed in calming colours which aim to create a soothing atmosphere for guests.

Breakaway Spa

With all of these exciting features, plus many more, Norwegian Breakaway sounds like an entertaining, luxurious new cruise liner. Why not take a look at the itineraries available and try it out for yourself.

Pictures courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Lines