Wild at Heart... Anybody thinking Wild at sea?

This Sunday evening, It's all smiles... IT'S BACK! Wild at Heart returns to our screens for the next ten weeks and I enjoy nothing more than this end of weekend drama. As soon as that magical theme tune begins to play with the African Savannah images cunjuring up all those childhood fantasies of a holiday to Africa- It gets me every time!

Having been to Africa several times myself on beach holidays to Egypt. I dream of a holiday to the "real" Africa, like that of Leopards Den and drinks at Fatani's. The images of the dusty plains literally moving with elegant giraffes and dashing zebras gathering around a watering hole... It couldn't possibly be more different to the UK and this is why it is most definitely on my list... An African Safari by the time I am 30!

Well, if you feel the same as me you are thinking..." How amazing, can I combine this with a cruise holiday?"
If you're lucky enough to speak with me then YES YOU CAN! Wild at heart is filmed just outside of Johanasberg in the South African National parks, where I have done my research and you can combine the most amazing ports of call in South Africa filled with breathtaking windswept bright white beaches, crashing waves, penguins- amazing safari experiences and TOP DRAWER LUXURY!


Silversea Cruises  offer some incredible itineraries incorporating some of the most captivating ports of call across Southern and western Africa where safaris are orders of the day. Imagine, A day under the wide open blue skies of Africa...Beautiful grilled lunches at thatched roof restauants and an evening sipping champagne and being waited on hand and foot on a stunning 6star cruise. Now that is what I call a holiday!

Departures vary as do ports of call, but if your an animal lover like me with a passion for nature; Bringing Wild At Heart into our holidays can only bring the most incredible- once in a lifetime memories.

So whether you're celebrating a special occasion, looking for something different or just plain ticking another one off the list of things to do before you die... Why not be "Wild At Sea" with great service, the best deals and the most special cruise you will ever take,

Call me direct on 0800 408 6156

Luxury combined with nature... The finer things in life. Defined

A step back in time, with essences of oranges!

Following a time living and working on the beautiful island of Mallorca before I came to work here at Cruise.co.uk I thought I would tell you about something that has made me very popular with some of my clients of late. Now, Palma de Mallorca is a very popular port of call on a Mediteranean cruise and I am a firm believer that this is by far the most diverse and interesting port of call the med has to offer, Not only does the capital, Palma have amazing shopping, quintessential spanish pavement cafes and the most spectacular cathedral right on the seafront. You also have beautiful white sand beaches, beautiful teracotta towns and for the young and young at heart of us... Magaluf strip. See? Mallorca has something for everyone!

What I am going to tell you about today is an excursion you can do all by yourself at your own pace, whilst docked in Palma and taking in the best landscape of the island; Over 100 years ago, a train was built on the island to transport the fresh oranges grown on the west coast of the island in the mountains around the town of Soller down to Palma where they would be sold. The beautiful old train was electrified in 1912 and still trundles up and down the picture postcard Tramaunatana mountains every day, but no longer to transport the oranges- It is to transport the lucky tourists through the mountains on a lovely 45 minute journey. The train still retains all it's original Mahogany and brass fittings and if you're feeling a little special and like the idea of the first class cabin? WHY NOT? It is exactly the same cost as the other traditional carriages!

The beautiful Soller,Orange Blossom Express train still runs every day from Palma-Soller on the island and you can very easily walk from the cruise port to the station in about 15 minutes or hop in a taxi for around 4euros, before you travel through the pine clad mountains, passing through hillsides broken by white cottages with the smell of the fresh citrus fruits blowing the trees! It's a wonderful afternoon out and the town of Soller is absolutely beautiful with a traditional spanish square (Placa) dominated by the very grand gothic church.

So if you fancy heading into Mallorca's best scenery at your own pace whilst in Mallorca, It has to be the orange blossom express train and it's only 13euros each return, Great Value and something very different I would reccomend it to anyone!

Just make sure, before you depart Palma the return journeys from Soller to make sure you are back at the port in time. A taxi back to the port would cost around 60euros and take around 40 minutes.

I consider myself an "expert" on the island of Mallorca and I am full of further ways to explore this very green and pleasant land and will continue to light up your days with ways of enjoying this mesmorising port.

Enjoy!



My starstruck phone call results in Freestyle with NCL

Several days ago, I answered the phone to a client who was new to cruise and looking to make a booking and seek some advice. We were looking at 2 cabins for a group of 5 people and the gentlemen was considering P&O cruises on a carribbean itinerary and asked my opinion. Initally I discussed P&O cruises with him and we were having a great conversation and I really got the feeling that this guy thought I was giving him great information. Delving a little deeper with my questions, (I like to ask all my clients lots of questions to make sure I am finding them the right cruise!) I realised that  P&O wouldn't be suitable due to the limited dates the customer could travel. We were looking at a Caribbean cruise for around 9 nights. P&O cruises were at the time only offering 14 night voyages around the caribbean for the time we were looking at. The customer mentioned that there were a group of ages in this group and we need something for everyone, and whilst they were looking for something of very high quality- a relaxed atmosphere would be preference.



This is when I suggest... "What about NCL, Norweigan Cruise Line for you there sir?"
" I have never heard of them he replied"
So, I explained the innovative "FREESTYLE" concept that NCL pride themselves on, dine when you want, party when you want, and relax when you want- They have such a chilled atmosphere onboard and the quality of facilities and food is top notch. Most definitely in line with those more well known American cruise lines such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean and the conversation continued to flow as we discussed the cruise further....

Now this is where I am star struck as the customer very quietly slips in the little anecdote, "I used to work for Sky Travel you see, Ben"

"OH MY GOD, I KNOW YOU!" the office heard my scream as I thought straight away- this voice sounds very familiar. As a student, I had a little obsession with travel channels and used to watch them before college, before I worked in the industry. I am very lucky to have been blessed with what I believe to be a photographic memory and I gained a lot of my knowledge on worldwide destinations from watching these programmes and then when I visited them, knowing what was best to see and do there!

This is a big moment for me and I have become very star struck indeed, post discussing colleagues who now have quite high profile television jobs and the customer, very modestly telling me his success in the television industry.

Well we have spoke a lot over the past days and now the customer is all booked up and ready to experience "Freestyle Cruising" one of my, personal favourite products and I am pleased to say I have looked after our famous guest.

You don't have to be a celebrity  however, to get great service from Ben.

Call me direct for your perfect cruise...0800 408 6156