Gayle Goes Cruising

24/10/2025

Iona - 23-25 October…. A cheeky 2 night getaway with my 18 year old son, a cruise to nowhere….. Most 2 night cruises stop at Bruges or Cherbourg, or even Guernsey (if you’re lucky). But on this one, we are literally bobbing in the English Channel.

I don’t have long today as we have decided not to purchase the WiFi (yes, my 18 yo did suggest that!) Instead I have opted for the ‘1 hour free’ wifi that P&O gives!

I don’t cruise P&O as much as we used to, but I have managed to maintain my Caribbean tier loyalty status (i don’t do enough cruises with the brand in two years to reach Baltic or Ligurian tier!)

However, Caribbean tier gives me (& the person travelling in my cabin), priority boarding and a lovely restaurant luncheon (buffet style) with free selected drinks, on boarding.

Living close to Southampton, we arrived around 10.30, and once all the dock staff were ready to board us (around 10.50), we were quickly on board by 11am! One of the first on, which I always love! We decided to take our own cases on board (strapping 18 yo doing the heavy lifting!!) and as the ship had been in dry dock, the cabins were ready when we got on board. Quick visit to see our muster station, to the cabin, unpacked and at the luncheon by 11.30!

Some taster photos below of our trip from boarding to luncheon…. I will have to post more tomorrow (when we will be back in Southampton- boo). As 1 hour free wifi is clearly NOT enough….

Think of us, whilst bobbing in storm Benjamin today….

TTFN!

24/10/2025

Although I no longer sell cruises (haven’t for some time), I very much STILL enjoy cruising (and have done for more than 40 years now). So, knowing how much my friends love to see my travels, I am going to resurrect this page, so that others can follow my travels, reviews, food, drink, oh and the odd hoover!!

So, what better way to start - when on a cruise…. Watch this space…. 🚢

05/02/2014

Oasis this year - and now Allure...The largest ship in the world coming to Europe in 2015.... Now who 'likes' the thought of this?

For fans of the Mediterranean, we're excited to announce will be coming to Europe in Summer 2015. Find out more here: http://bit.ly/1bnByMB

28/01/2014

So, MSC will not be sailing out of the UK in 2015 so that they can 'focus' on promoting the Mediterranean 'way of life' on board its' ships. Personally, I don't think MSC have enough of a 'British' following and are a company much more suited to offering fly Med cruises....

23/01/2014

The GoCruise Evening in Angmering was a great success on Tuesday night. The Celebrity presentation was interesting and informative and lots of wine was drunk... For those people that could not make it, here are some of the deals that I put together for the evening. I hope pepole are looking forward to the next one now. :)

Deals Sheet 2014

21/01/2014

I am all ready for the Cruise Evening at the Community Centre. Look forward to seeing some of the local cruisers in a couple of hours... 6pm - 8pm. :)

18/01/2014

A great article today in The Telegraph... Aurora will be the first ship to 'sport' the design when she goes into Dry Dock later this year. And as for Britannia - Is anyone else eagerly awaiting the launch details for this great new ship???...

Longest-ever Union Jack flag will adorn the cruise operator's new ship Britannia as it revamps the livery of eight-strong fleet

18/01/2014

Two nights in Southampton

16/01/2014

Goodbye Norwegian Getaway. I will be writing a full blog of my visit soon, but overall a nice ship with great facilities and fab entertainment options with Legally Blonde the musical and the Illusionarium. Couple of downsides - the pool lay out and the fact that the kids club has no windows!?! Photos also to follow...

15/01/2014

I have just sat through an interesting presentation from Kevin Sheehan, President & CEO of Norwegian. Norwegian Cruise Line now have 13 ships, with the Breakaway plus ships coming in 2015 (Norwegian Escape) & 2017 (Norwegian Bliss). They are leading edge on innovation with the Waterfront, the Ice Bar, the Studio cabins (and area), the Haven and the water park (5 water slides on Breakaway and Getaway). They have partnerships with Nickleodeon, Blue Man Group, Rock of Ages and now Legally Blonde. They have turned their business and reputation around and reach out to new customers who have never considered a cruise before as well as to those regulars who are familiar with the flexibility, entertainment and great service that Norwegian offers. So will you be cruising like a Norwegian anytime soon? ;)