Andy La Gette - Travel Counsellor

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Andy La Gette - Travel Counsellor

Dedicated travel consultant - passionate about travel. Over 20 years making travel dreams come true. Rarely beaten on price - never matched on service.

Bespoke travel consultant with over 20 years experience with award winning high street agency. Now working independently to tailor travel arrangements to exactly meet your every need. Expert in all continents and able to arrange both business and leisure trips. Passionate about travel and capable of delivering personal service combined with outstanding attention to detail.

31/08/2026

⚓ TOP TIPS FROM THE SHIPS ⚓

Andy’s Luxury Guide (ALG)

“Are shore excursions worth the money?” 💶

Another common question when planning a cruise.

Look at the official excursion list and it’s tempting to think, “Do we really need to spend that much at every port?”

In my experience, no.

You absolutely don’t need to book an organised excursion every time the ship docks.

Here’s how we approach it:

🐋 PICK YOUR SPLURGES
Save your excursion budget for the experiences you really don’t want to miss. On our recent Alaska cruise, we booked two official excursions – whale watching and a boat trip towards Hubbard Glacier. Both were fantastic and, for us, absolutely worth it.

🚶 ENJOY THE DIY DAYS
Some ports are incredibly easy to explore independently. If shops, restaurants, sights or a lovely town are within easy reach, we often prefer to get off the ship and potter around at our own pace. No timetable, no coach and no rushing.

🌎 CONSIDER GOING INDEPENDENT
We’ve also booked independent excursions when there was something specific we wanted to experience that wasn’t offered by the cruise line – such as the amazing Fabergé Museum in St Petersburg. These can sometimes offer better value or a more personal experience.

⏰ BUT HERE’S MY GOLDEN RULE
If you book independently, do your homework.

Check the operator carefully, understand how far you’re travelling from the port, allow plenty of contingency time and make sure you’ll be back well before the ship’s scheduled departure.

One advantage of booking through the cruise line is the extra reassurance if something unexpected causes a delay.

So my advice?

Don’t feel you have to choose between expensive excursions everywhere and never booking one.

Mix and match.

Spend your money on the experiences that really matter, and enjoy the freedom of exploring simpler ports at your own pace.

That’s often the best of both worlds.

👇 Would you rather join an organised excursion or explore independently?

30/08/2026

🏖️ World Beach Day 🌊
Somewhere out there, your perfect beach is waiting…
Where will you find yours?

For more information contact me on
📞 0115 871 9540
✉️ [email protected]

29/08/2026

Win £2,000 towards your next holiday

Dreaming of your next getaway? We're giving you the chance to win £2,000 toward your next holiday, by simply referring me to your friends and family. If they go on to book, they also get the chance to win £2,000!
So if you know someone who would benefit from my expert advice and personalised service, who wants peace of mind every step of the way, now's the time to let them know about me.

28/08/2026

⚓ TOP TIPS FROM THE SHIPS ⚓

Andy’s Luxury Guide (ALG)

“Which cruise line and ship is right for us?” 🛳️

Probably the biggest question of all!

With hundreds of ships sailing worldwide, choosing the right one can feel like a minefield. But after years of cruising, I genuinely believe there’s a cruise out there for almost everyone.

And some common concerns are often less of an issue than expected:

🤢 SEASICKNESS?
Modern ships are incredibly stable, and many people are surprised by how little movement they actually feel.

👥 CROWDS?
It depends on the ship, but larger ships spread guests across restaurants, bars, entertainment and activities.

Then there are the big positives – fantastic food, great entertainment and visiting multiple destinations without repeatedly packing and unpacking!

So what have we discovered?

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 YOUNGER FAMILIES – ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Our family loved Royal Caribbean. The larger ships offer endless activities and entertainment, giving children and teenagers plenty to do – and more independence as they get older.

🥂 GROWING UP – CELEBRITY
As our children got older, we moved towards Celebrity. Still plenty to enjoy, but with a more sophisticated, grown-up feel.

🚢 DON’T JUDGE A SHIP BY ITS AGE
Celebrity’s newer Edge Class has serious “wow” factor, while smaller, older ships can feel more intimate and easier to navigate. Neither is necessarily better – it’s about what suits you.

🌟 EXPECT THE OCCASIONAL SURPRISE!
We recently sailed on MSC Euribia in the Middle East and it completely exceeded our expectations. Having also sailed on Celebrity Apex, I was impressed by just how good MSC was for style, facilities and overall experience.

And that’s the biggest lesson:

Don’t choose a cruise line because someone says it’s “the best”. Choose the one that’s best for YOU.

Your age, family, budget, interests, expectations, destinations – even the atmosphere you want at the bar at 10pm – all matter!

👇 What would matter most to you when choosing your ideal cruise?

26/08/2026

⚓ TOP TIPS FROM THE SHIPS ⚓
Andy’s Luxury Guide (ALG)
“Which cabin should we choose?” 🛏️
A little knowledge can make a BIG difference to your cruise.
Unlike a hotel, most cruise lines allow you to choose your specific cabin – invaluable if you're travelling as a family or group and want to stay close together.
So, how do you choose?
💷 START WITH YOUR BUDGET
There really is something for everyone. Interior cabins can be great value if you'd rather spend your money elsewhere, while others prefer natural light, a balcony or the extra space and benefits of a Suite.
⚓ THINK ABOUT LOCATION
Cabins around the middle of the ship generally experience less movement than those at the front or back, which can help if you're sensitive to motion. Your deck and proximity to facilities matter too.
🌅 PORT OR STARBOARD?
Depending on your itinerary, one side may offer better views of the coastline or ports. But don't get too hung up on it – the ship turns and there are no guarantees!
🚤 CHECK FOR OBSTRUCTIONS
Paying extra for a balcony or window? Always check whether the view is obstructed by a lifeboat or other structure.
🔇 LOOK ABOVE & BELOW
One of my biggest cabin tips! Check the deck plans carefully. Being underneath a pool deck, next to a lift or above a late-night entertainment venue can mean more noise than you expect.
And finally…
Don't assume the most expensive cabin is automatically the best cabin for you.
The “right” cabin depends on your budget, how much time you'll spend in it, the importance of the view, whether you're travelling with children, and how sensitive you are to movement or noise.
Understanding the deck plan really matters.
👇 What matters most to you – a great view, extra space, a balcony or simply the best possible price?

24/08/2026

⚓ TOP TIPS FROM THE SHIPS ⚓

Andy’s Luxury Guide (ALG)

“Where should we cruise?” 🗺️

Choosing where to cruise sounds simple – but the destination is only part of the decision.

The time of year, itinerary, pace and balance between time ashore and onboard can completely change the experience.

Here’s what I’d consider:

☀️ Think about the weather

It can make a huge difference. The Caribbean has its hurricane season, the Mediterranean can be seriously hot in high summer, while Alaska can bring very changeable conditions.

The “best” time to cruise isn’t necessarily the same for everyone.

⚓ Look carefully at the pace

How many ports? How many sea days?

Some people love waking up somewhere new every morning. Others want plenty of time to relax and enjoy the ship.

There’s no right answer – it’s about what suits you.

✈️ If you’re flying long-haul, arrive early

One of my strongest recommendations: if you’re travelling a long way to join your cruise, I’ll almost always suggest arriving at least one night before embarkation.

Flight delays happen – and missing your ship because of a delayed flight is not how you want your holiday to begin!

🛂 Check the entry requirements

Don’t assume that rules which apply when visiting a country by air will necessarily be the same for a cruise.

Check the requirements for every country on your itinerary, including transit and embarkation points.

And here’s something else I’ve learnt:

Don’t choose the cruise first and then work out whether the destination suits you.

Think about what you want from the holiday, then choose the destination and itinerary around that.

Adventure? Relaxation? Culture? Food? Wildlife? Lots of different countries?

Or simply plenty of time to enjoy a fantastic ship?

The right itinerary can make all the difference.

👇 If you could cruise anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you choose?

For more information contact me on
📞 0115 871 9540
✉️ [email protected]

23/08/2026

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Accommodation: The St. Regis Venice, Venice; The St. Regis Florence, Florence
Board basis: Bed & breakfast basis
Room type: Not specified.
Airport: London Heathrow
Departure date: 01/06/2027 — offer panel states 01/06/2027; inclusions line states flights from London Heathrow on 01/06/2026
Duration: 6 nights
Pax sharing: 2 adults sharing
Price: £6,749 per person

For more information contact me on
📞 0115 871 9540
✉️ [email protected]

21/08/2026

⚓ TOP TIPS FROM THE SHIPS ⚓

“What is the food actually like onboard?” 🍽️
This is one of the questions I’m asked most often!
The short answer? Generally, very good – especially when you consider the scale of catering involved.
But if food is a major part of your holiday, this is definitely something to research before you book.
Here’s what I’ve learnt:
🍴 Variety is the name of the game
Larger ships tend to offer more choice – from the main restaurant and buffet through to casual cafés, poolside options and speciality restaurants. You certainly won’t go hungry!
🥂 Speciality dining can take it up another notch
Many ships have additional restaurants offering everything from steaks and seafood to Italian, Asian and fine dining. Some are included, others carry a supplement. If you’re a real foodie, it’s worth looking at what’s available before you sail and booking popular restaurants early.
🕰️ Traditional or flexible dining?
Depending on the cruise line, you may be able to choose a fixed dining time, where you have the same table and waiter throughout your cruise, or flexible dining, where you choose when to eat. Personally, I think your preferred style of dining can make a surprisingly big difference to the overall experience.
🍸 And don’t forget the drinks!
If you enjoy wine with dinner, cocktails by the pool or speciality coffees throughout the day, a drinks package can sometimes be worthwhile. But don’t automatically assume it is – it’s worth doing the maths based on what you actually drink.
And here’s my biggest tip:
Don’t assume you need to pay extra for a great meal.
The included dining on many cruises can be excellent. The speciality restaurants are there to add choice and variety, rather than rescue a poor dining experience.
If food is one of the most important parts of your holiday, choose your ship accordingly. The dining experience can vary enormously between cruise lines.
👇 Are you a “food is part of the holiday” person? What’s your must-have when it comes to cruise dining?

20/08/2026

For more information contact me on
📞 0115 871 9540
✉️ [email protected]

19/08/2026

⚓ TOP TIPS FROM THE SHIPS ⚓
Andy’s Luxury Guide (ALG)
“Will our kids enjoy cruising?” 🤷‍♂️
Honestly, we weren’t sure ourselves before taking our first family cruise.
But once we tried it, we never looked back.
We still love a traditional land-based holiday, but cruising became a much-loved part of our holiday cycle throughout our kids’ teenage years.
And the biggest lesson I’ve learnt?
If keeping the kids entertained is important, do your research on the specific cruise line and ship.
Here’s what I’d look for:
🎢 For maximum thrills
Some of the newest and largest ships, particularly from Royal Caribbean, are packed with waterslides, surf simulators, climbing walls, cinemas, ice rinks, incredible kids’ facilities and dedicated teen spaces. There’s almost always something going on.
🏔️ For cooler climates & destination-led cruising
Our Baltic cruise was on a smaller Royal Caribbean ship with far fewer of the big-ship attractions. But that didn’t mean that kids were bored – the kids’ and teen facilities were still popular, and the destinations themselves provided plenty of adventure.
👫 For independence
One of the things our children loved was having the opportunity to make new friends and enjoy some independence within a safe, supervised environment. As they got older, this became a really important part of the appeal.
🥂 And for the parents... some precious “me time”!
When the kids are happily occupied, parents can enjoy some downtime too – whether that’s relaxing by the pool, having a quiet dinner for two or simply enjoying a drink together.
For us, that’s what made cruising work so well as a family holiday:
Great time together – with enough independence for everyone to enjoy the holiday in their own way.
And perhaps the biggest surprise?
Our kids didn’t just enjoy cruising. They genuinely looked forward to it. ❤️
👇 If you’re a parent, what would you worry about most when taking your kids on a cruise?

Address

West Bridgford

Telephone

+441158719540

Website

http://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/andy.lagette

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