Cruise Addicts Magazine - Issue One by Cruise Addicts Magazine

Editorial

In issue one we are embracing the fantastic cruise bloggers that this industry has to offer, those who spend every spare hour bringing us some of the best cruise content there is. Read how Danielle Fear’s cruising career began and let her take you on a Fred Olsen World Cruise adventure [page 6]. Marcus Adams takes you from New York to New England on the cultural cruise of a lifetime [page 36]. In my destination guide I show you how to explore the incredible Norwegian Fjords independently [page 16]. If you’re a cruise writer or you’d just like to feature a personal cruise review, take a look below on how to get in touch with us. I hope you enjoy this landmark issue of Cruise Addicts Magazine. Rebecca Hardy - Executive Editor rebecca@cruiseaddictsmag.com

Get In Touch If you’d like to write an article for Cruise Addicts Magazine get in touch on the website or email info@cruiseaddictsmag.com with your ideas. If you’re a brand interested in advertising with us contact marketing@cruiseaddictsmag.com If you’d like to share one of your special cruise pictures with us or give a shoutout to a fellow cruiser please send your photo/s and a message to info@cruiseaddictsmag.com using the subject title «Shoutout» and you could feature in a future issue of Cruise Addicts Magazine.

The Team Executive Editor: Rebecca Hardy Copy: Peter Hardy - Emma Watts Design & Layout: Erika Conchis Web Development: Callum & Killian (webur.co.uk) Writers: Danielle Fear - Marcus Adams - Andrew Sassoli-Walker - Andrew McAlpine Claire Harris - Francesca Wellman - Cathy Rogers - Mark Engelbretson - James Watts Special Mention: Viola Hardy - Tom Crowe The views expressed in the following articles are those of the writers and not necessarily of Cruise Addicts Magazine. Reproduction of any of the articles or images in this magazine without consent is prohibited. Cruise Addicts Mag Ltd trading as Cruise Addicts Magazine. Aknowlegements: Icons on pages 14, 15 made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com

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Contents Page 6 - Our Wonderful World - 108 Nights With Fred. Olsen Page 12 - Throwback to the Three Queens - A Right Royal Day In Southampton Page 14 - Cruise Addicts Announcements - Our Readers Very Own Cruising Snapshots Page 15 - Cruise Addicts Top Tips - The Very Best Cruising Tips From Our Readers Page 16 - A Cruise Addicts Guide… To Exploring The Norwegian Fjords Page 28 - Getting Back Our Indy-pendence - A Touching Tribute To A Truly Special Ship Page 32 - “FOR” Ports - Do You Suffer With Cruising “FOMO”? Page 36 - From Boardwalk To Broadway - The Anthem To A Cultural Adventure Page 44 - Gluten Free Horizons - A Guide To Eating Gluten Free On Your Next Cruise Page 48 - An Adventure To The Last Frontier - Alaska! Page 58 - An Interview With A Deck Cadet - What Is Life Really Like Below Deck? Page 62 - Cruise Addicts Book Review - The Confident PortExplorer by Cathy Rogers

World Cruise

Our Wonderful World 108-Nights With Fred. Olsen

Danielle is known to her blog readers as CruiseMiss. She’s been a recognised blogger within the cruise industry since 2013. In a 2014 poll conducted by USA Today she was one of only two British bloggers to figure in the top 10, she then went on to be a panel expert for USA Today/10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for cruise in 2017 and 2018. Danielle doesn’t just blog, she is also a recognised freelance travel and copy writer, and social media professional.

s a child, I always looked forward to the annual family holiday to one of the Balearic Islands, but as I got older, I wanted more than just a swimming pool and a resort from my travel experiences. For years, the above was about it, with the occasional trip to Ireland or Jersey thrown in for good measure, or a stay in my aunties caravan in Seahouses. I liked exploring and meeting new people, but back then, I had no idea what awaited me and where my passion for adventure would take me. My first cruise was in 2007, but I didn’t start my blog until almost 5 years later. I

needed to spend more time at sea and increase my knowledge. I wanted the blog to offer me something more than just a few hours to daydream about travel, I wanted it to be my passion and my income. Fast forward several years later and I am a firmly established blogger and freelance travel writer. I am living my dream in every way possible and I have been on some incredible cruises, but it’s the holy grail of cruise holidays that leads me to you today, I’m talking world cruising! In January this year, I embarked on the journey of a lifetime: a 108-night sailing aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ‘Black Watch’. I’ll never forget the feeling

I had as we sailed from Southampton, I had to keep pinching myself because it didn’t feel real. We circumnavigated the globe and I relished in every moment of it, even when bad weather meant we missed some destinations, the moment was never dulled by it. We simply reminded ourselves that we had so many other exciting places to explore. We visited more than 20 destinations, but my favourites were Peru, India, Komodo Island and Myanmar – I also really liked Darwin, in Australia. It would take me days to list everything that I managed to do during the cruise, but some of the most memorable experiences for me were holding a koala in Brisbane, swimming among stunning coral and brightly coloured fish in Indonesia, eating traditional Indian Thali in Mumbai, and seeing the stunning Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. It was truly the trip of a lifetime and it will stay with me for the rest of my life. Every day brought something new, both onboard and ashore, and even the little things made me smile, such as seeing a P&O Australia ship passing us in the Pacific. I love cruise ships, but I’d never seen a member of the P&O Australia fleet before, so for me, that was a highlight.

We made entire transits of the Panama and Suez canals, two very different experiences but both equally as thrilling. The day we sailed through the Panama Canal was incredibly hot, I couldn’t drink my pineapple juice fast enough, but of course, I wasn’t going to put my sensible head on and go inside for the coolness of the air conditioning. No, I was staying out on deck, where I could see everything! When I was back on dry land, the one thing that everyone seemed to keep asking me was what it was like to spend such a long time on a ship, and I can tell you, it was my idea of heaven. The longer I can spend at sea, the better, and Black Watch was quite literally my home-fromhome. We were a community, a family, we all looked out for each other and we had our ups and downs. There’s really nothing else quite like a world cruise, it’s the voyage of all voyages and if the opportunity ever came your way to embark on one, you absolutely must do it! I met people onboard that had been on several world cruises and I heard one person say she was bored of some of the destinations. I’m yet to understand how that could be possible. Any place, new or old, is an adventure for me.

World Cruise Tips Should you find yourself preparing for a lengthy sailing, there are a few things to remember: Visas

Travel Insurance

Drinks

Always check and double check that you are applying for the correct visas. Your cruise line will offer information on VOA’S (visas on arrival), but there will be some destinations for which you need to apply and obtain before you sail.

It could be costly, but you must have good travel insurance and you need to ensure it is cruise specific. A standard travel policy will not always be valid for cruising. Do not leave home without a valid policy in place.

Packing

Foreign Currency

You are going to shop. Even if you say you won’t, you will, so try and travel with one suitcase that is almost empty – it will save you buying another one at the end of your cruise.

Don’t worry about this too much in advance. I travelled with primarily GBP and USD. I changed to other currencies as and when I needed it, but you will find that a lot of places openly accept USD.

If your cruise line offers an all-inclusive drinks package, take it. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, you will benefit from it. Many destinations on a world cruise are very hot and humid. I was drinking around 5 or 6 pints of fruit juice and bottled water every day which meant I had spent the daily rate before even considering anything alcoholic.

By Danielle Fear @cruisemiss www.cruisemiss.com

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Throwback

Throwback To The Three Queens The port of Southampton played host to all three Cunard Queens last year on 10th August, the first time such an event has happened in the port since 2016.

he weather was clear and bright in the morning as the three ships arrived. The first to arrive was Queen Mary 2, which was arriving following a transatlantic crossing. Unusually for this visit, she berthed at the City Cruise terminal, which allowed anyone in the city and those venturing down to Mayflower Park superb views of her. Queen Victoria arriving from Haugesund, Norway following a 7-night cruise

around the Fjords followed her. She berthed at the Ocean terminal. The last to arrive was Queen Elizabeth from Gothenburg following a 14 night Baltic cruise. Throughout the day heavy downpours threatened to ruin the spectacle of the sailing but the weather had lifted in time to reveal blue sky and some impressive cloud formations by the time the three ships were due to sail. The three ships sailed on time with Queen Elizabeth leading

the procession down Southampton water followed by Queen Mary 2 and then Queen Victoria. As the three ships headed down Southampton water and along the Solent, they were watched by spectators that lined the shore at many of the popular viewpoints. Once in the Solent they formed a chevron formation and held position off Portsmouth with Queen Mary 2 taking the lead position. At 19:30 the Red

Arrows arrived, and started a spectacular display, which covered the sky over the Solent to mark both the end of Cowes week and the meeting of the ships. The display then culminated in an iconic smoke fly past over the Three Queens. For the passengers on board, it was the first time in the

company’s 178 year history they would be able to watch such an event. Simon Palethorpe, Senior Vice President Cunard said, “To see the Red Arrow Display team flying over our three Queens was a stunning sight. It is a rare occasion for all our three to be together, especially

By Andrew McAlpine @cruiseshipprofiles www.cruiseshipprofiles.com 13

on such a beautiful evening and our guests were very lucky to be witness to such a special event. I am sure it will make their cruises very memorable.”

Real Life

Cruise Addicts Shoutouts

This is our friend Dave with Ritchie our waiter on P&O Oriana. We had taken Dave and his wife Sue on their first cruise, they loved it so much they booked two more on their return home. Sadly five weeks later Dave passed away suddenly. This photo brings back memories of a very happy holiday with them both onboard Oriana. - Barbara Mckie

Everything came together with the weather and my son was able to pull off the perfect proposal during a helicopter excursion to a glacier in Juneau. This was the happiest, best cruise ever as both my mother and I got to spend so much time with them and watch their joy for the rest of the trip! - Krystal

In 2013 we boarded Navigator of the Seas for a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise from New Orleans. As we were entering the main dining room on formal night, my now husband dropped to one knee and proposed! We boarded Navigator again in 2017, this time as a family of 3 and of course we had to get a family photo in the same spot as the proposal. We love cruising and having our daughter hasn’t stopped us, she’s about to go on her third cruise at age 3! - Jessica Kettle

If you’d like to share a cruise picture, special memory or embarrassing moment then use the Submit Your Story feature on our website www.cruiseaddictsmag.com and you could feature in the next issue of Cruise Addicts Magazine.

Cruise Addicts Top Tips The fabulous members of our Facebook group ‘Cruise Addicts Community’ have teamed up to share their best cruising tips for cruisers old and new.

Don’t be afraid to cruise solo. I did it and I was very nervous but it was brilliant. You’re safe, well looked after and it’s so easy to make new friends. Instead of carrying spare copies of all my travel documents, I scan them and put them on a USB. I also upload them to the cloud so I have access to them no matter where I am, even out in the middle of the ocean. Saves weight and also the trees!

Take a photo of your cruise newsletter every morning so you know where you were for any photos taken on that day. Works for me! - Jean S

- Jacqueline P Take a photo on your phone of the embassy and port address/phone number in case of emergency ashore. You will find it in the daily news in your cabin each night ready for the next day. - Barbara M

- Peter C Go to the crafts classes, not only will you take home something unique and lovely but you will have a new skill too.

Pack a few items of clothing that are a size bigger for towards the end of the cruise! - Laura P

Make sure you have a small hand luggage bag with a sun hat, wipes, a change of undies, t shirt, medication and basic toiletries just in case you get delayed and are left without your luggage. You just never know!

For anyone who suffers with seasickness or has a concern about getting seasick, book a midship stateroom as close to the middle as possible, you’ll feel less motion here.

- Gill C

- Eneida S

- Jayne K

If you would like your tip to be featured in the next issue of Cruise Addicts Magazine then send your top tips to info@cruiseaddictsmag.com

Editors Pick

A Cruise Addicts Guide To Exploring The Norwegian Fjords Cruise Addicts Magazine editor Rebecca is a big fan of going it alone when ashore and wanted to create a guide to the Norwegian Fjords that would get your explorer juices flowing and inspire you to try something outside of the cruise-line-excursion-box. Many of the activities in this guide come highly recommended by the members of the ‘Cruise Addicts Community’ Facebook group - so they must be good!

Oslo The Royal Palace The Royal Palace is open through the summer season, usually late June to mid August. It is where the King and Queen of Norway reside, the King also holds his formal dinners here. The guided tour lasts about an hour and will take you through some of the most significant rooms in this 19th century Palace. It’s worth noting that around 1.30pm the change of guards ceremony takes place - It’s not one to be missed! Cost: NOK 135 (adult) NOK 105 (children 4 -18 & seniors) FREE (under 3’s)

Credits: Nancy Bundt - Visitnorway.com

The Palace Gardens

The Viking Ship Museum

Many visitors to the Palace say that the gardens are spectacular making this activity the perfect add-on to your Palace tour - added bonus, it’s free! There’s plenty to explore in the gardens including ancient trees, lots of little lakes and some modern sculptures.

If maritime history is your thing then the Vikings Museum might just be for you. Inside you will be able to delve into the history of 3 Viking vessels. The vessels are burial ships meaning they are well preserved along with their contents. There’s a smartphone audio guide, a short film of a Viking voyage and the occasional special activity. It’s a fairly inexpensive activity for the family so great for a cost effective day out in Oslo.

Cruise Addict Tip: Pick up some local snacks before and settle down for a little picnic in the beautiful Palace Gardens.

Cost: NOK 100 (adult) FREE (under 18’s)

Kon-Tiki Museum Another one for the fans of maritime history is the Kon-Tiki Museum. It holds original boats and artefacts from Thor Heyerdahl’s famous expeditions. It’s known for having the most comprehensive Easter Island exhibition and you will even find a replica of a family cave from the Easter Islands. Everyday at 12-noon there is a showing of the Oscar-winning Kon-Tiki documentary and there’s even a separate children’s exhibition making this a great choice for all ages. Cost: NOK 120 (adult) NOK 50 (6-15 years) FREE (under 6’s) .

Oslo IceBar Credits: Johan Berge - Visitnorway.com

Oslo IceBar is a great quickieexcursion for those that like to pack a lot into a day ashore. Inside you will find a bar made of ice along with real ice sculptures, ice chairs and even ice glasses! It’s -5° in the bar so you will be given an insulated suit to keep you warm(ish) whilst you are in there. It’s advisable to book tickets online as it’s only a small venue and cruise ships book a lot of places so it can be hard to get in on the day. Visitors say it is an expensive option but it’s a must if you haven’t been in to ice bar before. Admission includes a welcome drink and you get access for 30 minutes, it’s very cold so you wouldn’t want to stay much longer anyway. Cost: NOK 195

Credits: VISITOSLO/Didrick Stenersen

Want It All? The Oslo Pass gives you free entry to 30 museums and attractions, free travel on all public transport, free entry to outdoor swimming pools, free walking tours, discounts on sightseeing, ski simulator, Tusenfryd Amusement Park, concert tickets, climbing, ski rental, and special offers in restaurants, shops, entertainment and leisure venues. This really is the explorers best friend and the perfect way to really personalise your day in Oslo. You can pre-order a pass online or just buy one on the day from various venues. All the information can be found on the Visit Oslo website (www.visitoslo.com) along with the full list of participating venue.

Bergen Nygardsparken The Nygardsparken the largest urban park in Bergen. With an abundance of woodland to take walks around, a cafe with great coffee and free water and a lovely play area for children to enjoy it’s the perfect day trip when you are cruising as a family and want to keep your costs down.

Bergen IceBar Like Oslo, Bergen also has an Ice Bar you can visit. So if you don’t get chance to do it in Oslo you can always book this one instead!

Bergen’s Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Explore the whole of Bergen on the HOHO bus, get on and off at any of the 13 stops along the way, discover attractions like the Bergen Fish Market, St Mary’s Church, Bryggen, Bergen Museum and lots more. The bus gives audio commentary in 8 different languages and a ticket will last you a full 24 hours so you can explore at your own pace. The service runs from May to mid-September. Cost: NOK 320 (adult) NOK 160 (6-15 years) FREE (under 6’s)

Credits: Bergen Reiselivslag / Robin Strand - visitBergen.com

Julehuset Christmas Shop Bergen has an all year round Christmas shop called Julehuset. The shop has everything you could possibly want for the perfect Scandi Christmas from baubles to nativity scenes, lights to advent and much more! If like us, you like to pick up a christmas decoration or two on your travels then this shop is a must-visit in Bergen.

Bergen Fish Market The Fish Market in Bergen is one of Norway’s biggest and most visited outdoor markets and has been around since the 1200’s, you wil find it in the heart of the city between the fjords and Bergen’s 7 mountains. The market doesn’t just sell seafood though, you will find local farm foods like berries, fruits and vegetables plus lots of flowers and plants. The indoor market is open all year and the outdoor market starts on the 1st of May and lasts for the duration of summer. Cruise Addicts Tip: if you do decide to eat whilst ashore try some fresh seafood from one of the restaurants in the indoor market, it comes highly recommended by our Cruise Addicts Community members.

Credits: Øyvind Heen - Visitnorway.com

The Famous Funicular The Fløibanen Funicular is a 10-minute walk from where the ships dock and is one of Norway’s most famous attractions, it will take you 320m above sea level giving you breathtaking views of Bergen. There’s loads to explore at the top too. If you are feeling energetic you could take the 3 kilometer walk back down, it only takes 45 minutes and you can enjoy those beautiful views for just a little longer! Cost: NOK 95 (adult) NOK 45 (4-15 years and seniors over 67) FREE (under 4’s)

Bergen card Like the Oslo Pass the Bergen Card gives you free or discounted entry to museums and attractions (including the Fløibanen Funicular we’ve just mentioned) for a whole 24 hours! It even gets you on the buses for free. Go to VisitBergen.com to book and view the full list of attractions and benefits. Cost: NOK 260 (adult) NOK 100 (children 3-15) FREE (under 3’s)

Stavanger Stavanger Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Stavanger also has its own Hop-On, Hop-Off open top bus. With a bus every 30 minutes and a stop right outside the cruise terminal the HOHO bus is probably the easiest way to explore Stavanger. You will stop at Stavanger Cathedral, 7 museums & the king of Norway’s royal residence along the way. Admission includes headphones and onboard commentary in 8 different languages. The tour only operates between mid-May and the end of August, Cost: NOK 320 (adult) NOK 160 (children 6-15) FREE (under 6’s)

Flor & Fjaere Gardens Flor & Fjaere is an exotic island that wouldn’t be out of place if you found it in the Caribbean. A day here will include a 20-minute boat trip on the Fjord followed by a walking tour around the lush, blossoming gardens filled with over 50,000 vibrant flowers, finished off with a buffet loaded with mouth-watering food made by chef Andre Mulder inspired by menus from around the world and seasoned with herbs fresh from the gardens. The tour is available Monday to Saturday from early May to late September and must be booked in advance. It is a more expensive option but definitely worth it. Cost: NOK 1290 (adult) NOK 490 (children 3-12) NOK 150 (under 3’s)

22 Credit: florogfjare.no/

Credits: CH - visitnorway.com

Old Stavanger Old Stavanger is perfect for exploring on foot, it’s made up of 173 wooden buildings dating from the turn of the 18th century. Stavanger has received many awards for its efforts in preserving Old Stavanger and you can really see why, it’s like stepping back in time. This part of Stavanger is also a popular residential area and has lots of independent businesses, boutiques and art galleries for you to investigate. A day out here is a great way to discover Stavanger on a low budget.

The Canning Museum The Canning industry is an interesting part of Old Stavenger’s history, canning was still Stavangers most significant trade until the 1960’s. The Canning Museum will give you an insight into the working conditions of workers, show you the complete process from arrival of fresh fish to the cans leaving the factory and you can even taste freshly smoked brisling straight from the oven if you are lucky enough to visit on a Tuesday or a Thursday. There’s a workers cottage with traditional 1920’s decor on the first floor and 1960’s on the second floor along with household items acquired from each decade to give you a real feel for what life would have been like for the residents in old town Stavanger. Cost: NOK 90 (adult) NOK 45 (children 6-18) FREE (under 6’s)

Credits: CH - visitnorway.com

The Maritime Museum The Maritime Museum is another one of the many things to do in Stavanger. Here you will be taken through the last 200 years of maritime history, development and trade. The exhibitions range from a merchant’s apartment and a general store from 1910 to a shipowner’s office and what life was like working at the docks in the 1950’s so if you like to immerse yourself into the history of a place this could be the excursion for you. Cost: NOK 95 (adult) NOK 50 (children 6-18) FREE (under 6’s)

Flåm Flåm Village Flåm is a small village situated at the end of Aurlandsfjord, it’s a nice place to wander around taking in the sights and a walk along the river is recommended. There are a few shops in the area if you feel like a spot of retail therapy too.

The Hike to Brekkefossen Waterfall

Credits:Fjord Norway, Paul Edmundson

There is a Brekkefossen waterfall hike that starts at the Flåm station. It’s a 90-minute round trip hiking on steep terrain. The hike is well-marked and will give you incredible views once you have reached the waterfall. It’s a great way to kill some time if you are booked on the Flåm railway for later in the day.

Flåm Railway The iconic Flam railway journey will take you 20km from Flåm station to Myrdal you will experience jaw-dropping landscape and spectacular waterfalls. After climbing 866 meters above sea level you will travel through the steep mountains and by the snow-covered mountain tops. Without spoiling anything we can tell you there are a few surprises along the way... It’s a must-do trip for anyone visiting Flåm and the journey lasts about 2 hours.

Credits: © Terje Rakke / Nordic Life AS / www.fjordnorway.com

Cost: NOK 590 (adult) NOK 294 (children 4-15) FREE (under 4’s) Cruise Addicts Tips: Book the train online, months in advance if you can and when you board the train sit on the right hand side as you face the front to get the best views on the train journey.

Credits: Øyvind Heen/Visitnorway.com

Credits: Tina Stafrèn/Visitnorway.com

Credits: Øyvind Heen - Visitnorway.com

26 Credits: CH - Visitnorway.com

Geiranger The Seven Sisters Waterfall On the way into Geiranger you must look out for the seven sisters waterfall. It’s the 39th tallest waterfall in Norway and is made up of 7 different streams, the tallest of the seven has a free fall of 250 meters. It’s definitely not one to be missed!

The Fjordsenter The Fjordsenter is the authorized visitors center for the West Norwegian Fjords World Heritage Site. Inside the center you will find exhibitions about many things including the people of the fjords and the history of its landscapes. There are interactive rooms perfect for inquisitive children, a cafe, playground, gift shop and lots more. The staff here are known for being very friendly and helpful so if you’ve got any questions or want ideas about where to go next in Geiranger then just ask. Cost: NOK 120 (adult) NOK 60 (children 6-18) FREE (under 6’s)

Hike to Storfossen Waterfall You can take a waterfall hike starting from the Fjordsenter. The 327 step hike will take you high up to the Storfossen waterfall and give you access to great viewpoints so you can take in the sights. Be careful on the descent as wet rocks can be problematic, this walk is best suited to travellers who are confident on their feet.

The Chocolate Shop- Sjokolade If you get the chance you should pop in to the chocolate shop in Geiranger. They’ve got lots of flavours to choose from including plain chocolate, blue cheese chocolate and everything else in-between. A member of the Cruise Addicts Community recommends trying a few of the samples they have on offer and discover your favourite flavour before you choose a bar or two to take home. Look out for the Iconic blue bike parked outside, that’s when you know you’ve found this chocolate heaven.

By Rebecca Hardy @cruiseaddictmag / @acruiseaddict www.cruiseaddictsmag.com 27

Real Life

Getting Back Our Indy-pendence One Family’s Heartfelt Letter To Royal Caribbean’s Independence Of The Seas

ear Indy, It’s been a year since I saw you last. I’ve missed you, oh how we’ve all missed you. Things have changed since our last meeting, you have changed, I have changed, we have all changed. I must admit, I felt a little anxious about seeing you this time round. Many times I have wondered if your new look might have changed your presence. Many times I have thought of you, willing you not to have changed. You were beautiful before. You are stunning now. You have given our family some of the happiest and most magical memories that we all treasure and hold so dearly. There was a time when the freedom of travel and exploration was taken away from us. They do say the best things come to those who wait, and that’s exactly what we did. We waited until the time was right, until the doctors and consultants gave us the all clear to finally give the gift of travel, freedom and wonderment to our daughters. Since the birth of our daughters - Hollie and Eden, life became a little more serious, and far more daunting than it had ever been before. Both girls were born with an undiagnosed medical condition, which was something neither my husband and I were prepared for.

Years of hospital stays, watching the girls tiny bodies endure rigorous tests and the failed attempts to hold everything together when receiving those terrifying talks in the confined and cold relatives room are long behind us. Hopefully for now and for sometime, if not, all of time. Whilst the girls will always have the condition for the rest of their lives, we’ve all worked together as a team to manage their lives in a way that allows them and us to live day to day as if there is nothing wrong at all. When things get tough and we have hiccups, we are often asked by fellow parents «How do you cope?» The response is always the same - We have no option, it’s what we’ve always known and there are always others who are worse off and we wouldn’t change the girls for the world. In 2013 things were certainly looking up for us as a family. The pediatric consultants had informed us that the time was right for us to take our children on their first holiday abroad. The girl’s health passports were in place, treatment for the condition was more readily available and what’s more it was mentioned that cruise ships have fully trained doctors onboard. Furthermore, some even have helipads for emergencies. My parents often cruised and knew so much about the various cruise lines and their ships. After lengthy discussions with the hospital team and family members a decision, almost against my will was made. August 2013 came round quick, this is when you came into our lives and changed everything. This is when we first met you - Royal Caribbean’s very own, Independence Of The Seas. My Indy, our Indy, the UK’s Indy. You gave us a new lease of life and the freedom to explore. Already anxious as an overprotective mother, I became more and more panicked when I saw you up close for the first time, after all, you’re a pretty impressive size! If I knew then, what I know now, I would’ve been on the ship in the blink of an eye! We spent two weeks in your company the first time. You made us feel safe, you made us feel like we belonged, that everything was going to be okay. My husband and I, and the girl’s grandparents were able to watch them grow from strength to strength independently and experience freedom like never before. All those things that others may take for granted, the children were now able to enjoy; Swimming pools, arcades, restaurants, kids clubs, the close proximity of others and the exploration of different destinations and the cultures.

All of the things that could potentially result in a serious illness for one or both of the girls. You see Indy, they both have a rare blood condition. This often results in bleeds and many, many bruises. Consequently, we have received some hateful looks from other parents. You can only imagine what they might be thinking from their high stools of judgement. Nonetheless, it is probably a good thing we are judged, it’s better to be safe than sorry. For us and the girls, this is the easy part of the condition. The hardest part is the invisible side. They both have a lowered immune system, a common cold will often result in a serious secondary illness for them. You changed our anxiety, the levels were and still are manageable and you play a big part in that Indy. For two whole weeks and with a doctor onboard, who knew everything about the girls before our sailing, we felt comfortable, safe and most of all we were able to relax and and enjoy making those precious memories even more unforgetable. Thank you! Indy, you really were the turning point for all of us and we shall forever be grateful. We’ve since been in your company as many times as our salaries and jobs will allow. Indy, you are our home from home, our dear and trusted fun, fabulous friend. From the moment we step onboard and smell your freshly varnished railings you have us completely captivated by your beauty. You offer us that place of sanctuary. There is no other feeling such as the feeling of waking up at the crack of dawn, throwing on some clothes and finding my very own, private area that is your bow. You allow me to feel humbled in your presence and that of the ocean and the sun rising on a new day. I’m always mindful here and forever grateful that it was you who helped us to live our lives to the fullest again, and it was you who showed us that everything will be ok. It is clear to us that you’re still so very dear and possess all of the wonderful attributes you had before your makeover, and then some! Until next time Indy... With much love and gratitude, The Harris Family. Xx

By Claire Harris @firstinitialsea www.firstinitialsea.com 30

“FOR” APortExplorers GuideTo “FOR” Ports

t’s such a little word and yet it can be such a minefield in the cruise world. FOR will almost certainly mean that the port itself is large, industrial and nothing at all to write home about - although luckily it appears to be very close to somewhere that you have always wanted to visit, somewhere you just have to see, somewhere you really can’t miss.. Livorno FOR Florence, Le Havre FOR Paris... It’s worth mentioning though that “FOR” usually also means a long, hot, expensive, tiring day spent sitting on coaches and driving on motorways just to visit this wonderful city

that you absolutely MUST see, because we will be in Le Havre and everyone else will be going on a trip to Paris. You log into your Cruise Personaliser and the pressure starts, ‘book your excursion now’ ‘don’t miss out’ ‘the most popular trips get booked first’... you may not have heard of FOMO, it is an extremely successful advertising strategy being used on you as you read your cruise personaliser for the first time - Fear Of Missing Out on this one special place! Let’s just step back for a minute and put things into perspective. Take a look at the cruise excursions run from your nearest home port, once you see what is being offered I guarantee

that you will start to see excursions in a different way! For instance if I was in Southampton and I wanted to go to London and back before teatime I wouldn’t do it by coach and I definitely wouldn’t go via Stonehenge! Now obviously if you live in New Zealand and this is your one and only trip to Europe and you’ve dreamt of visiting Paris and Florence since you were a child then you are going to go to see them, that is a given. However if that isn’t the case, if you live in the UK lets say, then just take a moment to think, if you want to visit Florence, then how expensive would a cheap flight and an overnight hotel be for a

weekend? Check it out, it might be that you could get a weekend break for not much more than the cost of a Cruise Excursion seriously! If you factor in that you would be in Florence at least three times longer it might be worth considering. That way you get a second

holiday too! So if you chose not to go to the FOR destination that would leave the question of what else could you do? It may not read this way in the Personaliser but the real answer is ANYTHING YOU LIKE! Firstly you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t HAVE to go with the cruise

company tours and secondly you really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to make a decision now, unless you are actually going next week. The trick is to give yourself lots of time to plan what you want to do, not just at the FOR port but on all the other days as well.

Look at all the ports you will be visiting and how many sea days you have - work out a plan for the whole cruise. How tired or jet lagged will you be at the start? Will you be desperate to just get off and get some real exercise after two sea days in a row? Do you just fancy a day at the beach or even a day spent quietly onboard taking advantage of special offers in the Spa? Life is so busy nowadays, a cruise is your time to do what you want, there is no need to turn it into a never ending round of coaches and culture unless you want to. Remember FOR means you COULD not you MUST! It’s odd but as more and more people cruise we demand higher standards from cruise companies but we also put a lot of stress on ourselves by creating imaginary ‘must sees’ - we imagine that the five options offered by the cruise company are the only attractions worth seeing.

By Cathy Rogers @portexplore www.portexplore.me

Again, look at your home port - what would you do with a day in Southampton? Wander round the town, its museums and galleries and a little light shopping? A train to Winchester or Bath for a bit more history? A ferry to the Isle of Wight? A day in the New Forest? Some maritime history and ships in Portsmouth? You get the idea! So when I see FOR I try very hard to fight down the FOMO, I look at the whole itinerary and research all the ports we are visiting before I book anything. If it turns out that I actually do want to visit the main attraction then before booking the ships tour I would also consider other specialist cruise excursion providers as well as private tour operators and complete DIY options before committing to anything, there is a so much to choose from but that’ll have to wait for another issue...

Featured Itinerary

From Broadway To Boardwalk A Cultural Journey From New York To Nova Scotia

ravelling from New York to New England and Canada wouldn’t automatically be top of my cruising list but I want to talk about why it should be. When I think of northeast America, I conjure pictures of the classic autumnal scenes with the landscapes dramatically changing colour from green to a host of vibrant colours and hues. I was genuinely surprised by how awesome this trip turned out to be. It honestly has something for everyone, from exploring world-famous cities, to learning about the history of the USA, getting out into some beautiful nature and being enriched by culture. You don’t even have to

look far to experience all this. I travelled on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas and it’s the perfect match for this itinerary. On this trip we left New York and sailed up to Boston, Massachusetts, then to Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine and finally to Halifax and St John, Nova Scotia. So, let me tell you why I think this should be right at the top of your cruise list.

The Anthem of New York I’ve sailed on Anthem of the Seas before when she was in the UK in 2015 and have always been a big fan of the Quantum Class

of ships (… in fact I got engaged on one!). Some of the biggest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, they are chock-full of things to do and see – perfect for someone like myself who likes to keep busy. Whether you are a single traveller, a couple or a family you are spoilt for choice with what’s on board. Anthem has a very contemporary and comfortable feel, with chic venues and spaces. Whether this is the unique Two70 lounge, where in the day you can sit and watch the world go by reading a good book, to enjoying a good cocktail during sunset or experience the incredible technology that makes

this a world-class theatre venue – including six Roboscreens that perform for guests or the Vistarama, which transforms the huge windows of Two70 into a 12K experience. Music Hall is another fun venue found on board and one of my favourites. A moody music venue that has live music, dancing and parties every night. For those wanting to be more active head to SeaPlex. This multifunctional venue hosts a variety of activities throughout the day – from ball games, to bumper cars, to a circus school and at night it can become a disco complete with floating DJ booth. It is here you’ll also find the other outdoor activities on board, whether that be surfing on the flowrider, rock climbing or unique to the Quantum Class – skydiving in Ripcord by iFly. If you find yourself on a Quantum ship you must try out the sky diving, it’s insanely fun. Royal Caribbean prides itself on its activities. Whether you’re a kid or kid at heart, the ship is full of things to keep you busy at all times of the day. In addition to the fun to be had in SeaPlex you’ll find game shows, trivia and other activities taking place across the ship. Why not take to the skies on North Star, a London Eye inspired capsule that soars 300 ft above the sea offering

360-degree views around the ship. It’s a really unique experience and a must on board. Anthem is an all-weather ship, making her suited to a northern itinerary like this. A majority of her activities take place inside so no matter the weather it won’t affect your days activities. Whether this be the two indoor pools, the multi-functional SeaPlex, shopping through the Royal Esplanade or enjoying watching the world go by in Two70. Having said that, on our cruise the weather was wonderful, so we spent much of our time outside at the outdoor pool, bars and other areas. If you’re a fan of West End

shows this is the place to be. First up we have We Will Rock You, the classic jukebox musical based on the songs of British rock band Queen. Or if you fancy something more eclectic why not watch Spectra’s Cabaret. This show takes place in Two70. This original production takes the audience on “an eclectic multi-dimensional cabaret” with singing, dancing, robots and much more. It’s really worth watching. If food is your thing you won’t be disappointed. Anthem features a variety of dining options from gorgeous Italian food at Jamie’s Italian (ask for the antipasti plank!), steak at Chops Grille, sushi at Izumi

or head down the rabbit hole for culinary adventure at Wonderland, a postmodern style of cooking and categorized by theme rather than course. If you enjoy a good cocktail there are plenty of great bars on board, one of my favourites has to be Boleros, a fun bar where you can enjoy a great mojito and listen to live latin music. Music Hall is also a great venue to watch live music in the evening, enjoy a cocktail or two and dance the night away.

The city so good they named it twice New York, New York I’ve sailed from New York a number of times and it’s a great place to start or end a cruise. There’s so much to see and do, why not arrive ahead of time (or after) and spend a few days in New York. Take in a show on Broadway, experience some of the great food to be found and visit the sights and sounds of the city – Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Times Square – they’re all a must.

Boston, Massachusetts Leaving New York our first port of call on this cruise was Boston. I have wanted to visit Boston for a long time and this cruise was the perfect opportunity to get to know this famous city. With only a few hours in port the perfect way to get about is always a hop-on and hop-off bus. Boston is no exception. We took the Old Town Trolley Tours which takes you across the length and breadth of the city. You will see the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship that’s still afloat; the Old State House, one of the most important buildings in the USA, it is the oldest surviving public building

in Boston and is where the and the Declaration of Independence was originally read; the pictureperfect area of Beacon Hill and the public gardens; the Massachusetts State House; and the opportunity to jump off and visit MIT and Harvard if you wish. It’s honestly the best way to get a taste for the city.

and the famous Portland Head Lighthouse – Here you’ll learn first-hand the history of this city, its role in American history and the four devastating fires that have destroyed parts of the city over and over. In the afternoon jump on a harbour tour and see the various forts and lighthouses that are scattered around the area.

Bar Harbour and Portland, Maine

Take some time to enjoy the city, have a wander around the cute streets and the lively waterfront area. You cannot leave here without trying a local lobster roll and some of the craft beers. Maine is known for its lobsters and you’ll see it is a local delicacy. In fact if you’re a fan of lobster, this trip is

By far the highlight of this trip for me was Maine. First-up was Portland, the largest city in the county of Maine. Given all there is to see and do, my toptip is to do two tours. We took a morning trolleybus tour around the city

for you as it can be found everywhere in most of the ports. Heading to our next port we found ourselves in beautiful Bar Harbour. Known for its spectacular coastal beauty, it is the perfect port to get back to nature and enjoy the outdoors. Southwest of Bar Harbor you will find Acadia National Park, the oldest National Park east of the Mississippi River. There’s a variety of ways of seeing the Park including a free shuttle bus, hiring a car or a hop-on and hopoff bus – whatever way you choose you will not want to miss out on it.

You can see why many of the rich and famous choose to live here part of the year. Highlights include experiencing the beautiful coastline, including its unusual pink granite and the Thunderock, which roars parts of the day when the tide is right. Or pay a visit to the stunning Jordan Pond, where you can take in the view of the bubble mountains, enjoy the famous tea house or perhaps, if you have time, hike through some of the beautiful landscape. Finally, you won’t want to miss out on Cadillac Mountain, the first place to see the

sunrise in the USA some of the year. This picturesque viewing point high above Bar Harbour affords spectacular views across Maine and Nova Scotia.

Halifax and St John, Nova Scotia, Canada Our final set of calls took us to Nova Scotia, Canada. Firstly, to Halifax which is a cultural hub for Canada featuring a number of art galleries, theatres and museums. A day in the city, like many of the places mentioned here, really

isn’t enough to experience everything. Cruise ships dock in the downtown area and it’s worth hopping off the ship to take a stroll along the waterfront boardwalk. The Boardwalk features events taking place throughout the day, amazing looking eateries, and a number of local breweries and markets. If you have time definitely try some local Poutine. We opted to head up to the one of the City’s National Historic Sites, the Citadel Hill (Fort George). It has overlooked and protected Halifax since the first British settlers

back in the 18th Century. The site gives visitors the opportunity to explore the history of the fortress, walk around its various features and the soldiers who were stationed there. It also still has great views over Halifax. If you fancy travelling farther afield, head to Peggy’s Cove. This site is famed for its natural beauty as well as a whole host of activities you can take part in. This includes hiking trails, gorgeous beaches, kayaking, whale watching, birding activities, and golf courses. Finally, our final port was St John, New Brunswick. This is another cultural hotspot in Canada which hosts numerous productions and concerts through the year. The ship docks right in the middle

of town so it’s easy to get about and see the city. Take a wander through the City Market and enjoy the city’s architecture and shops. If you fancy something a bit more adventurous, head to the Reversing Falls. As the name suggests, this is a series of rapids that appear to be going backwards due to tidal currents. There’s several ways to experience this. You can watch the churning water from either Fallsview Park or Reversing Falls Park, or you can observe from above on the rooftop viewing platform (all of these options are free). If you want to get up close and personal, many people recommend challenging gravity on a zip line tour – I wasn’t fortunate enough to do this, but it sound so much fun!

By Marcus Adams @seasparkxfly www.sparkx.org

When we set off on this adventure I wasn’t sure what to expect or what I would see, but through this cruise I experienced and learnt about so much culture and history, experienced local food and drink, as well as getting outdoors into nature – all in all it’s a cruise that really has something for everyone to enjoy. It’s this sort of experience that shows why I love cruising so much. I would happily do this itinerary again in a heartbeat and I feel like I only touched the surface of what’s on offer.

Food

Gluten Free Horizons Some of the finest things in life are good food, good company, and travel – all of which can be found together when cruising! What happens though, when you have a condition that can prevent you from fully enjoying all those things?

n 2016, I experimented with going gluten free to try and help improve my eczema – it wasn’t 100% successful, but I did find that a lot of other health conditions went away! After a lot of medical tests, it seemed that I have non-coeliac gluten intolerance – meaning if I eat any gluten-containing or gluten-contaminated foods, I get ill. Being a massive foodie, I thought this could be a problem when travelling, were it not for the amazing facilities and availability of choice offered on a lot of cruise lines nowadays! Whether you suffer from a food intolerance, are on a diet by choice or by religious obligation, I’ve found that cruise lines will generally do their utmost to give you the same enjoyable dining experience as other guests. This usually requires a little preplanning and awareness though. Here are some top tips for cruising with dietary requirements whatever they may be!

Warn the cruise line beforehand! When you book your cruise, whether directly or through a travel agent, pass on to the cruise line that you have a dietary requirement at the time of booking. Then, when you have access to your cruise personaliser (or whatever account you can edit before your cruise), make doubly sure you’ve got it noted against your name. This helps to identify your needs once on board, and can sometimes make sure they’ve got relevant food options on board – a cruise line that didn’t carry gluten free beer actually offered to get a case on board for the week I was cruising!

Speak to the management Once you get on board, you may or may not get a note inviting you to speak with the Maitre D’, or there may be a dietary requirements meeting listed in your daily newsletter. These meetings are a really useful way of getting all the information you’ll need in terms of the options available to you, what the procedure is for ordering meals and which venues on the ship you can eat at. They will also be able to reassure you about any cooking facility questions you may have. On larger ships, there is generally a separate galley area in the main dining room where meals for those with dietary requirements are made to avoid cross contamination – there are separate preparation areas, separate fryer – the whole lot. All the ships I’ve been on have also had separate toasters in buffet areas at breakfast time.

Order the day before It may seem like a bit of a pain, but one of the sure ways of making sure you get the best dining experience is by ordering your food the day before! If you are eating evening meals in the dining room, ask for the next day’s menu – there’s often one or two gluten free options marked but by ordering the day before the chefs will have 24 hours to adapt any dish you like to be suitable for your needs.

The buffet might not be off limits – but use with caution! If you have intolerances, buffets can be a disaster waiting to happen, especially if foods aren’t marked! Don’t feel like you have to stick to the salad bar though – speak to a manager about what foods on the buffet line are safe. If a group of you are eating, they may be able to prepare something for you in a separate area with some advanced notice. I recently cruised on Royal Princess and the Sous Chef in the buffet was happy to walk me along the line everyday showing me what I could and couldn’t eat. On another occasion a manager offered to have some dessert sent up from the Main Dining Room as there wasn’t anything suitable in the buffet! marked but by ordering the day before the chefs will have 24 hours to adapt any dish you like to be suitable for your needs.

Don’t be afraid to ask! It should go without saying, but I have spent too many cruises being too shy to ask questions or raise issues for fear of being ‘the awkward eater’ – there’s really no need! The cruise staff are there to make sure you have the best cruise possible. Need to know the specifics of some ingredients? Ask! Concerned about the tools being used to prepare something? Ask!

Always be prepared I love eating on shore when I can, it does require a bit of research beforehand though. My top tip for eating on shore would be to take language cards with you, often available online, that explain your dietary requirements in different languages – helps to skip a lot of embarrassingly poor translation and gesturing! I hope this advice can help someone out there! Don’t forget, allergies and dietary requirements are really far ranging – you won’t be alone on the ship! So far I’ve sailed with P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America and Marella Cruises gluten free – for specifics on how each one fared, head over to my blog, glutenfreehorizons.com. Also, don’t be afraid to drop me a message and say hi on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram!

By Francesca Wellman @glutenfreehorizons www.glutenfreehorizons.com 47

Featured Itinerary

An Adventure To The Last Frontier

WhaleWatchingAnd Eagle Spotting InAlaska ATrip Fit ForAPrincess

earing the word “Alaska” conjures up so many thoughts, from the scenery, to wildlife and tales of the famous Klondike gold rush. It is a destination that is best seen from a cruise and with a wealth of options to choose from, there is really something to satisfy all tastes. Having a young family we were keen to have an

experience that we could all enjoy, with our main priorities being the sight of majestic glaciers and wildlife in their natural environment. We opted for a bespoke itinerary with our cruise being with Princess, a cruise line that we have had many enjoyable cruises on in the past. Our travel agents were excellent in catering for this.

The bespoke part was an extra night in Seattle followed by a three night stay in Vancouver. The Princess Cruises “Plane Sailing” option meant we could fly into Seattle and out of Vancouver, with the cost all incorporated into the holiday.

Our flight out was with Virgin Atlantic and we weren’t disappointed. Attentive crew and plenty of entertainment options meant the flight went rather quickly. I was transfixed by the view out of the window as we flew over Greenland and Northern Canada, huge glaciers, icebergs and a rocky wilderness made for an amazing sight. Once we landed, there was a Princess Cruises representative waiting to guide us to our shuttle bus that took us to our pre cruise stay at the Doubletree Sea-Tac. Having put our clocks back 8 hours, we landed early afternoon. There was a weekend festival in the city, so we headed for the Museum of Flight and enjoyed an afternoon of air displays and the museum itself. The hotel was comfortable, and had a welcoming pool for us to enjoy in the summer sunshine.

getting off the coach to getting onboard Emerald Princess took less than 10 minutes! We took ourselves off for lunch and then headed to the pool so our sons could have a swim, there was even a display by the US Navy “Blue Angels” over the Seattle skyline that made for a fantastic start to the cruise. Emerald Princess is due to for her major 5 year refit in 2019, but you wouldn’t know looking at her, the ship is in superb condition, the only clue as to the refit due is the lack of the iconic logo on the bow which is becoming standard across the fleet. The atrium onboard, being the focal point of the ship was decorated with some Alaskan art hanging from the staircases.

The following morning Princess organised for our cases to be sent direct to the ship, and by 10:30, we were heading to the port for our embarkation, which was a slick operation, from

Itinerary Day 1 – Flight from London to Seattle Day 2 – Embark Emerald Princess Day 3 – At sea Day 4 – Ketchikan Day 5 – Tracy Arm Fjord & Juneau Day 6 – Skagway Day 7 – At sea Day 8 – Victoria BC Day 9 – Disembark Emerald Princess & stay in Seattle Day 10 – Amtrak Cascades rail journey to Vancouver Day 11-12 – Vancouver Day 13 – Overnight flight from Vancouver to London

Our first day at sea started with foggy conditions on a very calm sea, then, over breakfast we caught sight of the tail of a humpback whale! One of those bucket list experiences ticked off already. One of the chefs gave an ice carving demonstration on deck, to see an ornate fish carved from a block of ice was amazing. A lumberjack show followed in the theatre, the story of this award winning Alaskan lumberjack was quite moving, he contracted meningitis as a child, and became totally deaf having to learn to walk again. His accuracy with an axe on the target was phenomenal. In the atrium a family funfair was organised with activities and competitions, we had so much fun and perhaps a competitive streak between Mum, Dad and our boys came through! The weather cleared, and by mid afternoon, there was clear blue skies, an azure blue sky and high temperatures meaning we could all go swimming, we

“In the trees was a large bald eagle, one of quite a few we saw. In the creek was a shoal of salmon being chased by a seal!” spent the rest of that day around the pool where the large screen was located, showing a mixture of movies and music. Our first Alaskan port, Ketchikan is small town with friendly locals and is renowned as being the wettest city in the world, but we struck lucky with a lovely day. We decided just to have a wander, and made our way to the famous Creek Street. Upon arriving, there, in the trees was a large bald eagle, one of quite a few we saw. In the creek was a shoal of salmon being chased by a seal!” This really was a wonderful introduction to Alaska. Creek Street, although full of souvenir shops had a charm. In the harbour, the water and air was filled with seaplanes buzzing around interspersed by the

“We caught sight of the tail of a humpback whale!“

odd airliner landing at the nearby airport. Back onboard we were treated to a visit from some husky dog puppies in the atrium, this proved very popular with guests. There is a wide selection of food and places to dine in the atrium, aptly named Piazza, there are light bites and pastries next to a coffee shop and bar, I took advantage of a coffee card which gave me discount on the speciality coffees on offer. Outside by the pools there are places offering pizza, burgers, ice cream as well as the traditional self service restaurant.

The next day proved to be the highlight of the cruise. We all rose early to find Emerald Princess dwarfed by mountains and small icebergs passing by as we made our way into Tracy Arm fjord. With cloud clinging to the mountains, this really was a sight to behold. As if this wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t good enough, over breakfast we then caught sight of the Sawyer Glacier. An advantage of the weather being inclement was seeing the vivid blue in the ice. The rest of the morning was spent sailing back down the fjord and to our next port, Juneau. We opted for a tour, visiting the magnificent Meadenhall Glacier followed by a whale watching boat trip. Our entertaining bus driver filled us with stories and

facts and you could clearly see he loves his job. By the time we boarded the boat, the weather really had closed in with torrential rain. However, once we got underway and saw the first humpback whale, everyone was in superb spirits, albeit soaking wet! We were treated to the sight of many whales along with some sea lions. At one point we had two large whales probably around 20 feet from our boat. It really was an amazing excursion, by the time we returned to Emerald Princess it was late evening, so we all dried out over a bowl of warming soup in the buffet upstairs. Our next port, Skagway, famous for being at the heart of the gold rush, offers many excursions,

including a train trip on the White Horse and Yukon railroad but due to the low cloud and rain, we opted just to have a wander around the town. Another town reliant on tourism, it has mostly souvenir shops and bars, we opted to go into a bar, soaking up the atmosphere and imagining what it was like back in the gold rush days. We set sail mid afternoon, sailing past large mountains and waterfalls making our way south. We had an invite to the bridge, so the following morning we spent an hour having a tour hosted by the Captain and a Cadet. Two dolphins made a brief appearance off the starboard bow. One can really appreciate the length of the ship when

stood at the bridge wing looking aft. The weather, yet again was superb with the rest of the day enjoying being outside on deck. After dinner that evening, watching a film out on deck in the Princess trademark â&#x20AC;&#x153;Movies under the starsâ&#x20AC;? whilst the sun set over the ship was a treat. Blankets and popcorn were provided. After another day at sea, we arrived in the Canadian port of Victoria which is located on Vancouver island. A charming city, with many of the buildings lit up in the evening, we all remarked that it is a shame that only an evening is spent in port, as having a whole day there would be really nice. Normally there is the feeling of anti climax when it comes to disembarking a ship at the end of a cruise but for us we then had the joy of knowing it was not the case! Being Elite, we were given a lounge to relax in and have a continental breakfast whilst we waited to disembark the ship. Again, well organised and after collection our luggage in the terminal we headed by taxi for our hotel, Lowes 1000 in downtown Seattle.

We had a wander, taking in the sights of the Emerald City, Pike Place and the first ever Starbucks, Space Needle and to end the day, going to the top floor of the Sky view Observatory located in the Columbia centre, the tallest building in the Pacific North West. Over dinner we saw Emerald Princess set sail and head north for another Alaskan cruise. Lowes 1000 was a comfortable hotel with a bizarre feature, a large window with electric blinds in the bedroom that opened up with a view of the bathroom! The bath was located in the centre and the water came out of a hole in the ceiling! An early start with a short

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Water came out of a hole in the ceiling!â&#x20AC;? taxi ride to King Street station where we were to join the Amtrak Cascades train for our trip back across the border into Canada. Being an international service we had to go through an immigration process, but it was straightforward and our luggage was even checked in. The Amtrak Cascades route follows a lot of the coast on the 4 hour journey and we had a very enjoyable journey, we booked the extra few dollars for Business class, which, on this fully booked service, gave us that extra room.

A restaurant cart is offered so we went there for a very reasonably priced breakfast and sat watching the world going by. It is easy to see why Vancouver is so highly rated as a place to live, it is a wonderful cosmopolitan city with a really nice vibe. Our hotel here, the Best Western Plus Chateau Granville, was a 20 minute walk from Canada Place. The highlights of our visit were Stanley Park and Grouse Mountain.

Stanley Park is Vancouver’s playground with everything from a sea walk that circumnavigates the park, forest walks, a display of totem poles, and an open air lido. During our stay, the visibility was hazy due to wildfires inland, but the weather remained very sunny. I would highly recommend Grouse Mountain, a free shuttle bus takes visitors from Canada Place across the Lions Gate Bridge to the base of the mountain, where a cable car goes to a plateau near the summit. There is a plethora of activities and displays on offer, we saw a really entertaining lumberjack show, a falconry display, saw two native bears that were rescued, but have a large area to themselves, and took a chairlift to the summit of the mountain.

I chose our seats right at the back of the aircraft in a row where it becomes 2-4-2. Having two rows of two meant we were free to not disturb anyone. The layout meant it felt like we were on a smaller aircraft, not the largest airliner built! I chose our seats on the port side in the vain hope of a possible sighting of the Aurora Borealis, but it seemed that, aside from a gorgeous dusk view of Canada, it wasn’t to be. Just as we settled down to sleep, I opened the blind to have a quick look at the stars, only to be greeted by an Aurora display! It lasted a mere couple of minutes, but what an end to our holiday. We have been left with some cherished family memories and have vowed we will return as soon as we can…

All good things must come to an end, but there was one surprise left in store… Knowing we were to be flown home on British Airways flagship, the mighty A380,

By Andrew Sassoli-Walker @solentphotographer www.solentphotographer.com

Crew Interview

An Interview With A Deck Cadet We’ve interviewed 19 year old James from the Isle of Wight who’s been working onboard MSC Fantasia as a deck cadet. He tells Cruise Addicts Magazine how he got to be where he is, gives us an insight into life onboard and tells us about his goals for the future.

Can you tell us a little bit about you? So I’m James, 19 years and I was born and raised on the Isle of Wight on the south coast of England. All my life I have had a connection with the sea through a range of activities from swimming to sailing to racing and support boating for divers. My main interests are mainly sailing and pretty much anything to do with the beach or nice warm weather and music festivals.

What made you decide to do your cadetship? I’ve wanted to work in this profession since I was around 13 years old having gone on several cruises with my family and realising that being an officer is a career option and one that would best

appeal to me. When I used to think about what I wanted to be I could never picture myself in an office with with a job I hated just to make money. I’ve always been an outdoor type person and I can’t cope with staring at screens all day. This is why I’ve chosen to be a deck cadet.

What’s the best part of the job? The best part of the job has to be that you are working where people have summer holidays, so considering it’s work after all, it’s not a bad place to work. The sunrise and sunsets every day, the wildlife you see on passage, the clear starlit skies at night with no light pollution to affect it and actually seeing how these ships work, as nothing on land can even come close. The hours are very long and hard, it can be 10-

12 hours of work a day and maybe 6 hours sleep but the rewards are well worth it!

And the worst? The worst part for me is homesickness, for me I have a very good relationship with my friends and family at home so seeing things like my little brothers prom photos or seeing all my friends at music festivals does make it very challenging. Another difficult thing is people tend to forget that there is no thing as a day off, everyday the ship is working, no Sunday lie ins or anything like that. The sleep is short and broken at times depending on watch patterns, for me I start every morning at 3:30 AM and do 4am to 8am bridge watchkeeping and same in the afternoon with overtime in the afternoon which can be anything from a man overboard drill to

a tank inspection down on deck 1 in engine room. Saying all this of course itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard but needless to say it is all very interesting and sometimes you take for granted all these things that some people may never see or experience!

How long are you at sea? The contract with this company is 6 months onboard with around 2 months at home, different companies vary slightly, some 3;1 and some 4;2 so it just depends on the companies individual procedure.

What would you eat on a typical day onboard? A typical day for me starts with breakfast after my 4-8am watch in the officers mess. The breakfast for us you can choose

from a small range of cereals- corn flakes, bran flakes, rice crisps etc etc, cooked egg boiled scrambled or fried, toast, fruit salad, yoghurts and cold meats. For me I usually just start the day with some cereal, Greek yoghurt, fruit and maybe some eggs if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big day. Lunch for me usually consists of rice and vegetables/ pasta (any sort you can imagine!) with a range of meats or fish we have on board in the mess, pork, turkey, chicken, veal, salmon, shark, octopus, the list goes on and the dinner and lunch options are more or less the same except they give us wine at dinner times for us to have with our

meal should we choose. But for all 3 meals we do have sparkling or still water on the table for us

What do you miss the most? The things I miss most is my home in the summer. Where I live, the summer brings out the best of the island with all our beaches we have and nice outside space, so I would love to be out kayaking or paddle boarding at home or going for a skateboard with my friends. The World Cup was hard to follow especially when

watching the England game in a language I could not understand - a little frustrating especially when we were winning 6-0 against Panama! Yes of course I miss my family immensely but FaceTime or just a phone call makes you feel so much closer and puts you at rest. Sometimes it’s so busy you just forget about everything you miss.

officer or studying to become one, I’d like to be higher up than a 3rd officer and making my way up through the rankings. I’d like to still be working on passenger ships before I retire to ferries or working on with port operations when I want to have a family or whatever. But that’s my plan at the moment and certainly for the next 5 years I’d see myself on cruise ships for sure!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? In 5 years time I would hope to see myself either in position of or becoming a first

Book Review

Book Review: The Confident Port Explorer by Cathy Rogers In this issue Mark Engelbretson - the man behind the blog â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Witterings of a Cruise Ship Readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has reviewed The Confident PortExplorer by Cathy Rogers. Here are his witterings on his favourite book of the quarter.

efore reading this book, I thought that after having done over 50 cruises during my 44 years on planet earth that I knew everything there was to know about going on a cruise and arranging what I was going to be doing in each and every port that I was visiting. Well, how wrong was I? The Confident PortExplorer is not a book just for the new cruiser, it is must for all cruisers having now read it. Cathy writes from her own years of experience cruising the world and she provides you with so many valuable pieces of information on how to firstly plan your cruise depending on where you want to travel and how you want to get there. The chapters take us through

the importance of plotting and planning which ports of call are the important ones to you, what you may want to get out of them in the short time that you are there, and also how to plan rest and recovery time/ days before heading off again to explore. Many people when they cruise just tend to book the tours offered by the cruise line but, The Confident PortExplorer gives you some very useful hints and tips on checking out whether you can A) do it by yourself, B) arrange with others who are on the cruise to do a trip in a small group separate to the official tours and C) whether after weighing things up it is cheaper and safer to do the official organised

tour. It is amazing how much you can save on tours and excursions by simply investing a small amount of time before you actually go on your cruise to investigate what choices and options you have. As you start to read on and you really get stuck into this book, it helps you think about things you should consider taking with you on your cruise to help you as you travel from port to port and some essential items you should ensure you take with you to cover certain eventualities. At this point in the book we haven’t even started our cruise and already I have gone to myself, “Why haven’t I thought of that before?” and “I’m definitely doing that before my next cruise” Once we are on our cruise, have we actually thought about the best way and best time to disembark the ship to head ashore? (there is a great tip on how

to beat the queues on the stairs by the way) What should we take and not take ashore with us? How do we ensure we remain safe whilst ashore and most importantly what do we do if something does go wrong? Now no one wants to miss a ship sailing to the next port but many of us regular cruisers have seen it happen to passengers - would you know what to do if that happened to you? Don’t worry as The Confident PortExplorer helps you with what to do and how to contact people who can assist you further. My favourite chapter of the book, is actually the last, where Cathy gets us thinking about the end of a cruise. Now you may think this a little strange but there are some really helpful things for you to consider, such as asking if you can stay on board for the next cruise, extending your stay in your

disembarking port and the old favourite of booking another cruise before you get off to soften the feeling of the PCBs (Post Cruise Blues) All in all, The Confident PortExplorer by Cathy Rogers is a really helpful read that you can use time and time again when you go on a cruise for years to come. I would rate it overall a cruise-mazing 10 out of 10. I usually recommend books that should be read onboard but with this, it has to be read first before you actually go, so you can make the most out of the planning tips. That leaves you plenty of time on board to read other books that you can find out about on my blog, but I would also recommend taking it on your cruise to use as reference when going ashore. Happy Reading!

By Mark Engelbretson @WitteringsA www.thewitteringsofacruiseshipreader.wordpress.com Cruise Addicts Magazine readers can get a fantastic 25% off The Confident PortExplorer from www.PortExplore.me and using code: CRUISEADDICTS25 The Confident Port Explorer is also available on Amazon in paperback for £9.99 63

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