Cruises

Cunard’s: ‘
Mediterranean and Greek Isles’ – 23rd September – 7th October 2024.
I am delighted to report that I have been offered the above cruise. It looks like a great cruise, with many fascinating places to visit on the itinerary.  The ship is the ‘Queen Victoria’, which looks very luxurious and carries over 2000 passengers. I think it looks like being a very interesting cruise, and I am very much looking forward to it.

November 2018:  Fred Olsen – ‘Boudicca’ – ‘Ancient Arabia’
I have been asked if I am free to speak on another cruise!   This cruise begins in the far east, and I have been invited to join it for the final leg from Alexandria, across the Mediterranean and back to Dover.  Happily I can make it!

February 1st 2019 – Snowstorms and Chaos!
On our drive up to Heathrow, we were caught in a snow blizzard that hit the M4 around Swindon – Reading!  The weather was so bad, that we were only just in time to board the plane!

Unfortunately, once boarded, we then experienced the plane waiting on the runway for over 2.5  hours – due to the heavy snowfall;  too long for us to catch our connecting flight at Istanbul!  However, at Istanbul, Turkish Airlines pulled out all the stops, kept the connecting plane waiting and whisked us though the back corridors, directly to it waiting on the runway!  Very impressive indeed.

One problem – whilst we had made the connection, our luggage had not!  Five of the members of the Entertainments Team (and partners) – singer, pianist and three speakers were minus all their suitcases and clothing!  Myself included!  We were told there was no time to collect our luggage before departure from Alexandria, and it would be sent directly to Malta, our next stop – three days hence!  So, no change of clothes etc for the duration, and all of us with a job to do – and trying to look professional as we do it!

Everyone made a great effort, and were very inventive in their efforts to look the part; and it made a great story and quickly broke the ice; and happily we were all reunited with our cases at Malta, as promised.  Great stuff.

2nd – 13th February 2019:
The cruise itself was great!  We visited Malta, Palma (I loved the impressive cathedral) and Cadiz (which I fell in love with).  The weather was perfect – allowing for plenty of pool and deck-time.  There was lots to do, great entertainment, lectures, food, wine and company.  And the staff were universally excellent, professional and helpful.

The response to my talks was really encouraging – the passengers were very complimentary and could not have been friendlier or kinder.
I made many friends, had the best of times and would not hesitate to go on this liner again – should I be lucky enough to be invited, that is!  Fingers crossed!!

In June 2017 I was accepted as a speaker on cruise liners!
I was very excited; it had long been an ambition of mine.

August 2017:  Fred Olsen ‘Black Watch’ – ‘Wonders of the World’ – 2018:   
I was offered my first placement:  I was invited to lecture on board the Black Watch ‘Wonders of the World’ cruise in 2018.  In March I joined the liner at Mumbai  and sailed for 10 days across the Indian Ocean, up the Red Sea, the Gulf of Acaba and disembarked at Alexander in April.  It was such an interesting and enjoyable time!

March to April 2018:
Having never cruised before, I had little idea of quite what to expect.  However, I received a good welcome and induction from the Cruise Director.  Fellow speakers and entertainers were friendly, helpful and very supportive, and I quickly began to settle into my first role as Speaker.

My first presentation was the very first slot the next morning!  Initially, having never cruised before, with not much idea of what to expect, I felt a little nervous.  However, I soon relaxed into the things and enjoyed giving my first ever talk on a cruise liner.   In all, I gave 5 talks, which I selected and tailored to suit the destinations that the passengers would be visiting during their time in Egypt.  My aim was to give the passengers insights into what they might see on their visit to Cairo; the Cairo Museum and the Great Pyramids at Giza, in order for them to understand and be informed about the history and meaning behind the various places and sites they would visit.

I enjoyed my first experience as a speaker: I was made to feel so welcome; had really kind, complimentary feedback and support; enjoyed getting to know the passengers and chatting with them; attending great talks and evening entertainments myself; and enjoyed excellent food in a choice of lovely restaurants.

April 2018:  On my return from ‘Wonders of the World’ I was delighted to have received an offer for further cruises.  That is terrific – I look forward to my next cruise.