Tag: Singles

Why You Should Add Rail To Your Holiday Journey List

Posted on by Kathy Fossati

So Many Reasons to Explore the World By Rail

The wise old adage about the journey being more important than the destination, couldn’t be more appropriate for railway journey holidays. While epic odysseys such as the Trans-Siberian Express, the Alaska Railway or The Scottish Highlands are trips of a lifetime for many, there are also many adventures to discover throughout Australia.

Cruise Express has begun introducing rail as an add on to many of our cruising holidays. Many of the rail itineraries are exclusively organised by Cruise Express so are not available elsewhere. Below are a few good reasons Rail Journey Holidays are becoming more popular:

Nostalgic Charm – Restored heritage trains are a wonderful travel alternative, taking you through spectacular landscapes, culture and history. With a touch of romance, rail journey holidays will transport you into a bygone era when rail was a common way to travel.

Rail Journey Holidays - more popular than ever

Exclusive Destinations – Cruise Express is taking iconic trains to destinations that are often untouched by heritage rail tourism. Travel in comfort through majestic alpine scenery, along panoramic coastal routes, or spectacular gorges. Remote destinations can have limited or no access by road or sea, leaving rail the best way to meander through some of the world’s most stunning landscapes.

Immersion – While air travel may be a great way to arrive at your destination faster, there is so much of the sensory experience missed, including stops along the way to really immerse yourself in a local experience. Sit back, relax and watch the scenery, culture and history unfold all around you.

Relaxing Holiday – Rail travel is affordable, comfortable and relaxing with no airport transfers, jet lag or traffic to worry about. You have the choice to mingle with other friendly passengers, sit back and relax, stretch your legs and walk around, eat, drink or sleep – the choice is yours.

Rail Journey Holidays - more popular than ever

Care-free Holidays – Rail journey escorted tours are a perfect balance of inclusions and freedom for singles, friends, couples or families. Organised local tours offer unique insider perspectives, yet we recommend getting off the beaten track to create your own priceless memories.

Keeping Couples Happy – Combining rail and cruise is a great combination for couples that don’t necessarily agree on the best way to travel – be adventurous and try both – you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Financially Friendly – Most of the holiday costs are covered in a rail or rail and sail holiday. All inclusions are clearly defined in your itinerary to make budgeting easier. Enjoy the comforts of a premium holiday for exceptional value, and let Cruise Express take care of the rest!

Quality Inclusions – Cruise Express tours are like no other, offering unique experiences including Platinum Class travel, exclusive food and wine tours, private dinners, concierge services, and ship vantage points on Sydney Harbour for one of the world’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Remember, when the whistle sounds and the wheels turn, your adventures begin.

Call Cruise Express today on 1300 766 537 or see our list of rail journeys here to have your own rail experience!

Rail Journey Holidays - more popular than ever

Tips for the Solo Cruiser

Posted on by Clive

An increasing number of cruise lovers are sailing on their own so Cruise Express has some handy tips on how to make solo cruising more enjoyable and affordable…

1. Avoid the Dreaded Double Solo Supplement – by keeping an eye out for low single surcharges or special deals that offer no supplements at all, allowing you to cruise for the twin-share price. These bargains often appear online “Your Solo Zone” or you can ask the Cruise Express team to keep an eye out for you.

2. Reduced or no Single Supplements– Solo friendly cruise lines include Crystal Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Compagnie du Ponant, Voyages of Discovery, Saga Holidays, Voyages to Antiquity and Silversea Cruises as well as river cruise lines such as Uniworld, TAUK and Viking. So focus your search when checking our 24/7 Cruise Express ‘look and book’ website.

3. Cabin for One Please – The good news is that it seems dedicated cabins for one are making a return to the seven seas. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic debuted in 2010 with 128 studio cabins designated for single travellers and priced for single occupancy.

The ship also offers a special lounge for studio passengers where you can mingle with other solo cruisers and enjoy a bar, entertainment and a concierge for dinner bookings. P&O Cruises’ UK ship, Azura, also took to the water in 2010 with 18 cabins dedicated to singles and other cruise lines are certain to follow as demand for solo travel increases.

4. Willing to Share a Cabin? – Consider sharing a cabin with another solo traveller to split the cost. The idea may not appeal to everyone but you can save money and you may strike a new lifetime friendship.

5. Small Ships Ahoy! – If you’re alone, choose a smaller ship where the atmosphere is more relaxed and social and where it will be easier to meet other single travellers. You’re also more likely to run into familiar faces on a boutique-style vessel than a superliner with thousands of passengers.

6. Get Amongst it – A great way to meet other travellers is to join onboard activities such as craft classes, skill workshops, dance lessons and language courses. The ships’ shore tours also offer opportunities to have fun with fellow passengers.

7. Keep Cruise Staff Informed – Tell the cruise staff you are alone but keen to meet others and they will no doubt help you do that, assuming that is what you want from your holiday!

8. Get Mingling – Many ships offer singles parties but early in the cruise you can also visit bars and lounges to see who else is onboard and also looking for company.

9. Keeping  Your Holiday Flexible – If you’re not happy with your dining companions at a fixed dinner sitting, ask the maitre d’ for another table or request to sit with other solo passengers. And when offered a flexible dining plan, ask to be seated with others so you don’t end up eating alone.

10. Care to Dance – Some cruise lines such as Cunard Line, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises may offer ‘gentlemen hosts’, usually aged over 55, whose job it is to provide social company in the public areas to single females, especially on the dance floor so you can dance the night away!

Our staff at Cruise Express have helped countless single travellers of all ages book cruise holidays.

Call today on 1300 766 537 or visit our website to find your next perfect holiday.

 

What to do on Embarkation Day

Posted on by Clive

Make the Most of Arrival Day to Ensure A Great Start to Your Holiday!

Here are some tips on what to do on embarkation day…

It’s the big day you’ve been looking forward to for so long – the day you board your cruise ship.  We suggest you arrive early  (Unless you’ve been given a specific time to board) to maximise your organisational time onboard before sailing. If you come too early you may find you’ve joined what can often be a long queue of early birds keen to get onboard first. Time your arrival at the terminal just after the boarding period starts so the line-up has mostly cleared.

  1. Unpack your belongings in the cabin as soon as your luggage arrives so you can feel settled as soon as possible. Check the TV channels in your stateroom so you can find relaxing music to play to put you in a cruising mood as soon as possible.
  2. Introduce yourself to your cabin steward and make any special requests you have.
  3. In your carry-on bag, pack a change of clothing and swimsuit so you can feel comfortable if it’s warm and take a dip in the ship’s pools and spas when they are crowd-free on embarkation day. You’ll feel like the cruise has already started!
  4. Enjoy lunch on board the ship – remember that the buffet can often be crowded on embarkation day, so see if the ship’s other restaurants are open. If lunching at the buffet, take your meal outdoors to the pool areas where there is often more room.
  5. Take a walk around the ship to get your bearings and check on opening and closing times for the gym, pools, kids clubs and shops etc.
  6. Check out the ship’s schedule of events left in your cabin so you can see what’s on today and familiarise yourself with the layout of the daily bulletin.
  7. Book gym classes, spa sanctuary sessions and any adult/premium deck areas for the cruise to ensure you secure your spots early. Shore tours can book out very quickly so if you haven’t done so already get onto that today.
  8. The purser’s desk on boarding day can be very busy – leave any inquiries until the next day if you can or use the phone in your cabin to contact reception.
  9. Bring a calculator and work out if the onboard drink packages are good value for you.
  10. See the maitre d’ at the designated times he or she is available as advertised in the ship’s newsletter if you wish to change your allocated dining times.
  11. The lifts can be very busy on embarkation day as luggage is loaded and passenger explore the ship so take the stairs if you can.
  12. Take time to stroll onto the open decks to enjoy the excitement of sail away time as your ship officially begins your dream voyage.

We’re here to chat about these suggestions and so much more to make your cruise a holiday of a lifetime. Call us 1300 766 537 or visit our website.