Alan has left Cruise.co.uk (please now speak to Graeme as below)

Graeme at Cruise.co.uk is now looking after all of Alan's customers after Alan left to pursue a career in teaching.

Please call Graeme's direct line on 0800 408 6119 for any help or email graemep@cruise.co.uk

Graeme has 3 years of experience at Cruise.co.uk and is especially knowledgeable on the luxury cruise brands. Please visit his blog  http://graemes-getaways.blogspot.com/ to find out more about him and see comments from his many satisfied customers under the "Rate My Service" section.

Do I need visa?

Here at cruise.co.uk we are constantly asked what countries need a visa and which countries don’t.  We have cleverly partnered up with CIBT, The Global Visa and Passport Professionals, to answer all your visa and passport requirements.

CIBT has a network of 23 offices in 10 countries, so no matter where you are in world, you will be covered.

It is a very simple procedure to find out if you need a visa or not.  Log on to their website, then just follow the three simple steps to find out!!!

Step 1: I hold a passport from…. (Select the country of issue of your passport)

Crystal Cruises go Spanish!!

There are over 417 million Spanish speakers world wide and Crystal Cruises are focusing on them!!  Crystal Cruises, which is a Luxury cruise line, have released a 211-page world Atlas that outlines their entire 2011 cruise itinerary in SPANISH!!!  But, will this affect the language barriers that already exist on board cruise ships?  Will it open doors for English speaking passengers to learn Spanish prior to boarding so they can communicate with fellow Spanish speaking passengers?

There are many positive reasons for Crystal Cruises releasing their “Spanish Atlas,” but are there any negative ones?  Even though within Spanish speaking countries there are potential clients that could afford going on a cruise, there is a great majority that cannot afford to pay for a Luxury Cruise or any cruise in that case!!! 

Farrah Sienna Guzman, my gorgeous baby daughter.

Well, I have been away for a few weeks as we now have a new addition to our family, a beautiful baby girl!  Farrah Sienna Guzman was born at 19:17pm on the 15^th of February 2011, weighing 7lbs 9oz.  A few complications arose through out the birth, but we are now all safe at home. 



Minutes after birth!!



Dreaming of food!!!

 

Still dreaming of food!!!



A huge congratulations to my colleague James here at cruise.co.uk!!!

James, myself and the girls

Dialysis treatments while on a cruise.

Just recently I have had a few clients enquire regarding having dialysis treatments whilst taking a cruise.  After an exhausting search, questioning and calling different companies, I found out that you can still take a fantastic cruise and receive dialysis treatment!

In basic terms, there are two types of dialysis treatments; Hemodialysis and Peritoneal dialysis.  Hemodialysis requires the use of a machine to filter blood and then re-feed the blood back into the patient.  With Peritoneal dialysis, the patient requires a sterile, glucose solution to be fed straight into an abdominal cavity that goes around the abdominal organs.

At the moment, there are a few options if you require dialysis treatment and want to take a cruise, but it all depends on what type of dialysis you need.  If you require a machine based dialysis, essentially, there are two types of machines you can use. A small portable machine that does a partial cleansing or a large machine that does the full treatment.

Currently, if you require the small machine, the patient can rent these and take the small, rentable machine onboard most of the cruise lines as long as this has been mentioned to the travel agent and agreed by the cruise line.

Prepare your taste buds for REAL Mexican/Mayan food.

In my last blog, I talked about the first Mexican cruise line which should have onboard some traditional Mexican dishes.  On this blog, I will talk about traditional Yucatecan food which will be useful if you are taking a cruise that goes to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

Top of the list has to be cochinita pibil, my personal favourite and Yucatan’s number one dish.  Cochinita pibil is pork that has been marinated and slow cooked in achiote (annatto) together with a very bitter type of orange/grapefruit, all wrapped up and cooked in banana leaves.

First Mexican cruise line.

At last, Mexico will launch their own cruise line called Ocean Star Cruises with their main offices based in Mexico City and in Guadalajara.  For the time being, their ship, Ocean Star Pacific, will be sailing the Pacific with ports like Acapulco, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Cabo San Lucas, Huatulco and Puerto Chiapas. 

Ocean Star Cruises will include round trip coach transfers from the two main cities in Mexico, Guadalajara and Mexico City, which are both deep in the middle of the country. 

At the moment, it is said that, “The Mexican Riviera ports are losing Royal Caribbean’s year-round business, Princess has sharply reduced capacity and Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line are withdrawing ships.”  This will leave a huge gap in the market and hopefully, Ocean Star Cruises will fill this gap to the rim.

Continuation of TOP entertainment onboard.

In my last blog, the US market voted the NCL Epic as having the best entertainment onboard. 

 But in the UK, who came first? Well, here at www.cruise.co.uk we had our passengers’ rate who they thought had the best entertainment onboard. 

The British cruisers voted for Royal Caribbean International, on board the Independence of the Seas as having the BEST ENTERTAINMENT. 

The Independence of the Seas came in at number eight 12 months ago and now has gone all the way to number 1.  P & Os’ Arcadia came in a very close second which is a new entry in this category. 

In fact, the NCL Epic did not have a place in the TOP 10!!!!  What a contrast between the US market and the UK market!!!

Who has the best entertainment on board?

Well, according to USA TODAY, the best entertainment onboard went to Norwegian Cruise Line on the Epic!!!

This is what the NCL Epic has to offer, “The 4,100-passenger Epic -- Norwegian's largest ship ever -- is the first cruise ship to boast a performance by that icon of the Las Vegas Strip, the Blue Man Group (appearing eight times a sailing in the ship's 685-seat Epic Theatre). Epic also is home to Cirque Dreams & Dinner, a circus-themed extravaganza featuring dazzling aerialists, acrobats and contortionists performing around and above passengers (tickets, $20 to $30 a person). The show takes place in a specially built, tent-shaped theatre billed as the first "big top" at sea.”

How did the voting pan out? “Nearly 10,000 of you voted in our online poll in which we asked which ship you find the most appealing for entertainment, and 50% of you cast your lot with the seven-month-old Epic. Another 42% voted for Royal Caribbean's much-ballyhooed, one-month-old Allure of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship. The remainder voted for Disney Cruise Line's new Disney Dream.”

Norovirus on the P&O Arcadia

Just spoke to a client of mine that has recently been on board P&O Arcadia for a lovely Christmas and New Year cruise to the Mediterranean.  Unfortunately, the cruise was plagued by the Norovirus!!!! 

For two thirds of the cruise, ALL the water activities were closed; the Hydro pool, the 2 swimming pools, the 5 whirl pool spas, even the Sauna/steam room, ALL of them closed!!  To top it all off, even the menus on all the restaurants took a hit.  The only restaurant that was available for the 2000+ passengers was The Belvedere. This meant that for breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea, the passengers could only get service at The Belvedere restaurant on board the Arcadia!!  All due to 6 passengers boarding the ship with the virus, this is according the announcements done by the captain during the cruise.

Even though all cruise lines, including P&O, try to keep their hygiene to the highest of standards and try to minimize the impact of an out break on board their ships, sometimes, bacteria win.  Part of the procedures to minimize these kinds of outbreaks, a simple questionnaire is given out to all passengers before boarding, where they are asked a variety of questions like: “To assist us in preventing the spread of Communicable Disease during your cruise, we require you to answer the following questions,” OR, “Within the last few days, have you or any person listed above developed any symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting?”  It then asks for your signature to the questions and goes onto say ' I certify that the above declaration is true and correct and that any dishonest answers may have serious health implications.”  What kind of implications can occur if you answer these questions dishonestly?  Well, you might become the most hated person onboard as you are ruining the cruise for the other 2000+ passengers onboard.  Alternatively, if you answer honestly, you might not be allowed on board the ship!

Do you believe in Leprechauns’ or Goblins? What about an Alux? Part 2

The final challenge was to build a pyramid in one night.  The King gathered all of his men managed to build only five steps.  The Alux though, being all by himself sought out the help of his Mother, the witch.  The witch went into the forest, collected hundreds of turtle eggs and through magic, created hundreds of Alux.

The myth/legend mentions that in one night, all of the Alux built a beautiful pyramid, destroyed it, built it again, destroyed and finally re-built it one last time.  This pyramid still stands today!!!

It is now know as the Pyramid of the Magician, or the Pyramid of the Dwarf, in Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico.

The King became infuriated at his loss, so he decided to curse ALL of the Alux. He said, “You have won all of the challenges and you will be King of Uxmal, but only under these conditions:  You will be King, but ONLY during the night but during daytime, you will be turned to STONE, just like your statues!”

Throughout the entire Mayan world, anyone that visits the pyramids and museums will be able to find hundreds if not thousands of miniature statues of gnome like creatures.  The local people are quite scared of these miniature statues, some locals even go to the extreme of decapitating the heads off the statues so that the Alux cannot ham them during the night.

Like I mentioned before, nearly everyone I met in the Yucatan Peninsula have had some sort of encounter, experience or have had some sort of incident involving an Alux.

Boxing day?

Well I hope everyone has had a good Christmas and have had a wonderful time with family and friends!!!
Being Mexican, I have a bit of a query that I hope anyone of the visitors to my blog that are clients from cruise.co.uk or from our Forums, cruises.co.uk might be able to answer my query regarding Boxing day? 

I could look it up on the Internet, but I am hoping someone might be able to answer me direct.

MY BURNING QUESTION:

Why is the day after Christmas day called Boxing day?

1.  Is it because there is a big Boxing Match?

2.  Is it because it involves boxes?

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo.

Just a quick note to wish everyone that has visited my blog and at Cruise.co.uk a VERY HAPPY X-MAS and a PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!



Classic Snoopy!!!!



And now for another classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMtuVP8Mj4o

Do you believe in Leprechauns’ or Goblins? What about an Alux?

Continuing on my Yucatan blogs, I decided to tell you a little about the Mayan Alux (pronounced Al oosh).  Which, once again, if you are visiting the Mayan Riviera and/or Cozumel, Mexico, you might want to keep the following information in mind.

The origin of the Alux myth has been debated for quite a while. Some scholars believe they have European origins form the 16^th Century, others debate that it has a pre-Columbian origin, let them battle it out themselves.

I on the other hand, have heard one origin story straight form the modern Mayan people that involved a witch, a king and the beautiful, striking Pyramid of the Magician, also known as the Pyramid of the Dwarf at the archaeological site of Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico.

First though, I will tell you a little about the Alux. The Alux is a kind of goblin/leprechaun that is widely known among the Maya people in the Yucatan Peninsula.  Nearly every one I spoke to there believes in them and most locals have a story to tell about them.  An Alux is a small being about 2ft tall that has magical powers, they can be invisible to the eye, or they can also assume any animal that they wish, like a large snake, bees or even a jaguar.  The Alux mainly protect the crop fields of the locals, but also are know to protect all of the archaeological sites at night. But most of all, they like to play tricks on unsuspecting passerby’s, some can nice but sometimes they can be quite mean and even scary.

Top Ten reasons why being British is better than Mexican:

10.   Bank holidays.  Do I need to say more?  I guess I do as in Mexico there are no bank     holidays we just throw a Fiesta for any reason under the sun!!
9.  Once the weather gets a bit warm, EVERYONE goes out; the parks are full, every spot of sun is taken and there are sunbathers everywhere, which is not too bad on the eyes, sometimes....
8.  When you see a police man/woman, you know that they are there to protect you!!!
7.  Bangers and mash, NO need to say more?
6.  Your house does not fall down with daily earthquakes or hurricanes’, just snow and ice for a few months out of the year.
5.  The NHS, even with all of the issues some might have, it is still GREAT, which is impossible to beat as you get to see an actual doctor or a nurse, not a witch-doctor or shaman.
4.  At an intersection, you do not have to push yourself through, people actually let you pass, WOW!!!  Oh so polite!!!
3. Like my colleague Faz said, “You know you are British and NOT anything else!!”
2.  Warm ales, pubs..... some, you just cannot beat.

1.  My wife and son (I had to add this as my wife is British and yes, I love her VERY much!!)

God Bless the Queen!

Top ten reasons why being Mexican is better than British:

10.  I can play any sport wearing just my chanclas (sandals.)

9.    I can be in a 4-passenger car with 7 people in it and shouting "subanse,  todavia caben,” which means, “Get in, there is still some space!!”  So, Health and Safety go right out the window.

8.    I have a bottle of Bacardi or Tequila in my house right now, actually, I have 3 bottles of Tequila.

7.    I can, 9.0 out of 10 times depend on the weather, which is either hot or rainy.

6.    All beers are served ice-cold with a lime wedge in them!

5.    I can sort any driving infraction right there and then, no penalty points, no speed cameras and no need to go to court (I DO NOT recommend for everyone to try this.) 

4.    I have no need to de-ice the outside of my car in the morning, especially this time of the year.  And if you have a car like mine, you also have to de-ice the inside of it!!!!!

3.    I can go swimming in just my swimming trunks (or less) NO need for a wet/dry suit.

2.    I can curse in Spanish and no one understands me, which is great!!

1.    I can get away with naming my son Diego (and NO, he is not named after Diego Maradona who is Argentinean, my son is named after Diego Riviera and San Juan Diego.)

¡VIVA MEXICO!

Pronouncing ports in Central and South America.

Continuing from my last blog, here are some of the main ports in Central and South America and how to correctly pronounce them:

Arica: ARR-EEK-A

Callao:  KA-JA-O

Cartagena:  CAR-TA-HEN-A (A as in Apple)

Curacao:  KOO-RA-COW

Puerto Limon:  POO-ER-TO  LEE-MON

Puerto Madryn:  POO-ER-TO  MAD-REEN

Puerto Quetzal:  POO-ER-TO   KET-SAL

Punta Arenas:  PUN-TA  ARR-E-NAS  (E is pronounced as in Echo)

Pronouncing ports in Mexico

Carnival Spirit in Acapulco



Since I started working here at cruise.co.uk, I have heard hundreds of difference ways on how other members of staff and clients pronounce, or should I say, mispronounce places in Mexico.  So I have decided to make a list on some of the most popular ports in Mexico and how to pronounce them:

Acapulco – A-KA-PULL-CO  (KA is pronounced as in CA taract)

Baja – BA-HA  (HA is pronounced as in Ha rry)

Cabo San Lucas – KA-BO SAN LUK-AS

Chetumal – CHE-TWO-MAL (CHE as in Che rry)

Cozumel – CO-SUE-MEL

Huatulco – WAL-TOOL-CO (WAL has a similar sound to JU AN)
                    In Spanish, the "H" is silent.

Commemorating the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Once again, if you are taking a cruise that has a stop anywhere in Mexico on the 12th of December, you might witness one of the many mini marathons, celebrations and firework displays commemorating Our Lady of Guadalupe.

It all started on back on the 12^th of December, 1531, when a young Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican peasant, had a vision of the Virgin Mary on top of a hill on the outskirts of Mexico City, Tepeyac Hill.  The Virgin Mary asked Juan Diego, in his native language of Nahuatl, to build a church on top of this hill in her honour.

Juan Diego rushed to the see the local Spanish bishop, Fray Juan de Zumarraga, who “instructed him to return and ask the Lady for a miraculous sign to prove her claim. The Virgin told Juan Diego to gather some flowers from the top of Tepeyac Hill. It was winter and no flowers bloomed, but on the hilltop Diego found flowers of every sort, and the Virgin herself arranged them in his tilma, or peasant cloak. When Juan Diego opened the cloak before Zumárraga the flowers fell to the floor and in their place was the Virgin of Guadalupe, miraculously printed on the fabric.”

Getting ready to celebrate the Día de la Revolución!!

If you are taking a cruise that has a stop in Mexico on the 20^th of November, you might want to participate on one of our many celebrations of the Mexican Revolution.

The Mexican Revolution is also commonly known as the “el veinte de noviembre,” which the literal translation is the “20^th of November.”

It all started in 1910 by the people of Mexico together with Francisco I. Madero, which decided to revolt against the president of Mexico Porfirio Diaz, who was considered a dictator and had been in power for thirty one years.  Back then, the people of Mexico had no power to express their opinions, select their public officials and only a select few held the whole wealth and power of the country.  The injustice covered the entire land.