THE ADMIRAL A Euro No-No A
recently published survey by M&S Money backs up what this roué contrarian has been banging on about for the best part of the last decade.
The advent of the euro has meant holidays in Europe cost more – fact. Since the single currency was introduced, Brits have felt
the effect of currency fluctuations when they are on holiday in Europe – and precious few of those have been to our benefit. The analysis shows sterling has slumped against five of
the UK’s top 10 most popular currency destinations in the last year. The report claims: “Holidaymakers in the euro zone will find the value of sterling against the euro has decreased 9.5% compared to last year.” With the financial turmoil in euro-land causing bailouts tantamount to the GDP of many a small country, the iniquitous weakness of this AAA-land’s currency does nothing to assuage my rancour. Sadly, the report also revealed the US dollar had gained 7% against the pound over the same period. The strength of the euro has sent ripples through the travel industry, with many tour operators of land-based packages applying hefty surcharges. Opting for a cruise means almost every element is priced in pounds and that precious holiday is mercifully free of both surcharges and punitive exchange rate hikes against the euro.
DOCKSIDE BARTERING The intrinsic value of cruising is not lost on families where added extras for kids in a resort hotel often turn out to be more than mum and dad bargained for. With plenty of activities for teenagers, supervised children’s clubs, and night nurseries included in the cost, parents can take their little darlings with them and enjoy a tantrum-free trip. Most cruises booked and paid for in Britain are priced in sterling and onboard accounts for drinks, excursions and other incidentals are billed in pounds or dollars. Those who rail against Celebrity, Cunard, Princess and
Royal Caribbean – whose sailings out of Southampton use dollars as their onboard currency – should take heed of the M&S Money survey: they are 7% worse off than cruise lines whose onboard currency is sterling. Opting for a British cruise line means the only euros required are for the odd coffee or souvenirs ashore. The Admiral is certainly not advocating an interregnum afloat without as much as a whiff of local culture, some dockside bartering in a beguiling patois, or a tincture of provincial eau de vie. Whilst it’s undeniable some profligate passengers are happy to part with a pound of flesh for lunch in a Venetian hostelry beside the Grand Canal, it would be churlish not to splash out on a decadent Campari at Café Florian in the inimitable setting of St Mark’s Square. Actually, for readers who might believe my incipient cynicism is in the ascendancy, this Old Salt’s advice to one and all is carpe diem – and to hell with the expense!
All-Inclusive Le Ponant
NICHE LUXURY LINE ADDS VALUE FOR UK S
pecialist French luxury line LE COMPAGNIE DU PONANT (or Ponant Cruises) has come up with a special deal to go all-inclusive for UK passengers. The all-inclusive offer is available through cruise
specialist The Cruise Line and applies to all five ships of the Ponant fleet, from the chic sail-cruiser Le Ponant to the sleek new duo of Le Boreal and L’Austral. The diverse fleet already boasts superb service and onboard style, with some truly sumptuous touches on the two new super-yachts, while they all feature outstanding French-inspired cuisine. They also travel on a wide range of voyages, from the
Mediterranean to West Africa, the Baltic, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean, Far East, the South Pacific and South America. Combining sophistication and conviviality, Ponant cruises, or ‘the Spirit of Yacht Cruising’ as they call it, should appeal in particular to those who like to get off the beaten cruise track but still enjoy a deluxe experience. The new all-inclusive policy
will operate to include all soft drinks and alcoholic drinks on board (with the exception of premium wines and spirits), with everything still signed for in the usual way but nothing added to the onboard account. To read more, see Ponant’s fabulous winter 2011/12 brochure (pictured left). The all-inclusive offer is valid on all sailings featured in this brochure when booked by 31st December 2011.
More info: visit
en.ponant.com or contact The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.
12 WORLD OF CRUISING I Autumn 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100