I Love a giggle… fancy a comedy cruise?!

I was watching Michael Macintyre’s DVD last night- I love him, he is soooo funny! I have this habit of talking, laughing and repeating what I found so funny to the TV like a nutter! Much to the annoyance of whose company I am in! I like many people around the world love to have a giggle and it got me thinking last night I wander if having a comedy cruise would be a good idea?! I know that there are gardening cruises and dance cruises available but how much fun would a comedy cruise be?! You could meet the famous comedians on board and watch their live stand ups on a night and generally mix with celebrities!

So…question is then, do cruise ships have comedians on board already?

WELL…… there are cruises with Fred Olsen with a music and laughter theme. Great bands, comedians and solo artists are all featured, providing star-studded entertainment on board. Covering cruises from autumn 2010 through to spring 2011, the programme is offered across all four ships in the fleet – Balmoral, Braemar, Black Watch and Boudicca – and the acts aboard offer a wide range of entertainment styles, from rock and pop, swing, jazz and soul to top-rate comedy.

Performers include the chart-topping Opera Babes; the Divas of Motown performing some of the best-loved Tamla Motown hits from the sixties; Colin Bryant and his Hot Rhythm Orchestra, rocking the ship with swing and jazz numbers; and the evergreen sixties band - The Merseybeats.

http://www.fredolsencruises.com/News/2010/MUSIC-AND-LAUGHTER-VARIETY-SHOWS-WITH-FRED.-OLSEN

I cannot think of anything better than having a giggle and then a little dance on the dance floor- perrrrrrrfect! I am there already!

BUT how cool would it be to get Michael Macintyre, Jason Mamford, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Lee Evans, Russell Howard on board a cruise ship and to go and meet them and laugh your socks off the whole cruise?! Amazing! You may have some different favourite comedians to me but I think I might be onto something here friends…….  Comedy cruises- who’s with me?!

My ship has sunk for the moment... but what about a Psychic?

Morning cruisers! How are we all today? Well I have to say there have been some strange events happening in my personal life over the past week. My world has turned upside down. I am feeling a little delicate to say the least.

I’m sure you can all relate to the not eating, heart in your mouth and nervousness I have been going through!  At some stage in life a relationship ends and it isn’t nice. This week cruisers I have made the decision to split up with my boyfriend of 2 years and move on. Yes very sad but the women and men in my life keep telling me that you will just know when you meet the one and to be honest….. I have no idea what they are talking about! At 25 I thought I might have this whole “one” thing cracked but it turns out I haven’t! So the search continues cruisers, the search continues. You can put the tissues away now!

So over the past week the rescue has begun to bring my ship back from the pits of the ocean! I am not good at this metaphor thing but you know where I am going with this don’t you?!

People have been very sympathetic and supportive, both at work and my friends. It’s amazing the support one gets when you feel in a vulnerable state. The human race really is amazing.

My friend Mell has been to Psychic's all her life. At 31 she swears by one that lives close by to us here in the Midlands. I have booked myself in twice and bailed because firstly I don’t believe in hocus pocus and secondly I believe we make our own decisions in life without being swayed by others influences.

Anyway with recent events she has been on to me to just go and see what they say. Try and get some perspective and focus in my life and retain my direction or path or whatever they call it now. I still refuse! I have been discussing this psychic stuff for ages now and I have been told every time that they are always spot on with the things they say.

Us women love all this kind of stuff, deep and meaningful conversations and experiences! I just find the whole thing a little odd. I mean do you really want to know what your life is going to be like in the future. Isn’t that half the fun of just dealing with things when they happen???

It got me thinking if they do these psychic's on ships? Have you ever seen one? Have you ever been to one? Tell me I need to know the truth about these future telling people? What if you were on a cruise ship and you went to see one and they told you your other half who you were cruising with wasn’t the one?! What would you do in the middle of the ocean?! Jump overboard? Throw him/ her overboard?  I’m really not sure that it’s a good idea these Psychic go on ships to work. Maybe that’s why we haven’t seen them?

Hmmmmm the mind wanders!

Three cruise lines have pulled out of visiting Mexico!

Can you believe it? Mexico! An amazing place! I have been and I loved it there, it’s so beautiful!

But I was reading some cruise news this morning and I stumbled upon a report stating that three major cruise lines have pulled out of visiting the country due to high levels of crime and drug related incidents in Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, including in and around the border areas of Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa and in Tampico!

Most tourists visit Cancun which is where the violence is not around but the foreign office is saying to stay alert in tourist areas also. Especially on public transport and when dealing with real or purported policemen. As always when you go away, take care with exchanging or withdrawing money. Avoid ATMs when they are being refilled, as there has been an increase in the number of armed robberies during these transactions. You are advised to limit the amount of cash or credit/debit cards you carry with you, given the risk of theft and/or express kidnapping.

I know when reading these reports it does put the heebbie jeebies up you but just take care if you are visiting. And if you were due to cruise into Mexico, it’s probably for the best you stay away from the place at the minute and enjoy the other destinations the cruise lines have organised!

Shark fin soup? NO THANKS!

Good Afternoon cruise lovers. I hope you are all well.

The other night I was in my Pjs all comfy with my hot chocolate watching my evening television. It was a school night after all! Gordon Ramsey was exploring the world of shark fining in China. I had no idea it was so huge over there. It is a delicacy apparently in China and the price of shark fins is through the roof!

It broke my little heart watching a hammer head shark being finned alive for its fins and then dumped back into the ocean to bleed out just so someone of the world could eat his fins in their soup. Not fair! Not nice and very cruel. They don’t even use the rest of the meat on it, just the fins. A large fin would cost around £90!

Did you know that hammer head sharks are one of the most endangered species in the world?! And the shark fin itself doesn't taste of anything anyway- what a waste!

As travellers we would all agree that taking in the sea air and marvelling at nature is a massive part of our holiday. Especially us cruisers. There is nothing better than seeing some dolphin’s in front of a cruise ship as you sail or the glimpse of wale’s jumping up in the air out of the deep sea. Some of you may have seen sharks as you have been up on deck. Wow! Scary of course but amazing!

I wandered if any of you had come across shark fin soup on a menu? I haven't but I was amazed to watch that Gordon Ramsey managed to get London's top four Chinese restaurants to stop offering it to their customers. Good on him I say.

Dolphins infront of a cruise ship!

Cruising is all about fine dining and having lots to do but also about taking in the spectacular views and getting a climpse of wildlife in its natural state. 


I hope human kind can see the error of their ways. Wiping out a member of the top of the food chain would be detrimental to the whole echo system down there in the deep blue. And of course us cruisers would miss out on seeing these marvellous creatures.

The endangered Hammer Head Shark

Say no to Shark fin soup!

Apparently there are Lion dogs roaming around?!

You will not believe what I have found out this morning friends! Remember a week or so ago I blogged about The Lion man?! It’s a reality show where Craig Busch is filmed rearing and looking after lions. It fascinated me. Well this morning I was having a conversation with someone about dogs and which one they would have if they could have one. I stated a Staffordshire bull terrier and they stated a Jack Russell, or a beagle! Hmmm each to their own I guess. Do you have a dog? If so what breed?

Anyway I digress. Apparently there are such things as Lion fighting dogs! Can you believe it?! They are reared in South Africa to distract the lions so that the owners of the dogs can kill the lion. They are called Rhodesian Ridgeback’s. They sound mean don’t they … look at these beasts! It’s almost a horse!

Chasing a Lion!

It's a horse I swear!

It has a Mohawk!

Plllleeeeease tell me you have one! The person who I was having the conversation with has forbidden me to write about this but I don’t care, I laughed my socks off this morning. He or maybe a she (I can’t divulge this information!) has been bitten by one of these dogs and the dogs name was called Fluffy. What?! I hear you all say? One of those Dinosaur dogs is called Fluffy! I am amazed that this person is still alive and well let alone here to tell the story of the dogs name!

Yes friends, if you have one of these huge dogs that hunt for lions in your back garden then please leave a comment here. I would love to get you and your dog on a Cunard ship. You can take them with you, you know. I would love to take a photo of the dog walker’s face as you present him with your pet for him to take your dog for a walk. I’m sure the dog would be taking him for a walk!

He's in for a shock!

Oh, I did smile at this, I hope you do to!

For the love of cats....!

I was talking to some customers yesterday - Andrew and Hilary Cannings. We were trying to look at some cruises together so they could take a much needed holiday. As I always do I got to talking and I found myself smiling away at my desk. I love a good story to make me smile!

I found out that 6 years ago this lovely couple decided to take an early retirement and move to Spain! Ooooo I hear you all say, very nice. I did ask if I could go and live with them and take an early retirement too but at the age of 25 I really don’t think it is feasible!!!

Anyway so Hilary and I were chatting away and she proceeded to tell me that she loves animals too. For those of you that do read my blog you will know that I have a soft spot for people and animals!!! Hilary and Andrew specifically love cats. I was telling her about my rabbit Mr Doogle and she said that here in England she had six cats before she moved to Spain. Obviously she took them with her. But what I didn’t realise was that she was a member of the PDSA. The PDSA are a large welfare charity group here in the UK that takes care of sick animals for little or no money. Having a background in animal medicine Mr and Mrs Cannings knew that they could help the cats of Catalonia just as they did over here.

Often when you go abroad you see that animals are not seen the same as over here in the UK. Abroad you will find that animals are more feral than kept as pets. I think every time I have been away I have seen countless street animals running around trying to find shelter and food.

Hilary went on to inform me that she got to know one of the local vets in Polamos who runs Rodamon which is a rescue and re-homing centre for mostly dogs but cats as well. Hilary and her hubby were instantly drawn and knew that they could work with these people that run Progat (a legal association who aim to neuter cats living on the streets). Cats being their love, they decided to focus their attention on Progat. 

At their home they take care of many stray cats and focus on taking care of them and re- homing them. Fantastic I thought as we chatted away. Another part of our human nature- the need to take care of things and do good not only for other people but for animals as well.

Have you got any pictures Hilary that I can look at? I asked. Oooo yes she said I will send some over!

So friends please take a look below at Hilary and Andrew Cannings, my new friends that I have made here at cruise.co.uk. Not only do I take care of people’s holidays but I love to hear about what they are interested in. Having a love for animals myself we could have chatted for ages but I wasn’t sure my manager would have been best pleased so I asked if I could tell you all about them and the work they do as I thought it was fantastic.

Another story to make you smile! Thank you Hilary and Andrew for allowing me to share this lovely story with all you keen cruisers.

Mr and Mrs Cannings with some of the cats they have re- homed.

What's your favourite film?!

There was a little debate going on when I arrived into cruise.co.uk offices this morning. Topic of conversation- FILMS. Ooooo Craig said, I saw inception last night it was brilliant! James agreed! Brilliant actor that Leonardo Dicaprio is! I didn’t feel the same; I lost interest in this film almost as soon as it was on screen! Louise was holding her ears shouting don’t tell me about it; don’t tell me about it I need to see it!

I was cuddled up on the sofa last night with my blanket in my PJ’S- (VERY rock and roll for a sat night!) watching SALT. It has Angelina Jolie in. Best film I’ve seen this year I said to everyone this morning- just brilliant. Drew questioned... best film this year?! It appears I am on my own with this one as Simon doesn’t think Angelina Jolie has done a good film yet!

It’s a good job were all different isn’t it- the world would be a boring place if not!

Anyway, the reason I am on about films is because most people love them. Granted we all have different taste but with Princess Cruises’ I think their movies under the stars feature they have is a fantastic idea. 

So which ships have the feature? 

1- Golden Princess
2- Dawn Princess
3- Coral Princess
4- Sun Princess
5- Island Princess
6- Diamond Princess
7- Sapphire Princess
8- Grand Princess
9- Star Princess
10- Crown Princess
11- Ruby Princess
12- Emerald Princess
13- Sea Princess
14- Caribbean princess

On board you can watch the latest Hollywood hits from a comfy chaise lounge on deck. Take in a major sporting events or concert video from the pool or hot tub. With a 300-square-foot LED screen and a 69,000-watt stereo system, the movie under the stars feature is a real treat! 

So all you men out there due to go on one of the above Princess ships, get your romantic head on, movies under the stars is the place to watch your favourite film, with your favourite loved one, and cuddle up under the stars wooing your special other half all the way to the stars!!!

Don’t forget to order the cocktails and popcorn though- it goes down a real treat!

Movies on a lounger?

oooo or movies in the hot tub! Yes please waiter I'll have a cocktail!

The Lion Man- Amazing!

So for those of you that follow my blog you will know that I love wildlife. I haven’t been very well the past couple of days so I have been tucked up under my duvet watching films and TV programmes. One of them I have followed for a while is the Lion Man! He is brilliant! This man actually walks up to Lions in his park and pets them!!!

YES, HE PETS AND CUDDLES LIONS! Amazing! I just cannot get my head around this. I would love to go Lion riding in the jungle but to be honest, if I walked up to a Lion I might, just might, get my head bitten off!!!

But not the Lion Man. He has hand reared Lions and Tigers from a young age and it’s safe to say that he is one of them. Lions are calculated predators and pack animals.  The only reason I can think of that stops these lions from eating him is that they think he is one of their pack. These powerful beasts leap up to cuddle him and play with him. He can even walk around the pen with meat in his hand and they just nuzzle up to him!

The Lion man’s name is Craig Busch and the park he used to work at is the Zion Wildlife Gardens in New Zealand. Apparently he had a fall out with a family member who owns the park and got dismissed from his job that he loves so much. I have to say that I REALLY want to go to see this man in real life. I mean we all moan about our jobs from time to time but imagine doing that for a living..... Raising and being with lions that don’t want to eat you! I think this man is remarkable and quite frankly it’s a skill. When Craig got dismissed from his job they took on another guy to look after the lions and he got eaten! Yes, the lions ate him. A very sad event but amazing I think because it just goes to show that this man is seen as a family member of these lions. I really do think he should get his job back. Apparently he is going through the courts now to try and get back to his beloved animals.

I have to say this is a massive feat in human and lion history that the two can coincide together peacefully. Although this programme has made me want to go up and cuddle one, I am still very aware of how powerful they really are and although they are extremely cute- they are and will always be respected.

Look at these pictures..... Just mind boggling!!!

Yes I do beleive he is cuddling a female white lion!

Here he is, casually chilling with a male lion!

Oh give us a kiss! Its a White Tiger!

Happy New Year!

Helllooooo to you all and Happy New Year!

How was your night? I had a brilliant time with some friends at a party. It's safe to say I danced the night away until the early hours! I love a good dance and of course enjoyed a few martinis! I hope you all are fine and dandy. As it's bank holiday I am currently sat in front of the tv watching films but I thought I would pop by and say my hellos.

Do you have any new years resolutions? I am not one for making them but I have to say that this year I plan to carry on living life to the fullest and being happy. One popular new year resolutions is to loose weight but I would really like to save some money and jet off to Thailand. I have never been and would love to go so my new years resolution is to, unlike many, carry on eating cake and visit Thailand!!!

I have been caught up this morning with a fabulous show called the Lion Man! Keep posted tomorrow I have lots of fascinating information about it..... Obviously its in keeping with my interest in animals.... It's just so good!

But for now a very Happy new year to you all and I will pop back tomorrow.... Keep posted!

Xx