Cruising

Africa… by river!

By Charmaine Hallmark / December 11, 2023 /

Africa… by river! Put the icing on the cake, and a cherry on the top! If you are planning a safari to Namibia, Botswana, Zambia or Zimbabwe then add something special to your trip – a few days on the Chobe River. Instead of chasing sightings of the animals in a bumpy jeep – relax…

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The Douro River, Portugal

By Charmaine Hallmark / December 11, 2023 /

The Douro River, Portugal For the scenery, wide rivers, deep locks and lots of wine and port… you can’t beat the Douro! Some of Europe’s rivers are so busy, visiting multiple countries and hectic city excursions, but not the Douro, the Douro is different. The river is wide and steep sided with rambling vineyards and…

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Norway’s Fjords and Mountains

By Charmaine Hallmark / October 15, 2019 /

THE START OF A HOLIDAY IS ALWAYS EXCITING But when the start is the sight of the most beautiful RMS Queen Mary 2 transatlantic ocean liner in dock at Southampton – beckoning and welcoming you to board and sail away with her to the fjords and mountains of Norway – the excitement is just unbearable!…

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Let’s Cruise The Med – in Queen Victoria Style!

By Charmaine Hallmark / February 3, 2019 /

LET’S CRUISE THE MED IN QUEEN VICTORIA STYLE  Apart from the many lovely ports to explore and enjoy on a Mediterranean cruise, Cunard’s Queen Victoria makes it fun to stay on board too! I think our ‘blog’ of pictures tells the whole story! And if we’ve inspired you to take to the Mediterranean Sea –…

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The Blue Danube

By Charmaine Hallmark / August 30, 2018 /

THE BLUE DANUBE From the Black Forest in Germany to the Black Sea in Romania, the Danube flows and meanders “sparkling blue”, through fabulous European cities and countryside – farms, vineyards, and little villages. The Danube took me from Budapest in Hungary, to Nuremberg in Germany, and through other countries on the way, Austria, Czech…

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My Black Watch Experience

By Charmaine Hallmark / April 30, 2018 /

MY BLACK WATCH EXPERIENCE Back in June I flew to Stockholm to join the last four days of a Baltic cruise aboard Black Watch.  As a first-time cruiser I was pleasantly surprised at what life afloat has to offer. There are a wide choice of cabins available to suit your budget; all have private facilities…

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A Cruise for a Purpose

By Charmaine Hallmark / June 15, 2017 /

A CRUISE FOR A PURPOSE If you’ve dreamed of seeing the Northern Lights, the best way is to get away from it all! Away from the city lights, out at sea. The darker the sky, the brighter the lights will appear. When there is no light, the aurora can reflect on the sea too. Hurtigruten…

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Moods and Memories of the Queen Mary 2!

By Charmaine Hallmark / January 23, 2017 /

MOODS AND MEMORIES OF THE QUEEN MARY All Aboard the QM2 – and share my journey on the Ocean Blue! Are you … in the mood? ..for romance and adventure? Let me tell you how, on Cunard’s fabulous Queen Mary 2.. please read on! I’m in the mood… for Dancing Learn to Ballroom Dance, or…

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Cruising – as it used to be

By Charmaine Hallmark / July 18, 2014 /

CRUISING AS IT USE TO BE Hapag-Lloyd took me away from it all on their newest luxury cruise ship Europa 2. The ship is beautiful, elegant, hushed and upscale. Works of art, and ornaments at every turn. Being of German origin you can imagine – the ship is run with precision and every detail is…

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Two Cruises with a Difference

By Charmaine Hallmark / June 12, 2013 /

TWO CRUISES WITH A DIFFERENCE I have cruised the Caribbean on several occasions, but our voyage this year, on the Royal Clipper, was undoubtedly the most impressive. Modelled on the German clipper ship Preussen, the recently built Royal Clipper boasts five masts and 42 sails and is a magnificent sight under full sail. She is luxuriously…

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