It's Been a Busy but Exciting Seven Days....

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News

On Thursday night we  attended the Agent Achievement Awards (triple As) and won the Best Ski Agency  for the 3rd year in a row (since the ski category started!).  We were absolutely  delighted, as even though we are one of the biggest ski travel agencies [in the UK], we continually strive to improve  our service, website and the deals we  get - and it looks like it's paid  off!

Saturday morning, I  got up at the crack of dawn to travel to Southampton for the naming celebrations  of Celebrity Eclipse. After a hellish journey, partly on a replacement bus  service - I arrived in time to join the  Sponsored Sunwalk in aid of breast cancer. The spectacle of all the  people dressed in pink hat and decorated bras was very moving and looked amazing  as everyone walked past the ship, and I  felt proud to be a part of the occasion. I led the rear, accompanied by Lucy  from Travel Weekly and Jo, from Royal Caribbean.

16 of the Iglu team  were onboard and we spent the next two days enjoying the hospitality of the  ship, which we unanimously agreed is  wonderful. The service and food were fantastic. I was fortunate enough to enjoy  a sky suite on Deck 12, near the pool - it was so spacious with a huge  balcony and extremely comfortable.  The naming ceremony was very moving and we  enjoyed champagne on deck for sailaway to the sounds of Depeche Mode - heaven!   Quick tip - always order steak if it's on the menu on an American ship - it's  always delicious - and Celebrity didn't disappoint - I had it both  nights!

Other highlights  onboard were food - tasting in Muranos  restaurant - truly delicious (my mum was onboard for the 3 night cruise at the  beginning of this week and ate there - and it was one of the best meals that  she's ever had - in fact she's booking again for next year just so she can dine  there again!).

We had two contrasting nights - the first night was  spent partying in the Martini bar and cool  Quasar nightclub whereas the second night  was more refined with quiet drinks in Michael's piano bar and dancing to a  cabaret act - both nights were equally enjoyable and showed the diversity of the  ships entertainment.

Back to the office  on a minibus and back to reality with a jolt on Monday morning - we all arrived back in time to  process all the advance bookings we had for Cunard & Princess 2011, which  went on sale that day. We've not stopped since with P&O cruises 2011  sailings going on sale throughout the week, culminating with Christmas sailings  going on sale today. Demand has been extremely strong for peak dates and dates  where we've got exclusive deals. Although, there are many amazing late deals around at the moment on ex-UK cruises and people have continued to book those too. I  think it's a combination of great prices and many people are reluctant to fly at  the moment after recent events!

We finished the week  by hosting some journalists at Craven cottage, watching Fulham go through to the  final of the Europa league - the atmosphere was electric and was great to finish  the week on a high (as it started)!

Written by Simone Clark