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