About Me

My name is Barbara Hopley (my real surname is now Neale) but most people call me ‘Babs’ – doesn’t sound as old as I’m not really that old. I am passionate about Cruise and have over 30 years of experience of travel knowledge. After working for various travel companies I…

Posted on Nov 5, 2019
Dining on MSC Preziosa – are you hungry?

Whilst on our cruise onboard MSC Preziosa myself & Zoe ate in the main restaurant most nights on second sitting which was 8.30 pm each night. There are 2 sittings - 1st at 6.30 pm & the 2nd at 8.30 pm. With MSC you can request a dining time but…

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Posted on Oct 21, 2019
My time on MSC Preziosa

On 25th September I went on MSC Preziosa for 7 nights.  We had a group of over 200 passengers on board that were then doing Lake Garda & Venice after the cruise.  Unfortunately, we weren't going with them on this part of the trip. I travelled down to Southampton on…

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Posted on Oct 6, 2019
York for my birthday

As you are reading this I am in York with my husband Adam to celebrate my birthday on 7th October. I haven't been to York since I was at school & can't really remember any of it.  Adam has never been to York so will be nice to see somewhere…

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Posted on Sep 22, 2019
I’m off On MSC Preziosa

I have now finished work until 10 October. On Wednesday 25 September I am off on MSC Preziosa for 7 nights.  I have sailed twice before with MSC on the Poesia & Opera a few years ago so really looking forward to seeing this ship. We have a group of…

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Posted on Sep 8, 2019
Fred Olsen Brabant – Day 3

Our 3rd day on the Fred Olsen River Cruise was in Strasbourg.  Another new destination to add to my list as never been here before. It would have been a lot nicer if it hadn't rained all day but can't help the weather even in August. Strasbourg is a very…

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Posted on Aug 24, 2019
Fred Olsen Brabant – Day 2

Dinner on the first night was fantastic, a great choice of dishes and you could have as many or as little as you wanted.  The food was spectacular and we had a great meal. The entertainment was a quiz which we took part and had good fun with the passengers,…

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Posted on Aug 9, 2019
Fabulous Fred Olsen River Cruise – Day 1

On Monday 5th August I went on Fred Olsen Brabant, their one River Cruise Ship, she started the season for River last year.  It was a bit stressful to start off with as we had heard strike action to be held at Heathrow and as we were flying from here…

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Posted on Jul 25, 2019
I’m off on the River!!

I have done a lot of Ocean cruising so know all about it like the back of my hand. Now when it comes to River cruises I'm no so knowledgable.  I did do a short River cruise a few years ago but had a problem with my eye so couldn't…

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Posted on Jul 3, 2019
I Love Torquay!

I have been to Torquay a few times now & love it down there. Myself & my husband Adam went for our 1st Wedding Anniversary in 2014 in July, then in Oct 2017, we went for my birthday with some friends of ours Tom & Sue for a couple of…

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Posted on Jun 19, 2019
Do you know the UK?

We all go off on these lovely cruises & holidays around the world but have you ever considered doing a British Isles Cruise? My knowledge of Europe and further afield is far better than my knowledge of the UK. If we get decent weather a cruise around the British Isles…

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