Sam's Sea Stories

Valentine's Day marked the 100 day countdown to Cunard's 175th Anniversary Celebrations in Liverpool, the home of Cunard. The city will host a summer of events including a recreation of the first-ever transatlantic crossing from the city to America and a meeting of the "Three Queens" cruise ships. The Queen Mary, the…

Thought I'd have a little fun this week instead of my usual 'rant', and share some of the known, and not-so well known weird and wonderful cruise customs and the history behind them. I believe sometimes it's the quirky little idiosyncrasies that make the difference. Let me know if you were…

It's possible that large cruise ships will be coming to London within two years. Plans for a new passenger terminal in Greenwich could mean cruise ships of more than 200 meters (65o feet) in length becoming a familiar sight on the Thames. Since the closure of the Royal Docks in 1981 vessels of…

So we've had Sky Diving at Sea, Robotic Bartenders and Virtual Balconies, whatever next I hear you cry.......well let me tell you. Flying Bikes - that's what. Carnival Cruise Lines have showcased details of their new ship Carnival Vista which will debut in the Mediterranean from May 1st 2016. She will be…

For people 'of a certain age' losing your life partner can be a very difficult time, many downsize their home in order to bolster the bank account, some turn their thoughts to providing an inheritance for their children and grandchildren. Well not a bit of it for 86 year old…

So following recent blogs, mainly bad news about passengers getting kicked off ships and fatal fires on board I thought this week I'd write about something we can all relate to a little more - the £85,598 cruise. Regent Seven Seas have unveiled plans for the largest, and almost certainly the…

Unfortunately more bad news relating to the cruise industry once again hits the headlines. I feel it worth a mention however as it raises questions relating to a much wider issue. Firstly the recent incident. A four-year-old boy is in a critical condition after nearly drowning when he was somehow 'swept…

Rather than my usual rant this week I thought it appropriate to spare a thought for the one crew member and two contractors that unfortunately perished in a fire on board Oceania Insignia when the ship was recently docked in St Lucia. The fire which broke out in the engine…

Sir Richard Bransons's Virgin Group have just announced the launch of Virgin Cruises, though no date has been revealed for the start of operations it's safe to say it would take around 2 years to build the two propsed purpose built vessels which will be based in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale…