Burns n Beasties

Happy Burns Night !.

Based in Scotland, today is a big deal when the traditional Haggis is addressed , the speech called the Immortal Memory said and many drams of whisky toasting the Scottish bards poems and songs downed.The haggis is traditionally piped in, then the toast to the lassies, a reply to the toast ,and the evening ends with Auld Lang Syne. If you want to know more about Burns. visit the Robert Burns World Federation who have members in almost 270 countries.

Scotland has a great seafaring tradition, from shipbuilding to explorers such as David Livingstone,but what have they in common with cruising ?  I have picked just a few examples here:

One of the latest Scottish influence on cruising is the naming of the latest P&O ship..the Iona. Coming in Spring 2020 she is named after the Isle of Iona, just 2kms from the Isle of Mull and famous for its stunning scenery,Iona Abbey and its inauguration into the Kingdom of Scotland in the 9th century.It currently has a population of 176,a lttle less than the Iona cruise ship able to accommodate 5,200, hardly a wee beastie ! This ground breaking ship will set sail next year for the Norwegian Fjords, its brand new SkyDome enabling parties under the stars whatever the weather and with an English Park in Summer feel during the day.The ship also boats 4 Pools,15 places to eat,18 whirlpools,Conservatory mini-suites with bi-fold balcony doors evening and  entertainment venues including aerial acrobats in the SkyDome.It is also the cruise companies most environmental ship to date  Ready to holiday like never before is the Iona strapline. 

There is a great tradition of shipbuilding in Scotland, the MS Lucania was launched in the Clyde in 1893 and it was the fastest passenger liner of its time for 5 years, winning the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing and built by the Cunard company.In 1935 the Queen Mary also won the Blue Riband for the 2nd time in 1938 and held the record for 5 years.Now moored in Long Beach California as a floating hotel.The QE2 was the last great superliner to be built in 1967 and after being retired in 2017 she has undergone a $100 million refurbishment programme with as many of the original features as possible and is a hotel in Mina Rashid in the UAE.

One of the newest ships to enter the River cruising sector last year was the aptly named MS Robert Burns.The luxury 5 star ship travels the waters of the Danube and more, and boasts a capacity of 165 passengers, a glass lift, all air conditioned decks and all suites lavishly appointed in the finest materials with a Scottish twist.It is operated by the Swiss and has some great cruises including a Solo travellers cruises and Christmas Markets cruises.

So Happy Burns night again to all, Scotland has had a great contribution in the past and will continue to make an impact on the Cruise sector in the future, i leave you with a quote from Rabbie Burns

Till all the seas gang dry, my dear, 
And the rocks melt with the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear, 
While the sands of life shall run.