MY DATE WITH BEN FOGLE

If I had a dream or a bucket wish list it would be fair to say that it came true this week as I got the opportunity to spend 24 hours with the one and only Ben Fogle , Celebrity Cruises Destination Expert and world renowned adventurer. How did my dream come true? Ben chose my bucket list excursion together with 7 other agents around the UK and invited us to join him on a money cant buy experience…. sailing a clipper yacht with him followed by a night spent at the luxurious Spitbank Fort of the coast of Portsmouth. Although I find myself to be a creative writer , even now I find it difficult to express how I feel about this trip of a lifetime. Celebrity Cruises who sponsored the trip exceeded all expectations which backs up my thoughts of Celebrity in that they really are the ultimate in Modern Luxury not just on one of their stunning ships but also on their excursions too.  Here is my diary of events….

Tuesday 25th March 9.30am – We drove to the Spitbank Fort Departure Lounge where we were greeted by the Celebrity Cruises Team, the media  and of course Ben Fogle. After many introductions and complimentary breakfast , we were split into two teams and were introduced to two clipper yachts with the clipper team, the irony is that the clipper had on the side , Welcome to Yorkshire and living in Yorkshire myself felt is was very apt.

Tusday 25th March 10.30am – We were given waterproof clothing to put on and spent an hour being briefed on safety and it was explained to us how the boat, sails etc worked. Now not being a sailor myself , ‘Tacking’ and ‘jibbing’ was unchartered waters for me , pardon the pun.

Tuesday 25th March 11.30am –  We were set to work and I can honestly say I have physically never worked as hard in my life , not that it looks like it in the picture above :-). Ben and myself were asked to pull the ropes to bring the sales up (Halyards I believe) while other members of the team were given their tasks to secure the ropes in place.

Thanks Ben for the top tips to keep my balance on board lol.

Tuesday 25th March 13.00 – time for lunch on board, buoy (cant help th pun) was I hungry at this point. The rain was coming down and even though the wind was against us the experience of sailing a clipper will stay with me forever . I cant wait to do it again. everything just fell into place , was I a natural, who knows but I got stuck in and enjoyed every minute of sailing in the Solent.

Tuesday 25th March 14.30 – After bringing her back into port it was time to say goodbye to the Clipper Team and thank them for the most amazing experience and head off by hovercraft to Spitbank Fort, as you can see in my picture the rain was definitely against us.

Tuesday 25th March 15.30 – On Arrival at the fort we were greeted by the management team and shown around with a glass of Vintage Champagne in hand of course . The fort was originally built and completed in 1878 to defend the Solent but work came to a halt when they realised the strategy wasn’t working , so in 1898 the role of the Fort was then to defend against light aircraft and the roof was fitted out with guns and searchlights. The forts were de-activated at the end of the war and decommissioned in 1956 when coastal artillery was abolished but was only sold by the Ministry of Defence in 1982.  The Fort has since been bought privately and has been lovingly restored keeping all its historic features and been transformed into a unique luxury venue . Here is my bedroom- stunning

As tou can see its has still remained alot of the original features:-

Tuesday 26th March 16.30 – We were then all invited to spend an hour or so putting Ben in the hot seat and asking him questions all that is cruise, really interesting to hear what Ben, not an experienced cruise ship customer thought about it. He loves the concept! Hoorah!!

25th March 17.45- After a quick change it was time for a Champagne reception and an opportunity to do a bit of Sabrage, which is used for ceremonial occasions. The saber sword is slid along the body of the bottle to break the entire neck away from the bottle, leaving only the base of the bottle open and ready to pour. The force of the blunt side of the blade hitting the lip breaks the glass to separate the collar from the neck of the bottle. Note that one does not use the ‘sharp’ side of the blade. Well I have to say The neck of the bottle came away on the first hit. A very proud moment , although the cork flew that hard nearly broke a window. Anyway moving on as you can see fro the pictures was great fun.

25th March 19.00 – Dinner is served and wow what a sumptuous dinner it was, then it was time to retire in the Crows Nest for some cocktail making lessons without the final Oscar Selfie with Ben !

I have to say Celebrity Cruises lived up to everything they believe themselves to be and that is to makes sure that everyone has a lifetime experience that will leave them wanting more. As the evening comes to a close and we say goodbye to the lovely down to earth Ben Fogle (he had to be up at 7am as travelling to the Middle East) it was just time to make a few cocktails and bring the evening to a close in the Shisha Room. I say to a close we were in there for a good hour or so but was again another amazing experience.

This is a memory that will live with me forever and I promise you , you will feel exactly the same on board Celebrity, and I would definitely recommend one of Ben’s Celebrity Excursions . they really are something out of this world. Want to know more about Celebrity or Ben Fogle’s excursions. Email me or call me for more information. You wont be disappointed.

Holly xxxx