LONGSANDS NEWS: Fantastic Cruise offers with Longsands & Holland America Line... Dover to Dover sailings, Regional Coach Transfers, Special 'Added Value' deals .....

European Cruises 2010! Onboard“Signature Class” ms Eurodam
May – July 2010
Including New Dover-Dover sailings, 8-nights from just £939pp


PLUS FREE ADDED VALUE BENEFITS!!! & FEATURING NEW REGIONAL COACH TRANSFERS!

Here at Longsands we are pleased to recommend you “Set sail with a Signature of Excellence onboard the Elegant Eurodam”!! The ms Eurodam bearing a name that evokes Holland America Line’s European heritage, is the lines first "Signature Class" ship. The Eurodam, will return to UK shores in summer 2010 to cruise a series of European cruises that include special UK departures from Dover.


Launched in June 2008, the Eurodam is the culmination of Holland America Line’s "Signature of Excellence", the definition of premium cruising at its best…
As well as award-winning hallmarks such as the Explorations Café, an on-line resource centre powered by the New York Times; and the innovative Culinary Arts Theatre where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in state-of the-art onboard show kitchens; the Eurodam features a choice of four delicious restaurants. Guests choosing to eat in the elegant two tier Rembrandt restaurant can opt for new “As You Wish” flexible dining or a fixed time and table every evening, as they prefer.
The Lido provides a casual eatery by day and is open for informal dining with waiter service most evenings at sea.


Tamarind, features Asian-inspired entrees and an adjacent “Silk Den” lounge with panoramic views; Canaletto is a more informal Italian bistro; while the award-winning Pinnacle Grill, serves Pacific Northwest specialities in sumptuous style.


Eurodam’s resort amenities include two pools, one with a retractable glass dome; and a luxurious hydrotherapy pool. Further pampering opportunities include exclusive private cabanas on deck and a luxurious Greenhouse spa and fitness centre featuring everything from saunas, a hydro pool and state of the art fitness centre to a dry float suite and couples massage rooms.


The Eurodam offers 86% spacious outside staterooms, of which 67% feature a private balcony from which to watch the world go by. Whichever you choose you’ll enjoy the most comfortable nights at sea with Mariners Dream beds, pure Egyptian cotton sheets, fluffy bathrobes, salon quality hairdryers, flat screen TV’s and DVD players, twice daily ice service and complimentary fruit baskets!


Book your ms Eurodam cruise at Longsands Travel special preview prices by 31st December 2009, and you'll enjoy added value benefits such as onboard spending money, complimentary wine, professional photos or a chance to dine “on us” at the Pinnacle Grill.

SEE THESE GREAT CRUISE DEALS ...JUST TWO EXAMPLES OF MANY ON OFFER......CALL US NOW FOR MORE OPTIONS!!

SPECIAL ADDED VALUE $75 per stateroom onboard spending money, plus 3 complimentary bottles of wine on this cruise:-
Baltic Treasures:

11 night Cruise Only from £1,259*per person
Norwegian Fjords & Scottish Highlands
8 night Cruise Only from £939*per person


29 May Dover, England
30 May Leisure at sea
31 May Copenhagen, Denmark 7am 5pm
1 Jun Leisure at sea
2 Jun Tallinn, Estonia 11am 5pm
3 Jun St Petersburg, Russia
4 Jun St Petersburg
5 Jun Helsinki, Finland
6 Jun Stockholm, Sweden
Scenic cruising Stockholm Archipelago
7-8 Jun Leisure at sea
9 Jun Dover, England 8am


available: 29th May 9th June 9th June 21st June

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SPECIAL ADDED VALUE $75 per stateroom onboard spending money, plus 3 complimentary bottles of wine on this cruise:-
Norwegian Fjords & Scottish Highlands
8 night Cruise Only from £939*per person


21 June Dover, England

2010 Embark ms Eurodam 5pm
22 Jun Leisure at sea
23 Jun Alesund, Norway 7am 11pm
24 Jun Hellesylt, Norway+ 7am 8am
Scenic cruising Geirangerfjord
Geiranger, Norway 9am 6pm
Scenic cruising Geirangerfjord & Sunnylvsfjord
25 Jun Bergen, Norway 7am 4pm
26 Jun Invergordon, Scotland Noon 6pm
27 Jun South Queensferry, Scotland 8am M/nght
28 Jun Leisure at sea
29 Jun Dover, England

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NEW - REGIONAL COACH TRANSFERS! Glasgow : Swansea : Newcastle


For more details contact us now

Longsands News: We have some great Balkan deals.... SKI SKI SKI!!!

GREAT SKI DEALS WITH LONGSANDS & BALKAN HOLIDAYS!!!!

We have partnered with Balkan Holidays to offer some amazing ski deals!
As well as this with Bulgaria being a NON EURO destination cost of living is exceptional value for money.
Prices are approx £1 for a pint of beer, £3 for a pizza and £4 for a bottle of wine in a restaurant. Great Prices for Apres Ski.

Here are some of the deals we have on offer from Manchester:

Hotel Rhodopi, Pamporovo
10th Jan 7nts HB
JUST £253 PP
Learn to Ski PACK JUST £110PP

Hotel Panorama, Pamporovo
17th Jan 7nts HB
JUST £258PP










Hotel Victoria, Borovets

24th Jan 7nts HB
JUST £254Per Person

Hotel Bansko
31st Jan 7nts HB
JUST £334PP

Hotel Bor, Pamporovo
10th Jan 7nts HB
JUST £248PP

What are you waiting for!! These are fabulous offers and when you arrive in Bulgaria you will find you spend so much less for so much more!!!

Call us now to secure your high quality...high value....high fun.... holiday in the sun and snow!!!

Longsands News: Oasis of the Seas inaugaral voyage!

Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, has arrived at its home port in Florida ahead of its inaugural voyage.

The ship (pictured) reached Fort Lauderdale after a 14-day transatlantic crossing from the Turku shipyard in Finland.


Final touches will now be applied to the ship over the next six days ahead of pre-inaugural celebrations including a performance by pop star Rihanna on Thursday this week. Oasis of the Seas spans 16 decks, carries up to 5,400 guests, and features 2,700 staterooms. It is the first to feature Royal Caribbean International’s neighbourhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, the Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, and the Pool and Sports Zone.
It will sail weekly from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and the inaugural voyage to Haiti on December 1.


For THE BEST PRICES..... and the BEST CRUISE ADVICE.... on what options and packages to take, call Kim at Longsands Travel.

LONGSANDS NEWS: Mexico catches a cold!

WTM: Mexico reports tourism drop in the wake of swine flu.
The swine flu epidemic has caused Mexico's UK tourist arrivals to plummet this year, according to latest tourist board figures.
Arrivals in the January to August period this year totalled 172,000, compared with 311,000 for the whole of 2008. The outbreak earlier this year led to cruise lines and operators pulling out of the destination, with both big two putting their programmes on hold in April. Mexico Tourism Board UK deputy director Lupita Ayala said a recovery campaign had concentrated on sponsoring cultural events, such as the Aztec exhibition at the British Museum, in order to offset the need for mass-market discounting. "Mexico is accessible and value for money, but I could not say that it is cheaper," she said. "That is why we are supporting cultural exhibitions." Both British Airways and Mexicana have maintained their services to Mexico City despite the slump in demand.
Ayala said it was eventually hoped to restore a scheduled link to Cancun, the most popular entry point for UK tourists, which British Airways (BA) axed after the 2001 terrorist attacks. "We are in talks with some of the airlines," she said. "Virgin is still showing an interest and BA wants to come back to Cancun but I don't think it is going to be next year."

MOJACAR HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

Christmas in Almeria....snow on the mountains...sun bathing on the beach! Yes it really is that nice! Why not take advantage of our Xmas special and secure your apartment at 'Low Season' prices. Yes you could book a 2 bed 2 bath apartment for just £250 for the week. Book your flights, car hire, and insurance with us and get a second week for just £200!!

Our web site www.mostlymojacar.co.uk shows just some of the properties on offer. We have decided to promote the properties for next year at 2009 prices and are delighted to offer:

HOLIDAY RENTALS IN MOJACAR, COSTA ALMERIA
Book NOW at 2009 prices for 2010!! Just £50 deposit.

We have superb front line apartments with sea views, town houses and villas for rent.
Prices from as little as £9 per person per night! Contact us for flights, car hire, transfers!


Visit http://www.mostlymojacar.co.uk/ for more information re our holiday rental accommodation

OUR CARNIVAL CRUISE EXPERIENCE!!

Hi all! Just back from a Orlando and our Carnival Cruise holiday. Orlando was as always...great fun and hot! However today our main purpose is to 'review' our Carnival experience:-

CARNIVAL CRUISE...A REVIEW:-
We sailed from Port Canaveral on the 24th Oct on their ship 'Carnival Glory'. First impressions were good...a friendly reception followed an easy and quick bording experience. The ship impressed as bright and colourful ...the theme of the ship is colour so no suprise there... and Glory is somewhat 'Las Vegas' like in nature. That was fine by us..we knew beforehand we were cruising with a line which promotes 'fun cruising' rather than a formal or a more traditional type of cruising.
Our stateroom was as expected...roomy enough and a balcony of good size. The housekeeping staff were lovely...they could'nt do enough for us and always with a sincere and pleasing manner which was sustained throughout the holiday.

In the dining room we were dissapointed on the first night to see a good number of the predominantly American guests entering the dining room in shorts and T-shirts despite clear guidlines as to what casual dress code meant! (If we had wanted freestyle we would have gone with Ocean Village!!!) However the Miatre'D ...the guy in charge of the dining room... did make an announcement that for the most part ensured on subsequent nights that dress codes were adhered to. This may sound stuffy but we dont want 'Butlins at sea' and we would have been unhappy if this had not been addressed. The formal nights of which there were two were described as 'Elegant Nights' ...lounge suits etc. Some ...me being one..did go for the black tie but only on the first night. This was fine and worked well given the customer mix.

Food??? well we paid for a night in the fine restaurant on board which they call the 'Supper Club'. We wished we had'nt partly as the staff were not up to it...confusion and poor training meant silver service should be reclassed as leaden service...but also we wished we had'nt as the food and service in the main dining area was so good! There was a great range of meal choice and excellent wines. Also in the dining room, and in keeping with the fun theme the staff perform a nightly show usually between main course and desert which is highly entertaining! You travel with Carnival to enjoy yourself and they try to ensure you do!!!

During the day the ship offered all the usual facilities you expect on board a cruise liner...Spa...gym...deck and pool areas....all sorts of events and things to do during the day ...but there was ample space to get away from it all if you wished on the upper decks where you can just chill out. We had three ports of call, Nassua, St Thomas, and St Martin. Choice was the striking feature. Many guests chose from the comprehensive list of planned excursions which we heard were very good. We did our own thing at considerably less expense ... we can tell you about this when you call.... and overall the balance between ship days and port days worked well.

Night life was really, really good!! Carnival offer shows, comedy clubs, a variety of bars, nightclubs, and of course the casino. We have travelled on other cruise lines and found that by midnight things are winding down.....on Carnival they were winding up! We loved it and had a fabulous time with friendly and like minded guests!! Russell ...my name sake....in the Piano Bar was one to remember!! Completely off his tree and great fun...and oh by the way...he could sing!

Cruising not for kids!?!!?!? Well ask Josh....14 years old and not given to saying something is good if it's not! He loved the 'Circle C' club for 12-14 yrs olds! Lots of activities, clubs, and .... oh yes lots of girls!! We hardly saw him. But really if you are interested in cruising and have hesitation about going with kids, and particularly demanding adolescents, then consider going with Carnival.... call us we will tell you more!

We could go on...but finally we have to say that we know a lot about cruising. We have been on many cruises ourselves and have booked a good number of clients on a range of cruise lines. Our view is that Carnival offer one of the best value for money experiences and a great holiday at sea! We will be going with them again....maybe you should!

Call us for up to date prices and to learn more about the Carnival experience!!

Happy cruising ...Russell