I’m writing this at the end of a sunny Easter weekend when the lock-down makes my wanderlust that much more intense.

Unsurprisingly, I have holidays booked for this summer but the current circumstances surrounding travel at home and overseas prompt lots of questions and I imagine the majority of readers will be in a similar situation. I’m not offering legal advice here, merely my reflections on the state of play.

We are living in confusing times and for anyone with travel plans or involved with the travel industry it is a challenge to keep on top of what’s going on and understand what it means.

The Foreign Office (FCO) now advises against all but essential travel for an indefinite period. There is now no date for the industry to work to and in some cases a lack of consistency. Your rights haven’t changed, though.

What are your rights if your holiday has been cancelled?

The Package Travel Regulations (2018) cover you for a package (e.g. flights and accommodation) if the organiser fails, or if they can’t deliver what you booked. You are legally entitled to:

  • An alternative and equivalent holiday at a later date, or
  • A full refund within 14 days.

However, this timescale is not currently achievable because of the sheer numbers involved and would threaten the existence of many, many excellent travel companies. Most are therefore offering a fully protected refund credit note instead, with the right to a refund at a later date if not used to book a holiday by that date.

ATOL Protection only covers a flight-inclusive package when the ATOL holder or the airline fails (EU/UK departures or airlines only). You will have an ATOL Certificate if your holiday is protected this way.

Flight or hotel booked separately

  • Flights – not usually ATOL protected on their own but EU rules say you should have either a fee free amendment or a refund, currently usually offered by UK airlines as a refund credit note, or a cash refund in some cases.
  • Hotels – depends on the hotel’s Terms and Conditions.
  • Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act may offer some protection if you have paid by Credit Card.

Covered by Insurance? It depends – that’s not helpful, I know, but you have to check your documentation and speak to your insurers as there are so many factors at play.

You can find more detailed information on the ATOL and ABTA websites here:

Response times are understandably but frustratingly slow because of the number or cancellations the organisations are having to work through, but please be patient and kind. Everyone is doing their best but has increasing numbers of affected bookings and they are working through in date order.

There are a thousand and one questions to answer, and every individual is in a different situation.  Please do feel free to get in touch with your questions, however you made your travel arrangements. We have already rearranged or booked new holidays to 2021 and 2020, arranged Refund Credit Notes where appropriate or cash refunds where that makes the most sense.

We would encourage you to consider a Refund Credit Note if you’re not comfortable to rebook at this time, as it will help support the travel industry so that you are able to travel again when the time is right.

We are of course very happy to help make sense of your position where we can whether or not you booked through Silver Compass. You can use our contact form on this website, phone 01225 744992 or email info@silvercompass.co.uk.

When you think of cruising your mind may go straight to family holidays on large floating hotels, Hawaiian shirts and karaoke nights with the parents or more formal traditional liners popular with retirees, but in fact, there are countless alternative types of cruises. To find out all there is to know about alternative cruises, read on!

What is alternative cruising?

photographer cruise

Alternative cruising refers to a cruise holiday with a theme or purpose or on a ship that deviates from what’s considered to be the norm. The perception of the ‘norm’ or typical type of cruise holiday tends to be on ships that can hold several thousand passengers, with a wide array of amenities to keep holidayers relaxed, amused and entertained whilst they travel from port to port.

So to explain alternative cruising better, here’s an example:

A wildlife photographer who wants to explore the Galapagos Islands is likely to go on a photography or nature watching cruise. The photographer will be able to enjoy onboard luxuries and venture onto the island to get breath-taking snapshots of exotic wildlife. This person will hop aboard a smaller cruise ship that will be able to explore corners of the world where large cruise ships are unable to voyage. Small cruise ships will typically hold a few hundred passengers or less – which makes for a more intimate and adventurous holiday.

Types of alternative cruises

UnCruise Adventures

With the slogan ‘small ships, big adventures’, it comes as no surprise that UnCruise Adventures’ ships are small, holding between 26 and 86 passengers, and the experience they offer would certainly fit the description of an alternative cruise experience. Breaking away from the masses, these small-scale alternative cruises are perfect for travellers who are looking for a peaceful, destination-rich holiday where they can immerse themselves in nature, culture and new experiences. UnCruise Adventures take solo travellers, couples and groups to Alaska, the Galapagos Islands, Hawaiian Islands and more!

Quark Expeditions

arctic cruise

If you’ve always liked the idea of exploring some of the coldest places on earth then a Quark Expedition is for you. Specialising in cruises to the Antarctic and the Arctic, Quark takes passengers on small, well-equipped vessels and icebreakers where you can achieve unparalleled access to the most breathtaking of regions. On an alternative Polar cruise, you’re likely to encounter polar bears, penguins and will have the opportunity to kayak through icy realms.

U by Uniworld

For modern travellers U by Uniworld take you through Europe on a reimagined river cruise ship where you will stop off at ports to enjoy new cultures, cuisine and fun activities – a series of city breaks by water, if you like. With itineraries travelling to the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Belgium, Austria, Hungary and Serbia – you’re sure to find somewhere that ticks your boxes. This type of travelling is a cost-effective way to enjoy multiple places in just one trip and is particularly popular with those aged between 25-40.

Lindblad Expeditions

Authentic expeditions accompanied by travel experts who are there to provide insight into your explorations. All ships are fully equipped with tools such as snorkelling gear, ship cameras, video microscopes, hydrophones, standup paddleboards and more, to aid in-depth and close-up encounters for avid- adventurers.

Lindblad Expeditions cover countless destinations including North America, South America, Europe and the Mediterranean, South East Asia and the Pacific, Polar Regions, Africa and the Middle East.

Photography and wildlife cruise

wildlife photographer

Specialist photography cruises offer passionate photographers the opportunity to take high-quality photos in the polar regions of Svalbard and Antarctica. Wildlife cruises, on the other hand, give animal lovers the opportunity to enjoy conservation tours, treks and see tigers, bears, whales, unusual insects and more, depending on your destination. You might also want to look out for astronomy cruises, whilst you’re out at sea as you’ll find it’s the perfect place to observe and capture spectacular images of the night’s sky.

Unique cruise experiences

Concerts at Sea

Floating music festivals are incredibly popular with music fans, where you can enjoy rock, pop and more.

Freighter ship journey

freighter

A freighter ship may not seem like your typical holiday away but this unusual cruise experience is incredibly popular for those searching for an authentic journey onboard a cargo vessel. This journey is best suited to self-sufficient individuals who are wanting a casual time at sea and are happy to mingle with the ship’s captain and officers.

Scuba open sea cruises

Scuba open sea cruises take you to the underwater world where you can obtain a PADI Scuba diving certificate, which you will then be able to use elsewhere and dive in numerous exotic areas in the world. The best scuba open sea cruises are in Australia, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean. For committed diving enthusiasts, the option of liveaboard dive boats is another great possibility, for example in the Maldives or on the Great Barrier Reef.

Action-packed cruises

Flowrider surf simulators, climbing walls, water slides, golf cruises – the lot – on large floating hotels the adventure is as fun onboard as it is onshore!

Submarine cruise

Redefining cruise holidays and underwater exploration, a submarine cruise takes you 300 metres deep in the ocean, with a 280-degree view, six guest seats and an experienced pilot, you can be fully prepared for an intimate ocean excursion.

Pet cruises

alternative cruises - pets on a cruise

courtesy of cunard.com

Believe it or not, you can set sail with your furry friend. Pet cruises, although hard to come by, happen on Cunard QE2. These dog-friendly cruises take place on smaller ships and the cruise duration is much shorter than most but provides an exciting trip for you and your best pal when the kennels isn’t an option. Cunard offers great facilities for owners and their pets and are approved by the Pet Travel Scheme too.

On many other cruise lines service dogs are allowed to accompany their owners in public areas of a cruise ship but for health and safety reasons, dogs are not to go around inside spa facilities or in the pool.

Quilting cruise

quilting

All aboard stitchin’ heaven! Quilting cruises combine a passion for crafts and cruise. Between ports, quilting fans will be able to meet the best quilters in the industry and learn new tips, tricks and new techniques along the way.

Dance cruise

Salsa, Zumba, ballroom – you name it – there’s dancing entertainment and opportunities for lessons on a dance cruise. With the chance to dress up and keep fit, a dance cruise is certainly an alternative cruise for those with a get-up- and-go spirit, and if you’re a Strictly Come Dancing fan there are opportunities to learn from the Strictly professionals.

Crossword cruises

A grid with horizontal and vertical boxes that you fill in with answers to clues, 6 down 7 letters. Another word for holidaying at sea, 12 across 5 letters. That’s right, for those with an extensive vocabulary who find relaxation 100 pages deep in a puzzle book, a crossword cruise provides puzzles every day, whilst you drift to your chosen destination.

Canal cruises

barge on marne

Whether you choose a small self drive boat, a luxury hotel barge with Michelin standard meals or something in between, this is definitely life in the slow lane and a great way to unwind and savour the delights of the region you’re travelling through.

Adventure Cruising

Small ships carrying between 30 and 50 like-minded travel mates, small enough to dock where the big ships can’t, a sustainable style of travel, and local leaders to guide you along the way. Hug the coastline, be an explorer, swim from the boat; immerse yourself in the destination and its culture.

Cruises under sail

alternative cruises - sailing vessel

Use the power of the wind instead of the engines, as far as possible; the romance of the sailing vessels and their connection to the oceans is hard to resist. Choose from a cabin charter on a small catamaran carrying just 8 guests in the Caribbean or a 5 masted Tall Ship around the Greek Islands. Perfect for a honeymoon, but also for anyone craving the peace and romance of life on the water, without engines whenever the weather allows.

Planning your holiday with Silver Compass

Whether you’re interested in a relaxing holiday, one of the alternative cruises mentioned above  or any other kind of adventure, speak with your cruise experts at Silver Compass. We have a personal interest in cruising as well as years of experience planning and organising seamless holidays for our valuable customers – so you can be sure that we’ve done the leg work to make your cruise unforgettable. For more information or to tailor your cruise holiday, contact Bath’s cruise specialists today.

So you fancy seeing the Northern Lights and the coast of Norway? Hope this helps.

We travelled the first week of March aboard MS Nordlys from North to South (Kirkenes to Bergen) primarily because the Nordlys had been the last ship to be refitted.

Flights, arranged by Hurtigruten, were Heathrow to Oslo, a four hour layover, then on to Kirkenes. Despite the wait there was opportunity for a meal and no stress trying to catch the connection.

Kirkenes is well inside the Arctic Circle and very cold – not dissimilar to climbing into a freezer so you need to have a jacket to hand for the short walk to the terminal and then to the provided bus service. Decent footwear also recommended because everywhere was covered in about six inches of solid ice. Road and pavement are as one! Locals scoot to the shops on ‘Boris Boggans’.

The provided overnight accommodation and breakfast was fine and the restaurant open in the evening. Time in the morning for a quick look around.  Jackets, hats, gloves and warm boots needed. The most northerly charity shop in Europe worth a visit. Bus collects from hotel for short trip to Hurtigruten terminal.

Ship well-appointed and service excellent. Nicknamed, by us, the MS Handgel,  you will be regularly maintaining hand cleanliness and reminded, should you be remiss enough to try and sneak past. Leave luggage in baggage room and go for buffet lunch whilst cabins are prepared. Food very good. Breakfast and lunch are buffet style whilst a set dinner, reflecting local cuisine, is served at table. You are initially allocated a sitting for the evening meal which apparently you can change if you want.  (found that out after the last meal!) It does have the advantage of introducing you to others.

Our Arctic Superior cabin on the fifth deck was the size of a large caravan and had everything you needed within arm’s reach. Looked at a posh suite which is more on the lines of a conventional hotel room – you pays your money! Never saw inside one the cabins on the lower decks, but they had smaller portholes instead of windows. None of the windows open for obvious reasons – air con. is standard. The ’Gulvvarmer’ switch, associated with the shower room was, I thought, a neat way of describing the air extractor, the unintended result being to keep the birdies from freezing outside. It is not!

Winter scenery spectacular throughout. Ice and snow on the outer decks – you need to be wrapped up and the wind can be strong. Inside temperature comfortable and cabin ambiance adjustable.

The Northern Lights need a little preparation in advance. Assuming they are spotted, the Bridge will let you know and everyone is out on deck. Firstly, get the Northern Lights Photo Taker App (99p) for your phone/tablet. This increases the sensitivity of the frequency needed to photograph the lights and they will appear green (set to weak on screen) Conventional cameras with manual exposure can be set to a suitable ISO and shutter speed with no guarantee and compact automated cameras are even more difficult. Also be aware you might not see the lights as green. We both saw them as whitish grey streaks which is a product of age and eyesight sensitivity. Even the young Sami expedition leader sees them that way. Check out Google for an explanation. We saw other people’s App photos and they were excellent – ours were more modern art on a black theme!

Excursions we felt were prohibitively expensive. Wine package also over the top so choose/drink carefully (£44 a bottle for an acceptable red!  Small glass of port or a beer £9)

This is a ferry so stops can be as short as 15min. Longer stops allow for limited site seeing and there are some quayside attractions – The Polar Bear Club, Hurtigruten Museum, Magic Ice and local stores. Passengers travelling in both directions felt the stops were more conveniently timed south to north. We thought the drama of starting in the north worthwhile.

Some notable high points include the Lofoten Islands, crossing the Arctic Circle and generally any narrow bits. Scenery is to both sides as you are threading your way through the channels. Other than the northerly open sea sections the water was mainly calm because of the protection afforded by the islands.

On board ‘Expedition Team’ kept everyone updated and, for those needing direction, well informed. The opera singing coffee bar attendant is worth a mention.

You vacate cabins by 10.00am and still have lunch to look forward to before docking, early afternoon, in Bergen. Transfer to the airport is in good time and so on to Amsterdam where you have 25 mins to make the connecting flight which is miles away and about to leave. The slightest delay or customs check and your connection is doubtful. KLM were fantastic and allowed us to sit in Buisiness Class prior to landing so we could get off snappish. We all made it just before the gate opened but only thanks to an early arrival, KLM and jumping queues at passport control (demand to be fast tracked). We would strongly advise asking for a later Heathrow flight if there is one. Bags, it would seem, have an easier time!

A trip worth doing at least once.

Guest Post by Mel Cunliffe, sailing with Hurtigruten in March 2020.

Well, 2020 has started with not just one bang, but several; the bush fires in Australia continue, though eased to a degree by recent rain, the UK has entered the transition period for departure from the EU, there is significant disturbance around leadership of the Glasgow Climate Change Conference later this year and so on and so forth.

Looking beyond all that turbulence, though still taking it into account, a recent conversation made me reflect on my desire to see as much of that world as I can.

travel in 2020 - young explorers

Image credits: Ørjan Bertelsen / Hurtigruten

The Desire to See Unfamiliar Places

Not long ago I met up with an old friend and the conversation inevitably came round to travel. I love to explore corners of the world that are different from my normal environment, culturally and scenically and at one time so did she, so I was a little taken aback by her question “Why would I want to travel when I love being at home and am completely happy in my own little bubble.”

This was not an ethical position, purely an absence of desire to see unfamiliar places.

Why We Should Travel in 2020

I could come up with a host of reasons why the world needs us to travel, especially at a time when we seem to be becoming more insular, less tolerant, more fearful and suspicious of what we don’t know or understand. Without seeing for ourselves, how do we know whether what we are told is true and how do we have and develop in our children a broad enough understanding to interpret, rather than judge, the many other cultures and countries in our world?

However, whether we should travel for leisure has become a very controversial topic in the light of such serious considerations as over-tourism, Climate Change, the plastic epidemic and other man-made threats to so much of our natural world and the future of our planet.

beach cleaning at Kap Bruun

Image credits: Stefan Dall / Hurtigruten

Responsible Travel in 2020

I believe we should keep travelling if we wish to be world citizens and there are plenty of responsible ways of doing so. By the choices we make regarding how we travel and what we do when we get there we can have a positive or negative impact on those destinations.

If you choose to fly, then check which are the best/worst airlines for emissions and/or carbon offsetting. After 2020 the EU is insisting airlines contribute to Carbon Offsetting for all flights.

travelers cleaning a beach

Image credits: Genna Roland / Hurtigruten

Environmentally Friendly Cruising

If you can, switch to train or ship. Cruise lines come in for a lot of stick about their environmental impact. Pick one which has a positive impact and sail on new environmentally friendly ships. Pick the operators who have already banned single use plastics, make a contribution to the destinations and work with the local authorities to manage or reverse over-tourism. And don’t forget the communities around the world that depend on tourism for their economy.

So yes, I believe we definitely should travel in 2020. What matters is how we do it. The information is out there to help us all make responsible decisions.

Will You Travel This Year?

Get in touch with our specialists at Silver Compass if you are keen to keep travelling and want to do so responsibly, or just want to understand more.

Demonstrate expertise even if you’re a solo-cruising newbie, with help from your local travel agents, Silver Compass. We’re here to share our guide to cruising alone which offers useful tips and handy advice to help you to stay completely relaxed throughout your luxurious holiday.

Tips and advice to remember before and during your solo cruise:

Book your cabin quickly!cruise cabin and bed

If you wish to cruise alone be sure to book early on. Single cabins are quick to sell out on the ship – which goes to show, it’s more popular than many might think.

Solo cruise dining

cruising alone - solo dining

The idea of eating at a restaurant on your own might make you feel anxious but it also might not. Speak up – your needs can be catered to. If you like to dine with others, book a larger table and socialise and if you don’t wish to, ask for a single seated-table.

Make sure you choose a cruise line that offers the kind of dining you want. Flexible dining is good if you don’t want to sit with the same people each night and fixed sittings are good if you would prefer a fixed time and the same company each evening.

Solo cruise entertainmentcruising alone - yoga class

The majority of cruise lines set-up events and activities for solo travellers to enjoy. Ask for the ship’s itinerary to get a flavour for what you could fill your days with, options are likely to include: go-karting, wall climbing, water sports, casino nights, lectures by specialists, wine tastings, art/cookery classes and demos, yoga and meditation, bike rides, gym classes, ballroom dance demos and lessons, broadway-style shows, jazz clubs, trivia quizzes and tech academies.

Themed cruise entertainment may include golf, music, fashion, dance, astronomy, photography and wine tasting (on the rivers).

Solo shore exploring

cruise excursion with fellow travellers

You’re exploring new territory, remember to research the area and make a loose itinerary for yourself. This might include picturesque places you’d like to capture on camera, a highly rated eatery you’ve found online or a shop you’ve heard travellers boast about. Giving yourself a few boxes to tick off will help you to enjoy each port to the fullest.

If you’ve met a nice group of like-minded solo holiday cruisers at a restaurant/event, make plans to meet up on the next shore excursion. It’s likely that when you reach the port, you will all be grateful to explore new land together. Booking on an excursion organised by the ship is a great way to explore if you’re cruising solo and haven’t yet met someone you want to link up with.

Get to know the front desk staffcruising alone? get to know the front desk staff

The front desk can experience a whole lot of questions, demands and requests, and so, it’s nice to get to know the front desk staff. The staff on the front desk, and indeed the whole crew onboard, will want to ensure that everyone – in particular, those cruising solo – experiences the best time at sea. They might even be able to offer you some invaluable solo advice too!

Many cruise lines have different activity levels for their excursions. It’s always worth talking to the front desk team about which would be most suitable for you.

It’s OK that not everyone understands the appeal of cruising alonesolo cruiser by pool

You’re comfortable in your own company and you like the idea of not having to answer to anyone, your cruise is your cruise and you can enjoy it just how you wish. You may find that some people don’t understand the appeal of cruising alone but that’s not the opinion of everyone.

Solo cruising is on the rise, with 20% of most cruise lines passengers travelling alone, it’s safe to say, that in fact, you’re not alone. Indeed, solo travellers are now much-admired independents.

You get to have a cabin all to yourselflady with a cabin to herself

Taking a step away from your busy life, away from family and friends to enjoy the bliss that is being on your own for a while, all starts in your very own cabin. In your single cruise cabin, you can enjoy uninterrupted reading of your favourite books whilst sipping on an ice-cold beverage. It’s your turn to be selfish and to call the shots.

You choose when to be alone and when to have companypeople at a cruise ship bar

Your cabin is your sanctuary but you can always find a quiet spot, somewhere around the ship. On the other hand, when you want company, it will be easy to find and many cruise lines arrange events and activities specifically for solo cruisers.

Solo cruising with Silver Compass

Looking for cruises for solo travellers? Get on board with Silver Compass, we’re Bath’s cruise experts here to share independent and impartial travel advice to all customers who are looking for a trip to remember.

For more information about who we are or to discuss cruises for solo travellers, get in touch with our friendly team today – we’re more than happy to help and have bags of experience of travelling solo.

Hearing, I now present to you, this newly married couple… is romantic and exciting enough, but what would you say to the addition of a salty ocean breeze and the picturesque panoramic view of a cruise wedding? These are some of the reasons why more and more couples are rethinking their on-land wedding plans. With the option to get married onboard, abroad or on the shore and at affordable prices – combining the moment you say I do, with a luxury holiday – makes it all the more enticing.

Whether you’re an avid or first-time cruiser, Silver Compass are here to help you create and organise the wedding of your dreams. We understand that planning such a significant and life-changing event can be exhausting but with the right guidance from our experts, you can find out the answer to the commonly-Googled question, ‘how to get married on a cruise’. Read on to see how Silver Compass can help you manage the arrangements from the start.

bride and groom in sea

Step 1

Select your wedding location & decide on number of guests

The location of your destination wedding will inevitably influence the overall price, so make sure you both agree on the number of guests you want there.

Can you get married on a cruise? Yes, you can choose to get married onboard, at a port of call or at the port of departure or arrival. Whether you want to marry onboard or ashore, you will want to think about what kind of cruise ship will best suit you. There are options ranging from small and intimate cruises, that include sailing ships, up to the very large resort-style ships.

Amount of cruise wedding guests:

6 guestsfor a small and intimate affair, 6 guests will maintain that completely relaxed theme you’re looking for, whilst keeping costs down – which means you can enjoy more days out at sea.

20+ guestsensuring that your entire family and close friends are there to witness your big day can be vital for some, and that’s great because it is possible to organise such an affair. 

You may wish to say your vows at a particular port that’s mapped on your cruise line’s itinerary – this is a good option for a couple who want everyone to be a part of the wedding but wish to enjoy a peaceful time together after the ceremony.

cruise wedding destination

Step 2

Find your ideal destination and decide on the length of travel

The location and duration of your cruise are two instrumental parts to cruise wedding planning. When choosing, consider the style of wedding you want – the theme is likely to reflect the destination you choose, as a Caribbean wedding will completely differ to a wedding in the Antarctic.

Cruise lengths vary but typically, your choice is between:

  • 3-6 nights
  • 1 week
  • 8-13 nights
  • More than 2 weeks

If you choose to have a large cruise wedding, 3-6 nights is likely to be the most attractive option, as it’s unlikely that everyone will be able to or has the flexibility to take an extended period of time off work.

bride and groom linking arms

Step 3

Pick your wedding date

Booking your cruise wedding in the shoulder season, between peak and off-peak seasons, is a good way to secure the ideal cabin configurations for yourself and your wedding guests at the best fares.

Cruise ‘shoulder seasons’ depend on the destination, for example, a Mediterranean cruise would be during spring and autumn and for Alaska, it’s May, June and September. To whittle down to a date that’s right for you and your guests you will need to consider:

  • That the date doesn’t fall on their birthday or anniversary
  • That the date doesn’t coincide with pre-planned holidays
  • That the date doesn’t make it awkward for those who will need to plan child care

Remember: not everyone will be able to make it to your wedding – and that’s the same for traditional weddings. You can only compromise so much because, ultimately, a date will need to be decided upon between you and your partner, so select the date where the majority of your guests should be able to attend, and plan around the people you most want to be there.

cruise ship on ocean

Step 4

Choosing the best wedding cruise line

Once you’ve decided on your location, look for cruise lines that voyage to your desired destination. Not all cruise lines can perform weddings onboard, so if you’re planning a wedding at sea, you’ll be restricted to those that have a wedding licence. Ask your local cruise experts for advice, they will be able to point you toward first-rate cruise lines and talk you through available wedding packages.

bride and groom on shoreline

Step 5

Booking your wedding cruise

Either pop into your local cruise travel agency or give them a ring, they will be able to talk you through your options and help you to find the best price.

save the date for your cruise wedding

Step 6

Creating save the date cards for your wedding cruise

You may wish to incorporate the destination wedding aspect into your save the date cards – a postcard-style wedding invite might just get your guests feeling more excited than you! For inspiration, check out these designs.

planning a cruise wedding on a laptop

Step 7

Setting up your wedding cruise website

Making a cruise wedding website for your guests provides them with a central hub where they can find out all they need to know about your big day. Your guests may query the dress code, location, travel plans and might want to refer to wedding social media hashtag, so that fun snaps can all be compiled before, during and after your wedding. Creating your own wedding cruise website can also help you to keep track of who has RSVP’d, provide you with beautiful templates, and offer you a built-in registry.

cards and flowers

Step 8

Sending your cruise wedding invites

Sending out your save the date cards is incredibly important, if you’re in hope of ensuring a high RSVP rate. With a cruise wedding, it’s particularly important to plan ahead and give your guests enough time to book time off work and save for the upcoming holiday. Ideally, you should send out your invites 9-12 months in advance.

camera

Step 9

Selecting a cruise wedding photographer

Ask your cruise experts if they have any recommendations when it comes to cruise wedding photographers. If you do not want formal photography, you could ensure that your guests use your chosen cruise wedding hashtag, this way you can collate your wedding photos after the cruise.

gift

Step 10

Set up a cruise wedding registry

When you choose a cruise wedding package, it’s likely there will be an option for a registry service. If this is what you’re looking for, your guests can offer wedding gifts by providing donations that will pay for your onboard amenities.

Types of registry gift giving:

  • Credit to onboard spa
  • Shore and land excursions
  • Dinner for two in delicious restaurant
  • Beverage package
  • and more…
bride and groom embrace

Step 11

Organise your official marriage license

Before the wedding, you need to make sure you get a license well before your departure date. If you’re at all worried that you won’t be able to obtain a license, you can always have a legal ceremony before or after the cruise.

groom's suit and bride's wedding dress

Step 12

Deciding on your cruise wedding dress and suit

If you’re concerned about getting your tux or dress creased in your luggage, ask your cruise lines to see if they can offer rentals. If you’ve already purchased both, make sure you have a garment bag ready! Remember to keep in mind your destination too, you may not want a full black tux or a long white dress in 30 degrees.

celebrations on a wedding day

Bon Voyage and Congratulations!

Now the wait is on as you count down towards your very own wedding cruise. Congratulations to you and your partner, we hope you have the time of your lives!

If you’d like to save our infographic on planning your cruise wedding to share or for future use, you can view it here.

Knowing how to plan a cruise wedding can be difficult, but follow Silver Compass’ advice and you’ll be well on your way to planning the most wonderful day. At Silver Compass, we have a wealth of experience within the cruise industry – so if you’re looking for help, advice or wish to book your next cruise, get in touch – we’d be delighted to help.

It’s difficult to imagine a country that offers greater variety than Italy. A wealth of choice through architecture, culture & gastronomy to the scenic beauty of the coastline, the inland areas and the islands. It’s entirely possible to revisit the country for years and still not run out of new places to go, new things to experience. There are also any number of different ways to travel to and around the region.

It’s no surprise to those that know me that many of our visits to Italy have been by boat! Some time back, we had a wonderful holiday sailing on a 5-masted Tall Ship, the Royal Clipper, from Venice to Rome, along the Adriatic coasts of Croatia, Montenegro and Albania before stopping off in Taormina (Sicily). We then sailed up the west coast of Italy, calling at a number of ports before arriving in Rome for a short city break before flying home. We spent most days ashore exploring the delightful small ports of call accessible to our beautiful small ship. We sailed mostly from late afternoon or early evening, allowing us to enjoy the coastal scenery along the way.

Another love of mine is music and the range of festivals and operas on offer in Italy is so wide. We travelled to the Verona Opera Festival a couple of years ago by train. The quickest way is via Paris and Milan but we decided to take a slightly longer route, to travel through the Alps during daylight. London-Paris-Munich-Verona, with an overnight on the German rail service, worked out really well and was a great start to the trip but the highlight was Verona itself, and the stunning arena where the festival takes place.

Other holidays have included a city break in Venice, road trip through Tuscany and a family holiday on Lake Maggiore. Our next Italian adventure is towards the end of October. Predictably now, it’s another cruise, onboard Crystal Serenity from Athens around the Greek Islands initially but then again visiting Sicily and western Italian ports on the way to the Mediterranean coast of France, ending in Barcelona. We are delighted to be visiting more of the coastal towns of Tuscany, Lombardy and Campania.

You can sail on Royal Clipper next Spring between Rome and Sicily, from £1680 per person, or maybe sail the Adriatic and Greek Isles onboard Crystal Symphony next summer, from £3118 per person.  If you’d like to know more about our experiences of Italy or want help to create your own Italian experience, just give us a call on 01225 744992 or email kit@silvercompass.co.uk

Kit Williams, Silver Compass

Let’s be honest, Food & Drink is a big part of any holiday and where better than Italy for a full-on foodie experience.  Italy is full of fabulous gourmet offerings but we don’t always want that every day of our time away. With that in mind, I wanted to share some of the best places in Italy for some tasty Italian everyday dishes.

Gelato of course is always a treat everywhere. But how about:

Spaghetti in Rome

Rome is of course one of the best places in Italy to visit… especially for food! Make sure you get your hands on a big bowl of carbonara.  And then take some time to see the Colosseum, the Trevi fountain, the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona and so much more.

Tiramisu in Venice

This “Floating City” is one of the most beautiful cities in the world!  Possibly one of my favourite sweet treats comes from the Veneto region. Tiramisu. After that treat, make sure to check out Saint Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Teatro La Fenice, Gallerie dell’Accademia, and savour some delicious cocktails at Il Mercante.

Limoncello at the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast with dramatic cliff top villages overlooking the Mediterranean, mountains of lemon trees and stunning views deserves time to explore. But it’s not just the natural sights to see. There are quite a few towns, such as; Sorrento, Positano, Atrani, Ravello, and of course Amalfi itself.

Other than how beautiful this region is, the thing that stands out is the scents of the flowers and fruits that lend themselves to make some of that famous local tipple – Limoncello.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina in Florence

A Florentine Steak is HUGE but a steak lover’s dream meal. After that you’ll need to work off those calories strolling around the city. There’s beautiful art, architecture and history everywhere you look. To finish off, watch the sunset over the Arno sipping the wines of Chianti.

Truffle hunting, wine tasting and other adventures

Get off the beaten track for your foodie adventures and learn to make pizza in Naples, go hunting for truffles in Tuscany, or taste wine almost anywhere.

Or alternatively hop onboard and experience the best of Italian cuisine at sea. We love Oceania’s Toscana or Celebrity’s Tuscan Grille but there are so many more.  Give us a call or email if you’re up for a foodie tour on land or sea.

Kit Williams, Silver Compass        info@silvercompass.co.uk           01225 744992

We have just returned from a really enjoyable 5-day holiday in Prague. When we first talked to friends and family about our visit, many had been to Prague and said what a beautiful and interesting City it was. They were right, it is.

Our holiday went very smoothly thanks as usual to the excellent service of Silver Compass.  As always, we much appreciated the help and support from Kit and Katie.

Prague is a medieval city but offers all the facilities and convenience of a modern city too. The City has maintained its magnificent cityscape and wonderful skyline. From wherever you view it what you see is the skyline you would have seen for centuries. When you think of the upheavals Prague has suffered it is remarkable it has maintained its character. The cobbled narrow streets and lanes and the large City squares are what gives it its charm.

For the visitors and tourists, and it has many from all different parts of the world, its lists of interesting and historic sites, and wonderful buildings, is long. The Czech people are welcoming and justly proud of their City and happy to share it and show you around.

The sites we chose to visit included the Prague Castle and the beautiful St Vitus’s Cathedral with its wonderful stained-glass windows, Golden Lane, and it’s fascinating cottages, displaying the tools and products of the crafts done there. We also saw the official Residence of the President and enjoyed watching the impressive changing of the Guard.

Another day we took a River Cruise and saw different views of the Palaces and Official buildings fronting the River Vltava which flows through the City. Afterwards we sat in the Old Town Square and enjoyed a glass of the famous Czech lager while we watched the hustle and bustle of the square and the antics of some of the showmen entertaining the crowds. On the hour we were drawn to the famous Astronomical Clock. It tells the time but also displays the movement of the sun and the moon and the dancing statues. It was very crowded around the clock, and I think you would need to watch it several times to take in the marvel of all its activities. From the Old Town Square, we walked to Charles Bridge. Again, a great attraction with lots of tourists together with artists and craftsmen displaying their wares for sale.  Having seen the bridge from a distance several times in our wanderings, it was worth getting close up to admire the statues that line the path across.

Another day we walked through a different and less crowded part of the city to reach the top of Petrin Hill which has an Observation Tower. This is said to have been modelled on the Eiffel Tower. It has a viewing platform at its peak. I was not brave enough to climb to the top, but Nick, my son, did and took some amazing photos. He told me afterwards that our walk up through the city to the glorious rose garden that is beside the tower was a distance of 3.5 miles. Well worth the walk. Our descent was easier. We took the Funicular train down.

We stayed in a small boutique hotel quite close to Prague Castle. It is built on the ruins of a twelfth century church. They offer de- luxe rooms, or suites and a delicious and generous breakfast. Our rooms overlooked a small pretty garden. The staff were welcoming, and helpful, and the ambience was restful.

Transport in and around the City is easily accessible.  The trams cover most of the city and you can buy tickets from machines at some tram stops, bus stations and newsagents. You validate your ticket on the tram.  We didn’t use the metro, but we understand tickets are from machines in the stations and can be validated at the top of the escalators.

Prague is a musical City. There are lots of street musicians, individuals and small bands. There is also a wide choice of concerts in many different settings including churches, theatres, and concert halls. A violinist played regularly on the bridge close to our hotel. On our last day we walked past him and when putting come coins in his hat said how much we had enjoyed his music “today and yesterday”. He clearly had not understood all I said but immediately started to play the Beatles song “Yesterday”. We were charmed.

We ate out each evening and chose different restaurants/pubs. There is wide choice of types of food and prices are very reasonable. One lunchtime we tried some street food from the small market in the square close to the hotel. It was delicious.

It took a short while to understand the currency. The koruna or crown comes in notes value from 100 k, 200, 500, 1,000 2,000 and 5,000k and coins from 1k to 50k.

Nick had read up some Czech phases before we went and when he used them the Czech people seemed most appreciative and it was certainly helpful.

A great holiday.

Hilary and Nick Foord.

A note from Silver Compass – we were delighted that Hilary and Nick had a wonderful time in Prague.  Prague is on many people’s bucket list and one way to visit this historical gem is pre-or-post cruise.  Our partner, Crystal Cruises has a 3-day extension to Prague and their Eastern Danube Discovery cruise, a roundtrip river cruise starting and ending in Vienna, would be the perfect beginning or ending for a trip to Prague.   For more information on a Danube river cruise and Prague extension, please give us a call 01225 744992.

At Silver Compass we believe that the experience of a luxury holiday shouldn’t just begin when your bags are packed but can begin a long time before, even at the point when the planning starts. We aim to educate and inspire people to find new ways to explore the world by providing a little taste of the experiences available right here on your doorstep.

As specialists of both cruises and food & drink holidays we’ll shortly be beginning our Taste of Travel series of events, where we bring our two specialities together.

We’ve curated these events with some of the top food and drink businesses in the local area with a view to giving you a taste of some of the many destinations that we cover around the world.

If you know that you’re interested in the subject matter you will of course love these events, but even if not it’s a great opportunity to enjoy some amazing food and drink while learning about some new ways to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world.

We’ll be kicking off the series on September 12th with an evening of French wine hosted by Le Vignoble in Bath, who will talk us through six different wines from the Rhone Valley and the Bordeaux regions, each accompanied by a canape inspired by produce local to those areas

We’ll also be joined by luxury ocean cruise line Oceania Cruises as well as luxury river cruise company AmaWaterways, who will talk through their fabulous French itineraries as well as being on hand to discuss specific options and answer any questions.

There will be some exclusive offers available for anyone attending the event, such as free onboard credit, which will be available for a period of time afterwards.

Tickets for the event are available via Eventbrite and are priced at £25 per person, a link to the tickets can be found on the events page at www.silvercompass.co.uk/events. Please feel free to give us a call on 01225 744992 or email at info@silvercompass.co.uk if you’d like any more information about the evening.

Stay tuned for more upcoming events this autumn where we’ll be teaming up with many more top businesses in Bath and the surrounding areas to focus on destinations such as Italy, Vietnam and Japan among many more.

We’d be delighted if you can join us at our first event to have a little taste of the finest produce from some of the most beautiful parts of France, tickets are limited so book early to avoid disappointment and we look forward to seeing you there!

Always keen to try something new, when we needed a chance to relax and recharge the batteries we decided on a hotel-barge sailing along the lazy Marne river from Paris out into the Champagne region of France.

We embarked by the Eiffel Tower and travelled east from Paris at about 5mph, passing through towns and villages well known for their cheeses, wines and champagnes as well as for the engineering developments in navigation and their turbulent and important wartime history during both the world wars. The impression today is of the peaceful, rural environment of the gentle landscapes of vineyards, villages and small towns captured by Impressionist/Post-Impressionist painters including Cezanne and Pissarro.

During the days we were either out with our guides on pre-arranged visits and experiences or exploring independently; in Paris, walking the hidden covered corridors between the Grands Boulevards; in Meaux tasting the king of cheeses, Brie de Meaux; exploring Hautvillers, the home of Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon, father of champagne; the cathedral and city in Reims; the Avenue de Champagne in Epernay; and in between exploring the sleepy towns and villages. But the highlight for me was a tour of one of the smaller artisan Champagne houses in Fleury-la-Riviere, well away from the big labels in Epernay. The tour was led by the winemaker himself, offering tastings at each stage of the process, from pre-blended Chardonnay with no bubbles, to the finished product. Good thing we were being driven back!

Our home for the week was MS Raymonde, a little gem of a barge with 11 twin cabins, carrying just 16 guests on our trip, and 6 crew. The cabins were on the cosy side of compact on the lower deck, with two duck-eye view windows and a good shower room ensuite.  The dining room and lounge/bar are both on the main deck, with the lounge leading out to a small terrace with bistro style tables and chairs and a jacuzzi. The top deck was fully taken up by a sun deck, apart from the wheel-house which could raise and lower to accommodate the low bridges along the way.

The quality of the meals and wines onboard was high and the whole week was a very relaxing format but for those looking for a bit more activity there was a fleet of bikes onboard which we could use when moored. We came back well restored but several kilos heavier.

If you’d like to know more about cruising along rivers and canals please give me a call on 01225 744992 or send an email to kit@silvercompass.co.uk.

Kit Williams, Silver Compass

I confess that until I started working in travel, I had every misconception of cruising there was!  I had visions of vast iron hotels, storeys high, floating lethargically through the oceans, offering a combination of warbling songstresses, bad comedy and illuminous drinks in a variety of colours – which all changed when I began working at Silver Compass.

Put simply – I had no idea about the variety of cruises, nor the variety of ships, boats, yachts, vessels, barges and anything else that can float on water.  And, I still don’t know all of them!

Being new to cruise is an education more detailed than I could have ever imagined, and one which I am grasping with both hands.  With all the different cruises available, I’m very glad I have Kit, our CLIA Cruise Master, to guide me along the learning process.  The more I learn, the more I want to experience cruising – and my eye is firmly on a luxury ship that comes with a magic carpet…yes, there is such a thing!

What I’ve learned so far is that the options for cruise holidays are immense.  Love food?  There is a cruise for that.  Love the party atmosphere? There is a cruise for that.  Love quiet, solitude and the peaceful tranquillity of bobbing on the ocean?  There is a cruise for that.  Love exploring and immersing yourself in culture?  There is a cruise for that.  Love Game of Thrones?  There is a cruise for that too.  My list could go on but there is limited space to include it in this article!

Recently I’ve been learning about multi-generational cruises and, with a young family, I have a particular interest in the variations of kid’s clubs available – science at sea, cookery classes, camping and laser quest, movie nights, discos… the fun for the under-18s is endless.  The staff are child-care professionals and for families with autism, some of the cruise lines have specially trained staff on hand to ensure that the environment is autism friendly, so everyone’s needs are looked after.

Family cruising is definitely on my wish list but for now, I head back to my training – food and beverage at sea!  While I dream of floating on a deep-blue ocean, with a cold crisp glass of sommelier-recommended white wine, the only question is, where do I go first?

Katie Newman

katie@silvercompass.co.uk

No industry has a stronger interest in protecting the oceans we sail and the destinations that are visited than cruise. CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) are committed to long term economic, environmental and cultural sustainability. CLIA Cruise Lines support local economies not just by bringing guests and crew to their shores but by using local services and goods on their ships.

Here are a few examples of ways that the cruise industry has a positive environmental effect.

  • Cruise ships recycle 60 percent more waste per person than the average person does on land. In fact, cruise lines recycle 80,000 tons of paper, plastic, aluminum and glass each year.
  • Many CLIA Cruise Lines conserve water by capturing condensation and recycling it for uses such as deck washing, machine operations and laundry. Water-reduction technology, including sink aerators, reduced flow dishwashers and low-consumption laundry also help conserve water.
  • 93% of the cruise industry has eliminated plastic straws or provides them only on demand.

The cruise industry is also committed to the health of the world’s oceans, marine life, and marine environments.

  • In 2018, Silversea launched a partnership with ORCA, one of the UK’s leading marine conservation charities. Silversea is assisting ORCA by helping them collect critical sightings data of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
  • Holland America Line teamed up with NOAA and the University of Alaska Southeast to offer guests a unique experience to view humpback whales and other wildlife aboard small research vessels. While guests gain an understanding of the local wildlife from guides, plankton samples, feeding patterns, and other data is collected and used to further the organizations’ understanding of the species and habitat.

In destinations worldwide, the global cruise industry works with communities to grow tourism sustainably while preserving their unique heritage and way of life.

  • In Dubrovnik, in collaboration with the Mayor’s office and the City Council, CLIA Cruise Lines were instrumental in developing new measures to alleviate significant tourism flow issues.
  • In Alaska, CLIA Cruise Lines meet more stringent waste water requirements than communities on land; lines also support local environmental efforts and operate vessels to higher environmental standards in sensitive Alaskan waters.
  • In Santorini, the cruise industry is cooperating with local authorities to ensure the success of a new ship arrival management system that will spread the flow of tourists visiting the island.

If you’d like to find out more about which cruise lines are making sustainability commitments and how you can choose a cruise that will have a positive economical and environmental impact then please give us a call on 01225 744992 or email info@silvercompass.co.uk

Venice is one of the most famous cities in the world, renowned for romance, beauty and the uniqueness of its canal system. On the flipside, it often gets tarnished with stories of over-tourism and poor-quality food and drink, however having just returned from a few days exploring, I can safely say that I’m in love with the city. If you’d like to incorporate Venice into a cruise itinerary, here are a few of my tips for having a great time.

  • Choose an itinerary that starts or ends in Venice and spend a some time on the island before or after your cruise. There are many cities that you can enjoy in a day or two, but Venice isn’t one of them. It’s an extremely diverse place that takes time to truly appreciate and while the district of San Marco and its square are a must visit, this isn’t where the true magic of the city is.
  • Walk as much as you can. Of course Venice is magnificent from the water but you can spend hours taking in the beauty and the culture on foot. Of course you still always have the option of a boat trip if you need rest your legs. Avoid the crowded San Marco area during the day, particularly at the weekend, and go to some of the lesser known areas before heading to San Marco in the evening
  • Indulge in a Spritz whenever you get the chance! The Venetian Spritz has been made much more popular in the UK in recent years by Aperol, but it really is an institution in Venice. Equal parts Prosecco and ‘Aperitivo’ topped up with Soda Water, for the Aperitivo choose from Aperol, Campari, Cynar or my personal favourite ‘Select’ from Venice itself.
  • Eat Cicchetti whenever you drink a Spritz! Cicchetti is the local speciality in Venice, small plate dishes which are designed to eat informally with a Spritz or glass of wine. A particular local speciality is to top a small slice of Italian bread with a recipe made with local fish. To be honest there’s no need for lunch, I’d suggest a Spritz and Cicchetti stop every couple of hours to rest your legs, Wine Bar 5000 in San Severo is my top tip!
  • Visit Murano and Burano for beautiful tranquillity. Two separate islands from the main part of the city which are easily reachable by boat and show a completely different side to Venice. Murano is famous for its glassblowing and this is evident all over the island, while Burano is particularly peaceful and eye catching.
  • Venture to the Giardini della Biennale on the main island. Again away from the main tourist areas, this is an area of parkland which is completely different from the rest of the city. Another much more tranquil area which plays host to the Venice Biennale Arts Festival, dubbed by some as the Olympics of the art world.

Venice is a magnificent city which is at its best if you do some prior research and really get off the beaten track to explore. If you’d like any further recommendations or to discuss potential travel plans then please don’t hesitate to call on 01225 744992 or email me at ben@silvercompass.co.uk.