When is a cruise ship not a cruise ship? My son’s epic weekend away………..

Middle son, who works as a software developer for an IT house, has just been on a weekend ‘jolly’ with the company he works for, an annual event which this year really caught my attention as the accommodation was on a ship. That said, I had never come across it before and I’m sure you probably haven’t either.

The 5* luxury purpose built yacht is permanently moored in the harbour in Gibraltar, which is aptly named Ocean Village.

The Sunborn Gibraltar is 142 ft long and offers 189 beautiful rooms (cabins?), banqueting and conference suites, bars, a cocktail lounge, fine-dining restaurants, a pool, spa and sun deck. Looking at the photos and also from talking to Rhys, this floating hotel is on a par with any of the 6* cruise lines and is ideally situated for a weekend away. Add into the equation the recently opened airport in Gibraltar which welcomes flights from many UK airports, a transfer time of about two minutes and hey presto – take-off to drinks terrace in under three hours!

I have to say, the photos are stunning. Rhys certainly had a weekend to remember, although how much of it he can remember I’m not sure! Apart from the ship itself, the location is perfect. The group trekked 426 metres up the Rock and also enjoyed a dolphin spotting boat trip – with a mad German at the helm so I’m told. This was followed by a cocktail making session which Rhys remembers turning up to but not much more after that….!

All in all a good weekend was had and plans are already in place for a trip next year. I have to say that lovely as it sounds, and looks, I would miss the actual cruising, the gentle hum of the engines and feel of the ocean.

Obviously this probably won’t be a ‘cruise’ to interest real cruisers so if you would like to talk about proper cruises please feel free to give me a call on 0330 303 8184 between 9 – 4pm daily and I will be more than happy to chat to you.