The Big Day Is Finally Upon Us!

I cannot believe it, but the big day is finally here! Yes it’s the 25^th December, although I have cheated a little bit, as much as I love my job I am writing this on the 19^th December as I am about to go on annual leave until the new year so firstly I wanted to take the opportunity to wish all my passengers, be it old or new or even those of you that are reading this that have never booked with me a Very Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year and that 2018 is filled with lots of Fun and of course many Cruises fitted in.

2017 has been a bit of a funny year. Not the most positive to say the least, what with the Hurricanes in the Caribbean and the United States, Typhoons in Japan and rather recently the Volcano in Bali, weather aside, we have had the issues with Ryan Air and Monarch going in to administration. Then with the problems on the Oriana forcing P&O to cancel her 50-night voyage in January.

But on the upside, we have seen the addition of a forth ship to join the Cunard Fleet, MSC Expanding by the massively, I think with over 10 new ships to join the fleet and the long awaited details on the new Celebrity Edge, and of course this time next year she will be afloat and doing her maiden season in the Caribbean before sailing for the UK to do a season in the Med for 2019.

So what have we got to look forward to in 2018, quite a few new ships with Royal Caribbean bringing out the fourth Oasis Class ship with Symphony of the Seas, Norwegian Cruise Lines have the Norwegian Bliss, MSC bringing out the MSC Seaside and of course the long awaited Celebrity Edge from almost a few, looking further ahead to 2019 and 2020 highlights will be Celebrity Beyond – Edge’s Sister, P&O will bring out there biggest ship yet at 180,000 gross tons – just under 30,000 gross tons bigger than the Britannia, Princess will have the Sky Princess,              Royal Caribbean will have the unnamed Quantum 4 ship and MSC are due to bring out 4 new ships within that time.

My only personally concern, other than the Edge Class, all of these new ships are bigger and bolder than the ones that come before – don’t get me wrong – I love all the new technology but is bigger really better? What are your thoughts?

Well other than that, I will let you get back to opening those presents and having some Christmas Turkey.

Have a Very Magical Christmas, and I look forward to speaking to you in 2018.

Thanks as always, Tom