Derek Marks Blog - March & April 2011

Hello Everyone - and firstly, apologies - I'm very late with this month's update. This year is going so quickly - I guess enjoying the best of the spring sunshine is on everyone's mind.

Well, March is here and it's getting ever closer to my first cruise in June. I was re-watching my Fred Olsen Braemar DVD (which you can get free by calling the team on 0800 655 6449). I wanted to get an idea of the facilities, facts and figures on the ship I'm sailing on. I have to say the more I say the more excited I get .

Thank you to those people who have been enjoying our recent programmes and e-mailing us, it's been really interesting to see the questions that you want the answers to you before you take your first cruise. Don't forget that John and the team at the Liverpool Cruise club are there to answer any questions that you have at any time.

They been sending people on cruise holidays for well over 20 years, so they have been asked every single question. In fact, don't tell anyone but I've been asking lots of questions as well about the size of cabins, dining, entertainment, what to wear, and just all the questions that have come into my mind.

I have had one or two e-mails about disability requirements on-board cruise ships. I'm glad you have asked as it is a subject close to my heart as my mother lives with cerebral palsy which affects her mobility. It is a question that we would like to address on the tv programmes, but the answer if very individual to the ship that you are sailing on. Of course, the number one priority on board a cruise ship is safety. They do have some provision for people with mobility problems, and can indeed often cater for a limited number of wheelchair users. What I would say to you is please call the team, or email me directly and I will do my best to get the answers for you - my e-mail address is derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk

Well being countdown really has begun for me and I am very very excited and also excited about our new channel change as well. We have just been making some new programmes with a new look for April and you can keep track on the website for the new channel numbers on sky tv very shortly. We also have some other big plans which I can't tell you about at the moment , but they are very exciting indeed.

Don't forget for those of you who have taken cruise holidays before, the preview brochures for 2012 for a lot of the cruise companies are out now, so if you haven't yet had yours through the post, please make sure you call us and let us know and we will rush them out to you as quickly as we can. I do know that we are taking a huge number of bookings already for next years sailing, so please take advantage of the best deals whilst we have them for you. I'm really keen to hear from people who may have already been on a cruise this year so far, please do drop me a line and let me know how it was – because of course I have all of this to look forward to on my cruise in June.

Lovely to talk to you again, I'll be back with an even more excited update I'm sure in April!

Derek Marks
Presenter - Liverpool Cruise Club
derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk

Derek Marks Blog - February 2011

Hello everybody and welcome to this month's blog.

Sorry it’s a little bit later than planned, but I wanted to come back to you after the two cruise fairs. Thank you to all of you who came along to Southport and Liverpool. It was a really great opportunity for me to meet so many of you, and hear your many varied experience of cruise holidays. I now understand that people who have been on cruise holidays do tend to go on more and more and more. It's a great opportunity for adventure for so many people and gives you the chance to visit many different countries all on one. I got the sense that people that have worked hard for many years are enjoying the chance to kick back, relax and enjoy not only wonderful destinations – but the company of meeting people just like you.

What I did notice in particular is how fondly you seem to treasure memories of their cruise holidays. I heard many stories of new friendships developing on the ocean wave – and how the cruise holiday works so well for groups of friends, and even single people who want to enjoy being part of something special.

Many people make lifeline friends on their cruise holidays, and often meet up and go on a variety of future cruises together. Of course, that isn’t for everyone – and I met couples who also liked the fact that they could simply escape from everyday life at home and just have the time of their lives at a reasonable price. Price of cruises are very important to people – with times being tighter, people are really spending the time to make sure that they are getting value for money. I hope that in some small way that our programmes really do bring to life the genuinely fantastic opportunities that the Liverpool Cruise Club offers. For instance, this month – we bring a variety of cruise offers from P&O, Fred Olsen and MSC Cruises. You can see that we are dealing with all of the biggest names, but negotiating for the TV and for YOU the very best prices we can. Don’t forget, if you have seen offers elsewhere that it will always be worth checking out what we can offer for you – whether it’s your first cruise, or your 31st (which I know it certainly could be).

For our future programmes, I also want to bear in mind a few of the things I learn from talking to people at the cruise fairs. Some people like to know before they go on a cruise holiday and things like how many passengers the ship holds, and whether it’s more of a family or adults only cruise. I’m also aware that many people hear from friends and family about just how great a cruise holiday is, but want to take a taster to find out if it is for them. Well, don’t forget that there are always options for you.

For those of you who don't know, I'm taking my first cruise holiday with Fred Olsen on 11th June from Dover on the Braemar, which I'm looking forward to incredibly and comes highly recommended by you. In fact the more I hear your stories, the more excited I become. A big thank you to those who have been sending us e-mails and messages – we’re responding personally to all of you. In the meantime, if you have any questions or queries – you can always call the club on 0800 655 6449 or e-mail me, derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk Until we speak again in March, I wish you very well.

Derek Marks

Presenter - Liverpool Cruise Club

derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk