This time next week, I will have most likely just checked-in and just stepped aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Escape in Southampton. I will be embarking on 1 night taster cruise on board, joined by my father on this particular occasion. We're both really excited to be amongst the first guests on board the brand new ship! As many of you will no doubt be aware, earlier this month I completed my drawing of Norwegian Escape. Captain Evans Hoyt will be in command of the new ship, who my father and I previously met in April 2013 during our ship visit aboard Norwegian Breakaway in Southampton. I've been in touch with the Captain, via social media and asked about presenting my drawing to him. He's happy for me to do so, we just haven't officially confirmed anything yet, so hopefully once aboard everything just works out and falls into place perfectly. I know that some of you reading this will be aboard, so look forward to hopefully bumping into you somewhere around the ship. If you see me or my father be sure to come over and say "Hello!". As always, upon our return I will be putting together a blog, featuring our time on board and presentation of my drawing as well as an extensive ship visit review. ENDS
For more information please Contact Us on the following details below Harry Cotterill, Chairman & Artist, Cruise Cotterill Mobile: +44 (0)77789 40245 E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk
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On 05 September, 2015 I had the opportunity to visit Holland America Line's Ryndam at Harwich International Port during one of her final cruises from the United Kingdom. On this occasion I was joined aboard by Gavin, who as always assisted me and did a great job taking the photographs for our ship visit review. Soon after boarding we were met by Show Host, Michael Spears who welcomed us aboard and escorted us to Deck 10 just outside the entrance to the bridge. A short while later Captain Mark Rowden came to meet us and invited Gavin and I to join him on the bridge. Whilst on the bridge I was given the opportunity to officially present my drawing. The Captain was very impressed and sounded keen to keep the drawing for himself! As many of you will know, Ryndam is leaving the Holland America Line fleet and will be joining the P&O Cruises Australia fleet as of November 2015. As a result the drawing could not be kept on board. As Ryndam was leaving, I was of course very keen to get aboard and also present a drawing, knowing I would never have the opportunity again. Thankfully Holland America Line were kind enough to allow us to visit and arrange the drawing presentation too. After presenting my drawing to the Captain, Gavin and I were taken on a guided tour of the ship with Michael, who did a fantastic job of showing us many of the public areas on board. Overall we were fairly impressed with the amenities on board, some more than others, but you'll be able to read more in our ship visit review. See the link at the bottom of this blog! As we walked through the various amenities it was somewhat strange to know that over the next few months the ship would be completely transformed. I am sure the Ryndam has a bright future ahead with P&O Cruises Australia. I want to extend my thanks to Holland America Line for allowing Gavin and I to visit Ryndam. I would also like to thank Captain Mark Rowden and Show Host, Michael Spears for making us feel so very welcome during our visit on board. ENDS
For more information please Contact Us on the following details below Harry Cotterill, Chairman & Artist, Cruise Cotterill Mobile: +44 (0)77789 40245 E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk When I woke up today I did not expect to book another cruise, especially when I already have four to look forward to. But yes you guessed it, I did just that. I booked another! I simply couldn't resist. So what have we booked? Well, I received an email earlier today about two news sailings on board Royal Caribbean International's brand new Harmony of the Seas, which is scheduled to debut in May 2016. These two new 3 night and 4 night cruises, departing from and returning to Southampton were just too temping. After looking at the itinerary and prices, I called Gavin and asked him if he was free on these dates. Thankfully his diary was clear. (It isn't now!) So I contacted our preferred travel agent, Reader Offers Ltd and discussed the prices and options we had. In the end I opted for the 4 night cruise, which departs Southampton on 22 May, 2016. We have a day at sea, before visiting Rotterdam and then there is another day at sea on the way back. So there should be plenty of time for us to explore the world's largest cruise ship! We hope to see some of you on board. ENDS
For more information please Contact Us on the following details below Harry Cotterill, Chairman & Artist, Cruise Cotterill Mobile: +44 (0)77789 40245 E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk Later today I intend on starting work on my drawing of Norwegian Cruise Line's newest and largest ship, Norwegian Escape. The 164,400 ton ship is due to debut next month, with her first cruise leaving Hamburg, Germany on October 25. The huge vessel is schedule to arrive in Southampton, UK on October 27. My father and I will be boarding Norwegian Escape in Southampton, joining the new ship for a 1 night taster cruise. We're both really looking forward to it! I know many of my fellow cruise industry colleagues will be on board, so if you see us be sure to say "Hello". Back to the drawing... it is something I have both been really looking forward to but dreading at the same time, for quite a while. Norwegian Escape is certainly an impressively large ship, which would be difficult enough without the intricate artwork on her hull! Anyway what's life without a challenge? I've already drawn both Norwegian Breakway and Norwegian Getaway, so I am sure I can pull it off. Of course, whilst on board I will be presenting the drawing. In fact I've already been in touch with Captain Evans Hoyt, who I met on board Norwegian Breakaway in 2013. He's looking forward to seeing the drawing and accepting it during the 1 night cruise. I will be working on the drawing over the next three or four weeks. Make sure you watch our Facebook and Twitter pages closely, for updates and progress photos. ENDS
For more information please Contact Us on the following details below Harry Cotterill, Chairman & Artist, Cruise Cotterill Mobile: +44 (0)77789 40245 E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk Earlier this month I was lucky enough to have the chance to step aboard Costa Luminosa during her transit call at Harwich International Port. I was joined on board by our Cruise Ambassador, Jordan, who up until this point had never stepped aboard a Costa Cruises ship. The visit was made possible thanks to the Captain of another Costa Cruises ship, who I am in contact with via Facebook. He was able to get in touch with his colleagues aboard Costa Luminosa and ask if Jordan and I could visit. The Captain of Costa Luminosa was more than happy to have us visit. Upon boarding the ship we were taken to meet the Captain in his cabin and then enjoyed a drink with him, after presenting my drawing in the theatre. Jordan and I were both presented with a model of the ship too! The Captain was very impressed with the drawing and was keen to ask plenty of questions about how I drew it. He informed me that he already had an idea where he might display it. After spending well over an hour with the Captain, he went back to his duties and let us tour the ship ourselves. Jordan and I explored most of the passenger amenities on board Costa Luminosa and both of us were very impressed with the ship. We even enjoyed lunch on board before disembarking. We are both very much looking forward to our first cruise with Costa Cruises in the near future, probably! ENDS
For more information please Contact Us on the following details below Harry Cotterill, Chairman & Artist, Cruise Cotterill Mobile: +44 (0)77789 40245 E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk Did you know from 19 - 27 September 2015 it is 'National Cruise Week' in the UK? The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) are urging travel agents to use social media throughout the week and will be using #CLIACruiseFest. Many of the leading cruise line partners have put together special offers and savings for Cruise Week. You can see some of them showcased below. For more information below please visit www.cruiseexperts.org. Up to $150 on-board credit on offer with Carnival Cruise Lines
Half price fares for second passengers and complimentary drinks packages with Celebrity Cruises Autumn special deals with Cruise & Maritime Voyages Cruise & Maritime Voyages
2015 cruise itineraries at £50 per person per night for an inside twin cabin with Fred. Olsen
Receive up to $400 to spend on-board with Holland America To celebrate Cruise Week
Free balcony upgrades with MSC Cruises
£35 complimentary spending money with Norwegian Cruise Line
Buy one get one half off or 50% off on selected itineraries with Royal Caribbean
Win a VIP experience with Voyages of Discovery
For further information about CLIA Cruise Week visit cruiseexperts.org or visit your local travel agent. ENDS
For more information please Contact Us on the following details below Harry Cotterill, Chairman & Artist, Cruise Cotterill Mobile: +44 (0)77789 40245 E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk Unfortunately our ship visit aboard MSC Splendida in Southampton later this week has been cancelled. We received an email from MSC Cruises earlier today, which informed us that the visit will sadly no longer be taking place due to adverse maritime conditions in Northern Europe and strong winds. MSC Cruises UK said: It is a shame that the ship visit has been cancelled and that myself and Gavin will no longer be visiting the ship, but we can of course understand why the visit has been cancelled. In fact, it might actually be fate... As many of you will be aware, Gavin and I are booked on a 7 night cruise aboard MSC Splendida next year. When we had the chance to visit the ship, we weren't sure if we should visit or not, or wait until our cruise, that way it would be a complete surprise for both of us! Now it is going to be anyway. So the first time we will see and step aboard MSC Splendida will be next September when we embark on our cruise. We can't wait! ENDS
For more information please Contact Us on the following details below Harry Cotterill, Chairman & Artist, Cruise Cotterill Mobile: +44 (0)77789 40245 E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk Earlier today myself and our Non-Executive Director, Gavin Pamment took a trip down to Harwich to watch Holland America Line's Ryndam depart Harwich International Port for the final time. Departing Harwich the ship will spend 49 nights on route to Singapore, before then heading down to Australia where along with her sister Statendam, will be join the P&O Cruises Australia fleet. Gavin and I had the pleasure of visiting Ryndam last weekend whilst she was berthed at Harwich International Port. We hope to have our ship visit review and blog reporting from the ship visit and presentation of my drawing online in the next few weeks! ENDS
For more information please Contact Us on the following details below Harry Cotterill, Chairman & Artist, Cruise Cotterill Mobile: +44 (0)77789 40245 E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk September is turning out to be a busy month for us, packed with ship visits. Next week, Gavin and I are due to visit MSC Cruises' MSC Splendida in Southampton. As some of you might be aware, we're actually booked on a 7 night cruise aboard the ship in September 2016. We wanted to visit the ship beforehand to see what we can expect from our upcoming cruise, but also to share the stunning ship with all of you. This will be Gavin's first experience of MSC Cruises, whilst I have previously visited MSC Lirica and MSC Magnifica. On this particular occasion I will not be presenting a drawing on board to the Captain like with my many other ship visits and previous ship visits with MSC Cruises. Instead I intend to hopefully present a drawing on board next year during our cruise. We are really very excited about our forthcoming ship visit aboard MSC Splendida, as what we've seen so far online and in brochures looks truly breathtaking. We cannot wait to step aboard! Make sure you keep a look out for our ship visit review upon our return and remember to follow along on Facebook and Twitter too. ENDS
For more information please Contact Us on the following details below Harry Cotterill, Chairman & Artist, Cruise Cotterill Mobile: +44 (0)77789 40245 E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk I'm happy to announce that on Saturday 05 September, 2015 I will be visiting Holland America Line's Ryndam at Harwich International Port. Joining me on board for the visit will be our Non-Executive Director, Gavin. As some of you may be aware Ryndam has been in the Holland America Line fleet since 1994, but will be transferring to the P&O Cruises Australia fleet very soon. I was very keen to do all that I could to visit the ship before ending her time with Holland America Line. Thankfully Holland America Line so kindly accepted my request to visit the ship and present a drawing on board before the ship leaves the fleet. We are due to board the ship at 10:00 and will hopefully be meeting the Captain to present my drawing followed by a complete tour of the passenger areas on board. Remember to keep a look out for our ship visit review following our visit on board. ENDS
For more information please Contact Us on the following details below Harry Cotterill, Chairman & Artist, Cruise Cotterill Mobile: +44 (0)77789 40245 E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk |
Harry CotterillHarry Cotterill set up his blog when he was just 16-years old, making him one of the youngest cruise bloggers in the world. In later years he became known across the world for his amazing talent of drawing cruise ships! Blog Archive
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