Galway Advertiser 2009/GA_2009_03_05/GA_0503_E1_081.pdf 

Extracted text

March 5 2009

L I F E STYLE

81

BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH UNA SINNOTT

Take a cruise
Fahy Travel and Royal Caribbean to hold cruise day next week
Cruising is the fastest growing holiday market in recent years and with the fantastic value, a wide range of facilities, and the choice of ships it's not hard to understand why. For h o n e y m o o n e r s , holidaymakers, and young and lively families cruising has something to offer everyone. Meet the cruise representative at Fahy Travel on March 10 and find out for yourself. The key to getting the most from your cruise holiday is to make sure you are matched to the correct cruise company and ship. Obviously the itinerary will be very important to you but there are several cruise companies in the market catering for very different types of passenger. As with choosing your holiday resort and hotel accommodation, you can choose from the small and intimate, to the refined, to the razzmatazz of the super liners. Royal Caribbean is a market leader when it comes to variety, innovation, standards, and service. If long flights to the US don't appeal the company now operates a full programme in the Mediterranean. Cruise itineraries start at around 700 per person for an upper deck outside cabin in June. For 100 a day you are offered full board which includes several dining options -- fine dining in the main dining room, all day buffet in the Windjammer, or Johnny Rocket's diner for a totally casual evening. From breakfast to morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and late night barbecue on deck, not to mention the pizza parlour and ice cream bar, you could eat your way through a cruise holiday. There is a full daily activity programme for adults and children. A daily newsletter is left in each cabin with a timetable for the following day, and includes `walk a mile' early morning stroll on deck, cookery demonstrations, wine tasting, and art auctions to mention a few. From toddlers to teenagers there are activity plans for seven different age groups including sports tournaments, talent shows, karaoke contests, play areas, and a `teen only' nightclub. The evening entertainment is second to none with live musical stage productions, glittering ice shows, comedy, and live music ranging from country to classical in the many bars throughout the ship. Try your luck in Casino Royale or visit the cinema and catch up on the latest movies. To help you work off all the excesses and ensure full relaxation all ships feature a day spa and fitness centre with the most advanced beauty treatments and gym equipment available. Work out in the gym while enjoying a view of the ocean as you move from port to port or join an aerobics or yoga class. If this is not enough to occupy you, onboard activities include rock climbing, mini golf and golf simulator, in line skating track, ice skating rink, flow rider, an onboard surf park, library, sports court, whirlpools, and chapel, depending on the ship.

Ports of call
There are a full range of excursions available at every port of call, from sightseeing to shopping to watersports activities. They can be booked online in advance of travel to save disappointment. Shore excursions range from approx 35 to 75 for half and full day depending on the itinerary. If this is too much, then relax on board and do nothing at all! Cruising is a favourite holiday among staff at Fahy Travel and all senior sales staff have personal experience of cruising; Lynne and Maura have sailed the Splendour of the Seas ex Venice, Teresa sailed the Caribbean on the Freedom and has won the Top Sales Consultant in the Worldchoice group. Ann and Lynne attended the launch of the Freedom in Southampton and Karen and Caroline were at the launch of the Independence of the Seas last year. Helena and Lorraine were at the launch of the Solstice, Royal Caribbean's five-star brand Celebrity Cruise Lines, in November. The company is currently building the largest ever cruise ship, the Oasis of the Seas. It is

scheduled to depart on its maiden voyage in December 2009. The Oasis of the Seas will be a staggering 40 per cent bigger than the world's current largest cruise ship, longer than four football pitches, significantly higher than Nelson's column, and a mind boggling 220,000 tonnes If you want to hear and see more, meet the specialists at award winning travel agency Fahy Travel Worldchoice. Have all your questions answered and catch up on all the latest offers. Call Fahy Travel Worldchoice (091) 594747 and book your appointment with Jenny Rafter for March 10.

Cannes, Florence, and Rome, a day at sea, and back to Barcelona, 448 per person cruise only. March 22: The Freedom of the Seas departs on a seven night southern Caribbean cruise from Miami visiting San Juan, St Thomas, and St Marten with three days at sea, 570 per person cruise only. June 20: The best way to view the spectacular scenery of Alaska is from the sea. The Serenade departs Vancouver visiting Icy Strait Point, Tracy Arm Fjord, Skagway, Juneau, and back to Vancouver over

seven nights, 620 per person cruise only. October 9: Ever wanted to visit the Holy Land? Now you can cruise on the Vision of the Seas from Istanbul and visit Athens, Ephesus, Rhodes, Haifa, Ashdod, Port Said, and Alexandra finishing in Athens with two

days at sea, 721 per person for 10 nights cruise only. All prices are for lead in cabins, upgrades available on request For more details and bookings contact Fahy Travel Worldchoice on (091) 594747.

Cruise deals available now
If cruising is on your `list' and you have not planned a holiday for 2009 yet, Royal Caribbean have some new itineraries and are offering fantastic value plus $100 onboard credit and a bottle of champagne for any cruises booked between March 9 and 14. Here is a sample of just some of the offers available. May 4: Sail the Navigator of the Seas from Barcelona for five nights visiting

RIO DE JANEIRO
Annette Hynes www.eblanatravel.ie Tel: (091) 766 802 Email: res.info@eblanatravel.ie
Fully Government licensed and bonded Travel Agent.
7 nights 4 star hotel from 1396.00 pp

Today: Rain/Snow Showers Friday: Mostly Cloudy Saturday: Rain

WEATHER
THURSDAY FIRDAY

Information supplied by PA Weather Centre

Galway
Mostly cloudy. Rain and snow showers in the morning. A few rain showers in the afternoon.

High Tide in Galway
Thursday March 5 Friday March 6 Saturday March 7 Sunday March 8 Monday March 9 Tuesday March 10 Wednesday March 11 Thursday March 12 11.20 ** ** 01.36 02.45 03.37 04.21 05.02 05.41 23.56 13.03 14.24 15.22 16.07 16.48 17.26 18.04

More clouds than sun.

SATURDAY
Mainly cloudy and rainy.

SUNDAY
Cloudy, periods of rain.

MONDAY
Light Rain

TUESDAY
Rain

WEDNESDAY
Few Showers

Phases of the Moon
Wednesday March 11 -- full moon.