In April, Princess Cruises announced The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton will officially name Royal Princess at the event which will take place on June 13th 2013 in Southampton. Now with the added surprise of pop sensation Natasha Bedingfield performing, it is sure to be a spectacular occasion.

Natasha Bedingfield is a famous British pop singer and songwriter who has been ranked in the top 100 Greatest Women in Music. With three successful albums under her belt, she is best known for her powerful soulful voice and much loved pop anthems. Her list of music awards is endless including, TMF Best International New Artist, BT Digital Music Awards Best Pop Artist and over seven BRIT and Grammy Award nominations.

Her most recent success is being a guest judge on the New Zealand version of The X Factor alongside her brother Daniel Bedingfield, also a successful pop artist.

Paul Ludlow, UK Director of Princess Cruises said “We are delighted that Natasha will be joining us at the naming celebrations. Her music will add a contemporary twist to the traditional elements of the ceremony along with a few other surprises.”

The naming ceremony will be the highlight of a week of celebrations to welcome the ship into service. Royal Princess will arrive into Southampton on 7th June and stay there until 16th June hosting an array of special events and celebrations. In addition to Natasha Bedingfield’s performance the naming ceremony will feature many British ship-naming traditions, including a blessing of the vessel, a performance by The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and The Duchess of Cambridge breaking the champagne bottle.

When the celebrations come to a close Royal Princess will depart on her maiden voyage to Barcelona and then continue to sail the Mediterranean, before heading to the Caribbean in Autumn.

Days after completing the London Marathon in glamorous style Welsh opera star Katherine Jenkins has been announced to be the mystery celebrity who will appear on 2 mini cruises on P&O’s Oriana.

Katherine Jenkins is a popular opera singer who has become loved for her theatre performances, operatic versions of popular songs and world class shows. Katherine became most popular in 2003 when she sang at Westminster Cathedral in honour of Pope John Pauls II’s silver jubilee. Following this she has continued her success and won many prestigious awards and released many number 1 albums. Her latest achievements include finishing second in last year’s US television show ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and last week completing the London Marathon in memory of her late father.

This exciting news has been released by P&O Cruises today and they can confirm she will perform on two mini cruises on the Oriana. The ship provides the perfect setting for an intimate and exclusive experience of the operatic sounds of Katherine. Carol Marlow, Managing Director of P&O Cruises stated “These short breaks provide the opportunity for an indulgent weekend of fine dining, pampering in the spa, time to explore the ports, rounding it all off with a very special performance from the world’s most prolific classical crossover artist Katherine Jenkins.”

Guests will have the opportunity to be among the first to see Katherine in her debut on board performances on two dates, the first will be a 3 night cruise on 31st October, 2013 and the second will be a 4 night cruise on 27th November, 2013 . Both cruises will leave from Southampton with stops at the stunning cities of Bruges and Amsterdam. Cruises will go on sale on 1st May but are available for pre-registration now. Prices start from £399 pp.

Speaking at a press conference in New York, Royal Caribbean President Adam Goldstein announced some of the features of the new vessel, which includee an outdoor skydiving simulator and the North Star — a viewing pod that raises 300ft above the ship on an extending arm.

The emphasis of the new ship will be to push the existing boundaries of the cruise industry — a "quantum leap" in creativity and design. The layout of the cabins is designed to appeal to the cruise line’s expanding customer base, offering single cabins with balconies for solo travellers, and sophisticated family suits for multi-generational groups.

Fun is the first priority on Quantum, with the corporate leadership of Royal Caribbean appearing at the press conference in bumper cars that will feature on the ship. The sports area includes a large basketball court and circus training facilities.

The Godmother of the ship is actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth, who said she was thrilled to be part of the project. “It makes me want to go on the ship and be a part of it. The ship spans all ages and I know my parents and niece and nephew would love it”.

Lisa Bauer, Royal Caribbean executive VP for global sales and marketing says of the Quantum's godmother: “She personifies what we think the ship stands for and will be a great ambassador for our newest ship”.

By Bernard Goyder

© Iglucruise.com

Thomson Cruises have released the names of their forthcoming Guest Speakers for 2014. Football fans will be attracted by the legend that is Sir Geoff Hurst, England’s 1966 World Cup hero and the only man in history to score a hat-trick in a world cup final. The footballer appears on the MS Thomson Spirit cruise to Iceland and Norway in August and September 2014.

Edwina Currey, novelist, television personality and former MP, will be aboard the Icelandic Encounter cruise from the 15th May 2014 to give you the inside story of her political career.

The TV naturalist Nick Baker will give a zoological flavour to July’s Arctic Ocean cruise from New Castle to frozen north. The Thomson Sprit will venture to the Svalbard capital of Longyearbyen, with wildlife watchers on board on the lookout for polar bears, arctic foxes, whales, dolphins and walruses.

Eddy ‘the Eagle’ Edwards, team GB’s famous ski jumping sensation from the 1988 Calgary Olympics, appears on the Baltic Highlights cruise in August 2014. Despite all the odds, Eddy managed to compete in the Olympic ski jumping competition, becoming an unlikely cult hero in the process. You can hear his remarkable story by booking the Thomson Spirit’s Baltic itinerary, departing on August 3rd 2014.

Classical music fans will be pleased by the appearance of veteran music scholar and broadcaster Humphrey Burton CBE, who joins the Thomson Spirit in June 2014. Thespians are also well represented in Thomson’s forthcoming itinerates, with Lisa Goddard and Billy Murray also due to join the ship next summer. Finally, the aptly named jockey Bill Champion MBE, who won the 1981 Grand National, will appear on the Baltic Flavours cruise in September 2014.

Thomson Cruises have collected a stellar line-up of interesting people to entertain their guests next year, from football World Cup winner Geoff Hurst, to heroic Winter Olympic failure Eddie ‘the Eagle’.

Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort
© Iglucruise

It is the first time an Oasis class ship has offered European itineraries. She will offer a handful of sailing from Barcelona in September, before heading to Holland for some routine maintenance. Oasis of the Seas will then cruise from Southampton 15th October 2014 on her way back to the US.

Jo Rzymowska, Associate Vice President and General Manager for Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland said: "Oasis of the Seas sailing from Southampton is going to be the hottest ticket in town. Bringing the world’s largest cruise ship to Europe, and specifically the UK and Southampton, is testament to the commitment to selling cruise demonstrated by our trade partners."

The 225,282 tonne ship, carrying up to 6,400 passengers at full capacity, dwarfs anything sailing in Europe currently — she is 40% larger than any to to ever dock in the UK. Oasis European sailings will offer a truly unique experience, whether sailing around the Med, from Barcelona to Holland, or onboard either of the repositioning Transatlantic cruises.

Oasis of the Seas European and UK sailings will go on sale 11th April 2013 with pre-registration available from today. Itineraries and sail dates will be confirmed within the coming days.

Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort
© Iglucruise

Pre-registration starts today and the first bookings for P&O Cruises' 2014/15 season are due to open 5th April 2013.

For the 2014/15 season, P&O Cruises have combined their usual favourites, such as the Med from Southampton and Caribbean fly-cruises, with some new itineraries. As well as Ventura's maiden Med-fly cruise season, Adonia will be offering a selection of exciting "discovery" ports. P&O's small cruise liner will cruise into the heart of Seville and Bordeaux as well as visiting Kiel during the "Kiel Week" festival.

P&O Cruises have also announced that the popular Strictly Come Dancing cruises will be back in their new brochure and they will also be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Music Festival at Sea programme. 2014 and 2015 will also see P&O Cruises continue to offer a selection of cruises filled with celebrity chefs such as Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar, as well as guest appearances from the Glass House's very own Olly Smith — the eccentric wine expert.

P& O Cruises are offering a 5% early booking discount on all sailings departing from April 2014, they are also offering 5% discount to past passengers and a further 5% to Peninsular Club Members on selected savings. The discounts will be applied after each saving, for example 5%, then 5%, then a further 5% as opposed to 15% of the cruise fare.

• 5% Early Booking Savings
• 5% Discount For Past Passengers
• Ventura's Maiden Med Fly Cruise Season
• Strictly Come Dancing & Celebrity Chef Sailings
• Vantage Fare Benefits
• Free In Port Shuttle Buses, When Provided By P&O Cruises

With P&O Cruises' Vantage Fare passengers booking onto the new 2014/15 programme will enjoy great benefits, such as free onboard spend, car parking or coach transfers. Ventura's Med fly-cruises for the 2014/15 season are starting at £749 pp, so get in quickly for the best sailings.

Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort
© Iglucruise

Pre-registration starts today and the first bookings for Cunard Lines' 2014/15 season are due to open 9th April 2013.

The big news that everyone is excited about is the three Queens — Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria — meeting in Southampton on 9th May 2014 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of QM2. Though the plans are yet to be announced, expect a fun fair, high profile guests and a festival-like atmosphere as the three ships meet and sail down the Solent together.

As part of the celebrations Queen Mary 2 will be offering two birthday crossings from Southampton to New York and back, along with a selection of 8 day Transatlantic sailings calling at Halifax.

Cunard also have another big celebration planned for 2014, the 100th Anniversary of Aquitania. Queen Victoria is offering a special British Isles which includes an overnight call in Liverpool on 30th May 2014 in commemoration of Aquitania's maiden voyage. Queen Victoria will be sailing from Southampton throughout 2014.

Queen Elizabeth is also set for an exciting year, with Cunard's first ever full season of Med fly cruises in 2014. She will depart from Rome, Venice and Athens offering cruises to the western, central and eastern Mediterranean. In December she will also offer two short cruises to the Christmas markets in Bruges and Amsterdam before heading to the Atlantic Isles for Christmas and New Year.

• Three Queens In Southampton 9th May 2014
• Queen Mary 2's 10th Anniversary
• Aquitania's 100th Anniversary Cruise Onboard Queen Victoria
• 5% Early Booking Savings
• 5% Past Passenger Discount
• Free In Port Shuttle Buses, When Provided By Cunard Line

With Cunard offering 5% early booking discount and the great benefits of their Vantage Fares, such as their price promise and a choice of onboard spend, car parking or coach transfers, getting in early for the best sailings will be vital. Cunard are also offering an additional 5% discount, which will be applied after the inital savings. Queen Mary 2's 10th Anniversary sailing on 9th May 2014 start at £1229 pp.

Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort
© Iglucruise

Thomson are offering three cruises from Liverpool in 2014 offering varied itineraries and destinations. The inaugural cruise is a seven night cruise visiting Dublin, Cork Galway, Greenock and Douglas. There longest cruise is a 10 night holiday to Iceland calling at; Akureyri, Isafjord, Reykjavik, Kirkwall, Portree and Belfast. There is also a three night mini cruise calling at Edinburgh and finishing in Newcastle.

2014 boasts new Arctic ports of call with the Thomson Spirit head to Longyearbyen & Ny Alesund in Spitsbergen and the Magdalema Fjord in Norway. Thomson have also added Haugesund, Alta, Bronnoysund and Leknes in Norway as new destinations.

Other new itineraries from Thomson Cruises in 2014 include the Best of British — a seven night cruise from Newcastle calling at Falmouth, Waterford, Dublin, Tobermory, and Kirkwall. Their Fire & Ice cruise, visiting Stornoway, Reykjavik, Isafjord, Akureyri, Lerwick, Bergen, Ulvik, and Eidfjord from Harwich. Thomson Spirit will also be offering two sailings to the Baltic capitals.

The last piece of exciting news from Thomson Cruises, is their adult-only sailings in 2014. These five cruises onboard Thomson Spirit offer the Baltic, North Cape, Fjords and the Med across a variety of dates and sail from Harwich or Newcastle.

To celebrate the launch of their 2014 Ex-UK programme, Thomson Cruises are offering free parking or coach transfers and £100 of onboard spend (per couple) on all Thomson Spirit sailings between May and September 2014 when booked before 30th June 2013.

Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort
© Iglucruise

Cuba is an incredible destination that feels like you have just walked into the '50s. The old cars, vibrant culture and world famous salsa dancing really add to the charm of Havana, along with the country's stunning scenery. As the home of the Mojito and Pina Colada, a trip to the Havana Club distillery is a must. The Cuban cigar factory tour and a trip to Ernest Hemingway's former hangouts also add to the experience.

After visiting Cuba's most famous city and taking in the sunshine and culture, you will cruise around the country's coastline, archipelago islands and one or two Caribbean hot spots — filling your cruise with culture and scenery.

Star Clipper will be heading to Cuba throughout February and March next year, with the inaugural cruise including a trip through the Panama Canal and the final sailing including St. Maarten in the Caribbean. All the sail date are:

• 30th January 2014, 17 nights from £3,089pp
• 13th February 2014, 11 nights from £2,299pp
• 20th February 2014, 11 nights from £2,245pp
• 27th February 2014, 11 nights from £2,245pp
• 6th March 2014, 11 nights from £2,245pp
• 13th March 2014, 11 nights from £2,245pp
• 26th March 2014, 14 nights from £2,909pp

Star Clippers offer a wonderfully luxurious experience onboard their elegant modern incarnation of the traditional tea clipper ships. The charming wooden clippers are an entirely different world from the typical glamour of 5* cruising and offer a truly once in a lifetime luxury experience at sea.

Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort
© Iglucruise

In a brilliant opportunity to be hosted and entertained by Britain’s premier wine critic, Clarke will run workshops, lectures and lead wine tasting events for the duration of the cruise. Enthusiastic about the prospect of the wine cruise, Oz Clarke told the blogger Captain Greybeard: "I can't wait to take my passion for wine to the high seas. Not only am I looking forward to learning more about the impressive wine selections, bars and restaurants from Celebrity Cruises, I'm also keen to talk to fine food and wine fans, share my knowledge... whilst having a great time onboard the ship. The chance to sail between some of Europe's best known wine regions, relaxing with a glass in hand, is just too good to turn down."

Oz Clarke is a hero among wine professionals for his informative approach to wine tasting. He is famous for encouraging the popularity of New World wines in the '80s and '90s and was allegedly banned from the Champagne region for suggesting the regional bubbly was becoming more expensive and less good.

The wine cruise special is onboard the newly refurbished Celebrity Infinity. Departing from Harwich, the first night of the cruise sails to Le Havre, the access point for the wine regions of France. The options for excursions in Northern France include a cheese tasting expedition to Pays d’Auge in Normandy, the home of Camembert, a romantic interlude Paris or a daytrip to the rolling hills of Champagne. The next port of call is Bordeaux, perhaps the most famous wine city of them all, with a chance to tour the vineyards of South-West France. Next the Infinity heads to Bilbao on the Basque coast, home of the stunning Guggenheim museum, with excursions to the Rioja region, before continuing around the Iberian coast to Portugal.

The newly modernized Celebrity Infinity has benefitted from a $140 million invested in the vessel, which now boasts updated décor throughout the ship, new bars and restaurants and an expanded art collection. The ship’s Cellar Masters bar is the perfect place to try some of your favourite wines discovered in the vineyards.

We are offering an astonishing deal on the Oz Clarke wine cruise and the other Celebrity wine cruises, with inside cabins available from £799 pp. Valid only until the 28th of February, Iglu are offering a free upgrade to the All Inclusive package, worth £400. We are also paying half the gratuities if you pre-pay them at the time of booking.

Written by Bernard Goyder
© Iglucruise.