Cruising with a difference

Jul 7 2007 by Val Woan, Liverpool Daily Post

Val Woan travels with Fred Olsen to Iberia

I ONCE turned down the chance to go on an educational cruise. As a 13-year-old not even the lure of the eastern Med in summer sounded like fun if it involved studying as you sailed.

But now older (certainly) and wiser (maybe) Fred Olsen made me an offer I couldn't refuse - a themed cruise on The Black Prince sailing from Liverpool for Iberia.

Fred Olsen's brand of cruising often comes with a theme. So as well as enjoying all the usual onboard pastimes of say, linedancing or quizzes, there is the opportunity to further a particular interest or learn new skills.

It could be music, painting, photography, antiques or gardening - guest speakers pass on their knowledge while the theme is often extended into the trips ashore.

They have proved such a success that the company is expanding the idea by introducing special extra packages to some of its cruises.

For an add-on price, "Civilisations" will appeal to anyone who wants to delve deeper into the culture of the places they visit.

Theyinclude specialised lectures by experts in their field and excursions exclusive to Civilisations passengers.

 At present these packages are only available on Black Watch so, for now, back to the Black Prince - where, predictably, some may say, the theme for my cruise was "Wine".

The first day was at sea and as we headed south there was plenty of time for an introductory wine tasting lesson.

This was no high brow, snobby affair.

I think it is fair to say most of us were there for the drinking rather than simply tasting the selection of wines in front of us.

The increasingly giggly session eventually had "I'm getting smelly socks" rather than "citrus fruits" or "strawberries".

But I definitely came away with a much greater understanding of how and what to look for when choosing wine.

And we were able to put our newly acquired skills to good use at our ports of call.

In pretty La Rochelle we sipped a glass or two of Muscadet "just one of the many wines of France's Loire Valley" during a break in exploring its narrow streets.

In Bilbao there was Rioja - plus a trip to the amazing Guggenheim Museum. While Oporto had us visiting a port wine cellar and finally discovering what makes a good vintage.

The cruise also took in a stop at La Coruna innorthern Spain where, instead of heading for the vineyards, we took the opportunity to go to ancient Santiago de Compostela where the magnificent cathedral has the shrine to St James and is one of the three sites of Christian pilgrimage.

We had sailed from Liverpool on a cold, wet and windy spring afternoon and the weather stayed for the most part damp and chilly - there was snow in Bilbao for goodness sake!

But no-one seemed to care. The main attraction for the majority of passengers was the Black Prince and the warm welcome on board.

Compared to the newest cruise ships afloat Black Prince is tiny - just 200 or so cabins - and it doesn't have their mind-blowing range of facilities.

 But that seems to be just the way the passengers like it.

For most of the people I spoke to this was their third, fourth or more trip on the Black Prince.

 The ship is so small and intimate that after the first day you are already recognising and are at least on nodding terms with your fellow passengers.

 The crew make it their business to remember your name and go out of their way to make you feel at home - especially if you are travelling alone.

The cabins, although a little cosy for two, are comfortable and well equipped.

There is an outdoor pool with Jacuzzis and sunbathing decks and, fortunately for us, a good sized indoor pool and sauna as well.

For the more energetic there is a gym and a purpose built pontoon deck at sea level from where speedboats, inflatables, water skiing andwindsurfing are all available.

 For many people cruising means guilt free eating - and on Black Prince you can eat morning, noon and night - and at night again!

 Breakfasts that should keep you going all day - morning coffee and biscuits, afternoon tea and cakes.

I lovedthe seafood choices at the eat--as-much-as-you-wanted lunchtime buffet while dinner was a more elegant - but never too formal -five-course affair.

Actually,I never did manage all five courses - and certainly never made the midnight buffet!

Along with a library, duty free shopping, choice of bars anddecent entertainment it's no wonder Black Prince has such a loyal following - it's just like being on holiday!

We jumped ship in Oporto and while the Black Prince headed off on the three-night journey back to Liverpool we took a plane. (Missing, apparently, all the drama when, in bad weather, a window in one of the bars was smashed.)

And it was while we queued for check in; queued at security; queued to board the plane that I finally appreciated why so many people prefer to cruise from the UK.

It is far more relaxing to start and finish a holiday without the hassle of an airport - and how lucky we are then to have the port of Liverpool right on our doorstep.

* I WAS on the eight night cruise from Liverpool to Iberia in March in an outside twin cabin at a brochure price of £1,510 per person but available at Cruiseaway discount of £831. A similar cruise around Iberia will depart from Liverpoolon December 17 for 11 nights.

Prices for an inside twin from £1,740 per person but available at Cruiseaway discount of £1,131.

* Other Black Prince cruises from Liverpool visit Greenland and Iceland, the Mediterranean, Morocco, Canary Islands and transatlantic to the Orinoco.

* For enquiries and reservations contact Fred Olsen on 01473 742424. Website www.fredolsencruises.co.uk