LUXURY CRUISE TESTIMONIALS

Andrea

24 August 2011

Dear Tony,
 
Thank you for all your help making our holiday truly amazing!  Celebrity Cruises was a trip to remember.  Our entire family enjoyed every minute of the beautiful Equinox and the sights around the Mediterranean!  Also, thank you for the bottle of Champagne!  We will think of The Luxury Cruise Company and remember our lovely vacation while we drink it:-)
 
Warmest regards,
Andrea

Consultant: Tony Stephenson

Read more about Tony Stephenson

Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises

Robinia and Terry

16 August 2011

Dear Cathy,   Thank you very much for the surprise bottle of Asti Spumante we received on day four of our cruise, and also for the very generous bottle of South African sparkling wine received the day after coming home - how thoughtful.   We have both been very impressed with the overall handling of our booking by The Luxury Cruise Company and in particular with your assistance and management of our telephone enquiries at the outset and also in the lead up to the cruise itself.

Consultant: Cathy Chesman

Read more about Cathy Chesman

Cruise line: Oceania Cruises

Mr and Mrs Topping

15 August 2011

Hi Jacqui

Thank you for the sterling job you did in arranging our Oceania Marina Cruise. We would also like to thank you for the gift in our stateroom on board and the bottle of Champagne on our return home. Both were a surprise and very much appreciated.

The Ramada Hotel in Dover as recommended by you was great. 

Once again Jacqui We would like to thank you and the Luxury Cruise Company for your professional ,efficient, personal and friendly service. We would not hesitate to use your services in the future or to recommend you to others!  

Stephen & Sharon Topping.

Consultant: Jacqui Ridler

Read more about Jacqui Ridler

Cruise line: Oceania Cruises

Chris Ewbank

14 August 2011

Dear Janet   Just a brief note to thank you for the flowers and wine.   We had a wonderful cruise in spite of setting out in a force nine gale which frankly really did not cause us any problems on Arcadia. The Norwegian scenery is fantastic and I would advise you or anyone who has not been there before to go.   I expect to be in touch with you again soon about future prospects!   Once again many thanks for all your help.

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Colin

21 July 2011

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the Regent cruise and would also like to thank all the White Star staff and especially Tony for the excellent service that we have received.

We have already got some thoughts on which cruise we might be doing through you in 2011 and will definitely be looking to introduce friends - the wine incentive is most acceptable, but it is the service from recommendations to execution that is most important - and you certainly succeeded there!

Consultant: Tony Stephenson

Read more about Tony Stephenson

Cruise line: Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Kathryn Morris

21 July 2011

Dear Janet,

Thank you so much for the bottle of champagne and the lovely jewelry box, they were both delightful surprises. Andy and I felt that this was one of the best holidays we have ever had (and we've done some pretty spectacular trips in the past!). The Oberoi Zahra was a beautiful boat, the food was wonderful and the service unsurpassed.

The arrangements you made on our behalf for internal flights, guides and agents to assist us through the Egyptian airports and to and from the ship were excellent, they were the envy of the other English holiday makers and we have passed on your details to them. Thank you again for making our holiday so perfect.

Kind regards,

Kathryn Morris

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Cruise line: Oberoi Cruises

Mary Moore

21 July 2011

Dear Janet,

Our trip to Egypt was wonderful. All your planning was completed to perfection,
Sakkara travel, your reps, did a fabulous job with us. They were always there when expected,
The Oberoi Philae was a lovely cruise experience, Abu Simbel and all temples - amazing.
All in all, everything exceeded our expectations, and I thank you for your part in making it happen.
Wishing you the blessings of a happy and peace-filled new year.

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Cruise line: Oberoi Cruises

Carol Mellor

21 July 2011

Hi Cathy
Sorry not to get back to you sooner- just part of being back at work! Anyway we were really pleased with the cruise and would certainly go with Oceania Cruises again. The flight out went well as we got upgraded to World Travellor Plus and Marriott pulled out the stops with a nice room. The ship was great- we enjoyed our cabin although the balcony didn't get much use but the food and service were impeccable and could not be faulted. It was nice to be on a smaller boat as previously we have been on ships with 2000-2500 people. We probably would think more about Mediterranean rather the the Caribbean next time. The only thing that was disappointing was the trip home in terms of our experience at Miami airport which was an absolute dump- we always try to get to the airport in good time and checked in as recommended at 3 hours beforehand thinking that we would have a nice meal to pass the time. But when we got through security the only food outlets were a BurgerKing takeaway/Pizza Hut takeaway and a dirty grubby pub bar with no food, of course this is where airport lounges can help.

We were delighted to receive the bottle of champagne when we got back and we found that every aspect of our booking went so smoothly we were very impressed.
Regards

Carol

Consultant: Cathy Chesman

Read more about Cathy Chesman

Cruise line: Oceania Cruises

Pam Lines

20 June 2011

Dear Cathy

Just to give you some feedback - it was all excellent - well done as ever!

Flights were excellent on Virgin Upper Class and the transfer to the Hotel was there and waiting although we were late arriving due to late take off.

Hotel Santa Isabel is well worth recommending to future customers - in Old Havana, easy walking distance from most of old Havana and lovely double room suite with balcony. Breakfast good with violinists included!

La Guarida was another excellent place - looks very run down as you walk up several stairs to it but the food and alcohol was excellent. They spoke good English and it obviously has a huge history so also worth recommending to people going to Havana. They had our booking confirmed - so thank you - you would need a taxi but that was no problem.
On Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos) - amazing beach and beach side restaurant at a place called Bohio - have to taxi it but well worth a visit. All in all a very good trip although the Atlantic crossing was a bit rough at times!
Many thanks as always you have been a star!
Kindest regards
Pam

Dear Cathy,
Having sent you an email yesterday, went out and returned to find a bottle of champagne from White Star organised by you - what a wonderful surprise and a lovely gesture!
I have already given you feedback in my email of yesterday - all very positive and as you know I wouldn't go to anyone else for my cruises, flights, etc. I did pass your details on to a couple of people.

I forgot to mention that for some reason the transfer from Havana airport to the hotel was in a wonderful old American car - what a treat! Tho' for some reason the rep thought we were German! Don't know why that was but the whole transfer worked very well and was a great introduction to the city.
If you need me to do anything else, just let me know.

Kind regards
Pam

Consultant: Cathy Chesman

Read more about Cathy Chesman

John Robinson

17 June 2011

Dear Cathy

I write on behalf of my wife Jackie, Mike & Maureen O'Neill and of course, myself.

I wish to say a very big 'Thankyou' for the way your professionalism was outstanding throughout the five months from our initial booking to the actual holiday which began with the Executive Suite at Heathrow. On our arrival at Kennedy Airport we STOOD IN A QUEUE, for almost three hours in Customs, which was obviously nothing to do with yourselves, but rather tiring for four people, all in their seventies. The hotel in Manhattan was excellent and the service to be recommended.

Finally to the opulent and memorable cruise on Queen Mary 2, across the North Atlantic back to Southampton. This alone was worth the problems we encountered on the way.

As you are aware, the booking was not without its problems, I refer of course to Mr O'Neill's Visa. This was eventually overcome, after Mr O'Neill spent a day at the American Embassy in London. Your efforts to assist in that matter did not go unnoticed.

Finally, let me say once again very many thanks, on behalf of all four of us, for the way you organised this most memorable holiday. We will not hesitate to recommend your service and we most certainly will contact you when we are ready to book another fantastic trip.

We must also say a big ‘thank you' for the Champagne which you arranged and which arrived a few days after our return home.

Yours, very sincerely

John Robinson

Consultant: Cathy Chesman

Read more about Cathy Chesman

Cruise line: Cunard Cruises

David F Anderson

15 June 2011

Tony: Just got back from my trip to Egypt and cannot begin to tell you how wonderful the trip was. It was everything that you said it was and more. Not the least of which the people who met us and helped us were fantastic. Hassan France was the Sakara guide in Cairo and he could not have been anymore helpful. Will discuss more with you later. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Dave Anderson

Consultant: Tony Stephenson

Read more about Tony Stephenson

Cruise line: Oberoi Cruises

Mike Sharman

03 June 2011

Janet, at The Luxury Cruise Company in Hove Sussex, arranged a fantastic bespoke holiday for my wife's special birthday after I had torn my hair out trying to arrange it myself. The idea was to travel from Gatwick to Venice, then Rome, then Dublin, to end up in Sligo with some old friends.

Janet arranged a perfect holiday for us at a reasonable price, in fact much less than I had thought when I tried to go it alone. BA Gatwick to Venice, Limousine then boat taxi to a fantastic hotel, the Ruzzini Palace, only just around the corner from St Mark's Square. After several lovely and romantic days in Venice we transferred as before to Eurostar, 1st class train to Rome, a very comfortable and scenic journey.

The hotel in Rome, The River Palace Hotel was also excellent and close to the main and old city in Rome. Excellent tour of the Coliseum then the Vatican museum and Sistine chapel with its amazing murals.

We left Rome and flew direct to Dublin, staying in a wonderful room in the centre. The hotel is called Number 31 in 1 of 2 houses beautifully decorated and inspired by a famous local architect in the 60s. President Kennedy may have slept in my wife's bed and it is possible that Marilyn Monroe might have been on my side of the bed! You never know.

The accomodation, friendliness and breakfasts in all 3 places were excellent.

I will definitely be using Janet and The Luxury Cruise Company again.

Thank you

Mike

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Jill and Ken Brown

02 June 2011

Dear Cathy

We are writing to say a big thank you for arranging our recent cruise aboard Seabourn Legend from Monte Carlo to Civitavecchia. The organisation and arrangements were perfect.

Everything went so smoothly from beginning to end.

The hotel in Nice was absolutely first class where we were made to feel very welcome.

All our taxi drivers were very efficient, friendly and helpful, and arrived early to pick us up at every venue.

We were very surprised that all the staff on board ‘Legend' knew who we were as we embarked and always greeted us with our names when we met them. The service on board was second to none with every member of staff making us feel extremely welcome. All were very friendly and they went out of their way to ensure our needs were met.

We would especially like to mention our stewardess who looked after us extremely well and had a great sense of humour. Every evening she left something amusing in the suite.

Thank you also for the beautiful flower arrangement in our suite. It was a lovely gesture and it was a wonderful surprise to receive a bottle of champagne when we arrived home.

Yours sincerely

Jill & Ken Brown

Consultant: Cathy Chesman

Read more about Cathy Chesman

Cruise line: Yachts of Seabourn Cruises

Jonathan Glock

06 May 2011

Hi Cathy, just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the AMA Waterways Tulip Time river cruise on AMACello. It was fantastic, very well organized, the sights were lovely! The fellow passengers were great and the crew were brilliant too! It was all very posh and there was a great deal to do on the trip! The weather played its part too in making for a fabulous trip! I would be veryt interested in doing another one with the same company in due course! How was yours, did you enjoy it?

I also wanted to thank you for organizing it all and in particular for the lovely bottle of champagne I received last week, it was very welcome over the long weekend!

Anyway, hope all is well with you and I look forward to booking another cruise with AMA Waterways in the future.


All the best,

Jonathan

Consultant: Cathy Chesman

Read more about Cathy Chesman

Cruise line: Amawaterways Cruises

Caroline and Roy

06 May 2011

Hello Tony

Just to let you know that we really enjoyed our first cruise on the Silver Whisper in the Caribbean. It was everything we hoped it would be and more!

The only slight problem we had was at Chicago airport where it took us so long to get through immigration that we almost missed our connecting flight. We thought that with over 2 hours between flights that we would have had plently of time but that was not the case and it was very stressful, we just made the flight as they were closing the gate and a number of fellow passengers did miss it.

That was all forgotten when the got on the ship - it was beautiful and we were really well looked after.

We would also like to thank you for the lovely chocolates that were waiting for us in the cabin and for the champagne that arrived just after we got home. They were both much appreciated.

We will be crusing again and would like to do the Med or maybe Canada so we will be back in touch.

Once again, thanks for all your help.

Regards

Caroline & Roy

Consultant: Tony Stephenson

Read more about Tony Stephenson

Cruise line: Silversea Cruises

David & Roja

07 April 2011

Dear Janet,

As you are aware we returned from our QM2 cruise to the Caribbean early Monday morning and we are now just about shaking off the jet-lag !

Roja and I had a wonderful time from beginning to end with only the luggage colection process upon disembarktion(what a confusing melee !!) marring what overall was an excellently organised holiday thanks to yourselves and the QM2 itself.

The personalised ’touches’ that you provided were so very much apppreciated from the complimentary strawberries deliverd to our stateroom on our first day to the totally unexpected bottle of champagne that arrived last night - fanatastic !

The hotels pre & post cruise were very good and provided just the right ambience to start and finish what will remain to be one of our most memorable holidays ever ! As our first cruise we could not have asked for anything more; mind you we have started with the best (not just our oppinion but that of most of the more ’seasoned cruisers’ we met) and so will just have to stick to the QM2 in future !!

So many thanks to you personally and The Luxury Cruise Company generally for ensuring what for both of us was a special year and ensuring that the year ended as feeling extra special !

Happy New Year to you and Scott and we look forward to planning the next one !

Regards

David & Roja

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Cruise line: Cunard Cruises

07 April 2011

Dear Janet.

The holiday is over & now I am back in Tripoli, back to work & back to reality!.

Mike & I want to thank you & The Luxury Cruise Company for arranging flawlessly the most amazing River Cruise on the Danube. We enjoyed it so much, saw many wonderful towns & villages, the food was excellent & we ate too much (& returned with excess baggage on the hips!) & the Amicello staff were so kind & helpful & the service incredible.

Our only slight criticism was the organized tours. By the 4th day (Vienna Trip) we had had enough of being herded into buses & decided that it was just as easy & more convenient to do our own thing. We joined up with new friends (who had the same opinion) & ventured out by ourselves & saw everything we wanted to see. Since most stops were right into the heart of each Danube town/village it was very simple.

Perhaps you can point this out to new clients who want to join forthcoming cruises – after all there are only so many churches & cathedrals you want to see when you are on holiday!!

Many thanks too for the bottle of wine in our cabin & also for the beautiful flowers which we received at 4 Lucastes the day after we arrived – totally unexpected gifts & very welcome!.

The River Cruise is a holiday that I truly recommend to all your clients – for relaxation, good food, fun company, amazing sights to see & excellent accommodation & service on board. Definitely money well spent.

Again, Janet, many, many thanks for a wonderful 30th anniversary holiday .

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Ms Khan

07 April 2011

Dear Janet,

Many thanks again for the beautiful flowers it’s certainly a lovely and welcomed touch from Whitstar Cruises. As promised (though a little tardy) my feedback on the trip to Egypt.

Firstly I have to commend The Luxury Cruise Company and yourself Janet in particular for your excellent attention to detail, customer service focus and diligence in organising this trip that had a somewhat exacting as well as demanding itinerary. Many a commendation to you and White Star Cruises. I felt that you and your company were utmost professional and left other so called luxury travel companies well in the shade when it came to responding and fulfilling customer needs and requirements. From the organisation to the beautiful delivery box our travel documents came into certainly set the right tone which only carried on when we left and undertook our trip - which for both my parents and I was indeed a trip of a lifetime.

Our hearts are still there....even though I have travelled to Hungary and Macedonia afterwards and leave for Thailand in 2 days. Its a trip we shall always remember and we yearn to go back - few places can beat Egypt but the world is a big place to see also. I’ll certainly recommend The Luxury Cruise Company as you know how to organise trips with the professional excellence the discerning traveller requires. Overall a simply out of this world experience and trip from start to finish.

Thank you so much for enabling us to have such a memorable, joyous and special holiday that will stay in our hearts always.

Ms Khan

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Stephen & Gill Ferris

07 April 2011

Dear Tony 

What a fantastic surprise a bottle of champagne on our arrival home we will chill it and view our photographs in the next couple of evenings,

Thanks to The Luxury Cruise Company, and also for your pre cruise package ,the book on Vietnam was very useful

 We have completed a cruise review on your website, I did forget to mention that the different restaurants were very enjoyable and the food quality was very good

It was a superb ship with a very friendly set of passengers and crew and fully lived up to your recommendations we found the country casual dress code ideal and to visit so many interesting countries was wonderful

 Thank you very much for you help

Kind Regards

Stephen & Gill Ferris

Consultant: Tony Stephenson

Read more about Tony Stephenson

Cruise line: Oceania Cruises

Mrs Patricia Burton

24 January 2011

Dear Cathy,

Thank you again for your wonderful assistance: We have nothing left to worry about!

I look forward to the information pack.

Best regards.

Mrs Patricia Burton

Consultant: Cathy Chesman

Read more about Cathy Chesman

Cruise line: Oberoi Cruises

Pedro Lotra

20 January 2011

Hi Tony,

Just a short note to thank you for the five star service you gave us.
We thoroughly enjoyed the cruise to Mauritius and the weather was superb.
We are thinking of exploring other cruise options i.e. the Nile, Med or Caribbean

All the best for 2011.

Best regards

Pedro

Consultant: Tony Stephenson

Read more about Tony Stephenson

Ernest Klinger

05 January 2011

Dear Scott:

Yes, we received the documents and appears all is in order. I need to let you know how very responsive Cathy was throughout the process and worked hard to accommodate us on our trip itinerary.
I really appreciate your inquiry as well, thank you all.

Ernest & Genevieve Klinger

Thank you again and your team has been great.

Consultant: Cathy Chesman

Read more about Cathy Chesman

13 December 2010

Attention Janet Welsh
 
A short but very grateful  "thank-you" to you for the bottle of Champagne that arrived this morning. We had a really delightful holiday with everything going very smoothly and with the care and attention that Fred Olsen are noted for.
 
I did send a card to Tony Stephenson to thank him for the bottle that greeted us on our first night on board but given the exigencies of the postal service this may not arrive in Hove until after Christmas.
 
Thank you again for all your  care and attention and may you and the rest of the staff enjoy a restful Christmas.
 
Gerald Webber

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Peter Hilson

12 November 2010

Janet,

We returned from our Star Clipper cruise from Athens to Venice a few weeks back, so it's about time I emailed you our thoughts on the experience.

We have been many places around the world, and with many different companies, but this was our first cruise for 40 years, and even with the hiccups of the flight out and back, and the 4 hours sitting at Piraeus with our baggage waiting to board, we both agreed that it was the best holiday we have had!

The star was the boat, aptly named 'Star Clipper', which was a tremendous experience, and scored very highly in all aspects. The transfers you arranged and the cabin we had on board were just right, so without boring you with the detail, it was all very successful. The Hotel Ruzzini Palace in Venice was ideally placed, and we would recommend to any discerning visitor.

Overall we had a superb time, which was made all the better with a delicious 'chablis' in our cabin, and a very welcome bottle of champers when we returned home.

Well done, and we have mentioned your name in glowing terms to anyone that was interested.

We made up our mind that we would struggle to take part in the melee that was the larger cruise ships, ours was very laid back, but we would definitely consider another trip with the same company, perhaps to a different location, and we will contact you first.

Once again, thank you for the service, and look forward to dealing with you again.........kind regards...........Peter Hilson

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Cruise line: Star Clippers Cruises

Mike & Elizabeth Galloway

08 October 2010

Hello again Tony
It was really good to talk to you earlier. Thank you so much for your superb organisation
of our recent transatlantic crossing, and for the delightful suprises which awaited us in
our stateroom at embarkation, then immediately following our return home.

As I mentioned on the 'phone, we savoured every waking minute of the voyage.....what
a truly magnificent ship. I have to admit that in advance of travel we were a little intimidated by
some of the images in the QM2 brochures, above all image which the "beautiful people" portrayed......they seemed to convey an elitist image, which is just not our scene. But of course these beautiful people were most probably professional models, and the reality proved to be very different! If it could be expressed in a single word, that word would be "classy". Food, service, facilities, activities were all of the very highest standards, but not for one moment did life aboard QM2 feel stuffy or elitist. For a couple whose weekends are typically spent in wellies and gardening togs, dressing for dinner became a real pleasure!

We'll certainly be doing it again, probably in reverse, and again on QM2. They say that big is
not necessarily beautiful, but Cunard's flagship is all of that, and more.

We hope that you enjoy the photos, Tony.
All the very best.
Mike & Elizabeth Galloway

Consultant: Tony Stephenson

Read more about Tony Stephenson

Cruise line: Cunard Cruises

Liz Mitchell

11 June 2010

Dear Cathy

I am so thrilled that you have got this all organised for us. I have to say that YOU are so lovely that I couldnt not deal with you. Anyway we are thrilled to have business lounge access, with our free flights, that makes a difference to us.

I cannot say that I wouldn't love a verandah suite - expecially going through the Panama Canal, but it is always so much fun on deck with everyone else, and who can worry when a ship only carries less than 300 guests!!

Kindest regards, and thank you for your efforts on my behalf

Liz Mitchell

Consultant: Cathy Chesman

Read more about Cathy Chesman

Cruise line: Silversea Cruises

Craig Stockslegger

07 June 2010

Tony:

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to say thank you for the gift and for all of your help. We had a wonderful time in Egypt and the Movenpick Radamis II was a solid vessel. We enjoyed the hospitality aboard and the crew were excellent. My wife and I will no doubt contact you in the future for our travel and holiday plans. Thanks again and Happy New Year.

Regards,

Craig

Consultant: Tony Stephenson

Read more about Tony Stephenson

Cruise line: Oberoi Cruises

Lina Tabba

07 June 2010

We all had a great time, thank you for organizing it and doing it so well. The Zahra is a beautiful vessel and staff were amazing, as was the food. We had a great guide his name is Adel and I would like you to convey to your agents that he was a big part of what made our trip so successfull.

Again thanks from all of us.

Lina

Consultant: Tony Stephenson

Read more about Tony Stephenson

Cruise line: Oberoi Cruises

Anne & Jeff Robinson

07 June 2010

It has been an unforgiveable length of time since we last contacted you and we really must thank you for both bottles of champagne! They were both a lovely surprise - the one greeting us in our stateroom on the day we arrived (our wedding anniversary) and, most unexpectedly, the one which arrived the day after we arrived home, Very many thanks for that.

The cruise was wonderful and we really enjoyed every moment. We would have loved much longer in each of the days ashore but at least we had ‘the taster'.

The flight went really well and it wasn't until the last hour before reaching Cape Town that I needed the oxygen. All went really smoothly and again our thanks for arranging that.

Thank you again for all your care and attention, both in arranging the holiday and your attention to detail throughout.

We really can't thank you enough and look forward to another cruise one day in the not too distant future.

Warmest regards

Anne & Jeff Robinson

Consultant: Tony Stephenson

Read more about Tony Stephenson

Cruise line: Cunard Cruises

Rona Levin

07 June 2010

Mark and I had a truly fabulous time - and we really can't thank you enough for your help in organising our dream trip. We really appreciated all the VIP touches as well - from the phone sim card and guide book, through to our room upgrade, and on-board credit. We really had the time of our lives - it was fantastic. The bottle of bubbly on our return was simply the icing on the cake!

With warmest regards and heartfelt thanks,

Rona and Mark

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Cruise line: Cunard Cruises

Christine Domenger

21 May 2010

Dear Janet

What a wonderful personal itinerary you organised for us for our trip to Egypt! From the moment we received the White Star Cruise travel documents box and gift I knew we were in for a treat.

The guides and drivers from Sakkara travel took care of everything and were always friendly and informative. The hotels were all well chosen (that view of the pyramids from our rooms at the Mena house is unforgettable)and the rooms were all quiet as requested. Sakkara guides always phoned within a half hour of our arrival to ensure we were happy with the rooms allocated to us by the hotel. We absolutely loved all the special places you arranged for us to visit except for the rather kitsch light and sound show at the pyramids I asked you to book for us. What do I know?!

The highlight of the holiday was the cruise from Luxor to Aswan on the Oberoi Philae and the guided visits to the tombs and temples along the way. Thanks Janet, for the lovely gift we received on boarding. The cabins were air-conditioned (an absolute must) and very comfortable with floor to ceiling windows and balconies, the staff were friendly, courteous and attentive and the food was fresh, varied and plentiful. The groups for the guided visits were small and the guide was highly knowledgeable. The views as we glided on the Nile were simply stunning.

We were to spend only 3 days in Sharm-El-Sheikh but ended up staying there for 12 due to what I now call 'the volcanic ash incident'. If only I'd not booked our flights direct with the airline beforehand and let you organise those as well Janet, I'm certain we would have been on the first available flight home. Top marks to Sakkara travel who came to our rescue and continued to book rooms for us at a very reasonable rate during our enforced stay at the beautiful Hyatt Regency.

Many thanks Janet for a beautifully organised trip that we enjoyed so very much and will always fondly remember and thanks also for the surprise bottle of champagne on our return home.

Kindest regards
Christine Domenger

P.S. What were the highlights of your cruise and where in Sydney did you go and enjoy the most?

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Pam Carstairs

21 May 2010

Hi Janet,

Thank you so much for the gift of Champagne both on the ship and when we arrived home. We had a wonderful trip and a wonderful anniversary. On the actual evening the ship cruised up and down between the fairy lit bridges of Budapest and we waltzed on deck to the strains of Johann Strauss’s Blue Danube! It was the perfect finale to a great trip.

The quality of the trip was fabulous, most everyone aboard agreed. The cabins were comfortable, the food 5 * quality and the free flowing wines were also very good quality, far superior to the usual all inclusive type. All the staff were excellent in attitude and sense of humour and the Cruise Director, little Debbie Albrecht was second to none.

There was a super choice of excursions and occasionally we chose to stay aboard and had the pleasure of cruising with only half a dozen other passengers.

Thanks again for arranging this lovely holiday at such short notice, I’m sure we’ll be in touch again and would certainly recommend White Star and APT as a fine companies to travel with.

PS Sorry about the fuss about the journey home. I think the inclusive door to door service is for previous customers, maybe next time. The only hiccup was the transfer when we arrived. They kept us waiting for an hour and a half as a coach had just left without us. Instead of sending us in a taxi they sent a whole coach back for us in the rush hour. The Australians (who were all lovely, by the way) were not sympathetic as some had 18-24 hour journeys to get there so we were soon laughing with them! Anyway it was soon forgotten and we had a great time, feel free to leave off this PS if you want to put this on your site.

Yours Sincerely
Pam Carstairs

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Cruise line: APT Cruises

Marianne

21 May 2010

Dear Janet,

Just a quick e mail to say we have just returned from our cruise and have had a wonderful time, I was delighted too with the champagne received today.What a lovely touch

I would like to thank you for your help and efficency with this trip, I look forward to dealing with you when we wish to take another cruise.

Thanks again,

Marianne

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Phil

21 May 2010

Dear Janet,

Arrived back safe, sound and fully refreshed.

Thank you for all your help in ensuring everything went smoothly for me - it is greatly appreciated. All hotels were excellent. The ship was also excellent backed by a truly delightful crew that ensured the cruise went without any hassle.

Sakkara in Egypt - particularly Cairo - were prompt and attentive.

Lastly - I have just received the welcome home champagne, as well as the welcome gift - great touches - many thanks.

Phil.

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Clare and Rob Hudson

21 May 2010

Dear Janet

Thank you for the champange, another lovely touch. As too was the box found in our cabin – thank you. It will hold some treasured things from our holiday and will be a constant reminder of what a truly fabulous time we had. As promised here are our thoughts on our recent holiday.

From the moment we stepped off the plane in Cairo, and were met by Mohamed Mamdouh, we knew that we were in for a treat. Arrangements all went perfectly - nothing was too much trouble for anyone that we met along the way. Everything was taken care of for us to perfection. This was actually very reassuring when faced with a culture so very, very different to our own. Mohamed was always keen to ensure that everything was as we wanted and that we were happy. A charming, helpful and interesting man.

Our tour guide on Oberoi Philae, Ahmed Naqi was exceptional. His knowledge of Egypt, fired by his passion and enthusiasm for his subject was contagious. Ahmed truly made our tours of the temples fascinating. I honestly think that Ahmed made the factual/historical part of the holiday very special for us. He brought everything to life - it was wonderful to listen to all the facts/information that he knew. Ahmed was also concerned that things were OK and that we were doing the trips/visits that we wanted to. When he took us to various shops/markets he made sure that we were not hassled too much by vendors - this made things much more pleasant and enjoyable for us. They have a very different way of selling over there don’t they !

The Mena House hotel was wonderful - but in a setting like that how could it fail not to be! People, service, food, rooms, cleanliness, attention to detail - all exceptional.

Oberoi Philae - what a boat! The height of luxury. Again, nothing was too much for anyone. People were all so charming, helpful, friendly - all ensuring that we had all we wanted. A truly wonderful experience. We were welcomed into the galley - without having to advise the chef beforehand - cleanliness and organisation were very good - reflected in a wonderfully high standard of food. Pastries/desserts twice a day - how could anyone resist! We both feel that the quality and standard of the food was exceptional and could not be bettered.

The hot air balloon trip took our breath away. Flying over temples as the sun rose was a “Kodak moment”. Looking down into the huts/houses was eye opening – children in the field with their families working, taking donkeys down to water – just was all very emotional.

The pyramids themselves were all, and more, that I had hoped they would be. I was truly mesmerised and captivated by them.

Overall, as I think you can tell, we had an absolutely fantastic holiday - truly a holiday of a lifetime. I would hope to return to the pyramids one day and would like to think that we could meet with Muhammad and Ahmed again, in particular, if we do.

Janet - I would particularly like you to, if you can, ensure that our feedback on Mohamed and Ahmed get to the right people so that they are aware of what exceptional guides these two are and what an impact they actually had on our enjoyment of the holiday. Thank you. Thanks go to you too Janet for all the arrangements made - as you can tell we had an AMAZING time.

Best regards

Clare and Rob Hudson

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Cruise line: Oberoi Cruises

Barbara Burr

21 May 2010

Dear Janet,

Have returned safely from yet another superb cruise with Silversea’s. Apart from the sheer luxury, I have to say that once again it was backed by the groundwork you did beforehand.

I thank you for applying for the Esta and for booking hotel and cars. Life was made very easy by the efficient way you provided clearly labelled envelopes for the documents and hope you will continue to do this.

Will return to you when I am in need of another spell of sunshine abroad.

Kind regards

Barbara Burr

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Cruise line: Silversea Cruises

Dr Donna Kurtz

21 May 2010

Dear Janet,

I write to thank you. Sakkara did a very good job of looking after me and the Zahra was such a pleasure that we were all sad to leave: spoilt and pampered people complained not at all and generally agreed it is a trip of life time. Attention to detail, highly trained (and numerous!) staff, great kindness and exquisite food were only some of the things to praise.

To make the trip even more special the manager rang the Mena House to tell them that I appreciated ’old’ things: on arrival I was greeted by the manager and house keeper who took me to a palace suite with two balconies overlooking the pyramids. It was pure magic, and they were so pleased that I was pleased.

With many thanks,

Dr Donna Kurtz

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Cruise line: Oberoi Cruises

Dr Peter and Carolyn Goodman JP MA

21 May 2010

Dear Janet,

Just to say thank you for all the marvelously organized and enjoyable cruises we have booked through you recently. The trouble and time you have taken have been without doubt unique.

The cruises are amazing and it is so relaxing to know that everything is organized down to the car transfers before we leave. Janet you are always helpful and efficient, calling us way after most people would be at home to make sure all is well and the prices are very competitive too.

Thank you also for the follow up gifts and cards. Always a genuine surprise to be reminded of all you do to make the perfect cruise for us.

Kindest regards

Dr Peter and Carolyn Goodman JP MA

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

FC Nightingale

21 May 2010

Dear Janet

Thank you so much for all the help you have given me in booking my next two cruises. As usual you have been 100% efficient! Thanks again and here’s to many more cruises.

Sincerely

FC Nightingale

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Michelle and Dylan

21 May 2010

Janet and Scott,

Very many thanks to you both for your time, patience and attention to detail. We had a fabulous holiday, saw so many things and really chilled out and relaxed. Upgraded suite on the cruise was a lovely touch.

Michelle and Dylan

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Andy and Val Perkins

21 May 2010

Dear Scott, Janet, and Team,

As you know, my wife and I recently went on a cruise aboard the MV Mozart, and we just wanted to let you know that we had a fabulous time.

The vessel was everything we were hoping for. It was luxurious, clean and well run, and the cabins were spacious and well equipped. The food was excellent and the service friendly and efficient. We also enjoyed the entertainment, and the scenery was beautiful – fortunately made all the better with a whole week of warm sunny weather. I shall be putting a review onto your web site to this effect. Our only problem on the whole trip was that the flight was delayed going out by 2 hours. We had visions of missing the connecting coach transfer to Passau, but after an anxious 20 minutes or so at Munich airport we did locate the guide who had waited for us, and made it to the vessel ok.

Finally, a big thank you to all of you at White Star. Thank you for the welcome card and champagne on board, and the welcome home card and flowers. It’s touches like that, together with the quality of service you offer that made the whole holiday so enjoyable and memorable.

We shall have no hesitation in recommending you to friends, and very much hope to be using your services again in the near future.

All the best and thanks again,

Andy & Val Perkins

Consultant: Scott Anderson

Read more about Scott Anderson

Cruise line: Peter Deilmann Ocean Cruises

Dominic

21 May 2010

Hi Janet,

One word - "WOW"! That was an absolutely fantastic holiday and thank-you so much for the lovely jewellery box. We now have major post-holiday blues and I’m really struggling to get motivated this morning...

Sakkara were so helpful and friendly the whole way through and we were hugely impressed by their ability to fast track us and organise things which kept us away from the maddening crowds. The roads and driving in Cairo are like nothing I’ve ever seen before and our driver was amazing.

The Cairo trip was fascinating and a slight hotel room mix-up on our first night meant that we were upgraded to Jimmy Carter’s suite for the second 2 nights, which was fabulous.

As for the boat, where to start?! Never have we experienced attentiveness, friendliness, service or luxury quite like it. Everything was incredible and we met some lovely people (including the crew), who we shall hopefully stay in touch with. The excursions were so well organised and again we felt like royalty wherever we were taken. Don’t get me started on the food...it was absolutely wonderful and I have managed to gain half a stone on board!!!

All in all a fabulous experience and one which we shall be boring our friends and family with for years to come. Karina managed to take over 900 photos, which we’ll need to cull before printing and putting in an album.

Again, thank-you so much for all your help and rest assured that we shall be recommending your firm and the Zahra to anyone who’ll listen.

Kind regards.

Dominic

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Simon, Sue and Georgia Cronin

21 May 2010

Dear Janet,

I am sorry for the delay in writing to you, but since we returned from our holiday I don’t seem  to have stopped working.

I now at last have 5 minutes to THANK YOU for arranging our trip to Borneo & Singapore it was absolutely fantastic in every way.

The Flights and Transfers always on the dot. The Shangri La Aru Resort  Hotel you recommended in Borneo was probably the best hotel

we have stayed in for comfort, amenities and friendliness of the staff. We certainly hope to return one day.

The Marina Mandarin in Singapore was also a fabulous city hotel, ideally situated near to all the sites, restaurants and of course the shops!!

What a lovely surprise when we returned home to receive a bottle of Bubbly, surely it should have been the other way round.

Thank You again Janet for making our holiday so special. we will certainly be in touch to arrange our next trip.

Best Regards

Simon, Sue and Georgia Cronin

Consultant: Janet Welsh

Read more about Janet Welsh

Carole Fox

21 May 2010

I was a great to meet you and sincere thanks for all your help in booking our exciting cruise. I am sorry I bothered you with checking prices for Princess.

However I feel sure we will have a much more enjoyable holiday on Queen Victoria, especially as we have quite a few days at sea.

It was absolutely horrified to see in the Telegraph on Saturday that Planet Cruise were advertising the same date for the Hawaiian cruise on Queen Victoria with Balcony cabins starting from £2195. I immediately phoned them and apparently this price was for an A7 cabin.

When I asked them for A2 they said £3600. and after speaking further they were prepared to reduce it to £3500. so a bit THANK YOU for the package you have arranged for us. I just thought you might be interested to know this. It is not the first time that I have found White Star are able to offer a better price than some of the companies with large advertisements in newspapers.

Yours sincerely

Carole Fox

Consultant: Cathy Chesman

Read more about Cathy Chesman

Cruise line: Cunard Cruises