Your December 2025 Update from Michael Wilson

Hello and welcome to my December 2025 update!

Last month, I mentioned that we were inviting readers to send in a photo of themselves reading Into The Blue in an interesting or iconic location, and I’m delighted to say that the first entries have already begun to arrive. It’s wonderful to see the creativity and sense of adventure from our community shining through. As a reminder, each issue we’ll choose one standout image, and the winner will receive a £250 voucher to put towards their next adventure. Their photo will be featured both in the magazine and across our social media channels, allowing the whole Bolsover Cruise Club community to enjoy seeing where our readers and our magazine have travelled. We’re just putting the final touches on the January edition of Into The Blue, where we’ll be announcing our very first winner!

If you haven’t taken part yet, there’s still plenty of time. The competition will run throughout next year, so remember to pack your camera and a copy of the magazine wherever you sail in 2026. We can’t wait to see your photos, and who knows, you could be one of our many winners. To enter, simply email your image to hello@intothebluemagazine.com or visit bolsovercruiseclub.com/itbcompetition for full details.

On a personal note, I’m heading off to Fort Lauderdale shortly to join Sun Princess for a family holiday over New Year. It will be my first time spending New Year’s Eve at sea, and I’m very much looking forward to experiencing the newest addition to the Princess Cruises fleet. This trip is something of a nostalgic one for me, as Princess Cruises was always a favourite choice for our family holidays when Katie and Oliver were children. Now, here we are years later, all working together in the business. I look forward to sharing more about our experience in my next update.

Speaking of family, I can’t miss the opportunity to mention my father, Derek, who many of our long-standing Cruise Club members will fondly remember. Dad and I began working together in the late seventies, back when Bolsover Cruise Club was still a small local travel agency run by my mother with the support of two assistants. Those early days were shaped by his steady guidance, his belief in doing things properly, and his unfailing commitment to looking after our customers, values that continue to guide us today.

He has just celebrated his 90th birthday, a remarkable milestone and one that has given us time to reflect on how far we’ve come since those early years. I know many of you will remember him well, and I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing him a very warm and heartfelt Happy 90th Birthday.

In the wider cruise industry, P&O Cruises has recently announced that it is responding to growing demand for family holidays by introducing five-berth cabins across Arvia, Iona and Britannia from next summer. These include balcony cabins and conservatory mini suites, making it easier for families of five to travel together in comfort. After earlier updates this year about children being permitted on selected sailings aboard Aurora and Arcadia prompted plenty of feedback from guests, this latest news feels like a clear, customer-focused step that underlines P&O Cruises’ ongoing commitment to family-friendly cruising, while helping families find the right holiday for them. It means larger families can enjoy the same cabin together, with more space and choice, making it simpler to plan a break that suits everyone, from teenagers seeking adventure to parents looking to relax. With these new cabins, family cruising is set to become even more convenient and enjoyable.

A quick reminder for anyone planning ahead: the additional 10% saving on the brand-new October 2027 to March 2028 voyage collections from P&O Cruises and Cunard will be coming to an end shortly. These early booking savings offer an excellent opportunity to secure your preferred itinerary at the best price, but they must be booked by 17 December 2025. If you already have your eye on a particular sailing, or simply want to explore what’s available, now is the perfect time to take advantage before the offer closes.

To round off the year, we’re introducing something a little special throughout December. Each week, we’ll be revealing a selection of carefully chosen sailings, each one with up to triple Cruise Club Cashback. These will be available for a limited time only, making it even easier to secure added value on the sailings that catch your eye. Make sure you are signed up for our emails so you’ll know exactly where the best savings can be found. It promises to be an enjoyable way to explore what’s available as we head towards the New Year, with fresh offers to look forward to every week. You can view the current promotion on our website.

I’m delighted to share that we were recognised at this year’s Wave Awards, held at The Dorchester in London and hosted by the wonderful actor and comedian Sally Phillips. We received a Highly Commended in the Favourite Cruise Travel Agent category, which was a proud moment for all of us. Danny and Eliana from our marketing team represented us on the night and accepted the award on everyone’s behalf. As always, acknowledgements like this are made possible by the continued support of our customers, and I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who took the time to vote for us. Your loyalty, trust and enthusiasm mean a great deal, and we’re extremely grateful.

If you’re looking for something cruise-related to enjoy in the New Year, you may be interested in a brand-new Channel 5 series coming in January. Jane McDonald: From Pole to Pole will debut at 9pm on 2 January 2026, following Jane as she embarks on an extraordinary journey from Antarctica to the Arctic. Filmed on board Scenic Eclipse and Emerald Sakara, the six-part series sees her visit a new destination in each episode, including South Georgia, The Falklands, Uruguay, Brazil, Greece, Italy, Svalbard and the Arctic Circle. Along the way, she’ll experience everything from helicopter flights to whale watching, offering a fascinating look at the ships, the destinations and the adventures that come with expedition and luxury yacht cruising. It promises to be an enjoyable watch for anyone already dreaming of their next voyage, and if you do decide to follow in Jane McDonald’s footsteps, our Cruise Experts are ready and waiting to help you book.

This will be my final message for 2025, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you all for your continued support over the past 12 months; it is very much appreciated by all of us here at Bolsover Cruise Club.

For those of you who are travelling over the festive period, bon voyage and have a wonderful holiday. And if you are still planning your next escape, our team will be on hand throughout Christmas and New Year, with slightly amended opening hours, to offer advice, check availability and help you secure the sailing you have your eye on. Whether you prefer to speak to us between festivities or would rather get in touch once the celebrations have quietened down, we will be here to assist.

Wherever you may be spending the season, I hope it is filled with joy, relaxation and the promise of exciting adventures to come in 2026.