Your July 2026 Update from Michael Wilson

Hello and welcome to my July 2026 update! 

After a couple of intensive weeks catching up in the office following my Lads and Dads trip to northern Germany, I’m back on my travels again! This might sound like I’m always away, but to be honest, over my decades in the industry I’ve always been a workaholic and never been one to take many holidays. However, as I am not as young as I used to be, I’m finally trying to expand my horizons and enjoy some of the things that have been on my mind for a long time. 

That brings me nicely to my current trip. This has genuinely been a bucket-list adventure that I have considered many times over the years but never quite got around to booking. Perhaps the cost played a part in my hesitation, but before I get too old to fully appreciate the experience, I finally travelled on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Venice. 

I appreciate this sort of journey won’t be for everyone, but if it has ever featured on your bucket list, then I can honestly say it is every bit as special as you imagine. In fact, if you’re planning a cruise from Venice, I can’t think of a more stylish and memorable way to begin your holiday. This trip didn’t include a cruise, but instead combined a Eurostar journey to Paris, an overnight stay in the French capital, two nights in Venice and then a flight back to Stansted. Quite a contrast in transport styles! 

From the outside, the train itself is magnificent. The beautifully restored 1920s and 1930s carriages are works of art, with polished wood panelling, gleaming brass fittings and elegant Art Deco details throughout. Stepping on board feels as though you have travelled back to the golden age of luxury travel, when the journey itself was every bit as important as the destination. 

On the slightly negative side, unless you opt for one of the very expensive suites – and there are only a handful available – the accommodation is compact, with traditional Pullman cabins, a washbasin and shared bathroom facilities. However, that is a very small compromise when compared with the overall experience. 

As the train glides through the French countryside and onwards towards the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps, there is a sense of occasion that is difficult to describe. Passengers dress for dinner, cocktails are served in the bar car, while a pianist provides the soundtrack, and everywhere you look there is an atmosphere of timeless elegance and understated luxury. 

My favourite part of the journey was undoubtedly the evening on board. Enjoying pre-dinner cocktails with my wife before sitting down to a beautifully prepared dinner, served with impeccable white-glove service, was something quite special. It was one of those rare occasions where you slow down, switch off from the outside world and simply enjoy the moment. It is an evening that will stay with me for a very long time. 

If this style of travel appeals to you, I can wholeheartedly recommend it. And with so many cruises departing from the wider Venice region, combining the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with a cruise creates what I believe is one of the ultimate bucket-list holidays.

Experiences like this are exactly why I’m so proud of the work our dedicated Cruise & Stay team does. By working closely with some of the world’s most iconic rail operators and leading cruise lines, they create tailor-made holidays that combine unforgettable rail journeys with exceptional cruises. Inspired by journeys like this, one of our newest Cruise & Stay holidays pairs the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express with an all-inclusive Silversea voyage, creating what I believe is one of the ultimate luxury rail and sea adventures. You can see the full details here.

We also offer a very different style of rail holiday through one of our most popular Cruise & Stay holidays, the No-Fly Grand European Rail & Sail Adventure. Travelling entirely by rail from London to Rome, it combines upgraded travel, hotel stays and a Cunard Queen Victoria cruise, proving that rail and sail holidays don’t have to be ultra-luxury to deliver a truly memorable experience. 

Whether it’s creating luxury rail journeys or no-fly adventures across Europe, it’s wonderful to see how our Cruise & Stay programme has evolved over the years. As Bolsover Cruise Club continues to grow and develop, this year also marks an important milestone for our family. My daughter Katie has recently joined me on the Board of Directors, continuing the family journey that began many years ago when my dad, Derek, and I built the foundations of Bolsover Cruise Club together. My son Oliver is also building his career within the company, and it gives me great pride to see the next generation helping to shape the future of the business.

At the same time, my sister Julie has recently stepped down as a shareholder and director. Although she retired from the business several years ago, I would like to thank her for the significant contribution she made over many years and the part she played in helping Bolsover Cruise Club become the company it is today. Although we continue to evolve, we remain proudly independent and family-owned, and I firmly believe that is one of the reasons we continue to put our Cruise Club Members at the heart of everything we do. 

Back at the Cruise Centre, things have settled down after the succession of major programme launches. I’m delighted that, thanks to you, our loyal clients, we have been successful across all of them. One recent example was the Princess Cruises launch for summer 2028, where we were among the top agents not only in the UK, but across the entire global market. This is yet another testament to the hard work, dedication and expertise of everyone here.

If you’re a past P&O Cruises guest, it’s also worth remembering that we’re currently offering an exclusive 10% saving on selected sailings when you book through our Cruise Experts. The offer runs until 3 August, so if you’re considering your next P&O Cruises holiday, now is an excellent time to get in touch. You can see all the applicable sailings by clicking here.

Whilst I’ve been enjoying one bucket-list journey of my own, several members of our team have also been fortunate enough to experience Royal Caribbean’s spectacular new Legend of the Seas, now one of the largest cruise ships in the world and currently sailing her inaugural Mediterranean season. The ship has already generated enormous interest, particularly among families and those seeking a resort-style holiday at sea, with an incredible choice of restaurants, entertainment, attractions, and accommodation designed to appeal to guests of all ages. Our team has been exploring the ship first-hand, filming the staterooms, public spaces, dining venues and many of the headline attractions. If you’re considering a future sailing aboard Legend of the Seas, or simply want to see what all the excitement is about, I’d encourage you to keep an eye on our social media channels over the coming weeks, where we’ll be continuing to share plenty of exclusive videos, photos and practical insights from life on board. You can also read our team’s first impressions of Legend of the Seas here. 

If you’re signed up to receive Into The Blue, your latest issue should be arriving very soon. The new edition is packed with inspiration, including our main feature, Beyond the Horizon, where we explore some of the most exciting ways travellers are discovering the world by sea.

We also catch up with Silversea’s Conrad Combrink to discuss the growing appeal of expedition cruising, take a closer look at Cunard’s magnificent Queen Anne, discover why solo cruising has never been more popular, and reveal why a cruise could offer one of the very best ways to witness the spectacular 2027 total solar eclipse. If you haven’t yet registered to receive your complimentary copy of future issues of Into The Blue, you can do so here.

Finally, to all of you setting sail in the coming weeks, I wish you a wonderful holiday and bon voyage.