Your November 2025 Update from Michael Wilson

Hello and welcome to my November 2025 update!

As expected, October has been an incredible month, highlighted by the hugely successful launch of P&O Cruises’ 2027/28 Winter season. On top-tier Peninsular Club members’ day, thanks to your continued loyalty, yet again we were the top agent in the UK with lots of you choosing Arcadia’s full world cruise, a tremendous 124-night cruise which sees P&O Cruises returning to Japan for the first time since 2019. I couldn’t be prouder that in an age where so many businesses rely increasingly on technology, we continue to stand out by delivering the personal service our customers value most. It’s this dedication, care, and attention to detail that truly sets us apart from the competition and enables us to achieve such remarkable results. As my daughter proudly calls it in her social media reels, this is ‘The Bolsover Way’ – and long may that continue.

On the subject of launches, the Cunard 2027/28 Winter season is now officially on sale, and it promises an exceptional offering for world travellers. One of the highlights is that Cunard is presenting not just one, but two world voyages. The newest Cunard Queen, Queen Anne, will embark on a westbound journey, while Queen Elizabeth will set sail east. It’s the first time since 2018 that Queen Elizabeth has offered a full world cruise, with a remarkable 113-night itinerary featuring overnight stays in iconic destinations such as Cape Town, Tokyo, Honolulu, and Sydney. Meanwhile, Queen Anne’s 111-night voyage from Southampton will visit 31 incredible ports, including Cunard’s long-awaited return to Bangkok for the first time since 2018, and a stop at Halong Bay, marking its first visit in 14 years. These voyages promise unforgettable experiences and truly once-in-a-lifetime adventures for those seeking the ultimate cruise journey.

By now, you should have received our launch brochure, but you can also explore all the new sailings directly on our website. To make this season even more enticing, we are offering up to triple Cruise Club Cashback on this exciting collection for bookings made before 26 November 2025. This is on top of the 10% saving available when booking by 17 December 2025, plus the onboard credit included with all Cunard Fare reservations.

We’re also offering additional savings on Grill Suites, making now an ideal time to secure your preferred cabin. Many of these voyages are already proving extremely popular, so I would strongly encourage you to contact our Cruise Experts on 01246 819 819 as soon as possible to guarantee your spot on the cruise of your choice.

In other cruise news, the newest Princess Cruises ship has now officially been named. Star Princess was christened by her godparents – Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey and his wife Camila – ahead of her season in the Caribbean this winter. The 4,300-guest ship will then sail seven-night cruises to Alaska’s Inside Passage throughout the summer of 2026. If the previous Sphere Class ships are anything to go by, then Star Princess will be impressive – and the images I’ve seen on board certainly suggest this is the case! As always, speak to our Cruise Experts if you would like to experience this brand-new ship for yourself.

Before I move on, I’m also delighted to share some fantastic news from within our own team. Our Cruise Expert, Jessica, has been shortlisted for Travel Agent Star of the Year at this year’s prestigious Cruise Stars Awards! Jessica’s passion, dedication, and expertise shine through in everything she does, and this recognition is a true reflection of her commitment to helping our customers create unforgettable cruise holidays. The awards will be celebrated in December, recognising the brightest talents in the cruise industry. We’re incredibly proud of Jessica and wish her the very best of luck – a well-deserved acknowledgement of her hard work and the exceptional service she provides every single day.

We also believe that first-hand experience is key to offering the very best advice, and that’s why we actively support our team to explore new ships and destinations whenever possible. Over the coming weeks, several members of our team will be taking to the seas to experience some of the industry’s most exciting new ships for themselves. Our Head of Sales, Fran, Office Manager Claire, and Cruise Expert Jessica will be among the first to step aboard Saga’s Spirit of the Moselle, where they’ll have the opportunity to explore the river ship in detail and gain a real understanding of the onboard experience Saga guests can expect.

Our Commercial Manager, Kendall, will be setting sail on Celebrity Xcel, the newest addition to Celebrity Cruises’ innovative Edge Series fleet. From the Infinite Verandas to the culinary concepts and entertainment on offer, Kendall will discover first-hand what makes this latest ship such an exciting step forward for modern luxury cruising.

Meanwhile, Katie, our Chief Operations Officer, and Head of Finance Gina, have headed Stateside to join Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Destiny, one of the most anticipated ship launches of the year. Their trip will give them the chance to see how Disney continues to blend exceptional service with imagination and storytelling at sea – insights that are invaluable when helping families plan their next magical voyage.

These experiences aren’t just wonderful opportunities for our team; they play a vital role in how we deliver our award-winning service. By seeing these ships in person, exploring the staterooms, sampling the dining and meeting the crew, our experts return with genuine, first-hand knowledge they can share with colleagues, while guiding you in your decision making with confidence and enthusiasm.

If you are signed up for a complimentary copy of Into the Blue, you should be receiving your November/December edition shortly. This issue puts you, our valued customers, in the spotlight, as we take a closer look at the destinations you have explored over the past 12 months. I would like to extend my thanks to those of you who were involved in putting this feature together – it is great to see so many of you out and about exploring everything the world has to offer by sea!

One of the joys of producing Into the Blue is seeing how much our readers enjoy it, not just here in the UK, but all over the world. We often hear from members who tell us they’ve read their copy while relaxing on deck or exploring new destinations, and it’s inspired us to launch something a little special. In the next issue, we’re introducing our new ‘Where in the World Are You Reading Into the Blue?’ photo competition. We’re inviting readers to send us a photo of themselves reading Into the Blue in an interesting or iconic location – it could be on the open sea, in front of a famous landmark, or simply somewhere that makes you smile. Each issue, we’ll choose one standout photo, and the winner will receive a £250 voucher to put towards their next adventure. The winning photo will also be featured in Into the Blue and on our social media channels, so our whole community can enjoy seeing where our readers – and our magazine – have travelled.

It’s a fun way to share a little of your world with us and with other cruise lovers, and we can’t wait to see your photos. To enter, simply email your image to [email protected] or visit bolsovercruiseclub.com/itbcompetition for full details. Wherever your next voyage takes you, don’t forget to pack your magazine – and a smile for the camera!

To all those setting sail in the coming weeks, bon voyage, and may you enjoy every moment of your holiday!