Thailand Travel Advice 21st Jan 2014

An update on the travel advice for the civil unrest in Thailand: On 21 January 2014 the Thai Government declared a 60-day State of Emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas from 22 January 2014. This gives the Government additional powers including the power to impose curfews and bans on assembly, restrict information dissemination, and impose restrictions on travel and access to buildings. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice for Thailand has been updated with an amendment. FCO advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla on the Thai-Malaysia border. The FCO advise against all travel to the Preah Vihear (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) temple area and the Ta Krabey/Ta Moan temple area located on the Thai-Cambodian border due to the presence of troops in the area and the risk of outbreaks of fighting and a high threat of terrorism. Political demonstrations continue in and around Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand. Some of these have been violent, including the use of firearms, and there have been casualties and deaths. The situation is unpredictable and further protests are expected. Customers should take extra care and avoid all protests, political gatherings, demonstrations and marches. If travelling to the airport, allow extra time to take account of possible transport delays, and consider using the airport rail link. Monitor local news and social media for developments. The Thai authorities have set up a Tourist’s Friend Centre to provide information for tourists. Offices are located at the Sport Authority of Thailand in the Bangkapi district of Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, four BTS Skytrain stations (Siam, Phya Thai, Ekkamai and Wong Wian Yai) and Hua Lampong MRT station. You can also contact the Tourist’s Friend Centre by telephone on +66 (0)2 314 1212 (in English – 24 hours).

Carnival LIVE concerts

New announcement from Carnival: Carnival are introducing Carnival LIVE Concert Series, bringing the best in live music to the seas, and also introducing a major enhancement to shipboard house bands. This is a first-of-its-kind experience in the cruise industry, offering your clients the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive onboard performance by a diverse roster of popular music artists while the ships are docked at select ports of call.

Carnival has booked 49 performance dates for the 2014 concert series with the following artists: • 38 Special • Chicago • Daughtry • Foreigner • Gavin DeGraw • Jennifer Hudson • Jewel • Kansas • Lady Antebellum • LeAnn Rimes • Martina McBride • Olivia Newton-John • REO Speedwagon • STYX • Trace Adkins Beginning in April 2014, Carnival LIVE concerts will take place on board eight Carnival ships that call in the following ports: Cozumel, Mexico; Nassau, the Bahamas; and Catalina Island, California. Artists will join the ship while in port, perform in the main show lounge that evening, and debark following their show. Tickets cost $20-40 each and a limited number of VIP tickets are also available for each show for $100-$150 each. The VIP experience includes an artist meet and greet, photo opportunity, seating in the first three rows and a commemorative laminated concert pass. All tickets can be purchased through Carnival’s online Shore Excursion System prior to sailing, or on board participating ships at the Shore Excursion Desk based on availability The first sailing is aboard the Carnival Fantasy departing on April 4, 2014. The first concert will be held aboard the Carnival Fantasy on April 7, 2014. How do you get a ticket once you booked your cruise? Carnival LIVE tickets will be setup as a shore excursion under the port of call (applies to: Cozumel, Nassau, or Catalina). Shore Excursions are purchased through http://www.carnival.com/activities. Your clients must have a deposited cruise booking in order to purchase concert tickets For more information call me on 01922 705983.

New Announcement Live Sporting Action With

P&O Cruises and Cunard in 2014 Passengers can keep up with all the action from a momentous year of sport with P&O Cruises and Cunard. Whether it’s Andy Murray defending his Wimbledon title or Roy Hodgson’s England team playing in the World Cup in Brazil, live coverage will be screened on board across the two fleets of ships. All coverage will be shown in public areas on board, starting with the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi next month. The second half of the Premier League season will feature ahead of the FIFA World Cup in June and July. German Bundesliga matches will be shown together with Formula 1 motor racing, the Australian French and US Open tennis tournaments and golf’s Ryder Cup, Open Championship and US Open.

Live coverage to will be available to all P&O Cruises and Cunard passengers on Sport 24, and is satellite dependent. Chief commercial officer Gerard Tempest said: “We are delighted to be able to include coverage of these major sporting events on board. “We don’t want passengers to miss out on any of the excitement of the games by taking a cruise holiday – and now they won’t. Besides, I can’t think of a better way to watch the World Cup, or see Murray serve to retain his Wimbledon title, than sipping a mojito in the Med!” For summer cruises to watch the World Cup or Wimbledon: P&O Cruises is offering a selection of seven and 14-night fly-cruise holidays in the Mediterranean on family-friendly contemporary ship Ventura from £999pp. Based on N413B cruise departing June 25, 2014, the Select Price fare includes return flights from Gatwick, Birmingham or Manchester, a seven-night cruise in an inside cabin, full board meals and entertainment on board. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will undertake 18 seven-night Atlantic crossings between Southampton and New York, with fares from £1,099pp including one-way flight. To be honest it's about time they added the Live Sporting Action, it's been many years that there sister company Princess has had this facility

Queen Mary turns 10 Years old

It’s crazy to think it's been that long, but on the 8th January The Queen Mary 2, turned 10. So what did the weather do a few days earlier to celebrate:

This is New York where she was buried in 2ft of snow. Thankfully her sailing was but back a couple of hours for her transatlantic crossing back to Southampton, to allow for time for passengers to join. In Southampton the Queen Elizabeth was also joining her to celebrate her big sisters birthday. I am sure the fireworks display was excellent. Follow this link; for some interesting QM2 detail: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPHI3R-he8U&feature=player_embedded

All Change for Turkey visa’s

With the American visas going electronic a few years back, it was not long before other counties followed suit. You guessed it: Turkey as of the 10th April 2014 are no longer allowing British citizens to purchase there entrance visas when they jump off the plane. You now need to purchase them before you travel. except for cruise ship passengers with ‘British Citizen’ passports entering the country for a day trip, remaining in the port of embarkation and returning to the ship the same day. Turkish visit visas issued on arrival are valid for multiple stays up to a maximum of 90 days in a 180 day period. Up to 31 January 2012, the Turkish immigration authorities operated a flexible interpretation of this requirement whereby visitors could leave after 90 days, and immediately re-enter for a further 90 day period. The rules are now fully enforced, and you will only be able to stay in Turkey for a total of 90 days in any period of 180 days. As with when the American visas first came on line there was some companies making profit from the changes therefore be aware: Some unauthorised websites may charge for information about e-visas, and for submitting applications. These websites are not endorsed by or associated with the Turkish government. Be wary of such sites and businesses, particularly those that seek additional fees for other services. If you hold a different type of British nationality (BN(O), British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person or British Subject), check visa requirements with the Turkish Embassy before you travel. Make sure your passport has a blank page for the visa stamp. If it does not, the Turkish authorities will issue an ‘Entry-Exit form’ and put your entry-exit stamp on there. You should carry this form with you in Turkey and present it to the border officers when you leave. you are entering Turkey via the Bulgarian border crossing, make sure your passport has a dated entry stamp before you leave the border crossing area. Some British nationals have got a visa but not had their passport stamped. In some cases, this has resulted in detention and deportation for illegal entry. Working illegally without the correct visa and work permit could result in deportation from Turkey, a fine and a ban on re-entering. You may be held in a detention centre awaiting deportation and are unlikely to be able to collect your belongings before departure. So what’s the Web site to get the online visa? https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ Additional information: A To view the full travel advice for Turkey, please see: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey

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