Let’s start at the end of 2019, when I was ready to take the plunge and set up a retail location at Ashridge Garden Centre in Binfield. I named my shop Lorraine’s Cruise Boutique, and it was everything I had dreamed of.

Isn’t it strange how we may be put off places because of one bad area - or is that just me?

I’m talking holiday destinations, in particular - islands.

New to cruise and not really sure how it all works?

Well that’s great. I love people like you. It allows me to talk about (one of) my favourite things in the World…CRUISE.

Having experienced both ocean & river cruising, I absolutely love each of them, although they offer a very different travel experience which people may adjust to, or not be able to….

My husband and I cruised with Azamara last May, we spent 7 nights on the Azamara Onward…

Who else has Alaska at the top of their bucket list?

When I lived & worked in Canada, I booked so many Alaskan cruises for our customers, but never got the chance to experience it for myself….

Beautiful, luxurious, unique, ultra-all-inclusive, 5 + star river cruises.

I have a soft spot for Uniworld, being the first river cruise my husband and I travelled on…

I have not been fortunate enough to cruise with this beautiful little cruise line, but I have been lucky enough to visit the Oceania Marina on a travel agents ship tour…and she was stunning…

My hubby and I spent 4 glorious nights on the Queen Victoria sailing round trip Southampton to Rotterdam and Bruges…

I have a deep love for Italy, having visited all the places I ever wanted…

Well, it’s like this…

A couple of days ago, I put out a simple question in a couple of groups I am in…’Have you been on a cruise? If not, why not?’ OK, I guess that’s technically two questions, but still…

It happens. I hear it. All. The. Time.

“I would love to go on a cruise, but I even get sick on the Dover to Calais ferry!”…

I am laying on a sun bed up on deck, glass of wine in one hand, good book in the other, with the clear blue skies above me, and the sound of the sea below me…

Never been on a cruise?

Not sure if you’ll like it or if it’s for you?

Then a mini-cruise is exactly what you need…

…A furry friend.

 It has been a tough few days, it has to be said…

In this year, 2020, I am celebrating 30 years in the travel industry. 30 years!…

Do you feel calm? I feel strangely calm. Without the stresses of everyday life, rushing around like a headless chicken, just trying to keep up…

With information available at the touch of a few buttons, the World Wide Web offers an enticing and exciting (or indeed, stressful) opportunity for everyone to be a travel agent and book their own holidays, and I know how tempting it must be to do this. …

I love travelling. For as much as I love being at home, I am always on the lookout for my next holiday…

…Winter that is. The days are getting shorter as the nights draw in quicker and earlier. The leaves are falling from the trees…