Roger Barrett - Travel Counsellors

01/02/2025

Following on from my rebook onto Explora Journeys for April, I've just published the website blog of my original cruise in OCT24 - Take a look 🚢

Cruises seem to be like buses for me in 2024. You never see them, then two come along in 2 months! Explora is the new ultra luxury division launched by MSC. My vessel of choice was Explora I, launched just last year, with their most recent addition, Explora II only in operation since SEP24. My short...

25/01/2025

Following on from my first cruise experience on Explora Journeys in OCT24 from Venice to Athens, current specials have proved too much to resist 🤷🏻‍♂️

Explora II from Rome to Casablanca, is now booked in for a 5 night journey, followed by a 4 night finale in Marrakesh 🇲🇦

(For those cruise skeptics, this is a 5 Star ultra luxury, 900 person capacity vessel. Other brands have ships accommodating over 7,000 people 😳)

Get in touch for details on current specials 📞

11/11/2024

Trying a room switch half way this time, from a previous Water Villa (with pool) to this Deluxe Beach Villa (with pool) 🏝️

We’ve a birthday today and an anniversary in 2 days time - why not? 🤷🏻‍♂️

10/11/2024

They do say that a visit to The Maldives is a once in a lifetime experience 🏝️ - A 6th visit then must be entering the realms of excessive by any measure 😬

A milestone anniversary for us is a great excuse, with the hotel of choice being OBLU SELECT Sangeli - First off, we’re treating ourselves to a Water Villa with private pool, our first time in an overwater bungalow 🤷🏻‍♂️

Great facilities, inclusions and staff. Stay tuned for room change tomorrow…

31/10/2024

End of the Explora 🛳️ 🎃🇬🇷 🚕

30/10/2024

After departing Montenegro last night, our final stop on Explora I, will be Athens 🇬🇷😢

In between then however, we have 36 hours of open water cruising 🛳️

“You’ve just forgotten how to do nothing…” is how I’d often counter the “I’ll get bored!” first time cruiser argument 🤷🏻‍♂️

With impending winter at home, this is the perfect opportunity to get a days sunshine. Any number of excercise & entertainment activities available to balance out the food and drink options on board ☀️

With a typical (maximum) capacity of approx. 1000 guests on Explora Journeys , these vessels have only a fraction of people compared to the behemoths of the ‘standard’ cruise lines. No waiting in line getting on/off the boat. No issue ever getting a lounger on deck. No delay in getting seated (or served) food. Am really struggling to find a downside 😆

29/10/2024

Morning sail through the eponymous Bay of Kotor 🇲🇪 - I’ve had a few special arrivals in my time, but this is as spectacular as any 🛳️😳

28/10/2024

Day 2 of my Explora cruise and a day stop at Split 🇭🇷 - A leisurely saunter from the ship to the centre of town and Diocletian's Palace (built between the late 3rd and the early 4th centuries A.D and forms half the old town😳)

27/10/2024

After my teaser last week, I can confirm that after my night in Venice, I’ve now boarded Explora I for a 4 day journey to Athens.

This is the very first of their vessels commissioned and initial thoughts are (very) impressive. High luxury & comfort with a modern contemporary twist 🛳️

Ship has just disembarked, with first stop in the morning being Split (Croatia 🇭🇷)

19/10/2024

I’ve been busy trying to get caught up on enquiries before heading off on my latest adventure next week.

This iconic city is my start point, but that's only the beginning… 🇮🇹

15/08/2024

Catching up on some work just before a return to Dreams Lanzarote⛱️☀️🇪🇸

30/07/2024

It’s not normally a type of trip that’s ever been on my radar, but having taken a last minute decision on a Riviera Travel Rhine cruise, I have to say I am absolutely sold!

As it turns out, there is something serene about peacefully traversing one of Europe’s greatest arterial waterways - who knew?!

Flying into Düsseldorf from Dublin, with a short transfer to the MS Oscar Wilde (docked in Köln) I had a first day getting orientated on this 5 Star river craft, with the included meals & excursions a welcome bonus.

Following days had stops in Koblenz, Boppard and via the Rhine Gorge to Mainz. Onward to Heidelberg and its eponymous castle, 80m up on cliffs overlooking the town.

Our fifth morning has an arrival in Straßburg (Germany) with a short transfer taking us over the bridge into Strasbourg (France) with its Old Town centre mostly unchanged from the 14th century.

Turning around and travelling with the current back north, we had an afternoon arrival in Rüdesheim, an immediate favourite stop of the entire journey. With its labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets, overlooked by vine covered mountain slopes.

Last full day has us berthing back in Cologne with a final guided tour in the Old Town, with the iconic Cologne Cathedral never far from view. It was rude not to stop off (and stock up) at the Lindt Chocolate Museum!

🇩🇪 Deutschland - Danke and auf wiedersehen, you’ve been amazing!

10/07/2024

✈️ Eurowings to Düsseldorf from a very wet Dublin 🌧️- Riviera Travel Rhine cruise departing this evening from Köln ⛴️ 🇩🇪

07/07/2024

What if you’d booked your own flights to South Africa for 2 rugby test matches, but the airline in question cancels your Dublin-Zurich AND the onward Zurich-Johannesburg flights! What are the odds..? 😱

You’re likely staying at home is what…☹️

Thankfully these clients understand the value of booking with a travel professional. With seat availability turmoil compounded by the Aer Lingus IALPA strike, together with Travel Counsellors 24 hour Duty Office, we secured the final 4 seats on connecting flights with Emirates via Dubai 😓

With only a one day delay, this group incredibly made the second half of the first game 🇿🇦🏉 ☘️ , heading off on safari the following day 🦒

All in a days (and late evenings) work 🫡

"Why would I book with a Travel Counsellor?"
Now you know...

©️ photos used with permission

20/06/2024

I'm on a 3 week countdown now to my Riviera Travel river cruise - Starting in Cologne, I'll be headed down the Rhine to Koblenz, Heidelberg, Strasbourg and Colmar, all onboard the MS Oscar Wilde - stay tuned ⛴ 🇩🇪

24/12/2023

Sad as always to depart what is turning into a second home at Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa ☀️

Back in time for Santa 🎅🏻 but just a quick note on the worthy upgrade to the Preferred Club for the added serenity at breakfast, private lounge & the dedicated pool area 🙌

A special shout out to Daniel, maître d'hôtel (among other things!) - Fluent in his native Catalan & Spanish, but also able to chat and banter with clients in English, French, German & Italian 🇪🇸🇬🇧🇫🇷🇩🇪🇮🇹🤯👏

Do get in touch for any quotes

18/12/2023

A lovely ‘welcome home’ goodie bag from guest services - A 3rd visit to this gem in Playa Blanca and as impressive as ever 🥂🍬🍪☀️🇪🇸

It really is the little things 👌

Get in touch for ideas on your own stay to banish those winter blues
🥶✈️

07/12/2023

With a 20 year wedding anniversary next year, my wife & I are considering an (outlandish!) 6th visit to everyone's favourite island nation - The Maldives 🏝

With 3 couples just back from a trip together to the OBLU SELECT Sangeli and all reports overwhelmingly positive, I think we have found our winner 🏆

It's always good to have something to look forward to, especially in the upcoming cold season, so do get in touch if you want help to banish the winter blues 😎