Thank you for the holiday of a lifetime
Thank you Eve/guys we had a wonderful trip and look forward to booking again soon
Thanks to Brandy for sorting our flight and hotel arrangements - it all went smoothly!
Callum did a terrific job as always.
Everything worked well. My only comment is that when I make that journey to Singapore again, I should go direct. I am too ancient to be trundling down those endless corridors.
All went swimmingly - will use again.
Ruby has been such a star, loved working with her, really friendly, helpful and kept us updated
Amazing personal service - would definitely recommend to friends and family. Thanks Dexter you arranged a fabulous holiday
Excellent, personalised service.
Jake is fantastic
Thanks Ray, the service went over and above - helping me navigate my way through international travel, which l don't do that often. Trip of a lifetime. Flights ran smoothly, fabulous hotel, wonderful memories!
Sean has been brilliant.
Have already recommended you to friends because of the excellent service, good communications and support
I managed to leave my iphone on the plane after the first leg home, from Singapore to Dubai. Ermirates have been fantastic in getting it back to me. Can't fault them
DialAFlight makes going on holiday very easy and the follow up details and customer care throughout the holiday is exceptional. Jim Camahin is highly recommended in his endeavours to keep things running smoothly and remains in touch throughout our holidays to ensure the best possible experience.
Thanks for rebooking a flight from Canberra to Adelaide when the VA flight was cancelled and for getting a refund. All other flights went well. Happy to recommend you to others.
Paul looked after us yet again. Great holiday experience
Sebastian has been great throughout
Well done to Kylie for once again arranging everything like she always does. From hotel recommendation to chauffeur pick ups, cruise details etc it was all perfect.
Always very happy with your friendly and efficient service.
I have used DialAFlight for many years and always got excellent service
Spencer is fabulous
Booked nine flights with yourselves but had 1 cancelled flight which caused us grief but was sorted in the end
A huge thank you to Warren Douglas Noble who was excellent and delivered exactly what he was asked for with great enthusiasm.
Just like to thank Jack Sulliman for his excellent attention to detail
Sadie. You were fab!
Very good service from Glen Blackburn most helpful and efficient.
Flights and hotels were easy to book, very helpful staff, all went according to plan. will definitely use again.
Vinnie was top class from booking through to travelling. Will definitely recommend and use for future bookings.
Had an amazing time in Singapore, thanks to Nicholas Brew. The hotel was a bit dated but the bonus was its location, costs and really friendly and helpful staff. Have already recommended DialAFlight to friends and would have no hesitation in doing so again
What do Princess Cruises and Singapore share in common? Yes, the ships and the city are sexy, sleek and stunningly attractive. They each have the wow factor, look hot and are lots of fun.
Yet the answer I was looking for is that they've both turned 50 and were each celebrating in style when I boarded Sapphire Princess in Singapore in December.
In 1965, as Singapore won her independence, Princess Cruises launched with a single ship sailing around Mexico. Half a century later, Singapore has grown into a modern metropolis, while Princess is the third-largest cruise line in the world.
Singapore has plenty to offer for a pre-cruise stay, from the historic Raffles Hotel, where about 2,000 Singapore Slings are knocked back daily in the famous Long Bar, as well as served on direct Singapore Airlines flights from London.
The latest landmark, Marina Bay Sands Hotel, resembles a cruise ship sailing along the shimmering skyline. Daring to peep over the edge of its towering SkyPark 57 levels up, with its rooftop infinity pool, gives a great excuse for yet another Singapore Sling to steady nerves.
Champagne and cocktails were also flowing on board Sapphire Princess, as I was lucky enough to join a South East Asia cruise from Singapore to Thailand via Brunei and Vietnam during the cruise line's birthday week.
Celebrations included a champagne fountain and golden balloon drop - one balloon was rumoured to have a ticket for a free cruise inside. The gala dinner served commemorative dishes from the past five decades. Just when I thought I really couldn't eat any more, a bittersweet chocolate mousse was presented which was far too tempting to decline. Then coffee and sweets - well, it would have been rude not to...
It seemed that the opulent golden-domed sultan's palaces and mosques of Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, our first port of call, reflected the spirit of the 50th anniversary celebrations.
Our culinary journey also continued with an invitation during our organised shore excursion to enjoy afternoon tea at a local home in Kampong Ayer, the world's largest water village. Being collected by water taxi to explore the maze of houses on wooden stilts connected by bridges, I could quite understand why the residents had turned down the opportunity to live more conventionally on land.
Nha Trang, Vietnam's famous resort, also welcomed us with mile upon mile of golden beaches, though unusually during our visit, there were only brief glimpses of golden sunshine to match. But when the clouds parted, the dazzling turquoise seas and powder-white sands suddenly lit up.
At the end of our tour of mythical temples, pagodas and markets, we used the excuse of waiting for the tender queue to die down (it takes a while to ferry 2,700 passengers back to the ship), to sample the local beer 333.
It's a tradition here to serve the refreshing golden brew with ice before shouting 'Môt, hai, ba, yo!' meaning 'One, two, three, cheers!' Vietnamese and Thai are two of my favourite cuisines, so lunching on deep-fried spring rolls, pineapple rice served in the husk of the fruit, or pancakes stuffed with shrimps, pork and beansprouts and then rolled in rice paper and fresh herbs, was always going to keep me as happy (not to mention as shapely) as a laughing Buddha. So was shopping for bargains in Saigon's many outdoor markets and designer stores.
As a welcome escape from the heat and traffic chaos of each bustling port, it was nice to kick back and enjoy relaxing days at sea on our own indulgent floating palace. For perfect peace and pampering with chilled face towels, frozen mango margaritas and afternoon tea brought to your sunbed, the adults-only Sanctuary is very hard to beat.
So, too, is a deep-tissue massage at the heavenly-smelling Lotus Spa. Or watching Movies Under The Stars with popcorn and ice cream. Not to mention enjoying the sunset from your own private balcony with a glass of bubbly in hand. The Princess Patter daily update is delivered to your room and is filled with the day's activities - from dancing and shows to live music and ping-pong tournaments.
I'm proud to say that our family won a bottle of fizz in a trivia quiz, while I was just pipped at the post in the spelling bee. That almost took me back 50 years, as did dancing the night away to oldies but goldies in Skywalkers Club.
Princess's motto is 'Come Back New' and after a ten-day holiday of a lifetime, I felt regenerated, even if - admittedly - I'm now a slightly more rounded model.
First published in the Mail on Sunday - May 2016
More articles below...
Not quite what you're looking for?
We can easily customise an offer to suit your exact requirements
Clients range from TV companies to Space agencies, investment banks to firms recruiting nurses, doctors and teachers around the world. One saves tigers, elephants and and orang-utans, another clears landmines around the world.
But they all have one thing in common. They love the unique DialAFlight approach. Read more here
Let us extend the personalised service of your booking into your holiday with great prices on business class flights ready to add a touch of class to your trip.
Take the stress out of travelling with a host of wonderful perks on offer from priority check-in and premium lounge access to chauffeur service and fine in-flight dining, plus the supreme comfort of a fully-reclining seat.
Call us to see how much you could save on Business Class flights.
Airport Lounges from £25
Once you’re through security leave the crowds, kids and chaos behind you with a visit to one of our comfortable airport lounges.
All offer complimentary food, drinks, wifi and newspapers with some also including Fastrack through security. Prices from £25.
Use our speedy private transfer service to avoid the stress of finding your way out of the airport terminal and looking for a taxi or bus on arrival.
With our meet and greet service, our driver will meet you in the arrivals hall. They will monitor flight arrival times giving you peace of mind that someone will be waiting for you with a name board even if your flight is late.
They will then assist you with your luggage and organise a private transfer directly to your hotel - there’s no waiting around for other passengers for shared transfers!
So no queues, no delays and less stress.
What could be better than giving someone the Gift of Travel?
Starting at just £50, with no maximum value, DialAFlght's 'Gift of Travel' vouchers make the perfect present for any occasion or celebration.
And it couldn't be simpler to organise, just contact one of our travel experts today and they will organise a personalised travel voucher to be sent out.
BACK TO TOP
