And now for something a little more interesting whilst you sip your tea or coffee... It was on this day in 1842, 175 years ago, that the famous novelist Charles Dickens boarded Samuel Cunard's new steamship, Britannia, bound for America. In his book "American Notes", he recounts his boarding and departure, as well as his passage across the North Atlantic and (great reading) the famous storm that culminated in the ship "running aground" on the coast of Nova Scotia. I have extracted these passages from many great choices: "Two passengers' wives (one of them my own) lay already in silent agonies on the sofa; and one lady's maid (my lady's) was a mere bundle on the floor, execrating her destiny, and pounding her curl-papers among the stray boxes. Everything sloped the wrong way: which in itself was an aggravation scarcely to be borne. I had left the door open, a moment before, in the bosom of a gentle declivity, and, when I turned to shut it, it was on the summit of a lofty eminence. Now every plank and timber creaked, as if the ship were made of wicker-work; and now crackled, like an enormous fire of the driest possible twigs. There was nothing for it but bed; so I went to bed." And this one: "It is the third morning. I am awakened out of my sleep by a dismal shriek from my wife, who demands to know whether there's any danger. I rouse myself, and look out of bed. The water jug is plunging and leaping like a lively dolphin; all the smaller articles are afloat, except my shoes, which are stranded on a carpet-bag, high and dry, like a couple of coal barges. Suddenly I see them spring into the air, and behold the looking-glass, which is nailed to the wall, sticking fast upon the ceiling. At the same time the door entirely disappears, and a new one is opened in the floor. Then I begin to comprehend that the stateroom is standing on its head. Before it is possible to make any arrangement at all compatible with this novel state of things, the ship rights. Before one can say "Thank Heaven!" she wrongs again. Before one can cry she is wrong, she seems to have started forward, and to be a creature actually running of its own accord, with broken knees and failing legs, through every variety of hole and pitfall, and stumbling constantly. Before one can so much as wonder, she takes a high leap into the air. Before she has well done that, she takes a deep dive into the water. Before she has gained the surface, she throws a summerset. The instant she is on her legs, she rushes backward. And so she goes on staggering, heaving, wrestling, leaping, diving, jumping, pitching, throbbing, rolling, and rocking: and going through all these movements, sometimes by turns, and sometimes altogether: until one feels disposed to roar for mercy." This fascinating insight into the golden era of Transatlantic cruising is eye-opening, especially when penned by one of the greatest fictional writers of the Victorian era. For the full details, have a read of these two chapters by Charles Dickens: http://ns1758.ca/quote/dickens1842.html I hope you enjoy reading this amazing prose, ever thankful that you live in 2017, lucky to have such amazing and luxurious vessels to chose from particularly under Cunard's banner. And on a more lively note, I am proud to say that BlueSun Cruises is offering 20% off select Cunard 2017 Mediterranean and 2018 World Cruises? Check out our HOT DEALS section here as we are constantly posting new cruise deals. http://www.bluesuncruises.com.au/weekly-top-cruise-deals/

Timeline Photos

ONE ADULT & TWO KIDS CRUISE FOR FREE Hot off the press, here is another deal for the ASTOR: Looking for something last minute to do before Australia Day, then how about an amazing 10 day cruise to Bali and back! Better still, pay for one person and your companion goes FREE as well as two kids. That's right, FREE!!!! DEPART: 16 January, 2017 RETURN: 26 January, 2017 FROM: Fremantle to Bali and back to Fremantle CRUISE SHIP: Astor CRUISE LINE: Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) INTERIOR CABIN: 1st person $1979 (2nd person FREE) OCEANVIEW CABIN: 1st person $2,399 (2nd person FREE) Included in your cruise are all meals, entertainment, port charges and government taxes. Terms and conditions do apply. Cabins are subject to availability. Other cabin classes are available too, so speak to us NOW. For more info on this Bali Cruise Deal, click here: http://www.bluesuncruises.com.au/…/bali-cruise-deal-2017-2…/ Every week we publish and show masses of new "Hot Deals" so sign up to our newsletter to be kept in the loop or call us now: 1300 799 758 or 08 9315 2222

BALI CRUISE DEAL: 2ND PERSON FREE - FREMANTLE, BALI & BACK

KIDS NOW GO FREE TOO! Looking for something last minute to do before Australia Day, then how about an amazing 10 day cruise to Bali and back! Better still, pay for one person and your companion goes FREE! That's right, FREE!!!! DEPART: 16 January, 2017 RETURN: 26 January, 2017 FROM: Fremantle to Bali and back to Fremantle CRUISE SHIP: Astor CRUISE LINE: Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) INTERIOR CABIN: 1st person $1979 (2nd person FREE) OCEANVIEW CABIN: 1st person $2,399 (2nd person FREE) Included in your cruise are all meals, entertainment, port charges and government taxes. Terms and conditions do apply. Cabins are subject to availability. For more info on this Bali Cruise Deal, click here: http://www.bluesuncruises.com.au/cruise-deal/bali-cruise-deal-2017-2nd-person-free-fremantle-bali-back/ Every week we publish and show masses of new "Hot Deals" so sign up to our newsletter to be kept in the loop or call us now: 1300 799 758 or 08 9315 2222

Timeline Photos

BlueSun Wishes You a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Timeline Photos

You know something, 13 years ago, December 2013, I was on an airplane from London to Perth. I had no job. But I had just bought a nondescript notebook at the WH Smith news agency before boarding my flight. It had a black and white cover. Blank pages. It was all I needed or wanted. Something in which I could scribble down a few thoughts. About my life, my ideas. My vision. In that book, I wrote a business plan for a new company that I called BlueSun2. It was highly prophetic. I scribed my mission statements: "strive to be the number one at whatever you do; never put all your eggs in one basket; have multiple revenue streams; grow from being a local to a regional, national and international player; diversify." Today, after two years of incredible planning, I launch BlueSun Cruises (www.bluesuncruises.com), my fourth BlueSun company in thirteen years. I hope you love the new website as much as we do. There still is much happening to it but this is ongoing. And the journey doesn't stop there. In 2017, we will be opening two more companies too. For me it is not about expansion. It is about belief! If you saw me now, in my new office opposite Garden City, I sit in awe still holding that same little notebook telling myself, and everyone else, that dreams are what you make of them. I dared to dream big. So take a leaf out of my "book". Dare to dream big, work damn hard and have a plan. Just do it! If you sit on your proverbial ass, that is where you will find yourself. Always. I vow that BlueSun Cruises will go on to be one of the most significant cruise companies in Australia. This is not a dream. It is a promise. So to all of you that have watched me along the way, a big thanks. This space is for you. Watch it with love and fun :)

Timeline Photos

ARGENTINA CRUISE An Argentina Cruise and a tango in Buenos Aires should be on your bucket list of last flings. This national dance beats Paris for passion with its coquettish strut and is, well, more steamy than “ Le Coq Sportif”. The locals are passionate about everything, their beef, their clothing, their gauchos, their polo, and they are fiercely independent. Time stands still here. They eat late and party even later which is a recipe for a lot of fun. In spite of their time keeping everything is laid out with Spanish precision and flair with neat, wide tree lined boulevards, and fabulous period architecture embracing old world charm. Shopping and dining are some of the best in the world. Buenos Aires has an I don’t care where you are from air about it as long as you join the party. Head south to Ushuaia, the southernmost inhabited city in the world and a former penal colony aptly nicknamed “The end of the World”. Next stop is Antarctica. This is where the Andes collide with the southern ocean at the Tierra del Fuego. Ushuaia is offset by a spectacular backdrop of mountains and provide some of the most spectacular hiking in the world. Here you will see soaring Andean Condors swooping down from massive dolomite glacial spires. Keep an ear out for the local panpipe music. BlueSun Cruises is a South American cruise specialist, so call 08 9315 2222 or 1300 799 758 to learn more.

Timeline Photos

ALASKA CRUISE Journey to the final frontier of the Northwest with an Alaska Cruise that will leave you totally breathless, for herein lies the wilderness “icescapes” of glaciers, wild animals and rich indigenous hunting cultures. Coastal communities thrive in incredibly harsh and rugged conditions, side by side with the roaming bears and soaring bald eagles. Even the humpback whales feature regularly in Alaskan life. Enjoy a cruise through the glacier lined fjords, with the Denali and Glacier Bay National Parks being two of the best highlights. BlueSun Cruises is a North America and Alaska Cruise specialist and our choice of cruises and vessel is second to none. Call 08 9315 2222 or 1300 799 758 to learn more.

Timeline Photos

MALDIVES CRUISE If you live to dive then the underwater world of the Maldives is a living, teaming swimming paradise of marine life worthy of the Louvre. Every coral reef is a dazzling work of art. Caves and reefs pop out of everywhere with technicolour fishy fusion. It is simply spectacular. There are almost 1,200 islands dotted around the country each one as picture perfect as the next. If you want for fine white sand then the beach sand of the Maldives is the equivalent of a cocaine dealer’s best cut powder. It is not only idyllic. It is unique for its unsurpassed choice of exclusive and luxury accommodation with over a 100 resorts to choose from. Spoilt you will be. Humbled indeed. Pampered and rested for sure. It is the ultimate getaway. For the best African and Indian Ocean cruise knowledge available, call our BlueSun Cruise experts on 08 9315 2222 or 1300 799 758. Members of our team have lived and travelled throughout the African continent and Indian Ocean for over 35 years.

Photos from BlueSun Cruises's post

I am really proud to say that BLUE SUN CRUISES co-sponsored a charity golf event at Marangaroo Golf Course last Friday to raise money for Warwick Proudlove. His is a story that touched us deeply. Many of you may have already heard about it. Warrick was a Great Southern football product from North Albany who was part of Claremont's 2011 senior playing list with a bright future at the club. Warrick was involved in a serious car accident on the night of Friday 15th July, 2011 just north of Mount Barker on his way home for the weekend. Warrick was a passenger in a car that hit a horse before running into a tree. He was the only person injured in the accident even though there were other cars involved. Warrick was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital that night and kept in the ICU. Warrick was on life support for a few weeks with multiple operations to help keep the pressure off his brain, as his head wore the most damage from the accident. His skull was removed to help relieve the pressure on his brain and then a shunt (permanent drain) was placed in his body for future recovery. Warrick's care and ongoing physical therapy doesn't come cheap and I'm thankful that we could do our bit to help raise $12,000 with everyone else. If any of you want to help out too, or can even spare a $50, please do so. As you will see the community is rallying behind him. To donate, check out here: http://www.proudiesfoundation.com.au/ Thanks very much everyone!

Kimberley Boat Cruises 9 days Cruising

9 Night Cruise - Kimberley Get to know how amazing a Kimberley cruise is with one of our passenger's video log. Here you can see his 9 nights in 14 minutes. We work with almost every vessels that go to Kimberley. You just need to choose one and book your unforgettable cruise!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oModR4u4vCM

Photos from BlueSun Cruises's post

Pack your bags! We're on our way to Cuba before the "golden arches" get there! How about cruising to Cuba with this amazing vessel - PANORAMA II We still have a few available dates. Cuba by Land and Sea: 11 Day Cultural Heritage and Natural Wonders cruise Available from December to March ($11,880 to $17,810 per person depending upon cabin class).

Timeline Photos

We are passing on the love! Make the most of this fabulous deal and give us a shout. Already booked 4 couples this morning and would love to see more smiles out there too :) Hope you had Happy Monday!