Your June 2026 Update from Michael Wilson

Hello and welcome to my June 2026 update!

I have just returned to the office following a whirlwind tour of Northern Europe on our annual ‘Lads & Dads Road Trip’. Those of you who have followed my monthly updates over the years will know that, for the past 12 years, two close friends and I have taken a week-long driving adventure across Europe with our sons.

The tradition began in 2014 when my son Oliver was just 13 years old. Our first trip took us to the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps before heading through the spectacular mountain passes of Switzerland. Fast forward to today, and Oliver is now 25, working within the business, and joining us on what has become a much-anticipated annual tradition. This year’s journey covered more than 2,000 miles and included some fascinating destinations along the way.

Our trip began in Ypres, where we visited Hill 62, Sanctuary Wood and Tyne Cot Cemetery before attending the moving Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. From there, we travelled north to Hamburg, where one of the highlights was a tour of the Airbus factory, offering a fascinating insight into the production of the latest A320 aircraft. It is an experience I would highly recommend to anyone visiting the city.

Continuing north, we visited Laboe to explore the remarkably preserved U-995 submarine before enjoying an excellent evening in the beautiful Hanseatic city of Lübeck. Turning south towards home, we stopped in Schwerin, home to one of Germany’s most dramatic castles. While the interior was slightly underwhelming, the castle itself, its gardens and the historic town more than made up for it.

Our final stop was Bruges, a beautiful medieval city and the perfect place to enjoy a few drinks together before heading our separate ways. However, before returning home, we made one final visit to Bergen-Belsen Memorial near Hanover. Having previously visited Auschwitz and Dachau, we knew it would be a moving experience, and Bergen-Belsen was no exception. These sites serve as powerful reminders of history and leave a lasting impression on all who visit.

Returning to the Cruise Centre, we are still very much in launch season. With Cunard’s Summer 2028 programme now available, the standout product has undoubtedly been the highly anticipated Four Queens event cruises. As expected, demand has been exceptional, with several of the key sailings selling out quickly and availability now becoming increasingly limited across the collection. These voyages have proved immensely popular with our Cruise Club Members, and it was particularly pleasing to see that we were able to secure so many clients onto their preferred sailings.

In recent days we have also welcomed the Princess Cruises 2028 Europe programme launch. This exciting collection features more than 290 new sailings, visiting around 120 destinations across 37 countries. Interest from our Cruise Club Members has been particularly strong, with many guests keen to secure their preferred itineraries and accommodation well in advance. There is still time to book these fantastic new itineraries and, with such a wide choice of ships, destinations and cruise durations, the programme offers something for every type of cruiser. You can view the full collection here.

The pace of new releases shows no sign of slowing down, as Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines prepares to release a new collection of autumn and winter 2027 sailings. The new sailings will go on sale tomorrow, 16 June, and will feature 22 itineraries ranging from Northern Lights cruises and cultural voyages in Europe to winter sunshine escapes in the Caribbean, including a selection of fly-cruise options aboard Balmoral.

Fred. Olsen has become increasingly popular with many of our Cruise Club Members in recent years, thanks to its smaller ships, traditional style of cruising and convenient departures from ports around the UK. One aspect that guests particularly appreciate is the comprehensive pre-departure information provided several weeks before travel, including a detailed guide, luggage labels and supporting documentation designed to make the journey as straightforward and stress-free as possible. The launch will also feature a no single supplement offer on selected sailings, alongside Fred. Olsen’s Price Promise. This means that guests booking a Freedom Fare within the first four weeks of a cruise going on sale will receive either a cabin upgrade or onboard credit if an equivalent cabin on their sailing is reduced in price later, providing additional peace of mind when booking early.

There is also exciting news from Cunard, with plans now confirmed for a major refurbishment of Queen Mary 2 in 2027. I know just how special this ship is to so many cruise guests. As the world’s last true ocean liner, she occupies a unique place in the industry, and I am pleased to see continued investment in the flagship. The refurbishment will introduce new accommodation and a range of enhancements while carefully preserving the elegance, character and sense of occasion that have made Queen Mary 2 such an icon of modern cruising.

Before I finish, I would also like to share some positive news from closer to home. Bolsover Cruise Club has recently been shortlisted for three prestigious Agent Achievement Awards, including Cruise Agency of the Year and Best Agency to Work For. I am also particularly pleased to see one of our own team members, Phoebe, shortlisted in the Agency Support Team Member of the Year category.

These awards are highly respected within the travel industry and reflect the dedication, professionalism and passion of our entire team. Recognition like this is never achieved by one individual alone, and I am incredibly proud of everyone here at Bolsover Cruise Club. Of course, none of it would be possible without the continued loyalty and support of our Cruise Club Members, so I would also like to thank each and every one of you for choosing to book your holidays with us.

Finally, to all of you setting sail in the coming weeks, I wish you a wonderful holiday and bon voyage. We look forward to helping many more of you discover the world by sea as we head into what promises to be a very busy and exciting summer.