We are here to help
Ponders is a truly independent cruise and travel company with a very clear aim – and it’s all about choice, your choice. When making any travel plans we are here to assist you in looking for information and advice for your next trip, assuring you that you will be helped by staff who have over 35 years travel experience and first-hand knowledge of many destinations all over the world.
At Ponders we have just celebrated our 10th year in business, and right now we have never being more committed to help your dreams come true when it comes to travel.
We are now back in the shop and have enjoyed booking our local clients some super holidays, and also just being here to say hello to many of you as your go about your day. We have taken on board all the correct safely precautions and from 24th July we have face masks ready so that we comply with all that is asked from the government for your safety.
We are unable to put everything that Ponders can help you with on this website, so please do call us or email us with any travel requirements. We really do have the widest choice of worldwide travel available. So if it’s a cozy cottage in the UK or a room on the beach in the Caribbean, tailor made adventures, family holidays, solo holidays, river and ocean cruising, round-the-world flights, touring adventures, visiting friends and family and so much more. Please simply get in touch and you can then be sure of the best prices and the very best attention to ensure you holiday is the best it can be.
So if you are longing for the clear seas and golden sands, adventures off the beaten track or you’ve been thinking about sailing Europe’s rivers on some of the most stunning of river cruise ships. We look forward to helping you put it all in place and creating you something to look forward to once again.
Revision to Ponders Travel Opening Hours
Due to the current situation we have made a revision to our opening hours. With immediate effect we will no longer be open on a Saturday until further notice.
Please note that staff are working safely from home during our opening hours.
Our hours are now:
Meandering Along The Burgundy, Saône and Centre Canal
Onboard the MS Deborah a wonderful hotel barge taking just 22 people in total
15th April 2021 – 7 Days – From £1,697pp
All Inclusive on board (all drinks, meals and excursions) Cruise only price, but we can sort flights, train or self-drive to this holiday, just let us know
DIJON – LONGECOURT-EN-PLAINE – SAINT-JEAN-DE-LOSNE – CHALON-SUR-SAONE – CHAGNY – SANTENAY – SAINT-LEGER-SUR-DHEUNE
From Dijon to Saint-Léger-sur-Dheune, join us for a unique journey along the Burgundy canal to discover cities with unconditional charm. Visit Saint-Jean-de-Losne and its Musée de la Batellerie, recounting the history of navigation, and taste* regional products and wines in Santenay. Do not miss out on Chalon-sur-Saône, beautiful city of art and history, and hike to the Cirque du Bout du Monde for some gorgeous panoramas: take advantage of this relaxing yet cultural and gourmet cruise that will not fail to surprise you!
For more information or alternative dates or destinations contact us today on: 01954 232802 | [email protected]
British Isles with Orkney Island – Escorted by Ponders Travel
Join our very own Clare and Paul Adams for an exploration of our beautiful British Isles!
Fairy tales will come to life as you explore storybook castles and enchanting country sides. Admire the stained-glass windows of Glasgow Cathedral, uncover the mysteries of Stonehenge in England, and ascend the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
As legend has it, you’ll get the gift of gab after visiting the Blarney Stone at Ireland’s iconic castle. Get ready to see the hidden gems of the world that are much closer to home than you might think…!
Ponders Travel’s Top Tips for Safe Cruising
We have certainly noticed that many of you – us included! – are itching to get back to cruising. There is an abundance of wonderful ocean experiences out there that we have missed dreadfully these last few months! Land holidays have been back up and running for a few weeks now, as is river cruising! The foreign office is still recommending us to avoid ocean cruises for the time being, but a small-ship sojourn along the Seine, Danube, Rhine, or any other European river is still a fantastic and SAFE option. Perhaps it’s an opportunity for those ocean lovers to try something new? We heard last week from Amadeus River Cruises, a sophisticated, family owned fleet of elegant ships with some feedback on their first cruises since restarting their schedule.
“We are pleased to say that the passengers felt very comfortable and especially safe on board and accepted / respected the new regulations very well. They also mentioned that they didn’t feel that the regulations strained them, but rather that they had a wonderful time onboard as well as during the excursions. Briefly spoken, the atmosphere was very good and the feedback very positive”
The ocean liners are taking this time out of action to completely revamp their onboard service. The goal is to provide everyone with a fantastic voyage, while going above and beyond to ensure the safety of every passenger and crew member alike. Some of the most common questions we are being asked right now are “how will cruising be safe?” and “will it still be an enjoyable experience?”. So, we decided to make a list, just for you!
This will be carried out both via questionnaires that must be completed before arrival and temperature check and last-minute health questions before boarding. You may also be given more specific timing for embarkation.
How will this improve my experience?
Knowing every passenger has been thoroughly screened gives everyone peace of mind. The added benefit of the specific embarkation times is that the queues will be much shorter, so you can expect little to no waiting around before embarkation!
No cruise line will be operating at full capacity during this time. Some cruise lines will be accepting as little as 50% of their usual guests!
How will this improve my experience?
Less passengers equals less stress. Not only will this make socially distancing much easier to abide by, it will also give you more space on your holiday! The pools won’t be full, you will always be able to find a sun lounger, and you won’t have to worry about getting to the bar extra early to get yourself a good table.
As is expected, the cleaning staff onboard will be working far more regularly and in far finer detail. You can expect regularly touched objects such as phones, door handles and elevator buttons to be cleaned hourly, and public spaces to be closed a little earlier than usual in order to provide a deep clean.
How will this improve my experience?
The biggest fear we have heard about cruising is the thought of being stuck on ship and breathing the same air as a potentially sick passenger. The work each cruise line is putting into hygiene makes it no more dangerous than eating out at a restaurant.
The majority of cruise ships will now only be offering waiter service, but some will have food choices on display but your waiter will bring to you, therefore still offering you an abundance of choice.
How will this improve my experience?
With all the time spent at home with nothing but cooking and cleaning over the last few months, we all deserve a little bit of special treatment. Being waited on while enjoying the same delicious food as before is better than ever!
Extra cleanliness and in particular more attention to clean surfaces that are touched more regularly. Many ships cabins and public areas will have 100% fresh air with no recirculation and some of the more modern ships will have the air sanitised using UVC light technology.
How will this improve my experience?
Nothing could be nicer than coming back to a beautifully clean cabin, tired, after a wonderful day of exploring. It’s one less thing for you to think about.
Each excursion group will be smaller in size and more time controlled, with masks worn by each passenger and staff member. If buses are used then more in-depth cleaning will be assured.
How will this improve my experience?
Travelling in smaller groups means a safer and more dedicated experience! It also means less queuing before the excursion. The entire trip should be seamless and feel utterly VIP! We would encourage booking excursions in advance to avoid queues at reception areas on board.
ALL medical staff onboard will have thorough COVID-19 training. The hospital facilities onboard will also be better equipped with plenty of necessary supplies. In most cases cruise lines will hold back a number of cabins specifically to be used for quarantine should this become necessary. Each time you embark and disembark at each port you will be checked for temperature and screened for health.
How will this improve my experience?
While this won’t necessarily affect your actual cruising experience, we hope it puts your mind at rest knowing that your ship crew are leaving absolutely nothing to chance. While every possible measure has been taken to prevent an issue, planning for every eventuality guarantees the fasted, most efficient response to any problem.
Many cruise lines are doing their utmost to be as flexible as possible for you and are providing temporary adjustments to their terms and conditions. This means that for some cruise lines you can book your holiday now, and if by a certain time before your cruise you aren’t comfortable travelling you can move your holiday without any amendment fees! Always check with us before confirmation what the current terms and conditions of the operator are.
There are so many cruise lines out there doing their very best to abide by global travel regulations and we really commend them for the efforts they are achieving. However, one last thing that we really wanted to understand was how cruising might be affected in the long term, after this awful pandemic is a distant memory. The short answer is – for the better.
While some stricter protocols will likely relax over time, heightened shipboard sanitation and disinfection procedures should continue long-term. As a result, the risk of catching a communicable disease beyond COVID-19 – such as norovirus, influenza, and even the common cold – could greatly diminish.
While the team at Ponders love all types of travel, cruising certainly holds a special place in our hearts and we truly can’t wait to see its return. If you have any questions about the procedures on specific cruise lines then please get in touch or visit our Facebook page, we often post helpful videos and useful guides. The most important thing to remember is, should the situation still be unsafe by the time you take your next cruise, your money is completely protected and you won’t have to travel. Our job is to take the stress away from you and give you a fantastic, enjoyable holiday. Anything less is not the Ponders way!
For your next cruise, wherever it may be, get in touch with Clare or Millie and let us help you plan something truly worth waiting for.
Star Clippers Winter 2021/2022 Preview brochure is here
As we find ourselves in an unusual lockdown situation, it gives us time for reflection as we slow our pace of life and think ahead to the future when more normal times return once more. A time of freedom and a time to resume exploring wonderful places around the world. A time to finally tick off those bucket list experiences we promised we would do when we took our opportunities to explore for granted
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