It gives us great pleasure to inform and update you, our most loyal followers and fans of one of our latest drawing presentations which took place earlier this month.

In December 2011, we especially assigned a drawing of the 225,258 tonne giant Oasis of the Seas, after Daniel Blossom, a keen follower of Dream Designs Colchester, kindly agreed to present the drawing on our behalf during his 7 night cruise aboard the vessel.

On Saturday 7th Janaury 2012, Daniel Blossom, embarked aboard Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas before departing on his 7 night cruise. Sadly whilst aboard, Daniel was unable to meet with the Captain and therefore made the decision to present our drawing at reception.

As an official drawing presentation was not possible or did not occur on this occasion, we are unable to share with you any photographs of this event. However, before our drawing of Oasis of the Seas was sent to the United States of America, we took the chance to get the photograph which is directly below.

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

" We were disappointed to hear that our loyal follower Daniel Blossom was unable to meet with the Captain of Oasis of the Seas, during his 7 night Caribbean cruise earlier this month. However, we respect that Daniel did everything that he could and were still thankful of his assistance."

He added:

" I personally do hope that the Captain has received our drawing and that he will be kind enough to contact us, as many have done previously."

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk           

We wanted to take a moment to send our greatest appreciation to Holland America Line for featuring our official drawing presentation of our especially assigned drawing of Oosterdam on their very own Blog!

You can read the arctile which Holland America Line published, by visiting the following link directly below.

http://www.hollandamericablog.com/2012/01/20/oosterdam-captain-presented-with-special-drawing/ 

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk          

On January 13th 2012, our Volunteers @ Sea, John & Marilyn officially presented our especially assigned drawing of Holland America Line's Oosterdam to the Master of the vessel, Captain Arjen C. van der loo, on behalf of Dream Designs Colchester, during their 7 night cruise aboard.

John & Marilyn had presented drawing on our behalf on two previous occasions and were kind enough to offer to present a drawing aboard Oosterdam. We were truly delighted to offer them such an opportunity again.

Holland America Line were kind enough to arrange for our honourable Volunteers @ Sea, John & Marilyn, to visit the navigation bridge aboard Oosterdam, where they were invited to meet with the Master of the vessel, Captain Arjen C. van der loo and the Hotel Director, James Deering.

During their time on the navigation bridge, John & Marilyn had the opportunity to officially present our especially assigned drawing of Oosterdam. The ship's on board photographer was available to capture some photographs of the presentation of our drawing.

We have been in touch with the Holland America Line blog, who kindly helped arranged for the official drawing presentation to take place. They were also kind enough to forward the official photographs to us as well. It is hoped that our drawing presentation will be featured on the Holland America Line blog soon too!

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

" It was my pleasure to offer our wonderful Volunteers @ Sea, John & Marilyn, the opportunity to officially present our especially assigned drawing of Oosterdam, during their cruise aboard the vessel."

He added:

" We were extremely pleased to see that Holland America Line were able to accommodate John & Marilyn and invite them to meet personally with the Captain on the bridge to officially present our drawing. I personally would like to thank Holland America Line, both the crew aboard Oosterdam and staff ashore, for making this possible."

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk           

Dream Designs Colchester are truly delighted to be able to take this opportunity to share with you, our very first official drawing presentation to take place in 2012.

On January 7th 2012, Bradley Yesberg, who is just 16 years old and lives in Australia, boarded P&O Cruises Australia's Pacific Dawn, along with his family and girlfriend, before embarking on their 7 night cruise aboard the vessel.

A number of months before, Bradley contacted us to ask if it was possible for him to present a drawing on our behalf. We were of course delighted to offer him such an opportunity and in December 2011, especially assigned a drawing of Pacific Dawn for him to present on our behalf.

Before Bradley set sail aboard Pacific Dawn, we contacted P&O Cruises Australia a number of times, as did Bradley himself, but unfortunately we did not receive a reply. Bradley was given an alternative email address but later never receive a response either.

Fortunately whilst aboard, Bradley's persistence enabled him to meet with Captain Salvatore Lupo personally. He informed us that he went to the reception desk aboard Pacific Dawn a number of times and upon each return was informed they were still detailing with his request to present our especially assigned drawing to the Captain.

Later, after returning to the reception desk again, Bradley was greeted by another member of the ships crew, believed to have been a senior officer from the bridge. Bradley suggested perhaps he would be able to present the drawing to the Captain at the Captain's Cocktail Party for previous passengers, as he has sailed with P&O Cruises Australia a number of times before. 

On January 12th 2012, Bradley and his family enjoyed dinner aboard the ship and afterwards attended the Captain's Cocktail Party in the Dome, a well known area aboard Pacific Dawn. Upon his arrival he was greeted by many of the ship's crew who were very interested and keen to see our drawing, including  Captain Salvatore Lupo, the Staff Captain and the Cruise Director too.

Upon his return Bradley took the time to email us and tell us all about his cruise aboard Pacific Dawn and the official presentation of our drawing to Captain Salvatore Lupo.

In his email Bradley also thanked us for allowing him to have the opportunity to offically present our drawing on behalf of Dream Designs Colchester.

Bradley Yesberg, said:

" Overall this experience was amazing. The Captain also said he will get a nice frame made and put it somewhere for the crew to see. Thank you Harry. This made my cruise. I'd be happy to do this again and again for you."

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

" We are delighted that Bradley Yesberg had the opportunity to meet with Captain Salvatore Lupo personally during his 7 night cruise and was able to present our especially assigned drawing of Pacific Dawn to him."

He added:

" I would personally like to take this opportunity to extend my greatest appreciation to Bradley and his family for presenting the drawing on behalf of Dream Designs Colchester. Thank you! "

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk          

On Friday 13th January 2012, the 112,000 tonne Costa Concordia run around in the Mediterranean before capsizing near the island of Giglio in Tuscany, Italy.

On board were over 4,000 passengers and more than 1,000 crew. 

3 people have been reported to have died in the disaster and at the time of writing, some 17 people still remain uncounted for. (Previous figures were as high as 70).

At present, rescue work still continues on board the vessel. Last night two passengers were found aboard the vessel and brought ashore and taken to hospital. Italian Costa Guard personnel have recovered the black box from the Costa Concordia and the Master of the vessel, Captain Franceso Schettino have been arrested by Italian police.

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk         

On Tuesday 27th December 2011, our Volunteers @ Sea, Ernie & Edna arrived in Southampton to embark aboard P&O Cruises' Oceana, before spending 12 nights aboard the vessel.

Ernie & Edna have been working on behalf of Dream Designs Colchester for quite sometime now and have been generous enough to present our especially assigned drawings aboard a number of other P&O Cruises' vessels previously.

In December 2010, Ernie & Edna had the opportunity to offically present our drawing of Aurora to the Master of the vessel, Captain David Pembridge during their 23 night Christmas Caribbean cruise.

Later in August 2011, Ernie & Edna presented our especially assigned drawing of Arcadia, to Captain Peter Philpott, during their around Britain cruise. The drawing is now proudly displayed aboard the vessel!

Ernie & Edna were again kind enough to agree to present our especially assigned drawing on behalf of Dream Designs Colchester. P&O Cruises kindly arrange for our Volunteers @ Sea to meet with the Captain of Oceana during their 12 night cruise.

On December 30th 2011, Ernie & Edna, as well as their daughter's husband, Duncan, were invited to the navigation bridge of Oceana to meet personally with the Master of the vessel and officially present our especially assigned drawing on behalf of Dream Designs Colchester.

Today, Thursday 12th January 2012, Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester and his parents, Diane & Brian Cotterill took the opportunity to meet with Ernie & Edna at their home in Colchester. They were presented with two printed photographs from the official drawing presentation as well a special navigation map which the Captain had signed.

The Captain of P&O Cruises' Oceana wrote:

" To Harry, Thank you very much for your drawing. Hope to meet you in the future."

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

" I was absolutely delighted that our Volunteers @ Sea, Ernie & Enda were able to meet with the Captain personally on the navigation bridge and officially present our especially assigned drawing of Oceana to him on our behalf. "

He added:

" I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to P&O Cruises for being kind enough to arrange for Ernie & Edna to meet with the Captain of Oceana. "

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk        

Today, Saturday 7th January 2012, is a very exciting day for Dream Designs Colchester, as three of our especially assigned drawings are due to be taken aboard the particular vessel on behalf of Dream Designs Colchester and throughout next week, will hopefully be officially presented to the Captains.

Firstly, young 16 year old Bradley Yesberg from Australia will embark aboard P&O Cruises Australia's Pacific Dawn, before spending 7 nights aboard the 70,000 tonne vessel.

During his time aboard it is hoped that Bradley will be lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet with the Captain of vessel and officially present our especially assigned drawing of Pacific Dawn. Sadly we have still received no reply from P&O Cruises Australia, neither has Bradley himself, but he promises to do us proud and we have faith in him to successfully deliver our drawing to the Captain.

Next, Daniel Blossom a keen follower of Dream Designs Colchester who has been following our progress closely for a number of years via the popular forum, CruiseLineFans, is set to board Royal Caribbean International's 225,000 tonne, Oasis of the Seas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Unfortunately we again received no reply from Royal Caribbean International (UK & Ireland) but we are continuing our hard work to attempt to arrange for Daniel to meet with Captain Thore Thorolvsen to officially present our especially assigned drawing of Oasis of the Seas.

Finally, our honourable Volunteers @ Sea, John & Marilyn will embark aboard Holland America Line's Oosterdam in Seattle, before setting sail on their 7 night cruise.

This will be the third drawing which John & Marilyn have presented on behalf of Dream Designs Colchester, after presenting our especially assigned drawings aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Pearl in July 2011 and Norwegian Star in September 2011.

Holland America Line have also been kind enough to send a note to both the crew and the Captain aboard Oosterdam who are aware that John & Marilyn will be boarding with our especially assigned drawing. They have also promised to feature the 'Offical Drawing Presentation' on the HAL Blog too, upon the return of our Volunteers @ Sea.

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester, said:

" Today is a very important day for Dream Designs Colchester, as three of our latest, most detailed, especially assigned drawings are set to board, three more of the world's leading cruise ships."

He added:

" The official presentation of our especially assigned drawings aboard P&O Cruises Australia's Pacific Dawn, Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas and Holland American Line's Oosterdam highlights our continued hard work and close friendships between many of the world's major cruise operators. "

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk       

December 2011 was a remarkable month for the Dream Designs Colchester website, with a record breaking number of unique visitors and page views recorded, exceeding the previous records from October 2011, after our Special Queen Mary 2 review was published live.

Throughout December there were many days where the number of visitors and page views were particularly high. On December 21st 2011 we recorded 759 page views and 429 unique visitors, our highest figures ever recorded! Two other days far exceeded 500 page views, with numerous other peeks throughout the month.

In total we recorded well over 8,000 page views and more than 7,000 unique visitors during the course of December 2011, breaking the previous of 6,949 page views in October 2011.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all once again for your continued support and hope that our many loyal fans and followers will continue to visit the Dream Designs Colchester website throughout 2012.

We would also like to remind those of you who visit our website reguarly, that you can Subscribe to our E-Newsletter, where you can receive regular e-mail notifications directly from Dream Designs Colchester.

ENDS

For more information please Contact Us on the following details below

Harry Cotterill, President & Managing Director, Dream Designs Colchester

Mobile: 07778940245
E-mail: harry_cotterill@hotmail.co.uk