Edwina Lonsdale

There is nothing like hankering after a ‘must do’ destination for years, and then arriving to find it is even more amazing than you had ever imagined

My favourite destination

Nearly everywhere goes straight back on my bucket list for a return visit, but at the top has to be the Galapagos Islands, the most extraordinary place I have ever been.

It is amazing to sit on a beach alongside the sea lions, watching the birds overhead, the marine iguanas on the rocks and a manta ray leaping out of the water, and think that for thousands of years this scene has not changed.

Explore the Galapagos

My top cruising tip

It's all about preparation, so make sure you research the destinations to make sure you make the most of them - or ask your travel professional for their advice.

There's no point realising once you arrive that you should have done something different. Checking out the shore excursions is a great way to give you ideas, and then you need to decide whether an excursion or an independent trip would suit you better.

Fact File

Years in travel: 38 years - started in 1982

Years working at Mundy Cruising: Approaching 30 years.

First job in travel: On the counter at Fred. Olsen Travel in Conduit Street in central London, just down the road from where we are now, as a full retail travel agent.

First cruise: It was on Princess Mahsuri from Singapore to Bali in November 1983. It was my first longhaul flight, first time in Asia, first stay at a luxury hotel as well as my first cruise. It was all part of a Blue Funnel Cruises trip. I fainted on the way home and got upgraded to First!! Princess Mahsuri subsequently became Peter Deilmann's Berlin.

First cruise with Mundy Cruising: I joined to look after Royal Viking Line and hosted a trip to Bermuda from New York on Royal Viking Star in 1989. My first full cruise would have been Song of Flower in the Western Mediterranean about 1994. I joined the ship in Monaco, arriving by helicopter from Nice airport!

Best cruise dining experience: It difficult to choose but Crystal's food and service stands out across their entire fleet, especially being hosted by Edie Rodriguez on board Crystal Mozart on the Danube in the Vintage Room. The food on Crystal Esprit is the best I've ever had at sea and I remember very fondly Vintage room on Crystal Serenity with friends for my 60th birthday

Best non-cruise holiday: At a push, I'd have to say Bhutan - private small group tour with friends and family. We started our trip in Paro to attend the Paro Tshechu, then went to Thimpu and Punakha. Extraordinary in every.

Interesting fact about yourself: I can play the flute (up to Grade 7).

Ocean cruise lines sailed: Crystal Ocean Cruises, Silversea, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas, Windstar, SeaDream, Ponant

River cruise lines sailed: Crystal River Cruises, AmaWaterways

Expedition cruise lines sailed: Silversea Expeditions, Aqua Expeditions

Areas you've cruised: Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean/Adriatic, Danube, Middle East, East Africa & Indian Ocean, Brahmaputra, Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos & Mekong, Thailand/Singapore/Malaysia & Philippines, Caribbean, Arctic.