Me with Carol & Mike at Salty’s on Alki.
You can probably imagine, I’m not a big cruise person. Though I admit to never actually going on one, the idea of it goes against my independent nature. All those people in one (relatively) confined area. But, I understand the appeal and know that they are a great way for some to spend their vacation time.
Case in point…
Last week I was visited by a dear old friend. Well, actually, one of my high school teachers. My DRAMA teacher. (Yes, I was a bit of a budding actress.) Carol and her long-time partner, Mike, were in town where they were hopping on a cruise to begin their voyage around the Pacific and through countless Asian countries for the next 66 days. OMG – 66 days.
Good for them.
They were so excited about it and it was clear to me that the other passengers on that cruise were in for a treat when they met this dynamic couple. Listening to them talk about their adventures (past and forthcoming) almost made ME want to do a cruise – they made it sound so romantic. Carol said, “You should see the theatres on these cruises – it’s like Broadway.” And Mike added, “They rotate acts throughout the cruise so you’re always seeing new shows.”
Each year around the holidays, they send out a greeting that includes photos from their most recent travels. I’ll look forward to their greetings this year. I joked with them that they were going to see 155 countries in 66 days – I probably am not far from the truth – and can’t wait to see how they fit all their iconic images on a one-sheeter.
Travel Well, Carol & Mike!
Oh, and in case you doubt my previous life as an actress, here are some photos as proof…
That’s me on the far left.
Again, on far left singing my heart out.
See, I always had a big mouth 🙂
Beth
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Alison says
I share your sentiments about cruises. However, I did go on one when I was 13 and I have to say….there was something very magical about falling asleep with nothing but a black expanse of ocean out your window and then waking up in the morning to a large, lush green island in its place!
FLy Girl says
I dislike cruises heartily and your instincts are right. They are not for independent travelers. My editor assigned me to go on a cruise last year and it probably tops the worst travel experience of my life and I don’t have many of those. Although it was a major, highly credible cruise line, the ship’s activities and ports of call were disorganized. Don’t even start me on the shows or my sea sickness. I wrote an honest account of the experience and received scathing e-mails from cruise fans who hunted me down. I now have the viewpoint that people either love or hate cruises and there’s not much of a middle ground. Cute Photos!