I thoroughly enjoyed my first cruise. I was one of the few single males. At first it was a somewhat daunting experience but I quickly got into the rhythm of things. I reckon it helped that I am used to spending a lot of time working alone. Not that I was alone all the time on the cruise because I made some good acquaintances especially through the discussion board group that chartered three taxis for the private tour of Bali; tour, lunch and dinner (including a Bintang beer) for abour $A30.

The one thing that struck me was the number of whingers; mostly elderly Australians! Moaning and groaning all the time. Rhapsody of the Seas might not be the #1 cruise liner in the world but it was pretty good to me. But bloody hell; find the most minor thing to whinge about and off they go. Do the cruise whingers have any happiness in their lives?

And the cruise tragics! I'm familiar with railway (and other transport) enthusiasts who are known as "gunzels" - live is about one thing and one thing only. The cruise tragics I met fascinated me and they seemed to give the transport people a run for their money. People whose lives are for one thing and one thing only! Greaty stuff. Read more