If you’re a 21st century Lotus Eater drugged by luxury into an easy life and looking for a bright star to guide you to the birth of Christmas (or a recession-free New Year) then you’ll have to wait until 17 June*.
Now that you’re totally confused, may I suggest that what you’re really after is a very special cruise to take your mind off the world and its troubles in 2009.
[*According to an Australian astronomer who recently created a new map of the night sky as it appeared over the Holy Land around 2,000 years ago, this new date matches the computer-verified facts.]
The problem is that the global cruise industry is expanding and there is now a huge number of cruises to choose from. Since 2000, the world’s major cruise lines have launched 81 new ships, with 11 scheduled for launching in 2009. Another 33 will be launched by 2012 and cruise itineraries are being expanded to more and more ports around the globe.
So there you are on New Year’s Eve, dancing the night away in a huge party on the ship of your choice, reaching for the occasional sip of Champagne, canapés and a slice of Black Bun, while keeping an eye out for the first footer, a.k.a. Your favourite Steward with a tray of bubbly.
And if you haven’t seen in the New Year on board an ocean going liner you haven’t lived, whether it’s one with two Atrium lobbies (including Carnival Victory, Galaxy, Mercury, Carnival Triumph, and Carnival Destiny) or a ship with a large horizontal rather than a vertical atrium (such as Voyager of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, and Adventure of the Seas) which looks and feels like a city hypermarket’s horizontal walkway…And why not!
Those of you who like to feast your eyes will love those floating art museums: Voyager of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Galaxy, and Vision of the Seas. And what better than to hear the chimes of midnight on the stunning, indented, cascading after-decks of ships such as the Oriana, Zuiderdam, and Aurora.
Anyway, you decide to take a breather out on the deck with your partner, and while you’re both staring at the stars you realise it’s time to make that New Year resolution.
Personally, aside from a desire to earn more money by working less – as if – I’m resolved to take a cruise to the Land of the Midnight Sun, the Norwegian fjords, or the Arctic circle. The trouble is I’ve always wanted to sail around the Med in the wake of Jason, in search of the Golden Fleece.
I guess sailing in the footsteps of a legend is as close as some of can get to actually becoming one.
But when you’ve been on lots lots of cruises, some people want different, preferably themed, in warmth and comfort, with like-minded companions.
Just like Tennyson’s Ulysses, I, long ago, decided to drink life to the lees and roam the world with a hungry heart.
Unlike Ulysses, I’m now a tad too old to personally smite the sounding furrows to sail beyond the sunset and the baths of all the western stars until I die. I prefer to leave all that to the ship’s captain and his crew while I sit back and wallow in the experience.
But wherever you roam via a cruise ship in 2009 I sincerely hope the experience fully meets – and hopefully surpasses – your expectations.
Meanwhile I’m away to follow knowledge like a sinking star, beyond the utmost bound of human thought. It’s known as a ship’s bar and there are several to choose from.
Now picture me on that perfect cruise ship that’s in your mind’s eye where I am raising a glass to toast your health.
Happy New Year.
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