We all love a good story. But do you ever feel some of yours are getting a bit stale?
Perhaps you need a fresh supply. Well let me introduce you to an amazing machine that can replenish your stock of stories in hardly any time at all. It’s known as a cruise ship.
Spend a few days on one of these and I guarantee you will return with an armful of promising tales and anecdotes that could keep your nearest and dearest entertained for months to come.
Crash course
But story telling is a specialised skill and not everyone takes to it naturally, even if they have just enjoyed the cruise of a lifetime.
Perhaps you feel a bit like that. You’ve got some good material, but you’re unsure how to present it. Well here’s a crash course in story telling which might help.
Let me say right away, I am no great shakes as a raconteur. But I was lucky enough to have an uncle who was a master story teller. These are some of the tips he gave me when I picked his brains on the subject.
Tip 1: Lead a varied life
If your life follows the same pattern from week to week and month to month, you could be limiting your chances of finding good stories. You need to be out there, constantly trying new things.
And that, of course, is where cruising really comes into its own. You can cram an awful lot of activity into just a handful of days on the high seas. Choose the right itinerary and you could expose yourself to a wealth of interesting experiences.
This 16 night Hawaiian cruise on the Golden Princess which sets off in November 2010, is a perfect example.
Besides taking part in all the ship board events and activities, you’ll have chances to gather stories in Hilo, Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Lahaina, Mexico and California, while basking in the magic of the South Pacific.
Tip 2: Talk to people
One of the easiest ways to gather stories is to listen to other people’s. So when cruising, don’t just converse with members of your own party. Try to speak to those around you.
Forget British reserve. Make a point of striking up conversations with complete strangers: fellow passengers, crew members, tour guides and any locals you meet on shore excursions.
Show a genuine interest in what they have to say and most people will open up to reveal a fund of fascinating stories.
This 15 night Caribbean stay, cruise and stay package on the Caribbean Princess is scheduled for November 2010. It could be ideal for meeting interesting people yearning to tell a good yarn. Besides spending seven days in San Juan, Puerto Rico, you’ll also visit Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada Dominica and St Thomas.
Tip 3: Pay attention to detail
Being more specific is a great way to bring a story to life. Note a few descriptive details about the people or places you encounter and try to weave those extra facts into your narrative.
This is a trick journalists use all the time. If someone gets bitten by a dog, they would never write, “Yesterday a dog bit a man.” That would be too vague and boring.
Instead, they would say something like, “Yesterday traffic warden, Dave Wharton a painter-decorator from East Grinstead was bitten by Godzilla, the West Highland Terrier.”
You’ll find a wealth of detail to note on any cruise you care to choose, not least those visiting the Far East. If you act quickly, you can catch this 16-night Hong Kong cruise on the Costa Romantica.
You fly into Singapore on 15 May and sail the following day, calling at Vietnam, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. My money is on you returning with loads of amazing anecdotes and fabulous fables.
Tip 4: Get off to a strong start
Every tale needs a dramatic conclusion, but don’t rely on people staying awake long enough to hear it. To capture your audience’s interest right from the outset, you must give your story a strong start – also known in the trade as a set up.
Start with something intriguing or unexpected that makes your audience wonder what on earth is going on. Be sure to keep it simple and remove any long-winded explanations.
If you’re looking for inspiration for a good set up, why not take a cruise to the region that inspired those 1001 great tales – the Arabian Nights.
This 10-night stay and cruise on Brilliance of the Seas could be just what you need. You’ll fly into Dubai and then set sail for Muscat, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
Tip 5: Deliver a strong ending
The best stories conclude with a big surprise, preferably one that makes people laugh. Whatever you do, make sure you don’t give the ending away too early. Save the punch line to the end, placing the critical words – that reveal the whole point of the story – right at the finish.
And remember, if there’s a comedic close, don’t alert people in advance. Let the joke come as a surprise. The surest way to kill a funny anecdote is to say, “Now I’m going to tell you something really hilarious.”
Take a cruise to the Western Med and you’ll be sure to have not just a great ending, but a good beginning and middle as well. For just £509 per person you could enjoy this 7-night cruise in the Western Med on the Thomson Destiny.
From Palma, Majorca you’ll voyage to Sicily, Italy, Corsica, France and Spain, before returning to Palma. Once again, though, time is of the essence. To join this cruise you need to be in Majorca by 15 May 2010.
Tale spin
Follow these tips and you could easily earn a reputation for being a skilful spinner of tales. But remember, the most important advice of all.
It’s hard to tell good stories in a vacuum. It’s much easier if you have witnessed interesting events and encountered fascinating people. And that’s where cruising really excels itself.
If you want to give yourself an unfair advantage as a story teller, put your name down for a cruise today. You’ll find plenty of good options at competitive prices on the Virgin cruise deals page.
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