THE SCOTTISH ADVENTURES OF A CRUISE SHIP ADDICT

Years ago, when standing on the stern of Saga Rose in Madeira, I had a very interesting discussion with Captain Rentell of Saga Rose, and my mum. Behind us was an Aida ship, much bigger than us (it made us look like a tug boat). Almost dwarfing our stern was the bow of the Aida ship, complete with bow art. My mum was of the opinion that she hated it because the eyes kept following her. She was convinced there was something evil about the eyes!! I defended it by saying I thought the artwork was cute and it gave the ship personality. Back in the Noughties, it was fairly unusual to see ships with bow art. Most shipping lines had their own company coloured hulls and funnels, and were very distinctive. The bow art of the Aida ship just stood out with its stary eyes and big lips. I actually like the bow art. It gives the ship some character. I feel it gives it life, in a playful way. However, it has become so accepted that the ships have lost the characteristics of the line. Prince...

On Thursday morning, a very upsetting piece of junk mail flopped through my letter box. The brochure was entitled "Announcing Saga Rose's Final Voyages". I was a Guest Lecturer on Saga Rose on a Christmas/New Year cruise down to Madeira in 2006. Despite me being at least 14 years younger than the minimum age for a Saga cruise, I thought the ship and the people on board were amazing. The food was the highest quality I have had on a cruise ship, the service impeccable. The rooms were of the 'old school' - filled with wood and panelling. They were gorgeous. Captain Rentell had a totally wicked sense of humour, including playing the baddie in the Christmas Pantomime, and the Cruise Director, Jane Edwards, worked tirelessly to make sure we all enjoyed ourselves. Even the weather over the Bay of Biscay was good - miracles really do happen! In fact, my favourite story was sitting down to lunch one day. I looked out the window to see the sea washing it. We were at least 3...

(Sung to the music of "My Favourite Things" from the Sound of Music) Raindrops on cruise ships and docking bays on liners, Snowflakes that fall on my lifeboats and lashes, Brown paper packages that end up in kitchens, These are a few of my favourite ship things... When the winds blow, When the waves lash, When I'm feeling scared, I simply remember my favourite ships, Then I don't feel so bad... After that really bad song, I thought I'd share with you my favourite ships: 1 The original QUEEN MARY: The Mary has always been my favourite ship since I visited her as a 7 year old, and the one who got me started on all this ocean liner stuff. Clyde-built. An art deco masterpiece. 2 The QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 (QE2): She's like cuddling up in your favourite armchair with your favourite book and favourite glass of wine. A real old dowanger Countess. She has character and style. Clyde-built. 3 KUNGSHOLM/SEA PRINCESS/VICTORIA/MONA LISA/SCHOLARSHIP: This was the first ship I to...