Day 3 – Off Brisbane

As the violin quartet caressed classical tunes into the night we began the inevitable introductions and bonding whilst sailing ever northward. This is an important ritual where you are measured and placed in your social class determined by the number of cruises you have completed. Many conversations began with: “This is my 26^th cruise, do you like large ship or small ship sailing?” Common ground was often found in your ability to name at least ten other cruise ships and the size of their cabins.

Tonight, like Cinderella to the ball, we all got dressed up (Tuxedos & Evening Gowns) and celebrated our good fortune by pouring champagne over a tower of glasses in the grand foyer of the ship, a very adult pastime. My attempts to confirm that the champagne was genuine methode’ champenoise and not a cheap carbonated copy were stonewalled by waiters constantly refilling my glass and not allowing me to see the white linen wrapped bottles. Several glasses later my cause was happily lost in a sea of bubbles.