You're with your significant other as beads of perspiration start to form on
your forehead; your breathing deepens, with the occasional moan escaping from
your throat; your palms are sweating; and you can feel your pulse throughout
your body, as your heart begins to race...
You've shared the joyous news. The Travel Agent just called, and your cruise
tickets and documents are in. If you're doing back-to-back cruises, it's like
you've just had twins.
If this feeling sounds familiar--and it does to me--you should know that you
are in serious trouble. How did we get to the point where 50 percent of our
waking hours, and 90% of the time we're asleep, we're thinking about cruising?
It starts innocently enough, maybe when you start to consider that it might
be nice to take your loved one on a cruise vacation. Perhaps the initial
trigger is an upcoming anniversary or birthday. You stop in at a local travel
agency to pick up a few brochures, so you can start to learn what cruising is
all about. In passing, you mention to a friend that you're considering going
on a cruise, and it just happens that they know someone who just came back
from one. They helpfully suggest getting together with their "cruising
friends" for coffee, so you can get some firsthand information.
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The "cruise friends" are delighted to get together and share their vacation
experience with someone new. After all, they've already driven everyone in
their immediate circle of friends crazy, showing off their pictures and
talking about their cruise. To have a "newbie" who's already got a seed
planted invigorates them.
Their enthusiasm is contagious as they explain the wonderful food and entertainment, and talk about the terrific friends they made onboard and the
fabulous ports they visited. And before they leave, they share the name of
their travel agent, who always gets the best prices anywhere. The line is in
the water, and it's just a matter of time before you're hooked and booked.
Before you know it, after you return from your cruise you discover you have
become just like them--driving everyone you know to the brink with your
cruise talk. Then, by a stroke of overwhelming luck, you check the Internet
and find CruiseMates.com. Amazing! There are all kinds of people here who
aren't bored by incessant cruise talk. They actually enjoy discussing all the
various aspects of cruising. They share your joy when you run to the computer
to tell the world you've just booked another cruise. They happily share links
to information about ports of call, and tours, and before you know it,
they're suggesting that you cruise together.
It all seemed innocent enough to me too, to begin with, but it's really an
insidious plot, and since you are now reading this, you must realize now that
it's too late for you to return to what you once were.
The good news is it's really a really a rather minor affliction--as long as
you've got another cruise or two booked.
