#cruise ship comedian

[walkinsauce]

Sup? I keep forgetting all the fun I had here on Tumblr years ago. I'm out on Substack now. Anyone use it? Like it? Thoughts? Or anyone just feel like taking a little read thru my adventures as a cruise ship comedian...

xoxo Cruise-tina:)/The S.S. Walkinsauce

[6qubed]

to be clear you want Bill Burr saying this shit because conservatives will listen to him and be too blissed out on "a real man who tells it like it is" to notice that his wife is black, extremely liberal, and has his ear

I'm no populist but it's cool that the Overton window on assassinating billionaires has moved to the point that like podcast guys are talking about it

[thecomedybook]

Corporate Events, Colleges and Cruise Ships

Hey Dave – Is there a way to make a living as a comic without playing the comedy clubs? I know the only other major venues are colleges and cruise ships and corporate events. – KH Hey KH – You pretty much ran all the comedy bases in that one. From first to home with one swing: Comedy Clubs Colleges & Universities Cruise Ships Corporate Events I’m sure readers can suggest few more options…

[kodaloveschris]

VIP Magic at Disneyland

The morning sun cast a golden glow over the entrance of Disneyland as Nick, Matt, and Chris Sturniolo eagerly awaited the start of their VIP tour. They stood near the exclusive entrance, sipping on complimentary beverages and chatting excitedly about the day ahead.

"I can't believe we're here," Matt exclaimed, his eyes scanning the park with anticipation. "VIP treatment at Disneyland? This is a dream come true."

Chris nodded, adjusting his VIP badge with a grin. "Yeah, skipping the lines is going to be epic. Which ride do you guys want to hit first?

Nick chuckled, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "Space Mountain, definitely. I heard it's even more intense when you zoom through without waiting."

Just then, Madison Beer and her brother Ryder joined them, both dressed casually but stylishly for their day of adventure. Madison flashed a bright smile at her friends. "Hey guys! Ready to explore Disneyland like VIPs?"

"You bet!" Nick replied with enthusiasm, his excitement matching Madison's. "Thanks for inviting us, Madison. This is going to be legendary."

Their VIP tour guide, a cheerful Disney cast member named Emily, greeted them warmly and led them through the park. As they passed under the iconic Disneyland Railroad bridge, Emily began sharing insider stories and trivia about the park.

"So, first stop is Space Mountain," Emily announced, leading them briskly through the crowds. "We have reserved seats waiting for us. No waiting in line for you today!"

As they entered Tomorrowland, the sight of Space Mountain towering above them sparked a fresh wave of excitement. They breezed through the entrance and boarded their rocket ships, ready for the exhilarating journey through the stars.

"That was insane!" Ryder exclaimed as they exited the ride, his hair slightly disheveled from the speed.

Madison laughed, capturing Ryder's reaction on her phone. "You look like you've seen a ghost, Ryder!"

Ryder grinned sheepishly, shaking his head. "It was wild, okay? I didn't expect it to be that fast!"

Next, they ventured into Adventureland, where they embarked on the Jungle Cruise. Emily narrated the humorous jungle adventure, pointing out the animatronic animals and entertaining them with jokes that had everyone laughing.

"I think Emily's got a future as a stand-up comedian," Chris remarked, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes.

Madison nodded in agreement, filming Emily's antics. "She's definitely making this tour unforgettable."

After a morning of thrilling rides and magical experiences, they stopped for a VIP lunch at a reserved table on Main Street. They feasted on Mickey-shaped sandwiches and indulgent desserts, reminiscing about their favorite moments of the day so far.

"I still can't believe we're here," Matt said between bites of a Mickey ice cream bar. "This is like a dream come true."

Nick nodded, his expression reflecting awe. "Yeah, it's amazing. Thanks again for setting this up, Madison."

Madison smiled warmly. "I'm just glad we could all do this together. It's been so much fun."

After lunch, they continued their VIP tour with visits to Fantasyland, where they rode classic attractions like the tea cups and Peter Pan's Flight. Each ride brought new excitement and laughter, solidifying the bonds of friendship among the group.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over Sleeping Beauty Castle, they gathered for a private viewing of the fireworks show. They watched in awe as fireworks burst into the night sky, synchronized to classic Disney music that stirred emotions and filled them with a sense of wonder.

"This is magical," Madison whispered, her eyes fixed on the sparkling display.

Nick nodded, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. "Thank you so much, Madison. This VIP tour has been beyond anything I imagined."

Ryder grinned, his eyes reflecting the colorful lights. "I'm so glad we could all experience this together."

Chris clapped Madison on the shoulder. "You really know how to make a day unforgettable, Madison. This has been one for the books."

As they walked back to the VIP exit, tired but happy, they reflected on the day's adventures. The VIP tour had allowed them to experience Disneyland in a way they had never imagined, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

As they bid farewell to Emily and the park, they knew that their day of VIP magic at Disneyland had been more than just rides and attractions—it had been a celebration of friendship, laughter, and the joy of experiencing the magic of Disney together.

[keldjinfae]

I was tagged by the lovely @greyhavenisback, and I cannot for the life of me remember if I've already responded to this post or not, so...

In no particular order, my Top 10 Movies:

Inception - it has Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, and Ken Watanabe. That would be enough if it didn't also have one of the most goosebump-inducing soundtracks of all... Time. It also set sail one of my all-time favorite ships with the creation of Arthur and Eames.

The Dark Knight - while this list won't be entirely comprised of Nolan movies, I can't not put this one on this list, considering how many times I saw it in theaters. Both Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart were mesmerizing as the Joker and Two-Face, and again, that soundtrack is fire (I'm sorry).

Saw (the entire series) - I went to see all of these so many damn times in theaters that it's a good thing I got to see them for free. Every weekend, provided something new hadn't been released, my friend and I went to see whichever Saw movie was still showing. And again, isn't it iconic?

Tombstone - yes, obviously there's Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, but there's also Kurt Russell, Sam Elliott, Bill Paxton, Powers Boothe, Michael Biehn, Stephen Lang, Billy Zane, Thomas Hayden Church, and nobody's leaving it up to one man to carry the movie. It's also one that I used to watch with my father at least once a year, usually around the anniversary of his separation from my mother, and we'd pass a bottle of bourbon back and forth and rant about how insane it is that Kilmer wasn't even nominated for an Oscar.

John Wick (the entire series) - it's a thing of beauty to me that what should just be a bunch of "shoot 'em up" movies have such an insane amount of worldbuilding to them (and if anyone bothering to read this post knows anything about my writing, it's how much I build a world before I start writing the story in the first place). The action is gorgeous, the actors themselves are gorgeous, the development and usage of things as simple as slang is gorgeous, the soundtrack is gorgeous. You can also never go wrong with Ian McShane.

The Warriors - this was legit one of our family movie night features while my sister and I were growing up. Yes, there were animated movies and whatnot, but our parents were very lax about rating restrictions. We still regularly quote "CAN YOU DIG IT?!" and "Warriooooooooors! Come out to plaaaaaaaay!" Also, James Remar as Ajax was 🔥.

Interview with the Vampire - Tom Cruise may be an... interesting individual in real life, but the effort he put into portraying Lestat was sheer perfection. I used to watch this one all the time with my dad and my sister, and again, killer soundtrack.

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World - a movie that decided to bring together every single comedian of the time that they possibly could, as well as come up with relevant things for them to do. Sounds impossible "on paper," and yet this movie exists. I've been watching it since I was a child and I still laugh through the whole thing. Buddy Hackett is also basically my father in this movie, which makes Mickey Rooney both myself and my sister. "NO ONE'S FLYING THE PLANE!"

21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street - I laughed so hard watching the first one that my vision literally whited out at one point. Everyone is fantastic in both movies, but 21JS is also the first time I got to see Channing Tatum's understated sense of humor.

Kill Bill (both volumes) - I could have just filled up most of these slots with Tarantino movies, honestly, because I do love just about all of them (and my dad had a particular fondness for Django Unchained), but my sister and I rewatch I and II at least once a year. They make up one masterpiece, and I may be in the minority but I hope III is never actually a serious prospect.

No pressure whatsoever tags: @dear-massacre @nerdherderette @vmures @renmackree @ephemeronidwrites

[dwestfieldblog]

LUNATICS RUN THE ASYLUM

(I began this in late October before the election and don’t want to edit, just to insert what a great victory for Putin in the USA eh? The End starts here. Wilhelm Reich was right. Ever read The Psychology of Fascism? Do.)

See Trump ‘dancing’ on stage for thirty minutes like a tacky cruise ship comedian, hear him say the January 6th 2021 riots were ‘a day of beauty and love’? A deranged liar, a racist, sexual scumbag, mocker of afflictions, disparager of captured soldiers, fondler of his daughter, friend of Epstein…a deeply corrupted, petulantconvicted criminal who should be in prison, or at very least a mental hospital having straitjacketed remedial English lessons. Never let a man with a small dick (or one testicle) be the Fuhrer. And he wants Robert F Kennedy, a loony who was against covid vaccines etc, to be in charge of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention etc. Selling bleach cures?

Doubling down on all his pet eating nonsense and boasting of using ‘the weave’ when he delivers speeches and interviews…rather than the insane ramblings of a bigoted idiot. The ‘weave’? As if he is a master story teller with arcs and plot lines only he can perceive with random surrealist chaos. His weave is a tangled web of malignant and despicable lies. ��� The orange Don praised Hitler’s generals for their loyalty and ranting about ��enemies within’ needing to have the army turned on them. General Mark Milley said; ‘(Trump) is the most dangerous person to this country…a fascist to the core’. And sofa humping Vance the Vice called him the ‘candidate of peace’. Christ on a trampoline.

So, a fascist German teams up with a South African racist, what could go wrong? The world’s richest man with the cheapest soul, AKA ‘Free speech’ (unless you disagree with him) Misinformation Musk jumping up and down on stage beside him, crying that if Trump loses, it ‘will be the last election’. As if Kamala is going to go all totalitarian in the USA. Perhaps ‘Dark Maga’ has his eye on a future presidency…his appalling interview with (yes, that’s right, Tucker Carlson the Putin fellating lapdog) was almost all inverse to actual facts and wilfully blind to what DT has actually said and done…and the evil direction to which he moves. So much for ketamine Elon. Trump is the ‘antichrist’.

Musk (who has top secret security clearance in the US) has been in regular contact with Putin since 2022. Baldie recently asked Musk not to deploy the Starlink internet system for Taiwan as a favour to his mate President Xi. Lovely people. Meanwhile Elon started to bribe folk one by one in the swing state Pennsylvania with one-million-dollar lottery gifts. That’s how desperate he is/was for the toupéed man baby to win. At the same time hoping the US will default on its deficit in January because he (and Trump) can make a mint with gold and crypto and become de facto Masters of North America. ‘Normal’ people losing their jobs and savings are irrelevant to these filth-pig ass clowns, yet these are the ones who are the most gullible to Donalds tangled weave and will vote for their own redundancy. Like turkeys voting for Christmas.

The whole crap sack of main Trump fans are deranged. Musk, Vance, Majorie Taylor Greene (she of the ‘Jewish space lasers’ idea) the evil ugly bitch ‘proud Islamophobe’ Laura (‘If Kamala wins, the White House will smell like curry’) Loomer, the grifters and utter cowards of the Republican party, Mike Johnson, Fox News, the corrupted judges, nutjobs R F Kennedy and Alex Jones, Steve Bannon, the Proud Boys aka the KKK, the foul coven of unholy money worshipping evangelicals, those in the UK who support him…Russell Brand, Lawrence Fox, Nigel Farage, Tommy Robinson, Piers Morgan, Boris, and around the world, Orban the toad in Hungary, Netanyahu the corrupt, Kim Wrong ‘Un and of course Putin, who needs his fat Caligula gimp back in power.

By his sycophants and masters, shall thee know him.

One of Putin’s billionaire shoeshine boys, Bidzina Ivanishvili of the Georgian Dream party has promised a ‘Nuremberg trial’ of the opposition parties if he wins. (The recent election seems doubtful but it is always the way that the older and the rural will vote more than the younger. He wants to turn the country into another Belorussia…Many old fools miss Stalin; the good old days of show trials, neighbours denouncing each other…dragged screaming into the past.

China and India continue to buy Russian oil and gas and thus support the orc invasion, London is still laundering oligarch money, Iran sent attack drones and ballistic missiles to Russia…who then complain about the West sending munitions. Both sides fighting a proxy war, seems safer that way for the rest of us than going nuclear. So far. Putin has sent the first of a possible ten thousand north Korean troops to be cannon fodder in Ukraine as well as early release for Russian prisoners of all ages if they fight. And as for the Middle East…. Arg.

Arg. Perhaps it is because this year I finally realised how old I am/appear to be, and all which that entails…and am projecting my sense of dread into apocalyptic visions of total dystopia. BUT. It really does seem as if the dark forces are coalescing and metastasizing all over the world.  The Bastards will never earn respect through fear but will be increasingly paranoid power mad energy vampires seeking complete control. Full spectrum dominance indeed. And all the Ego Immortals will live forever on a Musk space station, uploaded as cyber souls in a virtual paradise with E Lon as The Creator. What is left of humanity will be enslaved (to an even greater degree than before), working to extract the very last goodness from the planet to build the machines…rhodium in its high-speed state and white powder gold and etc. Arg.

All those who fell for the con trick of ‘it’s us against the Illuminati/New World Order and the corrupt old system’, who voted against their democracies and for the axe, will be confused to find themselves in a corrupt system of a real New World Order where their lives have blatantly zero value other than as slaves. A planet run by types such as Putin, Xi, Trump and Musk. The twisted, evil and insane men will spin this globe into a nightmare holocaust of oblivion. So, congratulations suckers. Here is your world, now eat your own excrement.

‘Better the pride that resides in a citizen of the world, than the pride that divides when a cloth or rag is unfurled’.  Neil Peart. Damn right. And no religions too.

Seems likely that my future postings will stick to writing about everything other than politics, religion and totalitarianism. Perhaps a goulash of multicoloured collage stuff from here on out. Diaries, musings, ‘poetry’, memories and recommendations… staying weird but without all the endless ranting. Might be healthier for us perhaps.

Right now (October 31st) I feel the world as we knew it in terms of basic Western democracy is very close to being destroyed by the machinations of the East, but mostly thanks to the greedy scum over here aided by the badly educated drones who yearn at heart for the forced order of tyranny. As long as they feel a ‘purpose’ to their lives. Which will be to serve those who declare themselves their betters, with the liar’s promise of a better life in return for complete acquiescence, obeisance and obedience. Or else.

Nothing seems to have changed much in human evolution, it is the same do-do, just more fake alpha males like scared children seeking total control for their own security.  Bastards leading idiots, revolutions turning…into the system.  Primate survival updated with weapons of mass destruction and harnessing viruses. Enough money BUYS ‘justice’, rich criminals are never punished, con merchant priests still fool their flocks with utter bullshit to get their cash and bathe in hero worship.

The best minds are ridiculed, mistrusted, absorbed and diluted by the mainstream or worse by the dumbest neophobes. Art, theatre, writing, science, collectively the humanities, regarded with suspicion, too gay, too intellectual, progress is the Devil. Only soundbite Tik Tok bread and circuses reality tv gameshow soap operas are acceptable. Short attention spans are encouraged, so as to blind-side the public to the perpetual ‘find the lady’ con trick perpetuated by the State.

Humans are easy to rile up and manipulate when they are desperate, so to the ruling classes (and those who would be so) it is always worth keeping their citizens and voters on a knife edge of stress via finance, health and existential threats. Those who think Trump will root out the ‘deep state’ blah blah and take power from the rich are going to have a rude awakening from the American Dream, as he will just keep the money where it always stays. With the plutocracy. The billionaire tax dodgers who demand you pay them to exist.

The East has taken its revenge and infiltrated the West to the extent that its own people are turning against themselves in the name of patriotism and ‘God’. Their puppets are numbered heavily among the leaders on the Right and the rising populists…traitors who are selling out their countries for power, status and wealth. The mass who supports them are usually the mentally vulnerable, those who have been encouraged to be scared and angry among the elderly, the young and the working classes, and the middle class who feel their comfortable lifestyle is in danger.

All are being manipulated by actual, genuine enemies to divide and conquer for them. Break up Europe, the United Nations, NATO, Britain and North America…Trigger events to cause a steady flow of endless refugees so all member states are deeply freaked by foreigners. ‘There are no natives anywhere in the world – everyone is from somewhere else – all people are refugees, immigrants or aliens.’ George Carlin

‘Think for yourself, question ‘reality’, question ‘authority’ Practice good mental operational security…critical thinking. Ignoring actual global warming as we bury deeper into virtual reality and tik tok dumbing down with absolute denial, Sidestep the madness, close down and go within. Remain in this world to work but with as much amused detachment as you can manage. The scared children have voted for what they believe will bring security. Not much of that when daddy is crazy. Poison is often part of the cure but Trump is just corrosion. So, over the Rubicon we go. ‘Russia can do whatever the hell it wants’. They will. Their carefully placed and financed useful idiots/ poleznye idiot in high places in the West will take the gold and betray..

So, no more politics from here on out. Enough already. The present is tense, so love, laugh, learn and live, Reconnect. Love again…and remember…

‘Magnetic and gravitational fluctuations appear to cause the majority of occult phenomena and alter brain wave patterns…psychic windows, hallucinations external and mental.’  Stay fine😊

[divercitizen]

Things that happened when my family went on a cruise this past summer

The day we boarded, we went to eat lunch. I have a gluten allergy, so I asked multiple servers and chefs to ensure what I was eating was free from gluten and watched them make it. Every single one of them ensured it was safe for me to eat. It was not. I ended up in the ship's infirmary before it even left port, because my body went into shock. Turns out someone ran out of rice flour for the blackberry tarts so they just used wheat flour and didn't tell anyone. This traumatized my entire family and was a lovely (sarcasm intended) start to our trip.

After the blackberry tart incident, the entire food staff would follow me and my family around the dining room whenever we were there. They also made lots of comments on my eating choices (because I would rather eat plain potatoes and fruit than risk getting gluten poisoning from their fancy dishes again). We ended up stopping eating in the dining room entirely because we would be bothered every two seconds.

There was a jewelry shop onboard, and they had a free raffle the first night. Drawn in by the possibility of winning free stuff, my family and I went to enter it. My little sister (still traumatized from the blackberry tart incident and ridiculously exhausted) ended up in tears. One of the jewelry shop workers saw and gave her $50 worth of pandora knock-off charms that said things like "sip sip hooray" and "shopping is my cardio." She wore the charms on a necklace proudly for the rest of our trip.

The jewelry raffle had some salesperson come out and show off the "diamond collection" before choosing the winners. One of the necklaces cost $27K. My jaw dropped in horror and I said that was more than a year of my college tuition. My sibling (also horrified) just told me to be quiet.

My sibling and I went to a show that was supposed to be a classical dance and orchestra performance. We were expecting something traditional like ballet. It ended up being closer to a burlesque performance, but weirder. The performers pretended to be birds for one of the acts, and just rolled around on the ground making bird calls. In another act they dressed in streetwear and breakdanced to piano music. When the male performers took off their shirts, the old women who came for the show were cheering and clapping like nothing I'd ever heard before. The two of us sat in the corner shaking from silent laughter the entire time.

My sibling and my mom heard about a "chocolate surprise" late at night and stayed up to go see what that was about. They waited in the dining room until the entire food staff came running down the halls in a single-file line shouting "chocolate surprise!" and carrying spoonfuls of chocolate-covered cheerios. All the other guests acted like this was completely normal.

A comedian had a performance, and was making jokes about prune juice and orthopedic shoes. It was pretty terrible. When an old couple came in late, my mother oh so graciously offered them our seats so we could escape.

We ended up filing a lawsuit in regards to the blackberry tart incident and won :)

[walkinsauce]

Remember back in the day when I diligently posted blogs every Tuesday...? Here's me trying again. Another installment of my new series on being a cruise ship comedian has dropped. It gets juicy.

[largesunglasses]

In case anyone is wondering I still randomly look online to find the comedian from a cruise ship that spent a day at the place we stayed in Bermuda before he flew home. He was legit the spitting image of my grandfather (on my mom's side and we were with all my mom's side sisters and my cousins) and he legit just swam up from under the water and I thought I was tripping. He talked about knowing Lenny Clark when he found out some of us were from Boston and I'm sure the guy is dead by now but I really wish I asked his name.

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (6-12 Apr 2025)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

🥰 Fan Service (Rosie Danan) - this was just so! much! fun! and given my usual low tolerance of cishet contemp romances, that's saying something. Nailed the whole 'being-in-fandom' vibe, even calling out some of the more toxic aspects, without ever shitting on it, in a way that can only be done from someone on the inside.

😍 Murder by Memory (Dorothy Gentleman #1) (Olivia Waite, author; Blair Baker, narrator) - delightful scifi cozy mystery novella set on a generation ship - as someone who loved The Spare Man, I gotta say I am all on board with this publishing trend. also: Dorothy Gentleman? incredible name, chef's kiss. Absolutely cannot wait for more of Dorothy's adventures.

💖💖 +72K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

In The Long Run (musette22) - MCU: shrunkyclunks, 12K - this fic is described by the author as "mostly 💫 vibes 💫 and unapologetic smut, with a bit of soulmates and angst thrown in the mix"; said vibes are heavily influenced by '70s rock, especially The Eagles' "Peaceful Easy Feeling" which all adds up to be wonderfully delicious

Misplaced Pencils (Somanywords) - MCU: stucy, 13K - lovely & poignant look at Steve Rogers & his relationship to drawing throughout his life (with a side of his relationship to bucky thrown in 😉)

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

The Sam Sanders Show - How Did Marsai Martin Conquer Child Stardom?

Home Town Takeover - s3, e5

Smartypants - s2, e3

QI - series Q, e2-4, 7-8, 11-14

Um, Actually - s10, e6

Game Changer - s7, e1

Doctor Odyssey - s1, e13-14

D20: The Ravening War - "The Seventh Kingdom" (s17, e5)

D20: The Ravening War - "The Heart of the World" (s17, e6)

D20: Adventuring Party - s12, e5-6 (The Ravening War)

The Fall Guy

Doctor Who - s2 (series 15), e1

D20: Titan Takedown - "Party Animals" (s25, e1)

D20: Titan Takedown - "Bouts and Boogies" (s25, e2)

D20: Adventuring Party - s20, e1-2 (Titan Takedown)

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

Pop Pantheon - Disco: Past & Present (with The Clive Davis Institute's Jason King)

Off Menu - Ep 285: Sally Phillips

Imaginary Worlds - NSFW Ancient Tales, Myths and Riddles

⭐ Twenty Thousand Hertz+ - Inside Apple: Sonic Accessibility

Our Opinions Are Correct - Severance and the New Hellscape (w/ Carl Zimmer)

Desert Island Discs - Cyndi Lauper

The Sporkful - Comedian Matteo Lane Says ‘Your Pasta Sucks’

Off Menu - Ep 286: Rhod Gilbert (Live in London)

Pop Culture Happy Hour - The White Lotus

The Curious History of Your Home - Clocks

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Black American West Museum

Switched on Pop - Miley Cyrus goes avant-garde

Dinner’s on Me - Matt Bomer

99% Invisible - Everything Is Tuberculosis

David Tennant Does a Podcast With…Georgia Tennant

Persuasion by Jane Austen - Persuasion 11. | The Tale of Mrs Smith

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Dying For Sex

⭐ Vibe Check - If You Don’t Want to Be Edged, Get Out of My Bed

⭐ Decoder Ring - Spring Break Forever

Decoder Ring - An MTV Spring Break Karaoke Misadventure

Imaginary Worlds - Blueprints for Utopias

Pop Culture Happy Hour - Pop Culture That Changed Our Minds

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - What Makes a Pest?

⭐ One Song - Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly With His Song"

Shedunnit - Book Club Fact File: The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

Shedunnit - Book Club Conversation: The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

No One Saw It Coming - Stealing the Mona Lisa: The Crime That Created a Legend

You're Dead to Me - Marco Polo: history’s most famous travel writer?

Hit Parade - Only Girl in the World Edition

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

The Muppets

"Bad For Me" [Dee Dee Bridgewater] radio

Who Believes In Angels? [Elton John & Brandi Carlile] {2025}

Rock Radio • 1990s

Groove Cruise

'80s Rock Revival

50 Years of the Piano Man [Billy Joel] {2022}

Beats & Soul

AC/DC

Ratt radio

The Darkness Radio • Rock

Enya

[chorusfm]

Modest Mouse Announce Cruise

Modest Mouse have announced the “Ice Cream Floats” cruise. Modest Mouse and Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises for more than two decades, is excited to announce the inaugural voyage of Modest Mouse Presents Ice Cream Floats, a four-night, roundtrip cruise sailing March 5-8, 2026 from Miami, FL to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, aboard the Norwegian Pearl. Priority Presales for members of Modest Mouse’s Ice Cream Party fan community begin April 14. First Round Presale Sign-Ups are available now through April 10 at 11:59 pm (ET). Presale (Early Booking Times) run April 14-18. Final Round Presale Sign-Ups will conclude April 20 at 11:59 pm (ET). Public On-Sales begin April 22 at 2:00 pm (ET), exclusively at www.modestmousecruise.com. The first 400 cabins booked will secure an onboard photo opportunity with Modest Mouse. Bookings are available for just $100 down per person when they make reservations before June 5 or while cabins last.   Modest Mouse Presents Ice Cream Floats will bring the Ice Cream Party – the only political party you can trust – to sea for the first time ever. Modest Mouse fans will float on a profound musical journey featuring intimate live performances, crazy curated activities, and so much more. Modest Mouse will be accompanied on board by a star-studded lineup, including Portugal. The Man, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Mannequin Pussy, FIDLAR, Built to Spill, Tropical Fuck Storm, Ugly Casanova, The Black Heart Procession, comedian David Cross, and more to be announced. Further highlights of the immersive musical adventure will include “Mouse Stardust Theater 3000,” where members of Modest Mouse sit down with guests in the Norwegian Pearl’s wondrous Stardust Theater and give live, brutally honest commentary alongside truly unique films; “AMMA – Ask Modest Mouse Anything,” a live Q&A with members of Modest Mouse featuring questions submitted by the cruisers themselves; “Storytime with Isaac Brock,” in which guests will gather ‘round in crisscross-applesauce fashion to hear Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse read through children’s books with more character than you can imagine; live DJ sets by Modest Mouse & Friends; the unique “Parade of Freaks,” where Modest Mouse travels through the ship with a gaggle of the silliest and most eclectic freaks and creatures; plus a wide array of other once-in-a-lifetime artist experiences. In addition, all who sail on the inaugural Modest Mouse Presents Ice Cream Floats will receive a limited-edition band-autographed poster.   The Norwegian Pearl will provide everything needed to make Modest Mouse Presents Ice Cream Floatsthe most stirringly sumptuous cruise vacation ever, with fully stocked bars at (almost) every corner, tasty dining options, the Pool Deck (with multiple hot tubs), Pearl Club Casino, Mandara Spa, Body Waves Fitness Center, Sports Court, and much more.   Beyond the onboard experience, Ice Cream Floats cruisers will have the chance to enjoy a day of adventure in Puerto Plata (officially known as San Felipe de Puerto Plata), the ninth largest city in the Dominican Republic and the capital of the province of Puerto Plata. Guests can enjoy spectacular city views atop the 2,600-foot-high Pico Isabel de Torres mountain, explore the 16th century Fortaleza San Felipe, or visit the Amber Museum, a museum filled with a unique collection of valuable Dominican amber which is semiprecious tree sap that has hardened for millions of years capturing many fossils of plant and insect life. Please note: Shore excursions will not be available until 4-6 weeks prior to sailing. Cruisers will be able to book an excursion upon receipt of their official booking number. --- Please consider becoming a member so we can keep bringing you stories like this one. ◎ https://chorus.fm/news/modest-mouse-announce-cruise/

[captainmartinisblog]

When Public Speaking, Beware Low Battery!

Thursday 13th February 2025 – At Sea

Last night’s dinner was in the main Compass Rose Restaurant again and we were beginning to get the hang of the menu.

My choices (from the day’s offerings on the right hand side) started with the Seafood Risotto, which was very nice, followed by the Teriyaki-glazed Chicken with creamy corn and potato mash. It was quite strong on the Teriyaki but actually really nice.

For dessert, I couldn’t resist the Saltzburger Soufflé and got something of a surprise – because it was like no soufflé I’ve ever had before! Neither was it Saltzburger Nockerl (that’s different again).

Essentially, it had a fruit-soaked sponge base topped with fruit conserve or jam and finally topped (with a flourish) by meringue! As I say, not really a soufflé but actually delicious, especially if (like me) you like warm meringue!

I was almost asleep by 9.30 but managed to get to the evening’s entertainment in the theatre, which featured New Zealand comedian Simon McKinney. He proved to be an excellent mimic with a gentle but witty sense of humour, making fun of the different nationality traits of the passengers on board, including the British! Very funny.

Thankfully, there was an hour back on the clock last night because after all the exertions in that Maori War Canoe, I slept really heavily!

Today was our first sea day and the first opportunity to chill completely.

The morning port talk on Vanuatu (our next stop) was given by the ship’s Destinations lecturer, Ray Bailey, but all he did was ad lib to a few slides; mostly about the rest of Oceania and not very well at that. He hardly got to Vanuatu before his computer battery went flat, so he just stopped! What lecturer comes without at least some back-up notes and doesn’t check his computer has enough power left for 45 minutes? He never even mentioned Mystery Island, which is actually where we’re going, so he was pretty useless really!

My afternoon, however, was mostly occupied with a ‘Seaweed Wrap & Body Massage’ in the ship’s Spa. I’ve had this treatment before on other ships and it is quite satisfying, as indeed it was today – although being trussed-up like an over-ready turkey and being ‘waddled’ like a penguin down the corridor to the gentlemen’s showers was hardly conducive to the supposedly relaxing nature of the overall treatment! They really should have en-suite treatment rooms…..

Australian & New Zealand Afternoon Tea was quite elegant with silver tea pots and really hot water, even if they still only offered you tea-bags! But they had added the flourish of caramel bananas, as well as the usual scones, sandwiches and cakes.

It was a shame the milk was off and curdled my tea but after my relaxing massage, I was willing to forgive them that transgression!

Next it was the Captain’s Welcome Reception in the theatre; the usual chance to be introduced to the officers and key staff, followed by dinner in Sette Mari at La Veranda, one of 3 speciality restaurants. More on that in the next post…

Post dinner though, Andrew paid his customary visit to the Casino – and won $100, so……

Meanwhile, the dress code for the evening (which is usually ‘Elegeant Casual’ was from 6pm ‘Formal Optional’ and while the women clearly relished the opportunity, very few of the men did. In our travels over the years, I’ve noticed this reluctance amongst most of the menfolk to ‘dress up’ with any enthusiasm! It’s such a pity. We did, of course, and we drew a few compliments (from women of course) so that was quite satisfying! Unfortunately for one American guy in the Restaurant later, he clearly mistook Andrew for our on board Cruise Director, a slightly camp South African called Carel. Needless to say, he was corrected with dignity! There were no photographers though, so nothing for you here, I’m afraid!

[laurafaritos]

HDMS013. Building a DTC Brand from Scratch: What Harvard Taught Me About Competing with Startups

Building a brand from scratch is never easy—whether you're a legacy company like L’Oréal trying to compete with DTC disruptors or a comedian figuring out how to market your work without industry backing. Some brands choose to acquire rising competitors, but others try to build their own new brands from within.

But here’s the thing: launching a startup-style brand inside a giant corporation is like trying to turn a cruise ship into a speedboat. The corporate structure that makes a company successful at scale is the very thing that slows it down when it tries to act like a startup. And yet, many are trying—setting up accelerators, incubators, and internal DTC spin-offs to compete with younger, leaner brands.

So, why do they even bother? What advantages do legacy brands have in launching a DTC brand from scratch? And what challenges do they face? More importantly—how does this apply to comedians, creators, and indie producers trying to carve their own path?

Let’s break it all down.

II. Why Do Legacy Companies Build Their Own DTC Brands?

For massive companies like L’Oréal, launching a new direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand isn’t just about keeping up with trends—it’s about staying relevant in a rapidly shifting market. But why go through the struggle of building from scratch when they could simply acquire an existing DTC brand?

Here’s why some companies prefer the build strategy over buying:

1. Avoiding Expensive Acquisitions

Acquiring an established DTC brand can cost hundreds of millions (or even billions) of dollars. Instead of spending that money on an acquisition, some companies choose to invest in developing their own DTC brands, hoping to create something just as successful—without the hefty price tag.

Example: P&G didn’t acquire a startup shaving brand—they launched their own (Gillette on Demand) to compete with Dollar Shave Club.

2. Leveraging Existing Resources

Legacy brands already have deep industry expertise, supply chain dominance, and global reach. Instead of letting DTC startups disrupt them, they use their own R&D, distribution networks, and customer data to create in-house brands that can compete.

Example: Anheuser-Busch launched several craft beer brands in response to the craft beer movement—rather than acquiring small independent breweries.

3. Maintaining Brand Control

Acquiring a startup comes with cultural clashes and integration challenges—the original team may leave, the brand’s authenticity might suffer, and the customer base might not respond well. By building a new brand internally, companies can ensure it aligns with their broader business goals.

Example: L’Oréal launching a new clean beauty line under its own umbrella instead of acquiring an existing DTC brand allows them to control messaging, quality, and distribution.

4. Avoiding Channel Conflicts

Most legacy brands rely heavily on retail partnerships (Walmart, Sephora, Target, etc.) for sales. If they acquire a DTC brand that only sells online, it could create conflict with these key retail partners. Instead, they launch hybrid DTC-retail strategies to avoid upsetting their existing distribution network.

Example: Kellogg launching in-house snack brands with a mix of online and in-store availability instead of acquiring a purely DTC competitor.

5. Experimenting With New Business Models

Launching an internal DTC brand gives companies room to test subscription models, personalized products, and digital-first experiences—without risking their core legacy brands.

Example: Visa Ventures experiments with fintech brands to explore new payment solutions without disrupting Visa’s main business.

III. The Biggest Challenges of Building a DTC Brand In-House

While launching an in-house direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand may seem like a logical step for legacy companies, it comes with significant challenges that many fail to overcome.

Here’s why building a DTC brand from scratch isn’t as easy as it looks—even for industry giants like L’Oréal:

1. The Risk of Cannibalization

One of the biggest risks for a company launching a DTC brand is that it might steal sales from its own existing products.

Take Gillette, for example. If Gillette had launched a low-cost, subscription-based razor brand before Dollar Shave Club, they could have avoided competition. But here’s the catch:

That DTC razor brand would have undercut Gillette’s premium razor business, hurting their profitability.

If a company’s existing customers switch to the new DTC offering, they’re not gaining new customers—they’re just shifting them.

Retailers might feel betrayed if they see the brand prioritizing DTC sales over their in-store partnerships.

This forces legacy brands into a delicate balancing act—how do you compete with DTC startups without hurting your main revenue streams?

2. Scaling DTC Brands Is Harder Than It Looks

Big companies are used to building billion-dollar brands, but most DTC brands never reach that scale.

Many DTC companies peak at $50M–$100M in revenue—a number too small to make a real impact for giants like L’Oréal or Unilever.

This makes it harder for executives to justify long-term investment in an in-house DTC brand.

If a company doesn’t see massive growth fast, they might abandon the brand before it has time to develop.

Example: A large beauty company launching a niche, vegan skincare brand might see strong initial sales, but if it doesn’t grow fast enough, they may shut it down rather than letting it develop organically.

3. Internal Resistance and Corporate Bureaucracy

Many large companies are risk-averse and slow-moving—the exact opposite of what makes DTC brands successful.

DTC brands thrive on: ✅ Fast decision-making ✅ Creative risk-taking ✅ Direct engagement with consumers

Legacy companies, on the other hand, tend to: ❌ Rely on long approval processes ❌ Stick to corporate guidelines ❌ Avoid disrupting existing revenue streams

When these two cultures collide, the DTC brand often suffers—either from lack of funding, slow execution, or being forced to conform to a corporate structure that kills innovation.

4. Profitability Pressures & Shareholder Expectations

Venture-backed DTC brands focus on growth first, profit later—but legacy companies can’t afford to take that risk.

DTC brands often lose money in their early years, spending aggressively on marketing and customer acquisition.

Large companies, however, must answer to shareholders, meaning they can’t afford to run a DTC brand at a loss for too long.

Many promising in-house DTC brands end up shut down because they don’t meet profitability targets fast enough.

Example: A major cosmetics brand launching an indie-style DTC brand might expect it to turn a profit within a year—but most DTC brands take several years to become sustainable.

5. The Challenge of Capturing "Authenticity"

DTC brands succeed because they feel authentic, personal, and niche—qualities that are hard to manufacture at scale.

Consumers don’t just buy products; they buy stories, communities, and values.

If a giant corporation launches a DTC brand, can it really feel like a small, independent brand?

Younger consumers are skeptical—if they sense a brand is just a corporate cash grab, they’ll avoid it.

Some legacy companies hide their ownership of DTC brands to maintain an indie feel (e.g., PepsiCo owns Naked Juice, but most consumers don’t realize it).

The question for legacy companies is: Can you launch a DTC brand that truly connects with consumers, or will it feel like just another corporate product?

IV. How Comedians & Creators Can Apply These Lessons to Their Own Work

At first glance, the struggles of L’Oréal launching a DTC brand might seem completely unrelated to the comedy and content creation industry. But in reality, there are direct parallels between what legacy brands face when building a DTC brand and what independent creators face when scaling their own work.

Here’s how these lessons apply to comedians, podcasters, and content creators trying to grow their audience and monetize their work:

1. Don’t Cannibalize Your Own Success

Just like legacy companies risk losing customers from their main brand when they launch a DTC brand, comedians and creators can risk spreading themselves too thin or confusing their audience when they launch new projects.

If you already have an audience that loves your stand-up comedy, but suddenly you start posting only lifestyle vlogs, you might alienate your existing fans.

If you create multiple competing brands at once (e.g., launching three different YouTube channels at the same time), you might divide your audience instead of growing it.

Lesson: When expanding into new projects, ask yourself: Is this building my audience, or is it pulling them away from what they already love about my work?

2. Scaling Takes Time—And Many Creators Give Up Too Soon

Many DTC brands fail because they don’t scale fast enough to keep corporate executives happy—but that doesn’t mean they weren’t good brands.

The same thing happens with comedians and creators—many quit too soon because they expect fast growth, but real success takes years of consistent effort.

Just because you haven’t gone viral in six months doesn’t mean your content isn’t working—it might just mean you need more time.

Many comedians don’t see real momentum until they’ve been performing for 5–10 years. The ones who “make it” are often the ones who simply kept going the longest.

Lesson: The biggest brands—and the biggest comedians—succeed because they didn’t quit when things weren’t growing fast enough.

3. Large Corporations Struggle with Authenticity—And So Do Some Creators

DTC brands thrive on authenticity, but when a big corporate company launches a “cool, indie brand,” people see right through it.

The same is true for creators who try too hard to fit a trend instead of being themselves.

If your comedy voice is sarcastic and dark, but you try to force yourself to do wholesome TikTok trends, your audience might not connect with it.

If you pivot too fast into what’s trending, you might lose the unique voice that made people follow you in the first place.

Many creators burn out chasing trends because they’re not actually passionate about the content they’re making.

Lesson: People connect with authenticity—whether it’s in branding or in comedy. Build your brand around what you genuinely love instead of chasing whatever is popular in the moment.

4. Profitability Takes Longer Than You Think

Just like legacy companies shut down DTC brands too early because they don’t turn a profit fast enough, many creators quit projects too soon because they aren’t making money right away.

Most comedians don’t start making money for years—but that doesn’t mean they aren’t building something valuable.

Many podcasters quit after 10 episodes because they don’t have sponsorships, but most successful podcasts only start monetizing after 50–100 episodes.

If you expect instant success, you’ll quit before you even give yourself a real chance to grow.

Lesson: The most successful creators play the long game—they keep building even when the money isn’t there yet.

TL;DR: What Creators Can Learn from DTC Failures ✅ Don’t spread yourself too thin—focus on growing one strong brand before launching too many projects. ✅ Understand that scaling takes time—your first year might be slow, but momentum builds. ✅ Stay authentic to your voice—don’t force yourself to fit trends that don’t align with you. ✅ Be patient with monetization—if you stick with it, the money comes later.

The same mistakes that corporate giants make when trying to launch DTC brands are the same ones creators make when trying to grow their careers—the difference is that we don’t have billion-dollar budgets to recover from them.

V. How I’m Making This Work Even With AuDHD

Managing creative projects, staying consistent, and thinking long-term can be overwhelming for anyone—but with AuDHD (Autism + ADHD), the challenges become even more layered. Here’s how I’m applying the lessons from this module while working with my neurodivergent brain:

1. Avoiding Project Overload & Shiny Object Syndrome

One of the biggest struggles of ADHD in creative work is jumping from project to project without fully developing one before moving on to the next. This is similar to how corporations launch too many brands at once and fail to properly scale them.

✅ What I’m doing differently:

Instead of launching 10 different shows, podcasts, and content series at once, I’m focusing on structuring what I already have and making sure it grows properly before adding more.

I document all my ideas but remind myself that not every idea needs to be acted on right away.

I set a clear priority list so I know what to work on instead of impulsively jumping between unfinished projects.

2. Managing Energy & Avoiding Burnout

The ADHD hyperfocus cycle makes it easy to go all in on a project for weeks, then crash and feel exhausted—which is exactly what happens when big companies launch a DTC brand without thinking about long-term sustainability.

✅ What I’m doing differently:

I build systems that allow for sustainability, like batching content and scheduling breaks.

I set weekly limits on deep work sessions so I don’t burn out from overworking.

I practice ”strategic quitting”—letting go of projects that aren’t serving me before I reach total exhaustion.

3. Adapting to Executive Dysfunction & Decision Paralysis

Big companies often struggle with slow decision-making and risk aversion, leading them to miss opportunities or move too cautiously. ADHD brains do something similar—we get stuck in overthinking loops, unable to move forward because we’re overwhelmed by choices.

✅ What I’m doing differently:

I use timers and accountability structures to force myself to make quicker decisions.

I rely on templates, checklists, and automations to reduce the number of daily decisions I need to make.

I remind myself that ”done” is better than perfect—progress beats perfectionism every time.

4. Embracing the Need for Structure & Routine

Many legacy brands struggle with launching DTC brands because they don’t have the internal culture or structure to support them—they try to run a fast-moving startup the same way they run a billion-dollar company, and it doesn’t work.

ADHD brains function the same way with routine—we try to work like neurotypical people, and when it doesn’t work, we assume we’re the problem. But really, we just need a different kind of structure.

✅ What I’m doing differently:

Instead of forcing myself into rigid routines, I build ”structured flexibility”—allowing for freedom within a loose framework.

I focus on momentum instead of motivation—showing up consistently in small ways rather than relying on energy bursts.

I design workflows that fit how my brain actually works, instead of trying to fit into neurotypical productivity standards.

VI. TL;DR & Final Thoughts

This module made me realize that building a DTC brand in-house is a lot like launching a new creative project as a comedian or content creator. It’s not just about having the resources—it’s about having the right strategy, adaptability, and patience to grow it properly.

Here’s what I’m taking away from this lesson:

Big companies struggle with launching DTC brands for the same reasons creatives struggle with launching new projects—too many internal constraints, fear of risk, and difficulty adapting to a different structure.

Not every idea is worth launching. Just because you can create a new brand (or show, or podcast, or business) doesn’t mean you should.

Scaling requires a long-term plan. A successful DTC brand (or creative project) needs to be built in a way that avoids burnout, allows for sustainability, and adapts over time.

Structure matters. Whether you’re L’Oréal launching a new skincare brand or a comedian building an audience, having a workflow that supports long-term growth is essential.

This module also reminded me how much launching something new is a learning curve—whether it’s a business, a show, or a personal brand.

And honestly? That’s okay.

Because even if it’s messy, slow, and chaotic at times, learning how to build things sustainably is what makes long-term success possible.

The next lesson will explore alternative strategies that large companies can use to compete with DTC brands without launching their own. But for comedians and creators? The takeaway is clear:

💡 You don’t need to launch something new every time you want to grow. 💡 Sometimes, refining what you already have is the best move you can make.

If you found this post interesting, check out the rest of my Harvard Digital Marketing Course breakdowns:

📌 Buy or Build? What Harvard Taught Me About DTC Acquisitions (HDMS012) 📌 What L’Oréal’s Strategy Can Teach Comedians & Creators About Surviving Industry Disruption (HDMS011) 📌 From Clicks to Comedy Clubs: What Harvard’s Digital Marketing Course Taught Me About Selling an Experience (HDMS010) 📌 The DTC Value Chain: Lessons on Scaling and Customer Experience (HDMS009) 📌 Comedy, Clicks & Customer Acquisition: Harvard’s Digital Marketing Breakdown (HDMS008)

And more coming soon. 🚀

💡 Enjoyed this breakdown? Let’s keep the conversation going! Drop a comment—Do you think it’s smarter to launch new projects or refine what you already have?

If you're a creator, comedian, or entrepreneur trying to build something sustainable, let’s figure this out together. Follow for more insights on digital marketing, creative business, and making big ideas actually work.

🔗 Read the full Harvard Digital Marketing series here: [Insert link]

[yourcomedyminute]

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If you would like to be a guest on Your Comedy Minute please contact me

[rhonddaandallaneuro]

Papua New Guinea

Finally back on the road or should I say cruising again. This time to New Guinea with P & O for possibly the last time as they end a long relationship in Australian waters. Let’s hope whoever takes over the Pacific cruising routes stay much the same in standard, price and service.

Caught the local shuttle to terminal arriving nearly two hours early but no problem getting aboard so all was good. Dined upstairs in the pantry and enjoyed a very cold beer. The weather is great so did a walk around where the main pool was being repainted and the water slide, not in operation. Much of the same except an increase in drink prices. Hahaa

Dined in Waterfront where it was packed on first night. Was the State of Origin game so straight after off to the big screen where Rhondda’s beloved team smashed the Blues. A few more drinks and off to bed.

Thursday morning up early to do my walk which is very hard in slippers. I forgot to pack my walking shoes. Finally after breakfast we set up camp on the 14th deck where we sat and read in between watching dolphin pods swim past. They are truly magnificent creatures as they glide through the water. After lunch we attended the “Pacific War” lecture which was amazing. So much information that we were unaware of. Well worth the time.

Back to our cabin for a nanny nap prior to doing the Italian restaurant for tea. The food was as good as we have had and met a couple of Victorians who we chatted with for a couple of hours. Spent the next two days cruising with nothing else to do then eat, drink and talk to people. Probably highlite of first few days was the Friday night entertainment, Grant Galea, who sang and did a lot of impersonations however it was his straight impersonations that made the show

On Saturday we docked in Milne Bay and did a “Village” tour. This was great seeing a local village in traditional dress, dancing and serving up fresh prepared local product. The food itself was pretty bland but seeing the preparation and the manner in which they produce it well worth the trip.

Back in the main town saw a few war memorials but other then that not really a tourist destination. The local produce market sees the same products laid out on the concrete flooring. The entertainment on Saturday was a juggler/ comedian and he was great. A totally different slant of juggling and it’s presentation.

Sunday we were tendered to the island Kiriwina where the local market was over 200 metres long on both sides of the pathway. Saw a few things not impressed with such as turtles for sale. They are balanced on timber blocks and you purchase ($200) them so you can set them free. Pretty sure they then catch them again place them back on the blocks. Here we saw fish cooked and dried with lobster and crab freshly cooked. Would have bought a serve but no local currency.

Swimming was amazing with water clean and warm. One just had to keep an eye out for the occasional sea snake. Stayed in for well over an hour before returning to the cruise ship. Back on board we again ate and drank with the occasional trivia trial and listened to the artists on offer. There is one guy that is very good and plays all types of genre on request. Rhondda lashed out here ordering her first fruit tingle cocktail. Pretty sure there will be more enjoyed.

This was the third day where we could go on shore at Rabaul where we intended to just do a walk around to enjoy local culture. This quickly changed as we felt not only the warmth of the locals but the humidity. Quickly decided to hire a street taxi which we shared with another young couple that saw us do the touristy things in an air-conditioned Range Rover. I should point out this cost us $30 each and we did exactly the same things as the tour on offer from the ship which cost $220 per person.

Saw the most recently active volcano at the hot springs where temperatures were high as you walked in the darkest black ash that was warm to say the least. Remember a vast number of the locals walk around in bare feet. Also took in the war museum and the Japanese war tunnels (believed to be. Network over 300 kilometres in length) that saw safe passage from the mountains through to the harbour.

Returning to our cruise ship we enjoyed more drinks and food with some great entertainment on board. Tuesday we are at sea so have elected to sit in the night club area at the back,of the boat. Very calming up here.

Cruise starting to come to an end as we arrived at Conflict Island. This place is owned by an Australian who rents our half a dozen villas. He also has a green turtle sanctuary located on the island. Very pretty to walk through the vegetation but the sand had a lot of shell within so it was hard to walk. The water was also a lot colder then one expected so we only stayed a few hours.

Must mention that when attempting to depart the ship to the “tender” the seas were extremely rough and at times the gang plank fell away. Scary to say the least but we eventually boarded the tender taking us to the island where we had to do a 150 metre walk on a floating jetty. This was even more scary. Once is enough for this island. Hahaha

Back at sea we spent the last two days soaking up the sun at the pool and watching the world go by sitting in the night club area at the back of ship. It was Rhondda’s birthday on Thursday so a bit of a sleep in and then more drinking and eating.

This cruise has been very good with the right balance of days at sea with the days in port. We have talked to so many strangers and even used the swimming pool which was great hanging out at the Oasis. Allan stepped up to the plate and on one day even drank more then Rhondda. Although it must be said Rhondda was imbibing in the occasional cocktail which Allan did not. The casino was good to Rhondda on her birthday where she doubled her investment on day one. Not talking about day two.

Everyone should do this cruise at least once. An eye opener but the experience was good. We really do live in the lucky country.