Cruisers, runners and dog walkers..

I am currently training for a half marathon which is now less than two weeks away. As I am so close now to the date, my runs have gradually been increasing in length and as I am far from what could be described as a natural athlete, I have been trying to take in my surroundings more to occupy my mind.

I am lucky to live near a couple of beautiful parks and whilst pounding the paths, I have noticed how other runners will smile or wave or greet me as we pass. In the same way, I see many dog walkers stopping to exchange pleasantries with each other as they also have a common interest. Whilst we runners don’t stop to pat (or sniff ) each other and , personally, I rarely have breath to do more than smile, it gives you a comfortable sense of camaraderie. I have something in common with these people. I have the license to grin at or talk to them.

Cruisers belong to this this sort of club. Once you have been on a cruise, you are happy to talk cruising with other cruisers.

How many hotels are there in the world? This is why we rarely discuss where we have been on holiday in more detail than the destination as the chances of someone else knowing the same hotel is remote. The same ship however is a different matter. You may sailed around Asia on board the same vessel as someone else has visited the Norwegian Fjords but you will have the same experience of your accommodation.

Once you have been on a cruise, you are happy to talk cruising with other cruisers. The opening topic of conversation on board at dinner is generally how many cruises have you been on. Other questions deemed reasonable to ask are what cabin type you have and strangely what you have paid.

Like the dog walkers and runners, if you cruise you are in a club.