Read this some time ago but so glad you posted it here. Lots of chuckles. Was wondering if you'd show up again here.

We were on a 40-day cruise, Hong Kong to Greece, on an identical ship and, brother, you nailed it. Most fun part: Going into Sagafa, Oman, at night with a ship's electrician. Great souk and no westerners but us. No passengers would leave the ship. Instead, they threw a shipboard party called "Sheik, Rattle and Roll" where everyone dressed like the Arabs.

Wonderful.... thanks for cheering up a rainy afternoon!

OK. I don't understand what this is all about.

OK. read your blog. Now I do. Very funny.

Phew. I went into a week-long decline beore I read your follow-up post, kenav. My apologies or not responding LA, jacket, SPT - you've all been very kind. I've been lost in writing another adventure - alas, not a cruising one this time. But, in here absence is no matter. This forum is so-o-o-ooo slow I could go away for about a year and the posts won't have changed.

You're right abut that. It is pretty slow.

Brilliant. Thank you for sharing.

Woo hoo! My post is brought back from oblivion! Thank you, Heather for sharing right back. It's one of my most popular stories. Many, many hits.

But, I think, Heather that your unexpected kindness is the nicest praise of all.

For those easily confused - this is what we are talking about:
http://dogster5.wordpress.com/azamara-army-home/

There are two new chapters BTW, just added last week, for those who are interested. Look for 'The Invisible Army' and 'Dry Dock in Dubai'.

Really enjoyed the new chapters.... hope you can continue your Azamara episodes.

I'm booked on three back-to-backs on Az in November, em. so I imagine I might have some more to write... I'm kinda done writing about Azamara itself - but the passengers continue to fascinate me... although, if another Showbiz Alex comes along, I'll happily accomodate. He's my favorite character.

Thank you for your kind words - and for bringing this back to the top. It's quite amazing how many people have read the stories now. I get some lovely E-mails. No explosives in the mail as yet.

So, another thirty-five days of Aza-love coming up. I'll cope. Let's hope Rudi ain't the Food & Beverage Manager.

You are one lucky dude!!

Christmas on Peucang Island (ujung Kulon), eh?

lol, nope Marija. Getting off in Mumbai December 11.

jacket, my cheque book and my good fortune seem to be closely intertwined - BUT I did score a good deal on this one. It's vulgar to talk about money, I know - but I'll end up paying $7,500 for 31 days, single, Club Continental suite, butler and all the Aza-grovel I can stomach.

Last night I became over-excited and booked another one, different boat, Celeb Constellation to Holy Land, 12 days, Concierge class - single: $1,800 including taxes, tips. So it'll be four B2Bs.

Dunno about you, but I'm quite proud of my deal-making. It's not much making the deal, I guess - as <i>finding</i> it - then grabbing it fast. That's the good thing about being a solo - one can jump at the opportunities.

Anyway, it's all booked, paid for. I'm perusing all the excursions now. It ain't cheap to sightsee in the Holy Land, that's for sure.

Pity you sunk the Love Boat. We would all be color coordinating our cruisewear about now. No doubt Mother Azamara will treat you better.

Wow, that's a lot of boat time, dogster. I'd go stir crazy! How are the legs? Are you staying in India for a bit this time?

Damn dogster please tell me you are on the Connie Oct. 26th. We'll be there too. BTW we also booked CC and that was our price per person so they did not charge you more. Cool. :-)

I am, indeed, jacket, <i>'on the Connie'</i> lol lol lol. C2 9074. Let's hope we're not neighbors. I don't want stories about my nocturnal activities with all those rich widows onboard getting back to all the rich widows in here. As you know, I run a small business on the side as a gigolo.

Provided you don't dislike me on sight, which is very easy to do, perhaps you might join me for dinner one night? I promise not to write about it - altho', <i>'Dinner with Jacket'</i> has a catchy ring to it as a title...

thursday, it's 'cos of the legs I'm doing it this way - lucklily, I find the passengers so extra-ordinary that I'm never bored. Stir-crazy, yup, bored, never. Hence the exit in Mumbai. I'll be over it by then. Many, many ports in between tho'.

Frankly, it's the best I can manage. But the old dog ain't dead yet. You will approve of a little adventure before all this: here's a clue -
http://nomadtoursturkey.com/index.php
ten days. Into Iraqi Kurdistan too.
After Mumbai - dunno. Something Indian. It's high season. Lousy time to go. Maybe Gujarat.

Marija, I didn't sink the Love Boat. It sunk of its own accord. Why don't you come on 'Connie'?

How many cases of pouilly fume inspired this trip? And remember, Fodor's does not allow advertising.

Only a curmudgeon would construe this as advertising.

Ahh... Pouilly Fume. Rex Harrison's favorite wine... booking 'Connie' in the middle of the night had nothing at all to do with it. Dogster was merely confused. He thought he was booking a ticket to the theatre.

I thought that might be the reason for all this cruise time. Sympathy.... Nomad tours looks interesting - I haven't made it to Eastern Turkey yet, although it's definitely on the list. Are you going into Syria as well? And maybe you should give southern India another shot. Really. Although it will be hot - I'm off to Eastern Europe in a couple of weeks in the hopes of cooling off.