Durban - The difference between a boat and a ship is something I’ve only recently learnt, after being chastised for referring to a grand passenger ship in the same sentence as the boat descriptor.
“Boats go fishing” was the terse response, as I recall, while ships, understandably, fare the oceans carrying legions of holidaymakers to dream vacations.
Cruising is also likely the only form of transportation where the journey is as much a leisurely chill as the promise of the destination’s relax-time attractions.
It is cruising season again and this year, the MSC Opera returns for another season, starting early November to late March next year.
Cruising and having fun on board and en route does not have to equate to a two-week holiday. Shorter, two- to three-day cruises hold just as much promise of fun and battery recharging as an 11-day stint to Reunion and Mauritius. Whether lowering the shutters and staying in your cabin all weekend tickles your fancy or cabin fever drives you on deck, you’ll never be bored at sea.
Day 1 – Boarding at noon
Get a lift to Durban harbour as parking stress ahead of long boarding queues adds more grey hair than any trip is worth. Queueing to board takes some time as immigration has to be cleared, luggage loaded and 2 000 other passengers settled and sorted. Be there early, board at about noon and head for the pool.
As the MSC Opera departs, ensure that you are still on deck as the departure protocol is always a spectacular, helicopter-piloted affair. Cruise animators and entertainment staff jolly-up the formalities with fun activities on deck as bidding farewell to Durban ushers in adventures at sea.
Afternoon: The safety drill
As much as it is a maritime safety necessity, it is also the first photo opportunity. Life jackets donned at muster stations, the safety drill is made less mundane with friendly crew ushering passengers about the ship. It’s a 20-minute diversion from your cocktail but adds some seafaring authenticity to the floating hotel.
Early evening:
Head for the upper deck cocktail bar for sundowners and take your drink to the aft end of the ship, listen to the engines roar through the Indian Ocean as you toast the sunset hues over the horizon.
Later:
Dependent on when your dinner sitting is, the forward theatre on board offers entertainment that coincides with passengers’ dinner plans. Early diners see the show after dinner while guests dining later will see the earlier performance.
Much later:
Don those dancing shoes and head aft, on the upper deck. Dance the night away with great music that appeals to the teen and at times, the golden oldie inside each of us. Best part is, there’s no driving home. It’s the perfect environment to let your hair down.
The next morning:
Nurse the consequences of the night before with a wholesome breakfast and check out the cruise programme, normally slid under the cabin door early in the morning, for the day’s activities.
Bingo is a lot of fun.
Chances are that a weekend trip will already see the ship moored off the Portuguese islands. If so, head off to the beach.
Nighttime
It’s Captain’s Dinner and dress up time. Cruising a century ago was a time of formality, ball gowns and stiff martinis. Meet the captain, have your photo taken and enjoy a cocktail before indulging in a specially designed menu in celebration of a sailing tradition as old as the business of passenger transportation across the high seas.
Theatre and dancing options are available again but, more enticing for couples would be a long stroll around the deck. Take a bottle of wine, settle in a nook and enjoy the moon dancing across the swells. It may be windy, so pack a jumper.
Morning 2:
Order breakfast in your cabin and wake up slowly. It’s time to explore the ship.
Duty-free shopping doesn’t get any better. Chocolates, liqueurs and keepsakes could break the bank. Then again, memories are priceless. Coffee at one of the many pit stops will aid recovery after exercising your credit card.
Lunch buffet on the upper deck is light; make your own burger or grab a slice of pizza. For the hungry, a few paces aft, a giant buffet awaits with pastas, salads, desserts and a smorgasbord of tastes.
Lazy afternoon
Spend an afternoon baking in the sun followed by a pamper session at the Balinese spa. Pricey, but worth every penny. Stretch out and chill in the meditation room afterwards and watch the bow bobbing against the skyline.
Last dinner
Order every course on the set menu – it’s the last night and over-indulgence is not optional. Have more than one dessert and pop a bottle of bubbly before heading off to the casino.
Late night, head to the midnight snack buffet before heeling it to the disco one last time.
Disembarkation morning
It’s always sad to bid adieu to the ocean, to over-indulgence and non-stop fun. However, if we enjoyed decadence every day, it would lose its lustre. Wake up early, enjoy the last few hours on board before Italian efficiency disembarks everyone in record time.
Saturday Star