It's New Years Day. I'm now officially going on a world cruise THIS YEAR . I've booked to send two suitcases down to Southampton with the Baggage Handling Company. I'm nervouse about whether or not the bags will arrive by my cabin, but I'll find out soon enough, I guess. The bags are being collected tomorrow, so I've packed them today. There still seems to be an awful lot of stuff left to pack, including both dinner suits and dress shirts. I've tried to spl...

I've finally finished my shopping for the cruise. The last things I bought? Very prosaic, contact lens conditioner and shaving gel! I'm actualy considering whether or not or not to buy crystalized ginger and/or Stugeron for sea-sickness. I've never been sea-sick, but never say 'never!' I've also got another set of contact lenses on order, which will mean I'll have two sets of spares. But as far as I'm concerned, I have everything bought that needs to be boug...

The email containing the links to my e-ticket and labels arrived today. I've already received some labels, they arrived with the excursions brochure a few weeks back. So I'm just about ready to roll. All my visas have been received, all my clothes shopping is done and most of my other stuff is bought. Just a few small things like shaving cream and I'll be there. It's just 38 days to go. I booked so long ago and I've had 3 holidays and 2 cruises since then...

Well both my hippy outfit and wig have arrived. Groovy man! The wig doesn't appear to have been designed with a face in mind. It's just a headpiece with long brown hair all round. Luckily the outfit came with a headband, so hopefully that will help. I'd hate my wig to drape in my soup! I've also bought a self-tie bow tie with a Union Flag design on it. It took me a couple of go's to get it right, but I think I've mastered it now. It looks OK. The black s...

My Chinese visa arrived this morning. That means I have all four visas or visa equivalents required to board the ship. They are my Indian and Chinese visas, my e-visitor for Australia and my ESTA for the States. I also had a written confirmation of my baggage collection. I'm sending one bag down beforehand. All the excursions I plan to do, either with P&O or external companies, are also booked. Some ports I intend to do solo, either because I've been...