I’ve never understood the difference between group travel and travelling with a group – until now.

Our cruise falls into the “travelling with a group category” so, in theory, we don’t have the hassles of deadlines, or a tour guide telling us where we can or cannot go.  

You may be surprised, but our little group of ten 60/70 year olds had some issues trying to coordinate after boarding yesterday afternoon. 

“Where will we eat tonight?”  

“Let’s all gather on the top deck at 3:00 to wave goodbye to Brisbane.”  

“Sorry, we’re going for our afternoon nap.”  (That wasn’t us, by the way).

“Everyone – be at the Endeavour Room at 5:15 sharp for trivia!” (Yes – I did get roped into the dreaded trivia team thing after all).

“Where’s the Endeavour Room?”  

“Where’s the top deck?”

“I think I’ve lost my cruise card.”  “What?  Already?”

 It’s the morning of Day Two and we’re finally starting to settle into a rhythm.  Most of the gang are well rested after retiring for the night at 9:00 PM.  There were a few raised eyebrows at breakfast when Nanette and I, being wild night owls, admitted to partying on till 10:00 – listening to a great singer in the atrium, before visiting the karaoke bar and the jazz club – but we’re the youngsters in the group, so we get a bit of latitude.

By general consensus, it’s been agreed that everyone will more or less do their own thing today, but –

• Those who are interested are meeting again for trivia later this morning,
• Murray and I are potentially entering the hole in one golf competition, though the time clashes with our shuffleboard booking,
• Nanette is signed up for both the Gatsby Dance and the Salsa lessons,
• The ladies all plan to go to a High Tea, but not until Day Three, and only if they have money left on their cruise cards.

Anyway, I’m off to check out how you register for the zip line that runs across the sky high above the main pool deck.