CRUISING FOR CHRISTMAS, the story of a working vacation

Let's count down, ok? It's a few days before the blessed day and I scramble to get work done, Christmas gifts wrapped and sent, Christmas cards (a few) out, and assemble my stuff to pack for my 7-day cruise around the Hawaiian Islands. With who? Just me. Me alone. With my DVD player, my computer, and a film idea to flesh out.

The Pride of Aloha (Norwegian Cruise Line) leaves at 8pm, Sunday the 18th and returns to Honolulu harbor, Aloha Tower, on Christmas morning at 7am. I have an inside berth, the cheapest on the second floor from the top deck. I'll give you the details on the ship itself on another day.

For those of you curious enough (or crazy enough) for a virtual tag-along, I will be blogging my thoughts along with way. I promise all the boring (watching the ocean) or gorging (food!) details as I work five to seven, maybe more hours a day on my new short film. Details on that in another blog.

I expect I will spend some time exploring the ship's terrain, skipping the day tours, napping to my hearts content, and relaxing with my fellow cruisers. But honestly, work is the word! Getting the script done the goal.

Why, you might be asking, do a cruise at Christmas alone. Well, how many ways can I count the whys??? 12 whys, leaving out the partrigde in a pear tree stuff.

1. no airplanes to deal with
2. no airports and TSA screeners to contend with
3. just walk onto the boat, so simple! (I hope!)
4. no airplanes to deal with, or storms, delays, taking my shoes off for TSA agents
5. no airport crowds. No way Jose! Not this year. Just a crowded boat. Oh well. Got to make some sacrifices, eh?
6. just walk onto the boat. Get it?
7. only 5 days off from my job (working full-time these days, more details later), and so it's a quick getaway without transferring flights and airline food
8. speaking of food, how about all the food you want, anytime you want it! And low-carb, low-fat, no sugar, healthy gourmet cruisine (so they promise) -- all included in the tab
9. my bed gets made for me and towels are clean, just like a nice hotel (except at a hotel your meals are not included)
10. I can enjoy the ship's pool and jacuzzi while most of my shipmates head out to do their day tours on our Island stops. Been there, done that, seen it, passssss.
11. Alone, you ask? Yes, alone. I am paying more for my berth but buying privacy, as I see it. No one to take care of. The perfect way to concentrate on my writing and creating of this short film.
12. I might have a DIVINE appointment. What is that, you ask? I don't know who or what will cross my cruise path. But I am praying for a DIVINE encounter with wonderful folks crazy like me to be cruising at Christmas. We'll be spending Christmas eve together. Now, what will that be like???!!!! Stay tune!!!

Say, if you like my experience, as I blog it, perhaps we could cruise together someday -- like next year??? Wait, too soon to promise. Let's see if I really have found a heavenly way to get away at Christmas time.

Holiday greetings to you all. And a very Merry Christmas. They haven't taken Christmas yet out of the Merry.