I shouldn't laugh......

But this is quite funny. Apparently the flagship Ocean Cruise Liner owned by P&O, called Aurora has a few technical problems. Nothing vital apparently, just a fault with the propellor! Well according to the BBC it has been stuck in dock for four days now and all the passengers have managed to see is the Isle of Wight. Amazing when you think that some of the passengers have paid up to £41,985 (yep, you did read that right) for this dream cruise. I'm not really into the politics of envy, but somehow the thought of those people forking out that sort of money for a view of the undoubtedly gorgeous, but not particularly exciting Isle of Wight is making me feel quite smug.

Yes, I know they'll be getting free drinks (didn't that come as part of the £42k package then?) and all their food, but by my estimations I could have done the same including a visit to the Island for £11.80 per day, or £47.20 until now. Throw in a B&B for those 4 nights at around £40 per night, plus food, say £80 and my grand total is £167.20. So far a saving of £41,817.80! The trip is scheduled for 103 days, so this comes to £4305.40 if my option is taken, so in the worst case scenario that the ship doesn't move, GrocerJacks Isle of Wight tour option would have saved them £37679.80!

Now I know that they'll miss out on many fantastic sights and places, such as Santiago, Buenos Aires, Sydney, Hong Kong and San Francisco, but as an alternative they could visit Blackgang Chine, Robin Hill Country Park, Fort Victoria Model Railway or even the very picturesque Godshill. For those with more exotic tastes, there is the Amazon Centre in Newchurch, or the Big Cat Sanctuary in Sandown, where a friendly game of Bingo can be had on the pier as a diversion from the somewhat flashy casinos' of Aurora. So they'd have plenty to do, although they might not quite get the tan because the weather being typically British is almost guaranteed to be rubbish (it's almost as if the UK weather was government owned, and only an injection of private cash could make it perform better, but thats another blog).

Of course, if they decided to they could always take the "value" option and stay at my place and I could run them down to Southsea Sea front everyday, with a checked blanket and Thermos flask of tea for their exclusive use whilst they sit and stare over The Solent all day.

Hmmm....perhaps a new career in the tourist industry beckons.

Later, GrocerJack