Dubai was the end of Stage 1 of the cruise. Stage 2 takes us to Dover in England.

Leaving Dubai and sailing southwest around the coastline of the Arabian peninsular past Oman and Yemen has been a slow plod for the Coral Princess. Still suffering from some engine issues, almost rectified according to the Captain’s announcements, and facing a southwesterly wind and rough swell we have lost time on this leg. The sea calmed down as we entered the Gulf of Aden and made our approach to the narrow ‘choke’ to enter the Red Sea. Slobro has been waking each morning and asking Homealone, ‘are we there yet’.

The waters around the coastlines of Yemen and Somalia are known for modern day piracy.

We have had an entertaining chat from the ship’s Head of Security about modern day piracy in general and the way it is being combated. There hasn’t been a significant attack in these waters for over ten years due in large measure to the patrolling of the waters by US and British naval vessels and actions taken by ships themselves. He was quite confident in the ability of our ship to ward off any pirates making an attempt. Basically our ‘freeboard’ (the railing and open deck area around the ship on Deck 7) of over 10 metres makes it difficult for any attempt at boarding. There is a range of other things to provide deterrence, including lookouts, water hoses and a sonic boom thingo that emits sound at levels humans cannot tolerate.

One of our fellow passengers asked whether the ship would rescue pirates! The Head of Security offered a strange look and said he wasn’t in favour of rescuing pirates. Much applause.

We are now well into the Red Sea making for Aqaba, it is nearly a month since we left Brisbane. Apart from a day in Singapore, half day in Colombo and two days in Dubai we have been ambling along the sea lanes in mostly smooth conditions for 24 days.

Allthego and Homealone are looking forward to getting ashore, even Slobro is a bit edgy for landfall. For many on board though it seems days at sea are what it is all about. Someone said that it is about the journey and not just the destination, or something like that. Allthego thinks it would be great to have a destination appear soon! Well whatever pleases you, but it does show that it takes time to cruise from Australia to the edge of Europe. Sitting in the lounges in these calmer seas away from windows, one senses no movement of the ship. You wouldn’t know it is ploughing along at 15 knots pushing water out of the way. Time could be standing still, even though we have turned the clock back an hour seven times to date.

Allthego has dozed off reading a book. Supposed to be relaxing but one could get exhausted from eating! Some great food on board and the nightly entertainment excellent. The entertainers know their target market well: 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Homealone is enjoying her craft and periodic trips to the laundry. It is amazing what you learn in the laundry about what is going on aboard!

‘Getting there’ has turned out to be not possible for another two guests (in addition to the earlier one in Singapore) who have sadly passed away, one it appears from over exertion on the dance floor. In the other case the wife off boarded the poor chap in Dubai and has continued the cruise, her son having joined her aboard. Practical arrangement. There has been an unconfirmed 4th death. Homealone needs to ask more questions in the craft group, or perhaps the laundry.

A consequence of the slow going is that we have lost a day and will be getting to Aqaba a day late. To catch up we are to forgo the following stop at Mykonos and make for Messina in Sicily as a substitute (albeit shorter) stop. We are not overly disappointed in this having been to Mykonos before.

Slobro has again just asked whether we are nearly there. YES is the answer. Tomorrow morning!