Smooth Sailing ; Michael O'flaherty Escaped the Stresses of Christmas On a Cruise in the Sun

Summary

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IF you want to avoid the usual hassles of preparing for Christmas with family and friends, the gracious way to do it is to wrap your gifts early - then board an elegant liner called Saga Rose, a grand old lady from the glory days of cruising, to enjoy long, lazy days sailing between exotic ports.

I am not an inveterate cruiser - far from it - but the idea of trying something completely different certainly appealed.

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Extract

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Smooth Sailing ; Michael O'flaherty Escaped the Stresses of Christmas On a Cruise in the Sun

The scale and size of the Saga Rose, just 24,500 tonnes, suggested the sort of intimate, friendly party that you probably don't get with 3,000 other passengers ready to party on one of those vast new superliners.

Of course, the usual doubts nagged in my mind. What was it like spending Christmas at sea with 520 strangers?

Would I be able to grab some peace and quiet, should I so wish?

Would the exaggerated gaiety and bonhomie which accompanies Christmas get even more over the top ...

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