Congratulations again to Andy Harmer and the team from the Association of Cruise Experts - and that includes everyone in the accounts and training departments (sorry Andy, couldn't help perpetuating the myth) - for a great cruise convention in Southampton this week.
There might have been one or two hiccups, but it was brilliantly attended by the people it was aimed at - the agents - and there were some very good speakers imparting a lot of useful information.
We touched on the US elections courtsey of Terry Dale from Cruise Lines International Association, the American version of ACE, and had mighty mice and nudity courtesy of Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland MD Jo Rzymowska.
If none of this makes sense, by the way, book early and make sure you are at the conference next year, wherever that might be.
I am also intrigued by the speaker who vanished so completely from day two. Poor Mario Martini, from God knows where, who was going to give what promised to be an intriguing talk entitled "how cruise destinations are fundamental". Who'd have thought it? The ultimate ignominy surely was that no one even seemed to notice when he didn't take to the stage.
Sadly, the one thing that let it all down was Southampton, that great cruise capital of the Europe (so we were told), which can only field a rather grim football stadium for conferences of any size.
We either melted or froze during the exhibition and sessions, starved or gave in and dined on what must have been the leftover sandwiches when British Rail catering closed down.
In fairness, the food at the Speakers' Dinner - also in the football stadium - last evening was fine and there was plenty of wine to help it down so by the dessert it didn't really matter anyway.
And I suppose at least I can now tell anyone who is in the slightest bit interested that I have been inside a football stadium and even seen the pitch - just!
Jane Archer
