For those who don't know, the Hogs in question are Harley Davidson nuts (members of the Harley Owners Group), who, believe it or not, every so often go off cruising together.
It's all organised by Dean and Debbie Anderson, who run Hogs on the High Seas, and gather hundreds of bikers together. "We can have fun without worrying about drinking and driving," says Dean, who naturally is also a Hog.
Which is all really just an excuse for showing you this picture....
Meet Captain Hog, aka Johnny Faevelen, current master of Royal Caribbean International's Mariner of the Seas, who keeps his Harley with him on the ship.
Dean says lucky Hogs get a chance to see the bike in the hold and the captain sometimes rides out with the group (special excursions are organised for Hogs as they can't take their bikes on the ship).
Not surprisingly, Mariner is the Hogs favourite ship - in fact a big group will be descending on it in November. Mostly Americans, but they usually get 10-12 Brits on each cruise.
As you might expect, bikers are not into all that cruise ship dress code malarkey, so Dean gets special dispensation for the group. Evening dress code is jeans and t-shirts (no profanity please!), except on formal nights, of course, when they are expected to make an effort and wear leather (please be discreet!).
And here's the best bit.... they are booked for second sitting dinner because the waiters get into the spirit of the occasion and come in bikers' gear. As their work for the day is done once the Hogs shuffle off to their own show (you didn't really think they would sit through that schmaltzy songs from the shows stuff did you?), the waiters don't have to change back into their black and whites and start serving the smart casual brigade.
Dean really has though of everything.
Jane Archer
