Pieter, What business is not all about the money? And the cruise business in the 1980s was somewhat different to the way it is now. Many less-well-off people have come to enjoy cruising since then because for them the money is more reasonable. Maybe you should try a short cruise. You might be surprised.

Clive: if you are a cruise snob you can still pay bucket-loads of dosh to go with one of the expensive operators that the hoi-polloi like me can't afford.

Clive, the cruise business is only about the money...just how many sheep can you accomodate on just so many square metres, or as somebody dealing with the cruise market in the eighties always used to say. How many beds can you sell.

No Finn, that's the problem, it is not a brave world. It is a weak and feeble world. One that caters to the lowest common denominator, one where everyone follows the herd. No individuality, no creativity, no imagination.

Clive, its a brave new world... unfortunately!

I know that I should not, but I cannot help but make comparisons with the ships of Costa's fleet of today...