The Cruise: A Life at Sea

After a brief stop in Madeira, Captain Victor Stoica soon has a medical emergency on his hands as a sick passenger has to be airlifted off the ship in the middle of the Atlantic. On board, Colin and the passengers settle into a routine. Sue Alderson, the energetic choir mistress, is soon drilling her passenger volunteers for a performance of The Pirates of Penzance at the end of the leg in Acapulco. Bob and Vivien Spedding met and fell in love on a previous cruise, but are on a honeymoon with a difference this time.

The second leg of Balmoral's world cruise sees her crossing the Pacific and includes a stop on the tropical island of Tahiti. With nearly two weeks at sea, passengers find ways to entertain themselves. Amateur dramatics are always popular and drama producer Carol Bunyan is hard at work producing a performance from her volunteer thespians. Ian and Gail Hussey celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary by renewing their vows with the Reverend Colin Still, but there is tragedy too as a woman dies at sea.

The Reverend Colin Still witnesses a fire-ravaged part of Tasmania before visiting the Mission to Seafarers Centre in Hobart. On board Balmoral we meet John and Dilys, who met and fell in love on a cruise ship, but due to their deteriorating health pose difficult questions for Colin about their futures. The cruise also makes a spectacular entry into Sydney, and tours take in jumping crocodiles and the legendary Komodo dragons in their natural environment.

Reverend Still is reminded of his past and Sue Alderson drills a new choir into shape