Shirley please tell Terence not to bring mystery and intrigue into our holiday. Too much imagination I say. Perhaps your compass is faulty. They have two additional pools on this ship plus we have a spa in our deluxe cabins (see below). So my friend just relax and enjoy the journey. Guess what you two. We have been invited to the Captains' Cocktail party this evening as his VIP guests. Evidently Sisters Philomena and Bridget have been onto Royal Caribbean over our search and recovery heroics of tropical storm victims.
"This is your Captain James Nemroy speaking, a few of our more astute passengers, and crew too, have noticed that we are now headed on a more Westerly heading. No storm, war nor Covid scares are the reason for this diversion, but simply the chance to see giant pods of Blue Whales and Dolphins migrating Northwards past some Whale and Tuna fishing nations who have whaling boats at the ready. Their activities are illegal and immoral. Thousands of wealthy tourists with high powered cameras are their greatest fear. More so than gun boats! We have UN immunity and you can all add to the evidence as you record it...be a hero for a day or two! Japan and US air forces will only be minutes away and are fully aware and monitoring our movements by satelite, along with dozens of official small to medium craft size. Even one US missile destroyer and all the media craft. Put on your best make up ladies! Most of you have have cameras. Please use them as we intend to skirt past the Whales and such evidence is powerful. Very powerful. Our passage and escort of the Whales is a historical event given this giant size of the pods, please be part of it. Our gift store has many cameras for sale at modest prices. 30% discount for the next 3 days only. Great rewards also for the best clips or pics, see the notice boards or pamphlets available at tonight's dinner tables for details and conditions. We can spend 2 days at most on this venture to still retain our intinary but at a faster speed. No extra costs will be imposed upon passengers. Use the Xpads mounted in your rooms to express your feelings. Over and out, your one and only Captain Nemroy. And don't forget the best 70's dressed competition tonight. Free Massages for all the category winners."
Maybe we can change our Hawaiian cruise to an Alaskan cruise. After we save the whales, we can still sail to Hawaii. We have plenty of time and money.
I vote we continue onto Hawaii. I think I overindulged at Captain Nemroy's Cocktail party last nite. A few too many Pina Coladas. I am not really in the mood to go whale watching. May just go and lie down for a bit.....
With thousands of powerful cameras clicking and whirring, a lady with a powerfully lensed camera shouts "There's a mid sized ship closing up on us from behind. Look!" Shortly a big man yells "It's an old Ice breaker with an Australian flag!" Fifteen minutes later the tough old Ice Breaker is sailing to our starboard out of sight to the pod and potential whalers. Captain Nemroy announced its friendly presence with waves from the caring green Aussies. More Cameras. Terence said to Shirley " No Whaling boat could withstand a ramming from that tough ship. This could heat up if anyone fancies a Whale burger" Cameras kept clicking and whirring all around the decks with free cocktails being served on silver trays. Then a cannon shot was heard. "It's just a warning shot ahead of a flotilla of Chinese Whaling ships from the US Frigate Carolina." said Nemroy over the PA. Meanwhile the Aussie Icebreaker dropped back, waited for the mega pod to pass and then went full steam westwards towards the Chinese Whaling boats.
The Chinese whaling boats beat a hasty retreat. Which is good because we don't want to start a war with China. The US Frigate Carolina sent a drone to make sure the Chinese ship didn't approach the whales again. We have numerous pictures of the Chinese whaler and the US government will warn the Chinese not to allow their ships to kill any more whales.
A well dressed elderly couple approached Shirley with a big ipad. "Look they said, we're all over the global news and net and there's a lovely big picture of you. You're a famous lady now. May we please take your picture?" Handing their ipad to Terence they asked him to take a picture of themselves on either side of Shirley. Mr Bates gave Shirley his gold embossed card offering help if ever she needed it.
Oh no something else for Ji Ping and his CCP over which to be dirty with Australia. Shirley you are my heroine again.
So gang are we ready to resume our Hawaii cruise..I am. Those hula girls, luaus and cruising the islands.. all have me under their spell already....
First I have to solve the mystery of Mr. Bates. He might be a billionaire who wants to marry me and make me his heir.
"A well dressed elderly couple" He is married Shirley. Turn round the ship skipper we are heading for Hawaii.
"I agree with Craig Shirley, that Mr Bates is married. Did you see the size of the diamond on his wife's finger. I bet he is a billionaire", said Terence. Captain Nemroy later came over the ship's PA announcing the ship was turning southwards back towards Hawaii at speed to make up for the time lost escorting the giant Whale pod. Many passengers have prebooked connecting flights to other places like Sydney, Australia, which is now in a Covid Lockdown..... Chaos! Stay in Hawii, Quantine indefinetly in Sydney , stay on board?.....? "I'd like to snorkel and surf in Hawii" said Terence, "and then Alaska?" The guarding of the pod was now in the safe hands of a US, NZ and Aus flotilla of Naval Frigates and three Green Peace ships, with a French Destroyer coming up north fast. Xi JiPong nearly burst a vein in a seething, foot stamping angry tantrum demanding respect for China. Mr Bates laughed. Most Nations called Pong a hypocrite. Cartoons and satirical clips crossed the globe at lightning speed. It was funny. Shirley's face became global along with dozens of Ad sponsoring offers via the ships wi fi. One especially generous from 'Bates' Media. ?..? Hours later all was quiet as we sailed at speed to a warm welcoming Hawii. Mr Bates invited us all to dinner in the First Class dining area, near the Captain's table. 'We know the way', said Terence, .... "I know you know" said Mr Bates winking....
Hawaii here we come. Captain Nemoy put on a feast for us VIP's in his private dining room with the new social media star Shirley sitting at the head of the table. Now Shirley you must avoid all this sudden notoriety going to your head. You are after all a simple North Carolina country girl, said Craig.....
We just can't help it, Craig. Mystery and intrigue seem to follow us three amigos wherever we go. Now this mysterious Mr. Bates shows up. Who is he and what does he want from me? But I won't let him spoil our Hawaiian vacation. I'm going to enjoy having handsome men at my beck and call.