Cruise is a relaxing word. You imagine deck chairs, ocean breezes - and no responsibilities. The word lets your thoughts drift at sea - unless you’re my husband.

John feels confined on ships, he feels confined in the tuxedo he’s expected to wear to formal dinners on board and he can’t be conned into feeling fine about it.

When in doubt - or you can’t get your way - compromise. We compromised by sailing on a small ship - eighty passengers, casual dress and one seating for meals with a set menu.

One advantage of this type of vacation is having to unpack only once. One disadvantage on a small ship is finding a place for everything in a three-drawer locker with three feet of hanging space. There’s no decoration in the utilitarian cabin, but an attractive sign saying, “Less is more” would have been appropriate.

The sign, however, wouldn’t fit in the bathroom, which contained a toilet, sink and hand shower in a four by five foot space. Thankfully, I never got very dirty - I wouldn’t have fit in the bathroom.

Cruise is a relaxing word. You imagine deck chairs, ocean breezes - and no responsibilities. The word lets your thoughts drift at sea - unless you’re my husband.

John feels confined on ships, he feels confined in the tuxedo he’s expected to wear to formal dinners on board and he can’t be conned into feeling fine about it.

When in doubt - or you can’t get your way - compromise. We compromised by sailing on a small ship - eighty passengers, casual dress and one seating for meals with a set menu.

One advantage of this type of vacation is having to unpack only once. One disadvantage on a small ship is finding a place for everything in a three-drawer locker with three feet of hanging space. There’s no decoration in the utilitarian cabin, but an attractive sign saying, “Less is more” would have been appropriate.

The sign, however, wouldn’t fit in the bathroom, which contained a toilet, sink and hand shower in a four by five foot space. Thankfully, I never got very dirty - I wouldn’t have fit in the bathroom.