
It’s an oasis when you’re dehydrated from hitting the wall of humidity after a long-haul flight… that bottle of Fiji water in your hotel bedroom.
But it comes at a price… around $10 if memory serves me right. And like all things tempting, to touch is to claim ownership and you will be billed because American hotel owners will deem that you have taken the water and replaced it with an inferior product.
Just saying.
Not that you’ll need to worry about such matters with Captain Cook Cruises where we were reliably informed at last night’s Tourism Fiji presentation at the Morrison Hotel in Dublin that water, tea and coffee are free… you will though need to pay for your booze. Visit http://www.fijitravel.
Captain Cook Cruises has a special offer running right now – book early and save 20% with the early booking saver fare (for sale and travel to 31 March 2020). Visit http://www.captaincookcruisesfiji.com. (061) 2 9126 8160.
So that’s three nights from AUD$1516pp twin share on a C Ocean Stateroom (approximately €946).
How to get there… well as the good people from Cathay Pacific reminded us it’s just a couple of sleeps and four movies or 32h 10mins (my idea of a good night in) and you’ll be there. Cathay flies via Hong Kong. Visit http://www.cathaypacific.com.

You’ll be glad you did. Fijians have been voted the happiest people on earth.
And judging by the welcome they gave us last night …
Here I am with High Commissioner Mr T (they have unpronouncable names) and his good lady, and Rosie (a little easier there) and her group of musicians and dancers who are attached to the British Army up north. Happiest people on Earth… it’s no idle boast.
State of Independence

Round and round we go, not getting anywhere… it’s how I live my life and I guess I won’t change now. Spare a thought then for The Scary One.
I joined the party ship Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas for a saunter around the English Channel and cared not a jot for anything going on between Britain and Europe…. I believe they’ve fallen out.
If you want to break up your trip though with some great on-shore itineraries then I’d recommend Indy’s 11-nights Canaries Adventure, departing October 8 from Southampton and taking in La Coruna, Madeira, Tenerife,, Gran Canaria, Lisbon and Vigo. From €1109pp (interior) based on two sharing. €2218 for two guests. Ocean view +€120pp, Balcony +€390pp, Suite €1310pp. Visit http://www.royalcaribbean.ie.
And if you want to know what a real party ship is like… https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/a-royal-party/(opens in a new tab)
Miami twice, thrice…

Frice! It’s four times and I’ve just invented the word, but that was about the number of times I did the loop of Biscayne Bay when I stopped off in Miami after attending the launch of Celebrity Edge.
I went in search of South Beach only to be told it was across a never-ending bridge, miles and miles away. I doubled back and focused on finding Little Havana. After passing my hotel, the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, and many other by now all too familiar buildings I reckoned I’d found my destination.
Only to be told that Little Havana was more than just one Mexican shack!
You’ll get more time to investigate Miami with a ten-night Miami Stay & Eastern Caribbean cruise from American Holidays from €2,058pp including flights from Dublin. So that’s three nights at the National Hotel South Beach and seven nights cruise on-board Adventure of the Seas. Travelling April 2020. Based on two adults sharing. Call American Holidays on (01) 673 3804 or visit http://www.americanholidays.com.