My three Irish uncles had tried Glasgow but swapped it for New York (each to their own).
Glasgow had, in fact, rivalled New York as a shelter for immigrants in the 19th Century.
And especially Italians who had mistaken it for America’s biggest city when the ship stopped for refuelling on it’s way there.
It might have helped had the Statue of Liberty been around then.
The Italians stayed in Glasgow.
And opened chippers and ice cream parlours and generally enlivened and enriched Scottish society.
A transatlantic cruise was fantasy for Uncle Danny, Petie and Eddie back in 1959 but they realised their American dream.
And their children, my cousins, have taken up the baton simce.
Sunway www.sunway.ie has a seven-night full board Transatlantic deal on board the Queen Mary Southampton to NY from €650.
Which reminds me, I must dig out my Old New York review, my old new take on the world of Hamilton.https://jimmurtytraveltraveltravel.com/2019/04/15/sportstraveltraveltravel/.
But for now start spreading the news about Glasgow in my I belong to Glasgow review.
Rock opera
The advantage of having an elder brother is that I got an early grounding in the right musical influences.
Back in the days of musical LPs (long-playing records… ask your parents) one stood out for its look.
The rock opera Tommy.
It is 50 years this month since The Who performed the bulk of it at Woodstock.
And I will return to that seminal moment in modern popular culture elsewhere on this site.
Musical shows are at the heart of a cruise experience.
As important as swimming pools, spas, food and drink, your cabin and on-shore itineraries.
Which is why I’m taken by Rock Opera which is to be showcased on Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess.
The show which will feature on the 3,600 guest Sky Princess in December as it sails the Caribbean will feature tenor Brian Justin Crum from America’s Got Talent: The Champions.
We’ve been promised a musical journey featuring an eight-piece live orchestra playing iconic rock songs.
Enchanted Princess gets the show in June for its inaugural season in the Med. www.princess.com.
Oh man, it’s Oman
Andy, Sarah, Ian and Jane were (and I dare say still are) the kings and queens of the table quiz in Aberdeen.
And how I could have done with them at the Oman night earlier this year.
I think the only questions I got right were the ones on frankincense and myrrh and Sinbad the Sailor.
Of course there is a great deal more to learn about this exotic land.
And you can on Royal Caribbean’s seven-night Oman & United Arab Emirates cruise on Jewel of the Seas.
Departing on December 16, and returning from Dubai, it will visit Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Muscat and Oman.
Book by September 30. All-inclusive drinks too. From €519pps. Visit www.royalcaribbean.ie.
MEET YOU ON THE SEAS
