Go for Gold!

Occasionally (multiple times a day) there is competitive events held on the ship, from sporting to board games, to bingo. Some people take these events far too seriously and look for glory in destroying their fellow passengers.

One such event yesterday was the carpet bowls. In this 3 round competion the contestants play lawn bowls on carpet, aboard the ship. The keen player will set their drink down, carefully pick up the bowl, take a professional stance, and let loose on the lane set out with masking tape. Then the ship rocks and their bowl goes wherever it pleases.

Shouts of joy and cheering and clapping, or dissapointed sounds echo around the atrium. The competitors scowl at each others backs as they feel their dominance of the game being threatened. They’re in it to win it, this is their day, their chance at greatness. They will be the very best. eventually the winner is declared to much fanfare, but it doesn’t stop there, it’s onto the next event.

Jenga tournaments, scrabble, poolside “Cricket” (lets see you get a run with a zimmer frame), carpet darts, whatever the crew can come up with will be run and participated in with the same fervour and dedication one could expect from Lance Armstrong.

Towards the end of the cruise the results of all the events will be tallied up and then prizes will be awarded. The one everyone seeks of course is the championship prize, the glory of being declared better than all these other losers. To drive the point home the lucky winner will be presented a special gold mass produced pin which they will wear with pride and dignity for the remainder of the cruise at every possible opportunity. I have even seen these pinned onto speedos.

Occasionally you will see these pins near the start of the cruise, someone will wear one to dinner or around the deck. Watch these people. These past champions will be out for a repeat of their glory days and will attend to the events expecting to trounce the competition. The dissapointment on their faces as the ship rolls and their bowl goes over the line and removed from the game is delightful.