Save the date

A thrilling email landed in my inbox last month. It said: “Next month we will officially launch luxury cruise season, transforming Sydney’s iconic Overseas Passenger Terminal into the epitome of opulence and luxury. In partnership with the world’s most luxurious cruise lines, a one-of-a-kind, larger than life immersive experience will come alive. 

“As part of this, we will be hosting an intimate VIP dinner to celebrate luxury cruising with a taste of flavours, sounds and moments from the most exquisite corners of the globe. We’d love for you to join us as an esteemed guest for this unmissable moment in time.”

I was beside myself with excitement and immediately responded to say I was interested. The PR was a bit startled and thanked me for my “quick response”.

I think that was code for “most people play harder to get”.

But I couldn’t help myself, as the invite featured the logos of all the cruise lines on my bucket list: Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Ponant, Scenic Eclipse, Viking, Crystal, Explora and Hurtigruten.

Oh my giddy aunt!

The event was scheduled to be held over two days from 21-22 August. I put it excitedly in my diary and then … radio silence.

Last week I emailed to check it was still happening, as I hadn’t received any follow up details.

The PR responded saying: “We would love to invite you to be one of just 20 esteemed VIP guests to experience our Otium Spa Afternoon, presented by Silversea, enjoying an intimate moment of indulgence, opulence and relaxation.

“We welcome you joining us at one of these 30-minute sessions between 4 and 6pm on Wednesday 21^st August, at a time that suits best for your schedule. Please see formal invitation below – we would appreciate your RSVP by Wednesday 16^th August.”

A 30-minute spa session? I hate spa sessions. You invited me to a VIP dinner.

I may have lost a little sleep that night as I stewed over my response.

Despite giving myself 24 hours to contemplate and craft it, my response was a teensy bit snippy and mentioned that I was a very busy woman who didn’t have time to be dropping everything to head into the city for a 30-minute spa session when the original invitation was dinner with all my favourite cruise lines.

The PR was very apologetic and immediately extended an invite to dinner in addition to the spa session. If I wasn’t such a cruise tragic I’d have said I was no longer available, but I poutily agreed to be massaged, wined and dined.

And I’m so glad I did. I had a fabulous time!

It was climate-change balmy in Sydney last night and the event was al fresco in the forecourt of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, with long tables festooned with orchids laid out beside the harbour, surrounded by the bright city lights.

The main pic is my pre-dinner hand massage with a view of Sydney Opera House. I can’t show the full shot because I am eeeeenormous in it due to my gammy hip preventing me from exercising and my mouth having no self restraint.

I really need to do something about that.

The event was very fancy.

There was even a harpist …

And waiters with trays of Champagne …

And all the cruise lines had created special cocktails …

I showed restraint and only tried two.

Out of loyalty I sipped the Ponant one first, which was a variation on a Pornstar Martini. Yum!

Then I tried the Regent Seven Seas one.

I swore off anything green or blue.

Dinner followed and was quite delicious. I was on a table with lots of influencers and people from Mamamia and Daily Mail. I told them about once being part of their tribe, as a trash mag hag many moons ago and during the year I spent as editor of iVillage.

They were all lovely and I made lots of new friends, including someone called Laura House! I don’t think we’re related but I called her cuz anyway.

I also bonded with execs from Viking, Ponant, Hurtigruten, Silversea and Explora, then I wandered off into the night to catch my ever-reliable, yellow double-decker bus home.

I could have done with a few more moments from the most exquisite corners of the globe … love a good slide show … but the tastes were sensational.

Song of the day: Christopher Cross “Sailing”