Cruising to History

Graham Gendall Norton explores the opportunities open to those who like to sail into the past.

Margaret, Duchess of Argyle, who lived the luxurious life of an international socialite (and was the guilty party in a scandalous divorce in 1963) eventually fell victim to Alzheimer’s disease and was confined to a nursing home in Pimlico. ‘How depressing for her’, said someone to a recent visitor. ‘Not at all’, was the reply. ‘She thinks she is on a world cruise.’

There is something mind-numbing about the largest cruise ships, now carrying over 3,500 passengers. Diversions on one include ‘an ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall, mini nine-hole golf, a seven-storey shopping mall’, plus a casino, restaurants, cafés and bars. A giant like this is Las Vegas on a keel. Some confine themselves to the Caribbean, and advertise their private islands as ‘exclusive’ – though you’ll share a small sandy cay with several thousand others.

To continue reading this article you will need to purchase access to the online archive.

Buy Online Access  Buy Print & Archive Subscription

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.