Choosin' Cruisin'

When I was a young lad I thought going on a cruise was for lardy bottomed old yanks and of course it is, but who would have guessed that two weeks on a floating city would become the very cutting edge of poker cool?

On 25 January just under a thousand certified pokerholics will board the Royal Carribean's Enterprise Of The Sea at New York Harbour for the Ladbroke's Carribean Poker Cruise. And I'll be one of 'em. Oh yes sirree... I'm a cruisin' and I'm not even gay. (OK. I'm an actor and I own a pink shirt but I don't remember sleeping with a bloke so QED).

I know I'm going to have a great time because I went on the last one two years ago. It's the best holiday I've ever had, by a nautical mile. Here's the nub of the itinerary. Poker. Poker, poker, booze, alcohol, food, poker, poker, sun, beach, booze, poker, poker, little bit of sleep, Repeat until Nirvana.

It's a shame there's no time to spend in the cabin (officially called a Stateroom because you're usually in a bit of a state when you finally reach yours). I was amazed at the spacious size of mine last time. If I'd taken a cat with me, I would certainly have had room to swing it.

It's only a couple of weeks away now and I'm starting to feel the tickle of excitement deep in my soul. I'll promise you one thing. As I sip my "Slippery Nipple" on a beach in Puerto Rio... or is it St Thomas? I'll spare a thought for you lot slogging your way to work in the freezing fog... and then I'll have a bloody good laugh.

Bottoms up, Norman.

The very last $6,500 Ladbrokes Poker Cruise Package (Flights and cabin) is up for grabs this Friday (11 Jan) in an invitation only All Aboard Freeroll worth $6,500. To obtain your invite log on to Ladbrokes and earn 500 Player points tomorrow (10 Jan) or enter the $200+ $15 buy in $40,000 guaranteed NLHE 2nd Chance Plus tourney at 8pm on Thursday (9 Jan).