Muriel Arnold takes us behind the scenes of the most famous passenger liners afloat and describes the frenetic activity which ensures the smooth operation enjoyed by their cosmopolitan clientele, from millionaires to backpackers. Another world opened up for her when she was appointed Social Secretary of the Queen Elizabeth 2 for the World Cruises. Cocktails with the King and Queen of Malaysia, Counts and Diplomats, scientists and film stars are interspersed with boat drills, burials at sea and the emergencies which every ship encounters. It is not all sailing of course and during her time in port the author escapes to explore out-of-the-way places; Sabah (North Borneo), a Buddhist monastery on an island off mainland China, and a rare glimpse of life on one of the loneliest islands in the world, Tristan da Cunha. It is a colourful memory of remarkable ships which have a special place in British maritime history.