Dear Costa Cruises…
Hi, my name is Niall Doherty. Nice to meet you. Virtual handshake and all that.
Listen, I’m trying to travel around the world without flying, started more than a year ago from Ireland. Right now I’m in India, hoping to get to Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, it’s proving very difficult. I’ve looked into overland routes via Nepal and Pakistan, contacted dozens of cargo ship companies, and even made a trip to the only marina on the subcontinent to see if I could hitch a ride on a sail boat. So far, all those efforts have been in vain. Sad face.
Oh, but hey! Look at you with your lovely big cruise ship named the Costa neoRomantica, headed to the south of India as we speak. I see that your fine, sea-faring vessel makes a stop in Cochin on November 11th, and then docks in Phuket five days later.
I couldn’t have dreamed it better!
So, how about having me aboard for those few days? I understand you don’t typically let passengers embark mid-cruise, but I also know exceptions can and have been made in the past. Just yesterday I spoke with the lead dude at the marina in Cochin, a legend of a chap named Jose who looks like James Earl Jones would look if James Earl Jones was Indian, and he assured me that I can get stamped out by the immigration office in Cochin no problem, just like they do for the foreign sail boat folks.
I would of course be willing to pay my way, not looking for a free ride or anything.
To sweeten the deal on your side, I’d also be happy to write about my cruise experience here on the blog. I get 20,000 hits a month, so that’s potentially 40,000 eyes reading about the great time I had on my Costa Cruise. Oh, and I could also record a video while aboard, like I did for Royal Caribbean earlier this year. More than 600 people have watched that video on YouTube. And these aren’t just any ordinary people reading my blog and watching my videos, but really cool people who love to travel and don’t get seasick1.
So, what say you, Costa Cruises? You know this is a great deal: nothing to lose and some excellent, grassroots publicity to gain. And you have to admit, we look so happy together…
Imagine me and you, I do, I think about you day and night…
I’ve already emailed you via your website and apparently my request has been sent along to HQ. But the clock is ticking away relentlessly, hence this public appeal.
You can contact me by email, or give me a call here in India: +91 960 002 4863.
Looking forward to cruising with you 
…
UPDATE: 24 Hours Later
Email from Costa’s PR people:
Niall:
Costa is going to make this happen.
We are covering the cost of your cabin. You will be responsible for port charges (approx. 129 euros), gratuities (11 euros/day), Internet time and any incidental on-board expenses (bar tab, spa treatments, merchandize).
I need from you your full name, nationality, date of birth and passport number.
Go see James Earl Jones regarding visas, etc.
We’re excited about the PR possibilities.
AH-MAZING! I’ll be in Thailand in two weeks! Thanks so much for the help spreading the word, everyone. They couldn’t ignore 450+ social media mentions. So grateful.
The adventure continues
Done! I hope you get on that cruise ship! You do look so happy together.
I know! You can’t fake that kind of happiness. It’s legit!
Thanks, Leah
You got in!! Yayyyyy…
Hey Costa, make him wash the dishes! Seriously though, I’m sure your passengers would love to hear about Neils travels, you should be paying him to come on board. He embraces everything you stand for, fun times, adventure and slow journeys overland and sea.
All the best Neil.
Couldn’t have said it better myself, Jen! Well, apart from the dishes bit. But if agreeing to be a dish monkey would get me aboard that ship, sign me up!
Thanks a mil
shared! best of luck niall
Muchas gracias!
Brilliant. Love the idea (and your wonderful writing). Shared!
Tal Gur recently posted: Masterminding Forward
Thanks, Tal!
Shared. Really hope this is going to work out for you, you deserve a break!
Thanks!
Done it. It’s now in the hands if the (Twitter) gods.
Thanks, Tom!
Just shared on FB– i really want you to get to Thailand! Best of luck!!!!
Thanks, Ham!
Best of luck Niall!! You’ll get there. Where there’s a will there’s a way. Oh and I shared via twitter and Facebook.
Legend, thanks Ben!
Shared on Stumble Upon…good luck Niall!
Nice one! Thanks, man
Just shared it on Twitter and crossing my fingers…
Thank you!
Just shared as requested and I learned how to do something from your little instructional video so a good morning though it did take more than 2 minutes:) but you’re worth it!!
Thanks, Maria!
Duly Tweeted – hope they’re paying attention and get you onto that ship, pronto! Good luck…
Cheers, Ellie! It’s going well so far. If this doesn’t get their attention, nothing will!
Tweeted, good luck Niall hope they are listening, sitting here in cold Lusk, Co Dublin I know where I would rather be
Thanks Terry! Maybe they’ll offer me two cabins and you can come along for the ride
Done – good luck with it Niall
Cheers, bud!
I’m keeping all appendages crossed. I for one would LOVE to see the resulting video and blog post from such an adventure. You’re one of the best at capturing unique experiences. Go, go, go!
Thanks a mil, Jen!
Hey,
Tweeted
Good luck with this because I can feel how important doing this RTW trip on land and sea is to you.
Yes indeed! Thanks, Matt. Much appreciated.
Hi Niall
Tweeted!
Best of luck, hope it works out.
Thanks, Noel!
Here you go Niall
Tweeted and shared on FB. I really hope this works!
Legend! Thanks, man.
Shared on both my Twitter accounts, and posted on Facebook, BUT even though I have liked both Disrupting the Rabblement and Costa Cruises, neither one will highlight/link on the Facebook post. Waaaaaah!
I’ve tried several times….getting nowhere!
Hey Georgene. Thanks for the help. Make sure you type the @ symbol before you start typing the page name on Facebook. That should bring up the tagging for you.
Hey Niall,
I so hope you’ll get on board ! I shared on Twitter.
Thank you, Sara!
Shared on Facebook… best of luck to you!
Thanks, Michelle!
Just tweeted the message, good luck!
Brilliant. Thanks!
Hello, Niall!
That’s some huge advertising company you’re doing for these guys, at such a small (non-existent?) price!
They must be totally brainless not to accept such an offer from your part. I’m sure they will!
Good luck and have an awesome flightless trip to Thailand!
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Thanks, Andrew! Let’s hope they see it our way and hook me up.
Tweeted!
Good luck Niall!
Thanks, Dario!
Yes. Absolutely, YES.
Sound!
Shared on twitter. Good luck buddy!
Thanks, Tommy!
Tweeted for ya! Hoping it works out for you!
Nice one! Thanks, Michelle
Hi
Hope you get an this trip, looks like you have tried just about everything you can to get to Thailand. I have a good feeling this may work out, but who knows.
I have tweeted and emailed Costa Cruises, so hopefully we can get there attention!!
Thanks, Bryan. You went above and beyond. Absolute legend!
Hey Niall,
Best of Luck with this. I would love to share on FB but for some bizarre reason I can’t seem to tag either your page or Costa even though I “Like” both those pages.
Have a great day
Janice
Hey Janice. Thanks for the help. Make sure you’re typing the @ symbol right before you type the page names on Facebook. That should bring up the mention-tags.
Cheers!
Done. Best of luck, can’t wait to hear about the journey!
Thanks, Melissa!
I shared too!
Giggidy! Thanks a mil
There is no doubt this will work out for you- I have a huge respect for you and your journey! I’m going to going from Asia to India in a couple months. Who knew I could get on a Costa Cruise ship and sail over? Thanks for the heads up with good timing- may the timing come back to you as you continue onward-
Brilliant, thanks LS!
Done and done. They’d better ante up and support a disrupting/rabbling stowaway.
Ryan from Jets Like Taxis recently posted: Photo of the Day: Tara River Canyon, Montenegro
Yeah! Thanks, Ryan!
Hey Niall,
Shared on Twitter and Facebook. Hope everything works out for you.
-Trevor Wright
Thanks, Trevor!
It’s posted! Best wishes on your travels… I love reading about it! =)
I shared via Twitter.
Best of luck!
Well WHO wldn’t want another Niall Doherty Sexy Irish Accent video now, Costa peeps?! Help the man sail into the sunset and come out spewing sonnets, won’t ya!
Tia Sparkles recently posted: Cut The Cr*p – Ways to Stop Making Excuses In Life.
Hehe, thanks Tia!
Done – hope it works Niall
It worked! Thanks a mil, Nicki!
Shared! Hope it helps! Good luck
Helped immensely! Thailand is a go
Thanks, Bruno!
Shared on twitter, would be fun to see their reactions to this mini info storm you’re giving them
The reactions must have been good. They’ve agreed to let me join the cruise
Thanks, Timothy!
Done tweeted my man! Save travels!
Tweeted for you my man! Safe travels!
Oops. Sorry about the double post.
The double-posts help, getting that comment count up there
Thanks, Nicholas!
Done, good luck!!
Thanks so much, Liz!
Niall, this is brilliant. I’ve retweeted and made a FB status as requested – hope it has the desired effect for you.
Thanks so much, Alistair! It worked! Costa are taking me to Thailand. Hoo-rah!
Hell yeah!!!! Soooo pleased for you Niall
Both are done!! Really crossing my fingers this works out for you Niall, because I love your adventures and this would just be an awesome addition to the ones you’ve already had!!
Looks like it’s gonna happen, Sarah! Thanks for the help
Posted on my page and as a “message” on their FB page as well. Hope they get you on there. Otherwise it’s a long swim.
Posted on my page and as a “message” on their FB page as well. Hope they get you on there. Otherwise it’s a long swim.
Thanks, Larry! Looks like they got the message. I’m headed to Thailand. Whooo!
tweeted, facebooked and google plused it! good luck hope you get it now
Legend!
Both doneded. Best of luck matey!
Thanks, Dave! Looks like I’m going to Thailand
If you are having trouble getting the link to come up in Facebook, type “@” and then start typing “Costa” – that should bring up the link. Just click on that, and it will bring the link into your Facebook comment. Same for Disrupting the Rabblement.
I was **finally** able to get the links come through, so count me, too, Niall, in your legendary contest
Georgene Harkness recently posted: 3Q Results from the seller’s standpoint, Penguin-Random House merger effects, and more…
Absolutely. Thanks, Georgene!
Guess it worked:
“Hi everybody — great news! We are going to get Niall from Cochin to Phuket. So follow us so we can keep you informed about it.”
https://twitter.com/costacruises/status/264431345957220352
Good luck Niall!
Hadn’t seen that tweet. Thanks, George!
Big Thanks Niall, I didn’t know about the “@” for Like Pages on FB. Have now posted you and Costa! Best of Luck!
Thanks, Janice!
Done! I was missing the “@” advice for Facebook, too, but nevertheless it should show up there and on Twitter! Go for it!!
Best of luck,
Sabine
Thanks, Sabine. They’ve heard the call and are letting me join the cruise. BIG WIN!
Now this is GENIUS!!!!
Haha, thanks man. Only worked out well though because of all the legendary people I have reading my blog. So grateful.
Niall,
If you were in Mischel’s study, you would’ve waited to to eat the second marshmallow.
Haha, yes I would! Thanks, homeslice
you got it niall! hope it works out for you.
Worked out GREAT! Thanks, Tracey.
Shared! I don’t know why it never occurred to me before that @ would tag people on Facebook just like Twitter… Learn something new every day. Thanks Niall!
Thank YOU, Jillian!
tweeted………. hope you dont ghet the same capitan that grounded the costa in italy……
Pretty sure he won’t be captaining any more ships!
Thanks for the tweet, Dave!
Good luck – I tweeted them as well, hopefully they’ll be kind enough to work something out with you!
Scott Mallon recently posted: This is Thailand Video: A Visit to Shangri-la
Thanks, Scott! I just heard back from them this morning. They’re gonna make this happen. Woot!
Just saw they agreed to take you, fantastic!
Scott Mallon recently posted: This is Thailand Video: A Visit to Shangri-la
Happy days
Great news Niall, we are really happy that it has worked out for you! Henrik&Selina
Niall: Just a reminder of this Ira Glass quote “Great stories happen to those who can tell them”. You continue to inspire me as you meet each new challenge. Very pleased that the individual at Costa saw that in you (and your story) too! All your New Orleans Toastmaster friends wish you well. Jeff
Love that quote. Thanks, Jeff! Tell everyone in TM I said Who Dat!
Thanks again everyone for the help. If you haven’t heard yet, Costa heard our call and have offered me a free cabin aboard that ship. Yeah! I’M GOING TO THAILAND!
So happy that I’ve decided to triple the prize and send out two extra $200 Amazon vouchers. Just contacted the randomly chosen winners.
Thanks again!
You rock! Enjoy your cruise, you are living my dream…