Well, you lot are a romantic bunch aren't you? We had hundreds of entries for our competition for a romantic lunch aboard the Celebrity Solstice when she ports in Auckland on February 14. This is despite Wotif's revelation that although 97 per cent of Kiwis want to book a night in a hotel or take a holiday to celebrate Valentine's Day, less than 1 per cent of us actually have (see p31). We asked you to tell us why you wanted to spoil your loved one with a romantic lunch on board the ship and many of your answers warmed our cynical hearts. Winner Alan Boniface said: "It would be a marvellous way to thank my wife Joy for looking after me so well for the past 54 years", while Graham Street, who recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with wife Rita, said it would be "wonderful to have a belated romantic celebration lunch on the Celebrity Solstice".
"During that [50 years] we have enjoyed the arrival of three children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. As they are spread between Australia and New Zealand we found it difficult to have a celebration with all the family, therefore decided on a quiet dinner at home."
Mike Murray will make the trip up from Rotorua: "We were due to cruise on this ship for our 25th wedding anniversary but had to cancel due to family matters arising. We have been together since we were 15, have two amazing daughters, and my wife puts herself out to help everyone and anyone and deserves to be treated. She is my love and my life. I am very blessed." Awww. Congratulations to all 12 winners.
