MANILA, Philippines - Harassed? Stressed out?

Need a little bit of quiet? Want lots of pampering for a few days?

Take a cruise.

One of the most truly invigorating and leisurely ways to travel is to go on a luxurious but totally affordable ship.

I took this round-trip cruise with the Royal Caribbean?s ?Rhapsody of the Seas? from Singapore to Malaysia, and savored what the writers of yore like W. Somerset Maugham had sang praises to?the sights and sounds!

And all they did then was walk, talk and sleep?minus the amenities I had.

Everything and everywhere in the ship spelled fun from sunrise to sundown! And there?s no rush to do anything?indulge only when your spirit is nudged!

I am talking luxury on a nine-story-hotel, Las Vegas-type resort while floating unencumbered at sea.

There are 999 staterooms with views and balconies for the 2,435 guests; nine passenger elevators; and, more important, disabled-friendly accommodations with 14 wheelchair-accessible staterooms.

A typical room is sumptuous, cozy, with a double bed drowned in numerous feather pillows?and a view of the ocean.

If you?re indolent enough and want to stay in bed, you?re lucky. Your television features a generous selection of cable channels and movies.

The bathroom is comfortably big and allows a leisurely hot shower any time of the day or night.

A walk away from the quiet of your room is a variety of food selection?from six outlets morning till night?ranging from fun snacks, to comfort foods, to gourmet cuisine, and the decadently eye-popping desserts.

Everything is totally part of the package and it?s a glutton?s paradise, to say the least.

What about recreation? How about sports like swimming?

There are two pools and six whirlpools for adults and kids; or be soothed in the spa after flexing your muscles in the gym with a trainer in the Spa & Fitness Center; or really pump energy by rock-climbing.

There are Broadway shows featuring international artists presenting awesome entertainment nightly. For the young, the well-equipped video arcade; there?s the card room as well as various shops and boutiques.

Shopping? Do you want a whole new wardrobe? Are you to be engaged on ship and need jewelry? Need electronic gizmos?

How about books? Why not visit the well-stocked library?

Or just walk the width and breath of the ship, to huff and puff and shape up with just the glorious wind and open sea for company?

Afterward, in the evening, how about doing the light fantastic or singing karaoke? You?d be both surprised and proud of the very talented Filipino artists who?ll rock your night away in the various lounges.

And to the truly adventurous, try winning (or losing?) in the casino. Whatever shape or form you envision your vacation to be?it could already be there waiting for you.

Try the five or seven-night sailings that call on various ports such as Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan or China.

Guests are free to get off ship at the port of call and do a day-long city tour. There?s briefing everywhere and nobody will feel lost at any turn of event. The ship?s crew are knowledgeable and helpful and there?s no job too little or annoying to them.

Lost the heel of your shoe? The designated butler in your corridor is just an eyeball away and ready to help.

Sailing has become very democratic and truly affordable not just to the wealthy.

Newlyweds, retirees, couples with young children and entire families are the new travelers seeking to have a taste of what was once the realm of the rich.

It?s a home away from home. It?s a vacation you have always dreamed of.

As the ship?s mantra goes, ?We?re not here for a long time... we?re here for a good time!?

Call Baron Travel Corp., the official booking agent for the Philippines of Royal Caribbean, at 8944017.