Rudy Van Kerckhof still can’t believe he is the winner of the $24,000 competition by My Cruises & Cruise Passenger

• He is still in shock about winning the 22-night Tokyo to Vancouver cruise competition.
• Even his wife, Janelle, thinks he is joking and does not believe him.
• And the best bit – he has never been to Tokyo or Vancouver.

Retiree Rudy Van Kerckhof still can’t believe he has won the $24,000 cruise competition – a 22-night sailing from Tokyo to Vancouver organised by My Cruises and Cruise Passenger.

“I am just blown away – this is a big shock to my system, as I’ve never won anything of significance,” he told Cruise Passenger. “Even my wife, Janelle, does not believe me – she thinks I am joking.”

When he was told he was the winner, Rudy thought: “It’s not possible – it must be a mistake. Then it slowly sank in and gave me the widest smile.  I am now quite excited.”

The father of four grown-up children said that he has never been to Tokyo or Vancouver – so this cruise aboard Norwegian Regatta will be a real adventure for him and his wife.

Rudy who lives in Brisbane, is not new to cruising. He has experienced a Norwegian cruise in the Mediterranean several years ago and has also been on a Virgin cruise.

He loved the experience. “We had an awesome time,” he said.

At 71, Rudy said he did most of sailing and racing on small boats such as the Hobiecat which he used to own. Now that he is in his seventies, he prefers to swim, play tennis and sail on friends’ yachts.

The prize includes economy flights, two nights hotel stay in Tokyo, WiFi, beverage and specialty dining package.

“The details have not sunk in yet,” Rudy admitted.

Now he is gearing up to tell his kids about his prize – “but they won’t believe me,” he added.