Hey, Ted. I'm not sure of the available products in your neck of the woods, but here in the ex-colonies there are a couple of ways to go about it. One is to use a special primer specifically made to cover glossy paint and plastic laminates. Fresh Start by Benjamin Moore is one product. Then just paint with your regular ceiling paint
Another option is to use a liquid deglosser. This can be rubbed on the existing ceiling paint with a cloth - it cuts into the gloss allowing the new paint to bite. It's nasty stuff and not much less work than sanding. You can also use the liquid deglosser as an additive to your regular ceiling paint. It's not quite as effective, but since a ceiling receives little in the way or wear (unless you're quite the bedroom athlete!) it should be fine. Do _not_ let the ceiling paint splatter in your eyes if you use that stuff!
Or another option just occurred to me. For the cost of airfare and a couple or three weeks in a nice hotel, use of your car, and beer money would be nice, too, I might consider popping over to do it for you!
Option three is probably your best bet. ;)
R