This was my 25th cruise but the first one as a solo passenger.
On the first day I went to the Solos gathering (unhosted) in Crooners and soon got talking to a group of other solos, there for assorted reasons – partner refused to travel, divorced, bereaved, never wanted a partner, but all wanting a good holiday.
We set up a WhatsApp group which meant no one needed to be alone if they didn’t want to be, A message saying ‘ I’m in Take Five’ soon resulted in a few more solos gathering there.
Most nights we had a dinner table of between 6-12 with an amazing array of topics from all our different backgrounds.
We shared problems, offered solutions and laughed a lot.
The lovely Captain’s circle Hostess, Patrizia, went to a lot of trouble to retrieve cruise credits due to my late husband, and kept me entertained with amazing stories about the problems she helps people sort out.
However, the best thing ever was Mario, an Italian Californian, and a brilliant ballroom dancer.
He whisked me off my feet at a tea dance and made me feel like Cher dancing with Fernando in Mama Mia.
I only saw him once, but he made this old lady feel very special and happy.
To think, I spent all that time worrying about the Medalliion App with no idea if the pleasures to come on a fabulous Norway Iceland cruise.
