Cruise holidays for solo travellers: young, free, single – and cruising

17.10.09

Sipping champagne on my balcony on board a luxurious liner watching the sunset, it occurred to me that there were worse ways to start a holiday. The run-up to it had certainly not been auspicious: I was leaving behind a hideously drawn-out redundancy consultation and various fraught relationships. Indeed, there had never been a time when I needed a holiday more but could afford one less. Nevertheless, when my parents invited me to join them on a transatlantic crossing (not a cruise, note) to New York on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 I had my doubts. I was a 33 year-old, single woman; surely everyone else on board would be from my parents' generation?

On the plus side, though, it was a free holiday, and one that offered the opportunity of shopping in New York while avoiding the fracas of flying. Added to which, I had always wanted to arrive in New York harbour, like millions before me, under the gaze of the Statue of Liberty… So, putting aside my concerns, I gratefully accepted my parents' generous invitation and packed a case full of books – after all, what else was I going to do on board other than read and relax?

Lots, as it turned out. Almost immediately, I found myself in long evening dress, uncorking the champagne that had been left on ice in my room, as the Isle of Wight slipped from view. Venturing to the ballroom, which apparently is the largest space on any liner in the world, I joined the cocktail party laid on by the captain and his senior crew, who were all very smart young uniformed officers (a cliché, I know, but I do like a man in uniform). I was beginning to think that I could grow to enjoy this.

Looking around I saw an eclectic mix of individuals, couples and families. There were the charming eccentrics who looked like Miss Marple; the honeymooners who only had eyes for each other; the older couples who were treating themselves to their once-in-a-lifetime retirement cruise; and younger individuals who were up for a good time on the high seas.

Deciding that I could do with some self-indulgence after my recent traumas, the next day I headed to the spa, run by Canyon Ranch. I booked myself in for a facial and massages over the course of the week and then made use of the splendid hydrotherapy pools and saunas. I came out feeling so relaxed I even began to stop fretting about whether or not I had a job to go back to.

While older passengers went to the bridge club, some of the younger ones joined the RADA actors in their drama workshops. I'm interested in theatre and joined in, wondering whether I was being coached by a future star. Watching the actors in a production of Under Milk Wood one evening in the superb on-board theatre, underlined the woodenness of my own efforts. But I was having fun – a lot more fun than I'd expected.

The young and talented actors all seemed to meet in what became my favourite rendezvous on ship – the elegant and sophisticated Chart Room, where during the course of the voyage I worked my way through the cocktail menu – all consumed in good company to the sounds of an excellent jazz group. I found out, thanks to two really lively Irish girls, there was even a nightclub called G32 tucked away at the stern of the ship where one could dance until the early hours.

Telegraph.co.uk

Suri Cruise's Adventures in Boston | Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes ...

by PopSugar

Suri Cruise's Adventures in Boston Tom Cruise brought his family to Boston during his time working on Knight and Day , formerly known as Wichita , but the real action occurs when Suri steps out. From the ice-cream counter to the track, Suri's adventures have kept us entertained ever since the Cruises hit Beantown. Click through to see some of her precious moments!  

Suri Cruise's Adventures in Boston | Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes ...

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