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Journey on the Queen E 11 Millenium series 29

© Mary Ellen Bradshaw

Feeling like a fraud, as I am not single, I accompany my daughter to this cocktail party. We are all given name tags and there are quite a few people there. I feel most uncomfortable, but know I must go through it for the sake of journalism. (This article)

After a short time mingling, the woman in charge of recreation for the ship introduces the gentlemen hosts. To our surprise they are not young, hollywood- handsome men, but men in their 40’s- 60’s, well groomed, outgoing and attractive. We have the opportunity to talk to different people and we hang in there until they start playing “get to know one another,” games. Then Julie and I hightail it out of there.

It isn’t until I interview the recreation director, that I discover the gentlemen hosts are not for rent, but men who are given free trips by the shipping companies. All the cruise lines do this, but most do not advertise the service. The men are well screened, are for the most part retired, good dancers and enjoy socializing. Their part of the deal is that they go to all the social events, providing partners for dances, someone to talk to at tea, or dinner and there is to be absolutely no hanky panky. One evening after dinner, Julie, mother and I go to the ballroom to watch the dancers. (There are some very good ones.) Julie and I are asked to dance in less than a minute. I’m sure if my then 90-year-old mother was not in a wheelchair, she also would have been asked. These guys really do their job.

Very shortly into the trip, Julie meets a group of young people and her days and nights are spent swimming, singing at the karaoke pub, gambling at the Casino, dancing etc. She does take her meals and often a drink afterwards with mother and me. I am glad she is having a great time, as are we.

Shipboard Characters:

There is a bulletin board advertising the art auction, which is now a popular event on cruise ships. On it there is a notice. It reads. “ I am looking for a husband. I will be in the art auction daily from 2-4.” Again my daughter and I are immensely curious. At 2 sharp we saunter through the art auction room, trying surreptitiously to see the would-be-bride. We do this on a few occasions. However, although her notice on the billboard has some written offers, they are not promises of matrimony. We are never sure, although we did pick out af few possible candidates, who she is and whether she was successful in her quest for a life mate.