Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas

Being single is not always an easy way of life and particularly if you happen to take pleasure in activities which are usually more enjoyable when shared with a special person or several special people. Traveling is one of my favorite activities and I relish it more when I am with a friend or acquaintances who also like to travel and explore "new territory."

I recently had this experience when I joined a group of singles for a Caribbean cruise over the New Year’s holiday. We started our trip early on Saturday leaving from Midway airport and arriving in Orlando, Florida only two hours later. After having been to Florida several times over the past years, I always look forward to the moment of walking out of the airport and feeling the warmth of the sun and the breeze from the palm trees. As usual, I immediately become relaxed and start to unwind.

However, in other ways this trip was different because instead of being alone and waiting for a friend or a limo to pick me up, I was surrounded by new friends I was already getting to know. As I looked around at their faces, I realized we had already shared the cold of an early December morning in Chicago and now the warmth of midday sun in Orlando. What I didn’t yet realize was the beautiful experiences we all had ahead of us.

This was my first cruise and so I was like a child when we checked in and approached what was to be our home for the next 5 days. I had never been so close to a cruise ship and was amazed. The size was remarkable and the excitement I experienced was beyond words. I had almost the exact opposite feeling when I saw the cabin I would be sharing with my roommate. However, we each possess a temperament which lends itself to sharing, compromising and understanding a woman’s need for organizing her makeup and the numerous outfits one needs each day on a cruise. We dealt with the lack of space and in the five days became sensitive to each other’s moods and feelings of joy and fatigue.

I learned that on a cruise there is always a fun activity going on. One just has to pick which suits his/her mood at the moment. Being a sun lover, I chose the deck with the pool and lots of chaise lounges and waiters to serve my pina coladas at my beck and call. They did it with a beautiful smile and flattering words.

Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island as viewed from the water.

Enjoying the beautiful water and sun each day is romantic to me. However, it doesn’t begin to compete with a glass of champagne and dancing to a wonderful orchestra on New Year’s Eve. Neither did it compare with standing on the deck at 12:30 A.M. with a special friend, watching the fireworks on Nassau and feeling the warm breezes on my face. I still like to think of those moments which are now a part of my life and are stored in what I often refer to as my "box of treasures" to be taken out and enjoyed later.

As I said when I started this article, being single is not always easy but having an opportunity to share special times like these with other single friends makes it more pleasurable. It also makes me realize that as I continue my life as a single woman, I want to have more of these special moments. I appreciate the people I shared them with and the people who made these moments possible.

That brings me to the special people who were part of the planning and my participation in both my first experience on a cruise and traveling with other singles. When I heard of Single Gourmet and Singles Travel International it seemed to be the answer to some of my concerns of traveling alone. I first talked to Carol Erickson of Single Gourmet Chicago in September and she did an excellent job of introducing both Single Gourmet Chicago and the upcoming New Year’s cruise to the Bahamas. We also discussed pairing me up with another woman as a roommate. As the time got closer, my roommate and I talked and learned a little about each other so that when the day arrived for our trip, we weren’t total strangers. This increased my excitement and anticipation for this new experience as well as becoming comfortable with the person with whom I shared this experience.

(Left to right) Carol Erickson, Single Gourmet, Kaye Hatfield, Captain of Sovereign of the Seas, and Tammy Weiler, Singles Travel International

When I arrived at the airport, I was greeted by Tammy Weiler, founder of Singles Travel International, and soon felt at ease talking to others in our group. Tammy’s ability to take control, deal with baggage handlers, air and land transportation, and any other situations we encountered on the trip, was efficient and reassuring. She also kept us informed of opportunities and excursions in which we could participate. We always knew Tammy was available for any questions or concerns we had during the different legs of our trip. Knowing she was taking care of the details left us free to relax, enjoy ourselves and "bond" with our fellow travelers.

I am looking forward to more trips with Single Gourmet friends and Singles Travel International. This is the answer to my concerns of traveling to exotic, international countries where I am not acquainted with the language and customs. I enjoy doing research before my trips but there are still concerns when embarking on a journey alone to an unfamiliar country. With this experience behind me, I will be anticipating each trip without the anxiety and concerns I usually have while preparing to explore new territory.