Falling in love on a ship! It’s very easy as they are such romantic places…

It is almost 5 years since I had my first date with Sonja.

Many of you will know ‘The Love Boat’ series set on a cruise ship which aired on ABC television from 1977 until 1986. If you are too young, then you can look it up on you tube. This TV series detailed romance and some sordid affairs on board, with a great cast and lots of juicy stories of how people meet and fall in love on a cruise.

My own personal experience on Queen Mary 2 was truly a love boat experience. I met Sonja in Freemantle Australia and we joined the ship as crew on the same day. I was joining as Shore excursion staff and Sonja worked at the Pursers office. I had noticed her the night before when she was having dinner in the restaurant with Captain Wells. By the way Captain Wells is one of the nicest Captains I have sailed with always having time for the passengers and crew. If you join as crew on the same day you go to safety training together, so there is time to get to know one another. We chatted and we had both worked in Switzerland in Lucerne at different times. It turns out we both had the same favourite walks in that area too.

Now I cannot confess to chasing Sonja but the more I saw of her the more I liked her. Plus, our offices faced one another so I saw her every day across the lobby of QM2. Of course, there were times as well that we saw one another in the crew bar and she has a very friendly face and is great to chat to. As time went on we were moving into the friend zone which is not the place I wanted to end up. Therefore, I was so lucky to have the best wingman ever, in my friend and colleague from the tour office Andressa. She was also the cabin mate of Sonja. Andressa managed to put in a good word here and there about me and Sonja was always asked to come out when we all met up.

Cheese and wine evening in the Wardroom anyone? This is where the officers could have a relaxed evening with cheese, wine and pleasant company. After too many glasses of wine I asked Sonja ‘what about you and me’ too which the reaction was not what I expected. Suffice to say Sonja hadn’t expected that for a question, I hadn’t expected to be turned down. My night was in ruins. However, she came to her senses later that evening after some more wine.

After a year together on board Queen Mary 2 we finished our contracts and moved to England. Where I am very happy to say we have a great time together, every day and enjoy every moment of our life together with our son Max.