@queenzboulevard – Ack! You’ve reminded me. A couple of years ago, I went on a cruise by myself, in sort of an homage to David Foster Wallace’s A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, but also, I just wanted a few days out at sea. I’d never been on a cruise before.
I was looking to have a perfectly glorious 8 days alone, too. No one from work to pester me, no listening to roomies argue, ocean breezes, beautiful ports of call, yummy food, all inclusive and a couple of fun books to read on the balcony of my cabin, that sort of thing (I’d gotten a sweet deal, too).
Practically every time I stepped out of my cabin, the staff asked me, “Just one?” “Will it just be you this evening?” I even got, ” Why are you not getting a couples massage with your boyfriend? No boyfriend? A pretty girl like you? No good, no good.” from the masseuse in the salon. Way to kill the stress, lady. Well, she was awfully talky anyway, despite my asking if I could please have a quiet session.
I was appalled at the rudeness. But it reminded me that this is, for the most part, a couples’ world. I am glad that Red Lobster has the policy you describe. While I didn’t feel bad because I was alone, I did feel like I was being judged. That lessened the enjoyment of my trip for me, and I haven’t considered another cruise since.