1. You never miss an appointment because you have a single calendar which you use religiously and check often.

2. You know what to expect of your day because you plan 75% of it, allowing 25% for interruptions and emergencies. You use a master list and a daily to-do list.

3. You don't waste time looking for things in your home or office. There is no clutter. Everything has a place and is returned there after use.

The Carnival line is only cruiseline that offers a "singles" rate. The others offer you, but you have to take a stranger for a roomy, or pay double. (Did I miss something? Is that a singles rate?) Some of cruise lines (Radisson, Costa, Cunard) offer gentleman dance hosts. If you're a single male, you travel for pennies and it's your "job" to meet and dance with single women on ship, 8 pm to 1 am nightly. If you're female, there are 4-5 men aboard, proficient in waltz, rumba, jitterbug, cha cha, polka, and congenial conversation who are "on call" every night to dance with you. Choose a large table for dining. It will water down effect of any uncongenial dining companions. Ask to change tables if you need to. If you like day activities, take late seating. If you're hot for night-life, take early seating. Shore excursions booked through ship are safe and scheduled, but cost more. Most ports have cabbies lined up waiting to take you to same places for less. (We got a 3-hour tour of St. Maarten for $10 pp instead of $50pp.) However, think twice before you hop into a cab alone. Try and hook up with fellow passengers, even dance hosts. If you can avoid gambling and liquor, a cruise can be very affordable. Cruise lines make their money off gambling and liquor. That's why they can feed you fabulous food 24 hours a day at those low last-minute rates. Sail from a port that doesn't require airfare, and you can live in luxury for around $80 a day. You couldn't stay in a hotel and eat steak and lobster for that.