Q: I know TRAVEL55PLUS.COM offers all kinds of solutions to travel problems, so maybe you can suggest a personal one for me. I’m divorced, in my mid-50s. He said he was 59 and widowed. We met on a Norwegian Cruise Line trip two months ago, and hit it off very well. In fact, by the end of the week, we were in love. At least that’s what I thought.

At the time the cruise ship docked, we exchanged email addresses and he left for Baltimore and I went home to Washington DC. There were all kinds of promises to see each other again, but that’s the last I’ve heard from him since. I’m old-fashioned and believe he should be the first to make contact. What do you suggest?

A: Doggone it! How many times do we have to say TRAVEL55PLUS.COM is not a lonely hearts club! But, OK, we'll give our best opinion on your dilemma. As we can see by the NCL party hats in the photo, you were having fun together. But, too often the old term shipboard romance means just that. It ends when the cruise does, and too often the temporary lovers return to their lives, often far different than the ones they’ve bragged about during romantic nights at sea. Chances are the guy is married or in another relationship at home.

However, there’s no rule that you can’t just send him a breezy email to jog his memory about what a great person you are. If he responds and you want to see him again, ask him to meet you in D.C. for a drink or lunch. Maybe near the Washington Monument, honoring the guy who could never tell a lie. If the shipboard lover declines, then you know he has a life that doesn’t include you.

So, pump up a positive attitude that if at first you don’t succeed, and book yourself another cruise on that cool, cool cruise line. Maybe consider one for singles only. Who knows what will happen then. And good luck!