Tom and Dottie found true love at sea. (Photo: Tom Drake)
Who: Dottie Drake, 56, and Tom Drake, 61
Where we met: Norwegian Crown cruise ship, a former Norwegian Cruise Line ship that’s now the MV Balmoral
When: 1995
Relationship status: Married
(As told to Annie Daly)
(As told to Annie Daly)
I started working on cruises when I was in my late 20s. I’d always been attracted to cruising: The travel, the relaxation, and the open sea got under my skin at an early age. And because I’ve always loved what I do so much, I never really made it a priority to find a significant other. It’s a very transient industry — you’re on a different ship every four months — so I just wasn’t sure if I’d find a serious relationship at sea.
Until I met Tom.
I was 36 at the time. I was the cruise director on the Norwegian Crown, and this gentleman walked into the staff office and said, “Hi, I’m Tom Drake. I’m the new comedian onboard, and I’m looking for the cruise director.” For whatever reason, I was sitting at my assistant’s desk that day — don’t remember why — so I stood up and said, “You found her! I’m the cruise director.” And then we shook hands. (Tom tells me now that he felt something as soon as he shook my hand that day.)
Tom was a great comedian, and the guests loved him as well. We did two cruises together, and he was friendly the whole time. So when it came time for the holidays and my boss asked me who I would like to have onboard for the holiday cruise, I mentioned Tom. I said he added comedy to the cruise, and he was a big draw. So he came onboard for what would be our third cruise together — and that’s when we started hanging out together. A lot.
Until I met Tom.
I was 36 at the time. I was the cruise director on the Norwegian Crown, and this gentleman walked into the staff office and said, “Hi, I’m Tom Drake. I’m the new comedian onboard, and I’m looking for the cruise director.” For whatever reason, I was sitting at my assistant’s desk that day — don’t remember why — so I stood up and said, “You found her! I’m the cruise director.” And then we shook hands. (Tom tells me now that he felt something as soon as he shook my hand that day.)
Tom was a great comedian, and the guests loved him as well. We did two cruises together, and he was friendly the whole time. So when it came time for the holidays and my boss asked me who I would like to have onboard for the holiday cruise, I mentioned Tom. I said he added comedy to the cruise, and he was a big draw. So he came onboard for what would be our third cruise together — and that’s when we started hanging out together. A lot.
We did things onboard after the shows, and we’d hang out in the lounges socializing and hosting together. And the ports were so much fun. He’d say, “Hey, what are you doing today?” and I’d say, “I’m doing this tour or walking into this town,” and he’d ask if he could go with me. So we did a lot of shopping together, and we had lunch together, and we explored together. We turned into unintentional travel partners.
Tom and Dottie exploring the Great Wall of China. (Photo: Tom Drake)
Eventually, things took a romantic turn, and that’s when I knew I had to tell my boss. When the holiday cruise was almost over, I said, “Hey, Sue, I just want you to know that Tom and I have been hanging around together. If you can put him on my ship in the future again, that would be great. But if not, I totally understand.”
She put him on my ship!
Eventually, things took a romantic turn, and that’s when I knew I had to tell my boss. When the holiday cruise was almost over, I said, “Hey, Sue, I just want you to know that Tom and I have been hanging around together. If you can put him on my ship in the future again, that would be great. But if not, I totally understand.”
She put him on my ship!
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