Disclaimer - All characters are 18 or older.
Author's note - This story was written in collaboration with Diana R.
For those familiar with other editions of Diana's Tales, then you already know what you are getting into if you proceed. This story (like all of Diana's Tales) straddles the line between reality-based fiction and the ridiculous. Racial stereotypes abound. Promiscuity and infidelity are flaunted. If any of these are triggers for you, please find another tale more suitable to your palate.
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Diana's Tales: Cruising Pt. 01
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"Welcome aboard the Pleasure Cruise, ma'am," the concierge warmly said with a bright smile as I stepped onto the ship.
I looked around in wonder. The cruise ship was, as they say, a floating city, and its immense size overwhelmed my senses. Passengers were slowly making their way onto the ship, stopping to take pictures every few feet, hopelessly trying to capture the massive scale of the vessel and its luxuries they would call home for the next week.
"Are you travelling alone?" the porter asked as he transported my bags and led me toward my room.
"Yes, it would appear that I am a single woman this week," I declared.
Truth be told, I was still steamed at my husband. We had been planning this vacation for almost a year, but he backed out at the last minute because "something" came up at work. We had already paid for the cruise, however, so I was going to be damned if I flushed the money completely down the drain, so I proceeded to take the vacation without him. I didn't know anyone else on the cruise, but I was bound and determined to live it up and make him regret not going.
I love my husband, and he provides a good life for me, but he's constantly away from home, and I have a high sex drive, so I have not always been the most faithful wife. My husband would be hurt if he knew the truth, but what he doesn't know can't hurt him, and I am always careful to protect him from my infidelities, although there have been a few close calls over the years.
Given my husband's blatant preference of work over me, however, I was especially irked. My own anger only seemed to fuel my lust, and I was a cougar on the prowl. Maybe it's my own insecurities, the last vestiges of vanity as I sought validation that men still found me desirable, but I found myself sizing up every man I passed along the way to my room, and I noticed that more than a few seemed to return my gaze.
It was an adults-only cruise, so everyone on the ship was 21 or older, although I noticed an inordinate number of seemingly college aged people as I followed the porter. I heard some of the younger people talking about how pumped they were for spring break week, and I realized that I must have coincidentally booked my cruise during college spring break.
I admit, I have a predilection for younger men. I'm 53 years old myself, but I think the heart always wants what it cannot have.
As we snaked our way through the ship's corridors, I couldn't help but notice the porter. He was a stout younger man, early 20's and of Hispanic descent, although he barely had an accent. He had a well-developed physique and firm ass that his uniform couldn't hide. I made a mental note that his name tag said Ramon.
"And here we are, ma'am," Ramon announced as we arrived at my cabin. I unlocked the door, and he placed the bags in the room.
"Will you be requiring anything else, ma'am?" he asked politely.
"No, that'll do for now," I said as I handed him a tip. "Carrying bags around this ship must keep you in shape," I said playfully.
"Thank you," he blushed. "That it does, and if there's anything I can do to make your trip more enjoyable, please just let me know," he said as he bowed.
"I'll be sure to do that," I replied with a playful wink, my mind already imagining the naughty fun I would get myself into in the coming week.
After he left, I quickly unpacked my bags and changed into a breezy short cotton dress. I looked in the mirror, even though I tend to regret doing so these days. I'm a 53-year-old woman, and even though I've worked hard to maintain my 36C-29-35 figure, it's painfully obvious I'm no longer a youthful beauty, although I'd like to believe that I've acquired some measure of elegance and grace along the way. I certainly don't feel my age, although my short auburn hair owes as much to a bottle as it does my genes these days, but with age comes wisdom, or so they say.
As I stepped out of my room, a young couple was just arriving next door. Ramon was their porter as well, and he threw me a wink as he closed the door behind them and passed by me.
"Young kids on their honeymoon," he said with a chuckle. "Too young to be tying themselves down if it's me, but to each his own," he said as he disappeared down the hall, ostensibly to help the next set of passengers.
Feeling giddy with excitement, I went to do some exploration and seeking new adventures. I marveled at the seemingly endless options for food and activities on the cruise. I try hard to watch what I eat, but the various dining areas were a glutton's paradise, and I scanned the endless array of games, shows, classes, and other activities the cruise offered.
As I made my way outside, the cool ocean breeze blew my dress up, revealing my thong underneath, although some young men got an eyeful of me and whispered about it amongst themselves afterward. I suppose I should've been embarrassed, but I've worked hard to maintain my figure, so I don't mind showing it off sometimes. Besides, I was reminded, my husband wasn't there, so he didn't know what he was missing out on, anyway. I smiled at the boys, letting them know that I had caught them checking me out, and they seemed almost taken aback by my brashness. I laughed and then continued on my way, leaving those boys to pick their jaws up off the floor.
Later, I found myself feeling hungry, so I went to one of the restaurants on board. For the first time, I felt alone since I didn't know anyone else on the boat. I figured maybe I would just order my food to go, but as I waited in the restaurant waiting area, I saw some familiar faces. The young men I accidentally flashed earlier that afternoon were standing only a few feet away.
By the look on their faces, I knew they recognized me, also, but I was feeling a little bold and frisky, so I went over and introduced myself.
"It seems we keep running into each other," I said as I approached.
I suppose they feared I would berate them for leering at me earlier, so they were initially defensive as I approached, but their body postures relaxed after they saw my outgoing demeanor.
"It does seem that way. Maybe it's fate," one of them replied. "Would you care to join us for dinner?"
I looked over the three young men standing before me. They were easy to tell apart since one appeared Hispanic, one appeared Asian, while the other was a light skinned black man. They all had nice builds and looked in shape, if not outright athletic, standing between 5'10 and 6 feet tall and weighing around 180 pounds.
"As you said, maybe it's fate. I would be delighted to join you young men," I cheerfully replied.
During dinner, I learned that they were best friends on spring break from college. Javier was the Hispanic one, and it turns out his family was from Peru, although he was born in the US. Chan was also born in the US, although he was of Korean descent, while Nigel was half black and half white.
The cruise was all inclusive, which included alcoholic drinks, and they downed several rounds of beer while I took in more than a few glasses of wine. The conversation flowed as freely as the alcohol, and it inevitably took on flirty and bawdy tones.
"So, you guys caught me in a kind of awkward moment earlier today," I said, reminding them of our initial encounter earlier that afternoon.