Thank you so much for replying Yue and xwhy. A lot of what you say Yue, is how I feel about it except that I am not looking for friendship I am looking for a serious relationship. He is not in a rush despite the offer of a cruise. (it was already booked before we met). I think I know I will be turning the offer down.
I think there might have been a bit of misunderstanding about how I view a relationship xwhy. I believe what you say may be true and that is what I was suggesting that I give it a go because my previous relationships have been based on “instant attraction”, spark etc. but they didn’t last so that not being the case with this guy I want to see if anything develops further and so was questioning if I should take a chance with the cruise offer.

My life is spiralling downhill financially and socially. I need a partner in my life. For some strange reason the minute people read that last sentence they are ready to jump on you and say how wrong it is to think that way. Yet I am pretty sure the majority of the human population has a partner, family and friends that help support them this way.
I cant forget about relationships until I sort myself out, because financially that wont happen unless I win the lottery. I am not going to look like a good potential partner when I live on the street and am destitute and miserable.
Life is short I feel there is no time to waste when looking for a life partner.
Sorry, just needed to vent. Thanks again for the replies.

Hi Kathy, I am sorry to hear about your situation and obviously know what you are going through. Thank you for sharing your thoughts also and not being judgmental. I really love this site, no other site can match this one for genuine caring people. I made the mistake of posting on another money related site and the feedback I got was soul shattering to say the least.
It seems to be embedded in a lot of peoples minds that if a woman says she wishes she had a man in her life to love and to “make life easier” the first thought is the woman doesn’t want to work and wants the man to provide everything. The person telling you this usually has a partner in their life and can’t see that without them they most probably would be in a very different situation. It works both ways. I would not rely solely on my partner for financial security and would keep working, but we would both benefit from two incomes.
I have worked hard all my life and never taken any benefits from the government. Never spent money I don’t have, never had a credit card, always paid bills on time, non materialistic, hate shopping and live very modestly. But the stress of not knowing how much work, if any, I am going to get from week to week is taking its toll. All I think about 24/7 is work-money-work-money. I have 3 beautiful dogs who are my best and only friends, yet I have been told to find them new homes if I can’t afford to keep my home. They are my children, so imagine being told to give your kids to another family. I would have no will or need to continue living this life without them.

So I am going to repeat on this great forum without fear, that I want and need a man in my life to love and to help and benefit each other in everyway. People need people for all sorts of reasons and as long as everyone benefits and no one takes advantage then its a good thing. Its crazy and short sighted to be told that you have to succeed on your own before you are considered a decent and worthy person. Rant over. I have decided I am not going on the cruise. Thank you all for reading.