The Last Cruise

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From the acclaimed PEN-Faulkner Award-winning author comes a riveting high-seas adventure that blends wit, irony, and humanity into a striking vision of our times. The vintage ocean liner Queen Isabella is on its final voyage before heading to the scrapyard. Guests, including Christine Thorne, a former journalist turned Maine farmer, relish the mid-20th century luxury of cruising, with fine dining, classic drinks, and live music. Smoking is permitted, but cell phones and children are not. Setting sail from Long Beach, CA, the Isabella embarks on a two-week retro cruise to Hawaii and back. However, the 1950s charm is disrupted by signs of strife and malfunction both above and below decks. In the galley, Mick Szabo, a battle-weary Hungarian sous-chef, observes rising tensions among the crew. Meanwhile, Miriam Koslow, an elderly Israeli violinist, becomes increasingly aware of the ship's vulnerabilities and the corners cut by the cruise company, Cabaret. As a crisis unfolds, Christine, Mick, and Miriam must confront the unknown together, leading to an unexpected and profound test of their characters.