"Time is the most precious commodity that we have in this lifetime,” says Dr. Marissa Pei, author of “8 Ways to Happiness.” “Money you can make and love you can have with multiple chapters in your book of romance. But time once passed, you can't get back. Once used, there's no do-over. Once wasted, there's no rewind.”Don’t you feel like we live in an age where everyone is rushed, where we’re all constantly pursuing goals big and small? A Gallup’s Lifestyle Poll tells us that even though we all have the same 24 hours in a day, nearly half – half! -- of Americans today feel there isn’t enough time to live the lives we long for. “Our perception of time scarcity can lead us to feel that time is controlling us,” says Rachel MacLynn, a psychologist and creator of The Vida Consultancy, a matchmaking agency. “Many studies have shown that given a choice between more time or more money, people who want more time (more time in the day or more time generally in life) are happier.”
Slow Travel

The Exquisite Time Warp of Ocean Crossings

Beyond repositionings, Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 is the only contemporary ship to be built and designed specifically to navigate ocean crossings. The ocean liner enjoys its perch as the only vessel to offer regularly scheduled weeklong voyages. The ship, which crosses between New York and London, carries on a tradition started back in 1847, way before the jet age made traveling between continents more efficient but a lot less fun. Queen Mary 2 is both retro and ever-so-modern, offering classic cruise experiences like ballroom dancing and lavish afternoon tea along with a sophisticated spa and the only planetarium at sea. Ship’s staff even hands out a brochure of 101 things you can do on a transatlantic crossing. Twenty-plus-crossing veteran Jeff Towns says that he’s found a sweet spot. “I do find myself going to the events and lectures,” he says. “But I enjoy being able to relax and look at the ocean go by. Also, Queen Mary 2 has the largest library at sea. So, I love reading in there because I don't have time to do that when I'm at home.”And how do we know it’s really caught on? The transatlantic crossing really only takes five days but Cunard actually slowed it down, in response to traveler demand, to enhance its unique amenity: Giving us time.The magic in any kind of cross-ocean voyage, says Josh Leibowitz, senior vice president of Cunard North America, is this: “For 51 weeks out of the year, your success is measured by how busy you are. For one week, your success is based on how restored you feel. That’s truly taking advantage of the luxury of time.”
Take Your Time

Jordi Lippe-McGraw is a freelance writer covering travel, food and wellness for outlets like Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, the New York Times, Forbes, and more. She has traveled to more than 30 countries on all 7 continents and is an avid puppy, penguin, and truffle lover.
Updated January 08, 2020
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