Cruising is not for you if you hate people. Hate is harsh, isn’t it? Maybe you do really hate people or maybe you are like me. I really love people, I just prefer not to spend time with them. Being too social can drain my contentment battery, so when I am on vacation especially, I want to recharge. There are places on a cruise ship you CAN NOT avoid people. Thankfully, you CAN, for the most part, avoid the areas they are in. I will share the people places with you and tell you how to avoid them.
THE POOL
On warm weather itineraries the pools on a cruise could never be large enough, especially on sea days! If you hang out in this area expect to be surrounded with people. Mostly happy, friendly, fun loving, social butterflies, but people non-the-less. You will be hard pressed to find an open lounger and the pools and hot tubs are typically occupied. This is where the sail away celebrations and deck parties occur. It’s exactly as it sounds. They have loud music, dancing, and it sets the tone that reminds everyone your vacation has begun! This may be THE most people filled area of the whole ship. If this sounds like the worst day ever to you, don’t hang out by the pool! My best ever sail away party is sitting on my peaceful quiet balcony watching the land getting smaller and smaller.
THE BUFFET
There is another people infested spot on the boat and you probably could guess, it’s the buffet. It’s not as hard to find a seat as on the the sun deck, but you will likely be walking around actively searching for an open table during the busiest times. I will point out, I have never NOT found a table. Again people are friendly and for the most part patient, but you still will be in a line surrounded by people when you are getting your plate. Many people. Walking in many different directions. A solution to this is if you go to the buffet, go during off hours. One hour later or earlier can make a huge difference. Right when they open and later at night, it’s always dead. Mid afternoon before they break is also slower. Another solution is to avoid the buffet altogether. You can choose to eat in main dining, specialty restaurants, room service, or the other eateries scattered throughout the ship.
BOARDING
Entering and exiting the boat. What do you expect!? Some of the largest ships have over 5,000 passengers. There’s only one way on and one way off. You are going to be in a crowd of people at some point. Your just going to have to suck it up and deal with being around people for this one. This industry is people moving masters. Follow directions. Which is mainly have your correct documentation (passport, sailcard, ect.) and walk in a single file line. Don’t bring anything you shouldn’t onto or off of the ship. Including at ports of call. Easy. The staff and security are professional and extremely efficient. It goes by quickly. It’s over before you know it.
BARS AND CASINO
My best guess is if you are seeking out bars or casinos, you may be one of these social beings. More power to you. Enjoy. Honestly, when I walk past or through these spaces they aren’t so crowded that you couldn’t find your own space if you happen to be with someone else who loves these things. There are several bars and they are spread out in such a way it’s manageable or you can move to the next. The same can be said for places like the piano bar, comedy show, and theatre. If these are activities you are interested in attending, go early to find a seat of your choosing. You will have your own chair at least and can position yourself to be one of the first to leave if walking in a crowd overwhelms you.
If you do in fact hate people. Do not go on a cruise! If you just need a bit of your own space and enjoy people from a distance, ABSOLUTELY, without question, YES. You just need to ask yourself WHERE IS THE PEACE ON A CRUISE SHIP!?