Regardless if you are an introvert or an extrovert, this post is for you. Even extroverts will want to stick around because I guarantee you have an introvert in your life, and it may even be someone you want to cruise with!
Many extroverts conflate being shy with being an introvert. While most shy people are introverts, not all introverts are shy. Being shy is an emotion while being introverted is part of ones personality. There are different types of introverts just like there are different types of extroverts. The main identifier of an introvert is that they are drained of energy when around people and need to recharge with some alone time. Extroverts on the other hand gain their energy from being around others. A really good way of determining if you are an introvert or not is by answering one easy question: If you are supposed to go to a party or event and find out at the last minute that it has been cancelled, are you relieved or upset? Introverts will be relieved. Every time. Even if at one point in time they really wanted to go.
I randomly came across a YouTube video the other day of someone saying that cruising isn’t for introverts, and as an introvert myself, I wholeheartedly disagree, which is what prompted me to make this post for all my fellow introverts.
It’s no secret that most of the world is designed by extroverts…for extroverts. And many extroverts can’t even comprehend how this affects introverts. I have a family member who I like to describe as an extra-extravert, and she just cannot begin to comprehend not wanting to be around other people all the time. While the world may be designed with people like her in mind, us introverts have found all kinds of ways to adapt.
I like to call myself a high-functioning introvert. People who don’t know me very well often think I’m an extrovert because I function well in social settings and can talk to strangers easily. And while this may make it easier for me to adjust to a cruise ship full of people, it doesn’t mean that I’m not affected by the crowds. I also understand that some introverts will be affected to a greater degree than I am. How an introvert will choose to adapt to life on a a cruise ship will probably depend on what kind of introvert they are and where they fall on the introvert scale.
The big question is…How do you find time alone while on a cruise ship with thousands of other people?
One of the secrets to surviving in a world designed by extroverts is learning how to be alone in a crowd, and being alone in a crowd is actually pretty easy to do on a cruise ship, even easier than it would be at home because most people aren’t going to talk to strangers, and on a cruise ship, everyone is a stranger unless you choose otherwise. They are even less likely to come up ant talk to a stranger if they are reading a book or have headphones on. Headphones are a wonderful tool of the introverted. Who among us hasn’t popped in a pair of headphones while running errands just to keep people from striking up a conversation? I have even put mine in when there’s nothing playing through them just to avoid unwanted conversation.
For me, the most time I spend around others while cruising is probably going to be be during a sea day when I spend a good portion of the day playing or watching trivia and basically hanging around in public spaces. Sometimes I talk to others, sometimes I don’t.
Because I do spend time in crowds, whether I interact with others or not, I have to recharge by finding quiet time as well. Luckily, there are quite a few of those on a cruise ship if you know where to look.
Quiet areas:
- Just like on land, a library is a great place to find some quiet. A lot of cruise ships will have a library tucked away somewhere. Some are bigger than others, but most will provide a quiet place to hide away from the crowds. You may find a few other introverts in there playing cards or reading a good book.
- Another quiet retreat can often be found on the promenade deck. Seating on the promenade deck will often provide a quiet retreat, especially in the morning hours. Most ships will have a deck with a walkway outdoors that encircles all or most of the ship. Usually found on a deck near most of the public spaces like the atrium, dining rooms, casino and shopping areas, it is often referred to as the promenade deck since you can promenade all the way around the ship on it. In the evenings these areas may be a little livelier as much of the seating is often found near the outdoor areas of bars and restaurants, but due to the limited space, these areas can be a quiet place to relax and read a book or listen to a podcast earlier in the day.
- While the lido and pool areas are known for their loud music and crowds, adults only areas on a ship can be quite the opposite. While there might be some raucous laughter around the bars and hot tubs that can be found in the adults only areas, you can usually find plenty of quiet spots as well. So if you are looking to spend some time baking in the sun, but desire a little peace and quiet, be sure to check these areas out.
- If you are willing to purchase a spa package, it can be a wonderful retreat for an introvert. There are various therapy rooms that one can enjoy with almost complete peace and quiet. And while I have been irritated a few times while trying to enjoy the thelosotherapy pool due to some overly chatty, oblivious women trying to shout to each other over the jets as if it is a party spot, it is usually a quiet place with people keeping their conversations to a whisper.
- If you know that you are going to need daily breaks away from others and the quiet spots I have suggested just aren’t going to be enough, it might behoove you to spend a little extra and book a balcony cabin so you can get away while still enjoying being at sea. Even if you choose to stick with an interior cabin, you can unwind in your room with a movie or possibly even watch some of the popular ship gameshows that are often replayed through the ship’s TVs.
- Another option for those who have a little extra money to spend on their vacation is to book space in some of the private areas many cruise lines now offer. Whether it is the ship-within-a-ship areas like Carnival’s Havana retreat, MSC’s Yacht club, or Norwegian’s Haven cabins or private deck areas like Norwegian’s Vibe. These areas allow cruisers access to restricted areas meaning that there will be fewer crowds to deal with.
- The ultimate in cruising for introverts would be springing for that luxury cruise on small ships that provide a more intimate cruising experience. I cannot speak to this experience as I don’t have the dough to spring for such a vacation. Maybe one day.
You can also check out the space ratio per ship on the website: Cruise Deck Plans. It is my favorite site to check out deck plans when planning a cruise. They also have a summary of the ship’s size including how much space per cruiser can be expected on the ship. As you can see from the examples below, there is a huge difference from a budget ship like the Carnival Dream and a luxury ship like the Seven Seas Grandeur.
After a cruise, I definitely prefer to forgo any social events for a few days. Usually I will hold up in my house for a couple of days and not really talk to anyone as I recharge my social batteries. But even though I definitely need a few days off after my cruise to just veg, I love cruising. It is my favorite way to travel.
Let me know in the comments your tips for finding a quiet space on a cruise ship.
Cruising From The Ozarks 