Cruising Experience - A social event or not?

[Mr. Luckytoo]

One thing that I find very interesting is the social interactions between people. Most people, when they go on vacation, usually do their planning with their small circle of friends/family. In fact there is not a lot of social interaction with strangers, except for the interaction with people in the services industry.

 

However, on a cruise I have noticed there are many more opportunities for social interaction with fellow passengers. This is due to the close quarters and activities such as trivia contests, classes, and dining times. Even with shore excursions there exists the opportunity for interaction.

One thing I have found interesting to read about is how these interactions between people can affect their choices pre- and post-cruise.

 

Take the main dining room (MDR) for example. There are certain people who like dining with strangers and others who detest doing that.

When it comes to a cruise what type of passenger interaction do you anticipate pre-cruise and how does that influence your cruising decision?

[GORDONCHICK]

It depends, so I didn't vote. Sometimes when we cruise, we cruise with a group of friends. Sometimes it's just my family. Either way, I usually join in the roll call, but DH does not. He will sometimes come to the M&G. Depending on how the roll call goes, we may plan some things with some there. Had one roll call interaction that almost made me want to cancel the cruise. Glad I overcame that because it was a wonderful cruise. And that one person got what was coming to her (or more so didn't get what she thought she had coming to her) simply because of her attitude with the officers and crew. Our cruise was great without that even happening, but it was like icing on the cake......

[Got Tequila?]

I love the social aspect of cruising, with one exception... We do like to dine alone most nights. That's why we love Freestyle cruising, we have the choice to dine alone or with others. :)

[*Luv2Cruz*]

Luv to meet lottsa people and cruising with a CC Group our last two times, and on our next cruise has been great!:cool::D

[PlayTheAces]

It may seem odd to many, but I've actually met more great people over the years in the cigar lounge than anywhere else on board, including a Captain or two.

[numberguy]

For me: I like to meet new people, but I don't do it easily.

 

For my DDP: He likes to be left alone-it's his vacation.

 

--Michael

[marelind]

I like the social aspect somewhat. Generally, we don't seek anyone out. Though our last two cruises I loved knowing people from the Roll Call. It really enhanced our experience. We didn't feel we needed to socialize with them, but when it came up naturally it was really nice.

[Husney]

We met some of our very best friends cruising. About 15 years ago we all were on a cruise to Bermuda together and landed at the same table in the dining room; we were all complete strangers on day one and by day seven we were planning our next cruise together. We took many more cruises together over the years and still to do this day see each other.

[Tightwallet]

We are "leave us alone we are on vacation" and "no we won't sit with others for dinner".

This is our vacation, it's our quality alone time.

[hawaiilvr]

DW is a school teacher and I am an IT Specialist dealing with people all day long. We just want to be left alone and have a week of no phones, Blackberry, or email. Seven days of relaxation for just the two of us is one of the reasons we cruise.

[Vyhanek]

I think a lot of people are social and have a great time AFTER they are forced into it. Like a party you would go to. Lots of people would dread going to the party but once they got there they have a great time.

 

This is what happened when people were assigned dining companions. You dread it at first but then you meet them, get over it and actually have a really great time.

 

So I think if people are given the choice to be social or not, lots of people will choose not to. If they would have been forced to, they would have had a great time.

[hawaiilvr]

This is what happened when people were assigned dining companions. You dread it at first but then you meet them, get over it and actually have a really great time.

 

 

...until your "Minister" tablemates spend the entire meal, every night for four night bashing your religion and discredit everything you say. That one item was enough to make us NOT want to cruise for thirteen years until we could bring ourselves to go again - and then only with great aprehension.

 

Needless to say, we are not great friends, nor have corresponded with these tablemates we were forced to share a table with, and that was on a NCL ship.

[Shelli]

An aspect of cruising that I think really lends itself to the socialization factor is that we are, so to speak, all in the same boat! By that, I mean that we all arrived on the same day; we all have the same food/entertainment choices available to us; we all stop at the same ports; and we're all leaving on the same day. We have a lot in common!

 

Then again, as we all know, passengers can have exceedingly different experiences on the same cruise, on the same ship. But I tend to see the glass as half full and I always meet others who see it the same way.

[tiff123]

I'm the type that would dread having to spend time without social contact. I love meeting new people and talking to them and having social interaction - from the crew to other pax. Being left to ourselves would be the worst for me! My husband can go either way quite easily.

 

I find it interesting that the poll is pretty much split 40/40/20 when I voted. Wow! :cool:

[DMH15]

I didn't vote because I really think of myself as both. I am very social and outgoing... I arranged my first m&g and I love trivia and the tournaments in the casino. I have made some wonderful friends through cruising...

 

But, I would much rather chill on my own balcony than on deck. And I spend more time in my suite than most would. I like dining ensuite too.

 

So, I'm a bit of each of the first two choices.

[swedish weave]

The beauty of cruising for me is you have the choice of being alone or socializing. Even on lines with assigned meal periods and seating, you can change if you encounter people who don't suit your fancy.

 

If I meet people I don't like, I get away from them, and stay away from them. Unhappiness andomplaining can be contagious if you let it be, and my goal on a cruise is to enjoy every minute of it.

[mamasue]

We are "leave us alone we are on vacation" and "no we won't sit with others for dinner".

This is our vacation, it's our quality alone time.

 

 

DH and I are the same......

We like to dine alone.....only once shared a table, at breakfast, and hated it!

We're happy to "just be us" on vacation!

[Ask4Jay]

We are loners, very happy to just be by ourselves. We joined one roll call and M&G, which was OK. We were sort of swept along, but basically we prefer to be alone. (Hi, Nita) We say 'Hi' and maybe a bit more to people we recognize in the restaurants, but that's about it. We cruise to be on a ship on the ocean.

Until a few cruises ago, when we were asked to share a table with two other couples at dinner on embarkation day. Four of us connected. We spent the rest of the cruise together, in the lounge, and we usually dined together. Yet, we gave each other plenty of room. It worked so well, we made another Atlantic crossing and are booked in adjoining cabins on the Epic to Barcelona in May. Who'd a thunk?!

[blairkiel]

I like to be left alone, but have met some great people who have joined us for dinner and excursions a time or two.

 

However, I play craps, and I generally love the guys in the craps crew.

 

Those at the table the first night, are generally there most nights, and it makes for some good interaction.

[Mr. Luckytoo]

It seems a majority here like to be 'left alone' on their cruise. Is that one of the primary reasons that you choose NCL and 'Freestyle Dining'?

[Lipz]

It seems a majority here like to be 'left alone' on their cruise. Is that one of the primary reasons that you choose NCL and 'Freestyle Dining'?

 

 

Unless I'm in a romantic I wanna be alone with my boo mood *lol*, I do like the social aspect of cruising. I actually enjoy dining with complete strangers but have only had few experiences. On our second cruise the other people assigned to the table never showed up for dinner although we did do breakfast with a group before and it was also nice. This will be our first 'free style' cruise so I am looking forward to seeing if I prefer that or not.

We've met other people while vacationing and although we shared some nice conversations non of it has ever been invasive or overbearing. On our last cruise we actually meet another couple from cc and had embarkment day drinks. We just go with the flow whether we meet others or not.

[hawaiilvr]

It seems a majority here like to be 'left alone' on their cruise. Is that one of the primary reasons that you choose NCL and 'Freestyle Dining'?

 

 

Yep. Oh, and the Hawaii itinerary - we saw the POA in harbor while we in Oahu for vacation, came home, and immediately booked a cruise on it. The itinerary grabbed us, then the thought of no having to be social if we didn't want pushed us over the edge.

[CurtandLeslie]

It may seem odd to many, but I've actually met more great people over the years in the cigar lounge than anywhere else on board, including a Captain or two.

 

We'll second that, PlayTheAces. On our last two cruises, in the cigar bar we met many fun and very social people who shared similar interests with us. With freestyle dining, we then have the opportunity to meet our new friends for dinner.