How social are people on NCL cruises?

[New2cruise2022]

Hopefully I can explain the premise of the topic well enough for feedback. It’s a first time cruise. I’m traveling solo with my two teens. They will no doubt have their own plans and doing their own thing much of the time. I know there are solo/single get togethers.
 

Beyond organized events, are many people social or do people generally keep to themselves? I get that EVERYONE is different. Some people are shy, some are more outgoing. Some are together for a romantic getaway, etc. So I guess, in your experience (traveling alone or as a couple), is it welcomed to have a conversation with strangers in line, at a bar, at a restaurant, a show, etc? I know how to read people so I’m confident I can figure it out when I get on the ship, just curious about how well it is received or not. (Or if I will feel like “that guy” if I show up at an activity in the evenings/night.)

 

Thanks!

[EvanBedar]

I’m not social in large crowds.   I can only hear 2 or 3 voices at a time.   But some of the sweetest stories have come from people sitting with strangers in the formal dining rooms.  People from different countries, different cultures, different ends of the political spectrum.  
 

Being outgoing in a bar or nightclub after you’ve had a couple liquid muscle relaxers isn’t unique to cruise ships.   It’s kind of the goal for most people.   

[brookie848]

People are generally very friendly. Join a trivia team at the beginning of the week and right there are some people you might be able to hang with for the rest of the week.

 

We've chatted with people at bars, the the buffet, sitting across from us at dinner -- you'll be able to tell if they are not interested in chatting. Someone else will be -- that's one of the fun things about going on a cruise.

[New2cruise2022]

It’s encouraging to hear that it is still a common occurrence that people welcome meeting others. Trivia is a great idea. I have useless knowledge that is wasting away in my brain. 

[dbrown84]

People are incredibly social!!  I travel solo all the time and never have a problem meeting folks.  There is a solo meeting each night.  Please go to it.  It's a great place to hook up with other solo travelers.  If you're a gambler, the casino is also a great place to meet others.

[New2cruise2022]

3 minutes ago, dbrown84 said:

People are incredibly social!!  I travel solo all the time and never have a problem meeting folks.  There is a solo meeting each night.  Please go to it.  It's a great place to hook up with other solo travelers.  If you're a gambler, the casino is also a great place to meet others.

This is very encouraging. Thanks. I assumed as much, but it is good to hear personal experiences. 

[ChiefMateJRK]

I've made a great deal of "friends" by finding the good piano players and just hanging out having a few drinks and enjoying the fun.  People of similar minds tend to gravitate to the same venues/artists for multiple nights.  Folks having fun together tend to quickly become friends.

[New2cruise2022]

Just now, ChiefMateJRK said:

I've made a great deal of "friends" by finding the good piano players and just hanging out having a few drinks and enjoying the fun.  People of similar minds tend to gravitate to the same venues/artists for multiple nights.  Folks having fun together tend to quickly become friends.

I was at a resort in Jamaica and made some friends the first night of a week. That was 7 years ago. We live across the country from each other and still keep regular contact. 

[jpcdds6]

I remember when I was on the Jade ( or was it the Pearl?), I would walk the promenade every morning. Another guy my age would be there every morning at the same time. We would pass, smile and say hello. Later on the cruise, we found ourselves sitting next to each other at the pool bar, started talking and had a few drinks and laughs for a few hours. The rest of the week we did the same a few more times at different places, with the wives. I’ve been on many cruises, and for the most  part people are very, very, friendly. Sometimes a good morning and a smile is all it takes.

[hallux]

On my last cruise I struck up a conversation with a woman and her two adult nieces in the embarkation lounge.  After running into each other several times in the first 12 hours on board, they invited me to hang with them the rest of the cruise.  We had an amazing time.

[Zippeedee]

On my first solo cruise on the Gem I kept running into the same couple. I had a great time talking to them and hanging out at different beaches. They explained their idea of the “cruise 20”. No matter how big the ship is you will continually see the same 20 people who share your interests. It has happened on subsequent cruises, including one guy who decided I was “stalking” him when we ended up at the same airport luggage carousel after our flights home.😂

[JamieLogical]

I just sailed solo on the Breakaway and people were incredibly social. Not only were the other solo sailors social, but many couples and groups were social with me as well. I talked to MANY couples at bars, in the spa, at Syd Norman's, etc. I have honestly found that to be true on every cruise I have ever taken. When I do travel solo, I like to say "I am traveling alone, but I am never lonely."

[mskaufman]

Lots of social people on all the cruise ships.

[New2cruise2022]

21 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 "I am traveling alone, but I am never lonely."

Love it!

[New2cruise2022]

57 minutes ago, hallux said:

On my last cruise I struck up a conversation with a woman and her two adult nieces in the embarkation lounge.  After running into each other several times in the first 12 hours on board, they invited me to hang with them the rest of the cruise.  We had an amazing time.

This is why I’m so looking forward to this. 

[Lakesregion]

2 hours ago, New2cruise2022 said:

Hopefully I can explain the premise of the topic well enough for feedback. It’s a first time cruise. I’m traveling solo with my two teens. They will no doubt have their own plans and doing their own thing much of the time. I know there are solo/single get togethers.
 

Beyond organized events, are many people social or do people generally keep to themselves? I get that EVERYONE is different. Some people are shy, some are more outgoing. Some are together for a romantic getaway, etc. So I guess, in your experience (traveling alone or as a couple), is it welcomed to have a conversation with strangers in line, at a bar, at a restaurant, a show, etc? I know how to read people so I’m confident I can figure it out when I get on the ship, just curious about how well it is received or not. (Or if I will feel like “that guy” if I show up at an activity in the evenings/night.)

 

Thanks!

I have not sailed NCL since 2006 but back then being a solo guy above the average age of the NCL crowd that dressed a tad better than most, I found it difficult to secure a shared table in the main dining rooms. So I ate by myself. 

 

I will be taking a 12 day NCL Caribbean sail this winter for the sole purpose of getting away for 12 days with no schedule to meet. no cooking, cleaning nor serving myself and may not even leave the ship at the ports as I have been to all of them several times.so I do not care about whether I dine alone. And of course I am now way past the average age and might just be the oldest passenger on this trip. and am still dressed above grade. 

 

So long way around to your question. Plan on being solo but if you find others it could be a plus.

[New2cruise2022]

I’m 45. I don’t know where that falls in age group compared to the average. But I just like meeting new people. Finding out where they are from, what they like to do. I can enjoy a conversation about anything other than politics or religion. 

[debenson0723]

Are you on the Roll Call for your cruise?  This is a great way for a solo cruiser to "meet" people before you even board. You can plan to meet before sail away, after dinner, plan an excursion...the possibilities are endless. I have sailed solo many, many times but always meet someone onboard to hang out with, typically at the first night's solo gathering. I remember one morning watching the Bliss sail into San Francisco from the Observation Lounge, chatting with a charming man and then we headed to breakfast (hi, @hallux) before parting ways for the day. And even better, I have sailed multiple times with other solos I have met...there are 4 of us that met on various cruises who will be doing the Joy in February together. So don't worry about being solo for long...in my experience, NCL has the friendliest cruisers at sea.

[dbrown84]

45 minutes ago, Lakesregion said:

I have not sailed NCL since 2006 but back then being a solo guy above the average age of the NCL crowd that dressed a tad better than most, I found it difficult to secure a shared table in the main dining rooms. So I ate by myself. 

 

I will be taking a 12 day NCL Caribbean sail this winter for the sole purpose of getting away for 12 days with no schedule to meet. no cooking, cleaning nor serving myself and may not even leave the ship at the ports as I have been to all of them several times.so I do not care about whether I dine alone. And of course I am now way past the average age and might just be the oldest passenger on this trip. and am still dressed above grade. 

 

So long way around to your question. Plan on being solo but if you find others it could be a plus.

trust me, it will be way different for you this time.  Definitely go to the solo meet up each night, if for no other reason than to go do the shared dinner and/or show

[hallux]

1 hour ago, New2cruise2022 said:

I’m 45. I don’t know where that falls in age group compared to the average

I'm 42, so not far off from me.

 

Hey @debenson0723 somehow I forgot about our OL conversation then breakfast as we sailed into SF!  That was such a fun trip for my first solo cruise!

[New2cruise2022]

1 hour ago, hallux said:

I'm 42, so not far off from me.

 

Hey @debenson0723 somehow I forgot about our OL conversation then breakfast as we sailed into SF!  That was such a fun trip for my first solo cruise!

I’m ready to experience what so many people have shared. I’m sure every experience is different, but it honestly sounds like such a nice way to vacation. 

[Peachypooh]

Let's just say that most people act like everyone in the elevator, on shared excursions,  sitting next to you in the theatre, in the pool or hot tub, etc. act like they are your long lost relative.  Be prepared for this. Twice I came across people who did not want this type of interaction and they literally got a deer in the headlights look as if they didn't realize cruises on NCL were social. I try to be sensitive to people who just want to be alone but not everyone is tuned in to that especially after a few drinks at the bar. You will have no trouble making friends.

Edited to add that I have met more than one person who is taking a cruise after the passing of a loved one to try to recover from the grief. One man slept every  day on one of the loungers on the pool deck while his wife swam. I talked at length with her. He was not interested in being social.

Edited November 13, 2022 by Peachypooh

[ontheweb]

9 hours ago, Lakesregion said:

I have not sailed NCL since 2006 but back then being a solo guy above the average age of the NCL crowd that dressed a tad better than most, I found it difficult to secure a shared table in the main dining rooms. So I ate by myself. 

 

I will be taking a 12 day NCL Caribbean sail this winter for the sole purpose of getting away for 12 days with no schedule to meet. no cooking, cleaning nor serving myself and may not even leave the ship at the ports as I have been to all of them several times.so I do not care about whether I dine alone. And of course I am now way past the average age and might just be the oldest passenger on this trip. and am still dressed above grade. 

 

So long way around to your question. Plan on being solo but if you find others it could be a plus.

Not a solo as I cruise with DW, but I totally understand what you wrote about finding a shared table. Our last NCL cruise was on the Epic in the Western Mediterranean 10 years ago. On the first night at dinner, we were asked do you want a table for 2 or to share a table. We replied that we would share as we have often enjoyed meeting others at dinner. And then after we were seated, we waited, and waited, and waited. We finally realized no one else seemed to want to share, and then said we would do a table for 2.

 

After we booked an NCL cruise again (the Prima next summer), I posted and asked if this was typical. The overwhelming majority of posters wrote basically why would I ever want to share a table with strangers.

[Sailing12Away]

14 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I've made a great deal of "friends" by finding the good piano players and just hanging out having a few drinks and enjoying the fun.  People of similar minds tend to gravitate to the same venues/artists for multiple nights.  Folks having fun together tend to quickly become friends.

This ^ 100%. Go to the things that interest you, and you'll find like-minded folks that you'll quickly make friends with. Whether it's the bingo/deal or no deal/trivia events in the atrium, a particular bar, the smaller venues with singers, on your excursions, etc.

 

We have always made new friends on our trips, and even went so far as to make up bookmarks with our contact info on them to give out on our next trip when we find folks we'd like to stay in touch with. Easier than putting a random name into your phone and trying to think of who "Bob" is in your contacts a month later.

 

The only cruise where we did struggle to have conversations with new people was on RCC, but that was shortly after the Covid restart so we try to not fault them too much and are willing to give them another shot. With NCL, no matter where you go on the ship you can strike up a conversation with folks. We're just not good with names.... so we'll say hi as "Hey, it's Kansas City!", or "Look, chardonnay is here!"

[graphicguy]

NCL is great for solos.  

 

They sponsor solo get togethers every evening, where solos can meet up and make plans together.  

 

I’ve even enjoyed meeting others on excursions, dining at tables where I didn’t know anyone, just having a cocktail at any of the many bars.

 

Solo opportunities are abundant.  Be open to meeting new people, and you’ll have a great time.