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Original poster

Cruise but without the hell of other people

64 replies

TediousTim · 10/10/2022 21:59

Is there a lovely way to cruise? I think we'd like the nice bits of a cruise (waking up in a new place everyday) but - eating with other people, the hideousness of "organised fun," having strangers make small talk - this sounds horrendous. Is there a better way to cruise?

OP posts:
SudocremOnEverything · 10/10/2022 22:00

I think you might need to be rich enough to charter a yacht to achieve this.

Whataretheodds · 10/10/2022 22:00

Charter a yacht?

On a cruise you're not obliged to do the activities, are you? At mealtimes just ask a few questions of the big talkers - they'll make the conversation for you.

Original poster
TediousTim · 10/10/2022 22:00

Dammit! You're probably right! 😂

OP posts:

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Original poster
TediousTim · 10/10/2022 22:02

I guess the issue is though, I'd be paying for all those activities. I don't want to pay for other people to do karaoke, silent discos, and line dancing.

OP posts:
bellac11 · 10/10/2022 22:03

Hire a canal barge or boat on the Norfolk Broads

Solasum · 10/10/2022 22:03

I am told that River Cruises on smaller ships are the answer to this. Haven’t been yet though

SudocremOnEverything · 10/10/2022 22:04

TediousTim · 10/10/2022 22:02

I guess the issue is though, I'd be paying for all those activities. I don't want to pay for other people to do karaoke, silent discos, and line dancing.

Ah… but you have to also look at it as you’re paying for those activities to be put on so all the people attending them are not in the bits of the boat you want to be in. 🤣

WireSkills · 10/10/2022 22:05

We love cruises and hate other people! Ok, so hate is the wrong word, but we don't do the "social" things on cruises. We're happy just the 2 of us.

We have a balcony cabin so can enjoy the outside without having to sit with others. We always ask for a table for 2 in the dining room.

Go to the theatre and sit by ourselves etc.

You can use the daily planner to figure out where to avoid as much as what to do.

TellMeWhere · 10/10/2022 22:06

Small ships or niche cruises are what you need - it's a "problem" that can only be resolved by throwing money at it, I think.

We've been with Hurtigruten to Svalbard and Antarctica and wouldn't hesitate to use them elsewhere.

Original poster
TediousTim · 10/10/2022 22:06

SudocremOnEverything · 10/10/2022 22:04

Ah… but you have to also look at it as you’re paying for those activities to be put on so all the people attending them are not in the bits of the boat you want to be in. 🤣

Show quote history

This is genius.

To the PP I was thinking slightly more exotic places than Wroxham.

OP posts:
Backmebring · 10/10/2022 22:06

Choose ‘my time’ dining so you turn up when you want. Ask not to be seated with anyone else.

Dont go do the entertainment you can’t stand. Plenty to do with eating, visiting ports, swimming, films etc.

CraigDavid · 10/10/2022 22:07

One of the Nile cruises that only takes about 20 people? Always looked pretty good to me.

Original poster
TediousTim · 10/10/2022 22:07

TellMeWhere · 10/10/2022 22:06

Small ships or niche cruises are what you need - it's a "problem" that can only be resolved by throwing money at it, I think.

We've been with Hurtigruten to Svalbard and Antarctica and wouldn't hesitate to use them elsewhere.

Niche may be the answer. I'll look at Hurtigruten, thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
TediousTim · 10/10/2022 22:10

Ahhh, so can you sit on your own to eat?
I'm a few years recovered from an eating disorder and really can't eat with other people.
It's a much bigger issue than you'd think. So many restaurants with tables too close together that I'll never be able to eat in. No nights out with colleagues or wedding meals. I just want a nice, relaxed holiday where I don't have the fear of eating near others.

OP posts:
Lucienandjean · 10/10/2022 22:19

I'm on a cruise ship right now, and having a great time, despite hating people and most activities!

You just ask for a table for 2 at mealtimes (or a table for 1 if even my DH is too much company!), avoid the line dancing / pub quizzes / disco nights, and get a cabin with a balcony so you can sit alone when you want.

Honestly, it's fine. I waft about between the library, the cafe and the 'adult' swimming pool. No unnecessary conversation needed. I've even ventured to the theatre a couple of times.

Houseplantmad · 10/10/2022 22:24

Silver sea cruises - pricey but amazing, according to my friend who has just been on one. Small shops but she said you hardly saw other people. Brilliant excursions ans service.

PhillySub · 10/10/2022 22:26

You might be better off in a single seat canoe. Go where you like when you like and choose only intelligent people to speak to. LOL

Sackeforbadhips · 10/10/2022 22:26

We eat most nights at the speciality restaraunts so get a table just for us. Do our own thing at ports. We eat at the buffet at lunch, or get pizza from the pool bar. Again our own table. Room service or buffet breakfast so you don't have to share with others. I am an introvert so find socialising with strangers draining. I do force myself to do it a couple of times a cruise and 95% of the time enjoy it a lot, just in small doses. Breakfast or lunch shared tables is much less full on than shared dinner so start with those meals. Do what makes you happy. We don't do any of the organised activities, preferring to read on a lounger or get a coffee. It is really cool exploring all the cities. I hope you love it, we did and have been on 4 now.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 10/10/2022 22:28

You don't have to charter a yacht to go on a yacht cruise! Check out Variety Cruises, Windstar, Ponant or Star Clippers as well as Hurtigruten and River Cruises.

NamelessNancy · 10/10/2022 22:30

Probably not what you're looking for but I'd love to travel by cargo ship sometime!

www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/travel/articles/travel-by-cargo-ship-around-the-world.shtml

Original poster
TediousTim · 10/10/2022 22:31

NamelessNancy · 10/10/2022 22:30

Probably not what you're looking for but I'd love to travel by cargo ship sometime!

www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/travel/articles/travel-by-cargo-ship-around-the-world.shtml

I remember Simon Calder used to talk about this a lot.

Thank you everyone, lots of ideas.

OP posts:
Whosaysyoucanthaveitall · 10/10/2022 22:39

Try celebrity cruises. on the newer ships there’s no mixed dining and they're trying to cater for a younger market so entertainment isn’t cheesy. Really fantastic bars and restaurants.

NeedWineNow · 10/10/2022 22:40

Honestly you really can do your own thing on a cruise. Most have freedom dining where you can pick your own dining time and table size. You definitely don't have to join in with all activities and can just please yourself. I've never not been able to find a quiet spot to sit and read or just watch the world go by as it were, and I always take headphones so I can plug into music, a podcast or watch a film on my tablet.

Port days me and DH generally do our own thing and generally only join a trip if it's one that really appeals or the town or attraction, for example, are a way from the port as you know that the ship will wait if you are delayed on an organised trip.

Watchthesunrise · 10/10/2022 22:49

Instead of a cruise, maybe you could do 'island hopping'. For example there is a series of flights you can take in pacific paradise between Tahiti - Rarotonga - Aitutaki - Atiu - Rarotonga. Gorgeous.

ChampagneCommunist · 10/10/2022 22:49

I did a big (5k plus passengers) cruise this year. Get a cabin with a balcony. Go to the child-free bars.

You can pretty easily avoid everyone; I was surprised

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