Talked to me about cruises for someone who does not like socilaising

[peebles32]

So we are going on a Celebrity cruises in the Carribbean next April. Me husband and two kids 10 and 14. We are going with close family for a 70th birthday for my MIL. We promised we would do it and can't get out of it.
Our normal holiday is Scottish Highlands or a villa somewhere quiet. I am worried about there been too many people. However, everyone I know who has gone on a cruise expected to hate it and has come back raving about it. Tell me some good things please as if I have to spend all this money then I want to make sure we enjoy it.

Loads of typos!! 😔

We love cruising but not socialising!
Kids sometimes go to the kids club but DH and I keep to ourselves, just enjoying some of the facilities, shows etc.

I’ve never done Celebrity but I’ve done similar lines. You don’t have to socialise if you don’t want! I mean, you might struggle to get away from the people you are actually travelling with if that’s what you are worried about, but even that is possible if you want to - just go to different restaurants or on different excursions?
But on the actual ship you won’t have to share tables with strangers or do forced fun type activities. There is plenty of space for peace and quiet. I love cruising and we do it fairly often but we tend to keep to ourselves. That said, even we have met a few great people who we’ve kept in touch with and met up with on future cruises. It’s a lovely way to travel.

You can be as sociable as you choose. Celebrity is one of my preferred cruise lines as it feels quite laid back and relaxed. The top pool deck is probably one of the busiest places but you can usually find a quiet corner somewhere. You don’t have to share tables with strangers at dinner either.

As an introvert a cruise is my perfect holiday because there are so many different places to sit and watch the changing scenery, sky and sea, or read a book with a (free) coffee and a cake, or lie on a sun lounger, or sit in a hot tub, or sit indoors in an armchair and do the same. It's so easy to avoid the crowds by just going in a different direction to whatever the popular things were. There are so many other options. The whole ship is designed with endless little alcoves and nooks for people to feel separate from the crowds.

Oh wow. Not what I was expecting. I was expecting you to say it was busy and hard to get away from crowds. Kids can go do their own thing but I just want to sit and relax and see new places.

We love celebrity, there are lots of quiet areas if you want, I sit and read in the coffee shop, my mum likes to do embroidery in the big Lounge at the front, my kids go off to kids club/the pool, there is a big indoor pool area which is usually quiet…it really is up to you what you want to/get involved with, there isn’t ’enforced fun’ or anything like that!! And you can retire to your cabin/balcony if it all gets too much!! Have a fabulous time!

It’s not hard to get a bit of space on a Celebrity ship, no need to share tables with anyone at any time. You might find people are friendly, but there is no enforced interaction!
I would avoid ship excursions, they are some of the most people-y moments, as well as being £££.
Do you have a balcony? I love a cruise ship balcony, your own space with a fabulous view.
If not, worth looking at Celebrity’s ‘Move Up’ offer where you can bid for an upgrade. If the ship isn’t full / busy, you can often get a good deal this way. Disadvantage is you don’t get to choose your cabin location so it might be more noisy than some, or at one end of the ship, which isn’t a problem in calm waters but I prefer midship for say a transatlantic.
Did you buy the All Inclusive package? It varies but is usually best value when first booking. It depends if you drink alcohol or not whether it’s worth it. But if you didn’t and are considering adding a drinks or any speciality dining, keep an eye on the prices, they do constant sales and the price goes up and down like crazy so worth tracking.
have a great trip!

OP I wouldn’t worry too much, the only time there tends to be a bun fight might be the buffet for breakfast in the mornings - but you can go a bit earlier and have breakfast in peace, or order breakfast to your room.

If you have a balcony cabin, the best thing ever is to sit out with a coffee in the morning and just watch the waves go by - so relaxing and peaceful.

You’ll have a great time, very quickly you’ll find the quiet spaces to relax in.

I’ve cruised solo quite a bit.

I like that I can join in (with other solos I meet at dinner) or find a place I can just chill on my own.

Not been on Celebrity, but a variety of other cruise lines and even on the biggest I’ve found somewhere I can be quiet even if not completely on my own.

My boys were that age when I first cruised. Youngest lived in the pools.
Eldest came along with the promise I wouldn’t force him to do anything.
They did go to the main dining room for meals with me, but otherwise doing their own thing.

I loved it.

I have been on several cruises with my elderly Mum, who wants to travel but can't deal with new hotels and rooms all the time. I hate crowds and am generally antisocial. It has never been a problem on a cruise. There are always quiet lounges or other places to sit, usually with comfy chairs and a nice view out the window. When you get on board, take a walk around all the decks and you will find some good places. I also find that there is usually a less popular outdoor walkway around the ship so that you can be outside and avoid the very busy upper deck (or wherever the outdoor entertainment is on your ship). You'll be fine. Don't worry.

You can do what you like , find a quiet bar, watch TV in your room, watch a show, sit out on deck watching the waves . whatever you prefer