Are you interested in making friends on a cruise? Maybe you are cruising alone for the first time or just want to grow your circle of friends who love cruising.
On my recent trip on Adventure of the Seas, it hit me how lucky I am to have met so many wonderful friends on a cruise ship! Even as a classic worrier and introvert I have been able to develop some wonderful friendships in my years of cruising, and you can, too!
In this post, I’ll share with you my tips for making friends on a cruise.
1. Wine Tasting or other onboard class.
Choose an activity where there is an opportunity to engage with others. Wine tasting class typically involves sitting at tables, conversing about the differences in wine, snacking, and learning something new. This is a great place to make a friend. You already have something in common!
Related Post: Wine Tasting on Jewel of the Seas
2. Try a Bar Crawl
Even if you are not a heavy drinker a bar crawl can be a great place to meet new friends. It’s an organized time and place to meet and engage with others. Don’t worry, if you are a little shy, an extrovert is right around the bar ready to ask you all about yourself or share a few funny stories.
A bar crawl can also be a great way to check out the various venues around the ship. Many organizers schedule this activity for the first sea day onboard. You may meet so many friends that a second bar crawl is scheduled. (No judgment, but I will hope you have the drink package) Our first experience attending a bar craw was on Allure of the Seas. We had such a great time. We met people, now friends that are in my Facebook Group AND friends that we have cruised with again!
3. Port Day Excursions
Excursions can be a great way to make friends on a cruise. Consider them another small group activity where you share a common interest. Do you love chilling at the beach? Renting ATVs or Ziplining? Maybe snorkeling is your favorite activity or a guided city tour is more your speed.
Related post: Seavenger Snorkel
Tip: Wear something representing your hometown or favorite sports team. My family lives near Kansas City, Missouri, and one of us is typically wearing KC Royals or KC Chiefs gear while in port. I can’t count the times we have heard people yell out, “Hey K.C!” Once, we ended up sitting and enjoying lunch with a couple who now lives in Naples, Florida, but they were originally from Kansas. The world is much smaller than we think.
Related Post: Tips for Planning Excursions
4. Cruise Planner
Check your cruise planner for scheduled meet-ups. There are meet-ups for all sorts of things. Gatherings for singles. Loyalty program meet-ups, cruise critic activities, alcoholics anonymous, church services, LGBTQ+ gatherings and so much more.
Many cruise lines are investing heavily in their apps so that your schedule of activities can be as close as your phone.
5. Trivia
Speaking of cruise planners…go to TRIVIA! There are so many trivia games, in different categories. Trivia is a great way to team up and meet new people. Don’t worry if you aren’t a wiz at all things Harry Potter and 70’s rock classics, just go and have a great time.
Tip: I’ve learned that participants are a lot less intense when it comes to more broad/general categories so if you are intimidated about not being up to speed on every episode of FRIENDS, opt for the more general trivia sessions.
6. Don’t skip the Dining Room
Be willing to sit with others in the main dining hall. While this is a bit limited at the moment due to Covid health protocols and social distancing, dining with others can be a great way to meet new people and kickstart new friendships.
Yes, this can be a little intimidating, especially if you are an introvert like me, but give it a try! Conversations over dinner typically consist of “How did you spend your day?” “Have you sailed before?” Do you stick to this cruise line?” “What is your favorite ship or port?” These initial conversations can take up the entire dinner and are very “low-pressure”.
The conversation can branch out from there as the cruise continues. You should also never feel like you’re stuck at a table where you don’t feel comfortable. If you don’t hit it off the first night, casually stop by and ask the staff to switch your time or table.
In my experience, this is very rare but go in knowing that if it’s not a great time, you can always try another table.
7. Check out the Pub and/or Piano Bar
Following that dinner or the main theatre performance, pop in for a drink or just a listen at the always popular Pub or Piano Bar. This is a great evening hang-out. People are all warmed up from a day of fun, good food, and drinks and are ready to have a good time. The onboard entertainers are fantastic at getting the crowd involved and you’re sure to share a conversation or two with a fellow patron.
If you enjoy yourself, stop by again the next night if possible. As great as it is to check out every place you can on the ship, experience tells me that most people settle into an evening routine. For us, that is typically dinner, main stage show, pub, and a late-night slice of pizza. We are early risers so we are rarely out past midnight.
8. Know your people
Night Owls – If you like to sleep in and stay up late there are others just like you ready for your friendship. Night owls tend to gravitate to the disco or the casino. If you like to tempt the fates at the casino, consider trying Craps, Roulette, or another table game. Craps and Roulette are especially high-energy and tend to draw a crowd.
If you are an early riser, spend some time at the onboard coffee shop in the morning. There are regulars there, too!
10. Make friends BEFORE your cruise
A great way to make cruise friends is actually before your trip. If you are on Facebook, I invite you to join our cruise community Finding Jillian Cruise Crew, or my more general travel page here.
You can also search for your particular sailing ship and date. Typically there will be a group set up. If not, start one! It’s a great way to find out more specific information about your sailing, ship, and meet people. (This is how we found out about the bar crawl on Allure.)
These are just some of the many ways you can make friends on a cruise. Like I mentioned earlier, I am an introvert and I’m not especially outgoing in social situations. However, I have been so lucky to have met and developed several amazing friendships in the world of cruising.
You can, too!
Have you made friends on a cruise? Share with us in the comments below.
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