Social atmosphere

Do you like to meet new people?

If you would rather not talk to anyone but the people you came with, you can go on almost any cruise.

No cruise ship will force you to socialize. The only consideration is to ensure that you don't opt for an assigned dinner seating at a table with strangers.

That said, for may cruisers, the social atmosphere is a major advantage of cruising over other types of vacations. A ship gives you time and a convenient setting to get to know other people who have similar travel interests.

If you are the sort of person who enjoys good conversation, whose vacation experience would be enhanced by friendly interaction with new people, you should look for the following:

• Ship size: The smaller a ship, the more likely you are to see the same people and get to know them. A ship with 800 or fewer guests will make it easy to socialize. On a ship of 1,300 or so you will still see people regularly. On a ship of more than 3,000 you need walkie talkies and/or arranged meeting points.
• Carnival. Somehow, even on larger ships Carnival has a strong reputation for creating a friendly, social atmosphere. Maybe it's the friendly crew, maybe it's the wide range of group activities, maybe their Cruise Directors are a breed apart, but Carnival cruises are always more sociable than similar cruises on other lines. (But yes, if you want, you can be a hermit even on a Carnival cruise.)
• Assigned dinner seating: Even on a large ship, if you opt for an assigned dinner seating at a large table you will at least get to know your tablemates. (More and more lines now offer both assigned seating and open seating. Choose the one that suits you best.)
• Duration: Longer cruises build closer relationships.