A quick and painless guide to avoiding eye contact, small talk, and a group experience with people you will never see again.
Millennial with a recent addiction to cruising? Welcome to the club. Ever since I popped my cherry on a Virgin Voyage, I’ve been hooked on ticking off multiple countries without logistical stress. But just because I now choose to satisfy a desire for adventure by way of ship, doesn’t mean I want an army of new friends who, let’s face it, I’ll never see again.
I go away to spend quality time with loved ones, or myself if traveling solo, so making small talk for a week is, quite frankly, not my idea of a vacation. I do enough of that at work, thank you. Plus, I’m British. If you’re using precious annual leave time on a cruise, don’t feel bad for wanting to focus your energies on making memories with your spouse, not Karen and Paul from Florida. I’ve learned to avoid inviting unwanted attention, both on large and boutique ships, without (to my knowledge) offending the friendly folk on board. Here, I share them with you, dear cruiser, so that your next jaunt on the seas doesn’t look like an episode of White Lotus.
There are no words for the sad 😢 person who wrote this article. Suffice it to say "my condolences". What a lonely life you must lead!
There is a stereotype of your generation and what you wrote supports it well.
Not to worry, I am sure that most of us dreadful Americans would avoid someone like you on a cruise anyway. I make it a rule to not discuss politics in any social situation, as does everyone I know.
It's sad that you are so into yourself that you are missing out on what many people consider to be the point of travel, meeting new people, having new experiences, and being an ambassador of your own culture to everyone you meet along the way. So very British.
If you do find yourself fending off friendly travellers, why not be just a little more direct? I am sure that if you made your excuses everyone on board would give you a wide berth, I know I would.
yes. We attended a seminar and met an older couple. They expected us to tag along with them over the weekend. It's ok to be selfish on a getaway.
C'mon naysayers! This article was HILARIOUS! Yes many of us, myself included, DO want to befriend our fellow cruisers even though we'll never see them again. Maybe even BECAUSE we'll never see them again! It's an effortless, temporary friendship we won't need to add to our holiday card list or feel guilty not returning their calls. This article title already spelled it out that these were tips to avoid fellow cruisers. For the many who complained that this is sad and awful, why did you even read the article? To each his own. What's wrong with wanting a little solitude?