Your cruise, your way

For first-timers

“If this is your first time on a cruise, don’t worry, it’s easy to make friends on board. And remember, the staff and crew are always there to help. At dinner, we don’t have pre-allocated table seating, so you can move around each night. If you want to socialize, ask the maître d’ to put you on a table of six or eight; if you’re the quiet type, the maître d’ will happily arrange a table just for you. And you don’t have to stick with the same people the next night; the maître d’ can discreetly put you with a different mix of guests if you prefer.”

Why not try: a sunny jaunt around the Mediterranean, which combines bucket-list sights, cosmopolitan cities, and blissful beaches. There’s a port of call almost every day, plenty of variety to suit all interests, plus the option of shorter itineraries, so it’s the perfect way to dip a toe into the water and see if cruising is for you.

For solos

“It’s easy to meet people if you’re traveling solo. We host get-togethers for solo travelers every day in the Palm Court. There’s music and if you’ve no one to dance with, our dance ambassadors will ask you to dance with them. Don't fancy dancing? That’s ok, some just come for the chit-chat.

“Once you’ve shared a cocktail or two with other solo travelers, it will feel natural to go to dinner together. Once the ice has broken, it’s quite common to find people meeting every night for cocktails. Some people go on to enjoy lunch and dinner together throughout the cruise.

“If you click, you’ll find yourself discussing upcoming tours and deciding to join the same ones or hiring a car to take a tour together. On our Abercrombie & Kent safaris in South Africa, I see solos meeting for lunch and going on game drives together. As they say, birds of a feather flock together.”

Why not try: with no one else’s needs to worry about, the world is literally your oyster – make the most of it and go somewhere you’ve always wanted to see. Asia offers a multitude of memorable experiences within one vacation, with cutting-edge metropolises one day and ancient temples the next – not to mention a Komodo dragon or two.

For quiet types

“The good thing about our two ships is the huge amount of space there is per passenger, so there are plenty of corners where you can be left alone to read a book all day if you like – a passing waiter or waitress will keep you supplied with drinks and snacks. On a recent World Cruise, I noticed one guest who was almost always alone – not because he wasn’t invited to join in, but out of choice. That’s fine.”

Why not try: our annual Wellness Retreat cruises invite quiet contemplation and self-focus. You can join in every element of the program, from fitness classes to nutrition workshops and expert-led lectures, or just drop in for a select few activities – it’s entirely up to you.

For social butterflies

“If you want to socialize, you’ll usually find plenty of people gathering in the bar before dinner. Someone will ask you to join them, if not on the first day, then on the second or third. People are watching and wondering whether to approach, so when they smile, smile back, you’re bound to be invited over. Friendships made on our cruises can last for years and years.”

Why not try: a Grand Journey or even a full World Cruise. These epic voyages come with exclusive gala evenings and special events for more socializing opportunities.