How to Enjoy Your Cruise Without the Crowds

As I write this, we’re fresh off the boat from a Best of Greece family cruise! Our group of 9 was part of the more than 2,000 passengers on board, so you can imagine there were lots of people to navigate around.

With so many others sharing the same spaces, crowds are pretty much inevitable on a cruise. And if you know us, or are a longtime reader, you know that Brian and I aren’t big on crowds. We’re also not exactly cruise people! This was our fourth one, and while it still hasn’t won us over as our preferred way to travel, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a family trip through the Mediterranean. Crowds and all!

We figured we could handle trading a little personal space for the adventure, and thankfully, we found a handful of ways to escape the crowds when we needed the break.

A Mid-Size Sweet Spot

When it came to choosing our cruise, we intentionally skipped the mega ships and opted for an older, mid-sized ship instead. It felt like a better fit, both in terms of crowds and cost.

Of course, Brian and I couldn’t help but feel a little envious of friends who ventured on a similar Mediterranean itinerary in 2021, right as Greece was reopening after COVID. Their ship had just 500 passengers and roughly 2,000 crew members. Talk about a quiet experience!

We weren’t expecting those post-COVID cruise numbers, but we were still happy with our choice. Our ship had plenty of space without all the bells, whistles, and price tag of a newer mega ship. For us, it was a pretty solid middle ground: a comfortable enough way to explore the Mediterranean without spending a fortune.

Our Introvert’s Guide to a Less-Crowded Cruise

Once we were on board, we quickly learned that dodging the crowds was mostly about timing and knowing where to go. After spending the first day or two getting familiar with the ship, we started finding little pockets of quiet that made a big difference. Between the things we tried and what we observed, we picked up on a few ways to make a crowded cruise feel a little less noisy.

Start the Day Before Everyone Else

Hello, 4:30 AM wake-ups! Is it totally necessary to start the day at that time? No, but it worked for us. The point is you’ll want to get your morning going before most others.

Brian and I made our way to the gym just after 4:00 AM. In the span of our 1.5-hour workout, we crossed paths with only two other people. It felt great having the gym practically to ourselves!

And if the gym isn’t your thing, that’s totally fine! There are plenty of other places around the ship where you can enjoy those early morning hours before the crowds start rolling in.

Coffee in the Room, Breakfast Before the Rush

Complimentary continental breakfast and coffee delivery was available from 6:00 AM until 9:30 AM during our cruise. Though we skipped in-room breakfast, the daily coffee delivery was a much-appreciated luxury. Whether we got up early to hit the gym, explore quieter areas of the ship, or just took advantage of a little morning downtime, enjoying coffee in our room was a simple way to ease into the day without immediately facing the crowds.

After a quiet morning, we’d hit the breakfast buffet before it got too crazy. More often than not, my family would gravitate toward the same area, finding each other as we came and went. I highly recommend grabbing breakfast in the 7 o’clock hour.

Sir, you’re 50-something years old. Surely we can sort this out without a tantrum? What is it with people and the lack of conflict resolution these days? Or, for that matter, emotional regulation? C’est la vie. This is the kind of thing that’s typically avoided when you get there early. Less chaos, fewer crowds, and a much lower chance of interacting with miserable human beings!

Opt for a Private Table

On our first cruise years ago, Brian and I joined a shared table for our main dining experience. It was not for us! I’m sure lots of people find value in breaking bread with their fellow passengers, but our introvert batteries preferred a little more privacy.

On this cruise, we all had anytime dining, allowing us to dine anywhere from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM. You could ask to be seated at a random shared table to meet other passengers, or if you’re like us, you can choose a private table for your group.

Eat Early, Not Later

Speaking of the main dining room, we’d recommend dining early if you’re looking for a less-crowded experience. Though we only dined there twice during our trip, we opted for dinner closer to 6:00 PM, when things were still relatively quiet. By the time we left, the room had become much busier.

Honestly, the main dining room was a little too crowded and fussy for us. We preferred the buffet around 6:00 PM, where our family would organically find the same area and settle in with minimal noise and crowding. It just felt easier and more relaxed. And, of course, this same rule of thumb applies to breakfast and lunch, too. The earlier you eat, the quieter the experience tends to be.

Take the Stairs When You Can

If you’re willing and able, taking the stairs is a super simple way to dodge the crowds. Brian and I used them exclusively throughout our trip, despite 11 floors to navigate. We rarely saw more than a handful of other people using them.

Beyond avoiding crowded elevators, it gave us a little extra movement and helped us get familiar with the ship. We figured we’d let those who truly needed the elevator have at it while we trekked up and down the stairs!

Learn the Ship’s Quiet Hours

The first day or two is a great time to get familiar with the ship and its natural rhythm. Pay attention to which lounges fill up, which spaces stay relatively quiet, and when certain areas start to empty out.

We quickly noticed patterns in when people woke up, headed to meals, attended activities, and turned in for the night. Once you understand that flow, it’s much easier to work around it.

More Ports, Less Time at Sea

If you prefer a cruise without quite so much crowding, consider choosing a port-heavy itinerary. When the ship pulls into port, a good chunk of passengers heads off to explore, leaving the ship quieter.

Sea days are a different story. Everyone is on board, which means the pools, cafes, lounges, and other common areas can get busy quickly. If your idea of a relaxing cruise involves some breathing room, consider a cruise with more ports and fewer sea days.

We had one sea day on our itinerary, and we found crowd after crowd in most places we stumbled into. The pool deck was busy, the restaurants were packed, and the lounges were lively with trivia, games, and other activities. It definitely gave us a new appreciation for port days!

They also give you a chance to escape the crowds entirely by getting off the ship. Brian and I like wandering through quiet streets and alleyways, finding hiking trails, or joining private and small-group tours. Sometimes, just wandering away from main tourist areas is enough to find a bit more space and experience a destination on your own terms.

Skip the Big Excursions

We prefer to skip cruise-sponsored excursions altogether. We’ve never booked one, and, considering they’re usually two to three times pricier than independent options, we probably never will.

Instead, we look for smaller independent tours that fit what we actually want to do. They’re usually more affordable, involve fewer people, and don’t feel quite as much like organized mass tourism.

The trade-off? You have to do your homework. We double-check meeting points, transportation, and timing to make sure we have plenty of time to get off the ship and back before departure. It takes a little more effort, but the savings and smaller groups are worth it for us!

Travel When School Starts

This tip obviously works best for trips without your kids or for those who are child-free, but traveling around the start of the school year can make a noticeable difference. Our cruise fell right around the cusp of school starting, so we had fewer families onboard than we’d likely see during the height of summer vacation.

If I’m being completely honest, the idea of cruising during peak summer vacation with a ship full of children does not sound appealing. At. All. I’ll take the quieter sailing, thank you very much.

Take Your Drink Somewhere Quiet

You don’t have to enjoy your drink wherever you bought it. Grab a coffee, pour yourself some wine in the cabin, or pick up a drink somewhere onboard and take it with you.

Brian and I found lounges that weren’t being used, mellow corners with little traffic, and outdoor spaces where we could sit without much going on around us. Sometimes all it takes is moving a few feet away from the action to find your own little retreat.

Find an Empty Space and Claim It

I have always loved the library on cruises because, honestly, they’re usually completely and totally dead. And you’re surrounded by books! What a dream!

The library on this ship didn’t have nearly as extensive a collection as some others I’ve seen, but it did have a few shelves of games. More importantly, it was often empty. If you want somewhere peaceful to sit, read, play a game, or simply escape the general buzz of the ship, don’t overlook the library.

Of course, the library wasn’t the only quiet spot we found. Cruise ships have all kinds of seating tucked away in less busy areas. Brian and I would find lounges that weren’t being used, mellow corners with little traffic, and outdoor spaces where we could sit without much going on around us.

We’d post up with a good book or simply hang out for a while. Even just a little people-watching from a distance was nice enough. With nothing on our schedule and no pressure to do anything, we could slow down and just be.

Let the Big Events Draw the Crowd

Keep an eye on the daily planner and use the big events to your advantage. When a popular show or activity is happening, a lot of people will naturally attend. That’s your cue to head somewhere else! The pool, cafe, lounges, and other common areas can suddenly feel pretty deserted when everyone else is gathered elsewhere.

Sometimes avoiding the crowds is as easy as knowing where they’re going.

A Little Space Goes a Long Way

For someone who isn’t exactly a cruise person, I admit that this trip surprised me. Brian and I went into it expecting the crowds to be somewhat of a challenge, and while they were at times, they didn’t ruin the experience. A few strategic wake-up calls, early meals, and plenty of wandering changed the game.

Ultimately, I’m grateful we went. Getting together 9 family members for a trip is not easy. It’s a rare opportunity to spend this much time together, see some incredible places, and make some great memories. In truth, I can see why a family cruise makes sense for so many adult family members. It’s easy to spend time both together and apart, it’s flexible enough for different interests and energy levels, and everyone gets to experience the trip in their own way.

Even for two introverts who aren’t exactly cruise people, it worked out pretty well. Is cruising our new favorite way to travel? No. But did we have a memorable trip with people we love? Absolutely.

If crowds have you questioning whether a cruise is worth it, don’t completely write it off just yet. Pay attention to timing, find your own moments of quiet, and consider who you are traveling with. Allow yourself to step away when things get too busy and come back when you’re ready. You might just find that a little space is all you need to enjoy a cruise on your own terms.