Lake Como, in northern Italy, conjures images of glistening blue water, opulent villas and villages where celebrities like Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Amal and George Clooney try to dodge the paparazzi.
14.08.2024 - 12:44 / insider.com / Cruises
I'm an introverted traveler who prefers remote islands to bustling cities. That's why when my in-laws, who love cruising, wanted to travel internationally, I knew the experience would push me outside my comfort zone.
I'd never been on a cruise before, but I assumed it would be continually crowded, noisy, and hard to get away from others.
However, during my time on board, I developed a few tips and tricks that helped me transition from introvert overload into mellow vacation mode.
Here's how I made my first cruising experience enjoyable.
One of the first things I noticed on the cruise ship was that a few places — like the bars, pools, buffet lines, and gym — became crowded quickly.
Rather than trying to make myself feel comfortable in these situations, I determined alternate times to visit. For example, my husband and I often got up early to use the gym or head to the buffet before joining my in-laws later in the day.
Instead of eating in the common areas, I also took food back to the room with me, giving me time to recharge.
I conserved my energy by choosing only a few activities to participate in each day. When planning our trip, my husband and I clarified which activities we wanted to do on our own and kept an open invitation for my in-laws to join us at other times.
Although I did go on a few excursions organized by the cruise line, I found it more convenient to book my own activities ahead of time. I found I was able to see more because I was only traveling with my husband, and we also got a tailored experience and could take extra time in preferred locations.
Additionally, by choosing between group excursions and hikes with my partner, I could control how much time I spent with people.
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Although I may have participated in fewer activities overall, being selective allowed me to be present instead of feeling exhausted and overextended.
Luckily, I had a small balcony outside my room, which I could use to relax after being around people. I thought the upgrade was well worth it so that I could recharge my social battery.
I also carried a backpack with a book and a journal and spent time in the adult-only sections of the ship, which tended to be a bit quieter.
In the evenings, I even found myself going to the pool alone while my husband and in-laws socialized.
I was certainly hesitant about going on my first cruise, but I came to enjoy the experience. With some simple strategies, I was able to appreciate my time on board and at ports of call.
Not much brings more solitude than being on a boat in the middle of the ocean once you know how to manage the crowds.
I was able to visit new places with people I love even though I was traveling in a style that seemed counterintuitive to my
Lake Como, in northern Italy, conjures images of glistening blue water, opulent villas and villages where celebrities like Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Amal and George Clooney try to dodge the paparazzi.
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