People you always encounter on your cruise

[LandlockedCruiser01]

Such a Lovely Family
Demographics: Parents ages 30's thru 50's, kids ages 2 thru preteens
Characteristics: Seem highly convinced that they and their kids are the center of the universe
Behaviors: Sitting together quietly or engaging in lively activities, location permitting
Where found: MDR early dining, kids' pool, seating areas along the promenade, Lido buffet
Endeared by: Conversations with new people, historic sights, beautiful scenery
Unsettled by: Obnoxious behavior, drunken antics, litter, waste of food
Meshes with: That Couple Type A, That Couple Type B
Clashes with: What Awful Parents
Willing to adopt solos: No

What Awful Parents
Demographics: Parents ages 30's thru 50's, kids ages 2 thru preteens
Characteristics: Seem highly convinced that they and their kids are the center of the universe
Behaviors: Making noise, wasting food, being rude to crew members and other passengers
Where found: Running in cabin hallways, making a mess in the buffet, screaming by the pool
Endeared by: Free stuff
Unsettled by: People calling them out on their obnoxious behavior
Meshes with: No one
Clashes with: Everyone
Willing to adopt solos: No

That Couple Type A
Demographics: age 21 thru 28
Characteristics: Seem deeply in love, yet open to meeting new people
Behaviors: Snugging with each other, walking around hand-in-hand, joining the balcony club
Where found: Any little-used public rooms, by the pool, MDR late dining, nightclub, bars
Easily engaged by: Conversations with new people, dance music, cheesy cruise games
Unsettled by: Nothing fazes them
Meshes with:  That Couple Type B, Burned-out Worker, Lively New Group, Tight-knit friends
Clashes with: Such a Lovely Family, What Awful Parents
Willing to adopt solos: No

 

That Couple Type B
Demographics: age 50 thru 150
Characteristics: Seem deeply in love with each other, yet open to new experiences
Behaviors: Acting very laid-back and playfully bantering, yet you know they love each other
Where found: Running into you everywhere you are
Endeared by: Conversations with new people, seeing younger people having harmless fun
Unsettled by: Obnoxious behavior, rudeness, litter, waste of food
Meshes with: That Couple Type A, What a Lovely Family, Burned-out Worker, Retired Person
Clashes with:  Such Awful Parents, High School Kids
Willing to adopt solos: Yes

 

Burned-out Worker
Demographics: age 25 thru 45
Characteristics: Often found cruising solo to escape work stress, extroverted and outgoing
Behaviors: Gawking at anything cruise-related, partaking in all activities on the daily schedule
Where found: By the Lido pool, nightclubs, in front of live bands, wandering around the ship
Endeared by: Conversations with new people, partaking in cheesy cruise games, free drinks
Unsettled by: Questions about their job, cell phones, judgmental attitudes about solos
Meshes with: That Couple Type A, That Couple Type B, Lively New Group, Tight-knit Friends
Clashes with:  What Awful Parents, What a Lovely Family
Willing to adopt solos: They are a solo

 

Retired Person
Demographics: usually 60 or older
Characteristics: Often found cruising solo to escape retired life's monotony, fairly extroverted
Behaviors: Relaxing in quiet areas on the ship
Where found: Main promenade, bingo games, library, MDR late dining
Endeared by: Conversations with new people, seeing younger people engaged harmless fun
Unsettled by: Obnoxious behavior, rudeness, litter, waste of food
Meshes with: That Couple Type B, That Couple Type A, What a Lovely Family
Clashes with:  Such Awful Parents, High School Kids
Willing to adopt solos: They are a solo

 

Lively New Group
Demographics: age 21 thru 40
Characteristics: Just met each other on the cruise, and bonded very quickly over drinks and fun
Behaviors: Dancing up a storm anywhere there's music, playing games in the pool, chilling together
Where found: Lido deck, nightclub, bars, casino, comedy club
Endeared by: Compatible new people joining their group, drunken fun, trying new foods
Unsettled by: Parting ways at debarkation
Meshes with:  Tight-knit Friends, That Couple Type A, That Couple Type B, Burned-out Worker
Clashes with:  What Awful Parents
Willing to adopt solos: Yes

 

High School Kids
Demographics: age 14 thru 18
Characteristics:  Groups of kids enjoying their comparative freedom, sometimes a little too much
Behaviors:  Loud at times but usually harmless otherwise, always seeking new experiences
Where found: By the pool, in the Lido buffet, on the sports courts, along the main promenade
Endeared by: Bantering humor, conversations with new people their age
Unsettled by: People verbally correcting their behavior in a judgmental tone
Meshes with:  That Couple Type A
Clashes with:  What a Lovely Family, Retired Person, That Couple Type B
Willing to adopt solos: No

Tight-knit Friends
Demographics: age 21 thru 35
Characteristics: They all know each other from back home, and came on a cruise together
Behaviors: Dancing up a storm anywhere there's music, playing games in the pool, chilling together
Where found: Lido deck, nightclub, bars, MDR anytime dining, casino, comedy club
Endeared by:  Any opportunities to have fun and make harmless mischief
Unsettled by:  Nothing fazes them
Meshes with: That Couple Type A, That Couple Type B, Burned-out Worker, Lively New Group
Clashes with: What Awful Parents
Willing to adopt solos: Yes

 

Feel free to add your own.  Just keep it both lighthearted and accurate.  Remember: it's all in good fun. 

Edited July 2, 2019 by LandlockedCruiser01

[getting older slowly]

Older Couple no children

Demographics: age late 50's thru to somewhat older
Behaviors: -

Relaxing in quiet areas on the ship or in cabin / balcony

enjoy each others company  and   just go with flow ( weather, missed port, fire.etc ) 
Where found: -

Main promenade, On the top deck looking at the ocean,

Library, Relaxed dining, Canapés before dinner...

When not found:-

Sitting in the buffet. Art auctions, Laundry room  
Endeared by: Conversations with new people, seeing people enjoying themselves
Unsettled by: Running out of  my favourite wine , rudeness, gluttony 
Meshes with: happy people, almost anyone
Clashes with:  loud self centred people or self entitled people
Willing to adopt solos: if they wish to join us.

 

LOL   cheers Don

[cruznjan]

I think it's because I'm African American, but I keep running into people who feel they have to explain everything to me without my asking. They KNOW I have never been on a cruise before (I have been on 14 - I think).

[King of Cruising]

WOW!!!!!

Someone has way too much time on their hands! LOL!!!

Can't wait to go on our first river cruise and get away from all those TYPES.

Just hope it is not too stuffy!!! 😷

[Vanna Ocean]

People (always at least one)  who demand to know where I work and what I do for a living.   Maybe because I am a solo traveler?     On one cruise, I thought if I told whoever would inevitably ask, that I worked on a secret project for the government, so I couldn't say.   Well, that backfired, because that made them even more curious and kept asking.      Honestly, when I am on a cruise or land tour, I do not want to talk about work.       To narrow it down, it's almost always men in their 50's or older.  I suspect that they were "dragged" on the cruise by their family - and are just bored.     Me, I love to talk about cruises and cruise experiences.   On the other hand, I don't want to come off as a rude b**** who won't answer a normal question. 😕

Edited January 26, 2020 by Vanna Ocean

[LandlockedCruiser01]

2 hours ago, Vanna Ocean said:

People (always at least one)  who demand to know where I work and what I do for a living.   Maybe because I am a solo traveler?     On one cruise, I thought if I told whoever would inevitably ask, that I worked on a secret project for the government, so I couldn't say.   Well, that backfired, because that made them even more curious and kept asking.      Honestly, when I am on a cruise or land tour, I do not want to talk about work.       To narrow it down, it's almost always men in their 50's or older.  I suspect that they were "dragged" on the cruise by their family - and are just bored.     Me, I love to talk about cruises and cruise experiences.   On the other hand, I don't want to come off as a rude b**** who won't answer a normal question. 😕

 

I cruised solo exclusively so far.  Almost no one I met asked me where I worked or what I did for a living.  (Except for Customs.)  I always met lots of people on cruises, and I have no idea what they do for work.  The topic simply never came up.  They usually asked me where I'm from, what cruises I've done, and what excursions I like.  And I was happy to answer truthfully.  I'm male, mid 30's.

 

In reality, I work in IT, so the few times I was asked, I either downplayed it or gave a false answer.  I didn't want people asking me to fix their cellphone or laptop, or something.  Believe me, us IT guys know the "you touch it, you own it" trap all too well.

Edited January 26, 2020 by LandlockedCruiser01

[Cruise4Twos]

On 12/16/2019 at 12:35 AM, cruznjan said:

I think it's because I'm African American, but I keep running into people who feel they have to explain everything to me without my asking. They KNOW I have never been on a cruise before (I have been on 14 - I think).

You are not alone. If you look young, it's even worse (middle aged - 17 cruises with 3 more scheduled). We no longer do main dining because of the racist conversation of some.

[Vanna Ocean]

Interesting because I ALWAYS get asked where I work and what I do for a living.  That includes the non-cruise land tours I've gone on.   Maybe it's because I'm a woman, and "am not supposed to be traveling alone".  LOL.

[tankerahoy]

On 12/15/2019 at 11:35 PM, cruznjan said:

I think it's because I'm African American, but I keep running into people who feel they have to explain everything to me without my asking. They KNOW I have never been on a cruise before (I have been on 14 - I think).

We rarely if ever ask someone what they do for a living.  I am vacationing to get away from my job so I don't want the question asked to me at all.  

The only time I would explain something to someone on a cruise is if they asked or looked hopelessly lost (which can happen to experienced cruisers).  I love finding out where they have gone, what they think of other cruise lines, what ports are worth visiting and which ones aren't etc.

[Etta1213]

Opinion, not worth a lot - If someone asks about your job, it might just be that it's an easy conversation starter for folks who don't find chatting with new acquaintances super easy. My DH and I have had some fascinating conversations with folks whose careers are far outside of our personal experience. 

 

[luxecruisers]

On 1/26/2020 at 9:33 AM, Cruise4Twos said:

You are not alone. If you look young, it's even worse (middle aged - 17 cruises with 3 more scheduled). We no longer do main dining because of the racist conversation of some.

 

Truly heartbreaking to hear. 

[luxecruisers]

On 7/1/2019 at 8:48 PM, LandlockedCruiser01 said:

Feel free to add your own.  Just keep it both lighthearted and accurate.  Remember: it's all in good fun. 

 

This is hilarious! Ever thought about submitting your observations to the marketing department at Carnival? 😅

[DrMrsRichardson]

CoupleX:  Have multiple kids and demanding jobs and are cruising without them

Demographics:  30-50

Characteristics:  seem deeply in love, always softly touching one another but may not talk much; appear slightly exhausted at all times, keep to themselves mostly

Behaviors:  up early (because it’s part of their deeply ingrained routine) and usually have eaten breakfast, gone for a walk, and played a couple rounds of cards before the majority of other passengers are out of bed

Where found:  Anywhere on the ship in the early morning; by the pool before it’s crowded; in the Adults only areas; in Specialty Restaurants; in quieter areas of the ship during the day

Endeared by:  Young newlyweds who clearly don’t have kids yet; Grey haired couples who hold hands, wait for one another outside of venues, and who share the occasional sweet kiss; cruisers who are obviously having a good time (maybe a bit tipsy) but who are not sloppily drunk or loud in the stateroom hallways 

Unsettled by:  Families traveling with kids

Meshes with:  see above

Clashes with:  Families traveling with young children (though we empathize please keep away)

Willing to adopt Solos: No

[rkacruiser]

I sometimes meet crew members from past cruises on ships.  More often than not, they recognize me before I do them.  I am always so pleased that they made themselves known.  (And, I have had a bartender or two provide extra generous pours because of this, I think.)

 

The most surprising unexpected "reunion" was aboard the Eurodam in January.  A couple was seated at my MDR table.  The gentleman was Louie (!).  A delightful gentleman with whom I have shared a MDR table on at least one other cruise.  He was surprised and pleased as was I.  

[LandlockedCruiser01]

On 7/27/2020 at 1:29 AM, Etta1213 said:

Opinion, not worth a lot - If someone asks about your job, it might just be that it's an easy conversation starter for folks who don't find chatting with new acquaintances super easy. My DH and I have had some fascinating conversations with folks whose careers are far outside of our personal experience. 

That's true on land.  But on cruises, work talk seems to be semi-taboo.  (Which, interestingly, isn't true at AI resorts.)  I rarely had anyone on a cruise ask me what I do for work, and I never initiated that question myself.  All "getting acquainted" questions seemed to revolve around past cruises, excursion choices, favorite ships, and food preferences.  Only when keeping in touch after the cruise with the people I exchanged contacts with, we talked about our jobs.

Edited November 30, 2020 by LandlockedCruiser01

[rkacruiser]

On 11/29/2020 at 11:15 PM, LandlockedCruiser01 said:

All "getting acquainted" questions seemed to revolve around past cruises, excursion choices, favorite ships, and food preferences. 

 

An interesting observation and I would add often the initial conversations revolve around getting to the Port and the embarkation experience.  Among the conversation topics that always occur as the cruise continues--and particularly as the end is in sight--what are your disembarkation plans?  

 

Religion and politics are always considered to be topics to be ignored.  I have tried to do so.  Yet, there are people with whom I have met on many cruises that share my opinions on these topics.  I have enjoyed many conversations with them about these topics.

 

In the most recent years, the most frequent political question that I have been asked by those who are not citizens of the United States was:  "what were you people thinking in November, 2016?".

 

Not going to happen soon, but I would love to have a conversation with the good people from elsewhere in the world about the results of the election of 2020.   

[Carla Moore]

On 12/2/2020 at 8:11 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

An interesting observation and I would add often the initial conversations revolve around getting to the Port and the embarkation experience.  Among the conversation topics that always occur as the cruise continues--and particularly as the end is in sight--what are your disembarkation plans?  

 

Religion and politics are always considered to be topics to be ignored.  I have tried to do so.  Yet, there are people with whom I have met on many cruises that share my opinions on these topics.  I have enjoyed many conversations with them about these topics.

 

In the most recent years, the most frequent political question that I have been asked by those who are not citizens of the United States was:  "what were you people thinking in November, 2016?".

 

Not going to happen soon, but I would love to have a conversation with the good people from elsewhere in the world about the results of the election of 2020.   

I avoid politics and religion but on a few occasions I have been forced to rebut a fellow cruisers offensive comments.  On my last cruise I was seated with8 other passengers and we had a long discussion about politics, global warming, etc. and it was refreshing for all of us as we all had a wide variety of opinions but respected each other and made no judgements or considered that anyone's opinion made them a good or bad person it was nice to have a civilized conversation.

[rkacruiser]

23 hours ago, Carla Moore said:

I avoid politics and religion but on a few occasions I have been forced to rebut a fellow cruisers offensive comments.  On my last cruise I was seated with8 other passengers and we had a long discussion about politics, global warming, etc. and it was refreshing for all of us as we all had a wide variety of opinions but respected each other and made no judgements or considered that anyone's opinion made them a good or bad person it was nice to have a civilized conversation.

 

Good post!  I particularly enjoy conversations with non-United States citizens.  These good people have media sources that we don't always have, they have experiences that are different from ours, their governments function somewhat differently than ours:  it's boils down to a different perspective for this American.  

 

Opportunities to travel broadens our minds and opinions.  

[BklynBoy8]

Ditto, Great Post.

 

I can write volumes as a people watcher.

 

People especially on sailings are so interesting to watch. From High Society to Middle Class to the Regular Joe & Jane.

 

No matter where on board or even on a tour bus, very very interesting.

 

I Classic's are those on the Open Deck while the ship is departing on embarking or pulling away from a port, in nice dressing with either a Glass or Plastic Champ's glass toasting and laughing.

 

How Posh and Madison, Park or Southampton LI.

[rkacruiser]

I get a jolt of enjoyment and rejuvenating when I begin a cruise and share a table with first time cruisers (or with limited number of cruises) in the ship's MDR during an embarkation luncheon.  Their anticipation and excitement of their cruise to come rubs off on me.  

 

It causes me to remember July 27, 1970, Rotterdam V, as I prepared to sail on my first cruise.  

[BklynBoy8]

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

I get a jolt of enjoyment and rejuvenating when I begin a cruise and share a table with first time cruisers (or with limited number of cruises) in the ship's MDR during an embarkation luncheon.  Their anticipation and excitement of their cruise to come rubs off on me.  

 

It causes me to remember July 27, 1970, Rotterdam V, as I prepared to sail on my first cruise.  

Our first cruise was in September 69 on the Chandris Ellis on a No Where Cruise.

My first Solo Cruise at 18yo was on Greek Easter Weekend No Where Cruise on the Queen Anna Maria. What a Solo experience but knew what to do from the first family sailing the year before.

 

We had the opportunity to sail with a couple from Queens when we were on the QE2 Columbia Restaurant. It was our several times already and th Captain of the Restaurant knew us and asked if we can have very new people sit at our table. Of course we accepted. Very Nice couple, deer in headlights.

 

We taught them the ship and even how order in the restaurant. We even order special items to be prepared and shared it with them. They were very happy to have met us and we took interesting in them. We have done this in the past and are still in contact with them. 

[rkacruiser]

19 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

They were very happy to have met us and we took interesting in them. We have done this in the past and are still in contact with them. 

 

It's these unexpected outcomes of meeting fellow cruise mates that helps to make cruising an enjoyable adventure.  

[weltek]

This is the best things I've read on Cruise Critic. 😆

You Really Made that Joke Guy
Demographics: Male over 40
Characteristics: Wears flip-flops, cargo shorts and Hawaiian shirt half unbuttoned, travel mug of Jack & Coke in hand
Behaviors: Sees the Captain and loudly exclaims, "If you are here, who's steering the ship?"
Where found: Any bar, wandering the decks seeking attention, heckling the Cruise Director
Endeared by: Bartender willing to pour him a little extra
Unsettled by: Dress codes
Meshes with: Other You Really Made that Joke Guys, Leather Granny
Clashes with: Pretty much everyone, including their spouse
Willing to adopt solos: Yes, if they like his favorite NFL team

Leather Granny
Demographics: Female over 70
Characteristics: Wears athletic skirt or shorts and swimsuit top
Behaviors: Chats with anyone near her about the darndest thing that she saw, Eschews sunscreen
Where found: Pool deck bar that allows smoking, slot machines
Endeared by: Cute kids, honeymooners, anyone that looks like her son Mark and is a nurse like her daughter Tammy.
Unsettled by: Teenagers wearing baggy pants, Sushi
Meshes with: Retired Person, You Really Made that Joke Guy, Lively New Group, That Couple Type A, Such a Lovely Family, Tight Knit Friends
Clashes with: What Awful Parents, That Couple Type B
Willing to adopt solos: Yes

Overconfident Kid
Demographics: Girl or Boy between 9-12
Characteristics: Too eager for everything, very proud parents, awkward limbs
Behaviors: Volunteers for everything, in the front row of all the adults-only shows, orders both the shrimp cocktail and escargot for appetizers, gets very excited they know the answer to the Spongebob character trivia unlike all the adults in the room.
Endeared by: Swimming with the Dolphins, Workshops! Dressing up for dinner, musicians that take requests
Unsettled by: Groups of kids, failure
Meshes with: Such a Lovely Family, Retired Person, Leather Granny
Clashes with: That Couple Type A, High School Kids
Willing to adopt solos: "I don't think my parents would like that."

[SPARKLE4U2]

On 12/16/2019 at 12:35 AM, cruznjan said:

I think it's because I'm African American, but I keep running into people who feel they have to explain everything to me without my asking. They KNOW I have never been on a cruise before (I have been on 14 - I think).

So true always think you have  never been on a cruise before.  Always giving you unwanted advise.

[rkacruiser]

On 6/24/2022 at 11:12 AM, SPARKLE4U2 said:

So true always think you have  never been on a cruise before.  Always giving you unwanted advise.

 

I sometimes get unwanted advice without being on a cruise.  As you probably do as well.

 

I do get unsolicited suggestions during conversations with fellow guests.  Some of which have proved to be informative and helpful.