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Cruise ships are designed to entertain. From poolside parties and live shows to busy buffets and family activities, there is rarely a shortage of noise or activity. Yet even on the largest and liveliest mega cruise ships, there are always pockets of calm (if you know where to look). After 20 years of cruise holidays, I’ve compiled my own list of where to head for some peace and quiet on any ship I sail on. In this post I’ll take you through my tips for avoiding crowds on a cruise ship.
Whether you want a peaceful place to read, reflect, or even work remotely on ship (or just escape the crowds for a while), here are my practical tips to finding tranquillity at sea.
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The Library
Many modern ships still include a small library or reading lounge, though they are sometimes tucked away on quieter decks. Here’s you’ll find a lovely place often with soft seating and little noise. If you’re ship doesn’t have one, then look for a ‘card room’. They might not be signposted so have a look on the deck plan and if in doubt ask at reception. Visit mid-morning or late afternoon for the quietest times (during peak sea days, even these spaces can fill up).
Adult-Only Retreat Areas
If you are travelling without children, adult-only areas are often the most welcome sanctuary. Yes, you have to pay extra for this but you get VIP service and a calmer atmosphere, included drinks, waiter service, gentle music and no group activities. Again – Go early in the morning or during dinner time for the quietest experience.
Forward Observation Lounges
Ships frequently have panoramic lounges at the front (bow) of the vessel, often on higher decks. The can be a hub of activity in the evening but outside scheduled activities, they are a wonderfully peaceful setting with beautiful sea view (weather permitting of course) comfy chairs and a relaxed almost meditative atmosphere. I tend to find mid-afternoon on a sea day is often ideal, as many of your fellow passengers are by the pool or attending activities elsewhere.
Promenade Deck
The outer walking track on lower decks is surprisingly serene at the right time of day. The best times I find are just after sunrise (if you’re an early bird) and after 9pm when the main entertainment starts. In the early morning, you are likely to see the main influx of walker and joggers, but this is only a handful at most and it’s all quite amicable with everyone in their own little world, or conversations. At night, the steady rhythm of the sea and the white noise form the waves can be quite soothing after a full day in port. But pro-tip – bring a light jacket or a wrap – it can be breezy. Try to pick the most leeward side of the ship (the side facing away from the wind)
Spa Relaxation Rooms
Probably the best kept secret (but I’m not gatekeeping here) is that even if you don’t book a treatment, many ships allow limited access to spa relaxation lounges. Just check at spa reception if you’re unsure. Even if you do have to pay, these spaces are purpose-built for calm with heated loungers, soft zen-like music, dim lighting and some relaxing drinks such as herbal tea stations. If you value a protected space but don’t want the expense of a spa pass for your whole trip, then purchasing a spa pass for sea days can be so worthwhile. Some cruise lines even include access to the spa and thermal areas with certain cabin categories.
Lesser-Known Deck Corners
Not all quiet spots are formal spaces or those you need to pay for. Some of the best I’ve found are just underused areas. I tend to look for small seating clusters at the very aft (back) of the ship, side decks with limited signage, upper sun decks far from the main pool. My best advice (other than studying the deck plan) is walk the ship on embarkation day when crowds are exploring indoors and make a note of secluded nooks that most will overlook.
Speciality Restaurants
Sounds a bit strange but outside dining hours and when not in service, some speciality dining venues leave their doors open. Mid-morning or mid-afternoon, they can be virtually empty. My advice is always check with the crew before settling in, ask if you can take up a quite corner and respect their workspace if they are setting up for the evening service.
Your Own Balcony
If you have booked a balcony cabin, this is often the simplest solution. Early mornings and late evenings are particularly peaceful. With room service coffee and a book, it can rival any dedicated quiet lounge. My extra tips are: ask for a lightweight blanket form your cabin steward, and if you have noisy neighbours, a pair of noise cancelling headphones usually does the job.
Most of the Ship During Port Days
One of the most effective strategies is timing rather than location. On port days, when the majority of passengers disembark for excursions, the ship becomes significantly quieter. If you’ve been to a port may times before or prefer not to explore ashore every time, this can be a huge opportunity to enjoy virtually empty pools, quiet lounges, spacious public areas. For me it’s been several hours of calm onboard.
Early Mornings
This is my favourite one (but I am an early bird so it works for me). Cruise ships operate late into the evening, and many of your fellow guests will sleep in. But between 6am and 8am, even the busiest ships feel like the Mary Celeste or your own private cruise ship. Public areas are quiet, and if the sea is calm and the sunrise spectacular, then it’s a truly magical moment in time with a sense of stillness and serenity you get to experience while everyone else is catching up on the zzzzs. It can also ground you for a busy day on board.
Cabin Location Matters
When booking a cruise consider location carefully if you value or need a quiet space. Some key things to consider are avoid cabins directly beneath the pool decks or nightclubs. Choose mid-ship cabins for stability and lower vibration when the ship is docking into port and look for higher decks away from main service or crew areas – again a deck plan or cabin guide can help you choose.
Ask the Crew
It seems obvious to say but the truth is crew members know the ship better than anyone. Ask your cabin steward for any hidden gems – this might be a rarely used deck area or a quiet lounge that most passengers overlook. They can also give you tips on the best times to visit certain spaces.
Peaceful Areas Do Exist – Even on Mega Cruise Ships
A busy cruise ship does not mean constant noise. With a little awareness and timing, it’s possible to find calm space amidst the activity and sometimes what cab feel like chaos.
My keys tips are to explore early, watch how most passengers move throughout the ship, and if you can, adjust your schedule accordingly. For example on Disney Magic I noted that the decks were almost abandoned around 4pm because that food/ nap time.
With the advent of bigger, resort style ships, I think some of the most memorable cruise experiences which got me hooked on cruise holidays – such as quiet moments watching the horizon, listening to the sea, and enjoying a bit of stillness – now seem like an afterthought… and then we wonder why we feel like we need another holiday to relax after a cruise.
Peace and tranquillity are there, you simply need to seek it out.
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