Why Cruising Isn't Like an Amusement Park

If my biggest fear about cruising was seasickness, my second biggest fear was the crowds. The idea of being trapped on a ship with thousands of other people sounded like it would be overwhelmingly crowded and chaotic. I pictured one giant basher, never having a quiet moment to myself or with my family. But what I found was entirely different.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the crowds rarely felt overwhelming. The ship was so large and the activities so varied that everybody was spread out. While there were certainly some areas where you’d find gatherings, generally speaking, it felt more like being at a spacious resort rather than a packed amusement park.

I always felt like I had my own space. When I wanted to grab some food from the buffet I just went over to the buffet, plated my food and found an open table. The noise level wasn't bad, either. You never had to shout to talk to each other at the table.

When it was time for sit down dining, you had to wait. But this was managed through the Carnival app, so you could wander around the ship, hang out in your room, and then head back to the dining hall when your table was ready.

For someone who values personal space on vacation, I was very pleased with how the cruise managed its guests. It proved that you can travel with thousands of other people and still find your own quiet corner of the ship.