At double occupancy, Carnival Paradise, one of the cruise line's oldest and smallest ships at sea, can accommodate over 2,000 guests, meaning that even the smallest cruise ships can hold thousands of passengers.
Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship at sea, has a capacity of nearly 7,000 people. If you count the crew, this floating city can host just about 10,000 people.
Regardless of what size ship you are sailing on, you are sure to encounter crowds at some point during your cruise, whether it is during embarkation, at the buffet, or on the pool deck.
Sometimes, you will want the energy that a crowd can bring. Sail away would not be the same with the top deck empty! While you should not expect a cruise ship to feel like a private yacht, there are some ways that you can keep crowds to a minimum.
Your options will vary depending on your budget, cruising style, and overall willingness to seek out less crowded venues. Regardless, you will have a great vacation, so long as you manage your expectations.
Book a suite
Depending on what cruise line and ship you are sailing on, staying in a suite may give you access to exclusive suite-only areas of the ship.
Additionally, these cabins are larger than standard rooms, meaning that you will have more personal space to enjoy. Even if the ship does not have a suite-only sun deck, having a larger verandah will mean that you might spend less time on the pool deck with others.
If having suite-only areas is important to you, look for ships that have a "ship within a ship" concept, such as Norwegian Cruise Line's "The Haven" suites, Celebrity Cruises' "The Retreat," and MSC Cruises' "Yacht Club."
If you stay in The Haven, you will benefit from exclusive spaces, such as The Haven Lounge and The Haven Restaurant. Plus, you will have priority embarkation and disembarkation privileges, effectively reducing the amount of time spent in the terminal.
This, of course, is an expensive option, and not every cruiser will be able to budget for this experience. If you can afford one, though, staying in a suite is a sure-fire way to reduce the amount of crowds you will encounter on your cruise, while also enhancing your overall cruising experience.
Read more: 25 ways to take advantage of staying in MSC Cruises Yacht Club
Do not cruise during peak season
Looking to avoid families and college spring breakers? Skip taking a cruise in March and April. You should note, though, that the demand for cruising is higher than ever, meaning that you are likely to be on a ship sailing at, or near, full capacity no matter when you choose to go.
Even though cruises are sailing at close to full capacity year-round, cruising during the shoulder season, or the beginning and end of a cruise season, may result in ports that are less crowded. If you want to go to Alaska or Europe, for instance, try and sail in May or September. Likewise, the shoulder season for Caribbean cruises is January, September, and October.
Another advantage to cruising during this time is that the cost of the fare will be less since there is less of a demand.
Read more: How shoulder season cruises can save you a lot of money
Book a private shore excursion
While another expensive option, booking a private shore excursion will keep you off of the large buses. Even if your cruise line does not offer any, you are sure to be able to find one through an independent operator.
Plus, private tours are great in the sense that you can plan exactly what you want to do. You will not be subject to whatever itinerary is offered, meaning that if you would like to spend longer at a certain place, you are able to do so!
Not all private tours are costly. When I visited Roatán, we hired a private driver for $105 to take us to the island's East End. Since I was with two other people, this broke down to only $35 each.
Read more: 10 tips for getting the best cruise shore excursion values
If you are visiting a private island, such as Perfect Day at CocoCay or Half Moon Cay, consider splurging on a cabana to enhance your time on the island by providing personalized service, comfortable furnishings, upgraded dining experiences, and more.
Cabana options, price, and included amenities vary based on the island, but you can expect each to have access to a reserved area just for you and your travel companions. Overwater cabanas at CocoCay can start at $1,800 per day and go all the way up to over $3,000 per day, depending on the time of year, while villas at Half Moon Cay are around $700.
Read more: The cruise ship island cabanas that cost more than the cruise
Take advantage of the pool deck during the morning or stay onboard the ship when docked in port
If you are someone who loves to soak up the sun on the pool deck, you might be disappointed to find out just how crowded this area gets, especially on sunny sea days.
Rather than hang out here during the peak of the day, consider waking up a little bit earlier and it making it your morning activity.
Likewise, you can stay onboard the ship when it is docked. You do not have to spend the entire day onboard, either. Instead of being one of the first people off of the ship, enjoy the ship's amenities while everyone else flocks to their shore excursions. Find a tour that departs just a little bit later. Similarly, you can return to the ship a little bit earlier and head straight up to the pool deck.
If you have money to spare, some cruise ships, such as Royal Caribbean's Navigator and Oasis of the Seas, have onboard cabanas that can be reserved for an additional fee. While you will still be in the heart of the activity on the pool deck, you will have a designated retreat.
Do activities during dinner
When 5:00pm and 6:00pm roll around, you will start to see the pool deck clear out. Guests will want to shower and change for dinner, especially if it is a formal night.
This is a great time to stay outside and do the activities that are on your must-do list. On sea days, you will most likely find long lines for these activities. In the evening, the lines will be shorter (not non-existent) for things like water slides, mini-golf, etc.
If you are worried about it being dark, there is still plenty of light in the evening. Plus, the temperatures will most likely be more tolerable than at 12:00pm!
Read more: 15 amazing activities on a cruise ship
Relax in lounge chairs away from the pool deck
Most cruise ships have seating away from the pool deck. Plus, it is likely that these will be more shaded. The last thing you want is to get sunburnt on the first day of your cruise because you spent too long on the pool deck.
These chairs are great options because they still allow you to be outdoors to take in the great sea views while protecting your skin and keeping you away from the crowds.
On embarkation day, explore the outdoor areas to see what you can find. You may stumble upon the best little nook!
Read more: 30 cruise ship embarkation tips and tricks
Venture inside on sea days
If it is a beautiful sea day, most cruisers will want to be outside, so you will find fewer people indoors.
Rather than trek to the bar on the pool deck, find one inside. Every ship will have comfortable places to nestle in to read a book or watch a movie.
Additionally, there will be different activities to keep you busy. Look for things like trivia, live music, and bingo. Make sure that you check the ship's daily schedule, so you do not miss anything that appeals to you!
Look for alternatives to the buffet on embarkation day
One of the first things most people do when they board their cruise is head to the buffet for lunch. This, however, might not be your only option. Depending on when you go, you may find limited seating options and be subject to waiting in line.
Check your cruise line's app to see what other options are available, as there may be other quick-service or specialty dining venues open.
One thing I have found is that if you do want to go to the buffet or there are no other options, a good time to go is when staterooms open. Most people will want to drop their bags off or will have already eaten. This, however, means you will have to be okay with a later lunch.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
