Earlier this year, I boarded the 4,300-passenger Princess Cruises’ Star Princess. Although I’ve been cruising for 18 years, this was my biggest ship yet.
Used to more intimate, smaller ships, panic quickly set in after climbing a few staircases and walking in circles to find, well, anything. How would I stay calm and chill on this week-long voyage and—more importantly—was there any place where I wouldn’t find myself in a large crowd?
While I struggled at first, I eventually found my footing. Though, the experience made me understand why mega ships can be a turnoff for some travelers. But I also learned they come with equally supersized perks.
Large ships offer far more variety when it comes to food and drink, and since they are often newer ships, everything feels contemporary and ultra-modern.
I departed the ship a newly minted fan of mega cruise liners, and learned how to find solitude and escape the crowds. You just have to know where to look, starting with these six tips.
In this article
Visit a Bar or Lounge During the Day
While most passengers congregated around the pool, I used my ship time to read or tackle work on my laptop, and I didn’t have to stay in my room.
I found that the best place during the day for peace and quiet was in a bar. Not at night when bartenders are tinkering with drinks and guests are shouting to each other, though.
I’m talking about when the bar’s not open, during the morning and afternoon, and the seats are blissfully empty. It wasn’t until I misread a bar’s hours and walked into a super-quiet space that I stumbled upon my silent-reading room. The bar won’t be staffed, but you can always order a beverage at another venue and bring it with you, too.
Splurge on a Pass to the Adults-Only Area
On Star Princess, the Sanctuary Club’s rooftop open-air space, which is exclusive to Sanctuary Class guests, is a utopia. There are no kids splashing in the pool, the hot tub isn’t crammed, you don’t have to fight for a lounge chair, and the bartender-to-guest ratio is high so you won’t have to worry about flagging one down.
I claimed lounge chairs overlooking Princess Cruises’ private Bahamas island in the Caribbean and felt like we were on the back of a yacht.
Every large mega ship has an adults-only space. Many charge a fee, and even though they are usually limited to half-days, it’s totally worth it if you're traveling sans kids.
Run or Walk on the Jogging Track
Most passengers aren’t onboard for their fitness regimen, drawn instead to unlimited food and drink, onboard shows, and shore excursions in ports of call.
However, this means that the jogging track won’t ever be crowded. Even if you don’t want to commit to walking or running more than a mile daily, take a stroll. Usually located among the top decks of a ship, the views are reliably outstanding, and you might be surprised how quickly laps turn into a mile.
Not being elbowed by other passengers or overhearing other conversations is also a real breath of fresh air. This is my favorite activity to do on a cruise ship to get away from all the noise.
Dine at Specialty Restaurants
Onboard many cruise ships are specialty restaurants that are not usually included in your fare and come with a cover charge. Few guests pay extra for this fee, unless already included in upgraded packages.
But because reservations are limited and the number of wait staff increased, I find they have more attentive service and time to linger than in the regular dining rooms.
Star Princess had more specialty restaurants than I could feasibly try in a week, but twice I dined at The Catch by Rudi, where I was enthralled by the Concerto dish (fruits de mer tossed in linguine). Dinner at the glass-enclosed Love by Britto was also paired with a prime sunset view, one I wouldn’t have been able to secure in a buffet or dining room.
While these experiences cost extra, the upgrade is worth it for a more relaxed, laid-back, gourmet meal.
Hang Out on the Promenade
You likely know about the Lido Deck. This is the top deck of a cruise ship where you’ll find a pool, hot tub, and bar. But somehow, the promenade still manages to feel like a secret.
While these spaces vary by ship, this outdoor space typically has an overhang for plenty of shade and boasts unobstructed water views. Find it on the port and starboard sides, usually lined with rocking or Adirondack-type chairs.
On Star Princess, the promenade was styled with sofas, and it was a sweet spot to sip cappuccino and soak up ocean views, without crowds. The catch is that the promenade doesn’t feature wait service, so just order drinks or food somewhere else and carry them here.
Stay on the Ship During Ports of Call
Seasoned cruisers know that when thousands of people get off the ship at one time it can feel chaotic and congested.
They also know that staying behind feels like being home while the entire family’s out. You can sit wherever you want, swim in the pool without going shoulder-to-shoulder, and head to the buffet without a queue.
While it might seem counterintuitive to board a cruise and skip its stops, it can be a smart strategy for repeat cruisers, or those who want to maximize their time on the ship.
I’ve been on enough cruises where the ships’ private islands—usually the first port of call in the Bahamas—are not new to me, so I’m fine skipping them or spending only an hour on the beach.
Staying onboard makes me feel as if I’m on a smaller ship, even though I’m not. While Star Princess anchored near its private island, my guest and I visited Sanctuary Club instead. I easily found a table, which would have been impossible if all 4,300 passengers were on board.
The Shortcut
Find moments of zen by visiting bars on the ships when they’re closed. Our writer walked into an empty lounge by accident and turned it into her reading room.
The jogging track is the most consistently deserted real estate on any mega ship, but the views are some of the best.
Port day is the loophole. Thousands file off, and the ship belongs to whoever stayed behind.
Kristine Hansen was hosted on Princess Cruises’ Star Princess. Some expenses were covered. All opinions and recommendations in this article are her own.
