Is it possible to find a quiet spot on a cruise ?

It's that time of year where everywhere is busy and finding a quiet spot can be impossible.
Cruising can be confined but there some spaces to be found and here are my tips.

Cruising conjures visions of up to some teak-swathed covered pool deck to enjoy a margarita and a good book under the Caribbean sun. But , while there certainly are opportunities for downtime, depending on the cruise, you may have to look harder to find them.

On a brilliantly sunny day at sea, for example, you might meander out to the pool only to find it overrun with fellow sun-worshippers , all fighting over the same few dozen deck chairs. Throngs of splashing, laughing children will have taken over the pools and the hot tubs, and the sound of the waves will have been drowned out by an outdoor movie's soundtrack, the resident reggae band or a raucous belly-flop contest.



But, if you try just a little harder, peace is still possible to find. You can rent a private cabana for a few hours, or claim a lounger in an adults-only section of the deck. You can retreat to the spa or to the pool on a sunny shore day, when everyone else is exploring off the ship. The bottom line? Cruising can be equal parts amped-up and low-key, sociable and solitary. What you personally experience may depend on where you are on the ship at a certain time of day, which ship or cruise line you've chosen, the itinerary and how much extra you're willing to budget for your vacation.



While there are no hard and fast rules guaranteeing a quiet getaway, we've compiled some basic tips to help you tune out distractions -- and fellow passengers -- while you cruise But first, here's what to avoid as you aim for a serene sailing:



Inside cabins. Don't book a windowless, cheerless, 150-square-foot stateroom cabin if your idea of relaxation means spending time alone or as a couple, away from cruising's stereotypically chummy, social scene. Living in cramped quarters only forces you out more into the ship's hustle and bustle.



World cruises or "Grand Voyages." If you've the soul of a hermit crab, these lengthy voyages aren't for you; they attract affable crowds of repeat cruisers and promote social bonding amongst crew and passengers. In other words, you'll be drawn out of your shell, regardless of how much you long to stay in there.

Theme cruises. These full or partial charters essentially take over a ship or a substantial number of cabins. Nearly everything revolves around the theme, and the experience is all about connecting like-minded folks socially in big-group activities.