Why connecting with new people is simpler on intimate cruise ships

Want to forge new friendships on your upcoming cruise? Here’s a piece of advice that might surprise you: Choose a smaller vessel.

When I first began exploring the world of cruising over 25 years ago, the seasoned pros in cruise writing told me this, and I was skeptical. After all, bigger ships have many more passengers to meet than smaller ones.

Yet, it turns out they were right all along.

Now, I find myself as the seasoned expert sharing this insight.

From my experience aboard nearly 200 different cruise ships — ranging from a quaint 36-passenger riverboat on Myanmar's Irrawaddy River to Royal Caribbean's colossal, 5,518-passenger Symphony of the Seas — I've discovered that it's usually much simpler to connect with others on smaller vessels.

This insight might just be one of cruising's greatest truths or intriguing contradictions.

Here’s why making friends is easier on smaller ships:

On smaller ships, you encounter familiar faces more frequently.

A key characteristic of any small ship is, naturally, its size. This means there’s less room for you and your fellow travelers to spread out, and overall, it accommodates fewer guests compared to larger vessels.

These two aspects significantly increase the chances of encountering the same people repeatedly — whether in lounges, by the pool, or on excursions — enhancing the likelihood of sparking a conversation and quickly becoming friends. On larger ships with thousands of guests, it’s common to go several days without crossing paths with the same individual twice.

Dining on small ships is often a communal experience.

On some of the tiniest cruise vessels, especially small river and expedition ships, there is usually just one main dining area with primarily larger tables. This arrangement encourages passengers to interact and socialize during meals.

On such vessels, dinner typically begins at a set time, and guests sit wherever there’s an available spot — frequently at different tables and with different people each night. While there are some tables for couples or families seeking privacy, many seats accommodate six or eight guests. Thus, you’ll likely find yourself sharing a meal with newcomers on numerous occasions. But soon, they’ll feel like friends, as the environment fosters a sense of camaraderie that often leads to quick connections.

Smaller ships attract more solo travelers.

Typically, cruise lines operating small vessels are more likely to provide discounts for solo adventurers, resulting in a greater proportion of individual cruisers on board. Operators like river line AmaWaterways and luxury line Silversea Cruises are especially recognized for their low "single supplement" fees for solo guests.

As someone who frequently travels solo for work assignments, I've noticed that ships with many solo travelers foster an environment ripe for friendship. With numerous individuals seeking companionship — especially during meals — it’s common for guests to mingle more quickly at the start of a voyage, since most people prefer not to dine alone.

You shouldn’t be overly concerned about making friends at sea. Cruisers, in general, are quite sociable. In fact, many people set sail specifically to connect with others. I can’t count how many times I’ve found myself alone in a cruise ship lounge, only to have fellow passengers (one, two, or even five) come over and strike up a conversation.

Ultimately, from my experience, forming friendships is often easier on a smaller ship than on a larger one.