Attention introverts, I have a question!

[Joe Brig]

Buy your husband some nice headphones. That's what young people do if they don't want to interact with others. You can also request a private table at dinner. As an introvert myself, dinner is the biggest issue, then the cabin host, then being announced. I avoid the pictures and sit on the aisle at the shows.

 

[Donna M]

I agree with the posters that the extra attention would be uncomfortable for me. Getting a table without strangers would help a lot.

 

[cruiser21]

Buy your husband some nice headphones. That's what young people do if they don't want to interact with others. You can also request a private table at dinner. As an introvert myself, dinner is the biggest issue, then the cabin host, then being announced. I avoid the pictures and sit on the aisle at the shows.

I was born an introvert, but because of my career choice I've become more extroverted. The more you go out of comfort zone the easier it is and you may actually be happier for it. I think sitting next to strangers can be anxiety inducing for extroverts and introverts. Unfortunately on Disney there's the MDR's for dinner and that's about it. You can request a table for just your party. Every time I've done that it's been granted.

I sit on the aisle because if you don't and you have to pee it's a big fiasco getting out of there. I don't mind being announced I just think it's stupid and silly. I can't figure out why Disney does that. There's other things I think are awkward like the tipping envelopes at the end of the cruise. Of all the things I always find that the most awkward.

 

[FigmentSpark]

My DH spent most of his time in the room, on the balcony or in the movie theatre or restaurants. He didn't want to spend time with the "great unwashed masses". He just wanted to hang out on his own. He was happy on that balcony, only coming out for lunch, dinner or snacks. He didn't judge my way of cruising (out and about) and I didn't judge his. He did recognise that the boys and I loved the cruises, so that made it worth the money for him. His only request, must have a balcony.

Would he have liked concierge? Maybe. Or maybe not, because there are still people in that lounge.

 

[CM Dad]

(We're DVC members...we have a hard enough time getting used to the stateroom host coming in 2x/day...we're used to 1 day of trash/towel service, lol.)

For DVC, you'll have to get used to the new daily trash service that started this past year

 

[Dug720]

Do be aware that even if you have a table for just your party, the tables are VERY close together. I'm talking in some cases the servers could not even move between two.

 

[aggiedog]

I've not done DCL concierge, but on MSC, there was no rule that you had to interact with every concierge host. They were not constantly offering help/service/drinks/whatnot. And it's pretty easy to let them know you are not a "high maintenance" guest. Good staff will get the gauge of what you need then leave you alone if you wish. The worries about the staff in concierge are most likely unfounded.

Also, having table close together is in no way the same as being forced to sit at a table with a stranger. It is perfectly socially acceptable to completely ignore the table next to you. Not so much the person facing you at your own table.

 

[bethy]

In my view there is a difference between an introvert and being adverse to crowds. For me, it's about the emotional outlay of having to engage personally with other people. I care so much that it drains me and I have to recover with alone time. But I can have alone time in a crowd - somewhat - as long as I don't have to personally engage with anyone for a while until I've recharged.

And then I do have a need for a certain amount of true solitude. But I LOVE people and love being around them most of the time.

 

[bobbiwoz]

On Magic’s voyage yesterday, only Concierge was at a special event at Rapunzel Royal Table on Embarkation day at lunch time. This definitely made our DCuz who is an introvert very happy. Got a message indicating he was having such a good time that he just MAY travel again.

We’ll see by the end of the week, if the whole experience wins him over.

 

[Starwind]

I can't speak to the conceirge question as we have never sailed it.

However, on both the Dream and Fantasy we managed to find plenty of places in public areas of the ship that were pretty quiet/away from crowds. One of my favourite places to sit is on the loungers outside on Deck 4. Sheltered, comfy. Yes people (and characters!) walk past, but not usually in hordes. And there is the odd shuffleboard player to contend with. And sometimes maintenance CMs. But for the most part pretty quiet and relaxing. My sister will often bring her quilting piecework out there and I'll sit and read or even quasi nap. It is our preferred place to be as the ship sails out of Port Canaveral.

Some of the seating areas on the three floors around the atrium are also quite nice and pretty quiet during "off" times when activites aren't scheduled in the atrium.

We watch the shows from the balcony, much less crowded IME.

I enjoy exploring and taking pictures of the ship late at night/early in the mornign when pretty much nobody except CMs are out and about. Can get some neat pictures and just sit and relax undisturbed, though you do sometimes started a poor CM who is not expecting anyone to be around. ;-)

Sometimes for activites we will just sit and people watch. I don't have a desire to interact and actively participate in the activity, but *watching* it can be interesting and even fun. Find a quiet seat off to the side of back and just watch. Leave if it becomes uninteresting.

For MDRs as others have noted we always have a private table (needed for us due to food allergies).

SW

 

[ScooterScott44]

On Magic’s voyage yesterday, only Concierge was at a special event at Rapunzel Royal Table on Embarkation day at lunch time. This definitely made our DCuz who is an introvert very happy. Got a message indicating he was having such a good time that he just MAY travel again.

We’ll see by the end of the week, if the whole experience wins him over.

Sometime in spring they started the option of the sit down lunch for concierge in Royal/Triton’s. We have only been on the Fantasy since that started but I believe that it is standard on all ships now. Folks have the option to do lunch and meet with a concierge host there or follow the previous routine of going to the lounge and review the cruise schedule with the host and then do lunch, (on own or in Royal). It seems to be an effort to disperse the crowd out of the lounge those first few hours. In May were able to bit the lounge quickly and then head down for the lunch. It seems to be a plus, nice and relaxed but didn’t take too long and got to meet the bartender from the lounge and other staff.

 

[DCLDVC1]

I think a lot of people have a misconception about the Concierge hosts. You can have as much or as little interaction as you like. It's not like they are constantly following people around asking if they need something. I've walked in the lounge, said hi, told them I didn't anything when they asked and didn't talk to them again until I say bye when I left. It's very easy to find a quiet space in the Wonder lounge and sundeck and the sundeck on the Dream and Fantasy are usually very quiet.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think it would be too much attention centered on me by the concierge staff.

Yep. Concierge is worse for me.

You can stay on your verandah and eat room service just as well in a normal cabin as a concierge cabin.

Yep. And if that’s your kind of cruise, then that’s an awesome way to do it!

I don't necessarily want to meet new people, and make small talk.

I’ve met more people when in concierge and had to small talk more. It’s such a small room, on Dream at least.

When on a normal cruise I can disappear in the masses.

If I could be assured of being seated only with those I was cruising with, I could deal with everything else.

You can make that request and they are doing well in allowing it now.

As an introvert myself, dinner is the biggest issue, then the cabin host, then being announced.

You don’t have to be announced. Just tell them as you approach and they’ll point you to a sort of side door. On Dream, at least.

Do be aware that even if you have a table for just your party, the tables are VERY close together. I'm talking in some cases the servers could not even move between two.

Yep. It would have been better to sit with the people bc them you don’t have to pretend you can’t hear them.

And it's pretty easy to let them know you are not a "high maintenance" guest.

That sounds lovely. Dvc concierges and service team give me negative attention bc I’m low maintenance, because they are worried they’ve offended or the food is bad etc. Takes until day 3 for them to hear me. Given that we’ve only taken 3 and 4 night cruises, this is a problem.

think a lot of people have a misconception about the Concierge hosts. You can have as much or as little interaction as you like

Or other people have had different interactions. Like me. Even my RBF doesn’t stop them. Much-loved concierge hosts were the worst for me, they just wouldn’t quit. Ashley (?) and the other very outgoing guy (maybe from Germany? I’ve put his name out of my head) Ugh.

Even my outgoing son was tired of the latter guy by day 2

 

[cruiser21]

There's a lot of interesting comments on this board. I think it just proves that most people aren't complete introverts or extroverts. I have no idea what file just attached to my post. I cant' get rid of it. I think it's from one of my kids games.

 

[TestingH2O]

There's a lot of interesting comments on this board. I think it just proves that most people aren't complete introverts or extroverts.

For people who aren't introverts or who don't have introverted tendencies, there also seems to be the misconception that introvert means anti-social. It just means the people who are introverted recharge from having alone/quiet time whereas extroverts recharge from more social times. Honestly, most people fall in the ambivert category.

I have no idea what file just attached to my post. I cant' get rid of it. I think it's from one of my kids games.

That's funny. Kids and phones...

 

[cadien]

In my view there is a difference between an introvert and being adverse to crowds. For me, it's about the emotional outlay of having to engage personally with other people. I care so much that it drains me and I have to recover with alone time. But I can have alone time in a crowd - somewhat - as long as I don't have to personally engage with anyone for a while until I've recharged.

That's a good point. I'm more or less an extrovert but crowds give me the heebie jeebies. It's a kind of claustrophobia or personal space issue.

 

[cadien]

I think a lot of people have a misconception about the Concierge hosts. You can have as much or as little interaction as you like. It's not like they are constantly following people around asking if they need something. I've walked in the lounge, said hi, told them I didn't anything when they asked and didn't talk to them again until I say bye when I left. It's very easy to find a quiet space in the Wonder lounge and sundeck and the sundeck on the Dream and Fantasy are usually very quiet.

See, on Norwegian they really are. You have a butler constantly stopping by your cabin. And then the concierge host is always roaming the ship and walking up to you to check on things. Even at dinner.

 

[DCLDVC1]

Or other people have had different interactions. Like me. Even my RBF doesn’t stop them. Much-loved concierge hosts were the worst for me, they just wouldn’t quit. Ashley (?) and the other very outgoing guy (maybe from Germany? I’ve put his name out of my head) Ugh.

Even my outgoing son was tired of the latter guy by day 2

My family loves Andy but I can see how his intensity could annoy some people after awhile.

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

OP here.

Wanted to take a moment to pop in to say thank you for all of the amazing feedback that you have all given. It's much appreciated and it's definitely food for thought!

 

[Starwind]

For people who aren't introverts or who don't have introverted tendencies, there also seems to be the misconception that introvert means anti-social. It just means the people who are introverted recharge from having alone/quiet time whereas extroverts recharge from more social times. Honestly, most people fall in the ambivert category.

As an introvert I would add to this... At least for me, It isn't just that I recharge from being alone/quiet time. Being in social situation [e.g. at a party or a work networking event where you have to interact with others] is actively energy draining. Even just being present and paying attention to others but not actively talkign to them most of the time [e.g. sitting with a small group of people who are talking and you are actively listening and perhaps will say something every so often but for the most part remain quiet]. It is like the other people are "energy vampires" sucking your energy away. Partway through the event I am tired and coming home am exhausted, mentally and physically. Sometimes at long events I get so physically exhausted I have trouble staying awake, even if I want to, body says no. Other introverts I have spoken to describe the same thing.

While it is easier with friends and family you know, it still happens, just at a slower drain rate, IME.

SW