Icebreakers: 17 Questions to Ask Cruise Fans

6. What is your favorite port?

Everyone who cruises has stories about great places they have visited. They often want to visit again and again. Their answer can give clues if they are beach people or if culture and history are their interests.

7. How is the food on board?

This will get people talking. Meals in the main dining room, buffet and room service are generally included in your cruise fare. Most ships have specialty restaurants offering more upscale options, with a small surcharge. Veteran cruisers will tell you which cruise lines have better food or how the selections have changed over the years.

8. What is your favorite ship (or cruise line)?

The cruise line they chose is not necessarily the one they most recently sailed. It often comes down to getting a good deal. Their favorite cruise line or ship might be a memory from the past. Many Cunard passengers speak fondly of the Queen Elizabeth 2, better known as the QE2. It left service in 2008.

9. Have you considered becoming a shareholder in the parent company?

This might sound like an odd question to ask, almost pushing business into the conversation. Many of the cruise lines connect back to a parent company. These firms are often listed. They often offer shareholders perks like onboard spending credits (OBC). If you can prove you are a shareholder when you book, you get the perk.

10. Have you done the world cruise yet?

You might think sailing for 100 days is a bucket list item. Many people do it as an annual event. You might think few people have an interest. I have been told they sell out very quickly. Your new friend might not have “done the world” but they might have booked a 10- or 20-night segment. 

11. How is the entertainment on board?

People have varied opinions. Some think ships are good at bringing Broadway-style entertainment to shows in the evenings. Others think it is second rate. A cruise ship might have 40 activities taking place on sea days. Some people feel there is nothing to do.

12. Have you made friends onboard and kept in touch afterwards?

We have found people tend to be very friendly onboard, because you are meeting under ideal circumstances. Relationship development is accelerated. Why? Because everyone knows when the cruise will be ending. My wife and I tend to make at least one new long-term friendship on every voyage.

13. Do you get off the ship in each port or stay onboard?

This is a topic that should get some interesting answers. Some people have been to the same ports many times, so they consider the ship their resort and do not go ashore. Others might be beach people. Some get “cabin fever” and want to go somewhere with hills so they can take long walks and stretch their legs.

14. Do you take the ship’s shore excursions or explore ports on your own?

This is another question that should get interesting answers. My wife and I tend to tour on our own. We do research ahead of time, head ashore, map in hand and explore. Other people leave the planning to someone else and book the optional shore excursions. Some cruise lines like Viking and Swan Hellenic include a shore excursion in each port as part of your cruise fare. When heading shore to explore, bear in mind piers historically tend to be located in less desirable parts of town.

15. What is the longest cruise you have taken?

World cruises are often 100 days or longer. Royal Caribbean is promoting “the longest world cruise” at 274 nights! Average cruise lengths are 5 to 14 nights. You should get some interesting answers.

16. Do you prefer port days or sea days?

Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 spends most of the year crossing back and forth the Atlantic Ocean. The transatlantic voyage between New York and Southampton is the line’s signature voyage. There are no port stops once the ship leaves the dock. For seven nights, the ship is your destination. People enjoy it as a resort. Other people prefer a different port almost every day. They like exploring on land and consider the ship their late-night transportation. River cruises fit into this category.

17. Have you visited one of those private islands owned by cruise lines?

Several cruise lines have their own small islands in the Caribbean. These are often resorts without hotels or overnight facilities. They are often uninhabited except for cruise line personnel. They have many advantages including the safety of visiting an island with no residents.