Is that how it is spelled,really looks weird!! I am outgoing, he is into (whatever)hard to believe we have been together for 36+years. Don't know if we will make it to June(that is our cruise date.)Celebrating my BD and or Anniversary. Any of you cruised with SOs who are not social, like we must be outgoing or we wouldn't be on these message boards or going on a cruise like this, right??Oh Well C'est le vie, Jeanine

Jeanine, my husband is the same way.

When we took our first cruise (way back in '97) we had only been dating a couple of years, and we had a long distance relationship. I lived in Ohio and he lived in Boston. We were seated at a table for six, and it was about halfway through the first meal that I noticed I was doing most of the talking for both of us. He hardly said a word! It really shocked me, because WE talked all the time - I'd never heard him be so quiet. I mean, when he gets going, sometimes now it seems he never shuts up!

Anyway, we've been on plenty of cruises together since then, and I've always found dinner to be the most stressful for me, because he's pretty quiet until almost the end of the cruise. On recent cruises, I've opted for a table for 2, just so I don't have to deal with it.

I pretty much will talk with anyone, and I've met a ton of people while on cruises. Plus, these message boards are great if you meet someone prior to your cruise, and then you can get together with them onboard.

Andrea

There are many men that are quiet this is a pretty common thing. In most cases it is not that big a problem. Let him listen and just dont worry what anyone thinks. It does not really matter anyway.

Actually my husband Ken was always quiet too. Now people dont really believe that but he really was. Even my sister when we married said it wont work he is too quiet. Well he has found his way and I think a lot of it has been the socialization on the cruises. He still does not talk as much as me (he cant get a word in lets face it) but he is much more social. However, even those who know him well if they really think about it he has that quiet streak.

Jeanine,
My husband is painfully quiet and he loves cruising. He will sit and listen to others or many nights we request a table for two. He has actually stayed in the cabin and had room service when I went out and had dinner with others. That is the beauty of cruising with Radisson, you have so many options when you don't have assigned seating.
Susan

Jeanine, my husband is a "loner" also. Just not very social. Sees no point in making conversation with people he will never see again. We don't drink much, and that fuels much of the socializing.....you may ask, then why do we cruise? Well, its a great way to see particular ports, and enjoy entertainment/meals as a couple. We were able to get a few great deals on SS and Rad., but his tolerance for cruising is limited. If the price is REALLY right, and we visit places he really wants to see, and we haven't cruised for at least a year, he may make the effort to go and have a good time........everyone's tolerance for superficial socializing is different, and his is low. I must admit, I find it difficult to make small talk as well.

My one experience with posting on a board (not this one) and meeting upwith people on a cruise, was not good. I felt like we were the "out" couple and there was an "in" group. That was not helped when one couple in the "in" group had a big party and did not include us.....sometimes you are better off just enjoying yourselves, and not making an effort to join others except for occasional dinner or excursion conversation.

bon voyage on whatever trips you take! :p

I have to say that I understand having a partner/husband who may not be as outgoing as his or her partner...and I will also admit that some of what we talk about on the cruises is a bit superficial...BUT, I can remember many, MANY conversations that had a lot of substance and depth. One of the many things that I DO enjoy about cruising is the "people factor". There are so many really interesting and well-heeled passengers. I love to learn about, and listen to, other people. The ship, food, service and ports are truly wonderful, but the people I have met add the vibrant "colors" to the memories I have of cruising.

Glenda, the nice thing about sailing on the same small cruise line all time is that we have made so many friends for life! We look forward to when we can see them again.

I have spent many years in sales and am hyper-outgoing. Paul on he other hand was in the beginning of our relationship, very quiet. It all balances out, he is now much more social and I am toning it down a bit. But just a bit, mind you.

R

Yes, Karen, I can see from purusing these this Board and the original CC board, that lots of friendships have formed, and that people look forward to seeing each other on the next cruise - and, of course as with the roll calls, even plan to be together! I'm sure in that case the conversations have depth, as people discover more about themselves and what they have in common.

Now, if I could just get hubby to cruise more often, then maybe we could meet people we look forward to seeing again on the next cruise.... :cool:

Jeanie:

I got a real hoot our of your reference to a "loaner" husband. This means that he is not your REAL husband, but one you borrowed while your real one was in the shop, or something. Like a "loaner" car or something. As most loaner cars I've experienced have been pretty sorry, I wasn't surprised that you are having problems with your "loaner!"

Seriously, as Radisson has spacious ships and suites that don't crowd people together, their cruises might just be what the "loner" ordered. After all, privacy while traveling may be one of the greatest luxuries of all. Just look at how much more just a little more space on an airliner costs. I'm no loner (or "loaner"), but I do enjoy the privacy Radisson offers, when I want it. But I also like the fact that we've met folks onboard that we keep in touch with and see from time to time off board as well.

Thanks,
Richard <img border="0" alt="[beer]" title="" src="graemlins/beer.gif" />

Jeanine, worry not, there is a place for every type of person on RSSC! Especially with their dining policy. If you wish to eat alone, you request a table for two and it is yours! I don't have a SO and usually cruise with one of my daughters. When we are on a cruise that includes others from this board, we dine with them some of the time and sometimes alone. No one, even a group from here would want to put your husband under the pressure to join a crowd. After all, you are on vacation to enjoy each other, and if that means alone, fine, if it means meeting others, that is fine, too. When we were on the PG, I went to bed early at night after our "family dinners". The next day, my daughter would tell me about all the people she had met! The PG is a very relaxed ship and so much smaller than the others. There is more a 'reaching out' mentality if that is what you want. Just go with what keeps you happy and you will be fine.

P.S. Jeanine, I think we all knew what you meant no matter what spelling. I am the worst in this area!

When Arlene and I were first married, Arlene probably qualified as the "loner" and I as the outgoing one. Now, it has definitely flip flopped. Arlene is definitiely more outgoing. I just cruise along. That said, I think I have met wonderful people and made wonderful friends since we started here on the boards and cruising with Radisson. However, I am usually the quiet one. And, if someone gets too annoyingly inquisitive, I return to my stock answer when they ask my profession....I say I am a collector. I collect cans along the sides of the road until I have saved up enough for another cruise. It usually shuts them up since they don't know if I am telling the truth or certifiably insane.

Jeanine, your husband will fit in fine.

Whoops!! All I can say is, it was late!! I can spell, really I can!! Was kind of funny though!! Thanks for your gentle correction Richard. Jeanine

Jeanine....my husband is sometimes a loaner and other times a loner...and then again sometimes the life of the party. When Tom doesn't want to do something, he generally won't and I go off on my own - my friends have joked that we need loaners for those occasions.

I think both of you will be very comfortable on Radisson - there is no forced conviviality - you can do "couple" things or "group" things. That's what makes it such a great cruise line. So, take heart, come ahead, you'll love it!

Marc - so how many more cans do you have to collect for your next cruise?? :D

Jeanine - it WAS pretty funny ... but we all knew what you meant!

Masaki

Jeanie:

My spelling "correction" was meant only as a joke! No one has more problems with spelling than I do. While it might not have picked up your error, I truly wish this board had a "spell check" feature.

I hope you get the drift from mine and others' posts above that a Radisson cruise is really the best vacation possible for "private people." On vacations, we don't like to be in a group or crowd every waking moment. Yet, we want service (so camping in the Rockies is out!) And we like to see multiple destinations. So with these criteria, Radisson (and probably Silversea and Seabourn) cruises are about the only things that fit!

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

Well I am married to a loaner. Actually she really isn't but she hates to go into a group that she does not know and if she has her way will completely ignore and miss social functions.
Now of course I am pushy and force her to go. 5 minutes later I am the loaner over in the corner.
I will probably need a little help from you "MINT" cruisers when we meet at the Westin.
<img border="0" alt="[Drinking]" title="" src="graemlins/062802drink_prv.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[Drinking]" title="" src="graemlins/062802drink_prv.gif" />

Wow, Jim....finally someone in my situation!!! I think alot of men are like the "loaner", it's usually the "other half" that is so outgoing. Jeanine, should we ever meet, I will sit in the corner and keep your husband company. My husband is the social butterfly, who usually knows everything about everyone by the end of day 2 on a cruise. I am the one who has to force myself to mingle, maybe a little social anxiety??? Once I'm in the midst of a crowd, I usually loosen up a bit....but I struggle with it too. Give your husband a few cocktails, that seems to work for me! <img border="0" alt="[beer]" title="" src="graemlins/beer.gif" />

Cocktails, oh do they loosen us up socially! I guess that is the root of the "cocktail party". First we have a cocktail and then we are ready to party! Has anyone ever got one of those e-mails about the benefits of cocktails to all of us? They make us the best dancers, the best conversationalists, the best telephoners at odd hours of the night, we are smart about everything and are convinced the whole world sees it that way (lots of other good stuff, to, credited to the cocktails) Jeanine, if your husband likes cocktails, I think he is in good company for most of this group. warning: cocktails can cause premature sleep! Oh, and the PG offers LOTS of cocktail parties up on the pool deck during the cruise!

Hello out there, thank you for the wonderful observations about (loners vs. loaners) loved it so much. Have a feeling my experience in cruising is going to be alot different than the motor coaching!!(can't say more than that, you will have to read my intro to understand)and i think it is going to be absolutely wonderful!! It is going to be a long 10 months until cruise time and PG. Jeanine

Since my first husband was a loner, there was a dance that an organization was having many years ago that I wanted to attend. A single male friend also wanted to go and did not have anyone special he wanted to date, he called and asked if he could take me to the dance. He picked me up at the door, promised my husband he'd have me back in one piece, by midnight and off we went in his little sportscar and we had a wonderful time dancing all night. All of our friends were there watching us have a wonderful time. This great LOANER is now friends with my second husband and we have made many jokes about our date over the years.

Kimmi:

If you can recall meeting Carol and me on the Mariner Nice/Rome in Sept. '03, please know that we don't believe you or Mr. Kimmi are "loners". We remember both of you as being very friendly and outgoing people, whom we hope to meet again on a cruise or elsewhere. There is no need to act like a game show host on a cruise to avoid being called a "loner." We like the fact that Radisson doesn't constantly put us in crowds or lines, so to that extent, we might be called "loners" too. And, we like the option at dinner of dining as a couple or with others. We usually opt to dine with others, as Radisson provides plenty of privacy at other times. And we are happy we chose to dine "with others" in that cruise in '03, as we met you and your husband. All that is needed is a simple smile and an interest in others. Then, there are no "loners."

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

Jeanine, any luck talking you into 21 May PiP cruise? It is just two weeks earlier. ;)

Thank you, Richard. Good point, being social doesn't mean you have to be the onboard entertainment!! Although, on the past couple cruises that has happened by default (too many LCTer's/CCer's)!! However, believe it or not, I think we met in sept/oct O1! Maybe 02, time sure does fly. 01 we were on the Navigator (Rome to Nice), 02 the Mariner (Nice to Rome)......think we looooooved those ports???? 03 was VOF. I can't believe we aren't going anywhere this fall, it's really depressing. But, gotta save for PIP!

Kimmi:

You are correct -- we met in '02, not '03.

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)