Introverts Living on Cruise Ships

 There are introverts and there are extroverts.  It's not unusual for one to be attracted to the other.  I have always been introverted sometimes "forced" into the role of an extrovert.  But as I am older now and can look back on my life, I can say that I was often "forced" into being something I'm not.  For this reason, some might have seen me as a kind of "rebel."  I never felt as though I could hide.  But now, there is no question I am an introvert and my wife is quite the opposite.  

I bring this up, because one person who lives exclusively on a cruise ship says he is an introvert who meets people on his cruise ship on his terms and not the terms of others.  The only thing about living on a cruise ship I might find appealing is the daily room service where the stateroom is cleaned daily and the beds are made and all meals are provided.  I might enjoy meeting others on MY terms.  But living on a cruise ship is not an appealing idea for my wife.

Other than these advantages, I have no desire to live on a cruise ship, but I can see how doing so is a great lifestyle for introverts.  I've given a lot of thought to this idea, but mostly because it seems weekly there is an article about living on cruise ships.  Sometimes the idea appeals to me until I think about the disadvantages.  While there are medical services I take some very specialized medications.  But apart from this is packing only what I need in suitcases.  

I don't know.  And because I don't know, I don't entertain fantasies of living on a cruise ship.  I am finding living life in a condo where I have a lot of alone time with my pipe on the lanai to be the best life can be.  I like the idea of not needing a car and paying for the expenses of car ownership and then the idea of world travel can be appealing.  But I am not sure that life on a cruise ship is like self-imprisonment.  

I just don't know.  It might be a risk I might not consider taking.  I often wonder about any long-term relationships and how well we can know someone in a week.  I don't know but maybe lifetime friends could be found, especially among the crew, but what kind of relationships are those?  Often the cruise itself is what one has in common with others.  

Yes, I give thought to the idea, but in thinking about it life on a cruise ship is not for me.  I can see how an introvert is drawn into the fantasy of living on a cruise ship.  The last time I was in the cigar room of a ship smoking my pipe, I was mostly by myself.  But smoking on our lanai gives me more scenery and often my wife joins me, which she would not do on a cruise ship.  I can bring the TV out here or listen to my own music.  

I can sit here and watch the sunrise and the sunsets.  I can watch the boats go by.  I can go in and get a drink from our fridge and bring it out here.  Smoking rooms on cruise ships have nice Mahogany paneling with leather chairs and maybe a window, but one is confined to that room.  That just might be the biggest drawback of life on a cruise ship.  Here at least, I can share the experience with my wife or photos with others.  I can see the advantages of life on a cruise ship, but for me, the disadvantages are too much, even for an introvert like myself.

Today I am smoking my other Churchwarden pipe which has a stamping of KS7 on the shank.  So I'll call it my KS7 with some Revelation by Sutliff, and I thank you for your time.  Peace to each one of you.

Dave