One of the most rewarding aspects of a long voyage like a world cruise is the people you can meet both in ports and on board your ship. On board the ship it is possible to really form relationships with both passengers and crew. Thanks to email it is also possible to maintain a connection to those cruising friends living continents away. I count myself as truly blessed to be in touch with people on 5 continents who we met on cruises over the years. (So far, not Asia or Antarctica.)
Some tips for those international contacts
1. Go prepared to give people your information and to keep theirs where you can find it after you return home. We have inexpensive business cards printed at an online company, of which you can find many by googling "free business cards." They are not really free, of course, but you pay only shipping. You do not need any online skills to order these cards. The sites themselves are very user friendly and anyone with a computer and a credit card can do it. This time we did step it up a bit and uploaded a photo of us taken on a formal night which is included on the card. An alternative to or supplement to the business cards would be address labels that you can stick on cards or notes.
2. Take some little note paper or cards for leaving messages or invitations for fellow passengers.
3. Use the contact information right away before you can lose it.
4. Keep in touch the way you do with your other friends so you can be part of each others' lives.
5. Send them your cruise plans. Maybe they will join you on the cruise or be able to meet you in a port in their country.
And that is something we are looking forward to on our next voyage! No, more than look forward to. Eagerly anticipate is closer to our real feelings. We have plans to meet quite a few cruise ship friends in ports the Tahitian Princess will visit.
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