I am not an extrovert and making new friends on a cruise isn't likely. I'm intrigued by themed cruises, like board games! or Star Trek! but it's not enough to make me want to invest that much time and money in a vacation that sounds canned. Also, I don't drink, I eat a very limited diet, and like you--hate crowds. I'd rather go to a resort for a paint-by-numbers vacay, or spend time getting to know a foreign location over a week or two rather than a few hours.