Cruises are the best vacations for introverted travelers. Here's how I make them work for me.

My secrets to keeping my cool as an introvert at sea are planning ahead and finding ways to remove myself from the more chaotic parts of cruising. Terri Peters

• As an introvert, cruises are one of my favorite ways to travel and recharge.
• I wake up early and go on walks around the ship and take myself to dinner.

I've been writing about my family's travels for over a decade and traveling for even longer. I'm also an introvert who gets easily overwhelmed by crowds and finds energy in moments of quiet solitude.

But even as a seeker of alone time, cruising remains among my favorite ways to explore the world.

Although heading onto a ship packed with thousands of guests may seem off-putting for introverts like me, cruising is among the best types of vacations I've taken from a recharging standpoint.

While at sea, there are plenty of moments, spaces, and activities perfect for taking time away from the chaos of the crowds. In fact, I'd even argue that cruising is one of the best vacations for introverted travelers.

I recently sailed aboard Princess Cruises' Caribbean Princess during spring break, when the ship was at its more than 3,000-passenger capacity, and never found myself feeling socially spent or overwhelmed by others.

Here's why cruises are great for introverts — plus, my advice for anyone who wants to recharge and take some "me time" on a cruise vacation.

And with cruise ships projected to be packed as ever this year, even extroverts could use these tips to find some much-needed peace on board.