Professionals (doctors, lawyers, engineers) in the prime of life, and rising young professionals, all of a firmly independent outlook that craves no organized activities. Passengers spend time sea-gazing and star-gazing on an open bridge, snorkeling and swimming off secluded beaches, reading, in quiet conversations over brandy.

QE2

A generally well-read and well-educated group, of every age range (predominantly in their middle years), in terms of economic categories ranging from upper middle-class to the most affluent (though rates sometimes dip down low enough to attract more budget-minded folk). People in love with the ultimate ocean experience, spending days on the open sea without benefit of port stops, simply strolling the decks in the brisk, salty air.

As for other personality "types"

"Swinging Singles" in their 20s trend--if they are low-income--to the Carnival ships; if they are middle-income to ships of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (Sovereign of the Seas, Nordic Empress) or Norwegian Cruise Line (Norway, Windward, Dreamward); and if they are affluent to the new Queen Mary of Cunard.

Families are attracted by the comprehensive children's programs of Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, and the earlier-mentioned Costa Cruises, or to the Disney cruises.

Intellectuals tend to book the low-density ships, not simply the tiny vessels, but even such large ships as those of Princess Cruises, which carry a third less the passengers of several similarly-sized vessels. West Coaster's also gravitate heavily to ships of Princess Cruises.

And senior citizens are strongly drawn to ships of the Holland America Line, traditional in their decor and policies, though Holland America has made recent attempts at attracting younger passengers.

In cruising, to each his own!