A somewhat embarrassing question…

[catsrgr8]

We’re going on a 5 night Western Caribbean cruise from Miami in January with stops at CC and Cozumel and I have a somewhat embarrassing question, so please don’t laugh.

I’m scared of lizards, yes, even the really small ones, and was curious what to expect on CC and Cozumel. I’d assume the ones on CC would be relatively small but was curious if there are areas I should avoid if I don’t want to see them. I know in Cozumel there are iguanas. We are looking at booking a snorkel tour and I wasn’t sure how many I’ll see leaving the ship and headed to our snorkel excursion.

PLEASE don’t share any photos.

 

[Primerz]

It's not embarrassing at all. Phobias are real.

"Phobias involve intense fears of specific objects or situations that are triggered upon actual or anticipated exposure to phobic stimuli. Situations in which phobic cues are present are usually avoided or endured with intense anxiety. Excessive fears can cause functional impairments or lifestyle disruptions."

I didn't fly for ten years because I had a phobia. But I sought treatment, got help, and now fly without fear or anxiety. I realize this might now be a direct answer to your question, but I wanted to offer up support, empathy, and share that phobias can be overcome.

Good luck!

 

[csmith1004]

The only time I recall seeing a lizard on a cruise was an iguana in a tree on St Thomas. I’ve never seen one on Castaway Cay although I’m sure there are small ones living on the island somewhere.

 

[catsrgr8]

It's not embarrassing at all. Phobias are real.

"Phobias involve intense fears of specific objects or situations that are triggered upon actual or anticipated exposure to phobic stimuli. Situations in which phobic cues are present are usually avoided or endured with intense anxiety. Excessive fears can cause functional impairments or lifestyle disruptions."

I didn't fly for ten years because I had a phobia. But I sought treatment, got help, and now fly without fear or anxiety. I realize this might now be a direct answer to your question, but I wanted to offer up support, empathy, and share that phobias can be overcome.

Good luck!

Thank you for the compassion! I actually did some therapy earlier this year for my phobia which really helped. But recently my anxiety has been a bit higher so I was a bit anxious about the cruise.

 

[tntstults]

I've seen more tiny lizards on disney property in orlando then i've seen on castaway cay. My daughter 12 is afraid of them as well and the iguanas. I think if you are doing an excursion and are just going from the ship to a boat, you won't see any.

 

[Peaseblossom36]

We didn’t see any lizards at all in either place. All we did on CC was visit the adult beach though and on Cozumel we went to dolphinarious. I wouldn’t think you would see any on the way to your excursion, we walked through the mall to get to a van so there wasn’t really any where for them to be.

ETA- You shouldn’t be embarrassed, everyone is afraid of something. I’m afraid of cicadas.

 

[lklgoodman]

Been to CC 7 times and have never seen a lizard or iguana.

 

[BrokeMack]

Saw iguanas at the beach resort on the dune buggy/snorkel tour and there are people waking around with them charging for pictures.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

I saw a few tiny ones on CC on the walking path from the beach back to the ship. That was the only place I saw them so I would say take the tram back/to the beach and avoid that path.

 

[Kwami]

There are small lizards on Castaway Cay. I won't post any photos because you requested that I don't. They're very small, though, and they tend to stay near the trees and other plants. I've seen them on the family beach and at the bar at Serenity Bay. I rather like watching them, but unfortunately, I've only seen them on one visit out of many!

So, I wouldn't worry too much about Castaway Cay. If you aren't looking for lizards, then you aren't likely to see any.

 

[vrneuroh]

We’re going on a 5 night Western Caribbean cruise from Miami in January with stops at CC and Cozumel and I have a somewhat embarrassing question, so please don’t laugh.

I’m scared of lizards, yes, even the really small ones, and was curious what to expect on CC and Cozumel. I’d assume the ones on CC would be relatively small but was curious if there are areas I should avoid if I don’t want to see them. I know in Cozumel there are iguanas. We are looking at booking a snorkel tour and I wasn’t sure how many I’ll see leaving the ship and headed to our snorkel excursion.

PLEASE don’t share any photos.

Just be mindful there are iguanas in Miami, plus smaller lizards around. CC might have some small lizards, but I recall seeing more birds than anything.

 

[Fuzzycaterpillar1]

Thank you for the compassion! I actually did some therapy earlier this year for my phobia which really helped. But recently my anxiety has been a bit higher so I was a bit anxious about the cruise.

Some emdr may help for trauma based anxiety. I never saw lizards on CC or Miami while living there but if you go anywhere else in Florida you will see them.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Just be mindful there are iguanas in Miami, plus smaller lizards around. CC might have some small lizards, but I recall seeing more birds than anything.

I currently have 2 coworkers with intense bird phobias, one of whom has been to CC. She is ok as long as they don't fly near her. At one point we had 3 coworkers with it. I never knew it was so common. Needless to say, when someone brought in a new wall calendar with birds on each page, it didn't last long.

 

[KantLose]

I don't recall seeing any in Castaway Cay, but we did see iguanas at the Mayan ruins in Cozumel, so I think your plan to snorkel there should help to reduce any sightings. Perhaps reach out to the tour company to confirm whether they make any other site seeing stops along the way. I would also add that since your cruise is leaving out of Miami to be aware that S. Florida has lizards and has had an increase in iguana population the last few years.
I encourage you to continue the therapy you began earlier this year and practicing any anxiety reduction techniques before your trip so that you have a plan that you feel comfortable with. And the ships are amazing so if you find you'd feel more comfortable staying on them or returning to the boat early on port days, you'll find plenty of fun!

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Saw one in May for first time at Castaway - was surprised to see an iguana - good size one too - so your chances I would think are very slim - tiny little lizards maybe - I don’t recall seeing them in Cozumel when I was there in May and I had tons of time to kill waiting for DD to finish with her scuba snorkeling -
Good Luck ! I hope you do well and enjoy your trip !!

 

[Ohmymonty]

I saw some on Castawat Cay, but more along the bike path than the regular walking path or tram routes. I don't recall seeing any at the beach areas.

I also remember seeing some on Cozumel. I also did a Mayan ruins tour and saw them there. I don't remember seeing them on my other Cozumel excursions.

But, out of my 8 cruises I don't ever recall seeing one on the ship.

I hope you have a wonderful lizard free trip!

 

[auntlynne]

I’m glad you said DON’T post photos, as I was going to.

I was sitting at the deck of the bar in Serenity Bay (adult beach). Snapped some photos of birds and a lizard right along the edge.

I imagine there are more there than most people realize. If they don’t cause concern to an individual, they probably just dismiss the memory or don’t even acknowledge their presence.

Anywhere in the tropics might prove to be stressful to you in this regard.

If this is enough to keep you from an area, have you considered changing or cancelling your cruise? Would that be worse than dealing with the risk of seeing one?

 

[catsrgr8]

I’m glad you said DON’T post photos, as I was going to.

I was sitting at the deck of the bar in Serenity Bay (adult beach). Snapped some photos of birds and a lizard right along the edge.

I imagine there are more there than most people realize. If they don’t cause concern to an individual, they probably just dismiss the memory or don’t even acknowledge their presence.

Anywhere in the tropics might prove to be stressful to you in this regard.

If this is enough to keep you from an area, have you considered changing or cancelling your cruise? Would that be worse than dealing with the risk of seeing one?

Thanks for your honest response and expectations about what I might see. I have been working on the phobia and actually had a really enjoyable trip to Hawaii this year, despite seeing small lizards everyday. Not surprisingly my husband and daughter didn’t see them, but of course I somehow can always find them even if they’re hiding in the bushes. The one part of the Hawaii trip that was challenging for me was when we went to the Luau and the people at the table next to us had a lizard on their table! And then I started to see them everywhere, and they were within a foot of me a few times, while I was stuck sitting at the table for 3 hrs!

I know that I’ll see them on this cruise, I guess I’m just trying to get an idea of what to expect. I’ve had friends go on tropical vacations where the iguanas would walk right up to people and drink out of their cups or the lizards would be all over the inside walls of a hotel or restaurant. I’m really hoping to continue working on my phobia so I can hopefully enjoy the vacation.

Again, really appreciate everyone’s honest insight!

 

[auntlynne]

Thanks for your honest response and expectations about what I might see. I have been working on the phobia and actually had a really enjoyable trip to Hawaii this year, despite seeing small lizards everyday. Not surprisingly my husband and daughter didn’t see them, but of course I somehow can always find them even if they’re hiding in the bushes. The one part of the Hawaii trip that was challenging for me was when we went to the Luau and the people at the table next to us had a lizard on their table! And then I started to see them everywhere, and they were within a foot of me a few times, while I was stuck sitting at the table for 3 hrs!

I know that I’ll see them on this cruise, I guess I’m just trying to get an idea of what to expect. I’ve had friends go on tropical vacations where the iguanas would walk right up to people and drink out of their cups or the lizards would be all over the inside walls of a hotel or restaurant. I’m really hoping to continue working on my phobia so I can hopefully enjoy the vacation.

Again, really appreciate everyone’s honest insight!

Yikes! Without a phobia, seeing them at the table, let alone going for food and drinks, would be enough to get me to stand up and move.

So far, my exposure over the years has been one of mutual distance-keeping.

Can I say “proud” of your ability to handle the situations?

Putting together your input and that of others, I think you should be able to handle Castaway Cay and Cozumel.

The birds, at Castaway Cay, are another matter. Unattended food is fair game for them, as they demonstrate without shame. Even a closed bag of chips.

Bon Voyage!

 

[catsrgr8]

Yikes! Without a phobia, seeing them at the table, let alone going for food and drinks, would be enough to get me to stand up and move.

So far, my exposure over the years has been one of mutual distance-keeping.

Can I say “proud” of your ability to handle the situations?

Putting together your input and that of others, I think you should be able to handle Castaway Cay and Cozumel.

The birds, at Castaway Cay, are another matter. Unattended food is fair game for them, as they demonstrate without shame. Even a closed bag of chips.

Bon Voyage!

Thank you!!!