anxiety about first cruise ever

[KANSAS]

this thread is for people that have never cruised before, DCL or other cruise lines

do you ever have anxiety about

the cabin being really small?
I have always stayed in disney vacation club villas

being trapped on the ship for 7 days and no way to get off, if cruising is not for you?

getting motion sickness and spending the cruise in your room.

maybe those of you, who are cruise professionals, who once had these type of thoughts, before your first ever cruise, can please put my mind to rest.

 

[RJake1]

Don't worry about cabin size. They're cozy but comfortable. You won't spend much time in there anyway. There's too much to do on the ship and on shore.

Cruising is the most relaxing vacation. Once you step onboard your every need is taken care of.

You will have a great time.

I'm not a travel pro, but I've cruised at least 8 times and I'm still not tired of it.

 

[PoohJen]

With all the $$ I'm spending, I am afraid of motion sickness, but here's what I'm planning on doing (thanks to these threads!):

I'll take bonine before boarding, and possibly the day before. I understand it's not that helpful to get/feel sick first and THEN try to take it.

I don't know about giving my kids the bonine "preventively"; I plan on talking to their pediatrician before then. Finally, I am also going to ask my doc for his suggestions.

I wasn't afraid of claustrophobia, but I admit I am really glad I've booked a verandah - both for the natural light and for getting air.

Good Luck!

 

[tchoney]

Don't worry! I have social anxiety and when it hits I just want to go into a room where no person can see me. However, on the flip side, I was very concerned that I would be in a small room with not a lot of air to breathe!! I have taken my family to the USS North Carolina and WOW! those rooms were small back then - thats were I got my fear.

Anyway, I was so comfortable. The rooms are not small at all. In fact, they are not much small than a regular room at a holiday inn hotel, but they are more comfortable.

The best part is that there is so much to do, that you don't spend a lot of time in your room anyway. Even to relax, we grabbed a lounge chair on deck and enjoyed the fresh air! It was wonderful.

I was afraid of motion sickness. On the first night, after dinner, my sister-in-law and I were walking to the show and started laughing. Neither one of us drink alcohol, but wow did we feel drunk! We could feel the ship moving. Even during the show, I almost fell asleep due to the rocking. After the show, we walked out on deck and my goodness, the waves were hugh! The sea was VERY rough, we could not even walk on deck for long - I had a fear of falling over! We went back to our rooms to meet our families and decided it would be best to call it a night. That was the BEST night sleep that I have ever had.

Disney has done a great job with motion stabilizers on the ship. However, Mother Nature is Much more powerful. I would not pass on the cruise for possible uncomforts. Disney will do EVERYTHING they can to make you and your family as comfortable as possible!!!!

dcl is so wonderful and the people are exceptional! i never even had an issue with my anxiety. It was the greatest vacation ever!

DON'T WORRY! HAVE A GREAT TIME!!

 

[Muushka]

Hi KANSAS, I know you from the DVC boards!

Anywhoo, about the questions at hand. OK, my husband had never cruised before. I had done a short cruise a long time ago, so I don't really even count it as a cruise. We both are a little on the claustrophobic side. Not the running and screaming from enclosed area type, but just not all that comfy. After reading the boards we decided that a 7-day cruise was the way to go. But it was imperative that we at least have a window (you understand that, right? ). We decided to splurge (plus we got a great rate) on a verandah. We are both very prone to motion sickness. We were very nervous about that. So, with all that info, rest assured all of the feelings that you are feeling-we had identical feelings.

Well, I wish that I could say that we had a wonderful cruise, but I cannot. We hit 20 to 30 foot waves and gale force winds. Our worst nightmare. However, on the bright side, (for me anyway) I did not get seasick. The Bonine worked (miracioulsly). For my husband, he did get sick-not the vomiting type, but just nausea for about 1/3 of the cruise. I don't know why the Bonine did not help him as much as it helped me. I have a feeling that he was not getting the proper dose (he is a big guy). He did end up staying in the cabin for the 1/3 of the cruise (but that includes sleeping at night). Neither of us felt the claustrophobia at all. There were so many high points on the cruise that the low points are fading from our memories. I guess it is like having a baby (not that I have ever done that!).

Our weather was extreme. The chances of that are not that great. I would hate to have missed the opportunity to cruise because of fear of different things. I don't know if this post helped or not, but good luck and I hope you do give it a try. Would you consider doing a 4-day instead of a 7 day?

PS we booked another cruise for Dec 22, 2005. We decided to do the 4 day cruise (still a little nervous about the 7 day in case we hit bad weather again). Actually, this is a great cruise for DVC because the cruise leaves on a Thursday (which is usually when a 3 day cruise leaves) and returns on a Monday. We will get to conserve those expensive Fri Sat points and do a 4 day cruise and spend a sea day on the Wonder on Christmas day. Pretty cool, huh?

My gosh this is a long post. Sorry about that !

 

[RJake1]

The motion sickness issue is a very personal one. I've been on a number of cruises and haven't felt even a twinge of it. Modern cruise ships are very stable.

I know you booked a verandah, but inside cabins are actually much more stable in the event of rocking seas.

My advice is to quit worrying about motion sickness or you'll actually talk yourself into it. Focus on the wonderful sights, sounds and activities onboard and onshore. That's much more fun!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Last year was very nervous about first cruise, the same worries you have. Turned out I loved it and as you can see am going again soon! Never got seasick though I was well prepared. Really forgot I was even on a ship most of the time! Stateroom cozy but very comfortable - had an inside last time; this time splurged on a verandah room It is such a great and unique vacation, I bet you're going to have a wonderful time. Try not to worry!

 

[pittypat]

We took our first cruise this summer and I, too, was very nervous about the whole "can't see land, tiny room thing".
Was I ever pleasantly surprised! The room is small, but very comfortable.
We had a window room and I know that helped. I never felt at all claustrophobic on our trip and I have a fairly serious problem with that. And, surprisingly, not being able to see land was quite relaxing. Yes, you do feel the boat moving, but not really in a rocking back-and-forth way. The only time we had a great deal of rocking motion was as we departed Cozumel and crossed the Straits of Florida and that only lasted an hour or so. The seas were very calm when we went (early June). One son gets seasick and he took Dramamine before we departed and then not again the entire trip. Try not to worry. We were very leary of the whole cruise experience before we left, but would go back in a heartbeat. It was the perfect vacation!