Anxiety while out at sea...... Has anyone had this problem and how did you handle???

[Helene]

We are going on our first cruise next October (7 day Magic).

On one hand I'm soooooo excited becuase I've always wanted to cruise and we're finally getting there.

BUT...... When I think of being out at sea with no land in sight, I get two recurring fears, one that I'll just panic, the other that one or both of my children(DD 6, DS 5) could fall overboard.

I know it sounds crazy, and my DH thinks I'm certifiably nuts, but can anyone offer any tips on how they've managed their fears?
Or am I the only zany person who has dealt with this???

Thanks for any help you all may offer....

Helene

 

[Disnurse2B]

Since I have never cruised with my dd, I can't offer any suggestions. However, I did want to share with you that you are not crazy! I have the same anxiety issues about my daughter falling overboards. That being said, I am sure that Disney designed thier ship with children in mind and have taken every precaution to keep our little ones safe. Enjoy your cruise

 

[tinarena2000]

I thought I would have that same thought, no land in sight... But I did not. You are so busy and the ship is sooo BIG you really won't panic. Please enjoy yourself, relax and have fun.

 

[DepCor0311]

Although I am certainly not an expert at anxiety disorders I feel safe that I can say that you are not "nuts." Having anxiety about a new experience is a "normal" human reaction...When you allow your anxiety to control your actions (like not leaving the house or going on your cruise) is when it becomes a problem. Fear is a normal protective mechanism that is actually good for us...it helps us sense and react to actual danger. Maybe you can counter your fear with a few facts:

1. When you are on the cruise there are actually relatively few times that you are not in view of land...and the times that you are not, you are usually pretty well occupied with activities, and don't really notice it. After you get used to it the feeling is more like being at a resort than on a ship.

2. Anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong but...In the history of DCL (since 1998)...exactly zero children have fallen overboard.

3. You are going to be having such a good time, fear will be the last thing on your mind...

Enjoy your cruise!!!

 

[Mjasp]

I am not fond of water, so when we cruised in 2002 I had the same fear.

When you are on the ship and sitting on deck 9 the ship is wide so you can't see you are in the middle of the water. On one side you can see water on the other side you can't see water because there is so much stuff in the middle (pool, slide, restaurant etc.). I hope you can understand what I mean.

Enjoy
Joanna

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Once you get onboard I doubt you'll be worried anymore. It's an extremely safe ship. With so many other parents onboard too it feels like there are a million sets of eyes overseeing all the kids.

Just curious what kind of stateroom you got? We had a verandah last month and DS6 ONCE had the chair pulled up to the railing and was standing on it looking out with binoculars! We made it a rule chairs had to stay put near door and made sure we were out there every second the kids were. (Booked inside room next trip, lol).

Anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong but...In the history of DCL (since 1998)...exactly zero children have fallen overboard.

This would be a really interesting topic for a thread...

 

[smilingmouse]

My DM had the same problem with the fear of being on the water and not seeing land. In fact, she refused to cruise at first. When we got to the port, she was actually shaking . Once we were on board and went to the life boat safety drill, she calmed down. I think having a veranda helped her also. We had a fantastic time. In fact, we are cruising again January 30, 2005 and, would you believe, again in December of 2006. I really think you will be fine once you are on board. Good Luck and have fun!!!

 

[videogal1]

Originally posted by Pea-n-Me
Once you get onboard I doubt you'll be worried anymore. It's an extremely safe ship. With so many other parents onboard too it feels like there are a million sets of eyes overseeing all the kids.

We had a verandah last month and DS6 ONCE had the chair pulled up to the railing and was standing on it looking out with binoculars! We made it a rule chairs had to stay put near door and made sure we were out there every second the kids were.

This would be a really interesting topic for a thread...

I have heard of ZERO children falling overboard...this comes up every once in a while on these boards...The teenager who (urban legend?) jumped into the water on a dare was confined to quarters...

 

[Footnotegirl]

I don't know what the veranda rooms are like, safety wise, but put your mind at ease about a child going overboard anywhere else on the ship. As far as I could tell, it would be entirely impossible to do accidentally, and /really/ hard to do on purpose. Anywhere you can get close enough to the railing to possibly go over is plexiglassed to at least adult rib height if not more. And the plexiglass is on the inside of the barriers, so kids can't climb on support rails to get higher.

I'm somewhat (very, very slightly) claustrophobic myself, and was slightly worried before our cruise in '03 that I would feel nervous being in a place I couldn't leave. But seriously, the ship is so big, and you are so often close to land that you really really won't notice. Plus they keep you very busy and entertained, so even if that was a problem it would be easy to get your mind off it.

 

[Dreamer04]

Helene, thanks for posting this question. I have been on three cruises with my daughter, with another planned in 2005, and I have this anxiety, too.

Under no circumstances was she allowed on the verandah alone. The only place where she was high enough to climb over the railings on deck-was on deck 10. There is a large box there and she and I sat on it during a deck party.

Still, I always imagine the worst, with little visions of it jumping into my head now and again. I just pray and ask my Lord to relieve it. And it works.

One day at a time.

Ursula

 

[fcrouch]

Our daughter went on a cruise when she was 8 weeks old (a family reunion trip) her grandmother was worried that she'd fall over board (don't ask) and then she went on one when 2 and again at 4 - no issues at all. No she's not on the verandah unaccompanied. But that would be the same rule as a hotel room with balcony for example.

I understand the anxiety about kids falling overboard (but I am sure there'd be lots of 20/20, 60 Minutes reports on unsafe cruise ships if there were kids going overboard, kidnapped from the kid's clubs, etc., etc., etc.) I like Ursula's method for relieving anxiety but there are other methods as well. So try and relax in some healthy fashion and I am sure everyone will have a good time.

 

[inkkognito]

The teen was not urban legend.
Barb

 

[Helene]

Thanks to all for your reassuring input.

I'm sure it'll be fine once I'm there. Fear of the unknown is certainly a catalyst right now.

I will continue to read these boards faithfully as a way to gain as much info as possible prior to the cruise.

Thanks again for all your help!!!

Helene

 

[lookingforward]

I have always had the same fears but once I get onboard I feel so much better because I can assess my surroundings and I realize that it is very safe. I do take precautions though. On the veranda there is a top lock that little hands can't touch. The plexi-glass is impossible to climb and I remove the table, etc.

Truthfully, I would worry more about teenagers than little ones who are never left alone. I have a serious conversation with my boys 11 and 14. They know that if they fall over it is most likely going to be tragic. They have never given me any problems because they are aware of the danger and have safely cruised many times.

I can also relate to the no land in sight thing. I lived for three years on the island of Okinawa in the middle of the Pacific. One day I was driving down the road with my baby son in the car and had a full fledged panic attack. I kept thinking I was in the middle of the ocean and would never get off that island. I worked with a great therapist who gave me deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. I never had another one! When I have claustrophobia thoughts on Disney rides I always think, "This is DISNEY, and they will take care of me and nothing bad will happen." It works every time! Remember, you are on the most advanced ship and with a safe and reputable company that will take you on a safe journey.

And if all else fails, pack some Xanex!