Claustrophobic on the Wonder ... Help Please!

[robin09]

If you think about it, being in the middle of the vast ocean, often with no land in sight, is kind of the antithesis of being "crowded" and closed in. That's actually one of the greatest emotions I have while standing on the balcony at night - the feeling of being "free."

That's what I do think about.. and feel trapped... I can't run away... I'm stuck on that boat... no car to getaway in.. But I might be willing to try....

 

[iloverags2]

ummm, why does this make me think of the Shining?

Bwahahahahahahaha! I always think of The Shining when I walk into the Grand Floridian. It's so sterile looking, which is a trademark of Kubrick films.

 

[clawmachine]

That's what I do think about.. and feel trapped... I can't run away... I'm stuck on that boat... no car to getaway in.. But I might be willing to try....

that does make sense to me...

except here where I live, "trapped" between DC and Baltimore, you can never really run away in a car, unless you only want to go a few miles down the street. Otherwise, you always get trapped in traffic or road construction - those seem to be our only two states of traffic.

I hope you do get to have a great vacation!!

 

[branv]

I don't suffer from claustrophobia on a regular basis. It tends to pop up in unusual circumstances, mostly where it's a lot of people in a small area or other unexpected moments. I experienced generally no problems at all on the cruise. The only time something gave me pause was the first time I tried to walk from aft to forward on a deck that was entirely made up of rooms. Those long, infinite looking hallways with their low ceilings just about wigged me right out. I hadn't experienced it before b/c on my two cruises on DCL I was always on a short hallway. So that seemingly neverending hallway was a new experience, and a bit of a "oh, I do not care for this AT ALL" moment.

My suggestion, therefore, is that if you are on one of those cabin-only types of floors and it is a potential issue for your dad, that you guys always use the elevator closest to your room rather than walking along that long hallway to get to the elevator that delivers you closest to your destination. Little coping techniques can make all the difference

 

[mmouse37]

Here is a pic of the atrium



And Deck 4...the deck that goes all around the outside of the ship (except at the ends where you go through and equipment area). This is the walking/jogging deck that also has shuffle board and wonderful loungers with cushions to soak in the sea air!!



Deck 4 at night






MJ

 

[Spokavegas]

Funny......I'm horribly claustrophobic- sent the fam on Mission Space without me, don't really like being in the "all dark" of Space Mtn, even though I love the ride.....can't stand the lock down seats of the Rock n Roller Coaster...blah, blah, blah. On our first DCL cruise, we were booked verandah Deck 6, but when our cousin's military discount came through, DCL moved us to an Oceanview Deck 2 just two months pre-cruise. I didn't sleep for a WEEK! I laid awake at night afraid of being trapped in an elevator and the ship sinking, or being trapped in some back stairway b/c I was afraid of the elevators...so I called DCL. They assured me that there was plenty of space, and that the stairs were INSIDE, and wide open. (Which they area- my fear was almost silly with all the pre-trip research I'd done- they're very nice stairs and we're staying on Deck 2 again in January it's so slick!)

We got on the ship.....and I never ONCE even felt cramped at all- not even in our bathroom, and in fact, I even rode the elevators---there was hardly ever anyone on them!! GOOD LUCK! He will do great!

 

[BeachPartyof3]

I'm slightly claustrophobic. Most of the ship (hallways, rooms, etc) were basically like a smallish hotel...however between the slight sea sickness from the movement of the ship and the tiny (cat 11) small bathroom.. I was never happy in there to put it mildly. The times I felt the worse were always prepping for dinner (shower, hair, makeup) in that tiny room! I love the idea of going to the spa or a bigger room this time and will probably give a shot this go round. A few sea sickness pills and I made it through with everything staying down.. but I kept thinking about it as a combo thing (small and moving!).

 

[Michele325]

This is a real interesting read. I have started to panic over booking 2 standard inside rooms for our next cruise. We booked the day the Dream cruises came out and it is an "extra" trip for us next year, and we really can't afford outside rooms this time. I am not usually claustrophobic, but it has been popped up lately (my mom is terribly claustrophobic, so I think it is coming). I feel l little better reading this, but still a little concerned.

 

[BealsRwe]

Deck 7 aft should be perfect for you. The hallway is not long, and the secret deck on 7 aft is wonderful! Have a wonderful cruise to Alaska!

 

[Jodijo]

This is a real interesting read. I have started to panic over booking 2 standard inside rooms for our next cruise. We booked the day the Dream cruises came out and it is an "extra" trip for us next year, and we really can't afford outside rooms this time. I am not usually claustrophobic, but it has been popped up lately (my mom is terribly claustrophobic, so I think it is coming). I feel l little better reading this, but still a little concerned.

Let me start by saying, I am not claustrophobic. However, I have gone on 4 cruises and 3 have been on inside rooms. My family feels the inside cabins have a bigger more wide open feel. We don't like the feeling you get with the outside rooms. You have to go around the bed to get to the couch and window/veranda. The layout does not flow for us.

Also, we have stayed on the 5th floor of the Magic & Wonder near the elevator and theater. We like that because there is a public bathroom a few steps away. It is wonderful to have that extra bathroom and it has never been crowded. (I don't think I have ever been in that bathroom with anyone else in there at the same time!)

 

[Chelley00]

I wouldn't say that his claustrophobia is extreme, but for examples he REALLY did not like the MRI machine when he needed some hospital tests and he bailed on Mission Space at the last moment when he saw how the console comes in on you.

I cannot do MRIs at all, and I also chickened out on Missions Space (and left my 8 year old daughter alone on it ) However, I cruised just fine. I had to have a verandah room so I could see the outside, and when we went to dinner I asked for a table near a window or door if possible. The only time I felt a little confined was in the elevators, especially if the ship was moving a little more than usual and I realized where I was. Other than that, I had a great time and can't wait to cruise again.

 

[disneymath]

OP here ... thanks for all the additional suggestions and sharing of experiences - and the photos too.

You've helped my dad put things into perspective and given him lots of good ideas to handle potential problem-areas on the ship.

Our final deposit is not due until April, so he still has a good amount of time to really make up his mind. We'll see what happens. Until then, I'll just keep researching things for him as he asks. (Thankfully he has no issues flying!)