I know you are going to think I lost my mind but.....

[TooPure4u]

If you havent already considered it, then after you read this thread, you will know just how wierd/crazy I am.....

I have been and still am VERY VERY excited about my upcoming western cruise BUT.......

I am starting to get depressed at the same time because I know that 7 days after boarding.....it will all be over!!!!!! How do you handle this??????? I remember being depressed AFTER my first cruise back in January but now I am getting depressed before I even go! Lord help me and tell me there are others out there that know how I am feeling?!

Tracy

 

[pppiglet]

I had a day last week that those same thoughts passed my mind and I got real depressed for the moment. I have a long way to go til my cruise, so hope it doesn't happen too often before then. Just know the cruise is going to be so wonderful and coming home back to reality is going to be a drag!

 

[glindamood]

I know exactly what you mean - and I would never voice it to my family as they would think I am nuts (or nuttier than they already think I am when it comes to DCl and planning). The only thing I know that takes that bad feeling away is to look at the calendar and think about the cruise you will re-book while onboard. And also promise yourself that you will not rush, rush, rush through your cruise. Take lots of time to 'stop and smell the roses' while onboard.

 

[tecdavidt]

My husband always tells me a few weeks before, well today we would be boarding, and so forth for ever day there after then before you know it the cruise is over. Sick sense of humor. Then when we get home it is, what were we doing one week ago. Kathy

 

[SeaSpray]

I have found that the best way to battle post-cruise depression is to book another cruise. Even before we took our DCL cruise a couple of months ago, we already had a Royal Caribbean cruise booked for 2005. And now we have another DCL cruise booked for 2006, so when we get back from our 2005 cruise, I still won't be depressed Also, we have found out that booking so far in advance is great because you get the best rates AND you have so much time to save up money in order to avoid having to charge anything

 

[jhorstma]

Returning from any good vacation is depressing, but the sheer over-the-top nature of the cruise (not to mention the expense) just intensifies the depression. I would strongly caution that you don't fall prey to this emotion and book another cruise on board UNLESS you've contemplated doing so BEFORE you go on the cruise. Then you might end up with buyer's remorse on top of the depression, especially if you think about other cruises/destinations that you would like to spend your money on.

My family likes to take one planned vacation each year (plus the random long weekend or two away based around a wedding, an invite to go to my parent's beach condo, etc.) - on the last day of each planned vacation we carve out time to plan the next one. The only stipulation is that it has to be something that we haven't done before. It makes the end of the vacation a lot easier because we start looking forward to the next one.

 

[WDWLVR]

Booking another is a great cure. We were going to book another cruise while on our upcoming 10 day cruise. Then they announced the DVC Member Cruise and we booked that. So before we even get off the ship we have another one booked. Best of all we'll be sailing with friends from the last Member Cruise and well as new friends from our upcoming cruise!

 

[disneybride96]

I had the same thought today.....all week I have been saying, "One year from now we will be boarding, at Castaway Cay etc." Now today I though, "One year from now the cruise will be over." I got that twinge of depression too. Yes, I belive I am crazy but at least I am not alone!

Hey- lets call it melancholy. Sounds better to me than depression.

 

[bratray]

me too!! its weird how i plan and plan and feel so excited then i start reading cruise reports and get to someones 6th day of their cruise & I start to feel like crap!!

i have mentioned this to my DH before & all he can do is shake his head & tell me how i am never satisfied!

oh well, i am going to enjoy it for all its worth

 

[jlawall]

I agree with everyone else! If this trip is as good as you expected......book another while onboard! I've done this for the last few years and I have been very happy to have this great experience to look forward to each summer!!

 

[pppiglet]

I agree with Bratray about reading the trip reports. They are so good and then they get to the part where they disembark and I get sad!

 

[Aisling]

You are definitely not alone in your feelings. I ALWAYS feel this way before my trips, and my extended family thinks I'm ungrateful, neurotic, spoiled, pessimistic, you name it. They just don't understand the emotions involved. Even my kids feel it, like on vacation at WDW, my oldest son would say, "today's midpoint day", and I 'd know what he means and what he's feeling. After our last trip to WDW, this past July, I was home for 3 weeks and then I booked our cruise. I HAD TO! It was booked 18 months ahead of time, but at least we had/have something to plan for, to look forward to in our Disney life. With all the wonderful things going on in our family, all the blessings, Disney is still our favorite place, and we never want to give up the magic. I'm so happy there are Disers who understand.

 

[rae519]

To keep from being too depressed, I try to schedule a cruise while onboard - the longest I ever waited was 11 months from one cruise to the next; the shortest was 3 months. Felt just as long waiting the 3 months as the 11 months!

Rae

 

[queenof2princesses]

wow. now I am depressed too...I cruise this week, one week from today it will all be over. The last 6 months of planning were so fun, what will the letdown feel like next sunday? Excited, really, but like the idea of planning the next one on board. That gives me something to look forward to again..DH has asked, "What are you gonna do when this is over?" I know he means what am I going to obsess over. I reeeally like these boards! .

 

[jrabbit]

OK for some help once you are onboard and its the last night. Be sure to trim your fingernails the before disembarking the ship. That way your fingers won't hurt as much as they are prying you off of the ship.

 

[CaribGirl]

Don't feel too bad. My cruise last year was canceled, I have none planned, and yet every day I read these boards!!! I will be booking shortly, but... in the mean time living dangerously by reading everyone's posts!!!

 

[TheWog]

TooPure - Just think about all the fun we had at Bingo and what you did after the last cruise.... you booked another. Go and have a great time and this time win the free cruise for 2!!!!!!!!!!! :jumping4:

 

[DisneyElf]

Actually - my sister thinks I'm a little bit nutty too. We are booked on the Eastbound Panama Canal cruise - and I think one of the highlights will be that first Sat on board and knowing I still have another week of Magic to go! (in addition to the Mexican ports & the canal).

 

[Macnjac87]

We did a 7 day cruise in 2001 (Carnival, not Disney) and booked 2 nights at Disney's Vero Beach Resort after the cruise. It was a wonderful way to 1) Come down after such a great cruise and 2) Get some more Disney!!!
The resort itself is a gem, on the ocean with lots of stuff to do or just to relax. I really didn't dread getting off the boat nearly as much knowing we were still going to have 3 days at a beautiful resort before going home. If your budget allows it; why not see if you can do it? It's a short trip from Port Canaveral to the resort also.

 

[DVCajun]

I have found that the best way to battle post-cruise depression is to book another cruise.

You know, this is very true. I ALWAYS get depressed the last day of my Disney vacation, even to the point of tears. Kinda embarrassing to admit that. But I've been looking forward to it for so long that it's become a part of me, you know? Plus, like most of you, I'm a Disney fanatic so if I had my way I'd live there.

You're not alone!