Sharks on the cruises

[Zsa Zsa]

My DH refuses to go on any excursions which involve water because he is convinced that he will get attacked by a shark. He is also saying that my 12 year old DD cannot go in the water either. Is there anyone who can help me convince him that this won't happen? Has there ever been shark attacks at Castaway Cay or during a Disney shore excursion?

Thanks!

 

[tynkerbell]

It's my understanding that they have special nets up at Castaway Cay to prevent sharks from entering the family beach and teen beach. I don't think the nets are up for the adults only beach though. But stick to the family beach and you'll all be just fine.

 

[S.S.Oceanlover]

so you'll be staying on the ship when you dock at CC?

Bill

 

[Flagger]

From the International Shark Attack File

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/attacks/relarisk.htm

There were more deaths due to vehicular accidents with deer than due to shark attacks in the 1990s.

There were more fatalities due to being struck by lightning than shark attack in Florida from 1959-2003.

Also to date, there has NEVER been a shark attack on shore.

 

[CM_Mom]

The reason Shark Attacks make the NATIONAL news is that they're so rare. Stuff that happens often doesn't make the news. He's much more likely to be seriously injured by a drunk driver or other car accident but that doesn't stop him from driving does it.

However, I understand irrational fears. I don't go snorkeling because I'm just not fond of being in close contact with fish.

Castaway Cay has a net that protects the family beach so your Daughter should be fine there. The excursions usually have so many people on them that you're pretty "safe in numbers" and I think the sting ray expeditions are in REALLY shallow water so they should be fine.

 

[Honu]

I actually get in the water hoping and praying I see a shark or something cool like it. Sadly, we almost never, ever see sharks. When we do, they usually speed off in the opposite direction. They are not wild eating machines just waiting for you to step into the water.

Millions of people swim in the ocean, yet there are very few incidents. Of the attacks that do happen, more often than not the bitee put themselves in a precarious situation that initiated the incident.

Out at CC there are nets at the family beach, and CMs watch for possible breaks & predators. It's as safe as the ocean gets.

You have to respect the ocean and it's occupants, but you don't have to fear them.

I know this is hard, but your DH can't let his personal fears influence and possibility instill fear in your child. Especially when, like in this case, there really isn't danger if you use your head and follow directions.

Best wishes. I hope you work it out.

 

[Scott H]

The meeting will come to order, remember people are our friends not food. **** a little NEMO humor*****

I actually get in the water hoping and praying I see a shark or something cool like it. Sadly, we almost never, ever see sharks. When we do, they usually speed off in the opposite direction. They are not wild eating machines just waiting for you to step into the water.

Millions of people swim in the ocean, yet there are very few incidents. Of the attacks that do happen, more often than not the bitee put themselves in a precarious situation that initiated the incident.

Out at CC there are nets at the family beach, and CMs watch for possible breaks & predators. It's as safe as the ocean gets.

You have to respect the ocean and it's occupants, but you don't have to fear them.

I know this is hard, but your DH can't let his personal fears influence and possibility instill fear in your child. Especially when, like in this case, there really isn't danger if you use your head and follow directions

Very well said.

Sharks get a very bum rap these days, and interesting enough is that one of the bigest supporters of sharks and their plight is Peter Benchly the author of Jaws. He has remorse for the reaction his work caused upon the shark.

Also to date, there has NEVER been a shark attack on shore.

Remember the Sat Night Live land shark skits..... Candy Gram..... Plumber......

Here is a good read.

http://http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/06/0606_shark5.html

URL]http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/06/0606_shark5.html[/URL]

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Sharks get a very bum rap these days, and interesting enough is that one of the bigest supporters of sharks and their plight is Peter Benchly the author of Jaws. He has remorse for the reaction his work caused upon the shark.

As well he should- I'm positive my fear of the water (ie: particularly sharks) is because of the first Jaws movie. POSITIVE of it.

 

[JeannieH]

The only "sharks" you will see are the ones trying to rip you off in some of the ports!

 

[aprilgail2]

If he doesn't want to go in the water then thats his choice...but why let him punish your poor child for his fears???

 

[aiken4mickey]

These were the only sharks we saw!!!!

My best friend overcame the REAL fear of sharks (and the Titanic) on her first cruise........as a joke I brought along "sharkie" and if the timing was right......I would blow it up and present it to her..........on our CC day "Sharkie" appeared.....All of her cruise fears were nothing.....she had a "Wonder"Ful time.......and the shark was even more of a hit that I thought....I would take one next time just for the kids to have to play with.

 

[mygyky]

He's got to loosen up a bit. Could you see sharks? Maybe, you are in the ocean. Will you, probably not. We did see several in the water, but we were almost 100 feet below the surface in a submarine.

We rented a jet ski at Great Bay and while we were out there we hit a wave and my son was convinced we hit a shark and made me turn around to see if we could find him and chase him. (He loves sharks, JAWS, the ocean, etc.) I agree with not letting your daughter lose out on an incredible experience because of DH's fears.

You are more likely to run into Aiken's sharks before you get attacked by Scott's sharks.

 

[inkkognito]

You won't see sharks at the family beach because they will close the beach if the predator net goes down for some reason.

I have personally seen nurse sharks at the adult beach, and they were totally non-aggressive. One swam right by me! It was very, very cool. There were two in the area, and LOTS of people, and they basically ignored everyone as they swam by. Consider yourself lucky if you get the chance to see a shark...I've only had the pleasure that one time out of 49 Disney cruises.

Barb

 

[Mortlives]

All of the wisdom I've seen suggests that sharks are not interested in attacking people. We literally aren't "food" to them, although the fact that so many varieties are endangered would tend to indicate that we're not "friends" either. The attacks are actually cases of mistaken identity, and most often occur in conditions of low visibility. Common safeguards are not wearing bright colors and shiny things, and staying in a group.

 

[Zsa Zsa]

I really appreciate your kind advice. I will definitely try some of these tips. I'm trying to get him to read this site. So far, he's "too busy," but I'll keep trying til he sits down to read it. Keep your tips and advice coming. It's great!

 

[tinksdad]

Totally agree with the other posters!! Most fears people have about sharks and wild fish are unfounded and based on ignorance. If you can't see underwater from the surface, your imagination fills in the rest...... and movies like Jaws help to spread irrational fear and loathing.

Of course, there has been shark attacks! The rarity of those coupled with the media's desire to sell their wares add to the hysteria. 98% of those have been in situations that people put themselves into that coincide with the sharks natural feeding habits. Like surfing or playing in the water at dusk.

Divers spend big money to actually see sharks on dives. Most sightings are fleeting and are but an instant long. The Nurse shark in me siggie are very docile and is the most sighted species in the tropics. Sharks are magnificent, graceful animals!

 

[stephmarty]

Whatever you do, don't let him read the "scary fish at cc" thread!

 

[Tiffann4k]

While I am not convinced that I will be attacked by a shark I have a lot of fears of getting into the water and I will not let my children go out too far into the ocean.

When I was younger my brother and I were swimming in the ocean and a few feet behind us a huge fin came out of the water, we dont know if it was a shark or a dolphin but all I know is the people on the shore were yelling and screaming for us to get back to shore, we were practically walking on water That next morning there was a fatal shark attack in that same area........ We will never know if it was a shark or a dolphin but I really dont want to take any chances so I wont let them get very far out in the ocean and they understand why I have those fears.

 

[Love2Cruise]

Everyone fears something. We can choose to let fear influence the way we live and the things we do or we can accept the fear, conquer it and enjoy the beauty of the world we live in. Fear is useless . What is needed is trust.

 

[bobbiwoz]

When I swam in the Seas Epcot behind the scenes tour, I felt pretty safe and there are sharks in that tank.

However, I was in Key Largo and just a bit out from shore, and the only one swimming and low and behold, I see a baracuda. I tried real hard to be brave, but in the end, I turned around and came out of the water. I love to snorkel, and did the sting-ray excursion, but on my own, I couldn't do it.

Since then, I've snorkeled at CC and had a great time. I wouldn't force anyone to do it, but I would try real hard not to pass my fear along to anyone else.

Bobbi