Tips for Easing Your First-Time Cruise Anxiety | Porthole Cruise (2024)

Are you about to schedule your first cruise vacation but can’t seem to ease your cruise anxiety? You are not alone.AllianzGlobal conducted a survey and found 53 percent of the respondents avoided cruising based on worries related to high-profile ship-related incidents, fear of contracting an airborne illness or become seasick, fear of a catastrophic wreck, or because they fear water or being stuck in small spaces. Here are tips and facts that should ease your concerns, so your first cruise leads to many more cruises.

What is First Time Cruise Anxiety?

Some first-time cruisers cruise anxiety comes from myths, the unknown, and unfounded worries. Instead of thinking of enjoying activities on the cruise ship, they imagine a sea of horrors like no cell phone service to call for help—or feeling like they can’t breathe as they board the ship on embarkation day. You can ease some fears by debunking common myths and having a plan.

Ease Your Fear of Motion Sickness

If your fear of motion sickness stems from memories of a horrible car, small boat, or plane ride, surprisingly you may enjoy a cruise more than any of the three. You have a higher risk of experiencing seasickness on a smaller boat because you will feel almost every wave and bump. Consider these first-time cruise tips to ease your anxiety:

  • Don’t leave home without anti-nausea remedies such as a sea-band or over-the-counter medicine like Dramamine.
  • Consider traveling on a cruise line with big ships like Royal Caribbean. Cruise passengers can hardly feel when the ship moves!
  • If you suffer severe motion sickness, your doctor can prescribe your prescription medication.

RELATED: Vitamin Sea: Seasickness

Get Rational About Your Irrational Fear

Many people have irrational fears like claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces) or aquaphobia (fear of water). If you are one of those people, stick with the big ships and get all the space you need. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas is a massive ship with large open areas. There is plenty of space to walk around. Furthermore, the ships are bigger than you can imagine. You can have a great time without exploring the ship’s periphery.

Fear of Traveling Alone

Are you terrified of traveling alone on your first cruise? One tip for first-time cruise anxiety: don’t go alone. It may be a good idea to vacation with a friend or loved one. If you are looking forward to some peace and quiet but don’t want to look awkward and lonely, consider pre-booking shore excursions and tours. The activities both on land and on sea encourage socializing. The beauty of these events, you can balance your alone time and social time perfectly.

It’s natural to have some anxiety when doing something like cruising for the first time. Now that you are feeling better, it’s time to book your first cruise! Book a three-day cruise to help you ease into having the time of your life.

As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of cruise vacations, I can share my expertise to help ease any concerns you might have about scheduling your first cruise. The anxiety associated with first-time cruising is not uncommon, as evidenced by a survey conducted by AllianzGlobal, which found that 53 percent of respondents avoided cruising due to various worries. These concerns ranged from high-profile ship-related incidents to fears of contracting airborne illnesses, seasickness, catastrophic wrecks, and general apprehension about water or confined spaces.

Let's address the concepts mentioned in the article and provide additional information:

  1. Cruise Anxiety Causes:

    • The article mentions that anxiety may stem from myths, the unknown, and unfounded worries. It is crucial for first-time cruisers to differentiate between misconceptions and reality to enjoy their cruise experience fully.
  2. Motion Sickness:

    • Motion sickness is a common concern for first-time cruisers. The article suggests remedies such as sea-bands or over-the-counter medicines like Dramamine. Additionally, choosing a cruise line with larger ships, like Royal Caribbean, is recommended, as larger vessels minimize the feeling of motion.
  3. Irrational Fears:

    • Claustrophobia and aquaphobia are mentioned as irrational fears. The advice given is to opt for big ships with ample open spaces, such as Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas. This helps individuals with claustrophobia to feel more comfortable and enjoy the cruise without feeling confined.
  4. Fear of Traveling Alone:

    • The article addresses the fear of traveling alone on a cruise. One tip is to avoid going alone, considering vacationing with a friend or loved one. For those seeking a balance between solitude and socializing, pre-booking shore excursions and tours is recommended. These activities provide opportunities for social interactions both on land and at sea.
  5. Planning and Myth Debunking:

    • Planning is emphasized as a way to ease anxiety. Debunking common myths and having a well-thought-out plan can help first-time cruisers shift their focus from fears to enjoying activities on the cruise.
  6. Encouraging Socializing:

    • The article suggests that booking shore excursions and tours can encourage socializing, addressing the fear of traveling alone. These events provide opportunities to meet fellow passengers and strike a balance between alone time and social time.

In conclusion, armed with this information, you can approach your first cruise with confidence, knowing that many of the anxieties can be addressed through practical tips and a well-planned approach. Enjoy your cruise and the exciting experiences that await you!

Tips for Easing Your First-Time Cruise Anxiety | Porthole Cruise (2024)

FAQs

Tips for Easing Your First-Time Cruise Anxiety | Porthole Cruise? ›

Consider these first-time cruise tips to ease your anxiety: Don't leave home without anti-nausea remedies such as a sea-band or over-the-counter medicine like Dramamine. Consider traveling on a cruise line with big ships like Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean
Based in Miami, Florida, it is the largest cruise line by revenue and second largest by passengers counts. In 2018, Royal Caribbean International controlled 19.2% of the worldwide cruise market by passengers and 14.0% by revenue. As of January 2024, the line operates 28 ships and has three additional ships on order.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Royal_Caribbean_International
. Cruise passengers can hardly feel when the ship moves!

What is the most calm part of a cruise ship? ›

Going back to the see-saw metaphor, imagine the middle of the it. Whilst the seats go up and down, the middle never actually moves. It's the same on a cruise ship. As it cuts through the waves, the front or end will move up and down but the middle of the ship (mid-ships) will stay relatively stable.

How to answer the question why do you want to work on a cruise ship? ›

Informal Tone:- I love to travel and I think it would be a great opportunity to see different parts of the world while working. I also like the idea of working on a cruise ship because it would be a new and exciting experience.

How do you relax on a cruise ship? ›

Cozy and Quiet Places to Escape

You can take a book to the ship's library, find a quiet spot on deck, or retreat to your private balcony. I spent a lot of time each night, out on my balcony with my Kindle.

What I wish I knew for my first cruise? ›

12 Things I Wish I Knew Before Cruising
  • If you can, I would highly recommend purchasing the Early Bird VIP boarding pass. ...
  • Take advantage of first night specials in the spa and dining rooms. ...
  • Book spa appointments before you go. ...
  • Bring something to hold your Carnival card. ...
  • Pack a water bottle or coffee mug from home.

Why should you check under your bed on a cruise ship? ›

Storage & Packing Checks

One of the things I actually like to do is understand where the storage is. Many cabins have all sorts of hidden storage. This cabin actually doesn't have that much, but often you might find stuff high up. Normally, underneath the bed, is your suitcase haven – make use of it.

Where is the calmest waters for a cruise? ›

Alaska's Inside Passage: The waters here are sheltered and nearly always calm. Most days you are either in port or watching a glacier thunderously calve chunks into the sea while your ship slowly cruises through a fjord or bay in bathtub-like conditions.

What is the best floor to stay on a cruise ship? ›

The most stable part of the ship is its lowest point of gravity, so on a lower deck, at the center. You'd feel a lot less motion here than, say, in a stateroom on the upper decks a long way forward or aft (towards the back of the ship).

What is the 3 bucket system? ›

A triple bucket cleaning method consists of three buckets, one dedicated bucket for sanitation, a second bucket for clean rinsing, and a third bucket for dirty rinsing.

What is a sample answer to tell me about yourself? ›

“I'm known for being a detail-oriented, well-organized team player. I never miss deadlines, I'm a good communicator and I can juggle multiple tasks at once. In my performance reviews, my supervisor always notes that he appreciates my professionalism and enthusiasm for the job.

How do I tell about myself? ›

  1. Use Storytelling and Practice Your Answer. ...
  2. Highlight Relevant Strengths and Experience. ...
  3. Share a Professional Story and Relevant Anecdotes. ...
  4. Exercise Research-Based Empathy in Your Response. ...
  5. Provide a Brief Highlight-Summary of Your Experience. ...
  6. Differentiate Yourself from Other Applicants.
Oct 30, 2023

How do you fall asleep on a cruise ship? ›

Bring your pillow or pillowcase. The right support from a familiar pillow, and the right feel from your own pillowcase, can help you drop right off to sleep. Bring sound machines or fans from home. These not only drown out extraneous noise, but can also provide a familiar environment in which to rest.

Where do you feel less waves on a cruise ship? ›

To reduce motion sickness, choose a stateroom in the middle of the ship on a lower deck. You will feel any sway of the ship less in this section. Although it may seem counterintuitive, if you're worried about seasickness on a cruise, book a stateroom with a window or a veranda.

Do you feel waves on a cruise ship? ›

Most of the time, most people feel little to no movement but sometimes the waves are choppy. You feel it most in the very front and very back of the ship. I learned from experience that when the boat is rocking, go midship; the atrium or shops. Try to hang out in the vertical and horizontal middle of the ship.

How long should you go on your first cruise? ›

What's the ideal cruise length for a first-timer? A week or so is the sweet spot for most first-time cruisers, which will offer three to six ports. Three-day sampler itineraries won't allow you to explore more than one or two destinations, and you can't decompress as thoroughly, either.

How do I prepare my stomach for a cruise? ›

According to Nancy Mitchell, a registered nurse and contributing writer at Assisted Living Center, it may be a good idea to avoid high-fat and spicy foods that could "irritate the stomach lining and aggravate nausea." Mitchell adds, "Digestion can be much slower for people with digestive issues, and greasy foods tend ...

What is the first thing you do on a cruise? ›

Check Your Cabin

Once your belly is full and you've gotten a feel for the ship, there's a good chance that your cabin will be ready. Before you start unpacking and settling in, inspect your cabin to make sure everything is clean, and that the lights, outlets, and TV are in good working order.

Where should I go on my first cruise? ›

This one comes down to personal choice and what you want out of your cruise experience. However, some of the most popular cruises for first-timers include Transatlantic Crossings, Mediterranean voyages, Norwegian fjords, short breaks from New York or San Francisco, Alaska cruises and the Caribbean.

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