Are you about to book a cruise vacation but can’t seem to get rid of your travel cruise anxiety? You are not by yourself. According to a survey conducted by AllianzGlobal, 53% of respondents avoided cruising. The rejection is based on concerns about high-profile ship-related incidents, the risk of contracting airborne illness/becoming seasick, and the risk of a catastrophic wreck. Many people are also afraid of water or being trapped in suffocating spaces.
The travel season is just getting started. Hundreds of tourists are eagerly packing their belongings. For vacations, people consult websites or glossy brochures. While some people enjoy the idea of visiting new places or relaxing in familiar surroundings, others find the concept of travel to be frightening.
It’s difficult to get excited about new adventures when the mere thought of going on a trip causes travel anxiety. Here are some pointers and facts to help put your mind at ease so that your cruise leads to many more exciting cruises.
1. Watch Your Ship’s Videos
Are you apprehensive about your first cruise? Perhaps you’re concerned about feeling trapped and claustrophobic. Or you’re overwhelmed by how large the ship is. When it comes to planning their first cruise, many people admit to feeling both. So, if you start learning everything you can about cruises, things will start to get easier.
By the time you board the ship, you’ll have almost all of the deck plans memorized. You’ll know everything about the available food. You’ll have access to every form of entertainment imaginable. Also, what type of floating boat docks for sale the cruise is using? What are the safety majors taken?
2. Reject Fear of Motion Sickness
If you’re afraid of motion sickness because of a bad car, plane ride, or a small boat you might enjoy a cruise more than any of the other two. On a smaller boat, you are more likely to get seasick because you will feel almost every wave and bump. Consider the following first-time cruise tips to help you relax:
- Don’t leave the house without anti-nausea medication. The common ones are a sea band or over-the-counter medication.
- Consider taking a cruise on a large ship. When the ship moves, cruise passengers barely notice!
- If you suffer from severe motion sickness, your doctor can write you a prescription for motion sickness medication.
3. Control Fear of Traveling Alone
Are you afraid of going on your cruise by yourself? One piece of advice for terrified cruisers: don’t go alone. Vacationing with a friend or loved one may be a good idea. If you want some peace and quiet but don’t want to appear awkward and lonely, pre-book shore excursions and tours.
Both on land and at sea, the activities promote socialization. The beauty of these events is that you can perfectly balance your alone time and social time.
4. Is Cruise the Best for You?
As of the amount of space and amenities available, cruise ships are frequently compared to floating cities. And, just like a city, cruise ships have safety and security standards in place to protect their temporary residents. In addition to the security officers and measures onboard, cruise lines are required by law to report any illegal activity to the FBI and the Coast Guard.
In terms of cruise ship safety, each cruise line must report to the International Maritime Organization. It is the governing body in charge of overseeing global maritime regulations and standards. If you’re still debating whether a cruise is right for you, consider why millions of travelers are still concerned about negative media coverage.
5. Get Rational
Many people have irrational fears, such as claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces) or aquaphobia (fear of water). If you’re one of those people, stick with the big ships and you’ll have plenty of space. Massive ships with large open areas abound in the world. There is plenty of room to move around.
You may also find big machines working efficiently on a cruise, such as the latest pick and place automation robots. Furthermore, the ships are much larger than you might expect. You can have a good time even if you don’t explore the ship’s outskirts.
6. Balance Port Stops
There are a plethora of itineraries to choose from. It can be a little intimidating at first. There is truly something for everyone!
We recommend a trip that balances busy port stops with rest days for your first cruise. Especially if you have a tendency to get overstimulated. Rest days do not have to be spent at sea, where you do not leave the ship, but could also be spent relaxing on the beach!
7. Learn to Meditate
Learn how to meditate, which has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall health. Meditation can be practiced in a variety of ways. Did you know that getting lost in music or daydreaming are both forms of meditation? Long-term resilience can be built through regular meditation practice.
Long, slow breaths have been shown to reduce anxiety. So learning deep breathing techniques is worthwhile. Breathing in slowly through your nose and out slowly through your mouth helps you avoid taking short. Hurried breaths can set off a panic attack.
8. Travel with a Partner
Travel with an experienced sailor as a companion. Having someone there to explain what the various sailing sounds mean or to walk you through the procedures associated with cruise travel can go a long way toward calming nerves with the Travel Anxiety
If they can sit next to you, they can distract you with the conversation. Or they can play games to take your mind off sailing or encourage you too.
9. Calming Age
To distract yourself from your fears, focus on a calming image in your mind or on an object you can physically see. Concentrating on a book or watching a movie is distracting with Travel Anxiety. It can help you avoid worrying about the unknown.
10. Remember the Reason
Remind yourself of the reason for your journey. Consider your life in a year’s time. Will you be sorry you didn’t go to your destination? These activities will keep your mind occupied.
Wrapping Up
It’s natural to feel nervous when embarking on something new, such as cruising for the first time. Now that you’ve recovered, it’s time to book your first cruise. Are you ready to enjoy the waves? Let’s go then…
