Scheduled to cruise from honolulu to san francisco on april 23rd. on the pride of aloha. I am scared to death of sailing on the open sea for four days. I am terrified that the ship won't be able to handle rough seas. Is this worrying necessary? I'm to the point where I just might cancel. Any advice would be much appreciated.
i am not an experiences cruiser but i have been on several and you should be fine....you will have so much fun on the boat that you will forget that you are even on the ocean....really nothing to worry about
Posts: 12 | Location: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | Registered: February 01, 2006
When you get on board and look around I PROMISE you you will have no worries. These ships are huge. They sail around any very bad weather, and believe me, regular-level bad weather means nothing to these big ships. The most you will have to worry about is some spilled coffee- and that's only if the weather gets rough. The cruise lines run these ships at huuuuuuge profits- if there is ever any dangerous weather they will stay clear of it. Why risk alienating repeat customers?
You have nothing to worry about. Just swallow your fears, get on board, and go have some FUN.
Posts: 488 | Location: Buffalo, NY | Registered: July 11, 2005
I know how crazy it all sounds. I am just a phone call away from canceling my cruise. I can't stand the thought of being out to sea for 4 days with nothing around us. I am so terrified of storms, rough seas..it's awful.
okay... at that point, maybe you would be better off flying. cruising is not for everyone! if you feel so strongly about it, maybe it's not worth it after all.
good luck with your decision!
Posts: 488 | Location: Buffalo, NY | Registered: July 11, 2005
You should be fine, in fact I had one client that had the same fears..scared to be on a ship in the middle of the ocean with no land in site. She took her first cruise on a 4 night Bahammas cruise in October 04 and since then she has sailed 2 more times with another one booked. But if your fear is that strong, see if you can't exchange the cruise for one where you would fly to Hawaii and take the Pride of Hawaii or Pride of America. These ships leave from Hawaii and cruise the islands but do not have long days at sea. Talk to your travel agent about what your options are. Since you state you are traveling in April I am not sure how close you are to penalties kicking in if you were to just cancel.
You will be fine and probably become an experenced cruiser like the rest of us cruise nuts
But, from my personal experiences, I would rather be sailing at sea during a storm than flying through one. Dropping suddenly several thousand feet not only makes you sick, but can break arms and legs if you're not buckled into your seat as you bounce off the ceiling.
A friend of mine was scared to death of flying. However; she wanted to see the beautiful country of Ireland badly. Last November she and her husband, another couple, and my husband and I boarded a plane for Ireland. She survived the flight. She enjoyed Ireland immensely and now talks about her trip of a lifetime. Moral of the story--don't miss out on lifetime memories over unwarranted fears.
The absolute part about the whole cruise will be: the DRIVE to the dock! Second worse: The flight, if any! Third, will be the walk up the gangway. Fear not. Not you SHOULD be fine, you WILL be fine.
I beg to differ - the worst part of a cruise is leaving the ship on the day your cruise is over!
If you are really that anxious about it, ask your doctor if he/she can prescribe something (mild!) for you to take to ward off those fears. And carry along a little Bonine or non-drowsy-formula Dramamine (make sure it will be compatible with any prescriptions you are taking though!!) in case you do encounter a bit of motion discomfort. Chances are, within a day or two you will be fine. And you can try the "Peter Pan" treatment - think happy thoughts (in this case, focus on things onboard you can enjoy - there are lots of activities on sea days) and try not to focus on your fears.
My first cruise, I made sure I took some Dramamine (didn't know about the non-drowsy kind at the time) before we left, as I was very afraid of getting motion sickness. NOT a problem - after the first day, I didn't need it at all.
Posts: 1361 | Location: Illinois | Registered: June 19, 2002
In the orient the passengers and crew take ginger for calming their systems- you can pick up ginger pills at any pharmacy,wal mart etc.-another cure is ask the bartender to mix 2 teaspoons of angustora bitters with soda water-an old trick from the past-it works very well and doesn't wipe you out like dramamine!
I think it will help that you will have 5 days cruising the Hawaiian islands before starting on the sea days. By that time, you will be used to the ship. The cruise director's staff will also see to it that you have plenty of activities on those sea days.
If you are concerned about possible seasickness, I also recommend an apple as another cure. (Billybuzzy, I'll have to try your remedy sometime...)
We once did a transatlantic -- 6 consecutive sea days -- and it was our most relaxing and wonderful vacation. For you, this may be the perfect way to wind down after visiting so many ports during the first part of your cruise.
