Going on a week long cruise and I'm scared

[Beherenow77]

Hi Everyone, I'm new here. A little background on me: I have GAD and Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. I think I've had it my entire life, I'm 42, but I was not diagnosed until I was 27. Since then I've gotten it pretty well controlled. I did CBT therapy and took Prozac and learned all the wonderful techniques to deal with it. I love to travel and have been many places including Italy, Iceland, Singapore and Mexico. And now I'm getting ready to go on a week long cruise to Alaska (this Saturday!) but this time around I'm terrified. I have not been this anxious and upset about something in years. I've already started taking my Xanax (which I hardly ever take). I know there is nothing to worry about or be upset about but I just keep thinking those "what ifs". Mostly, what if I have a panic attack and need to get off the ship but we are out at sea? So I guess I'm coming here to see if anyone else with anxiety has been on cruise and can offer any advice? I'm going with my husband who is very supportive and knows that I may need to leave certain situations and he is okay with that. We booked an inside cabin with no window because I was worried I wouldn't want to see just ocean out my window but now I'm worried I'll feel too confined in there. I'm also going to mention that my anxiety has been much higher this year due to several deaths in my family. My aunt who was like a second mom to me passed away unexpectedly in January then my Dad passed away in May after a long battle with lung cancer. So I'm sure those things are not helping me now. But I really need this vacation and I am excited about it but right now the fear is out weighing the excitement.

 

[triceps]

Hi and welcome Beherenow77. I have the same conditions as you, GAD, Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia. I would never book a cruise but I was given one at work for free and couldn't pass it up. A couple things that helped me was to find a number of "comfort spots" as cruise ships have many fairly isolated spots depending on the time of day. One thing, an advantage gained from CBT therapy, is that I'm able to keep my panic attacks in perspective. I actually have absorbed knowing that I always survive my panic attacks (have never needed to go to an E.R.), that it will end and that any embarrassment from where it happens eventually goes away. So I don't worry about the next one knowing I can't control when it hits anyway. I can absolutely assure you that they won't change the course of the ship over your panic attack unless it causes you to jump overboard.

 

[Beherenow77]

Hi and welcome Beherenow77. I have the same conditions as you, GAD, Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia. I would never book a cruise but I was given one at work for free and couldn't pass it up. A couple things that helped me was to find a number of "comfort spots" as cruise ships have many fairly isolated spots depending on the time of day. One thing, an advantage gained from CBT therapy, is that I'm able to keep my panic attacks in perspective. I actually have absorbed knowing that I always survive my panic attacks (have never needed to go to an E.R.), that it will end and that any embarrassment from where it happens eventually goes away. So I don't worry about the next one knowing I can't control when it hits anyway. I can absolutely assure you that they won't change the course of the ship over your panic attack unless it causes you to jump overboard.

Thanks Tripceps! I'm glad to know someone else has gone on a cruise with anxiety and was fine. And I'm sure I will be too, it's just these past few days leading up to it that have been bad. I feel like everything I learned from CBT has just left my mind and I've gone back to the negative thoughts.

 

[Rosie123]

I have GAD and also have traveled internationally quite a bit. I have been on one cruise, and it was to Alaska. I guess what I can say is that the cruise ships are HUGE and so they do not feel confining. Certainly not as confining as an airplane, and if you have been to Italy and Singapore, you must have been on an airplane for a really long time. I think compared to that the cruise would be a piece of cake. Now, I was worried mostly about getting seasick, because that is an issue for me, so I took along Bonine just in case. One nice thing about Alaska cruises is that they go up the inside passage (I think it's called?) so that you have a lot of land on both sides of the ship. This makes it a calmer trip, and I would think that if you can see the land nearby, it might be that you wouldn't have a panic attack. You aren't out in the middle of the ocean. I have to admit to a big spike in anxiety before any big trip, but I kind of expect it now, so it isn't so bad. I am sure the deaths in your family are likely contributing factors to the anxiety. But I find that once I am ON the trip, all the anxiety goes away. I hope that happens for you too!

 

[Beherenow77]

I have GAD and also have traveled internationally quite a bit. I have been on one cruise, and it was to Alaska. I guess what I can say is that the cruise ships are HUGE and so they do not feel confining. Certainly not as confining as an airplane, and if you have been to Italy and Singapore, you must have been on an airplane for a really long time. I think compared to that the cruise would be a piece of cake. Now, I was worried mostly about getting seasick, because that is an issue for me, so I took along Bonine just in case. One nice thing about Alaska cruises is that they go up the inside passage (I think it's called?) so that you have a lot of land on both sides of the ship. This makes it a calmer trip, and I would think that if you can see the land nearby, it might be that you wouldn't have a panic attack. You aren't out in the middle of the ocean. I have to admit to a big spike in anxiety before any big trip, but I kind of expect it now, so it isn't so bad. I am sure the deaths in your family are likely contributing factors to the anxiety. But I find that once I am ON the trip, all the anxiety goes away. I hope that happens for you too!

Thanks for the reply Rosie123. Yes, we are traveling on the inside passage and when I looked at a map of the area it looked like there was land to be seen. That does make me feel better. I haven't had an issue with motion sickness but I have packed some Dramamine just in case and my doctor said it's fine to take it and xanax but that it could make me very sleepy. So I'm hoping I won't need it. I too am like you in that I worry and get anxious before a trip and then once I get on the plane I'm fine and always have fun. I actually used to be terrified of flying and although it's still not my favorite thing it doesn't bother me like it used to. (Obviously or I wouldn't have been able to fly coach to Singapore!) So I'm hoping it will be the same with the cruise. And I honestly don't know why I feel like I might need to get off the ship, everything is there that I would have on land. I even googled to make sure they have a doctor. And actually coming on here and being able to talk with others who understand has been very helpful. My husband tries and he's really good with me but when it comes down to it he doesn't know what it's really like.

 

[Rosie123]

Bonine doesn't make me sleepy like Dramamine does, and it lasts for a longer time. I have been through the flying phobia thing; I refused to fly from ages 15 to 23, but now it doesn't bother me (I am 56), so that is an anxiety/phobia success story. I bet you'll be fine.