OK -- you have some stress flying. I really do understand that. My mother used to HATE flying. She was afraid of every noise or any sort of turbulence . . . but if the reason/destination was important enough to her she would get a grip and fly. It seems to me that you are spending waaaaay more time and waaaaay more money to do something that sounds to be very VERY important to you (and to your mother).

My mother used to always get an aisle seat because she as she said "How can I pretend I'm on a bus if I can look down and see icebergs/ocean" :)

You could book business class for a lot less money than crossing half of Europe and then paying the single supplement on Cunard . . . and be at your mother's side many days / weeks sooner. Talk to a doctor about giving you a prescription sedative-type medication. A low dosage one so you can take one just before boarding and one just after the first meal service. That would help you relax and then sleep after eating. Business class is very comfortable with a fair amount of privacy. You would have sort of a cubicle with a TV set and no one right next to you, plus blankets and comfortable pillows. The doctor would know what sort of med would be best.

It might still be hard but if you sleep 3/4 of the way across it would be over before you know it. And your mother would see you at her side in a couple of days.

. . . That would also simplify the covid documentation you'd need

I understand and appreciate your suggestions and have thought about getting a sedative but I am just worried about if I wake up.

Please accept the following in the kind and caring spirit in which it's given. These things need to be said because my friend, you need a reality check.

Your have completely boxed yourself into an impossible situation because of your refusal to fly. Please consider these consequences:

1. As it stands now, it could be a month or more before you can leave the Ukraine. Then it will be at least another 10 days after that before you get to somewhere in the US. Then you have to get to wherever your mother is.
2. You are in a country that is likely to go to war with Russia very soon. If that happens you could be in grave danger, and you could have a tough time getting out.
3. God forbid, but what if your mother dies before you get home? How are you going to feel about that in the years to come? Are you going to kick yourself for the rest of your life for not doing whatever it takes to get home? I guarantee you, that remorse will be far worse than a few hours of rattled nerves on an airplane.

Please take the suggestion to buy a business class ticket and take a pill.

Remember when you were a child and something scared you? Wasn't your mother there to tell you it would be OK? Imagine she is with you on the flight. Draw comfort from her strength. I know you can do this. She deserves to have you home and she shouldn't suffer because you won't fly. Do this for your mother, PLEASE.

Once again, I'm speaking from sincere concern and above all, from the heart.

Hello again. I stand by every word I said above, but I would like to apologize if it came out as being harsh. At the time I posted I was thinking about my father. We lost him in May 2020. As devastating as it was, I hate to imagine how much worse it would have been if I had been on the other side of the world with no way to get home anytime soon.

You do have a way to get home in the next day or two. Please just do it. You will thank yourself later and so will your family. Wishing you the best.

I agree with the last few posts.
I was petrified the first time I flew, but I really wanted to get where I was going. If it's important, you just bite the bullet and do it !
Book business class, take a sedative and get it over with. You are building up more stress every day worrying about this. Stop worrying that you might wake up. If you do, you'll still have the effects of the sedative to keep you calm.
You mother NEEDS you so get there as soon as you can and that would be via an airplane!

I want to always wake up. LOL.

I understand you were trying to be encouraging, thank you.

I was able to take the the first vaccine.

The US has ordered the families of diplomats in the Ukraine to evacuate.
I would get myself out of there as soon as possible by any means available.

Yes, even if you just can make your way to Hamburg or wherever.

Since he is not fully vaccinated his overland options are limited.

Perhaps quarantine in Poland isn't such a bad option.

It seems OP is insistent on this cruise option as the only one possible, however they may be running out of time.

I'm certainly a fan of Krakow. And even a quarantine hotel on the border would be better than being overrun by Russian troops. Although I am not convinced that outcome is cast in stone.

Nothing is cast in stone until it happens but it's not looking good. To the OP, I'm begging you to please get your butt out of the Ukraine ASAP!! If you won't fly back to the US then go wherever you can. Staying in the Ukraine is an unnecessary risk.

This is really frustrating and I don't even know the OP. I can only imagine what his family is going through.

It might be a good idea to at least register with the embassy if he hasn't already done so (assuming this whole situation is real).

In many years of travel I have only contacted an embassy or equivalent twice, but in this situation it would be prudent. (Once in Pakistan right after 9-11, and once on Taiwan ahead of a typhoon - didn't make a difference either time.)

I thought the embassy workers were evacuated.

Not all. Non-essential staff and families.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/23/polit...aff/index.html

Also: https://apnews.com/article/russia-uk...626a5ca42afd0?

US State Dept. was advising against travel to Ukraine because of Covid, has now added the security situation. Also now advising against travel to Russia.

Thank you Thursday.

CT, are you reading this? The U.S. government is saying to get out.

PLEASE get out of the Ukraine as soon as possible even if you have to drive or walk!!!
US is telling all US citizens to leave.

It must be chaos there now. Good luck to the OP.

I don't believe he needs proof of vaccination to enter Poland, just a negative COVID test result. Nonstop flights are under two hours.

Testing:Until January 31, 2022, travelers crossing the Polish border as an external EU border are required to present to a Border Guard officer a negative diagnostic test result for SARS-CoV-2, in Polish or in English, performed within 24 hours before crossing the border (the test can be performed either in the country where the person begins his/her journey or at the airport in Poland, before the border check). Any person who fails to present a negative test result to a Border Guard officer will be required to undergo a compulsory quarantine.