First time cruiser with an odd question...
 

This may seem odd, but hopefully someone can help. We have never cruised and are considering a cruise this summer. I am deathly afraid of heights. Will being on such a huge ship effect me? Will I never be able to look down at the sea? Has anyone else with a fear of heights cruised before?

I'd hate to plan this trip, take time off, spend the money, then get there and not be able to get on the ship because of an anxiety attack. Thanks in advance for any ideas, thoughts, etc.

It is a fair question if height brother you. Unfortunately cruise ships and especially the new ones are tall. Rooms with balconies could be problem unless you have the lowest room. Perhaps an inside room would serve you while, The ships are wide enough that you ship not notice the height while on deck unless you step over to the edge. The new ships have all of their passage ways to the inside except for the very top which can be avoided. The other ships had more passage ways that were outside and along the edge. But even those ships would have ways to avoid being near the edge. Think of it as being in a huge, high rise hotel. You are only aware of the height if you go to the edge and look over. Good Luck

Austin,
I have a very deep fear of the water and I have cruised 3 times now! My stomach lurches when the seas are rough, but otherwise, I love it.

We have only cruised on HAL, vista class. I never felt like we were very high up, but maybe to you it will seem higher. You might want to consider a smaller ship.

Good luck!

Thank you. That makes sense. I'm fine in tall buildings. Just can't look out the windows.

Austin, I have the same fear, and had the same doubts before my very first cruise. It's the same as in a tall building - you don't want to put your nose to the glass to look down, that's all.

How do you feel on a plane? Always take the isle seat, like I do? On the ship try not to go on the "promenade" level, you know, the balcony going around the ship so people can take a walk or jog.

I felt fine everywhere except once looking down from that promenade - just to see how I'll react to it. No panic attack, but I didn't do it any more.

Inside the ship, it's like in a large building. There were some glass elevators inside between a couple of floors in the shopping area. The elevators going through all 12 or whatever floors are normail closed ones.

I felt absolutely safe on the top level in the pool area - they have all kind of dividers and walls and bars so there is no feel of open space. Only fresh air.

And no, don't look down at sea. Enjoy your vacation without checking your bravery. Look as sea from the shore.

Getting on the ship, you're going from a port building and just continue walking and really don't feel like you're on a ship - just like another building. No problems getting on or off.

Thanks for those tips. Just what I need.

My suggestion would be to book a cruise with Royal Caribbean on the Adventure or Explorer of the Seas. They have a mall on the fifth deck, with rooms overlooking the mall. U will never have to worry about looking out at the water, you will look directly on the mall. You can book rooms on the fifth or six deck which is pretty stable, also you will be in the middle of the ship, which adds stability. Another plus to the room overlooking the mall; you have birdseye view of all the parades and parties, they are all right out side your window. Being on a cruise is one of the most relaxing vacations I have ever taken. I leave next month for a cruise of the Med. I start in Venice.
Cheers

Austin, I can remember the first time my friend cruised. Her husband had made the reservations without her knowledge. For months we listened to how she was never (and I mean never) going to go out on her balcony and look at the sea. I can also remember the second night at sea, stepping out on my balcony and seeing a shadow on the balcony next door. "Barbara, is that you?" I asked. She never said a word, just smiled. It was never a problem.

Not all ships are huge and IMO the smaller ones are far more enjoyable than the floating mall/convention hotel style ships of RCI, Princess, etc.

Look at the smaller ships of HAL, Princess(Tahitian,etc), Oceania. These ships are more human in scale and I think would be enjoyable for you.

I prefer the smaller ships for many reasons; feeling like an ocean liner instead of a Hyatt Convention property is a main one.

Thank you EVERYONE for you thoughts, advice, tips.

Right now, since the budget is limited, we would only be able to cruise from Galveston, and the ships there are somewhat limited. Perhaps if we find cruising to our liking, we can some day expand our port and ship choices!

I can tell you all about Galveston port and ships.

Spurs - I'm all ears! (and eyes...)

The best ships from Galveston are Rhapsody and Conquest. Grand Princess repos to Europe at the end of April. There is also Ecstasy doing 4-5 cruises but I wouldn't advise it, especially in summer. Ports are W. Caribbean: Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Costa Maya, Roatan. Any specific questions post here or e-mail [email protected].

Perfect! Those are the two I am considering, after reading several reviews.

Question - If we go, it would be husband and I, plus 2 17 year old girls. (Daughter and friend) Can we get 2 rooms across from each other? Are the rules that they must be 18?

I know you can get rooms next to each other, and I believe you can also get rooms across from each other. But even if not, there is a simple trick: you may book one adult in each cabin with girl and then switch on board. Just be aware you'd need a notarized consent signed by your daughter friend's parents. If you need info on parking (better than in port), e-mail me.

I do not like heights but have had not problem on cruises - even with balcony. The only place I was remoted creeped out was walking up open, narrow steps to top deck (usually off pool deck) and standing right at front of ship - places easy to avoid. Even looking over railing did not bother me. If you find it does, just don't sit near the edge of pool deck, near window in restaurant. When you are not right at edge looking down you have absolutey no sensation of being high up.

Regarding the teens - cruiseline will require you to officially book one adult and one kid in room - probably looks better if you book in same cabin as friend of daughter and your husband books with your daughter. No one cares who actually sleeps where - just make sure bedding configuration (whether beds are pushed together or kept separate) is clear to cabin attendant.

Also, think about on-=board charges for friend of dtr - you will be asked to sign something with a credit card to allow room keys, which act as on-board charge cards, to be used. This is important for sodas, etc which the teens will want, but there is nothing to stop same card to be used to charge millions in jewelery - so if it is your charge card, make sure each girl knows limits of what they can charge.

Austin, I don't want to put a damper on your plans, but my SIL also has a fear of heights. We planned a six couple cruise, a family reunion, and she got talked into going. The night before we booked, she gave me her credit card etc and said she was looking forward to it. The next morning, she called me at a very early hour, said she had been up all night suffering, and she just couldn't do it. I totally understood - who wants to pay all that money, use precious vacation time, then be miserable?

Only you can gauge whether this would be doable. You say you are "deathly afraid". I wouldn't take the chance. There are too many other wonderful vacation ideas out there.

And those who suggested the birds eye view from the interior mall cabin, well isn't that a height issue too?

I guess not having a fear of heights, but as I said, a deep fear of the water, it's hard for me to understand what is considered "height" on a cruise ship.

Do people who have a fear of heights not go up to a 2nd floor anywhere? What is considered "height"? And where on a cruise ship would you have the feeling of "height" other than on the top deck, which can mostly be avoided. (On HAL Vista class ships, deck 9 has the buffet & pool; perhaps on other ships, they are on lower decks.)

Austin, all I can say is that I amazed myself by conquering (somewhat) my very deep and real fear of water & loved all 3 cruises we have taken in the past 1 1/2 years, albeit with a little knot in the pit of my stomach for 7 - 10 days!

We have been on the Yorktown Clipper (a small 138 px ship) twice, but are doing a Celebrity Millennium Med Cruise next month (sky deck CC balcony cabin), so will let you know.
M

Arizona, this is how I feel my fear of height: when I can look down and afraid to fall. Like I'm losing control over staying in that spot. Can be a balcony, a bridge, a plane window, a glass elevator, an edge of a canyon.