To miss this cruise opportunity because I'm scared of boats.

[HodorHodorHodorHodor]

I am lucky enough to have the chance to go on an all expenses paid, all inclusive cruise around the Caribbean next year.

I have been abroad once in my life (I am now mid 40's) and haven't been on holiday for over 15 years.

Childcare, time of work etc will be fine but the only thing that is stopping me from saying yes is my fear of boats. My family told me that I would be mad not to as I don't get out much but I feel as though something terrible is going to happen.

I'm posting to get some thoughts or advice from others about going on cruises and whether or not I should or shouldn't go because I cannot make the decision.

Look at the opportunities - do you like the sound of the excursions?

Yes was thinking re ship and claustrophobia - how to escape?!

Walking into your bathroom is 10,000x more dangerous that being on a cruise ship, yet you do that without hesitation several times a day. Go on the cruise and live a little.

You don’t get claustrophobic because you can go on the deck and see for miles ( and you’re travelling usually, so feels like you are going, not trapped).

There is an element of tacky no doubt. But many people are aware of it actually and don’t embrace it. For every organised line dance there’s a equal number of people working out how to tour independently.

It’s an opportunity to see a bit of Earth you haven’t for free.

Not meaning this to be arsey but its a ship, not a boat. I'm pointing that out because there's such a huge difference. A boat is small, you definitely know you're on the water, you can feel every movement of the waves etc. Cruise ships are huge, at certain places ie bars, restaurants, many of the cabins, you won't even be able to see the sea. They have stabilisers so you won't feel the worst of the sea anyway.
The crew will be very well trained about what to do in an emergency and you'll have a safety briefing your first day on board. Maybe have a look at some reviews websites like cruisecritics.com which will give you a bit of an insight (although just be aware some people love to complain about anything and everything!)

Check out some of the TV Shows about Cruise Ships like Cruise Ship Diaries and there are more. I happened to catch one the other night and they knew they were sailing into a storm so they ballast the ship and put wing things out the sides to stabilise it. The wings were news to me however it all went fine and the sword juggler could do his act - panic avoided!
I have only been on one cruise but I really enjoyed it, our kids were about 7 and they liked it, actually since it's just me and DH a cruise sounds like a plan.
OP go for it!!

It's a free trip to see the Carribbean when you haven't holidayed in 15 years and have barely been abroad??? God yes you'd be crazy not to take it!!!!!!

My sister was an officer with carnival for years, and says they're really not like boats in the truest sense of the word. They're hotels really. And the Caribbean is easy cruising.

Perhaps try a few ferries first, Isle of Wight? Dover/Calais etc?

If you have a choice, get a balcony. It guarantees you a little quiet outdoor spot, which can be hard to find on a day at sea. Inside the ship, you won't know you're on a ship - that's why some people don't like cruising I expect!!

Nooo, dont try a ferry! It's nothing like a big cruise ship & will put you right off!!

Whatever you do don’t get the ferry to the Isle of Man.

I had a rough crossing of the North Sea in October.
A large ship will be fine though.

It's not an amazing opportunity if you hate boats!

I hate spiders, I would not volunteer at the spider sanctuary etc. etc.

BUT as it is an expensive free holiday I would probably at least go nose around a similar ship and see how you feel...

Lol, fair point. 😂

Cruises are great. People’s perceptions are really wrong about them. You can often go for a look round cruise ships on certain days in Southampton- most of the time you will have no idea you’re on the ship esp round the Caribbean

You wouldn’t get me on a cruise for love nor money so I can empathise. For me, it would be an opportunity for someone else - I’d rather stay home.

It could be good for you to face that fear. I used to have a phobia of the sea, I would panic if I got too close one day I decided to face it head on. I was in Cyprus and I crab walked in. Now I am the first one to jump in.

A boat is not comparable to a ship and anyone who hasn't been on a cruise can't really imagine how amazing a holiday it is. Claustrophobia? Really? you are no more likely to suffer from that on a ship than in a hotel or a shopping mall. People worry about being sea-sick but you can barely feel the ship move. Think of it as being in a 5* hotel which moves at night and you are in a different place to explore each day. You will love it. I really didn't fancy cruising when we went on our first one but was talked into it by my husband. It took me about an hour to realise how daft I had been. Have done 11 or 12 since then and going LA to Chile at the end of the year. Can't wait!

I haven’t been on a cruise ship but I felt claustrophobic in a hotel designed like one

Low ceilings, long corridor, in Halkidiki, so I can’t understand it

I’d have to get on a big ship to know

Can

Can understand it

anyone who hasn't been on a cruise can't really imagine how amazing a holiday it is

I assure you they can. If you don't like hotels, luxury or otherwise, and want to spend longer than a few hours to a day in one place, then cruising is not for you.

A cruise gives you amazing opportunities to visit a number of places in one trip. Those of you saying it's claustrophobic, you do realise there are many excursions available, every day you can get off the ship and visit a different country or city. I've been to Barcelona, Pisa, Pompeii, VilleFranche, Sardinia, all in one week, with a choice of guided tours with coach transfers, or shuttle buses for independent exploring. Then back to eat in a different restaurant each night if you wish, a show every evening, live bands, quieter areas, activities like swimming, a climbing wall, mini golf. And that was all on a smaller cruise ship.
Boring it is not.