Help me beat anxiety

[BestZebbie]

Myself, DH and DS (4) have been invited on a cruise with MIL and DH sibling families. Everyone is keen and hypothetically I'd like us to go to be with the extended family - except unfortunately since DS was born I've had intrusive thoughts, primarily about him drowning (I suspect partly because in 2015 there was the famous photo of the drowned would-be-migrant child on the beach and some harrowing radio drama with small infants on the same topic). I cannot stand the idea of us all going to sleep trapped inside a boat (basically all the worst bits of titanic are on loop featuring him), but I'm wondering if maybe a balcony cabin so we had a direct route to air might be ok? I'm also stressed about ensuring he gets a small enough life jacket in an emergency (and then panicking about him floating in it by himself and dying of exposure, thanks igglepiggle) - how are they managed? We would not be doing a kids club as there is no way I could let him be in a different part of the ship to me in case of emergency. How do I deal with this anxiety without refusing to go or being drugged all week? In my mind I think I have cruising ranked pretty much with parachute jumping, which I can see is probably unrealistic.

The suggested cruise is in the Med., which at least is not the mid-Atlantic but still seems full of people drowning every time I listen to the radio or read the paper. I'd probably be OK on the Nile as the boats are only a couple of storeys and you can see both banks at the same time (but sadly no one wants to try Egypt due to political instability).

Firstly, the ships can't sail until everyone has completed the marine safety drill at which your D'S will be issued with the correct size life jacket.

I have travelled in outside & balcony cabins and always find a balcony nicer because of the fresh air. However I think you would be paying extra without taking advantage of the facility, because it sounds as though you would not want DS to go out on the balcony.

Have you considered hypnotherapy to help you get over your anxiety? Alternatively, if you live near the south coast, you can go on a ship visit when they are in port which may put your fears at bay.

Once you are on the ship you’ll realise how safe they are. I wouldn’t have a balcony, a window will do fine so you can see out. Don’t worry about sleeping, you will all sleep like logs!

Don’t forget you are not on the ship all the time (unless you choose to be). You will be docked in port most days so plenty of time to get onto dry land.