General, on the Dream soon

[safathome]

Hi All, having never done a cruise before I have sat back and read with interest all of what is being said, I must admit I was a bit shocked to what was being said about the Dream.
I am however a little concerned about my problem with very slight feeling of being nervous of surroundings and other people around me.
Does anyone have this feeling of being watched in small surroundings ?
I find it quite a challange to go out on my own to a shopping mall, I tend to panic a bit and make a quick exit !.
Strange, I know there is a name for this condition, but not serious to be closed away 24/7.
I might just be being silly about this, but it does affect me.
Still looking forward to the cruise, abeit with a little aprehension now as gets closer !.

Steve

[liauq]

dear steve;
do i get the feeling that there are two issues here?
first, you feel apprehensive about going on a cruise because you've never been on one before and the bad reviews of "dream" have made your feelings worse? i think that anyone would feel that way about cruising because it's so different to other holidays ( i did) but it appears that maiden voyages often have teething troubles even without volcanoes and repairs from the parking troubles when it was a Costa ship.i'm sure that thomsons will go all out to improve their services and make sure they get better reviews quickly!
second, your feelings about being in public spaces. well, this is unavoidable in a cruiseship but i think that you will find the whole experience so interesting that you won't have time to feel like this,there will be lots of activities and excursions and there will be oases of peace in the library / internet, a lot of tastes are catered for.
i had similar feelings when i was younger but as i've got older i've realised that other people are either feeling a bit the same as you or so involved in what they are doing to notice anyone else!doesn't sound very good for the ego but true.
on the other hand, cruisers can be very friendly and helpful people.
perhaps if you feel a bit panicky, you could pop out on deck for a few deep breathes of sea air.
hope you have a lovely time.bon voyage.