Hmmm....just not feeling it?

I cruise on the Vista in less than 3 weeks and I can not get excited...I don't know if it's everything going on in my life ( dad in hospital, uncle in hospital, totaled my only car in a 4 car pileup on a bridge ( not mu fault, hit from behind several times), having panic attacks and been diagnosed with ptsd from the accident, husband losing job after 21 yrs on Dec 20th.) I need some pep talk from my cc friends to get me cheered up.....Gapearl, I know you will be there with me on cruise. This is my 14th cruise since Nov 2011 and its two new ports so I should be happy happy happy. Maybe when I actually get on the boat moving it will help. Sorry guys, just needed to vent.

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I cruise on the Vista in less than 3 weeks and I can not get excited...I don't know if it's everything going on in my life ( dad in hospital, uncle in hospital, totaled my only car in a 4 car pileup on a bridge ( not mu fault, hit from behind several times), having panic attacks and been diagnosed with ptsd from the accident, husband losing job after 21 yrs on Dec 20th.) I need some pep talk from my cc friends to get me cheered up.....Gapearl, I know you will be there with me on cruise. This is my 14th cruise since Nov 2011 and its two new ports so I should be happy happy happy. Maybe when I actually get on the boat moving it will help. Sorry guys, just needed to vent.

 

 

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and that is exactly why you need a vacay! You need some relaxation and some caribbean sun! Just think about how awesome it will be on the ship :) I am sailing on Dec 11 too and it was a re booked cruise from the Liberty fiasco....but that didnt ruin our vacay for us! Have a great cruise :)

Thanks, you have a great cruise too

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There have been times that by time a vacation has finally rolled around I was so tired that I didn't want to go, everything from packing and driving to the airport was such a chore, BUT once I walked on the ship, I was able to get excited and enjoy myself.

You do seem to have a lot of negative stuff going on right now, and that's never any fun, especially around the holidays, but it will pass; the memories from the accident will fade, husband will get another job (My husband lost his job at the age of 55, actually found a better paying job!), and hopefully both your father and Uncle will make full and speedy recoveries.

Take good care of the Vista for me. We are getting on the 17th.

I cruise on the Vista in less than 3 weeks and I can not get excited...I don't know if it's everything going on in my life ( dad in hospital, uncle in hospital, totaled my only car in a 4 car pileup on a bridge ( not mu fault, hit from behind several times), having panic attacks and been diagnosed with ptsd from the accident, husband losing job after 21 yrs on Dec 20th.) I need some pep talk from my cc friends to get me cheered up.....Gapearl, I know you will be there with me on cruise. This is my 14th cruise since Nov 2011 and its two new ports so I should be happy happy happy. Maybe when I actually get on the boat moving it will help. Sorry guys, just needed to vent.

 

 

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So sorry to hear about the negative karma you got going on....BUT, you are so blessed to be booked on an amazing cruise that allows you to escape from all that reality that's been bringing you down. Take solace in the fact that you have an amazing opportunity to let all that bad stuff go and get away from reality for a while. You have your health and the ability to go. That's a blessing that lots of people don't have.

So just go and have fun, and count your blessings and have fun! You are truly blessed that you can cruise and have fun because you have your health and the economic means to go. Just make the best of the opportunities at your feet. It's all good.

Hope you have a fabulous time and come back here and tell us all about the fun you were blessed to enjoy. Honey, if you've got your health to pick up and go and the means to do so, you are so blessed! Count those blessings and have fun getting away from the unfortunate reality that you've had lately.

Life will be better soon and you'll be able to enjoy it because you have your health. Take care sweetie!

What you've been thru recently is really depressing. Your cruise will definitely give you that much needed break. Have a nice vacation!

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I've been there too, and thought there was no way I was going to be able to leave it all behind.

That first step onboard...and it all melted away.

I hope the same for you.

At least you have your health, a job, and a cruise to look forward too.

A lot of people just looking for their next meal

What you've been thru recently is really depressing. Your cruise will definitely give you that much needed break. Have a nice vacation!

I too hope it brings you a good break :)

My DH has numerous health and mobility issues so when we do get to go on a cruise it's a HUGE emotional break for me. For that reason I actually tell our adult son NOT to tell us any negative news until we disembark at the end of the cruise if there's nothing we can do about it while cruising. If you've never been in that emotionally exhausted state it may be hard to understand but I'd bet there are some reading this that know exactly what I'm saying. :(

You sound like you could use some self-care and some time away to relax and breathe and focus on yourself. Take it one day at a time.

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Best wishes for things to turn around for you, feel better and hopefully enjoy the heck out of your upcoming cruise.

Sorry to hear about all the stuff going on in your life. To me, that's exactly why you go on vacations. Allows you to focus on other things. Good things. It doesn't take away life's issues, but when you are on that cruise, let those things be as far away in your mind as you are physically from everything back home.

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I cruise on the Vista in less than 3 weeks and I can not get excited...I don't know if it's everything going on in my life ( dad in hospital, uncle in hospital, totaled my only car in a 4 car pileup on a bridge ( not mu fault, hit from behind several times), having panic attacks and been diagnosed with ptsd from the accident, husband losing job after 21 yrs on Dec 20th.) I need some pep talk from my cc friends to get me cheered up.....Gapearl, I know you will be there with me on cruise. This is my 14th cruise since Nov 2011 and its two new ports so I should be happy happy happy. Maybe when I actually get on the boat moving it will help. Sorry guys, just needed to vent.

 

 

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Wow enough for a year .

Based on all you've said, if it were me, this would be the "I'm staying on the ship, relaxing on my balcony, and at the quiet spa zone only" - I wouldn't pre-plan any excursions, maybe I'd decide to do one spur of the moment. I would fully embrace the pampering aspect of cruising. Meals and dishes provided for, clean cabin daily, clean linen each day, and more.

Just go. No plans. Let the cruise happen! There will be plenty of "planned" trips. Let this one unfold.

I hope it's wonderfully restorative and healing for you.

I've been there too, and thought there was no way I was going to be able to leave it all behind.

That first step onboard...and it all melted away. I hope the same for you.

Same here! Once on the ship, it "makes the world go away" ....

At least you have your health, a job, and a cruise to look forward too.

 

 

 

A lot of people just looking for their next meal

Actually, OP doesn't have their health. PTSD and panic attacks are very real health issues. I'm sure you're trying to cheer OP up and illustrate that they have somethings to be grateful for, but to me, it comes off as minimizing OP's feelings.

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You aren't the only one. I'm not overly enthusiastic at all about our upcoming Splendor cruise on Dec 4th. Based on the reviews I've been reading lately, and what I've been hearing elsewhere, there is something "off" about this ship. However, it's too late to cancel/rebook. For now, I'm adopting a "wait and see" approach...

mykindaparty,

you've been through a lot lately and I'm sure are exhausted. I have also had vacations that seem like an effort but once I get there and am able to relax a bit, it all comes together. I agree with the other poster that maybe you shouldn't schedule a lot of activities, but take this cruise to get some much needed rest and enjoy the scenery.

You aren't the only one. I'm not overly enthusiastic at all about our upcoming Splendor cruise on Dec 4th. Based on the reviews I've been reading lately, and what I've been hearing elsewhere, there is something "off" about this ship. However, it's too late to cancel/rebook. For now, I'm adopting a "wait and see" approach...

I will be on this same sailing with you. We were also on the Splendor in February and found her to be a great ship. I think the only real change from February is they are leaving the keys in the mailboxes now and they've started the American Table menus. The menus are fine, always something good to find and I'm thinking the key thing shouldn't be a big issue. Also, she did get updated a bit with new carpeting, new linens in the rooms and stuff like that.

Mykindaparty - your feelings are normal for someone who has been through everything you have. When you have a feeling of being overwhelmed it's hard to feel joy. There is nothing more peaceful and calming than the ocean. Sit on your balcony and just listen to the sound of the water, let all your senses take it in and I believe it will work wonders for you.

Good luck

I will be on this same sailing with you. We were also on the Splendor in February and found her to be a great ship. I think the only real change from February is they are leaving the keys in the mailboxes now and they've started the American Table menus. The menus are fine, always something good to find and I'm thinking the key thing shouldn't be a big issue. Also, she did get updated a bit with new carpeting, new linens in the rooms and stuff like that.

Thanks for the encouragement! Like the OP, this year has been filled lots of challenges/setbacks/health issues for our family. I am soooo looking forward to getting away from it all, if only for a week. We are flying in on the 3rd, staying at the Hampton Inn Blue Lagoon. Here's hoping and wishing for a successful voyage!

Actually, OP doesn't have their health. PTSD and panic attacks are very real health issues. I'm sure you're trying to cheer OP up and illustrate that they have somethings to be grateful for, but to me, it comes off as minimizing OP's feelings.

 

Counseling works wonders for PTSD (at least for me). I have it from my year in Viet Nam as a combat medic. Unfortunately, with everything else going on in her life (Dad and Uncle both in the hospital) it serves to worsen her symptoms. I hope she is talking to someone and I also hope and expect she enjoys her cruise.

Sounds like you have some bumps in this voyage we call life but being able to cruise is something some will never experience. Enjoy the cruise and I hope you and everyone in family feels better soon.

Sorry that you are having a bad time, but stepping on that beautiful ship will take you away from all that sadness and burden . You will walk off that ship refreshed and ready to conquer the world. On a side note my husband lost his job after 25 years, he became a new man at 54. So there are positives behind those black clouds. Have fun , no worries.

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First, your feelings are real and they valid. It is okay to NOT be looking forward to a cruise. It is okay to be stressed and feel like the upcoming cruise is just one more thing you "have to do." Lastly it's okay to not have a good time. You don't owe it to anyone to "have a good time". Don't force yourself to feel something that isn't genuine. Don't feel guilty for the feelings you are having. If this isn't the "perfect" get away from your troubles that everyone thinks it will be. It really is Okay. You need to care for yourself. Part of self care is accepting the feelings you are having as being real and legitimate. Feel what you need to feel.

Next. You have said you have PTSD. This can be debilitating, it can creep up on you and run havoc in your life. This sounds like a very new condition you are learning about and experiencing. Please before you leave have a session with a councillor. They can give you some coping strategies. Make sure they know you are travelling and build a plan for yourself. If you have a panic attack, having a plan or strategy in place to deal with it will be very helpful.

You have a few people in hospital and I'm certain you are going to want to keep in touch with your family back home. Make a quick plan with your extended family. Will you call them to touch base? Or should they call you? How and when will you keep in touch. If nothing is life threatening maybe you don't need this plan, but it doesn't hurt to have a discussion, so you won't be worrying at the back of your mind while you are away.

Lastly, don't over schedule. A few others have suggested the same thing. You are exhausted. If all you do for a week is sleep and eat, than do that. Sit by the pool and stare at the water, do nothing and let yourself heal. I say heal because mental exhaustion can be physically exhausting too. Book excursions if something interests you, but don't force yourself. Take it moment to moment. If you are at the sail away party and the noise is too loud don't force yourself to stay. Just go. If you need to take a quiet walk on deck go do it, live in the moment.

I don't know if any of this advice will help. I do know that for myself and my PTSD the first step to helping myself was accepting that my old rules didn't work, and sometimes I need to live my life differently and that for me was healthy.

Enjoy this cruise as best you can, and if you can't that's okay too. No guilt.