Are you someone who enjoys traveling but worriers every step of the way? My brain is always in a constant state of worry. But I have discovered a few ways to combat the worry so that I can do what I love – travel. I love cruising almost as much as my brain loves to worry. After traveling on a dozen cruises there are commonalities among cruises that make it a truly relaxing experience, even for my over-active brain. If you are a worry-wart like me, you may want to give cruising a try. Here are my 5 great reasons to cruise if you’re a worrier.
When you are a worrier or have anxiety as I do, you may seek the familiar. It may seem odd that my obsession is with travel when I deal with anxiety but I don’t let it stop me. My number one solution is to find ways of making my travel familiar.
Embrace the Familiar Aspects of Cruising
There is a certain routine with cruising that although I am traveling to new ports, the process is familiar to me. For example, there’s usually a large main buffet and it’s routinely toward the back of the ship. There is typically a central pool/sun deck, a theatre, a central area with shops such as a promenade or atrium. Even if it looks different, there are some similarities that I find reliable…familiar.
Even if it’s your very first cruise there are ways to make it feel more familiar to you. You can read blogs like this one (thank you!), you can explore ship tours on youtube or excursion ideas on Pinterest. All of that research allows your brain (or at least mine) to feel familiar with the situation.
There is a process to my embarkation day and a process that I go through when researching new ports of call and excursions. It’s new and exciting but doesn’t cause my worrying brain to go into overdrive.
Great Reasons to Cruise If you are a Worrier –
Unpack Once
I love the security of feeling settled. The minute my bag arrives, I get unpacked. This only takes about 5 minutes because I use packing cubes. But, the idea of having everything ready to go makes me feel settled and ready to relax and have fun!
Our upcoming cruise to the Southern Caribbean has 5 ports of call. I can’t imagine having to pack and then unpack my suitcase 5 times for the same adventure. I board the ship, unpack once and am ready for my vacation!
Adventure to New Places with a “Home Base”
As I mention all of the time, I love traveling. I will not let my anxiety stop me from doing what I love. Cruising allows me to experience all of these new adventures with the security of having a home base. It’s more than just the ease of unpacking once…it’s the feeling of a home base. I love that I can explore a new location, experience the sail-away party on the deck and then retreat to our stateroom if I need just a few moments of what I like to call “introvert regroup“.
It’s a familiar place to return after a new adventure in port.
I plan cruise vacations for our family and extended family. I also provide tips and tricks to many friends and subscribers. But…choosing OUR hotel for a non-cruise vacation stresses me out. It’s a difficult task to find the “perfect” location, that fits in our budget and that everyone will enjoy. We are exploring options for a longer cruise in Europe 2020 and the only thing that worries about that trip is where we should stay for our non-cruise portion.
Food Choices for the Worrier
As much as I love to explore and have a deep desire to embrace new cultures, I’m not adventurous when it comes to food. Don’t get me wrong, I love to eat. I never miss a meal. But, I’m pretty plain-Jane when it comes to food. I recently watched a travel vlog on youtube from Lima, Peru. (If you haven’t found Kara and Nate, check them out!) Um…friends, they were served Guinea Pig in Lima. That’s a hard pass from me!
I enjoy the security of knowing that if the food is a little too adventurous for me in port, I can always get back on the ship and eat. This has always been a safety net and one of the great reasons to cruise for me.
Have that Cocktail without the Uber
Let the captain do the driving! I want to relax with a glass of wine. While I consider myself a very responsible drinker, I don’t always have the same faith in others. I have no interest in sharing the road with those that have had their fair share from bar service. In case you are still wondering, yes, I DO worry about everything.
As I say to my husband, love me, love my crazy, worrying mind.
Cruises offer several lounges, dining options and onboard entertainment all on one ship. All of the adventure, very limited worry! It may be the perfect worrier’s vacation.
What worries you about travel?
I hope you’ll share in the comment section below.
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