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anxiety issues


ttrmom
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heading out on the Sunshine in June- first time Carnival (have cruised other lines before). I tend to get anxious with crowds and the unknown. The other lines have let me board on the early side due to this. Do you know if Carnival will let me do this as well? (I have a drs note). Also, we currently have late seating- what are the chances I can get that switched to early seating? I cant do the "freestyle" dining- it makes me panic that we wont get a seat. Silly things I know, but I have made it work with the other cruises we have been on... Thanks!

Mikki

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If you don't have FFTF, then I suggest you arrive late so you can skip the lines and crowds. Not to say you don't have an issue, but you would be amazed at all the people that would pop up with "anxiety" and a "Dr's note" to get on early.

 

As far as dining, look in the Fun Times as soon as you board. It will say where/when the Maitre D will be and see if they can fit you in to early seating. If not, you'll be eating at 8:15PM.

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heading out on the Sunshine in June- first time Carnival (have cruised other lines before). I tend to get anxious with crowds and the unknown. The other lines have let me board on the early side due to this. Do you know if Carnival will let me do this as well? (I have a drs note). Also, we currently have late seating- what are the chances I can get that switched to early seating? I cant do the "freestyle" dining- it makes me panic that we wont get a seat. Silly things I know, but I have made it work with the other cruises we have been on... Thanks!

 

Mikki

 

 

Call the Carnival 800 number, they can answer your question regarding early boarding. In regards to your dining time, see if they can assist with that as well. Worse case is see the Maitre'd when you board the ship.

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Contact special needs. With the doctors note they are legally required to accommodate your disability.

 

But that doesn't mean they will let OP on first. Their idea of accommodating her could be to wait until the crowd thins out and give an escort onto the ship. Sure, it probably won't hurt to call them, but I don't know that it will be of any real value.

 

I think if FTTF is available that would be the best route as it will also assist with being waitlisted for Early Dining pending they are in fact on the waitlist and not just hoping there's an opening.

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Contact special needs. With the doctors note they are legally required to accommodate your disability.

 

Not accurate in this situation. OP is not being required to remain in an environment that they find uncomfortable for what ever reason. OP is permitted to choose their own arrival time and they can choose a time less crowded and that will allow them to board without delay.. " Front of the line" is not an accommodation for any disability.

 

The assigned dining room is as likely to be as full of people. Lido is more likely to have fewer people.

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I have family and friends that suffer from anxiety. I know it can be overwhelming. i don't know your triggers. But I would agree the poster that said arrive later in the morning to avoid the crowds. Even with FTTF there is a lot of chaos and craziness. Come later and board with less stress is my recommendation. For dining... I would do a set time rather than anytime to eliminate stress there. I have to give you kudos for moving forward. I know it can be hard. Cruises can be stressful in that people tend to look out for themselves once they get on board. Be prepared for this and you will be okay.

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Contact special needs. With the doctors note they are legally required to accommodate your disability.

 

Some woman with a child with autism tried to sue Disney for not allowing her child to skip every line. The courts recently just said that Disney follows all rules regarding disabilities and is not required to allow someone to skip lines. Thus she lost her case.

 

Requesting to be able to skip every line is not a reasonable accommodation.

Edited by BeachChik
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heading out on the Sunshine in June- first time Carnival (have cruised other lines before). I tend to get anxious with crowds and the unknown. The other lines have let me board on the early side due to this. Do you know if Carnival will let me do this as well? (I have a drs note). Also, we currently have late seating- what are the chances I can get that switched to early seating? I cant do the "freestyle" dining- it makes me panic that we wont get a seat. Silly things I know, but I have made it work with the other cruises we have been on... Thanks!

Mikki[/QUOT

 

Others have given some great suggestions. I have anxiety as well. I have had a few panic attacks at safety drill. You may want to contact special needs for that as well.

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For future reference if you had changed your dining earlier you could have switched your dining online to the early dining easily and had it confirmed. I switched my dining online today and it was instantly confirmed but we're still several months out from our cruise. At this point like mentioned you'll need someone in your party to go in and try to have it confirmed once on the ship, then you will get a little confirmation card in your room if it's changed.

 

I don't think having a Dr. note will help with the dining change it's first come first serve so as long as you are there early, if there is an opening they will switch you over.

 

I also agree with arriving late in the day when the rush has calmed down if you wan to avoid the crowds. No I wouldn't expect them to allow you on early, a lot of people that cruise have anxiety issues, if they allowed them all on first they'd bump everyone else to the back. They do make accomodations when necessary per the laws but can only do so much.

Edited by poobears
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If you have an assistance animal to aid you with your anxiety you are welcome to bring them along. Contact Carnival for details.

 

 

Think it's now limited to dogs. There was a great thread about a cat. Search 'ocelot' on the HAL board.

 

The Disabled Cruising board has a huge thread about service dogs. They'd know if other animals are allowed.

 

*****

Great advice about arriving a bit later. Even 12:30 can be not too bad, by the time you're boarded the cabins would be available.

Go to Guest Services to arrange a handicapped muster. I also hate crowds so we arrive a few minutes after muster is called to be in the front of the mass. (We're never been the last)

Edited by SadieN
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Make sure you bring something to drink with you to the muster drill too and try to find a shady spot if you can (so get there early). June will be hot on deck depending on where you port out. I've about fainted during a couple of muster drills in the summer time since I'm sensitive to the heat. I've seen a couple people actually faint. Don't be shy about walking over to a shady spot if you need to or sitting down on the deck.

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Best advice GO LATER for Embarcation!! Seriously, by 1:30 -2 the place is EMPTY... And bonus, that is about when they open the cabins so most people are putting their stuff in them and the lines for food are shorter!

 

Contact special needs so you can meet separately for the muster drill

 

And be prepared to alter your plans to avoid peak times and peak crowds...

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