What if you woke up tomorrow morning to learn your life would never again be the same? Would you get out of bed to face the unknown, or would you retreat back under the covers?
What. If. Two seemingly innocuous words. But put those two words together and watch out! What if? Two little words that can either set you adrift or set you on the right path. Or, just maybe, push you out of your comfort zone.
The Comfort Zone
No matter the destination, or mode of planned transportation, the night before we’re scheduled to leave on a trip I am wickedly plagued by the hysterics of the what if scenarios. So much so that if insanity beat out reason, I’d cancel a trip. What if we get in a car accident or what if there is turbulence during the flight? And then there’s always the what if we get lost or separated (which actually did happen to us in Paris) or scammed? What if.
Well, here I am once again forced to face the dreaded hysterics of the what if scenarios. In just a few days we’ll pack our bags and get on the road again heading south. South all the way to Miami, FL where we will spend 1 night before we push me way out of my comfort zone and board a cruise ship bound for the Dominican Republic.
Our route to/from the Dominican Republic. Photo Credit: Fathom.org
Aside from ferry crossings, which I love, we have never taken a cruise and I’ve always been a little less than keen on the idea of open sea cruising. What if the seas are rough? And, since I’m prone to motion sickness, what if I get sea sick? But when we received an invitation to sail with Fathom Impact Travel, we jumped at the chance. Okay, jumped may be too strong of a word to describe my reaction. Abi, however, definitely jumped on board (pun intended) while I was shall we say, excited as all hell for the opportunity but full of angst at the same time because the what-ifs we’re already dancing hysterically in my head. “Enough already,” I silently screamed!
Impact Travel
We will sail on the Adonia, a small ship by definition with just 704 passengers. This sounds just about right to me for our first cruise. Those ginormous floating cities pretty much freak me out. What sets this cruise apart from others is the concept of – Impact Travel – giving back to the local community. While docked in Puerta Plata for 3 days we will volunteer a portion of our time. We’ve signed on to work at the Cacao and Women’s Chocolate Cooperative (Hello! Chocolate!), Community English Conversation & Learning, and Recycled Paper & Crafts Entrepreneurship. It all sounds interesting, challenging, thoughtful, valuable and a whole bunch of other good adjectives, doesn’t it? But, what if?!
The Adonia. Photo credit: Fathom.org
A-Cruising We Will Go
So, a-cruising we will go armed with my newly purchased wrist bands – which seasoned cruisers tell me work great – ginger tabs, because ginger pretty much makes anything feel better, Imodium (do I have to explain?) mosquito repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and… I’m making myself laugh here. But you know the old adage: if you take it, you won’t need it, but if you don’t take it, you’ll wish you had. I’ve also been told to drink lots of alcohol because it will kill just about anything and I’m planning to schedule some serious interest in that idea.
But what if…
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Oh Patti you had me laughing at this post (I, too, am just catching up!) We have only cruised once on anything bigger than a river boat and while the whole cruise idea is not for me… for many reasons.. I love the idea of volunteering as you go! We were chatting at dog beach this morning with one of our apartment neighbors and she was heading out to volunteer for the day with Vera, a 90yr old PVR resident who has been helping those in need here in town for over 30 years..we can’t wait to get involved and help out too! Good for you for facing your fears and getting out there!
Thanks, Rhonda. The what-ifs really do slay me! I’ve been doing some reading on the topic of volunteering and travel, there’s certainly two (or three) sides to the concept.
Wow, sounds like an exciting trip! I’ve never really entertained the idea of a cruise either but I really like the ethical slant of this one and I’ll be interested to read about your volunteer experiences. I totally get your ‘what if’ state of mind, I suffer from that too, often before a big trip! No doubt excitement will take over though as the trip begins, it certainly sounds like you’re well prepared. I often try and take ginger biscuits on boat trips, I think it helps me psychologically more than anything though 🙂
Amy recently posted…Eastern Europe and Onwards to Asia – our New Travel Plans
Whenever I’m not feeling quite right, I always turn to Ginger Ale, I hadn’t thought of ginger cookies and that’s now on my list! I’ll take any help I can get, psychologically or otherwise! 🙂
What if….the cruise was cancelled? I was supposed to be on the maiden voyage of Fathom this past weekend….it was cancelled! When are you going??
Vicki Winters recently posted…Fathom Travel Adonia’s Maiden Voyage
So unfortunate for everyone concerned that your cruise was cancelled. We are scheduled for April 17, here’s hoping!
We too were cruise virgins up until the spring of 2015 when we set of on a transatlantic cruise from Miami to Barcelona so that we could start our travels in Europe. All the “what ifs” vanished and we found the whole experience to be very relaxing and lots of fun. I don’t think that cruising really fits the way we like to travel (feet on the ground and leisurely exploring places for days rather than hours) but it’s an economical and great way to get from here to there and find out what all the fuss is about. And need I mention THE FOOD? 🙂 Have a great time and enjoy the DR!
Thanks, Anita! We are looking forward to testing the waters so-to-speak, but I agree with your assessment. I think we would most enjoy small ship excursions around a group of islands for example, where the majority of your time is not spent on board the ship. We’ll soon find out!
I wouldn’t worry about the cruise too much Patti, you’ll be well taken care of.
But what interested me was the volunteering in the DR. Good for you! The Dominican Republic was the first place I ever backpacked independently. Had a great time, met lots of nice locals and practiced my Spanish. Puerto Plata is a funny place: the resorts of Playa Dorado (all-inclusives, they actually said no when I walked on their premises wanting to buy a beer) and the rest of Puerto Plata which is honestly a little beat down. If you have a chance, go to Cabarete about 30min up the coast, one of the best places for independent travel in the country and some nice bars/restaurants and it’s one of the windsurfing hotspots around the world.
But don’t worry about anything, just enjoy 🙂
Frank (bbqboy)
Frank recently posted…Photo Essay: Why we keep falling in love with Prague
Thanks for the tip, Frank, and the words of encouragement. This is definitely a new experience for us on so many levels, looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.
I have been on 4 cruises and loved them all. But I must confess I did get a little anxious on my first one and had many “what if” moments before departure . But allowing unpleasant thoughts don’t do us any good, so relax and plan to have a fantastic time. I am looking forward to find out all about your new adventure. Enjoy!
Gilda Baxter recently posted…Pen-Y-Fan The Highest Peak in South Wales
That’s great, Gilda, 4 cruises! We have friends that cruise all over the world and just love it. We’re getting our feet wet (so-to-speak) on this cruise and we’ll see how it goes from there.
I don’t “what if” but am always anxiously excited just before a journey. This sounds like a great way to be introduced to cruising, which I’ve never done and am unsure of. That makes me all the more anxious to read about your first adventure. Leave those “what ifs” behind, and have a great time.
Gaelyn recently posted…Dog friendly Bunting Trail in Kanab
Anxiously excited is a good way to describe it, Gaelyn, and I’m a little unsure as well, but won’t let it stop me.
You’ll be in plenty of fine company on this trip, it would seem. Looking forward to seeing how you do on the cruise, and your thoughts on the concept. Best wishes for an enjoyable experience!
It would seem so, Betsy! I think we’re going to meet quite a few people in real life and time. Thanks so much for the good wishes and we are also interested in this concept of travel and how it will present itself.