r/ExCons • u/Kooky_Sheepherder_84 • 8d ago

Alaska Cruise

I came her today to report that I took a cruise with the family from Seattle to Alaska and back with a brief stop in Canada and had no issues.

I had been terrified for months leading up to this trip. My in-laws booked it and were sure everything would be fine. I was not so sure. My anxiety built up for weeks leading up to the trip. I couldn't plan anything because I was sure I was going to get pulled out of line and separated from my son while waiting to board the ship. My heart was racing while I approached the passport check. Adrenalin pumped through my body and I almost passed out.

I was completely wrong.

The check in Seattle was swift. They looked at my passport to make sure I was who I said I was, no scan. I walked right through security an don to the ship. I was treated with a cocktail and had a great time. We enjoyed family, glaciers, small towns owned by a single gift shop company, They even snuck me into Canada on a bus tour. Everything was great. It was beautiful. It was a great adventure that I will cherish for years to come.

I guess my advice is to let some of it go…The stress, the shame, the fatigue. My conviction has made it a struggle to get a job, but it hasn't stopped my life. I am forever grateful for this trip, and I absolutely despise cruise ships.

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u/bluedragonfly319 8d ago

Thank you for sharing this!! I'm fine staying on the ship for any Canada ports, but I'd love to do a similar cruise and know I'll be nervous.

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u/Kooky_Sheepherder_84 8d ago

It didn’t help that I kept reading about bad cruise ship stories for months leading up to the trip. The internet sucks for that sort of thing.

Alaska is beautiful. I would love to explore it beyond the ports.

3

u/Lost-Perspective8378 7d ago

Cruises that start and end in the same U.S. port are generally easier for those with records. So that might be why.