I am on the final day of a Panama Canal cruise on
DCL. It has been wonderful, but a
small case of homesickness has set in.
There are things to which I cannot wait to return. Not that I’ve actually done anything to remedy my bittersweet yearnings
but if my shortcomings can help someone else I will not have suffered in
vain.
My top five tips to avoid homesickness:
- Choose a stateroom that requires you to walk by a guest laundry area. Sounds silly but the humid smell of drying clothes layered with a little fabreeze and bounce is like a quick trip home without sacrificing that evening’s trip to the buffet.
- Set up a slide show on your computer or tablet loaded with pictures of the people you’re going to miss.
- Sign up for international texting while you’re away. It’s super affordable and my carrier allows unlimited photo and video messages.
- Bring a small infuser of your favorite scent. No candles or incense on a ship, but this tip can help mingle your verandah room’s fresh ocean breeze with vanilla patchouli juniper berry surprise.
- Bring a t-shirt of hoodie emblazoned with your hometown or alma mater. It starts conversations and helps you make new friends. I stop everyone that has a WI “W” on their t-shirt. Sadly many of them are from Wyoming or Washington, but every once in a while I get lucky.
