Phobias Types Cruise Ship Phobia The exact nature of cruise ship phobia differs from person to person By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 21, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Cara Lustik Fact checked by Cara Lustik LinkedIn Cara Lustik is a fact-checker and copywriter. Learn about our editorial process Print Matteo Colombo/Getty Images A fear of cruise ships and a phobia of cruise ships are not the same and sometimes only a trained clinician can tell the difference. Cruise ship phobia is not a fear of the ocean or even of boats in general. In fact, it's possible you may feel no fear about going on your father's small boat, while large ships terrify you. You don't have to be in physical proximity to a cruise ship or even on board to have a phobic reaction. For example, photos and drawings of the Titanic could cause anxiety. Even a simple mention of the ship's name could trigger you. The exact nature of this fear differs from person to person, which is common with phobias. Treating Cruise Ship Phobia Fortunately, if you are troubled by this condition, you can treat cruise ship phobia like you would any other phobia. If you think you have a fear of cruise ships, speak to a mental health professional who can help you diagnose your phobia. There are two main ways to treat a phobia: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure-based therapy. A psychotherapist can help you use CBT to challenge irrational thoughts you may be having that contribute to your phobia. For example, if you fear the cruise ship will sink, your therapist may walk you through statistics about cruise ship safety as well as ship design and emergency preparedness. Exposure-based therapy works on treating your phobia head-on. When you are afraid, it is natural to want to run away or avoid the object causing you fear. Exposure therapy can help you conquer your fears by addressing and engaging them. Exposure therapy is conducted gradually, meaning you won't have to fully face your fears on day one. Rather, you may start by talking about cruise ships or looking at some photos. After a period of time, determined with your therapist, you may work your way up to visiting a ship or even spending some time onboard. 1 Source Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Bandelow B, Reitt M, Röver C, Michaelis S, Görlich Y, Wedekind D. Efficacy of treatments for anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis. Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 2015;30(4):183-92. doi:10.1097/yic.0000000000000078 By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Speak to a Therapist for Phobias Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.