Comments on: Suicide, Even at Sea, Isn’t Painless

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 03:19:34 +0000

This is a much needed article on both sea and land. There have been two teen suicides and one attempted within the past six weeks in my grandchildren’s schools in Texas.

So sad, so chilling, so final, and so devastating to those left behind. My prayers and sympathy for all those affected.

By: Paul Motter

Paul Motter — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 23:23:44 +0000

Irf I saved a life I am very happy. About five to ten people go missing on ship per year. The sight of the sea is overwhelming. I hope you get to cruise someday.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:18:00 +0000

Paul, i cannot THANK U ENOUGH for this compassionate article.

I’m a 27 yrs old girl that has had very difficult times of suicidal thoughts and even attempts.

It’s been a year since the last big depression and everything seems fine. My boyfriend and I were planning to go on vacation and i was actually going to suggest him going on cruise.

I’ve never thought on suicide in a Cruise before, but now that i imagine how yould i feel faced to the magestic deep blue sea, in the middle of the night… it would be overwealming…

Like, i’m not saying cruises shouldn’t be taken, but if you know your debilities, better safe than sorry.

Thank you very much being very informative, yet not mocking of people who suffer from depression.

You might have just saved my life!
THANK U AGAIN!

By: Barbara Welt

Barbara Welt — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:09:31 +0000

Terribly sad and most likely avoidable but impulsive acts often have terrible consequences. I just wonder, though, why there is no evidence of her going overboard. I was on a RCCL cruise in April when a crew member jumped overboard 200 miles out to sea and the security cameras caught all of it and the ship was able to begin a search immediately. Sadly he was never found. But as I understand it, security cameras are EVERYWHERE on ships now so why no sign of her at all? Very odd.

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:25:53 +0000

Hi Paul

Just one point, in your original article you state cruisng is very much for “couples and families”, well I have to disagree I am single and regularly cruise on my own, both with smaller high end lines and mass market lines. It is an ideal vacation for singles, I am only 40 and never fail to meet some great people and have a good time. Not all singles become manic depressives in the company of couples !

Regards
Mike – Durban, South Africa

By: Paul Motter

Paul Motter — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:48:20 +0000

Another month of two people jumping, and one actually falling after climbing up on a railing (He was rescued clinging to a bouy).

Innocent people had their cruise ruined as the ships turned around and searched for the missing people. One Carnival ship missed two ports and arrived at its one port 13 hours late – wreaking havoc with some people’s scheduled tours and probably arriving at night. The whole mood on the ship was dampered for everyone as they witnessed a search for a missing person for some 12 hours.

It is selfish to the people you don’t know to jump from a cruise ship, but if you were concerned about not being selfish you probably wouldn’t commit suicide – assuming you have a family and people who depend upon you.

Suicidal thoughts are very delusional. They are accompanied by deep sadness and a sense of purposelessness. People who commit suicide usually believe it will somehow make the lives of their remaining family better. It doesn’t. It makes it far worse.

If you want to make your life and the lives of people around you better, live a life of service to other people. Nothing will make you feel better faster than helping other people and making their lives better. Your life will improve as well.

By: Debbie Brooks

Debbie Brooks — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:29:50 +0000

A sad, but informative article written with
compassion. Thank you Paul~!

By: Dave Beers

Dave Beers — Sun, 31 May 2009 01:12:36 +0000

The most infamous cruise bashing website now says the person “who fell overboard (some sources say he jumped)”. I’ve entertained thoughts of starting a website about “everything that can go wrong on a land vacation”, but I’ve no doubt I’d be overwhelmed with stories of thefts, assaults, robberies, bad rooms and food, etc., and I’d need a staff of at least 100 to keep up with it.

By: Paul Motter

Paul Motter — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:41:54 +0000

Just an FYI: the media covering the most recent overboard as a “man missing” was supposedly respecting the parent’s right to privacy. I understand the right to privacy, but what about the cruise bashing websites? I just checked one and they still have this article up as “man missing from cruise ship” Follow-up articles have been published in the mainstream media verifying witnesses saw him jump over the railing.

This is obvious cruise industry bashing from people who really don’t know anything about cruise ships but have made slandering their reputation a way of life. I just think it is sad the mainstream media continues to find joy in reporting wholly inaccurate bad news about cruise ships just because it has more sizzle that way.

By: Todd De Haven

Todd De Haven — Fri, 29 May 2009 01:45:02 +0000

Excellent article Paul. A macabre subject to be sure, but one that has long needed to be addressed.

You have done so successfully with obvious sincerity and understanding. You are to be commended