[Laura]

I've been noticing lots of people on fb talking about this subject post-70K 2014....perhaps more so even than in the past.

I haven't been on a 70K cruise since 2012, so maybe I'm just forgetting, but I don't recollect having it tooo bad. I dunno, I look at it this way: I'm always super grateful for the special trips I take (of any kind), and as for the rest of the time ("normal" life as it were), I do my best to fill it will all kinds of awesome. Depression? Ain't nobody got time for 'dat!!

[Stained Class]

PCD grows every year it seems. My worst PCD story: the night after I got back from 70k this year I had to use my room key to scrape the ice off the inside of my windshield. It was fucking painful.

[Sgt. B]

...I had to use my room key to scrape the ice off the inside of my windshield. ....

Good way to find additional uses for the room key.

[last_candle]

never had PCD - especially not this year with my jetlag already sucking out all my energy

for me, it's more or less like you described it, Laura
as much as I'd like to stay on vacation for longer - it's kinda ok to be back in "real life", because there's also a lot great stuff going on there...

[WizardBeast]

never had PCD - especially not this year with my jetlag already sucking out all my energy

for me, it's more or less like you described it, Laura
as much as I'd like to stay on vacation for longer - it's kinda ok to be back in "real life", because there's also a lot great stuff going on there...

plus, we got to dance like hillbillies together, Simon! remember when i wiped out? LOL

[mooyagi]

No big PCD this time. It does seem to be less strong with each passing cruise. Cruise crud made me miserable for a few days though.

[WizardBeast]

No big PCD this time. It does seem to be less strong with each passing cruise. Cruise crud made me miserable for a few days though.

First year was the worst for me!!!!! This year it didn't hit me really. Real life is great for me anyway!

[Stained Class]

I'm not so depressed that it's over as I am disappointed with myself for being so drunk monday night that I was pretty much hung over for the rest of the trip. I did part a lot harder in Miami this time than any other time though. Next year I'm gonna drink less.

[WizardBeast]

I'm not so depressed that it's over as I am disappointed with myself for being so drunk monday night that I was pretty much hung over for the rest of the trip. I did part a lot harder in Miami this time than any other time though. Next year I'm gonna drink less.

I've said the same for next year and no one believes me. My track (w)record is pretty poor for Sunday night though. I think every year I've been bombed. Maybe we'll actually be better next year?

I'd LOOOOVE a do-over!

[Stained Class]

I'm not so depressed that it's over as I am disappointed with myself for being so drunk monday night that I was pretty much hung over for the rest of the trip. I did part a lot harder in Miami this time than any other time though. Next year I'm gonna drink less.

I've said the same for next year and no one believes me. My track (w)record is pretty poor for Sunday night though. I think every year I've been bombed. Maybe we'll actually be better next year?

I'd LOOOOVE a do-over!

Ok let's stay sober sunday night then! lol

Edit: Wednesday I guess.

[viathyn]

I've never had PCD. I mean, I love you guys and everything, but it's a hard week of nonstop party and energy. If I did this more often I'd probably die.

It's nice to get back home to my lady and kitty and band and condo.

[mfrap]

I feel like if I had the money I'd be the River Pheonix of metal parties. So I definately had PCD, especially since it was my first one. For a guy who usually needs alot of sleep to be social and not a complete grump I actually had high spirits the whole time despite getting maybe 12 hours in 5 days. Everyone was so awesome and it was super fun, so naturally comming back to cold shitty boring work weeks pales in comparison.

[X-Thor]

For me it's PCD and PDD.

[KDibildeaux]

No big PCD this time. It does seem to be less strong with each passing cruise. Cruise crud made me miserable for a few days though.

First year was the worst for me!!!!! This year it didn't hit me really. Real life is great for me anyway!

Yup, I was bummed to not be on the cruise with all you awesome people but I was also glad to be back in my own bed and to see my kitteh (and my Coyotes )

[Krys]

PCD sucks.

Getting through it though... *sigh* I miss everyone I met on the cruise. EVERYONE. You're all awesome people and I cannot wait to party again all together on The Liberty Of The Seas. If I look familiar and we're not already friends on FB I think the link to it is on my profile. I keep going through all the photos and watching the videos I took. Speechless. I'm so glad this trip was fully lived in the moment!!! Sad it's over. What a whirlwind these past two weeks have been!!!

There just isn't any way around the aftermath of 70,000 Tons Of Metal. If you have any heart at all you miss the cruise and cruisers!

[TOM CRUISE]

What Joey said. I was addicted since the inaugural cruise. I've been around the world, I've seen a million girls. Wait, I mean there is nothing like 70000 tons of metal. I'm sure other themed cruises are relatively fun, my heart lies deep in 70K. I had PCD bad this time. I still have it.

[cowboy71]

I miss boat. I miss bands. I miss you guys.

But, not bad PCD.

Was happy to get back home to the kids, and got lots of awesome happening this year!! Lots of great things happening at work, Iced Earth, Dark Tranquillity and Orphaned Land tours all coming up next month.

If I really cannot do 2015 I think NGOCD ("Not Going On Cruise Depression") may hit me pretty hard though

[Samhain]

I definitely have PCD but I'm burying myself in other work to cope with it. Compartmentalize life. Try not to cruise.. think… forums… must… focus… school.

[CaptOblivious]

PCD has been bad but different this year. The past 3 cruises i took, the PCD showed it's self as an overwhelming crushing weight as the real world crept back into my life. This year though not as strong the PCD has shown it's self as my mind refusing to want to integrate with "normal" society. People i normally converse with easily i find myself grasping at straws trying to connect to them and yet people who i just met this year on the boat i can chat with like they have been my best friend my whole life. i guess the only upside is my first night back at work yesterday and i didn't greet a guest at my hotel by throwing the horns and saying FUCK YEAH!!! sooo woooo baby steps

[Laura]

When thinking back on post 70K 2011, my main memory is thinking how totally *unique* the experience was...I felt like "wow, I've lived a long time and I have never experienced *anything* quite like this"...particularly in terms of the fantastic camaraderie gained in a relatively short period of time. Pretty much everyone on the forum pre-2011 was going on the cruise and with just a few exceptions, none of us had ever met in person. That is why the 2011 pre-party was so amazing and one of the most fun nights of my life. I had never before been so active in an online community with hitherto strangers who I would eventually meet en masse. (I'd been in online forums & such before then, but never in a case where we'd all eventually meet in one place - in fact, I never met the majority of those people & likely never will).

So, upon returning, my immediate thought (along with many other alums I'm certain) was that I had to go back again....so I totally get the sentiments expressed by the first timers here. And I went back again in 2012, and had another wonderful time (although perhaps not *quite* as much as 2011, in part because the utter novelty was gone (as in, I've *never* experienced anything like this before in my life: so many cool people & awesome bands on a boat). Since then, I've been focusing on & planning other kinds of trips (music & non-music related), but still very much enjoy staying "in touch" with 70K people here and on fb. The fb forum group activity in particular continues to grow more and more.

And getting back to the subject of post-cruise (or any post-trip for that matter) "depression" per se afterwards, as I said earlier, for me - not really. While it is really awesome to take a great trip, I'm extremely content with my "normal life"....husband, kids, pets, house, job, the city I live in, the things I see, do, and experience here, and so on. The only really hard part for me is coming back to winter weather after being in a wonderfully warm & sunny place!

[surfslamdive]

PCD grows every year it seems. My worst PCD story: the night after I got back from 70k this year I had to use my room key to scrape the ice off the inside of my windshield. It was fucking painful.

Oh man am I glad I live in Vancouver. All I had to do was change into pants and put a jacket on to get to my car...

[TOM CRUISE]

Hmmm I guess I am quite different than Laura. I NEVER want the boat to dock on these cruises. I want them to go for another 4 or 5 days out to sea. Plus when 98% of the people there are pure 100% kind and cordial metalheads its just like one big happy family. When its over, I feel sad saying goodbye to everyone and the boat...

[mindgrind]

this I've been on all of them and everytime I feel sad to see everyone leave, I feel this is the coolest thing I have done(NEXT TO MY DAUGHTER LILY) Thanks to everyone that took pictures with me in my daughters favorite (LADYBUG HAT) she loved them, and a big FUCK YOU to those how asked why the stupid hat......hahahah

[Decibel]

I experience this in its entirety. The main reason I believe is because you guys and gals are so awesome that I miss you for the rest of the year.

[bernabeit]

I get PCD, but it goes away as soon as I start planning for the next year!!!

[Stained Class]

PCD grows every year it seems. My worst PCD story: the night after I got back from 70k this year I had to use my room key to scrape the ice off the inside of my windshield. It was fucking painful.

Oh man am I glad I live in Vancouver. All I had to do was change into pants and put a jacket on to get to my car...

I'm moving to Vancouver this year. Actually I'm in town right now you going to dark Tranquillity tomorrow?

[Speedy]

The first week or so was pretty bad for me, but now I've turned it around to excitement for next year.

[X-Thor]

PCD grows every year it seems. My worst PCD story: the night after I got back from 70k this year I had to use my room key to scrape the ice off the inside of my windshield. It was fucking painful.

Oh man am I glad I live in Vancouver. All I had to do was change into pants and put a jacket on to get to my car...

I'm moving to Vancouver this year.

Is that for sure now?

[Sherlock]

The first week or so was pretty bad for me, but now I've turned it around to excitement for next year.

Same here ....

[taketheday]

For the 3 first days at home (from the Sunday to Tuesday), it was ok because I was busy with different stuffs, but I had few days of PCD since the Wednesday. Now I'm slowly recover from it even if I still miss you all

I didn't feel it the last year, more than certainly because I was sick with an awful bronchitis. Have to admit that I was happy to be back home

[Stained Class]

I'm moving to Vancouver this year.

Is that for sure now?

It was never not

[Mr.Kito]

The worst thing about PCD this year is the fact that I don't know if I'll be able to be there next year

[Stained Class]

The worst thing about PCD this year is the fact that I don't know if I'll be able to be there next year

I hate that. Getting off the boat not knowing if you'll even go again next time. Barge was the worst cus all the hardcore cruisers were like "I'll see you guys in 5 weeks!" and I had to respond "no...you probably won't ". Same thing this year. Didn't take me long to change my mind though, haven't missed a cruise yet and I don't plan to start now!

[EastCostChick]

This year was my first metal cruise & I was warned about the PCD while still on board, on the second day. Somehow a complete stranger from the other side of the world could tell I was having too good a time. After having the experience of meeting all you awesome people, I feel like my "regular" life pales in comparison, and I will be on the next cruise no matter what. For me it's atmosphere on the cruise that I miss the most! One big metal family...

[pablov8]

For me it's PCD and PDD.

You guys are so cute, i love that couple

[Decibel]

This year was my first metal cruise & I was warned about the PCD while still on board, on the second day. Somehow a complete stranger from the other side of the world could tell I was having too good a time. After having the experience of meeting all you awesome people, I feel like my "regular" life pales in comparison, and I will be on the next cruise no matter what. For me it's atmosphere on the cruise that I miss the most! One big metal family...

^This was definitely my first couple weeks off the ship. The good thing though in my case, is everyone is attempting to keep connected through facebook, bbq's, etc. It's going to be a stellar year thanks to the extended family.

[Samhain]

This year was my first metal cruise & I was warned about the PCD while still on board, on the second day. Somehow a complete stranger from the other side of the world could tell I was having too good a time. After having the experience of meeting all you awesome people, I feel like my "regular" life pales in comparison, and I will be on the next cruise no matter what. For me it's atmosphere on the cruise that I miss the most! One big metal family...

^This was definitely my first couple weeks off the ship. The good thing though in my case, is everyone is attempting to keep connected through facebook, bbq's, etc. It's going to be a stellar year thanks to the extended family.

Being able to see fellow cruisers at local shows is helping a lot. We just hug and solemnly nod to each other, like we're in on something that no one else is… which we are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aSnUXFfiNc
We're like the guy at 5:50… except with 70000TONS, hahaha

YOU KNOW.