Will I Get Seasick on a Cruise? Everything to Know About Sailing Comfortably

Table Of Content

• Take Motion Sickness Medication
• Search
• Packing Essential Items
• Thoughts on “What Causes Motion Sickness on Cruise Vacations?”
• Natural Seasickness Remedies Like Ginger and Apples Could Also Help Onboard
• Must-Have Tips for Cruising With Babies, Toddlers, or Small Kids (From Someone That’s Done It)
• Cruise Line Adds “Glacier Day” to Its Alaskan Cruise Itineraries

Ginger, whether in pill form or as a candy, is easy to keep handy as you cruise. Sucking on peppermint candy or smelling peppermint oil is also helpful. At the guest relations desk onboard, you’ll find tablets that will help combat seasickness.

Take Motion Sickness Medication

Celebrity’s newest class of ships, the Edge class, which includes Celebrity Edge and sister ship, Celebrity Apex, are the largest ships in our fleet. At 129,500 tonnes and reaching average cruising speeds of 22 knots, or about 25 miles per hour, they, too, are steel-hull constructed with stabilizers to ensure the safety and comfort of the passengers they carry. Though it’s harder to pretend you’re the captain of a ship than the driver of a car, trying your best to focus on where the ship is going might help. Hold your hand up and move your head back-and-forth, and you’ll see the lines on your palm clearly.

Search

While there is limited scientific evidence of their effectiveness, many people find them helpful as a non-invasive alternative to medication. So, it’s important to follow the recommended dosage instructions carefully – taking more than what’s prescribed won’t increase effectiveness and can only lead to unwanted side effects. On each of these sailings, you’ll only have two nights at sea, with the remaining time spent in port enjoying the glorious sights and pleasure of the Mediterranean. The award-winning cruise line is centered on the best experiences possible. Charles Darwin, originator of the theory of evolution, wrote about his expeditions on the sea in a letter to his father.

Packing Essential Items

Being on a larger ship also helps; the size of a big ship like Allure minimizes the feeling of motion. Windowless inside cabins, which I usually stay in, are cheaper but end up being confined spaces that exacerbate nausea. This imbalance leads to a range of symptoms, from dizziness to fatigue, headaches, irritability, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, nausea, cold sweats, and even vomiting. The rocking motion of the ship confuses your body’s senses into becoming imbalanced. Cruising is such a fun, affordable, and worthwhile form of travel that I would hate to miss out on it just because of motion sickness.

These reductions, however, don’t eliminate the misery of seasickness entirely. Modern ships are designed with stabilizers on the side of the ship to help counteract the sea’s motion. But since that moment, I’ve always had to plan ahead to make sure I won’t feel seasick. There are a few itineraries and seasons for which even the most sea-hardy among us might proactively take along a supply of patches. It's better to be prepared and not need them than to suffer through a rough ride without any relief.

It's on the cruiser to take part in a little research and self-experimentation, and one of the most useful places to start is the Ask a Cruise Question forum on the Cruise Critic message boards. Motion sickness is thought to be caused by the visual disorientation resulting from being on an object in motion (the ship) competing against our body's natural inclination for balance. And if you were to take Dramamine after your motion sickness has taken effect, it’ll still take 30 minutes to an hour before you feel any relief. The formula composition of both Bonine and Dramamine is the main difference between either drug. While the two are effective in reducing your motion sickness, Dramamine can make you more drowsy than Bonine. Below, we cover each point in further detail to help you figure out the best course of action for your seasickness.

Advice How to prevent motion sickness before your next trip - The Washington Post

Advice How to prevent motion sickness before your next trip.

Posted: Tue, 01 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Natural Seasickness Remedies Like Ginger and Apples Could Also Help Onboard

“It’s best that guests who know they are prone to seasickness consult their doctor prior to departure,” Dr. Shore says. If your personal physician thinks it’s appropriate, he or she can prescribe a patch that you can wear to prevent the onset of seasickness. “For prescription patches like Transderm Scop, it’s important for it to be applied prior to boarding to be effective,” he adds.

Available only by prescription, Transderm Scop is preventive and not a treatment that can also cause possible side effects such as dry mouth, blurry vision, drowsiness and dizziness. Opting for plain water with electrolytes added – like coconut water – will keep your hydration balanced without causing unwanted side effects. So, be sure to carry a refillable water bottle and take frequent sips—especially if you’re spending too much time in the sun or participating in activities that make you sweat. Additionally, meclizine stays in your body for up to 24 hours so you can enjoy the cruise to its fullest.

While a ship can’t completely avoid all weather, it does have the ability to maneuver or change course to offer a more comfortable ride when possible. First things first, you’re likely wondering what it’s like to be on the ship in the middle of the ocean. If you’re someone that suffers seasickness, you might be worried that on the ocean the ship will constantly be rocking back and forth. Your doctor also may prescribe medication, such as anti-anxiety drugs, for a short time. Drugs that treat motion sickness are not effective for treating mal de debarquement, she says.

Knowing how to prevent seasickness isn’t limited to pills, gadgets and natural remedies like ginger. A little pre-cruise homework can go a long way in keeping seasickness at bay. Just remember to stay hydrated, avoid heavy meals, and take preventative medication if necessary to avoid seasickness on a cruise.

When it comes to packing for a cruise when you experience motion sickness, there are a few other items that you should always have in your bag (and a few to leave out). Dehydration will worsen motion sickness symptoms, so pack a water bottle that you can refill and have with you at all times while on the ship, WebMD advises. By the same token, avoid packing or consuming anything with caffeine or alcohol, as these have a dehydrating effect.

With the bands on (and with me applying some additional pressure), I felt more like a 5 out of 10. Supposedly, this band stimulates your median nerve and interrupts the “I’m sick” messages your brain is sending your stomach. I purchased a set of SeaBand bracelets and put them on once we got onboard. It was night one of my first cruise on Wonder of the Seas, and I was introducing myself to other cruisers at a Hyperlink event.

“Sometimes the best advice is to avoid that activity,” Dr. Honaker says. Depending on results of the evaluation, your doctor may refer you to an audiologist; an ear, nose and throat specialist; or a neurologist. However, you may feel some motion or slight vibration while on a cruise. I mention this as we were a bit surprised to find this out on our first cruise. If you’re ready to explore Royal Caribbean’s many destinations (more than 260 ports around the world), click here to set sail on your next vacation.