Seasickness on a Cruise: 7 Helpful Tips to Avoid It

Table Of Content

• Finest Sea Sickness Medicine of 2024 Reviewed in Detail
• Best Motion Sickness Medicine for a Cruise
• Why does motion sickness happen on a cruise ship?
• How Not to Get Seasick With Over-the-Counter Medicine: Dramamine, Meclizine and More
• The Best Motion Sickness Medicine for Cruise
• How to Prevent Seasickness on a Cruise: 10 Effective Remedies

Eating the right foods is one of the best ways to avoid seasickness on a cruise ship. Those that struggle with motion or seasickness don’t have to stop going on cruises! With our 7 helpful tips you’ll get to enjoy a weekend out at sea all you want. If you have a doctor-prescribed transdermal patch (scopolamine), apply it as directed at least four hours before boarding your ship. The patch is active for three days, so if you’re traveling on a longer cruise, you should pack replacements. Avoid fatty, acidic, or heavy foods before your travel, and limit your alcohol consumption.

Finest Sea Sickness Medicine of 2024 Reviewed in Detail

Pack them in a water-repellant toiletry kit, such as the Pack-It Specter Wallaby Small, and you’ll be ready to go. Just remember, Bonine and Benadryl cause drowsiness, so you might not want to make them your go-to option during the day. And, of course, always talk to your doctor before taking any drug to make sure it won't negatively interact with any other medications that you might be taking. Bonine is a popular motion sickness medicine that provides relief for up to 24 hours. It is available in chewable tablets with a raspberry flavor, making it easy to take. With Bonine, you can enjoy your cruise without worrying about motion sickness.

Best Motion Sickness Medicine for a Cruise

Knowing what to do ahead of time can also help you to respond in a helpful way when motion sickness hits. Dan Boater points out that reading anything, even on a screen, can worsen the symptoms of motion sickness. Snacking on dry crackers can alleviate sea sickness, so be sure to have some on hand. Also, packing anything with ginger or peppermint, such as candy or chews, can also help when motion sickness hits (via Navigate Content). Peppermint and ginger essential oils are also a great oil combination for relieving nausea. Motion sickness, or seasickness, is one of the more unfortunate realities of cruising for many passengers.

Why does motion sickness happen on a cruise ship?

Even the most experienced cruisers could fall prey to seasickness on a cruise ship, but this doesn't mean you should change your vacation plans. It simply means you should be prepared so nothing comes between you and a fantastic cruise. When searching for the best motion sickness remedies of all types, we consulted several medical professionals across the country, including naturopathic and western medicine practitioners. Our best overall pick is the tried-and-true over-the-counter pill Bonine. We also recommend natural remedies including tea, candy, and essential oil, plus acupressure bracelets and patches. If you know the rocking of the waves might upset your stomach, plan ahead by packing some medication for seasickness.

If you are going on a short cruise, you may only need medication for a few days. However, if you are going on a longer cruise, you may need medication that can last for the duration of your trip. Some motion sickness medicines can cause drowsiness or other unwanted effects, so it’s important to choose a medication that is compatible with your needs and preferences. Some people use over-the-counter medication tablets, such as Dramamine or Bonine. You can also try alternatives to medicine like acupressure bands for your wrists or settle your stomach with foods such as green apples, ginger ale or ginger candies, and crackers.

How to avoid seasickness on your next cruise - The Points Guy

How to avoid seasickness on your next cruise.

Posted: Tue, 25 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Having a consistent view of the horizon point can also help you see that things are level even when you feel like they’re not. For many people who do feel ill on a cruise, motion sickness is a limited-time event. It might hit you during the first 24 hours of sailing, quickly calming down as your nervous system adapts to the motion. Symptoms might only affect you when the exact set of circumstances appears that disturbs your equilibrium enough to cause nausea.

How to Prevent Seasickness on a Cruise: 10 Effective Remedies

To provide context, when I would get seasick without trying any remedies, I felt like I would rate my sickness feeling at 7 out of 10. According to medical professionals, seasickness is more prevalent in children and women (though children under 2 seem to be immune from the ailment). Meanwhile, some people have a genuine proclivity for motion sickness and will undoubtedly suffer more during rough seas. Scientific studies have shown that some folks become seasick by suggestion. They simply convince themselves that being on a ship will make them ill.

Bonine Original and Dramamine All Day Less Drowsy

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. These are the most desirable cabins because there will be less movement in the middle of the ship. Whether you choose an inside cabin, or a balcony cabin, try and choose a cabin that is as center as possible. Chewing gum or eating ginger, keeping SeaBands on your wrist, and looking at the horizon are great tools, but you can’t do that for the entire cruise. The instructions say that the SeaBand takes 2-5 minutes to become effective.

The Top Sea Sickness Medicines in 2024 - Sail Reviews SAIL - Sail Magazine

The Top Sea Sickness Medicines in 2024 - Sail Reviews SAIL.

Posted: Thu, 11 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Knipe advises, “Select seats where motion is the least.” On ships, try to get a cabin in the center of the ship on a middle deck, which experiences the least motion as the ship rolls in the sea. This dependable remedy is available without a prescription and can be very effective against nausea, according to Dr. Frank Contacessa, internist at MDVIP in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. “They can help with nausea; the most common side effect is drowsiness,” he advises. The swaying and seesawing of the boat will be most extreme on the outside edges, so head to the middle of the ship to alleviate some of the effect. You may even want to book a room in this area of the cruise ship so your nights are less rocked by the motion of the ocean.

Or, treat yourself to a hydrating facial and let the feelings of nausea wash away. Scientific studies have shown that some individuals experience seasickness due to psychological suggestions – essentially convincing themselves that being on a ship will make them unwell. Conversely, those who can put such concerns out of their minds often have smoother sailing. A word of caution – often taking medication to remedy or even prevent motion sickness symptoms as soon as they start is most effective. An over the counter medication like Bonine or Dramamine, can be highly effective to deal with symptoms of seasickness, so you can enjoy your cruise.

It's hard to know when seasickness may set in while sailing, but packing your choice of medications in precaution will give you peace of mind should you become sick on a cruise. Booking a room with a window works well for many cruisers who experience seasickness. The body is able to regulate itself, and it may mean you won’t need to use prescription medication such as a motion sickness patch. To help, we asked Dr. Amber Robins, a family and lifestyle medicine doctor, about the most effective ways to prevent getting seasick on a cruise. She provided simple, yet vital answers to help you feel your best during your next sailing. Another popular method for decreasing seasickness is through wearing a wristband that will apply pressure to a spot on your wrist.

Another option is suppositories administered by the ship's physician, which work magic for some people. Please note that if you or your child cannot keep food or water down and other medicines are not working for you, a suppository may be your best option. Suppositories are often the best remedy for seasickness if you can’t keep anything down.

Available in a pack of 24 gummies, this sea sickness medicine comes in convenient packaging, making it easy to carry with you on your next adventure. For stronger and more effective prescription medications, you'll need to consult a physician. While the ship's doctor can provide them, this often involves the cost of an office visit in addition to the medication expense. Prescription options include Promethazine and ephedrine, which, when taken together, can offer rapid relief but may also lead to side effects like drowsiness. Another alternative is suppositories, administered by the ship's physician, which can be highly effective for some individuals.

Your inner ears help with balance by detecting motion while your eyes don’t see that movement. It might also be a good idea to book a cabin that's located in the middle of the ship, instead of one that's located too far in the front or back of the ship. Like other types of Dramamine, the kids' version provides rapid relief and can cause significant drowsiness, but it is safe for vegans. If you need a pack with more than 12 pills, go for the original Bonine.

However, exhaustion can exacerbate the effects of motion sickness and make you more susceptible to feeling ill. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep before setting sail, so your body is rested and ready to fight seasickness if it rears its ugly head. If you’re prone to seasickness, go for a middle room on one of the lower decks, so you’ll feel less movement. If you’re able to upgrade your accommodations, choosing a room with a balcony could help; fresh air is your friend.