The pleasure of cruising along on open water with the sea breeze blowing at tropical temperatures is one that every person should be able to experience without the unpleasant side effect of nausea. I suffer from motion sickness from a variety of different sources. Even movement on a television screen makes me sick. Or when someone who is sitting nearby nervously shakes their leg. Elevator rides make me nauseous and horse back riding too.
I have been sick to my stomach on a small fishing vessel that I paid a fortune to charter so when my brother suggested a cruise years ago I thought to myself that I may have more fun jumping off the Eiffel tower. At least it would end. I have since traveled on many cruises without the troublesome problem of sea sickness. I want to share what I have learned so that you too can enjoying cruising as much I do.
The easiest and most economical way to stop sea sickness is to walk. This is what is meant by getting your sea legs. When you walk around a moving ship the fluid in your inner ear learns the motion of the ship in a controlled way. When you feel sea sickness coming on walk,walk,walk. The worst thing you can do is take to your bed. Lying down will make your nausea worse. Once your body becomes accustomed to the motion you will no longer feel ill and will be able to sit and lie down when you want to.
Another drug free way to curb your motion sickness is by wearing a Sea Bands bracelet. The bracelet has a small bead on the inside that puts pressure on the inside of your wrist. This is a pressure point that will reduce nausea. Children and pregnant women can use Sea Bands as there are no side effects to this method. They are available at most drug stores. Buy these before you leave home and put it on before boarding the ship to be safe.
The use of ginger can help to reduce the nausea part of sea sickness but not the dizziness. Other herbal remedies have been tried but not scientifically proven to work. Staying above deck and getting fresh air will go a long way to normalizing your inner ear.
Cabin location can also be a factor in how much motion you feel while trying to sleep. Select a cabin that is in the middle of the ship both horizontally and vertically. If you pick a middle deck you will feel less motion from the sea and if you are close to the center of that deck you will feel less vibration from the engines and under workings of the ship.
Sail on a ship that has stabilizers. All of the newest mega liners have stabilizers that help minimize the rolling of the ship back and forth. Consider sailing on a ship that uses the Azipod propulsion system. All of the Carnival Cruise Lines ships have them. This system pushes rather than pulls the ship through the water which reduces motion and creates much less vibration. It also has the added benefit of allowing sharper turns for the ship without causing a lean.
Medications such as Dramamine or Gravol decrease nausea. You don't have to buy these at home as they are available on the ship at the pursers desk where they are usually given out free of charge. Unfortunately these drugs can make some people drowsy which does not make for an exciting cruise experience.
Ear patches work wonders to get rid of sea sickness. The trans dermal scopolamine patch is about the size of a dime and is worn behind the ear. It's effects last about 72 hours. This patch must be applied 8 hours before boarding the ship or you'll be playing catch up later. The trans dermal patch does have side effects ranging from drowsiness to dry mouth.
Even the astronauts from NASA have problems with motion sickness so you are not alone now are you weak and frail. Go on and book your cruise with peace of mind because now you'll be like me and everyone else who is openly addicted to cruising.
Many people seem to think that rooms on the upper decks are better for those with motion sickness. Others believe that cabins located towards the front or bow of the ship are better for such passengers. However, in reality, neither the upper decks nor the front of the ship are the best places to be if you tend to get sea sick easily.
Most large, modern cruise ships are equipped with stabilizers that minimize any swaying and movement of the ship. In general, these stabilizers do an excellent job, and quite often you are not even aware that you are on a ship. Therefore, many people have absolutely no problem with sea sickness no matter where there cabin is located.
However, if you are like me and you have some issues with motion sickness, there are further ways to minimize any possible problems and allow you to enjoy your cruise without getting sick.
The best room location to minimize the ship's motion is actually in the dead center of the ship. On most large cruise ships, this spot is on the lower passenger floors, in the center inside cabins. In general, inside cabins tend to sway less side to side, due to their positioning directly above the line of pivot - the ship's keel.
Of course, even if you pick the optimal cabin, it is still possible that you will experience some motion sickness if you hit rough seas. In this instance, two natural remedies many people have found helpful are eating a green apples and taking ginger capsules. It might be worth a shot giving either or both of these natural remedies a try, especially if you cannot tolerate traditional motion sickness medication.
If you do prefer to stick with the standard medicinal approach, it is best to start taking Dramamine pills or the patch before you begin to feel ill, as the medications are more effective at preventing motion sickness than stopping it once it you are already experiencing symptoms.
Of course, should you become ill onboard, most large cruise lines have well-trained onboard physicians and medical staffs. Therefore, even if you should suffer any symptoms of sea sickness, you can be assured that you will receive proper care.
So if you are concerned about sea sickness, your best bet is to choose a cabin near the middle of the ship and to plan ahead, taking your medication before you get ill, or, in the alternative, bringing along alternative treatments to help combat any sea sickness that you may experience.
With proper planning, even those of us who are susceptible to motion sickness can enjoy a cruise largely free of symptoms.
Both Ann Childs & Scott Russell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ann Childs has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cruises, Cruises and Cruises. Ann Childs is a freelance writer and travel consultant. Her specialty is Caribbean travel including beach vacations and cruises. She is the editor and featured writer at. Ann Childs's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.
Scott Russell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cruises, Birthday Gifts and Credit Cards. Scott Russell is a writer, consultant, frequent traveler, and editor of the Alaska Cruise Advisor, a guide to