Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than not feeling well – no matter what the cause – and for those who have never cruised, a common concern when considering a cruise is the potential for sea sickness. As someone who is in fact, prone to seasickness, I’m here to tell you that you CAN still cruise and have a fabulous time! There are, however, some things you’ll want to plan in advance, so that getting sick once you’re onboard doesn’t interfere with your cruise.
First, know that you may actually feel little/no motion onboard. Most of today’s larger cruise ships with modern stabilizers often experience minimal motion while sailing, especially in calmer destinations like the Caribbean, and the vast majority of those who cruise literally don’t feel a thing. So don’t assume you will even get seasick because you may not.
Still, if you know you easily get motion sickness in other situations, being prepared with some remedies to bring with you is key.
There are a variety of motion sickness medications and remedies available, from over-the-counter medications like Dramamine or similar, to prescription medications like the Scopolamine patch, to natural remedies like ginger, or “sea bands” (which apply acupressure points) – and each of these work for many. If you already know you’re prone to motion sickness, I recommend discussing your options with your medical provider before your trip, to determine what option(s) may be best for you.
One thing that I can say as one who gets seasick, is that if you already know motion sickness is an issue for you, it’s generally recommended to start taking whatever you will be using before you board, and continue while sailing, even if you don’t feel sick. It’s far easier to prevent motion sickness in the first place, than it is to stop it once it’s happening!
Beyond actual remedies for seasickness, there are some things you can do when it comes to selecting your stateroom to minimize the chance of getting sick. First, it’s important to choose a cabin that is mid-ship and as low of a deck as possible. You’ll feel less motion in these locations. Also, it’s super important to be able to see the horizon and have fresh air – so book a balcony room. Yes, this will be more expensive – but again from one who knows – what’s the value of a less expensive stateroom if you’re sick the entire time? (For those who are wondering why the horizon matters, in layman’s terms, looking at the horizon can help give your brain a point of reference, allowing it to sense the motion of the ship and your body’s movement with it, which minimizes feeling sick. This is the same principle as “getting your sea legs”.) Fresh air also is tremendously helpful to reducing any motion sickness you may feel – and having that verandah has done wonders for me in the past.
The most important thing to know here is that even for those who are prone to motion sickness, you can enjoy every single minute of your cruise without it being affected by sea sickness. So, plan that wonderful cruise and explore the world with no worries. Bon Voyage!
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