“The best way of treating seasickness is to start by taking natural remedies such as ginger biscuits or anything that has the ginger spice. Failing that you can also try wearing special bands on your wrists which will negate the effects of seasickness.”
This is a very common question that we get asked. The answer to this question depends on the type of cruise you are taking, where it’s going and how much time you have before your departure date. If you’re planning on sailing for less than 3 weeks then there will be no problem at all with getting seasickness. Modern cruise ships tend to be built better with more stabilisation features.
The Truth About Seasickness
Seasickness is rarely a problem on cruise ships because they are so big. But if you have to travel by sea, it’s best not to get seasick at all. If you do get sick, there are things that can help:
• Take an anti-nausea medication before the trip begins and again when you arrive in port. • Avoid alcohol or caffeine for 24 hours prior to departure. • Eat small meals frequently throughout your journey. • Try eatig foods high in fiber rather than those with lots of salt. • Drink plenty of water. • Wear loose clothing and avoid wearing shoes with heels. • Use motion sickness bags. • Get up from time to time during the voyage and walk around. • Don’t look out windows unless absolutely necessary. • Sit near the front of the ship where the movement will be less severe. • Ask someone who has been through this experience what worked for them.
What Is Motion Sickness and How to Treat It
Motion sickness is a common problem that affects millions of people. The best way to treat motion sickness is to avoid it in the first place. If you’re going on a long cruise, try taking some medication before to help prevent it.
Factors That Make It Worse
Seasickness is especially bad when no one else seems to be afflicted, and it certainly is not limited to only “wimps.” People who are prone to motion sickness in cars, airplanes, or carnival rides may be more susceptible to seasickness. The following factors increase the likelihood of becoming seasick:
• Being near an open window. If there is any breeze blowing through the room, then you’re likely to become nauseous. This is particularly true if you sit next to an air vent.
• Sitting up too high. You should always try to keep yourself at least 6 inches off the floor. When sitting higher than normal, you’ll notice how much easier it is to get sick.
• Eating before boarding. Some people feel better after eating. Others don’t. But most agree that food does help ease some symptoms.
• Drinking alcohol. Alcohol tends to make everything worse!
• Getting out of bed during the night. Sleeping pills tend to work well against this problem.
• Going from dark to light. Light makes things seem less real. So if you’re going from darkness into bright sunlight, you might find yourself feeling queasy.
• Standing up quickly. Try to stand slowly so as not to throw off your equilibrium.
Things you can do to help prevent sea sickness
Wear a Patch to Prevent Seasickness
The first thing you need is a patch. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, there are some great patches out there that will help prevent seasickness for hours at a time. The best part about these patches? They don’t have any side effects! You can wear them all day long without feeling sick or dizzy.
Promethazine & Metoclopramide for Seasickness
The combination of promethazine and metoclopramide is used to treat seasickness. It works by blocking the effects of serotonin, a chemical that causes nausea in people who are prone to motion sickness. The drug may also help prevent vomiting during travel or other situations when you feel nauseous.
Natural Remedies for Seasickness
The Smell of newspaper print to prevent seasickness helps to keep the mind clear and alert. The smell is also used in hospitals as a disinfectant, especially for surgical instruments. It has been found that people who are exposed to this scent have less stress than those not so exposed.
Spend time on deck as the ship gets underway
If you spend some time outside before boarding the ship, you’ll likely experience less nausea during the trip. The fresh air helps clear your sinuses and lungs, which reduces the amount of stuffy nose mucus floating through them. Plus, spending time outdoors makes you aware of how much movement there really is aboard the vessel. That awareness should help keep you calm and steady throughout the journey.
Drink plenty of fluids
You need lots of water onboard because drinking too little can lead to dehydration. Dehydration causes headaches, dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, dry mouth, thirst, constipation or diarrhea, confusion, irritability, difficulty concentrating, blurred vision, fainting, seizures, coma, heart failure, kidney damage, liver problems, delirium tremens, death, and even drowning. So make sure you stay well hydrated.
Pick a big ship
A bigger ship has less movement per passenger and therefore fewer chances of making someone seasick. Plus, there’s plenty of space for everyone to move about without bumping into each other. The larger the ship, the better off you’ll be.
Avoid alcohol before boarding
Alcohol makes us drowsy which means we won’t be able to process information well enough to stay balanced.
Pick the right cabin
When booking your stateroom, make sure you pick a room with a view. That means sitting near windows rather than being stuck in a corner where there aren’t many views. Also, choose a room that has a balcony or terrace because these rooms offer better views. And finally, opt for a room that faces forward instead of backward. Backward cabins tend to sway back and forth more than front ones.
Sea-Band
Sea-Bands are small devices that fit around your wrist or ankle and use an electrical current to stimulate nerves in the ear canal. They work best for people who have mild to moderate motion sickness symptoms. The device sends low frequency pulses into the inner ear which helps reduce nausea and vomiting. It also reduces anxiety and stress associated with sea travel. If you don’t like wearing jewelry, there are other options available including necklaces, bracelets, rings, anklet straps, etc.
Spend Time Outside
Spending time outside! If you have access to an outdoor deck area, go there often during the day. The fresh air will help clear your head and make you feel better. You may also want to try some other activities that require movement, like walking around the decks, playing games, reading books, etc. These things all keep your mind off of feeling sick.
Choosing Your Cruise Itinerary
It is also important that you pick an itinerary that has plenty of stops along the way. You don’t have to do every stop listed on the itinerary, but make sure there are enough ports visited where you’ll actually see something interesting. For example, if you only visit one port, then you won’t really learn anything about the area. Make sure you spend time exploring each city you visit.
Choosing Your Cruiseline
Cruise lines offer different levels of service from their passengers. Some have luxury liners where guests enjoy top amenities such as swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, fitness centers, restaurants, bars, lounges, entertainment options, etc., whereas others focus mainly on offering basic services. When selecting a cruise line, look for one that offers both types of experiences. You’ll also need to consider what type of activities you’d prefer to do on your vacation – whether you would rather relax
Non-Medicinal Remedies
The best non-medicinal remedy for seasickness is simply to avoid getting sick! If you do get nauseous, try not to eat anything too heavy as this will only exacerbate the problem. Instead, drink plenty of water and keep busy doing something else until the feeling passes. You should also find yourself a comfortable position where you won’t feel any movement. A reclining chair works well if you don’t want to lie down.
Newer cruise ships have built in stabilizers
which help reduce some of the effects of waves. They also tend to move less when they hit rough spots in the ocean.
What about herbal seasickness remedies?
While these have become increasingly popular over recent years, they aren’t recommended by doctors due to lack of evidence proving any real benefit. If you want to try something natural though, then ginger tea has long been used as an effective remedy against seasickness. It contains compounds called gingerols which act as antiemetics meaning they reduce the severity of nausea. You could make up a batch yourself using this recipe:
Ingredients:
1 cup water
2 teaspoons grated root ginger
Pack some candy
If you are going to get sick, you might as well make yourself feel better while doing so. “Candy is an excellent way to combat seasickness,” says Edelstein. He recommends packing something sweet before boarding the boat. The sugar content helps calm down the stomach lining, making it easier to deal with the queasy feelings.
Other Ways To Prevent Seasickness
There are several steps you can take to prevent getting sea sick. Here they are:
1) Sit down low. Keep your head below eye level.
2) Don’t drink anything alcoholic until later in the day.
3) Eat small meals throughout the day rather than large ones.
4) Take medication.
5) Avoid looking outside windows.
6) Stay away from open windows.
7) Use a pillow between your knees and back.
8) Wear loose clothing.
9) Get plenty of sleep.
10) Do something fun while sailing.
11) Drink lots of water.
12) Ask someone to hold onto your hand.
13) Read about the ship’s history.
14) Watch movies instead of TV shows.
15) Listen to music.
16) Play games.
17) Talk to other passengers.
18) Have a good time!
19) Be prepared for seasickness.
20) Remember that everyone gets seasick sometimes.
21) Enjoy being aboard the ship.
22) Relax.
23) Go to bed early.
24) Sleep with your eyes closed.
25) Put a hat over your face.
26) Lie flat on your stomach.
27) Practice deep breathing exercises.
28) Think positive thoughts.
29) Look forward to seeing land again.
30) Find a place where you won’t see anyone.
31) Pretend you’re riding a roller coaster.
32) Sing songs.
33) Count backwards by 7s.
34) Say prayers.
35) Write letters home.
36) Hold hands with another person.
37) Give thanks for what you’ve got.
38) Make sure you have enough money to buy souvenirs.
39) Smile.
40) Tell jokes.
41) Laugh loudly.
42) Dance around.
43) Stretch.
44) Walk briskly.
45) Run.
46) Jump rope.
47) Throw snowballs.
48) Climb stairs.
49) Swim.
50) Ride bikes.
51) Roller skate.
52) Skip stones across the ocean.
53) Take a shore excursion to get on flat ground. You will get a sense of balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is seasickness a problem on cruise ships?
You don’t need to worry about the effects of seasickness unless you have a bad history with motion-sickness. Modern ships are usually better equipped with features to help prevent seasickness whether it’s traveling on calm waters or rough waters.
What are the odds of getting sick on a cruise ship?
The answer to this question depends on the type of cruise you are taking, your age and how much alcohol. Some people may get a bout of seasickness
What are the safety precautions?
The second is that cruise liners also come equipped with large stabilisers, which are underwater wings that are computer-controlled to counteract the motion of the sea
Can You Get Seasick on a Boat?
A good test to know whether you will get seasick – if you haven’t been on a boat – is to ask whether you’ve ever gotten carsick or motion-sick in a car, bus, train, or even airplane.
How do I reassure my body?
Keep an eye on the horizon: The easiest way to reassure your body is to look at the horizon because it is a fixed point – fixed to the non-moving earth, that is. You will get a sense of a natural balance.
What are the best ways to keep balance?
Scientific studies have proven that looking at a far-away object helps to retain balance, while on land, you should choose something close.
What if I am moving?
Movement: If you start walking around, your whole body will once again be in agreement that you are moving, and the nausea will fade.
What should I eat?
Dry crackers, green apples, and lemonade are all proven home remedies.
What are the medications you should take?
Medication: Travel sickness medications available over-the-counter at the chemist include the antihistamine compounds Benadryl, Dramamine, and Meclizine.
What is Motion Sickness?
Before we get to the specifics, here are the basics: Motion sickness occurs when what you see conflicts with what your inner ear senses.
Does Motion Sickness Really Affect Your Vacation?
Shore assures that it’s unlikely to really interrupt your adventure, since all Royal Caribbean ships have motion sickness medications, like meclizine, readily available at the dedicated Medical Center on each of our ships, free of charge.
What patch can I wear?
“For prescription patches like Transderm Scop, it’s important for it to be applied prior to boarding.
What are the symptoms of seasickness?
Seasickness occurs in two forms — motion sickness and sea-sickness. Motion sickness affects up to 90 percent of all passengers during long flights; it also afflicts some people who drive cars at high speeds. Sea-sickness is caused by exposure to waves that move through water faster than the speed of sound. The condition usually begins after several hours of travel aboard ship.
How long does seasickness last on a cruise?
The duration of the symptoms depends upon how much you drink, and whether or not you are prone to motion sickness. The average person will experience some nausea for about two days after leaving port. If you have been drinking heavily before boarding your ship, it may take longer than that. You can also be more susceptible if you suffer from any kind of anxiety disorder which makes you feel queasy even when there is no reason to do so.
Would I get seasick even on a docked boat?
You shouldn’t get sick on a docked boat unless of course the wind is quite strong as it can rock the boat.
Who’s at risk to suffer from seasickness?
Anyone who has ever been sea sick knows how miserable it feels. But there are some factors that put certain individuals at greater risk than others. These include:
• People prone to motion sickness
• Those who have had previous episodes of nausea/vomiting during travel
• Anyone who suffers from anxiety disorders such as panic attacks
• Pregnant women
• Children under age 10
• The elderly