How to Keep From Getting Seasick on a Cruise

How to Keep From Getting Seasick on a Cruise
April 20, 2017 by Jonathan Mark

Many people who are nervous about cruising wonder how to not get sick on a cruise.  This is probably the number one reason why some people will never go on a cruise.  But ships are more stable than ever and there are many ways to combat seasickness.  While there are no guarantees that you will not get seasick though, this article will cover a few tips for making sure you can keep your composure on the high seas and enjoy every minute of your vacation.



Seasickness is caused by your body’s inner ear trying to keep up with the balancing act of unfamiliar motion.  Equilibrium is all controlled in the inner ear, and when you are seeing things moving that are “supposed” to be still, it can cause undue stress on your brain and cause nausea to set in.  Sometimes it takes people a few days to get their “sea legs” and nausea goes away completely.

Tips to avoid getting seasick on a  cruise ship

• Get a cabin in the middle of the ship and as low as you can go.  The forward and aft of the ship will have the most movement as the ship barrels through the water, so the middle of the ship will feel less of these extremes.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Keep something in your stomach.  You might be afraid to eat anything, but just avoid spicy foods and make sure your tank is not on empty.
• Get as much fresh air as possible on one of the top decks.
• Look out over the forward part of the ship.  This helps many people get acclimated to the motion of the ship in the water and helps to train the brain to stop the nausea.
• Keep an eye fixed on the horizon.  Remember, your brain can use the horizon as a point of reference so it is not so confused and triggers the motion sickness.
• Try to get a room with at least a window as well, as not seeing the water is usually worse than seeing it.

Remedies for avoiding cruise motion sickness

You should always consult with your doctor before trying any medications or special homemade remedies just to make sure that you will not see any adverse reactions.

• Dramamine.  This is probably the most popular over the counter drug for preventing sea sickness, but it can also make you drowsy.  There is a non-drowsy Dramamine but many people find that it still makes you feel weird.  Still, it’s better than being sea sick.  And after a few days you may find you no longer need it.
• The Scopolamine Patch.  Some people rave about this patch and it’s supposed to work really well.  You need a prescription for it, and the only side effect most people see is a dry mouth.  But there is plenty to drink on the ship so no worries there.
• Bonine.  This is another drug a little like Dramamine and should be taken 8 hours before you sail.  Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.

Home remedies for avoiding cruise motion sickness

• Ginger.  If you are drinking Ginger Ale, make sure there is actually ginger in it.  Some of the new soft drinks just use ginger flavors.  Some people take ginger pills and others eat ginger snaps.  Either way, it should help.
• Peppermint candy or tea.  This helps to relieve the nausea so it’s really a remedy for the symptoms of seasickness and not really the cause.
• Saltine crackers.  Some people swear by them, so hey, it’s worth a shot.
• Wrist bands.  There are certain wristbands that are supposed to push down on your pressure points to stop you from getting motion sickness.  Some people can even read in a moving car with them on.
• Eating green apples will also help keep seasickness at bay.

Remember that if you do get really sick on a cruise, there is always a nurse and medical staff on board to assist you. This is where having cruise or travel insurance can really pay off.

Certain cruise destinations are better for people who get motion sickness

If you go on a cruise across the Atlantic, chances are you are going to experience a lot more movement in the water due to the cold fronts and weather changes in the ocean.  So for first time cruisers worries about getting seasick I recommend taking a cruise to the Caribbean where the waters are usually calm.

Newer cruise ships have built in stabilizers

Cruise ships are bigger than ever grossing well over 100,000 in tonnage in more new ships.  The Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas gross over 220,000 in tonnage and are over 1,100 feet long and 200 feet wide in some places.  These ships have special stabilizers that help keep the ship from rocking.

Most of the time you can’t even feel the ships moving, especially when the weather is nice.  On the rare occasion that you have some weather the wave might make the ship move a little, but captains usually try to avoid any kind of weather and find you a nice sunny part of the ocean to enjoy your getaway.

Think about it, these ships could not have ice skating rinks on them with live performances if the ships were rocking back and forth.  On my first cruise I was shocked at how still everything seemed.  Once in a while you might feel some movement, but the technology is getting better all the time, and the bigger the ship the more stable it will be.

Courtesy: CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association).

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