A question from a cruise newbie

[Tinkerkell007]

I'm going to be going on a Disney cruise next year and I was wondering how rough has the cruise gotton for you? I do get sea sick, not so much when the boat is moving forward but when we are sitting idle and rocking back and forth is when it really hits. I've never been on a cruise, and I hear that it's not bad but I've also seen the videos where things get pretty rough and I'm just sitting there like .

The last thing I want to do is be stuck for 5 nights feeling like .

Please share you stories with me!

 

[manateesmom]

When are you sailing?

 

[Four Bears]

The cruise ships have stabilizers that really minimize the rocking motion in good seas. The worst part of my cruises have been taking the small tender boats, and then I know exactly what you mean about bobbing up and down

I am very prone to car sickness (I can't read anything, except a map for a few minutes and then take 15 minutes to recoup with the window down) and I do really well on cruises. I personally don't take any medicines for it, but there are a ton of different options (medicinal or not) that work for many people.

 

[daisywithak]

I tend to get car and air sick so I used the patch on our cruise. I still got sick the first night of our cruise to the Bahamas last October. The ship was really moving a lot that first night, and the staff said it was unusually rough. I did not have a problem at all the rest of the trip. I think on a typical day you will probably be ok!

You can also get free sea-sickness meds at guest service if you need it.

 

[jaydensmommy23]

Our first cruise is coming up and I too am worried about sea sickness. I am going to bring sea bands and meds just in case (I find myself up at night worrying about if I am going to get sea sick LOL)

 

[Justacruiser]

If you are sailing out of Port Canaval, the first and last evenings you can generally feel a little movement. After that you only feel movement if these are bigger waves. I take some medicine for sea sickness but just as a percaution. Only been alot of movement a few times, which isn't bad for the number of cruises we have been on.

 

[Tinkerkell007]

When are you sailing?

In Jan, if all goes to plan on the 19th

The cruise ships have stabilizers that really minimize the rocking motion in good seas. The worst part of my cruises have been taking the small tender boats, and then I know exactly what you mean about bobbing up and down

I am very prone to car sickness (I can't read anything, except a map for a few minutes and then take 15 minutes to recoup with the window down) and I do really well on cruises. I personally don't take any medicines for it, but there are a ton of different options (medicinal or not) that work for many people.

You sound similar to me, I get that way too! I was going to bring some medicine too but I don't like taking it because I feel drowsy, even the non-drowsy!

I tend to get car and air sick so I used the patch on our cruise. I still got sick the first night of our cruise to the Bahamas last October. The ship was really moving a lot that first night, and the staff said it was unusually rough. I did not have a problem at all the rest of the trip. I think on a typical day you will probably be ok!

You can also get free sea-sickness meds at guest service if you need it.

Good to know, thank you!

If you are sailing out of Port Canaval, the first and last evenings you can generally feel a little movement. After that you only feel movement if these are bigger waves. I take some medicine for sea sickness but just as a percaution. Only been alot of movement a few times, which isn't bad for the number of cruises we have been on.

We will be sailing out of Miami, hope it's not any worse there! I'll be sure to bring stuff just in case.

 

[lbgraves]

I start taking Bonine a couple days before the cruise and continue every morning. Our first cruise had 20+ foot swells for 2-3 days. We have experienced that a couple more times. Only DD has gotten seasick once. The trick about seasickness is you want to prevent it from bothering you. Once you get sick, it takes longer for any treatment to take effect.

 

[noahdove]

Start taking ginger pills prior to cruising..I am deathly afraid of water so I was nervous about being ill, and to be honest, the only time I felt any movement was at night in our bathroom And actually, it was soothing or at least I thought it was soothing My husband was a little ill for a couple of different times and for no reason. I did take sea bands but, he wouldn't wear them....so...we were on deck 7 and I can't wait to go back Good luck

 

[mom2jcg]

I get car sickness very easily, but I had no problem on the Dream without any medication, ginger pills, or sea bands. However, I am very concerned about our upcoming Fantasy trip because one of our excursions involves a 45 minute catamaran ride that most say destroys them. I can't take meds or I won't wake up until the cruise is over, but I've had good luck with sea bands preventing car sickness, so plan to use those. I thought I'd try ginger pills as well, but does anyone have any other herbal or non-medicinal suggestions? Thanks!

 

[chudson98]

I start taking Bonine a couple days before the cruise and continue every morning.

I do the same thing and never have any problem with it although I take Bonnie at bedtime. I start 2 days before our cruise and continue for 2 days after. Even the roughest seas don't bother me and I never feel sleepy.

 

[Postal68]

I start taking Bonine a couple days before the cruise and continue every morning. Our first cruise had 20+ foot swells for 2-3 days. We have experienced that a couple more times. Only DD has gotten seasick once. The trick about seasickness is you want to prevent it from bothering you. Once you get sick, it takes longer for any treatment to take effect.

I second this, worked like a charm

 

[UCFGrad01]

I'll be honest, I've felt seasick on two of my three cruises. However, both times were because of storms that created big swells (15'+). I only felt ill when the waves were bad, not the whole cruise.

My room steward on the last cruise suggested I buy sea bands (and I suggest you buy them BEFORE getting on the boat, to save yourself about double the money). At first, I read the instructions, which tell you to put the little ball thingy between the two tendons of your wrist, something like 2 finger widths from where your hand meets your wrist. That did nothing. I ran into her later and she asked how I was feeling, I said I wasn't any better. She asked me to show her the bands and told me to put the balls onto the pulse point on my wrist. Less than 10 minutes later, I was 100% fine. I have NO idea why that worked vs the other method, but I didn't care

It's hard if you're feeling sick, but try to go out on deck (I like deck 4 on the classic ships for this - they have nice loungers and aren't too busy) to get fresh air. I've also heard that the lower the deck you stay on and the closer to midship you are, the less movement you'll feel in your stateroom.

Good luck!

 

[tvguy]

Really hard to say. People are so different. My first cruise was on a 500 passenger ship without stabilizers, there were times you would stand in the hall and watch the other end of the hall rise and fall.
Modern ships with stabilizers have relatively little movement, but some people still get seasick. My wife got sick deep sea fishing on a 30 foot boat, but has never gotten sick on a cruise ship, even one without stabilizers in rough seas. You WILL feel movement, just depends how sensative you are. But make sure if you start feeling poorly you immediately get medicine so you don't ruin your trip.

 

[Tinkerkell007]

Thank you all so much for your responses! I think I will do the Bonine suggestions before the cruise. I know I have time, but if I feel more confident about not feeling sick I can get more excited!

I'll be honest, I've felt seasick on two of my three cruises. However, both times were because of storms that created big swells (15'+). I only felt ill when the waves were bad, not the whole cruise.

My room steward on the last cruise suggested I buy sea bands (and I suggest you buy them BEFORE getting on the boat, to save yourself about double the money). At first, I read the instructions, which tell you to put the little ball thingy between the two tendons of your wrist, something like 2 finger widths from where your hand meets your wrist. That did nothing. I ran into her later and she asked how I was feeling, I said I wasn't any better. She asked me to show her the bands and told me to put the balls onto the pulse point on my wrist. Less than 10 minutes later, I was 100% fine. I have NO idea why that worked vs the other method, but I didn't care

It's hard if you're feeling sick, but try to go out on deck (I like deck 4 on the classic ships for this - they have nice loungers and aren't too busy) to get fresh air. I've also heard that the lower the deck you stay on and the closer to midship you are, the less movement you'll feel in your stateroom.

Good luck!

Very interesting story, I will keep this in mind!! I'm really glad you have some room suggestions, I haven't booked yet so I'll be looking into this some more for sure!

 

[Heyriddle]

Guest services has Sea Calm. it works great. Just ask for it.

 

[noahsketomom]

For those of you who take bonine......why at night? I thought it wasn't supposed to make you drowsy....am I wrong?

We were okay in dream last year, but planning on pretreating my kids this year on an excursion that I've been warned about. Just wondering when and if I should treat them!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Guest services has Sea Calm. it works great. Just ask for it.

FYI for those who don't know: SEA-CALM (meclizine hcl 25mg chewable tablets), same thing as Bonine.

 

[chudson98]

I find it easier for me to remember to take if I do it right before bed.

 

[graysonsmom]

I actually use the patch... It is crazy expensive but I get so sick or sleep to prevent sickness... I would much rather put on a patch and be done! But I did buy the motion eze that you put a drop behind the ear and is supposed to work on kids and adults... That I brought for the rest of my cabin!