Alaska & Pregnant - Excursions & Motion/Morning Sickness

[courtneydisney]

We booked an Alaska cruise months ago, with the idea of either celebrating being pregnant with our first child, or I'd drink my face off.....and we hit the jackpot! I'd love to book the train/bus excursion, but I'm worried about getting nauseated on the winding roads (and also overall on the ship as well). I'd love to do everything, but I have no idea what my energy levels and/or morning sickness status will be. I don't want to miss anything, but I also have to be realistic with what might go down.

Does anyone have experience with being three-ish months pregnant and excursions/motion sickness? Do mints, ginger, seltzer water help? I know it can vary wildly between women, but I'd like to try and prepare for as much as I can.

Thanks!

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

I cruised to the Bahamas when I was two months pregnant with my son, and while I have never cruised to Alaska pregnant, I have been there with NCL.

I didn't have any problems with morning sickness on the ship beyond what I would normally have at home. The ship didn't make it any worse.

If I remember correctly, you can order ginger ale to drink in the restaurants, and if not, I found Sprite helps. Bring some hard candies to suck on; it can help quell nausea. They make these things called Preggie Pops, but I found Jolly Ranchers worked too. You are also going to want bland snacks in your room to calm your tummy. You can bring stuff like that on the ship as long as it is sealed. I found crackers or Cheerios worked well. You could ask your OB for a medicine to help in case you need it, but I know some people don't like to do that.

I probably wouldn't do any of the excursions that involve boats. I think the train in Skagway would be okay. I am prone to motion sickness in general, and the train didn't bother me (though I didn't ride it while pregnant.)

 

[lorimay]

CONGRATULATUONS!!!

I had two horrible pregnancies, I couldn't travel at all with either one.
I was in and out of the hospitals with them for dehydration.
I am bad with motion sickness on cruises and swear by Bonine, but of course you can't use that.
The nurses were so good with remedies, they really tried.
1. peppermint candy to suck on, and peppermint tea are great for nausea.
2. saltine crackers
3. lemonade (I couldn't do that at all, but women say it works.)

Try to get the sea bands since you can't take anything orally, they can help you a lot.
People talk about ginger gum also. I like ginger ale when I'm nauseous.

Good Luck with everything!
I pray you have a great cruise and pregnancy without any morning sickness.

 

[courtneydisney]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! After a year of trying, I'll gladly take a seasick cruise if it means a healthy baby!

 

[sunnypdx]

Vitamin B6 is also good for nausea. Congrats!!

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Congratulations!
Like Lorimay, I had very ill pregnancies, but thankfully, that is uncommon. If you are pregnant and not feeling ill now, you might be one whom does not ever experience the nausea with this pregnancy, time will tell.
Like others suggest, snacks and candies can really help. You'll have to be open to experimenting as what works one day, might be repulsive another. Your tastes can really change during pregnancy! For example, during each of my pregnancies Cheetos tasted really good! I did not crave them, and have never loved Cheetos-they were just an OK snack, but super tasty when pregnant (well, after the months and months of nausea/illness anyway).
Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

 

[deanimal]

I cruised to Alaska when I was 9 weeks pregnant with my second and didn't really have any problems besides the mild but continuous nausea that I experienced in my first trimester. One thing that was a problem for me was that we had second sitting for dinner and eating a big meal that late every day gave me some issues with heartburn at night. If I had to do it again I'd try to eat earlier.

Our itinerary involved taking tenders at one port and we had a couple of spells of rough waters but I didn't find pregnancy had any effect. Enjoy a wonderful cruise!

 

[GeneMachine]

Congratulations!

Ginger chews, ginger ale and candied ginger really helped with my nausea. I also wore sea bands, but ginger was the most effective thing for me. They are easy to find and keep in your bag. Have fun!

 

[KayW]

I cruised to Key West and Cozumel when I was 12 weeks pregnant back in 2004. I was the only one of our group who felt great with the motion of the ship. While others had to lay down I was going strong!