Best seasickness meds (U

[MeeskaMooskaMickey]

Hi, I want to get some medication just incase of seasickness for myself and children. We are first timers so not sure if going to be sick or not (although none of us are generally prone to motion sickness. Lots of advice I have read says to take anti-seasickness meds a day or two before travelling and then for the duration of the cruise, and for a day or two after to ward off land sickness!
So I went to Boots today and there wasn't much choice, just Kwells tablets or a similar Boots own version. The packs only had about 12 tablets in so wouldn't last long, also they make you drowsy. Can anyone recommend anything more suitable for us? Thanks

 

[LizGirl]

We used SeaBands on our Fantasy cruise. I'm not sure if they really work or if it is a placebo effect, but we were comfortable with them in place!

We travelled with Bonine, Dramamine and Kids Dramamine. Bonine is better for drowsiness. The ship sells Dramamine for adults but nothing (that I saw!) for kids. Definitely bring whatever you think you will need. We only needed to take it the first day (when we boarded) and then one or two days when the seas were rough. We didn't take it before boarding but started feeling weird as soon as we got to our stateroom. We took it then and were okay. I'm sure everyone is a little different!

We had sea legs for a day or two after disembarking. Some people require the medication for that also! We were lucky and did fine.

 

[limabeanmom2003]

I bought sea bands and they were useless. I am going to try the doctor prescribed patch on our next cruise. The medicine they give out on the cruise made me very sleepy.

 

[lorimay]

I swear by Bonine, I take it after 8 pm and I get the best sleep ever in my life as an added bonus to not being sick the whole cruise.
I start the night before the cruise too.

 

[ceecee]

I swear by Bonine, I take it after 8 pm and I get the best sleep ever in my life as an added bonus to not being sick the whole cruise.
I start the night before the cruise too.

How many times a day do you take the Bonine? I was going to get the Seabands but need a back up in case. We haven't done a cruise before so I don't know what to expect.

 

[lorimay]

One tablet a day!

 

[d3boyz]

The ships are AWESOME at avoiding the rocking and the lower you are in the ship, the less the movement. They have stabilizer fins that they use liberally, and they cruise slow enough that they go around most every storm.

We used Bonine and transdermal Scopoline (Rx) that is the little dot you stick behind your ear (good for 3 days each) when we went on a National Geographic cruise, but it was really needed due to 25' seas. We used crystallized ginger (like gummies) to settle the boys' stomachs when on Disney cruises.

 

[tiggger1]

I just called the pediatrician for this same question and I was told dramamine or benedryl for my 9 year old.

 

[Poptarts]

Thank you for this thread! I had the same question!

 

[LVaughn]

Motion sickness has been discussed many times on these boards. I take ginger pills for motion sickness, which also helps with digestion. I know some people are sensitive to it, but if you're not, it's a good alternative. No drowsiness and it's all-natural. Some people use ginger candies, ginger snaps or ginger ale as well.

Here's a thread about taking ginger from a few years ago: http://www.disboards.com/threads/anyone-heard-of-taking-ginger-tablets-for-motion-sickness.1021094/

 

[cruisehopeful]

When I need it, I take Bonine. It is a non-drowsy formula, but it does make me a bit drowsy. It won't knock me out like Dramamine does, though.

 

[T1nkerBell]

I know this is not exactly what you asked, but we brought many different kinds of medication and needed none.
We felt a slight discomfort the first evening/night out of Port Canaveral (passing through the Gulf stream). And nothing after that.

I'm glad I didn't start taking anything beforehand. If you do not get motion sickness elsewherem I'd come prepared, but not medicate until there is a need.

 

[kickash]

The ships are AWESOME at avoiding the rocking and the lower you are in the ship, the less the movement. They have stabilizer fins that they use liberally, and they cruise slow enough that they go around most every storm.

We used Bonine and transdermal Scopoline (Rx) that is the little dot you stick behind your ear (good for 3 days each) when we went on a National Geographic cruise, but it was really needed due to 25' seas. We used crystallized ginger (like gummies) to settle the boys' stomachs when on Disney cruises.

Normally I would agree with the first part, but we just returned from the 7 night EC and were deck 6 aft and we were rocking! I had to take the hangers down in the closets and leave doors open bc they squeaked when shut, go figure! We had 50 mph winds as we sailed around a tropical depression.
As for meds, I take Bonine twice a day (breakfast and dinner) starting before the cruise and for the whole duration. I also added in the Dramamine natural ginger pills twice a day. Those two things combined kept me ahead of the sickness but I still felt a bit woozy the first two nights when it was rockiest. The commodore even came on and said that we would be feeling a lot more motion and boy did we ever!

 

[RysMomma]

Unfortunately, none of the OTC stuff works for me, so I do use the doctor prescribed patch. I have gotten sick on several trips and sometimes have needed a shot (which knocks me out for the whole day) to make me feel better the rest of the trip. Here's hoping I don't need it this time!

 

[olookasquirrel]

Has anyone ever taken Zofran? I asked my OB for something anti-nausea since I had to visit anyway, and she gave me that, with directions to take one every 8 hours (her vacation of choice is cruising and she knew that was what it was for). I didn't even think to ask for the patch instead. The pills were Not Cheap (I have bad insurance though), if anyone has any advice or experience with that particular med I'd appreciate it!

 

[dclpluto]

Bonine that's all you need

 

[kuhltiffany]

Bonine for kids and adults, no drowsiness, once per day!

 

[kickash]

Has anyone ever taken Zofran? I asked my OB for something anti-nausea since I had to visit anyway, and she gave me that, with directions to take one every 8 hours (her vacation of choice is cruising and she knew that was what it was for). I didn't even think to ask for the patch instead. The pills were Not Cheap (I have bad insurance though), if anyone has any advice or experience with that particular med I'd appreciate it!

Zofran is usually for cancer patients going through chemo and the side effects. Some pregnant women use it but there was a huge lawsuit over birth defects so be cautious if you are pregnant. My son has had it in IV form in the ER when he had a particularly bad stomach bug (he cannot stop vomiting). It works but I dont know if it is used or should be used in the way you want to use it? I'm not a medical professional so if your dr said ok, then there's your answer.

 

[belac]

Bonine non drowsy, I didn't get drowsy, but that is just me. I never get drowsy with the any type of drowsy meds.
Did the kids Dramamine for DS.

I tried them a week ahead of time first per Docs recommendation for DS. She said some kids get really tired or have reaction to OTC meds, so better safe than sorry.

 

[RedSox68]

Bonine -- no drowsiness. Even use it on excursions for motion sickness. I take one every morning and it lasts the day.

Green apples or ginger tea onboard if you feel seasick.