Concerned first time cruisers

[Danilu]

I just booked our 1rst cruise: DCL Fantasy Western Caribbean for sept 17 2016.

I have read about the different ways to prevent sea sickness, however I want to know how the time of the year/weather affects this. Is September a good month for it? Or does not affect at all? I’m really concern about this as sometime I have trouble even when travelling for long periods on a car.

Thanks!

 

[Justacruiser]

I would recommend having something available all year round. I take a prescription medicine that works awesome, but a side affect is that it can cause drowsiness. I have never had an issue. A lot do the Bonine and others wear the patch. I ALWAYS start my med on the morning of travel to the port and take it till we get home, no matter the motion factor. Also, you need to stay hydrated the entire trip. Some folks get dizzy when riding in a car or on the boat, that CAN be from not drinking enough water.

 

[Jennifer777]

If you are prone to motion sickness, talk to your doctor about preventative options. I get horrible motion sickness. Over the counter meds don't work for me but I had great luck with the prescription patch, no drowsiness or other symptoms but others have had good luck with over the counter meds.

Rough seas can happen any time of the year but June - November is hurricane season so you may have more periods of rough seas during that time. We went in March last year though and the seas were very rough the first few days. It can happen at any time.

 

[TeaBee]

We sailed on the Dream last September and it was not a problem, but we also had gorgeous weather. My two children and husband are all extremely prone to motion sickness both in the car and in airplanes and none of them had a problem at all on the ship. We did motion sickness medication the first day (mostly for the ride to the port) and then didn't have to use it again after that. Here's hoping you'll have the same experience!

 

[summerskye]

We are doing our 1st cruise in July. The same 7 day Western Caribbean on the Fantasy. I have also been thinking about how we might react to the motion. Our plan is to bring the over the counter meds. Additionally, we plan on getting our Dr. to prescribe the patch. It hopefully won't be necessary but better safe than sorry. Good luck.

 

[KingRichard]

Motioneaze

A couple drops under the ear. Safe for kids and cost $5-10. Use it on every cruise and the parks for the wife. One little bottle last forever!

Use it on DD from age 3-8.

Swear by it!

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Is the motion very noticeable?

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

There are many, many types of medicine out there for motion sickness. I would suggest calling your family doctor and ask him (or her) what would be best for you.

AKK

 

[xlxo]

Gravol helps

 

[surran12]

I have issues in cars when I'm not driving, in airplanes and don't get me started on whale watches (id be the one hanging over the side) But the fantasy is an extremely smooth sailing ship I didn't have any issues at all. I use the wristbands when I'm onboard for whatever they're worth.

 

[apocalyps3]

Is the motion very noticeable?

I've only ever cruised once (this past early November with Disney) and I have to say that I was surprised at how noticeable it was. Since I don't have anything to compare it to, I don't know if it was an unusually wavy week or if it was normal. It also seemed much worse at night than during the day. Having said that, as much as I was feeling the motion, it luckily never bothered me or my family (we didn't use any motion sickness medication throughout). It was just weird having never experienced that type of motion before, so we were always like "Are feeling that?!"

 

[Quellman]

I'm not trying to cause fear, but help you make an informed decision, promise. You wanted to know how weather can impact seasickness, so here you go.

I would like to point out the Hurricane chart as well linked here from NOAA. While captains will try to reroute ships, and even change itineraries if needed, you can still become a victim to sea swell, increased wave heights and more motion than one would normally expect on a traditional calm weather day.

Many other people have made great comments about how to combat it. If some of the medications are new to you, you might consider taking them in advance to see if there are any side effects before you sail. You wouldn't want to pack one kind, only to find out you have strong reactions later. Hopefully the weather will be great and you will have an awesome cruise!

 

[2prettygirl]

I would not worry about the weather nor would I let it stop you from cruising in September. We are taking a cruise this October and I personally look at the hurricanes that do happen, how often they happen (rare) and if they do happen what's the chances of it effecting our cruise location wise? I have asked many times if October is a good time to cruise and many on these boards have said October was the best weather they have had and that's the only time they cruise.....I just hope for the best!

We have been on a cruise where motion was felt a night or two but it's bound to happen if the ship is cruising at a faster rate to make port on time, etc. There may be times you hit rough seas, it's just hard to say. I always pack a variety of meds just in case but we have never had to take them.

My kids are prone to motion sickness in the car and sailing on the cruises does not bother them.

 

[Meemawto2]

It all depends on weather and also where your cabin is. On some cruises we have felt the movement and others only while docking etc. when they "rev" up the engines. All that being said, I get carsick, air sick pretty much any motion sickness. I have found for me that I use Bonine and start taking it the day before. I take it once a day (at night) and have not had any problems with nausea. We went around a storm on one cruise and many were sick due to the motion and I did not get sick.
Whatever you use I would try before hand to make sure it works for you. Also, the suggestion of drinking a lot of water is a very good one. That is a big help.

Enjoy your cruise.

 

[Bear3412]

It all depends on weather and also where your cabin is. On some cruises we have felt the movement and others only while docking etc. when they "rev" up the engines. All that being said, I get carsick, air sick pretty much any motion sickness. I have found for me that I use Bonine and start taking it the day before. I take it once a day (at night) and have not had any problems with nausea. We went around a storm on one cruise and many were sick due to the motion and I did not get sick.
Whatever you use I would try before hand to make sure it works for you. Also, the suggestion of drinking a lot of water is a very good one. That is a big help. ......

This is our technique too and have had no issues even in the heaviest seas the Fantasy has ever encountered.

After moderate seas we (adults) need to continue Bonine once ashore for a while to prevent land sickness.

 

[CesD]

The weather in the fall can be a coin toss. We had amazing weather this past October but the sailing right before ours had to change itinerary because of hurricane Joaquin.

I take Dramamine an hour before sail away. I get drowzy but if I fight it when I feel it, it goes away. On port days I don't take another dose until an hour before the ship leaves. I do the same for my kids even if they feel fine. Preventing seasickness is easier than trying to get over it.

 

[ti2xgrr]

we use ginger capsules. these have always worked for us. Also the larger the ship the less likely you are to feel the motion. We have never felt much motion and have sailed several times. If you are really prone to it talk to your doctor

 

[Tiffybuggie]

This past October I was on the Fantasy the week after Joaquin as well. The waters were a little rougher the first night and we were traveling at a pretty good speed to get on track to make our first port because we left port late (due to the ship getting into port late because of rerouting from the hurricane). Other than that first night the waters were calm and just the normal gentle rocking back and forth. Sometimes I forgot we were on the ship.

 

[scootch]

Is the motion very noticeable?

The first and last night are the worst. I am guessing the first night they are trying to get as far as they can so they can have a calm day at sea the next day while everyone is enjoying the ship. My brother(an MD) has us start Bonine(over the counter, non drowsy) a couple nights before the cruise and just take it every night to prevent sea sickness. Tablets are chewable(although we swallow) and 1/2 tab works for kids. It has worked well for us.

 

[Barbydoll8]

I always chime in on these posts. First like other posters have said - talk to your doctor first. Second - I am the kind of person that gets sick in the car if you go in reverse too fast so I'm EXTREMELY sensitive to motion sickness. Weather can play a large part of motion sickness along with the speed the ship is sailing.
I have to have the patch. I've sailed 3 times - once without it and twice with it. And have been on smaller ships many times over the years as I live in a coastal area. Over the counter stuff doesn't help me at all. I've done sea bands, ginger, bonine and dramamine. Not any of them helped. But the patch? A miracle.
I will warn you though, it still is not foolproof. We sailed Feb 2015 to Grand Caymans on the Wonder. It was extremely windy and the ship was really moving to get out of weather. Even with the patch I threw up. The boat was pitching so bad that you couldn't walk a straight line down the hall way. This is rare though and common in Feb from what I have read. Fortunately, it was only that bad on one morning of our cruise.
You will feel the boat move. Period. How much really depends on weather, wind speed and boat speed. It will be less on a newer, larger ship but you will feel it.
That being said, there are side effects from the patch that some people can not tolerate. I can as they are very minor compared to laying in bed for half the cruise like I did on the first one.
I do get slightly blurred vision. This is due to the patch slightly dilating your eyes. I do get dry mouth. I keep a bottle of water with me and it combats that. Other than that, if you use a patch, I would recommend keeping it on a day after you cruise. Your sea legs will still be on and the day after can really hit you in the gut as your body readjusts to land.
I got sick the day after I got home because I took my patch off too soon after the cruise.

Go talk to your doctor and I would try various methods of motion sickness meds/remedies in advance. There are things that work so don't let it stop you.
I'm cruising again in about 45 days so even though last year was rough, I won't stop cruising.