New cruiser to disney Have question for all you parents

[disneyrett]

This will be my first cruise on Disney!!! Very excited!!!!!! I will be cruising with my husband and four year old son. This will be my son's first cruise, my husband and I have cruised before,but never on a Disney cruise. My question is did any of your children get sea sick!!!!??? My son tends to get car sick so, I was wondering if he would get sea sick too!! I hope not!! I really don't want to give him any medication that will knock him out!! This cruise is for him, and I want him to really enjoy it! So, please help!! Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Cruise date October 19, 2003

 

[Gupsmom]

My kids (5.5, 4.5 and 3 at cruise time) noticed the movement but did not get sea sick. My son (the 5.5 yr old) is prone to getting car sick. I brought bendryl just in case figuring I would give him a low dose if needed. We never used it..

Jess

 

[CVW]

Most likely, you will not get seasick.

I have always been a big roller-coaster fan, but could never handle spinning rides, because it set off vertigo and nausea. On our last trip to an amusement park I finally decided to try meclizine 25mg. I'm a doctor, and I 've recommended to patients in the past. But I always swore it would never work for me, because my vertigo is "real" and some of my patients are just whiners.

Well, let's just say I'm humbled. It worked perfectly. I rode spinning rides with my kids that I've never done before. It was great.

The adult dosage is 25 to 50 mg. Pediatric does is 12.5 to 25 mg. It's sold in chewables under the trade name "Bonine". But it's MUCH cheaper to buy the generic. (Ask the pharmacist. Ours keeps it behind her shelf...probably because she has a much better margin on the Bonine!)

It's technically an antihistamine, but a lousy one. And therefore doesn't cause the drowsiness. SOME people will get a little drowsy, but not most. Do a test dose before you leave (and AFTER you check with his doctor). Your child probably won't even know he took it.

 

[AnnMorin]

My son is extreemly car sick. He vomits EVERY year on the way to and from Cape Cod (it is a three and a half hour ride) we give him dramamine and it does not help, finally we just give him a trash bag and he is fine after he gets sick. He has never been the slightest sea sick on any of our cruises. The ship has excellent stablizers and although you will feel some movement it is much different than a car.
ps-you can get meclizine for free from outside the med center if you find you need it. They have a dispenser full of it.

 

[jott3]

Originally posted by CVW
But I always swore it would never work for me, because my vertigo is "real" and some of my patients are just whiners.

LOL, CVW!

 

[alexandrew]

Generally, kids tend to not get seasick

 

[abitjaded]

My kids loose it at the drop of a hat, I carry zip-lock bags in my purse and every car is equipped with purloined air-sick bags. Cruise? No problem. One felt a bit woozy the first day when high up and at the back of the ship (Parrot Cay), but never recycled a single meal. We adults felt a bit worse the first day or two, but again, never recycled. If there is not any major weather, you should be fine.

 

[musicgirl]

You might try the wrist bands. I tried the cloth ones and I didn't have much luck-I don't think I had them positioned correctly.

For those of you who said you or your children get really car sick you might want to invest in the electronic wrist band. I got mine at Drugstore.com for $54. It is battery operated. Be careful when buying, because some of them you can not replace the battery in.

I get very, very carsick and we will be doing a 7-night next year. I have heard many good things about the bands. I have mine but have not gotten the chance to try it. I get car sick in the van and it is being painted so I'll have to wait until we get it back.

The way it works is that it is place on the 2 tendons in your wrist. An electric pulse is sent into your hand. If it is placed correctly, you feel it in your middle fingers. I've workde at placing it correctly and I can tell you that you definitely know if it is placed correctly.

They also have one specifically for pregnant women.

I am anxious to see how it works for me. Because if you get car sick alot, you really don't want to take medications all the time. This one is suppose to work immediately, so I don't even have to put it on before we travel. I can wait until I start to feel a little sick.

 

[disneyrett]

thank you all for sharing! I feel better knowing that no children got sea sick!!! Thanks

 

[Ginny]

DisneyRett-

It looks like I might be the lone parent on the other side of the coin. DD (now 8), went on her first Disney Cruise at 4.5. She has never been car sick, air sick & loves fast rides with lots of spinning!! The first night out in the channel was a bit rocky due to some rough weather and both she and I left Parrot Cay because she didn't feel very well. I grew up around boats and never gave seasickness a second thought before the cruise. We went to dinner at Parrot Cay and about 20 minutes later she wasn't feeling well and was getting worse...... we left DH and DS at dinner and went back to our cabin. By the next morning she was fine and stayed fine the rest of the cruise.

On our second cruise, she did fine. Not one hint of seasickness and on the first night, she went to the Kid's Club and didn't want to leave!!

On our Halloween Cruise in 01 (she was almost 7), she did not fare as well. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit rockier and much more unpredictable. I was really glad that I had packed meds "just in case."

Personally, I would heed CVW's wise advice about being prepared. and check with your pediatrician about the Bonine recommendation before you cruise. Again, this is just our experience on 3 cruises and your little one may do just fine.

 

[lbgraves]

LOL! CVW I thought that I was just crazy! I also LOVE roller coasters...the wilder the better...but I can't go on simple rides like a carosel or the tea cups without feeling like I am going to be very ill. Heck, I can't even watch my kids on them without feeling that way. I have been able to endure when forced to accompany one of them by holding my breath & sucking in my tummy as much as possible. I will definantly try the bonine next time!!!

 

[kalama]

Disneyrett...we took our son for his 5th b-day and I was concerned too. He had SO MUCH FUN he barely noticed when the ship was moving. Have a wonderful trip!