preparing for seasickness

[disney minnie]

I get EXTREMELY sea, car, and ride sick. We went on a cruise in Sept. 09' and I researched this topic constantly.

This is what I did:

I took Bonine at night 3 for three days before the cruise and the first night on the cruise. This was great because I didn't ever feel drowsy. I never once felt seasick.

I gave my children the kids Bonine the night before and the first night of the cruise.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

DH and I both took Bonine before our cruise just in case. I didnt know whether we'd get sea sick or not but I didn't want to find out the hard way. It worked great. Even the last night of the cruise there was a hurricane in fairly close proximity making it much more rough than usual. Lots of people were absent from dinner that night but we felt totally fine. Better safe than sorry is my theory with this one.

That is our thinking as well. On the 2005 PC cruise we unexpectedly encountered Hurricane Hilary. So many people got sick including staff members but we didn't. We don't buy the brand name as it is much more expensive than what we get from behind the pharmacy at Target. It's simply called, Travel Sickness Pills and the active ingredient is meclizine the same as Bonine. We get 100 for 6.00.

I also wanted to add that Holland America pushes green apples to those that have sea sickness. In fact, they have them in every stateroom.

 

[llnolte]

We bought the same thing at our Target (Travel Sickness Pills)-the pharmacist recommended it instead of bonine (much cheaper). Everyone took one each morning, starting two days before the cruise. They worked great-no drowsiness, etc. I ended having to take an extra one on an evening with extremely rough seas-I get queasy on the teacups. But the rest of the family was fine with just one pill.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

now I take non-drowsy Dramamine and have NEVER been sick again (even with really rough seas).

There is no medication called non-drowsy Dramamine.

Another vote for Non-Drowsy Dramamine.

There is no medication called Non-Drowsy Dramamine.

I do get sea sick, but I found a combination of the non drowsy Bonine and then a ginger pill once a day works great!

There is no medication called non drowsy Bonine.

If you look for such "Non Drowsy" motion sickness remedies in stores, you won't find them.

Bonine and Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula are both the same medication — Meclizine Hydrochloride, 25 mg. So there really is no difference. They work same because they are the same. Meclizine Hydrochloride is an antihistamine. It causes some drowsiness in many people. Alcohol can increase the drowsiness, which is why the products contain warnings.

Just as different different people can react differently to motion, they can react differently to motion sickness medications.

In my case, if I've had a dose of Meclizine Hydrochloride in the morning, a single glass of wine in the evening makes me very sleepy; it almost knocks me out. With the Transderm Scop patch, I can have a glass of wine or two with dinner, without feeling unusual drowsiness from the combination. But that's me. Remember, as they say, "your mileage may vary."

Read the warnings. Talk to your doctor.

 

[devonsmommy]

We have booked our first cruise ever (on the Dream) and I'm a little worried about seasickness. What have you more experienced cruisers found to be helpful? I know about the patch you put on behind your ear. Any other tips? Thank you in advance.

I get car sick, I can't go on roller coasters, etc. We took a cruise 2 years ago and I was SO NERVOUS! I got the patch from my doctor, ginger pills and bonine, and I just had it in my head I would be SICK.

I opted for just the bonine and started the night before the cruise, and I was TOTALLY FINE! Not one instance of seasickness. I also popped a few ginger pills at dinner just for good measure.

We also didn't have any crazy waves, etc.

Good luck!

 

[livie1205]

We just booked our first cruise and I am a little worried...I get car sick and cant do 3 d movies.i CAN ride rollercoasters but NOT the tea cups lol I take meds that can make you a little drowsy will I still be able to take something for the cruise?I am hoping for the best and keep telling myself "I can do it" hoping to phyc myself out lol

 

[ModestMouse]

Thank you all for your answers and information, much appreciated! Here's to none of us getting sick!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Another vote for the Ginger Pills, although I start taking them a week or so before my cruise.

 

[TLSnell1981]

My son and I both use the wrist bands (I think the brand is Seabands) and they always work well for us!

We will try these, next cruise. I have used Rx nauseabands for about 10 year, but they no longer make them. I have horrible motion sickness, but the nauseaband worked like magic.

 

[kato0627]

Joining in to keep hearing your great advice.

 

[prisjoyce]

First timer here, headed out next week: I'm worried about sea sickness as well- those darn tea cups do me in! So do they have Bonine on the ship or should I bring my own? And do they have anything avail on ship for kids? My children don't usually get motion sickness, but I'm a "just in case" type.

 

[goofysgirl]

We are another Bonine family. We take them the day before getting on and then the first two nights, after that we have found that we have no need for them as the waters are much calmer in the Carribbean-that is unless there is a storm around and then we just continue on with the pills. Take them the last day at CC so the ride home is uneventful.
I found dramamine to knock my socks off, I could barely stay awake with this stuff, so was happy to find Bonine. They do have a supply of pills outside the infirmary on the first night of your voyage should you feel you do not have enough of your own supply. We have used their pills on a very rocky voyage on the Wonder and found them to work just as well as the Bonine.
If you do feel the first signs of seasickness get outside in the fresh air and try and grab an apple...your stomach should be on the fuller side to avoid feeling bad.

 

[lbgraves]

I have always started taking Bonine a few days prior to boarding the ship. We usually go to WDW or DL before then and that helps me be able to enjoy the circular rides like the tea cups with the kids. I can't even look at them moving if I don't take anything without feeling nauseous. I continue taking a Bonine each day for 3-4 days after getting off the ship as well. I avoid the land leg stage doing this. We have been on cruises with 20+ foot swells and there have only been 2 nights out of 53 that I needed to get gingerale at dinner to calm my stomach.

Also this does not make me sleepy and I am a lightweight when it comes to meds or alcohol. I have also been able to have a glass of wine with dinner and did not have any problems.

 

[n2wdw]

I also get motion sickness from teacups, and last year on the 4 night I got sick the first night on the rough seas. I'm happy to hear about bromine, which looks like a wonder drug (supplemented by green apples and ginger snaps). Question -- if you drink, will this make you sleepy? I like to have a cocktail and wine at dinner, so if I take a bromine prior to that, will I fall asleep at dinner?

 

[mikejeanjames]

Great tips, everyone. I've tried the patch, Sea bands, prescription Zofran, still had some sickness. You definitely need to keep yourself hydrated with the patch. DH swears the patch makes him more sick! Our next cruise in May I think I'll try the OTC and ginger pills suggestion.

 

[onlyn2urmoney]

Does any one if there is anything out there you can use for toddlers? We just did our 1st Disney cruise the first week of March on the Wonder. Our last sea day (on the way home) was pretty rocky. My 10 month old got pretty sick and was yacking everywhere for hours! As you can imagine it wasnt very fun. Hell be 2 for our next cruise on the Fantasy. I want to be prepared for next time. I dont want to go through that again!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm happy to hear about bromine, which looks like a wonder drug (supplemented by green apples and ginger snaps). Question -- if you drink, will this make you sleepy? I like to have a cocktail and wine at dinner, so if I take a bromine prior to that, will I fall asleep at dinner?

The motion sickness medication is called Bonine (not bromine).

Here's the official website: http://www.bonine.com/

Warnings include:

• drowsiness may occur
• avoid alcoholic drinks
• alcohol, sedatives and tranquilizers may increase drowsiness

The same medication (Meclizine Hydrochloride 25 mg, sometimes abbreviated as Meclizine HCl 25 mg) is also sold as Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula and at a lower price under store brands, such as CVS Motion Sickness II Less Drowsy Formula 25 mg Tablets.

I find that when I've taken Meclizine Hydrochloride, even a single glass of wine makes me quite drowsy. (Your mileage may vary.)

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I've tried the patch, Sea bands, prescription Zofran, still had some sickness. You definitely need to keep yourself hydrated with the patch. DH swears the patch makes him more sick!

The Transderm Scōp (Scopolamine) motion sickness patch works very well for me. it's kept me free from motion sickness, even during very rough seas. And I can have a glass of two of wine with dinner without experiencing any unusual drowsiness.

Be sure to read "Information for Patients" at the official website: http://www.transdermscop.com/

Yes, one of the warnings is: "Avoid drinking alcohol while using Transderm Scōp."

In the United States, the Transderm Scōp patch requires a doctor's prescription.

Although the patch works well for me, that doesn't mean it works well for everyone.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Hell be 2 for our next cruise on the Fantasy. I want to be prepared for next time. I dont want to go through that again!

The instructions for DRAMAMINE Original Formula (Dimenhydrinate 50 mg) (not DRAMAMINE Less Frowsy Formula) indicate that it can be given to children as young as 2. ("children 2 to under 6 years ½ tablet every 6-8 hours; do not take more than 1-½ tablets in 24 hours, or as directed by a doctor")

Official website: http://www.dramamine.com/original-formula

However, for a child that young, I would talk to his pediatrician.