Sea Sickness ?s

[TikiBird]

DW and I would like to take our first cruise in the next couple of years. DW has had some problems with motion sickness on various types of smaller water craft but nothing even close to a giant cruise ship. What are some of the things we could expect to encounter and what are some of your best remedies in the event either of us should have some sickness troubles.

Thanks for the info!!!!

 

[D L and K's Mom]

We cruised in July. DH, DD, DS and myself. We all started taking Dramamine (SP??) 2 days before the trip (DS and DD take it for the plane anyway so it was really only 1 day extra). I am very bad with motion (Even the computer scrolling fast makes me queezy) I never had a problem abut I took the Dramamine the whole trip (The non-drowsey type). DD and DH decided they didnt need it so they stopped after the first day.They didnt have any problems. Since DS can't tell me how he is feeling (He is s special needs little guy) I continued to give it to him the whole trip......I figured better safe than sorry especially since the cruise cost a lot of $ so I wanted to enjoy it. One night at dinner I did feel the boat movements but didn't feel sick. My Dr suggested the Dramamine instead of the patch for DS because she said some people have back side effects. I was also told to bring gingersnaps as gingr is supposed to make youl less queezy. I would suggest the Dramamine but I would try it BEFORE going in case it doesnt agree with you of you get over tired. Oh, I did feel "funny " after the cruise for a few days...sort of like the room was moving....funny as I didnt feel it on the ship. I have heard that some people feel funny for weeks after. Good luck you will love it!!!!!!!!

 

[albiats]

I take Ginger Root capsules, a natural supplement. I take at least one every morning and at least one every evening as a preventive. If I have experienced motion or if it looks like there will be waves above 4 feet, I take two of them at a time. I start one week before the cruise with one in the morning and one at night and I continue for two nights after the cruise.

I also have Bonine (or Meclizine by Rx) in the 25 mg dose if I need it. My Mecllizine Rx says 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours.

I also have some of the inexpensive wrist bands, but I haven't noticed consistent relief from them. I use them as my third line of defense if I still have trouble after the first two.

You can get ginger ale from the restaurants or lounges aboard the ship.

You can get Bonine from the medical facility on deck 1 and often from the Guest Services desk in single does packages, both without charge.

On our last cruise, my DD was feeling seasick and I called room service and asked them to send up plain toast and plain crackers and she said that helped too.

Fresh air and looking out at the horizon helps me visually. NOT focusing on a stationary object while the ship has even slight motion helps. NOT watching the swimming pools to look to see if they have 'echo waves' is also a good idea. NOT eating large meals also helps.

hope that helps

 

[Von]

We just returned this past Saturday from the 7 night Eastern cruise, this was our first cruise. My partner always has motion sickness so we expected her to have trouble, but she had none. It took the 3 of us 24 hours to get our sealegs, but we never got sick. We started 2 days before the cruise taking 1 Bonine pill and continued taking just one every night at bedtime. We had no problems at all. We had even bought the sea bracelets and the patches, but didn't need to use them (wasted that money).

 

[MrsG]

We didn't know how we would react so we bought 2 reusable Relief bands. These are approved by the FDA and take watch batteries. You can find them on any travel site. You wear it on the inside of your wrist like a watch and the impulse is adjustable. The first evening, DH felt a little queezy when we passed the large portholes in Beat Street. He immediately put the band on and turned it on. Within 5 mins he felt fine and never needed it again. Although they were expensive, $100 ea, it was worth the peace of mind and we didn't have to worry about side effects from drugs. Plus we already have them for our next cruise in July.

 

[mickman1962]

just returned from my 1st cruise. water was smooth as glass but the boat does still move. Sitting in Parrot Cay you look out the windows and see the sea then nothing but sky. Took 24 hours to get used to it (not stomach ill just head felt weird). One thing that helped a great deal was to actually be in the pool (adult). And yes it seems as though no one watches their kids in the pool. My DS8 wanted to know why everyone one was jumping in the goofy pool when the sign said not too. IMO stay on the ship in Nassau a total waste of time. Palo's A+++

 

[jrabbit]

I recommend that you visit with your doctor before leaving on the trip. Try out the med’s you may be taking on the cruise BEFORE leaving to make sure that the side effects are not worse than the seasickness (sleeping is a side effect and you don’t want to have to say “This was the most relaxing vacation ever – didn’t see a thing, slept through the whole trip!) It’s important to get the correct med’s for each member of your party – it may be different for each person.

I take Dramamine every day while at Disneyland/Disney World. I take it whenever I fly (and chew gum and suck on hard candies, etc). On both of my cruises I started taking it before the cruise and for the first couple of days, and then I forgot to take and stopped taking it for the remainder of the trip. Never had any problems.

My mind plays tricks on me while on the ship. I can sit and see the horizon not moving but my brain is telling me that we are rocking wildly (even when tied up in port!). I am one of those who feel very weird for the week after the trip – my brain is telling me I’m moving more than on the ship)

I recommend that you visit with your doctor before leaving on the trip. Try out the med’s you may be taking on the cruise BEFORE leaving to make sure that the side effects are not worse than the seasickness (sleeping is a side effect and you don’t want to have to say “This was the most relaxing vacation ever – didn’t see a thing, slept through the whole trip!) It’s important to get the correct med’s for each member of your party – it may be different for each person.

 

[SC Minnie]

We also took Ginger capsules. We started taking them about a week before just to get them in our system. May have been unnecessary but I wanted to be safe than sorry and since Ginger is all natural it didn't hurt.