Sea sickness tips

[CesD]

What I've done before is take medicine an hour before the sail away party and an hour before leaving every port. If the water is rough during our sea day then I'll take an extra dose. I think its the initial land to sea transition that gets me.

 

[SuperDry]

Based on my understanding and experience, the vast majority of people will not have any kind of sea sickness problems on a large cruise ship. It seems to me that most of the people that worry about this have never been on a large cruise ship before, and in some cases, are using this issue as a reason to avoid cruises because they don't think they'd enjoy them for other reasons. I've been on a dozen cruises, and can't think of a single situation where I've observed or even heard of someone onboard having sea sickness issues. I have seen lots of sea bands worn by passengers, and behind-the-ear patches. How many of those were effective because of what they actually did, versus the placebo affect, versus the person using them not being prone in the first place, I have no idea.

Personally, I've had motion sickness twice in my life. I understand how uncomfortable it can be. Once was on a small ferry boat in rough waters for about an hour, and that put me "out of service" for the better part of a day, even once back on solid land. So I understand how it feels. Even with that experience, and the personal history of having some susceptibility to sea sickness, I've never once had even a slight twinge of sea sickness on a Disney vessel, even under rough seas.

My husband was the only one who felt a little sea sick. He only really felt it when looking out our verandah from inside the room.

There's a very easy solution for someone with that particular set of circumstances: don't look out the window.

 

[Barbydoll8]

I've been on a dozen cruises, and can't think of a single situation where I've observed or even heard of someone onboard having sea sickness issues. I have seen lots of sea bands worn by passengers, and behind-the-ear patches. How many of those were effective because of what they actually did, versus the placebo affect, versus the person using them not being prone in the first place, I have no idea.

I can tell you for a fact that I DO get real motion sickness and have cruised w/o any medicine on a 3 day to see if a large boat would help. I spent most of the cruise in bed or in the bathroom. I am the only person I know that lost 10 pounds on a cruise. I get motion sickness everywhere. If you read the paperwork that comes with the patch, it clearly explains that some people have inner ear issues and some people's brains do not register the motion but their eyes do. It is a real thing and not made up or imagined by the person who has it.

I do agree that people that don't know may have some overly cautious concerns but if their concerns were anything like mine, I should have headed the warnings. It was an expensive way for me to spend almost 3 days in bed the first time. It's a valid concern and exploring the what if's are valid. I am a proponent of asking a medical professional for advise on it as I previously stated.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

There's a very easy solution for someone with that particular set of circumstances: don't look out the window.

That's what I told him! lol. He was fine outside on the verandah and he was fine inside when he wasn't looking out. Weirdo kept looking out the window though.

 

[littleblackegg]

My recommendation is to check in with your Primary Care Provider a few weeks before cruising. She or he is already familiar with your health history (hopefully) and any medications you may be taking. Personally (RN, 20 years experience) I think it is best to take a few well-understood and researched treatments with you. You don't want to get on the ship and find the meclizine/Bonine/Dramamine isn't cutting it and you don't have a scopolamine patch! I always bring both just in case because I have developed terrible motion sickness as I have gotten older. I've never needed the scope patch but I want to be prepared! You and your doc can work out a plan, especially if you have any chronic health problems. It helps me to stay hydrated. Motion sickness is a reaction to a sensory disconnect between your eyes, your inner ear and your brain. As with most stuff, the young and the old get the brunt of it. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[DVC-Don]

Based on my understanding and experience, the vast majority of people will not have any kind of sea sickness problems on a large cruise ship. It seems to me that most of the people that worry about this have never been on a large cruise ship before, and in some cases, are using this issue as a reason to avoid cruises because they don't think they'd enjoy them for other reasons. I've been on a dozen cruises, and can't think of a single situation where I've observed or even heard of someone onboard having sea sickness issues. I have seen lots of sea bands worn by passengers, and behind-the-ear patches. How many of those were effective because of what they actually did, versus the placebo affect, versus the person using them not being prone in the first place, I have no idea....................

Good post! Long time boater and veteran of 6 cruises so far and no sea sickness to date. Quite a few of the personal boating and two of the cruises involved rough seas. Only on one cruise did one of our table mates get queasy coming out of St. John, New Brunswick.

 

[preciouspups]

Thanks for all the tips. One of the joys of turning 40 was suddenly developing motion sickness! And it doesn't always hit so I never know what will be the trigger! I can be a passenger and read a book on the highway, but around town, with my husband driving, I'm miserable. I plan to see my doctor this month and try the patch to test for side effects before getting on the cruise. I think it is better to have it and never use it than to need it and be without.