Seasick tips, please :)

[texaskristi]

Help a mama out, pls! I got extremely seasick when we cruised back in 2013 and we are finally going to risk it again. I would love any and all tips you can give - ESP with stateroom locations that might help not make it all worse. I also cruised back in 1999 on Carnival and didn't get sick. I think the difference was mainly that we were apparently out during a MAJOR storm and that boat was rockin'!!! Also, I had kids between the two cruises and after my first kid, some things bother me that didn't before - for example swinging. I get a MAJOR woozy head feeling from swinging, but can go on roller coasters, etc no problem!! ??? I got sick starting the first night of the cruise and sick throughout it. I finally started getting better towards the end. THEN we got back, went to Universal and was fine - flew back 2-3 days later to Texas and my head was swimming like CRAZY!!! We found the epley maneuver on YouTube and that helped, but I didn't get significant relief until days later and a chiropractor appt. I seriously do not want to repeat this. If so, it will be my last cruise.

Our last cruise info:
Fantasy out of Canaveral
Jun 1, 2013 - Jun 8, 2013
Cabin 6158

Cruise we are planning on:
Wonder out of Galveston
Dec 31, 2021 - Jan 6, 2022

Thanks for any and ALL help!!!

 

[Gigi22]

You have probably heard all this before. If you start feeling sick, head for a deck where you can be outside and watch the horizon. Also, ginger ale, soda crackers, and clear broth all calm the tummy. Some people swear by green apples. If you are willing to take meds, drop into a pharmacy at home (cheaper than onboard) and get some of their OTC meds for seasickness. As the pharmacist for a recommendation. Also, pick up some sea bands for the acupressure points on your wrists. Put the sea bands on before boarding. Once aboard, if you are feeling sick and If all else fails, go to the onboard doctor/nurse and get a prescription/shot. Their bill will be on your onboard account, keep receipts for your travel insurance. You really don’t want to miss out on your cruise!

 

[deliela999]

I went loaded with everything, but I was the only one that needed it. I jumped on it as soon as I felt off, took non-drowsy dramamine and was fine. I have major ear problems and struggle with other motion things. Our travel agent had suggested higher decks and mid-ship. That definitely helped me. I felt the movement more in the lower decks and even had to hold onto something at guest services because I felt the movement, but it didn't seem to bother anyone else.

 

[texaskristi]

I went loaded with everything, but I was the only one that needed it. I jumped on it as soon as I felt off, took non-drowsy dramamine and was fine. I have major ear problems and struggle with other motion things. Our travel agent had suggested higher decks and mid-ship. That definitely helped me. I felt the movement more in the lower decks and even had to hold onto something at guest services because I felt the movement, but it didn't seem to bother anyone else.

My husband keeps saying that the lower decks would be better, but I've been....hmmmm... not sure about that.

 

[texaskristi]

You have probably heard all this before. If you start feeling sick, head for a deck where you can be outside and watch the horizon. Also, ginger ale, soda crackers, and clear broth all calm the tummy. Some people swear by green apples. If you are willing to take meds, drop into a pharmacy at home (cheaper than onboard) and get some of their OTC meds for seasickness. As the pharmacist for a recommendation. Also, pick up some sea bands for the acupressure points on your wrists. Put the sea bands on before boarding. Once aboard, if you are feeling sick and If all else fails, go to the onboard doctor/nurse and get a prescription/shot. Their bill will be on your onboard account, keep receipts for your travel insurance. You really don’t want to miss out on your cruise!

Thanks for all that info! I really didn't know a lot of it! MOST of it!! We cruised last time last minute so I didn't do much research ahead of time nor since. I did take meds on the ship from the onboard store. I can't remember the details, but I didn't get any help from any ship doctor. I think I was told they didn't give out anything for it at that time and told me to buy something in the store. I can guarantee you I will have everything imaginable with me this time!! LOL

-- I did run into an actual dr on board who was sailing and he gave me a patch toward the end of the cruise. Only thing that really started helping me. The other medicine just made me feel loopy/sleepy.

 

[alli817]

Bonine - I take it every cruise!! Even cruised around a hurricane and I was fine.

 

[insureman]

My husband keeps saying that the lower decks would be better, but I've been....hmmmm... not sure about that.

True. Lower deck mid ship has less movement.

 

[lorimay]

I am another Bonine person, 100% effective for me. I start the night before the cruise and take one every evening after 8pm.
No issues at all.
There is also a natural with ginger Bonine tablet now, I took that for a wedding reception on a yacht we were on and it worked great too. That was on the intercostal so not a rough as the ocean.
I am not willing to risk the ginger tablets on a cruise ship, because I am so bad with the seasickness.
The regular Bonine is a gift for me.

 

[gatordoc]

I know some don’t like them, but prescription scopolamine patches are a lifesaver for many. My wife is unable to spend even a short time on the water without them, but with them we can sail through the nastiest of weather and she is perfectly fine.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Mid ship, mid deck But, lower vesus higher. Bonnie, wear the bracelet and have plain crackers with you. Ginger ( chimes are a soft type candy that they always seem to sell by the registers in Marshall’s.. are good to have in ur purse) settles ur tummy
Safe, fun and Seasick Free Travels to you OP.. enjoy!

 

[Sherrilatte]

I know some don’t like them, but prescription scopolamine patches are a lifesaver for many. My wife is unable to spend even a short time on the water without them, but with them we can sail through the nastiest of weather and she is perfectly fine.

This works the best for me as well. I cannot waste one moment being sick on a cruise!

 

[Kjdisney]

This works the best for me as well. I cannot waste one moment being sick on a cruise!

I agree as well, I tried seabands and Dramamine and didn’t help that much. The patches though worked wonders. And since you only replace every 3 days, its hassle free

 

[Karin1984]

I've heard more people say to start with things like dramamine a (half) day before your cruise starts, so it is already in your system the moment you set sail.

 

[lorimay]

I believe the patches are a prescription, my doctor told me I couldn't use them because of my blood pressure medication.

 

[MsSimone]

Gin gin candies did it for me. I'm not normally prone to motion sickness but the first night of our first cruise the motion got to me. I started popping a few ginger candies in the mid afternoon and was fine aside from that first night.

 

[nancipants]

Bonine, ginger pills, and Dramamine work for me. I prefer the ginger pills as medication can make me drowsy. I've also taken the tablets they have onboard for emergency "I'm so nauseous I'm going to die" situations.

I've had a baby since my last cruise, and my OB recommended taking half a Unisom tab + a B6 vitamin every night before bed during my pregnancy. It's the same active ingredients as in the medicine they prescribe that costs $$$. It worked perfectly and I didn't get nauseous at all after starting that regimen. So I'm going to try it on my next cruise!

 

[jrabbit]

Here's a link to something that I've posted many times over the past 15 years or more. It's "Old" information - pre 2010 ....

Everything you wanted to know about Motion Sickness remedies

I don't know if anyone has mentioned staying on deck 2 mid ship - it's the place that usually will have the least motion. But then again you don't want to have to spend all of your cruise in your room. but why not cut down on the motion for the times (night) when you are in the room.

 

[Jsoenning]

Bonine for me - dramamine makes me too sleep but haven't tried the non-drowsy version. I will say even though took Bonine the seas can get so rough that not effective so appreciate the responses above - may look for ginger candies for next cruise.

 

[msmama]

I think you've already gotten good advice, but one thing I didn't see mentioned, STAY HYDRATED and watch your alcohol consumption. I don't know if there's any scientific basis to this, but if I get slightly dehydrated, I start to feel the motion of the ship (same with having a drink).

 

[ambula603]

We've had luck with the patch - but I can't remember, do you need to put it on BEFORE you get on the ship? I think my husband did not do that last time and paid for it the first 36 hours or so!