I'm going on a cruise soon, and I'm concerned about motion sickness. What should I take to prevent this?

Question

I'm going on a cruise soon, and I'm concerned about motion sickness. What should I take to prevent this?

Answer 1

I notice people with those patches behind their ears all the time when I am on a cruise ship.  Ask the pharmacist where you get them.  They might be prescription.  But don't take dramamine.  You will be sleepy the entire time.

FYI- it is highly unlikely you will get sick.  It is not like being on a small boat at all.  The motion is a very, very slow rocking almost like being gently rocked to sleep at night...

Answer 2

Some people worry about getting sea sick, but the ships being used these days have automated stabilizers which minimize the rocking.  The larger ships cut through the water so easy that you don’t even feel like you are moving.  When there is bad weather the cruise lines will steer around and away from it, sometimes changing the order of port stops.  Also, the ships generally move overnight and dock in the mornings so you don’t feel much movement. Consequently, your chances of getting sea sick are minimal. There is generally less motion than on an airplane.  If you do get sick, all ships have a doctor and they will dispense sea sick medicines.  If you are prone to motion sickness, just get pills or a patch from your own doctor before you go, or go to a boating store and get a sea sickness bracelet.

Answer 3

Not sure what lines the OPs went on, but I took a 14 day celebrity cruise trans-atlantic and the nurse/purser were out of dramamine during the very first day.  Bring dramamine--lots, like enough for 2 or 3 a day.  Even if you don't need that many you can help out poor people who didn't bring enough.  In addition you can also use the anti-seasickness patches or acupressure armbands that other posters talked about.  The cruises I have been on sold these for more money than you pay for them on land but the celebrity cruise even ran out of these too!  If your cruise has an accupuncture guy be sure to go to any acupressure seminar he gives because he might teach you how to press on your wrists to decrease motion sickness.

I don't know where your cruise will go but be aware this is hurricane season and the incidence ofrough seas is increased in many areas.  Also, I have been on 3 different cruiselines and found Carnival to have the best stabilizers and the smoothest ride.

Happy cruising!

PS You may want to pack one outfit and vitals in your carry-on bag and the cruise luggage loading guys frequently bring your luggage to the wrong room, especially if you're sailing under a guarantee and get a last-minute upgrade.  I never lost any luggage, just took a day or so to find me once or twice.

Answer 4

My wife and her friend put on "sea bands" they are elastic bands worn on your wrist and I know it may seem hokey but they really work and when you consider the misery of being sick on a cruise when you should be having the time of your life they are a blessing - Also I noticed almost half the passengers on the ship were wearing  them so they obviously have a huge following  of happy people.

Answer 5

sea bands work on accupressure and the medicine in the patches influences the "balance-organ" in your ear, both work well, also the tablets you normally get a reception. A tourleader colleague of mine swears that it helps to put parsley in the bra... Others say ginger helps as well, as it calms down the stomach. But the most important thing is, that you are not scared of motion sickness! If you see a wave coming and think "Oh god, there is a wave... it's coming closer... I'm sure once it's reached the ship I'm gonna feel sick... oh dear oh dear... it's there... yes, ship's moving... stomach too.... boooourrgh.....!!!!" then of course you will be seasick and feed all the fish around... I was seasick once for 10 min. and then decided that it's no fun at all. Since then I just enjoy it. After all it's nice to feel that you're on a ship and not in a hotel! Good luck and enjoy the motion of the ocean ;-)

Answer 6

They'll give you meds on the ship. My friend was worried about it (she cruised up the California coast to Alaska) and had absolutely NO problem.

Answer 7

scopolamine patches.

Answer 8

If this occurs, the ships Purser will give you Dramamine or you can take your own.

Answer 9

Maybe Fisherman Friend?