Avoiding Seasickness on Cruises

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We all work hard and one of the rewards of working hard is being able to go on exotic cruise vacations. The last thing you want is to ruin your cruise by getting seasick. Those of you who have never been on a cruise will most likely cite the possibility of the mal de mer (or sea sickness) as the number one reason for not going. Those who have been on cruises have most likely experienced it at least once.

While seasickness isn’t terminal, no one likes the idea of being nauseous and crampy while vacation. In a nutshell, seasickness is a conflict between your senses where your inner ear equilibrium tells your body you are moving even though your eyes tell your brain you are stationary. This conflict of the senses causes the loss of balance, nausea, headaches and maybe even vomiting. In short, it makes you completely miserable.

Let me assure you that on today’s ships sea sickness isn’t nearly as likely to happen as it used to be, thanks to a couple of things. First of all modern cruise ships are so large that most of the time you will not be able to tell you are at sea. Secondly, modern cruise ships are equipped with stabilizers, which help to keep the ship level (more or less). That isn’t to say seasickness no longer occurs. Anyone who has been sea sick before knows it is nearly impossible to overcome once you are afflicted. Let’s go over some of the things that can be done to stop seasickness from happening.

Preventing Sea Sickness

Ship Cabin Position: The absolute best place for you to book your cabin to stave off the mal der mer is the middle of the ship, on a deck midway up the ship. It may also be wise to get an outside view cabin so that you have a view of the horizon. The cabin position keeps you near the most stable part of the ship while the outside view helps keep your equilibrium and senses on the same page.

Seasickness Preventative Drugs: Many seasickness pills are available over the counter including Gravol, Bonine, and Dramamine. In order to be effective they should be taken before the onset of seasickness. I don’t ever get seasick but that doesn’t keep me from bringing Bonine along on the trip, just in case. If you forget to stock up before cruising don’t worry it will be available on board the ship.

Seasickness Patches: Small Scopolamine patches that look a like small band aids are available to prevent the onset of the mal de mer. These patches are placed behind the ear. They are among the most common prescription drugs for seasickness

Seasickness Wristbands: I have seen people wearing Sea Band, QueazAway and Accu-band wristbands to prevent seasickness. The way these wristbands work is by a simple form of acupuncture. The wristbands apply pressure to a spot approximately an inch and a half above your wrist on the under side of your arm.

Holistic Treatments: Some people believe crystallized ginger will prevent seasickness. I have personally never used it (but then again I don’t get seasick). The recommended dosage of ginger is 1 gram. Ginger Ale can also help as long as it actually contains ginger (which most mainstream brands no longer list as an ingredient).

It is a common belief that only those with a weak constitution develop seasickness. This is absolutely false anyone, no matter how physically or mentally fit can be afflicted. The best thing we can do is take precautions to prevent its onset since nothing can be done once you are sick. It is my hope that this information will assure you that the mal de mer never ruins your dream vacation.

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