Seasickness, motion sickness at sea, is a highly discussed topic among hopeful cruisers, first time cruisers and seasoned sailors alike. This is mainly due to the fact that it affects each individual differently.

Well, what causes motion sickness in the first place? It is a battle of the senses. The brain relies on messages from your eyes, inner ear and muscles in order to tell your body how it is moving. When one is off, or sending a different message, you can become nauseous or queasy. The ship in motion competes against our body’s natural proclivity for balance. For example, if standing in an inside cabin your eyes are telling you the room is stationary, however your inner ear senses motion. This can result in dizziness, nausea, sweating, headache and vomiting.

A high percentage of passengers may experience some discomfort or disorientation within the first 48 hours at sea while acquiring their ‘sea legs,’ the ability to reclaim ones balance on a moving ship. For the passengers unable to find their balance, well, the remainder of their trip will most likely be somewhat miserable.

Unfortunately, there is no real way to predict whether or not you will suffer from seasickness on a cruise as sea conditions, and the ships themselves, vary greatly. Some cruisers can become ill even if motion sickness has never caused them trouble on land or in the air. And others may experience the symptoms of seasickness on one cruise, but not another.

“A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree.” – Spike Milligan

The general, and best, rule of thumb to combat mal de mer is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Symptoms are hard to stop once they start. Fortunately, there are several ways to avoid seasickness or at least greatly decrease the potency of symptoms.

Avoid Being Ill-Prepared

Taking over-the-counter motion sickness medications, such as Bonine® and Dramamine® is a big help. Do make sure you purchase the non-drowsy or less-drowsy formulas, so you don’t accidentally fall asleep during dinner! Begin taking the medication at 1-2 days prior to sailing so the medicine is in your system before you step foot on the ship.

If you are susceptible to severe motion sickness, your doctor can prescribe motion sickness medications, including oral medications or a patch that goes behind your ear. A variety of preventative medicines are available at the ship’s boutiques or Guest Relations desk.

Sea-Band® is another great option, in lieu of or in combination with medications. These bands are small cotton braces that are worn around your wrists, with a round stud that presses against the inside of your wrist, emulating acupressure to relieve nausea. Many people like Sea-Bands® as they are a natural remedy for avoiding motion sickness.

Avoid Powers of Suggestion 

If you think – you are just totally convinced – you are going to get motion sickness, more than likely you will. Or if you suffer other forms of motion sickness (car, train, plane) the stress of past experiences can influence your well being onboard. Your mind is a powerful thing. Try to focus on activities on the ship, and though it might sound harsh, try to stay clear of anyone else that may become ill.

Avoid the Cabin

To acclimate to shipboard life and get those sea legs working, it is best to spend as much time as possible outside on deck. Use the horizon as a point to maintain your equilibrium. Your senses will be happy – visual input will agree with inner ear.

Avoid Key Triggers

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the not-so-great feeling of being off balance. It is a good idea to avoid fatty foods or those high in salt and sugar, avoid alcohol 24 hours prior to sailing, and poor ventilation as strong smells can overwhelm the senses and push you over the edge (metaphorically speaking of course!). Also, it is best to avoid reading. If you must, read small passages at one time and take frequent breaks to look up and find the horizon.

You do want to stay cool and eat small, plain meals throughout the day. Green apples, saltines and ginger (in the form of a pill, powder, tea) are all natural stomach soothers.

Avoid Smaller Oceangoing Vessels

Large, modern cruise ships of 70,000- to 220,000-tons are equipped with state-of-the-art stabilizers that greatly reduce the pitch and roll of the vessel. Most times passengers do not feel any movement; however, there are areas of the ship in which motion is more pronounced, especially during inclement weather. Think of the ship as a tree; when the wind blows, the leaves and branches at the top have all the movement, but the trunk of tree has little to no motion. So, a deck lower on the ship will experience significantly less motion, and they are closer to the stabilizers!

Avoid Choosing the Wrong Cabin Location

The lower and more centrally located your stateroom is on a cruise ship means the lower the possible threat of seasickness. A balcony stateroom is also helpful, as you can open your door and let in the fresh ocean air.

If you suffer from motion sickness – or are a first-time cruiser and want to play it safe – it is not recommended you sail in a stateroom in the forward section of the ship. The most desirable location is a mid-ship stateroom, or if not available, a stateroom towards the back (aft) of the ship.

Avoid Multiple Days at Sea

Itineraries that offer more ports is your best bet. You want fewer days at sea and more days in port with an opportunity to get off the ship. A Transatlantic cruiseeatyrara or sailing with 2 or more days at sea in a row is not ideal if you are sensitive to motion. A good choice for a first time cruiser worried about seasickness is to find a 2-3 night weekend getaway. This way you have a chance to test your sea legs without the threat of being stuck in the bathroom on a longer voyage.

Avoid Becoming Anxious

If inclement weather becomes unavoidable, crews are typically very proactive. The captain will provide updates and the rest of the crew may pass out medicine, green apples and crackers. The best thing is to remain calm and shift your focus to other activities. Easier said than done I know, but you are on vacation after all. Enjoy your time and try to focus on all of the onboard entertainment. Hop in the pool, play some mini golf, take a dance lesson or fitness class.

Keep in mind that not everyone is equally sensitive to motion. There are mild, moderate, and extreme cases of motion sickness. Therefore, some of these tips may not work for everyone.

Oh, and keep in mind #2: remember to let the joys of cruising outweigh the risk of seasickness!

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