Sail Smoothly: Tips To Combat Seasickness On A Cruise Trip

It all starts with planning your cruise trip. To reduce the chances of getting sick, it's a good idea to consider taking cruises with more port stops and fewer days spent in open waters. You should also avoid itineraries that are prone to rough seas, such as the Drake Passage, Bay of Biscay, Mediterranean, Caribbean, South China Sea, Bass Strait between Australia's mainland and Tasmania or the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand.

Once you have decided on your dream cruise, it's time to tackle the ever-present monster—seasickness.

What Causes Seasickness?

This may sound strange, but we feel seasick because of our ears. Seasickness is caused by a disturbance in the inner ear, which is what maintains balance in our body. The inconsistent movements of the ship create an imbalance in the ears, which triggers the body’s stress hormones, causing nausea and vomiting. 

Come Prepared

Be ready if you or your travel partner has a history of seasickness. Make sure your medical kit has everything you need. Over-the-counter medication and other helpful items may not always be available on board. To discover a safe remedy if you or someone you know becomes seriously ill from motion sickness, contact the medical professionals onboard your ship.

Natural Medicines

There are also a few tried-and-true natural cures to ease the symptoms of seasickness. Many people tout the health advantages of ginger, which has been shown in research to reduce motion sickness-related nausea. There are several ways to consume the root: powder, tea, tablet, and candies.

Ginger is convenient to have on hand while cruising, whether it's in the form of a candy or a pill. Some people claim that eating green apples relieves nausea, and on certain ships, the room service menu includes plates of green apples and crackers.

It also helps to smell peppermint oil or to chew peppermint candies. You can also try to distract yourself from it by listening to music – but try not to look at a screen or read a book since this can make the nausea even more intense.

Over-The-Counter Medicines

One of the most commonly recommended remedies for seasickness is Transderm Scop, a scopolamine patch that is applied on a dry, hairless spot behind the ear at least eight hours before exposure. The patch is only available by prescription, and it works as a preventive measure rather than a treatment since it slowly releases the medicine into your body over a period of three days.

However, this patch is not recommended for children and can cause side effects such as dry mouth, blurry vision, drowsiness, and dizziness. Over-the-counter drugs like Dramamine, Meclizine (also known as Bonine), or diphenhydramine (commonly called Benadryl) are also used to prevent and treat seasickness. These are usually available for free on some ships or can be purchased from the sundries shop.

Keep in mind that the most common side effect of taking Bonine and Benadryl is drowsiness, and alcohol can make this worse. For children, there are less potent versions of Benadryl and Bonine available. However, it is always recommended to consult a doctor before giving new medications to children.

Sea-Bands

Sea-Band is a well-liked tool that may help you prevent or lessen seasickness when cruising if you're searching for a more natural solution. The gadget, which is inspired by acupressure and is simple to wear, uses a plastic bead to apply pressure to the Nei-Kuan pressure point on the inner portion of the wrist.

These motion sickness bands gently press into the acupressure points on your wrist while they are in place. The sensation of balance this light pressure gives you helps to both prevent and lessen the impacts of seasickness. Effectively reducing nausea and vomiting without causing any negative side effects, it is safe to use during pregnancy and is available in adult and child sizes.

Major drug stores sell Sea-Bands without a prescription.

Motion Sickness Wristbands

Like the Sea-bands, wristband application is based on acupressure and acupuncture sites. Some people think that by activating these areas, nausea might be reduced or controlled. Motion sickness wristbands typically have a button that, when pressed, is supposed to reset the inner ear's balancing system.

Although they are over-the-counter, their efficacy has not been established. In the rare case that there are side effects, they are usually very mild – some people have complained of swollen wrists and irritated skin. 

Get Fresh Air

Spend as much time as you can outside on deck to get a feel for shipboard life. To keep your balance, keep your eyes focused on the horizon as a reference point. You will also consistently be able to see the horizon point if you have a window. Having access to fresh air and a view of the horizon will help reduce feelings of seasickness, as it improves air circulation and cools down the body.

Book The Best Stateroom Location

A lower deck stateroom in the ship's centre is the best option for minimising motion sickness. In this area, the ship's sway will be less noticeable. Avoid booking a cabin near the front or back (bow or aft) of the ship and instead choose a middle-level stateroom if lower levels are already full or if you would prefer to be on a higher deck for a better view or to be nearer the activities on the top decks.

Things To Eat And Avoid 

Although it can seem counterintuitive, ensuring your stomach is full with frequent little meals and snacks will help prevent nausea from seasickness. For the first 24 hours, at the absolute least, eating crackers and drinking ginger ale frequently might work.

Caffeine and heavy drinks can worsen the symptoms of motion sickness, and alcohol can cause dehydration, so if you're prone to becoming seasick, watch how much of it you drink.

Dehydration can exacerbate your seasickness; therefore, staying hydrated is important while cruising.