No matter how many cruises you take, there’s always a chance you’ll get seasick on a cruise ship.
I would tell anyone who has never been on a cruise before not to avoid going on a cruise because you are worried about seasickness as this is an easily treatable problem. Plus, in the grand scheme of my cruising career, this is pretty rare.
However, recent winter weather in the tropics has churned up the seas, causing me to feel a little seasick on two consecutive cruises.
I recently sailed on Royal Caribbean Ocean Serenade and Ocean Utopia. The first cruise went to Mexico and the second cruise went to the Bahamas, but the winds were gusty enough to add some “movement” to the ocean and make me feel a little sick to my stomach.
Although hurricane season ends on November 30, that doesn’t mean there won’t be storms or only frontal strong winds.
As we boarded Utopia of the Seas, a video was played in all cabins explaining the strong winds we could expect, as Royal Caribbean Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer.
Sometimes you get a good warning of what’s about to happen, and other times you get more of a surprise, like on the Serenade where the entire cruise was uneventful except for the time we traveled around Cancun.
Nonetheless, there are a few strategies I will adopt on future cruises to avoid seasickness.
Myth: You can’t feel as much movement on a larger boat
You might think that the world’s largest cruise ship wouldn’t be pushed around by the wind, but that’s definitely not the case.
Some people prefer to take a Royal Caribbean cruise Oasis level Or Icon-class ships, since they’ve heard that larger ships don’t move as often.
On a larger boat, the effect of a breeze may be minimal, but any boat will experience movement when the sea is rough.
It’s incredible how big the Utopia of the Seas is, but this constant rocking happens on the ship too.
Find a low and central spot on the boat
When you start to notice the boat moving a lot, especially if it starts to rock a little when you walk, I think it’s best to find a place to minimize that feeling.
The best place to feel minimal movement is somewhere on the low deck amidships.
There’s no doubt that it feels worse when you’re all the way to the front or back of the boat, especially on the higher decks.
My wife probably thinks this is an excuse to spend more time in the casino, but the casino on a ship is almost always near deck 4, and right in the middle.
To really help, you should also find a place where you can see the horizon. While your boat may be moving, the horizon is a fixed location, and paying attention to it can help you reset your mindset.
Many Royal Caribbean ships feature an outdoor promenade deck with chairs facing the ocean. This is an excellent position to focus on the horizon.
stop drinking
This is easier said than done, but you want to stop doing anything that might dehydrate you.
Further dehydration can trigger seasickness, and alcohol is definitely one of them.
Instead, switch to carbonated drinks. Ginger ale is the best because it combines carbonation and ginger, both of which help relieve an upset stomach. But Coke works too.
Try natural remedies
Everyone reacts differently to a little nausea, so I like to start with homeopathic remedies.
The most common treatments before taking medication are to eat ginger, green apple, or peppermint.
Head to Windjammer and see if you can find green apples, mint tea, or even lemons.
I might try bringing ginger chews with me, just to make it more convenient, and since I don’t like ginger ale.
Another thing that works is sleeping. First off, napping is one of my favorite things to do on a cruise, but sleeping away the nausea has worked well for me in the past.
If nothing else, you might fall asleep in the strongest wind and wake up to find a calmer sea.
take medicine
When I started to feel sick aboard Serenade of the Seas, I ended up turning to medication to help ease the effects of seasickness.
The most popular drug is dimenhydrinate and I always take Bonine.
You can also take other medications, such as getting a prescription for scopolamine from your doctor before your cruise, which is a patch you wear behind your ear throughout the cruise. Benadryl also works for some people.
Medications can have side effects, so be sure to do your research. Additionally, it is best to start the legion by taking medication before the cruise begins.
Be sure to bring your own medications with you as they may or may not be provided on board. Even if they do, I bet prices will be cheaper domestically.
Don’t avoid cruises because of seasickness
No matter how many times I get seasick, I think the risk is low and not a reason not to go on a cruise.
Many people have taken dozens of cruises without getting sick. In fact, I don’t think I got seasick on any of the cruises I took earlier this year, many of which were during hurricane season.
If you find yourself feeling motion sick on a boat, there are ways to quickly relieve your discomfort. By being prepared with some of the tips mentioned earlier, you can make sure you’re ready to make the most of your cruise experience.
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