How To Survive Seasickness
On Your Cruise

Seasickness is the best known form of motion sickness but some people also suffer from it when traveling in a car or airplane. It happens on a cruise ship because, inside a ship's cabin, the inner ear may sense rolling motions that the eyes cannot see.

The feeling of acute nausea and sometimes vertigo can be debilitating, whether on a large cruise ship or a small fishing boat. Other symptoms are paleness of the skin, cold sweats, vomiting, dizziness, headache, increased salivation and fatigue.

TIP: Which cruise ship cabins are the least queasy. On a cruise ship, the most expensive cabins--upper deck toward the bow--have the worst rocking motion. Yet you will see ads stating they are among the most stable. When you think about it, such claims defy common sense.

Stability is best at a ship's center of gravity, closer to the waterline. These are among the quietest The inside cabins, cheapest on the ship but without any outside views, are also the most stable.   

Try these remedies while you wait for the medication to take effect:

a) Keep your eyes fixed on the shore or horizon
b) Lay down on your back and close your eyes
c) Go where there is fresh air and let it blow on your face
d) Suck on crystallized ginger, sip ginger tea or take a capsule of ginger. Some say ginger helps but apparently not for everyone.

Medications & Other Remedies

Prescription antihistamines and skin patches such as Dramamine and Transderm-scop patch are available over the counter but they could cause drowsiness.

Meclizine, also called Bonine, is one of the most effective when taken 1 hour before travel. Not recommended for anyone under 12, its side effects may include drowsiness and dry mouth.

An acupuncture/accupressure product that alleviates motion sickness is used by several military organizations.  It applies pressure to the acupuncture point known as Pericardium 6, located on the inside of the wrist.

That point is located about the length of 2 fingernails up the arm from the center of your wrist crease. Many travel stores sell wrist bands with built in buttons designed to apply acupressure to this point. These are about the only remedy without a side effect.

Also called "sea bands,” these sometimes sell online for well over $100.  That is a rip-off. The bands should cost only between $12-$20. Any marina or tackle store servicing offshore fishermen always has these stocked and usually at a decent price.  

Unfortunately, once you get used to a ship’s rocking and rolling, the symptoms still could return, even on land after you dock. Fortunately, that lasts only briefly.

To Staying Healthy

To Caribbean Vacation Tips