What to do When You’re Seasick on a Cruise
Getting seasick on a cruise is no fun. But it doesn’t need to ruin your trip. Knowing the causes of your seasickness, what to expect, and how to avoid worsening symptoms are the keys to getting through it.
What causes you to get seasick on a cruise?
Seasickness on a cruise is caused by the constant motion of the waves when you’re out at sea. This rocking effect can become especially noticeable when the ship is cruising through rough waters. There can also be a psychological component to seasickness. When there’s little to no land in sight, your brain may feel like it’s constantly in a state of flux. But this just requires some getting used to.
There are a couple things you can do to avoid getting seasick on a cruise ship altogether. The most effective is to take seasickness medication before you board the ship and to stay hydrated during your voyage.
Another trick is to choose a cabin that’s closer to the center of the ship, which will minimize the rocking effect. The bumpiest spots on a cruise ship are the places that waves crash into: around its edges.
Finally, if you do start to feel seasick on a cruise, try to stay calm and focus on something stationary like the horizon. Dizziness is one of the worst symptoms of seasickness. And this can be remedied simply by honing your attention.
Where to book if you’re prone to seasickness
If you think you’re prone to getting seasick on a cruise, then be cautious about which type of cruise you take. You can choose a cruise line and itinerary that will reduce your risk of seasickness.
Start by choosing a cruising itinerary with fewer contiguous days at sea. Opt for cruise lines that don’t have to travel far distances from start to finish. For example, if you want to avoid the possibility of getting seasick, then don’t take cruises that cross oceans or have to sail for hundreds of miles before reaching their first destination.
Another tip is to look for cruising itineraries that only cruise for several hours per day, perhaps only from port to port.
And finally, if you really want to avoid seasickness, then stay out of the sea! Consider taking a river cruise instead. This option allows you to have the cruise experience without ever leaving shore.
What to bring with you
The best thing you can bring with you to help avoid getting seasick on a cruise is your doctor-prescribed seasickness medication. Having this handy will give you peace of mind that you’ll be OK if your cruise starts to get rough.
What to do if the water gets rough
If the water does get rough, then make sure you take your seasickness medication. You can also try to do things that calm you down, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, walks around the cabin, and focusing on stable points like the horizon.
For best results, move toward one of the lower decks of the ship or stay near its center. This way, you want feel the roughness of the water as much as you would if you were on a higher deck or toward the exterior of the ship.
What to do if you end up getting sick
If you do end up getting seasick on a cruise, then try these tips:
Get some fresh air
Go up on deck and take deep breaths. Take a walk around the top deck and clear your mind.
Drink lots of fluids
Make sure you hydrate by drinking lots of water. Even ginger ale or lemonade may help to settle your stomach. And be sure to stay away from alcohol, which can make seasickness worse.
Eat light meals and avoid spicy or greasy food
Heavy, fried foods will only make your queasiness worse. To mitigate the effects of seasickness, make sure you eat light meals that won’t further upset your stomach.
Sit or lie down in a comfortable spot and close your eyes
Sleeping may help fight your seasickness. But if you can’t get yourself calm enough to sleep, then focus on a fixed point in the distance. This will stabilize your mind and help reduce your symptoms.
Take seasickness medication if necessary
Check with your doctor before your trip to see if you should take something for seasickness. There are many common over-the-counter medications that cruisers take both preemptively or while they’re having a bout with seasickness.
With a little preparation and some care, you can be sure that seasickness won’t ruin your cruise.
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