The lure of an all-inclusive vacation sailing off to exotic ports is strong, but motion sickness sometimes deters some because spending a week dealing with nausea and vomiting certainly is not fun. Even severe history of seasickness does not mean you cannot partake of a cruise when your family and friends are going. A little preparation and arming yourself in advance with tips gleaned from other cruisers will help you set sail happily.
Pick your cruise wisely: Choosing a cruise that has lengthy periods in port can help, as can choosing a shorter cruise for your first adventure. You should also check into the weather in the area where you will be cruising. For instance, fall is not a good time to go the Caribbean.
Pick your ship: The most modern cruise ships nowadays have stabilizers to prevent the ships from rocking, and the impact of the waves on the largest ships is minimal.
Pick your cabin: You will want to book a cabin in the center of the ship, which is the natural point of balance. Having a balcony or window will also help, as it will give you a view of the horizon, which can help maintain your equilibrium.
Stop at the drugstore: Over the counter medicines, like Dramamine, Meclizine, and diphenydramine can be helpful for many people. Some ships will dispense these to people who become ill, but on others you will have to buy them for a premium. Stock up before the cruise and save yourself some money, but keep in mind that drowsiness is marked with these drugs and alcohol will make it worse. You do not want to sleep your entire vacation away.
There are also Sea-Bands that you wear which put some acupressure on the inside of your wrist, many people swear by these because they work without any side effects whatsoever and are available from larger drug stores with no prescription.
Go natural: Taking ginger alleviates nausea and motion sickness as well, and there are now forms of it in powder, capsule, tea, and even candy. Snack on foods that will settle your stomach, like crackers, light soda, and green apples.
See your doctor: Doctors can prescribe stronger medications to help with motion sickness, so if you really feel the problem is severe see your doctor before you leave land. One of the most popular remedies is the scopolamine patch that works for three days when placed behind the ear. Stronger drugs, like promethazine and ephedrine can also work, though there are side effects such as sleepiness.
Stay outside: Fresh air helps to keep you from feeling ill, and the movement keeps the fluid in your inner ear stabilized. Always have a focal point, like the horizon, to keep from feeling dizzy.
Have fun: One of the great things about cruises is the wide range of things to do onboard. Get involved with all the activities, keep your mind busy, and you will be surprised at the difference it makes.
Go ahead and book a short cruise filled with lots of port time, and make use of some or all of these tips. The key is to find out what works you, as everyone has a different reaction to things.
Denise Gabbard blogs about a lot of things: travel, personal finance, social media, health, and insurance, like specialty taxi fleet insurance. Image by pierpagodot
