How to Handle Seasickness on a Cruise

Sometimes getting seasick on a cruise happens. Mal de mer is a balance problem caused by the inner ear's nerve fibers compensating for the motion of moving through water. This can be of short duration once your body is with this movement. There are several things to do and medication to take to make the worst symptoms go away. If the ship has lots of movement, stay on deck, or at least out of your cabin, and don't read.

Instructions

1. Plan ahead to avoid getting seasick if you're prone to motion sickness. Most of today's cruise ships are equipped with stabilizers and, on the newest mega-ships, you sometimes can't even tell you're moving. If your cruise includes the open sea on a windy day, you might feel some movement. If you're a first time cruiser and worried about becoming seasick, a mega-liner ship would be your best choice. You might also avoid the Caribbean during the height of the hurricane season.

2. Book an outside stateroom if you think that you might become seasick. You'll want to be able to see the horizon when your stomach is feeling queasy. A small, enclosed room will not help you feel better.

3. Check with your doctor if you know you get seasick. Your doctor can suggest the best medication for you. Or, bring a medication with you in case you need it. There are three common drugs suggested to avoid being seasick: Dramamine, Dramamine II and Bonine. Basically, they're just anti-histamines and are available over the counter at most drugstores. Many people will become drowsy after taking them, and Dramamine II and Bonine are formulated to be non-drowsy. Each of these medicines should be available in ship sundry and gift shops, the purser's desk or from the infirmary.

4. Ask your doctor about a patch. The "Patch" is worn behind the ear and dispenses a metered dose of medicine that is absorbed by the skin and into the bloodstream. Each patch should work for about three days and must be prescribed by a doctor. Your doctor or your druggist will advise you on possible side effects. Avoid alcohol with the patch or when taking any of the other medications. If you are drowsy, be sure not to drive or perform activities that require a high state of alertness.

5. Use common sense to avoid getting seasick, especially in rough waters. Consider wearing sea-bands, a wristband which works like acupressure. The wristband has a button on the inside that is positioned to press a specific pressure point on the inside of the wrist to avoid the nausea of seasickness. Again, these should be available for sale onboard ship. Get up on deck even if it's chilly outside. You don't want to be in your room, so dress for the weather, request some saltine crackers from the crew and head for the nearest deck chair. The fresh air will make you feel better. Request a light beverage (no, not a beer!), preferably ginger ale to sip slowly. Look out to the horizon and you'll soon feel better. As the queasy feeling leaves, you might move inside, but sit by the window so you can look out.

6. Sip ginger ale instead of 7-Up or other liquids. The ginger is a great, natural anti-nausea remedy. As you feel better, you might add some hot tea or bouillon.

Tips & Warnings

• There is an Italian remedy, although you may not like its taste. It is an Italian medicinal drink, a Fernet Brancha, that has a low alcohol content and tastes terrible. Take a shot glass full of it and drink it down fast. You might need a club soda as a chaser, but it should help your seasickness. Sometimes it will make you vomit immediately, but it will settle your stomach very quickly. Some bartenders on cruise ships will mix Angostura Bitters with half a glass of club soda for seasickness, so this would be a similar remedy.