Cruising with Sea Sickness? Here are some helpful tips

Do you get motion sickness... Or have a family member who does? Here's some helpful tips on minimizing the effects of sea sickness and getting the most enjoyment from your cruise.

Let me begin this section by sharing my history of motion sickness. I can get sea sick standing on a dock! No foolin’. I once managed a whale watch tour in Alaska and my office was located on a wharf and when the seas were rough, my office rocked causing me to become ill. Needless to say, this caused some difficulty is my work. J I have been prone to motion sickness my entire life – cars, boats, airplanes, theme parks and cruise ships. With that said, I love road trips, fishing, flying, roller coasters and cruising! I have found an over the counter medication that allows me to enjoy all of these things without drowsiness.

Motion sickness is, for the most part, preventable especially if you understand the cause of it. The symptoms of motion sickness may appear when the central nervous system receives conflicting messages from your inner ear, eyes, skin pressure receptors and the muscle and joint sensory receptors. For example, your body senses you are moving but your eyes see no movement or when you receive visual information that you are moving, but your body feels no sense of motion.

So with all that said, for those of you, like me, who know they are going to feel the motion of the ocean, here are my suggestions

1. Book a cabin in the middle of the ship. You will feel more motion at the bow and stern of the ship.

2. Research the remedies for motion sickness

3. Prescriptions medications

4. Over the counter medications

5. Homeopathic medications

Medicate 2 hours prior to ship sailing. It has been reported that usually within 36 – 72 hours you will have your sea legs and are less susceptible to sea sickness. I medicate for the entire duration of the cruise if the motion of the ocean is really noticeable. Why chance getting sick.

Here are my suggestions for those of you who have never experienced motion sickness, but find yourself salivating, yawning, sweating, and/or suffering with a slight headache (all early symptoms of sea sickness).

1. Either ask your room steward or purser for an over the counter medication or see the ships doctor for a shot that can provide relief quickly.

2. Find a quiet place midship to relax and allow the medication to take effect.

3. Get some fresh air.

Those of you, who have experienced motion sickness, know that it can be a debilitating affliction that can ruin any type of trip, but don’t allow the fear of sea sickness stop you from cruising. Cruise ships are incredible stable. Their large size adds to its stability as do the stabilizers that are located under the water on each side of the ship.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

- Annie Knight

(888) 523-5671

(9am - 9pm Alaska Standard Time)