One of the most popular vacation ideas is taking the family on a cruise. Feeling the ocean breeze on your skin and experiencing exotic island landscapes is a great way to forget about the stresses of everyday life. However, going out on the open water can lead to seasickness, especially for first timers. Luckily, there are ways you can prevent or lessen the effects of motion sickness while on your cruise.
What Causes Motion Sickness?
In the simplest terms, your brain doesn’t like change. When you go out on the raging sea, your senses don’t know how to handle themselves. Your eyes and inner ear muscles are your brain’s key to knowing what’s going on outside the body. When they aren’t in sync with one another, you lose your balance and experience dizziness. Therefore, when your eyes think that you are standing still and your inner ear feels the movement of the waves, you are likely to become seasick. It happens to the best of us, but there are also some ways to stack the deck in our favor.
Tip #1: Go Outside
Don't spend the whole trip inside your room. Not only are you missing out on all of the fun things a cruise has to offer, but you are also making your motion sickness worse. To get used to life at sea, it is important that you go out on deck and get a feel for the boat’s movement. While outside, you can find a reference point to use for stability.
Tip #2: You’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat
Avoid taking a cruise on a smaller vessel. Most larger boats have built-in stabilizers that limit the movement of the cargo. You will most likely not even notice the boat’s sway unless you experience harsh weather, so your equilibrium won’t take quite a hit.
Tip #3: Come Prepared
There are many motion sickness medications and remedies you can buy over the counter, such as Dramamine or Sea-Band. Find a brand that you trust, and use it. For best results, begin taking the medicine a couple of days before you set sail. It will already be in your system, and it will start doing its job before you feel the effects of the ocean.
Tip #4: Choose Your Room Wisely
If possible, book a cabin that is near the lower center of the ship. These rooms won’t experience quite as much movement as the ones on the outer sides. One of the biggest mistakes that a first-time cruiser can make is choosing a room at the front of the boat, which feels the brunt of the force.
Tip #5: Relax
This shouldn’t be too hard—you’re on a cruise after all. If you allow yourself to become anxious, it will make your body more susceptible to the motion of the ocean. Just try not to think about what happened in Titanic, the movie your kids thought it would be funny to watch the night before you shipped out.
Tip #6: Know What Might Trigger Motion Sickness and Avoid It
Avoid anything that might make you nauseous. This means cutting down on foods that are high in fat or sugar, alcohol, and anything that has a particularly strong odor. It is important that you eat something, though. Saltines, green apples, and ginger are known for their ability to settle your stomach.
Tip #7: Don’t Stay At Sea Too Long
Avoid spending several days at a time on the open water. Many cruises offer time in various port cities. Opt for one of those excursions. You will be able to take a break from your life as a sailor while also experiencing a different culture. It’s really a win-win.
Tip #8: Master Your Mind
The power of suggestion is a strong force. If you are convinced that you will get sick on your cruise, then you probably will. Just remember what your mother used to say, “Mind over matter.” Get involved in the activities on the ship so you don’t spend all of your time worrying about the possibility of motion sickness.
