Is it common to get seasick on a cruise?

We've enlisted Dr. Benjamin Shore, Chief Medical Consultant at Royal Caribbean, to break down the basics and whether it's actually common for guests to experience seasickness while vacationing at sea. “Considering the large size of today's cruise ships, seasickness is rarely a problem,” says Dr. Benjamin Shore.



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Don't let the worry of seasickness stop you from booking a cruise. Many travelers have gone on dozens of voyages and never had an issue. Even if you do experience motion sickness on board, there are plenty of methods to stop that funny feeling in its tracks.

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After motion sickness begins, it usually doesn't start getting better until you stop moving. But, most people who are on a boat for a long trip feel better a few days into the trip when they get used to being on the boat, but some people feel seasick for several days.

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As we mentioned, some passengers won't feel anything at sea, but for those who do, the good news is that seasickness usually only lasts a day or two. The effects tend to stop once the motion causing them does, or until we learn to adapt to the sensation.

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Cabins at the Front of the Ship This is because the front of the ship is more exposed to the movement of the water as they plough through the rough seas. If you're prone to seasickness, it's best to avoid cabins at the front of the ship.

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Cruise itineraries that stay within a sea, such as European cruises that sail along the Mediterranean Sea or Caribbean cruises that depart from San Juan, Puerto Rico are often good bets for having relatively calm waters during cruises.

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Within the last 111 years, over 20 cruise ships and ocean liners have sunk.

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In 2023, a decade-high number of cruise ships have reported an unwelcome passenger on board: norovirus. Outbreaks of the stomach bug have surged on cruise ships this year, reaching the highest levels seen in 10 years.

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Women and children are more prone to motion sickness, but it can affect anyone. You can take steps while traveling to reduce your risk of getting sick. Medications like the scopolamine patch can prevent nausea.

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If you've ever spent some time at sea, you may have noticed that you felt a little wobbly once you were back on land. This wobbliness is “mal de debarquement.” This condition makes people feel like they're still standing on the deck of a ship despite the fact that they're safely ashore.

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Are cruise ships safe? Let's cut right to the chase: Yes, cruise ships are generally safe as long as you use common sense and remember that vessels are not impervious to accidents, illness or people who just don't know how to behave.

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Titanic: The Unsinkable One (1912) This single catastrophe still holds the attention of historians, media outlets, and others. This iconic vessel struck an iceberg, killing 1,503 people. There were enough lifejackets, but not nearly enough lifeboats.

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