Two words: previous susceptibility. If you've gone a little green in a moving car, train, plane or bus, there's a chance the experience may repeat on the high seas. Again, however, the sheer size of cruise vessels mean they are more stable than most of these other vehicles.
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How Common is it to Get Sick on a Cruise? 15% of people have reported feeling seasick while onboard. In our experience we can add an other 10% of passengers that will suffer from other illness, such as colds, flu and hangovers.
It's possible. Most large cruise ships are built with stabilizers to make the ride as smooth as possible. Even so, people who are prone to motion sickness can start to feel queasy onboard. Even those who never get seasick could find themselves in a bit of discomfort if their ship sails through rough waters or a storm.
Cabins at the Front of the ShipThis 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.
Get Some AirIf you start to feel the telltale signs of nausea, head out onto the deck for some fresh air. This change of environment will alleviate the rise in your body temperature (save that for a day on the beach in the Caribbean), and the wind in your face will help reduce uncomfortable sweating.
Over-the-counter medications like Dramamine, Meclizine (also known as Bonine) or diphenhydramine (commonly called Benadryl) can also help prevent or alleviate seasickness. On some ships, these are dispensed freely or are sold in the sundries shop.
Desensitization therapy works for minimizing or even curing motion sickness. Expose yourself to short bursts of activities that cause symptoms, and then work up to longer periods. If reading a book in a moving vehicle makes you feel nauseated, try reading for five minutes and then putting the book down.
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.
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.
To reduce motion sickness, choose a stateroom in the middle of the ship on a lower deck. You will feel any sway of the ship less in this section. Although it may seem counterintuitive, if you're worried about seasickness on a cruise, book a stateroom with a window or a veranda.
Try The Earplug TrickSimply insert an earplug into one ear; this fools the brain into ignoring signals from your ears and forces it to focus on signals being sent by your eyes. Sailors claim it works best if you plug the ear that is opposite to your dominant hand, such as your left ear if you are right-handed.
If you know you have a history of seasickness -- or you're not sure -- your best cabin on a cruise ship will be the more stable cruise ship rooms at midship and on a lower deck, where rocking motion is less likely to be felt.
Choosing The Right Cruise ShipNewer, larger vessels are less prone to motion sickness, thanks to their large size and modern stabilizers that counteract the motion of the waves.
You didn't book the trip to stay in bed the whole time, so take advantage of drug-free relief from your worst symptoms with Sea-Bands. Relief happens quickly, too. Most report that feelings of nausea subside within five minutes of placing the band on the wrist.
Cabin ChoiceThe lower you are, and more towards the middle of the ship, you will not feel it as much. Cabins at the front and back of the ship tend to sway the most, so you want to avoid any rooms in these areas.
The lowest deckIn the lowest part of a cruise ship, there's a whole lot of noisy stuff so you may hear the hum of the engine, the blast of the bow thrusters and the clanging of the anchor chain. Depending on the ship, you may also feel vibrations that could make the hangers in your wardrobe rattle!
If You Want a Quieter SpaceIf you plan on your cruise being a peaceful experience, you'll want to seek a cabin on the quietest side of the ship. This tends to be the aft or the rear of the ship. The aft is away from the hustle and bustle of midship, where all the action tends to happen.