Is rocking on a cruise ship normal?

While some may experience motion sickness, many just notice the ship rocking back and forth. This is because crew members in charge of navigation can account for various types of motion, plus ships tend to travel at a speed at which passengers enjoy a smoother ride. Find out more about us here.



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Waves and wind push against a ship, causing the vessel to rock. This is caused by waves moving in the same direction as the vessel. Pitch: This is the movement of a ship going up and down. This happens due to the falling and rising of the ship's stern and bow like a teeter-totter.

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If you know the rocking of the waves might upset your stomach, plan ahead by packing some medication for seasickness. Antiemetic drugs, or medicine that keeps one from feeling nauseous, are readily available over the counter in drug stores nationwide.

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The swaying and seesawing of the boat will be most extreme on the outside edges, so head to the middle of the ship to alleviate some of the effect. You may even want to book a room in this area of the cruise ship so your nights are less rocked by the motion of the ocean.

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If You Want a Quieter Space If 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.

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After you return home from a cruise, it's normal to feel like you're still at sea for a short time. You may lay down to sleep or stand in the shower and feel like the floor is moving and your body is swaying, rocking and bobbing. Within a day or so, your land legs likely will return and the symptoms will disappear.

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When you get back on shore, you need time to get your land legs back. That usually happens within a few minutes or hours, but it can take up to 2 days. With mal de debarquement syndrome, though, you can't shake the feeling that you're still on the boat.

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Low and central. The center (midships) is least affected by pitching (boat rotating up and down when moving into/with waves), and low floors are least affected by rolling (boat rotating side to side when the waves comes in from the side).

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This movement is largely due to the friction of the water upon the sides of the ship. The layers of water in immediate contact with the hull tend to cling to it, and are dragged along with increasing velocity, until at the stern of a long ship they are traveling approximately at the same speed as the vessel.

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Rough Waters: Oceans are nearly always choppier than seas because they're less protected from sheltering land masses. If you've booked a transatlantic cruise (especially in the cooler months) or a transpacific cruise (including those to Hawaii), you may encounter some bumps.

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Or a feeling of vertigo, disequilibrium, imbalance or even 'brain fog'? Well the medical term for the cruise ship vertigo is Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MDDS). This “sickness of disembarkment” is a prolonged sensation of movement following exposure, such as a long sea voyage.

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You can feel at least some movement all the time. You are on a moving vessel, floating in fluid. Occasionally you will have a day that it is so calm you feel very little, but that is rare in my experience. Only once has it been bad enough for me to take real notice, typically its just a gentle side to side sway.

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The lowest deck In 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!

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On most cruise ships, the most luxurious accommodation is on the upper decks. Here, you'll find a selection of elegant suites, with generous outdoor space, separate living areas, and amenities ranging from all-inclusive drinks to the service of a concierge.

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If you are inclined to motion sickness but want to ensure an enjoyable cruise, take the following steps to avoid seasickness.
  1. Pack Your Medicine. ...
  2. Get a Good Night's Sleep. ...
  3. Remember to Eat. ...
  4. Get Some Air. ...
  5. Watch the Horizon. ...
  6. Avoid Books and Screens. ...
  7. Head to the Middle. ...
  8. Try Acupressure.


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