The most commonly prescribed medication, though, is scopolamine, which comes in a patch that you wear behind your ear. It's a preventative medication, so you apply it before you set sail, and one patch works for 72 hours.

Yes, the "scopolamine patch" (often sold under the brand name Transderm Scōp) is the gold standard for preventing motion sickness on cruises. This prescription-only medicated patch is applied behind the ear at least 4 to 8 hours before embarkation and slowly releases medication into the bloodstream for up to 72 hours (3 days). It works by blocking certain signals to the brain that cause nausea and vomiting. While highly effective, the patch can cause side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and drowsiness. For those who prefer non-prescription options, "Sea-Sickness Patches" made of herbal ingredients like ginger and peppermint are widely available in 2026, though they are considered less potent than the medicated versions. To maximize comfort, experts recommend applying the patch before the ship reaches open water, as once symptoms of seasickness begin, the patch is much less effective at reversing them compared to its ability to prevent them.