What percent of people get seasick?

Roughly one-third of people are highly susceptible to motion sickness, and most of the rest get motion sick under extreme conditions. Around 80% of the general population is susceptible to cases of medium to high motion sickness.



Statistics in 2026 indicate that approximately 33% (one in three) of the population is highly susceptible to motion sickness, including seasickness. However, nearly 100% of people will experience symptoms if exposed to motion that is intense enough, such as a small vessel in extreme 20-foot Atlantic swells. The condition is statistically more common in women (especially during pregnancy or menstruation) and children aged 2 to 12, while the elderly often see a decrease in sensitivity. Genetics also play a huge role, with recent studies showing a 57–70% heritability factor for motion sickness. For 2026 cruisers, this high-value insight means that while most will feel fine on massive, stabilized modern ships, about 1 in 3 should still pack "preventative" measures like Meclizine or ginger chews to ensure their luxury voyage isn't derailed by the ocean's natural rhythms.

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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.

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He adds that with innovative design and engineering, ships can also safely navigate around inclement weather, and use stabilizers—fins built off a ship's port and starboard sides along the water line—to reduce side-to-side motion so most guests never experience any motion sickness.

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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.

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

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Mechanical stimulation of the mastoid and diverting attention to pleasant stimuli-like odors or music have been found to ameliorate VIMS. Chewing gum combines both in an easy-to-administer fashion and should thus be an effective countermeasure against VIMS.

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