Will I be seasick on a cruise?

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.



Whether you get seasick depends on your personal sensitivity and the ship's stability, but modern cruise ships are equipped with massive computer-controlled stabilizers that significantly reduce rolling motion. To minimize risk, book a cabin on a lower deck near the center (mid-ship) of the vessel, as this is the point of least movement. It is also helpful to keep your eyes on the horizon—a stable focal point—to help your equilibrium reset. Many travelers find relief using over-the-counter medications like Meclizine (Bonine) or the Scopolamine patch, though these are most effective when taken before you feel ill. Natural remedies like ginger (candy or ale) and acupressure wristbands are also popular. If you do feel sick, heading to an open deck for fresh air and avoiding heavy, greasy foods or excessive alcohol can help settle your stomach quickly.

Whether you’ll experience seasickness on a cruise depends on several factors, including your susceptibility to motion sickness, the conditions of the sea, and the size and stability of the cruise ship. Here are some considerations:

Factors That Influence Seasickness:

  1. Susceptibility to Motion Sickness: - If you’ve experienced motion sickness in cars, planes, or other vehicles, you may be more likely to feel seasick on a cruise. - Some people are naturally more sensitive to motion.

  2. Sea Conditions: - Rough seas with high waves increase the likelihood of motion sickness. - Calm waters reduce the chance of feeling unwell.

  3. Ship Size and Stability: - Larger cruise ships tend to be more stable and have stabilizers that reduce the sensation of motion. - Smaller vessels (like yachts or expedition ships) may rock more in rough seas.

  4. Location on the Ship: - Cabins located in the middle of the ship and on lower decks experience less motion. - Higher decks and cabins at the front or back of the ship may feel more movement.

  5. Duration of the Cruise: - Some people adjust to the motion of the ship after a day or two, while others may feel seasick throughout the trip.

Tips to Prevent or Manage Seasickness:

  1. Choose the Right Cabin: - Opt for a midship cabin on a lower deck for the least motion.

  2. Medication: - Over-the-counter remedies like Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) or Bonine (meclizine) can help prevent seasickness. - Prescription patches (like scopolamine) are also effective for some people.

  3. Natural Remedies: - Ginger (in candies, tea, or supplements) can alleviate nausea. - Wristbands that apply acupressure (like Sea-Bands) may help.

  4. Stay Hydrated and Avoid Heavy Meals: - Dehydration and greasy foods can worsen symptoms.

  5. Focus on the Horizon: - Looking at a fixed point on the horizon can help your body adjust to the motion.

  6. Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine: - These can dehydrate you and exacerbate seasickness.

  7. Stay Active: - Walking around and staying busy can help distract you from the motion.

Final Thoughts:

While seasickness is a possibility, many people cruise without experiencing it, especially on larger ships and in calm waters. If you’re concerned, take preventive measures and consult your doctor for recommendations tailored to your needs. Most importantly, try to relax and enjoy your cruise!

People Also Ask

It all really depends, but with todays stabilizers on the newer ships, the ships starts to really rock at about 12 ft. swells. 20 ft. is really moving and 30 foot it gets hard to walk around. Usually around 4-6 ft (which is the normal, calm seas) someone with no seasickness will feel no motion at all.

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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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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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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.

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Instead, if you want to avoid motion sickness, aim to book a stateroom set as close to the center of the ship as possible, on a lower deck, where you're guaranteed the smoothest ride and most stability in the case of turbulent seas.

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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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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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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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