Seasickness is caused by repeated movements when cruising, such as moving up and down on a ship, or side to side. The inner ear sends different signals to your brain from those that your eyes are seeing. These confusing messages cause you to feel unwell.

Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, and feeling generally unwell.

Choose your cabin wisely

A cabin that is central and low down in the ship will have less movement. All cruise ships have deck plans that you can look at, so you can work out which cabins will be the best. Check out our post here which will help you pick the right cabin for you.

Choosing the right itinerary

Some seas are prone to choppier weather than others. The Bay of Biscay (France and Spain) is notorious for being rough, as is the Tasman Sea (between Australia and New Zealand) and the Drakes Passage (that you will need to cross if you want to visit Antartica). The Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas seem to be the calmest, but nothing is guaranteed.

Face in the direction you are going and focus on the horizon

Move so you can observe the direction of travel, and focus on a stationary object such as the horizon which doesn’t move.

Get some fresh air

Head for the fresh air if you feel up to it.

Don’t read or look at devices

Focusing on things up close makes symptoms worse, instead listen to music, or consider taking a nap.

Make sure you pack medication

Make sure you pack medication and take regularly if needed. Do not wait for symptoms to appear, prevention is better than cure. If you do forget to pack any then usually guest relations will be able to provide you with some, or if not it can be bought from the medical centre. Speak to your GP or Pharmacist if you have medical history or on other meds. See below for recommended medications

Wear Seabands

Seabands apply pressure along the wrist to the new-khuan pressure point and can take a few minutes to work. Simple to use for all the family. Place the index, middle, and ring fingers of your right hand on the inside of your left wrist, starting under the crease. Your nei-kuan point is underneath your index finger, between the wrist tendons. Instructions come with the bands.

Green Apples

On the rare occasions we have felt seasick green apples have worked! The science behind this is that the pectin in the green apples helps neutralise acid in the stomach, while the natural sugar helps settle the stomach.

Bananas

Can help replenish potassium if vomiting has been an issue, also if you do have diarrhoea this will help with that too.

Crackers

Eating dry crackers, bland in taste but high in starch can help absorb gastric acid and settle a queasy stomach.

Ginger

Ginger has been found to reduce nausea and vomiting. This can be taken in tea, ginger ale, or in tablet form as seen here.

Keep hydrated

Keep hydrated by sipping water, this also prevents the headaches that are also associated with seasickness.

Motion Sickness Patches

The theory behind Motion Sickness Patches is that they adjust the control of the vagal nerve and inhibit motility of the gastrointestinal tract. They also expand the capillaries of the skin which increase the amount of oxygen to brain which in combination prevent nausea and vomiting. 

Stugeron 15mgs Tablets

Stugeron is a travel sickness tablet containing the active ingredient cinnarizine. Cinnarizine is an antihistamine that reduces symptoms of travel sickness, regardless of the cause. These tablets can treat the symptoms of vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and vertigo. We have used these and they work very well, and can be bought over the counter at the majority of pharmacy’s.

Seasickness can be troublesome, and it is always a good idea to be prepared. We hope this post has helped you to understand the signs and you are no able to treat it should it occur! Prevention and treating early are key so make sure you are prepared!

Further Reading –

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