How Can I Enjoy My Cruise With Motion Sickness?

So, you finally have taken that cruise you’ve dreamed of for years. However, you are concerned that motion sickness will ruin your trip, and with good reason. More than one person has saved up, and planned for an exciting cruise vacation, only to spend the majority of their time sick and in bed or in the bathroom. Fortunately, there are ways that you can prevent motion sickness, or at least alleviate the symptoms, while you are on your cruise.

First, it is important to understand how motion sickness works. Physically, motion sickness is caused when there is a conflict between the signals sent from the eyes, inner ear, and the rest of the body. Sometimes the conflict is subtle; for example, when one is inside the cabin of a ship, there may be no visual perception of motion, but the inner ear, which controls balance, detects the rocking of the boat. For some people, motion sickness does not even require actual movement; Some people will experience motion sickness in response to perceived or anticipated movement. Motion sickness typically ends when the motion (or perception of motion) has ended. The symptoms of motion sickness can include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, increased salivation, headache, paleness of the skin, and cold sweats.

Some medications are available for motion sickness. However, most of these can cause drowsiness and can impair judgment in the user. The most common of these is Scopolamine. This is taken prior to travel, and is available as a patch. Other medications that must be taken prior to travel include promethazine, cyclizine, and meclizine. Dimenhydrinate, otherwise known as Dramamine, can be taken after symptoms start, and must be taken every 4 to 8 hours.

Some people who experience motion sickness have had success with the use of herbs. The most effective of these seems to be ginger, and some clinical trials have even seemed to support its effectiveness. Other herbs used for motion sickness include black horehound (ballotta nigra) and peppermint. The Chinese herbal mixture, Pingandan, is also used. Other people have turned to a variety of other alternative therapies, including acupuncture and massage therapy. Homeopathic remedies have included Borax, Cocculus, Nux Vomica, Petroleum, Sepia, and Tabacum.

A variety of wrist bands, which use either pressure or electric methods, are also available that may assist people with motion sickness. These items tend to be very popular, as they are not very complex, relatively inexpensive, and do not have the side effects often associated with medications. The important thing is to make sure you have extras in case you lose one or, in the case of the electric bands, the batteries wear out.

There are some basic things that you can do, prior to your trip, to help avoid motion sickness. A general reduction in stress and anxiety levels will often help with motion sickness. Maintaining proper airflow will often help with odors that add to nausea. Many people have experienced success with distraction techniques (other than reading; reading can make motion sickness worse) that keep their minds occupied and away from motion sickness. Other people find that the use of a head rest or a neck pillow will minimize the movement of the head, and thereby reduce motion sickness. Having light meals and avoiding greasy foods and alcohol prior to travel may help with motion sickness, as will eating foods high in carbohydrates. You should make these dietary changes around three days before you begin your cruise. And, if you know that you are prone to motion sickness, it will probably be best to pass up that filet mignon while actually on the cruise.