Table Of Content
- I tried the most common seasickness hacks on my cruise. Here’s what works best
- How Do Sea-Bands Work Against Seasickness?
- What causes seasickness?
- The Ultimate Travel Packing List: How to Pack for Any Vacation
- How Not to Get Seasick With Over-the-Counter Medicine: Dramamine, Meclizine and More
- comment on Bonine vs. Dramamine: Which is Better for Motion Sickness on a Cruise?

Another preventative treatment for motion sickness on a cruise is acupuncture. If you think that you may be prone to motion sickness, it’s a good idea to take along seabands for both adults and children, in case. The tips that I share below will help you to manage any seasickness symptoms. I decided to buy a packet of ginger gum for my cruise, and try it on Night 3. By the time I started chewing the gum, our ship had left Perfect Day at CocoCay and was sailing, full-steam ahead, back to Port Canaveral.
I tried the most common seasickness hacks on my cruise. Here’s what works best
Yes, there are several over-the-counter motion sickness medications available. These medications can help alleviate the symptoms of motion sickness and are generally safe to use. These can include dizziness, pallor, cold sweating, salivation, nausea, and vomiting.
How Do Sea-Bands Work Against Seasickness?
You'll want to pack essential over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, antacids and allergy medications. For example, according to Royal Caribbean's website, their medical centers are staffed with two or three licensed physicians and three to five licensed nurses 24 hours a day. If you have a doctor-prescribed transdermal patch (scopolamine), apply it as directed at least four hours before boarding your ship.
What causes seasickness?
Drake Passage Guide: Seasickness, Weather and More Tips - Cruise Critic
Drake Passage Guide: Seasickness, Weather and More Tips.
Posted: Mon, 19 Dec 2022 08:00:00 GMT [source]
It sounds completely counterintuitive, but you’ll also feel better if you aren’t hungry, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recommends eating small amounts of food frequently to help prevent motion sickness. The CDC also recommends staying hydrated, while limiting both alcoholic and caffeinated beverages. The last time you were on a boat, you may have noticed some people with little white circles behind their ears. Scopolamine patches are used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness. When applied at least four hours before you board, each patch is good for three days—enough time to allow you to enjoy some excursions and catch some sun.
If they don’t, you may have a rare syndrome known as Mal de Debarquement (MDD) that is still under study. The Clinic recommends you consult with your doctor if the symptoms persist. Book a mid-ship cabin to experience the least amount of motion on board. Cabins near the front or back of the ship are more prone to movement, making it harder for travellers prone to seasickness.

No one wants to think of getting sick on a cruise, but there are some precautions you can take and medicine for seasickness to pack when preparing for those less-than-sunny days at sea. For the ultimate remedy, retreat to the Lotus Spa®, where skilled therapists can relieve any maladies. Upon visiting the spa, let our staff know what symptoms you’re experiencing and they can recommend the best treatment for you.
How Not to Get Seasick With Over-the-Counter Medicine: Dramamine, Meclizine and More
“It’s best that guests who know they are prone to seasickness consult their doctor prior to departure,” Dr. Shore says. If your personal physician thinks it’s appropriate, he or she can prescribe a patch that you can wear to prevent the onset of seasickness. “For prescription patches like Transderm Scop, it’s important for it to be applied prior to boarding to be effective,” he adds.
comment on Bonine vs. Dramamine: Which is Better for Motion Sickness on a Cruise?
A cruise ship can't stock all possible medications, so you might need to accept an alternative. That's why it's prudent to invest in a cruise travel insurance policy and be prepared for the unexpected. It's also a good idea to know what onboard medical care your ship can and cannot provide in an emergency. It's especially important if you're traveling in far-flung locales that may not have adequate medical facilities – when you can even go ashore. If you’re prone to seasickness, be cautious of your alcohol intake as alcohol can increase dehydration and exacerbate the effects of motion sickness.

For over-the-counter solutions to prevent or treat seasickness, you can consider medications such as Dramamine, Meclizine (commonly known as Bonine), or diphenhydramine (commonly referred to as Benadryl). Some cruise ships provide these medications freely, and you can also find them in the ship's sundries shop. It's important to note that the most common side effect of Bonine and Benadryl is drowsiness, and alcohol can intensify this effect.
The body is able to regulate itself, and it may mean you won’t need to use prescription medication such as a motion sickness patch. Booking an outside cabin in the middle of the ship -- the natural balance point -- is another option. If you’re not prone to seasickness or motion sickness, following some basic tips on how not to get sick on a cruise should ensure you stay healthy while onboard. Otherwise, you'll rely on finding marked-up pricing of drugstore finds in the ship's shopping corridor. Alternatively, some ships offer complimentary motion sickness medicine at the guest services desk, but these generics may not be your personal best medicine for seasickness. While considering the best medicine for seasickness, it's important to consider what personally works for you and your body.
Knowing how to prevent seasickness isn’t limited to pills, gadgets and natural remedies like ginger. A little pre-cruise homework can go a long way in keeping seasickness at bay. Booking a room with a window works well for many cruisers who experience seasickness.
Another natural remedy for dealing with motion sickness while cruising is ginger. If you don’t want to eat raw ginger, you can buy ginger candies or even dried, sugar coated natural ginger. When you struggle with seasickness, you want a remedy that you’ll be able to have on you at all times.
Whether in the form of candy, tea, or supplements, many have used it to alleviate nausea for centuries. Personally, I’ve never experienced drowsiness from Dramamine—either due to the excitement of a cruise, or the fact that I’m a heavy coffee drinker. The two most common brands, Bonine and Dramamine, work by using antihistamines to alleviate symptoms. Personally, I didn’t like that the bands were something I had to keep on at all times, and they only served to lessen my dizziness, rather than eliminate it entirely. I’m not sure if I started out putting the bands in the wrong spot, or if I just needed that extra pressure to feel better.