Cruises and sea-sickness

[LifeInAHamsterWheel]

Considering a cruise for our hols next year, we've never done a cruise before. We have 2 teens and one had been fine on the odd boat trip we've done over the years but recently felt not actually sick but uneasy/vertigo type feeling (that's how they described it) on a boat trip and now doens't want to consider a cruise holiday! My understanding is that you don't feel the waves as such because the ship is just so big. Is that actually the case?

Can’t speak for everyone but yes, that’s exactly the case in my experience. I get very bad travel sickness in general, but especially sea sickness on small boats. On a cruise ship (been twice) I forgot I was even in the ocean half the time!

AFAIK most cruise liners carry stocks of anti-sickness medication for the minority of people who do still experience sea sickness

For most people, it’s felt less on a cruise ship rather than a smaller boat because they’re just that much bigger as you say

I’ve been on ‘small’ cruise ships and the really big cruise ships and I’ve definitely felt the waves less on the really big ones, so you might want to consider focussing on the biggest ships

Where you are going will also make a big difference! The med is usually extremely calm for example. The Bay of Biscay can be difficult but you’re only usually going through for less than a day. The North Sea can be very rough we’ve found.

If sea sickness is a concern you might also want to look at getting cabins in the mid of the ship, both horizontally and vertically, as we’ve found those the most stable. It does make a difference if sea sickness starts to have somewhere more stable to go. Lying down really helps me, as does closing my eyes.

There are also a variety of remedies that can be taken, and I’ve found the acupressure bands very helpful.

Ive rarely felt any movement on a cruise and I've done dozens!

You can get sea sick on a cruise ship and people do. It's less likely than on a smaller vessel but it happens. A friend who is a very experienced cruiser became quite ill on her last voyage.

I get motion sickness at the very slightest thing so personally I wouldn't consider one for a minute.

Thanks everyone, good to get some real-life feedback.

I get awful travel sickness and sea sickness - can’t even sit on a rocking chair without feeling nauseous! But I’ve done 3 cruises and about to go on my 4th. I take a travel sickness tablet every day for prevention and have only had one occasion where I felt actively unwell - just had an early night and was fine the next day. I’m worse on the coaches for the organised trips to be honest so I tend to avoid those 😂

Avoid the bay of Biscay and Atlantic crossing even on a large cruise ship it can be bad. If you do eg inside the med it is totally fine.

Used to work on a ocean liner. Most people who felt ‘a bit funny’ were fine after a day. It used to be called ‘getting your sea legs’ , the inner ear adjusts to the different motion on sea. This is also why when you go on a shore excursion the dry land can feel as if it is moving for a few minutes.

Best to avoid alcohol on the first day, and don’t look at the sea for too long.

( I also worked on smaller yachts for a summer, we used to hope for a bit of rough weather sometimes, when the ‘cabin’ would take to their beds and be grateful for a cup of consommé while the crew consumed their goodies.)
I hasten to add that this was only for the entitled and inconsiderate guests. 😏

The Mediterranean is quite calm so you could do a fly-cruise around there. We've done a Mediaterranean cruise from Southampton and I felt mildly sea sick on the first day or two but took anti sickness tablets and was fine. I get really sea sick if it's rough.

I get terrible sea sickness. I’ve done a handful of cruises and had no issues until we went on one across the North Sea!!! Having said that, after 24 hours, I seem to get my ‘sea legs’ and the sickness went off despite the boat still rocking about.

@LifeInAHamsterWheel There are certain areas where you get swell, even though the waves are not big. This means that, as the ship goes forward, it also moves from side to side in the swell. This is what really brings on motion sickness. Even in people who are usually ok.

Seasickness pills can make you drowsy. I would not take anything unless the ship staff/doctor tells you there is swell and/or rough seas coming up. They all
have satellite sea condition forecasting. Highly unlikely to have bad seasickness on most big ship cruise itineraries. We had the worst swell leaving Puerto Rico once!

We have just done the Drake Channel back to Tierra del Fuego from the Antarctic. For prolonged rough seas we used patches behind our ears. Not sick but getting around the boat was a challenge. Most standard cruises on giant ships won’t see rough seas very often and they will be pretty stable. So pack a few patches. You will be fine! Also, for me, looking at the horizon helps.

Thanks everyone. Thinking maybe flying to Palma or Barcelona and then cruising might be a better option than sailing straight from Southampton. Didn't know about the patches so that's good, will look into them. Still need to convince her though!

When I went on a ferry, I spent the entire journey wrapped around the toilet 🤮

Have since been on several cruises with very few issues apart from one night when it was a bit rough (was fine as soon as I lay down so just had an early night!)

You might need to get patches on line.,

I've suffered from sea sickness several times on various boats including ferries,catamarans and glass bottomed boats.I've even felt sea sick in a swimming pool.I've done Caribbean cruises and not felt sea sick at all.

This is good to know as we are going on our first cruise in a few weeks. I get horrifically travel sick so have always said no to a cruise but have been persuaded to try by the rest of my family. Can't say I'm not nervous but will be stocking up on travel sickness tablets!

We’ve been on a few cruises from Southampton (2 Med , 1 Fjords )
We followed a horrible storm over the Bay of Biscay once , huge waves , top deck closed off , swimming pools drained etc
I was absolutely petrified and almost wore my life vest overnight , whimpering as I dozed
Not seasick , scared
they did have travel tablets available ( and sick bags in the loos to take away if needed , it was a really bad storm though )
Hasn’t stopped us booking a cruise for this autumn ⛴️

I’ve felt seasick twice on a cruise.

First time was crossing the North Sea back towards England. I honestly felt like I was upside down in my bed & couldn’t move out the bed to pack my case. It was awful. Smallish ship that held about 3000 passengers.

Second time was in the Caribbean where the captain was trying to make up some lost time and we were moving quite quickly. I had to leave the restaurant after ordering my food (and before eating 😢) and go back to my room to lay down. Again it was awful!! The waitress kindly sent some sliced apple and crackers to my room to nibble on.

My last 2 cruises have been on larger ships (P&O Iona and RC Symphony) and I didn’t feel a thing, so maybe the size of the boat helps? I bought some Dramamine when I was in Florida earlier in the year to help with seasickness but I didn’t need to use it thankfully.

My room preference now is in inside cabin, mid ship, low floor.

Just to add, for a small fee, the ship's doctor will give you an injection of something magical that takes away the sickness long enough for you to get used to the movement of the ship.

We went on a large ship in the Adriatic sea - couldn't feel a thing. The sea is much calmer than vast open waters too.

I went on a large cruise in my early teens. It was in the Pacific and the 1st time I'd even been sea sick- despite being on many smaller boats before without issue. Others have said the Med is much calmer, which might well be the case. We had several calm days, then maybe 3 of rough seas. Despite staying in the centre of the ship and not watching the horizon- it certainly did sway and I felt dreadful.

I don't know the cost on the ship, but stock up beforehand on meds/pressure wrist bands beforehand just in case.

My first ever cruise was a 28 day one - and it was rough th first few days - I just took travel sickness pills for a few days and after that I didn't even register I was at sea .

Keeping your eyes on the horizon can help. Being enclosed feeling the boat movement can make things worse.

I love that 3000 is a smaller ship! We’ve been on ones with 12 guests! I prefer expedition ships - around 100 guests. Big giant floating monstrosities - no thanks.

I think 3000 felt small because I’ve not long returned from a cruise on RC’s Symphony which can hold over 6000 passengers! 😂😂

I don’t think I’d do such a large ship again. It was a floating monstrosity 😂 and just not for me - but I’m glad I went so now I know what I prefer.