Seasickness on a cruise: prevention and remedies

Will I get seasick on a cruise?

Probably not badly. Large modern cruise ships are stable, they use stabilizers to dampen rolling, and most popular routes, like the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska's Inside Passage and the summer Mediterranean, are calm most of the time. Plenty of people sail for a week without noticing any motion at all.

That said, seasickness isn't only for people who get carsick. Some people feel queasy the first day while their body adjusts, and rough patches can happen anywhere. A little planning before you book and a few habits on board go a long way.

What causes seasickness?

Seasickness is a form of motion sickness. It happens when the balance system in your inner ear senses movement that your eyes don't see, or the other way around. Below deck in a cabin, your eyes tell your brain the room is still, while your inner ear reports that you're rising and falling. That mismatch can bring on yawning, sweating, headache, tiredness and nausea.

People vary a lot in how sensitive they are. Some feel it in a gentle swell; others never feel it even in rough water. Being tired, hungover, hungry or anxious tends to make it worse, which is useful to know because those are things you can control.

When are you most likely to feel seasick?

Motion tends to be most noticeable on sea days in open water, on the first night as the ship leaves sheltered port waters, and when wind is blowing against the ship's course. Port days, when the ship is tied up at a pier, are usually completely still.

Check the daily program and listen to the captain's midday announcement, which often mentions expected wind and sea conditions. If a breezy evening is forecast, plan a lighter dinner, choose a show in a lower theater rather than a top-deck bar, and keep any remedy your doctor recommended within reach.

How to prevent seasickness before you book

The biggest choices happen before you ever board: which ship, which route and which cabin. Get these right and you may never need anything else.

• Choose a large ship. Big mainstream ships from lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, MSC and Princess generally ride swells more smoothly than small expedition or sailing ships.
• Pick a sheltered route for your first cruise. The Inside Passage, the Caribbean outside storm season and river cruises are gentle; the Drake Passage, the North Atlantic and the Bay of Biscay have a reputation for rough water.
• Book a cabin low and in the middle of the ship, where motion is smallest. Avoid far-forward cabins and very high decks.
• A window or balcony helps many people, because seeing the horizon reduces the mismatch your brain is fighting.
• Choose a specific cabin rather than a guarantee fare, so the line can't place you far forward.
• Consider an itinerary with more port days and fewer long sea days if you're unsure how you'll do.

What helps seasickness on a cruise ship?

If you start to feel off, act early. Simple steps are most effective before queasiness builds, so don't wait until you feel truly unwell.

• Go outside to an open deck, ideally low and midship, and look at the horizon or a fixed point on land.
• Get fresh air. A breeze helps many people more than anything else.
• Stop reading, scrolling or watching close-up screens, which add to the mismatch between eyes and inner ear.
• Lie down on your back and close your eyes, ideally in a cabin near the middle of the ship.
• Sip water and eat small amounts of bland food, such as crackers, toast or plain bread. Green apples and ginger are long-standing cruise folk remedies that some people swear by.
• Avoid heavy, greasy or spicy meals, and go easy on alcohol, especially on the first night.
• Stay away from strong smells, including the buffet at peak times and smoking areas.
• Sleep. Rest helps your body adjust, and you won't notice the motion while you're asleep.

Seasickness remedies: tablets, patches, bands and ginger

Several types of remedies are commonly used by cruisers, and what suits one person may not suit another. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before your trip about which, if any, is right for you, especially if you take other medicines, are pregnant, are older, have a health condition or are traveling with children. Some options need to be started before you sail, so ask well ahead rather than on the morning of departure.

• Over-the-counter motion sickness tablets: pharmacies in the US and Canada sell several kinds, some labeled less drowsy. Read the label and ask a pharmacist about side effects and timing.
• Prescription patches and other prescription medicines: these require a doctor's prescription, so arrange them before your trip.
• Acupressure wristbands: elastic bands that press on a point on the inner wrist. Some cruisers find them helpful; evidence is mixed, but they're drug-free.
• Ginger: sold as candies, chews, capsules and tea. Many cruisers like it as a gentle option.
• On board, guest services and the ship's shop often stock motion sickness tablets, and the medical center can see you if you're unwell, usually for a fee.

How long does seasickness last on a cruise?

For most people, it's short-lived. Many find their body adjusts after the first day or two at sea, which cruisers call getting your sea legs. Symptoms also tend to ease quickly once the water calms or the ship reaches port.

If you're vomiting repeatedly, can't keep fluids down or feel faint, visit the ship's medical center rather than waiting it out. Dehydration can make you feel much worse, and the medical staff deal with seasickness every day.

Feeling like you're still rocking after the cruise

It's common to feel a gentle swaying sensation for a short time after you step off the ship, especially after a long cruise or rough seas. Your body adapted to the motion, and it takes a little time to readjust to solid ground.

For most people this fades within hours or a couple of days. If it lasts longer, or comes with other symptoms, check in with your doctor.

Seasickness and kids

Children can get seasick too, and they're often less able to explain what they feel. Watch for paleness, unusual quietness, yawning or complaints of a tummy ache. Fresh air, the horizon, rest and small snacks help kids just as they help adults.

Ask your child's doctor before the trip about whether any remedy is suitable and at what dose. Don't give children medicines meant for adults without medical advice.

Frequently asked questions