No matter how much you cruise, there's always a chance you could get seasick on a cruise.
I would tell anyone who has never cruised before not to avoid cruising out of fear of getting seasick, because it's an easily treatable issue. Plus, in the grand scheme of my cruising career, it's been quite rare.
However, winter weather in the tropics has churned up the seas lately and that's resulted in two sailings in a row where I've felt a little seasick.
I recently sailed on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. The first cruise went to Mexico and the second to The Bahamas, but gusty winds were enough to add some "motion to the ocean" and it set off my stomach.
While hurricane season ended on November 30, that doesn't mean there can't be storms or just strong winds with a front.
When we boarded Utopia of the Seas, there was a video playing in all the cabins explaining the strong winds we expected to encounter, as described by Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer.
Sometimes you get a good warning of what's to come, and other times it's more a surprise, like on Serenade when it was calm for the entire cruise, except when we were traveling near Cancun.
Nonetheless, I'll adopt a few strategies for my future cruises to avoid seasickness.
Myth: you don't feel as much movement on larger ships
You might think the biggest cruise ships in the world are immune to being jostled by the wind, but that's definitely not the case.
Some people prefer to sail on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class or Icon Class ships because they heard the big ships don't move as much.
Being on a bigger ship might have a minimal effect with a casual breeze, but when there are rough seas, any ship can encounter movement.
It's incredible how big Utopia of the Seas is, but that consistent rocking happened onboard too.
Find a spot low and center on the ship
When you start to notice the ship moving a lot, especially when you start swaying a bit as you walk, I think it's a good idea to find a place to minimize the feeling.
The best spot to feel the least movement is somewhere on a low deck and center on the ship.
There's no doubt it feels worse when you're all the way at the front or back of the ship, especially on a higher deck.
My wife might think this is an excuse to spend more time in the casino, but the ship's casino is almost always around deck 4, and right in the middle.
To really help, you should also find a spot where you can see the horizon. While your ship might be moving, the horizon is a fixed position and focusing on it can help re-adjust your mind.
Many Royal Caribbean ships have an outdoor walking promenade deck that have chairs facing the ocean. This is a great location for focusing on the horizon.
Stop drinking alcohol
This is easier said than done, but you want to stop anything that might be dehydrating you.
Getting more dehydrated can be a trigger for seasickness, and alcohol is definitely one of those things.
Instead, switch to a carbonated beverage. Ginger ale is best because it combines carbonation and ginger, both of which are good to settle a stomach. But a Coke works well too.
Try a natural remedy
Every body reacts differently to getting a little queasy, so I like to start off with a homeopathic approach first.
The most common treatments before you take any medicine are to eat ginger, green apples, or peppermint.
Head to the Windjammer and see if you can find green apples, peppermint tea, or even a lemon.
I might try bringing ginger chews with me to make it more convenient and because I don't love ginger ale.
The other thing that works is sleeping. Taking a nap is one of my favorite cruise activities to begin with, but sleeping off the nausea effects has worked well for me in the past.
If nothing else, you might sleep through the worst of the winds and wake up to calmer seas.
Take a medication
When I was on Serenade of the Seas and started feeling off, I ultimately relied on medication to help ease the effects of being seasick.
The most popular medication is Dramamine, and I always pack Bonine.
There are other medications you could take, such as getting a prescription before the cruise from your doctor for scopolamine, which is a patch behind your ear that you wear throughout the cruise. Benadryl also works for some people.
There are side effects to medications, so be sure to do your research. Also, it's ideal anyone taking meds to start the regiment before the cruise begins.
Be sure to bring your own medications with you, because the ship may or may not offer them onboard. And even if they do, I'm betting it's going to be cheaper at home.
Don't avoid a cruise because of seasickness
No matter how many times I've gotten seasick, I think it's a low risk and not a reason to not go on a cruise.
Many people go on dozens of cruises without getting sick. In fact, I don't think I got seasick on any of my cruises earlier this year, many of which that went through hurricane season.
If you find yourself feeling motion sick onboard, there are numerous ways to quickly alleviate the discomfort. By being prepared with some of the tips mentioned earlier, you can ensure you're ready to fully enjoy your cruise experience.
