How real is sea sickness?
 

First time cruiser. I am not normally car or air sick. Do I need to take precautionary measures just in case the sea is different.

Its definitely real. I don't get car or air sick either and no matter how rocky the boat has become I haven't become seasick but you never know so I think its best to go prepared. There are a number of treatments one can try such as OTC drugs(Dramamine), pressure wrist bands and so on. My wife does have motion sickness and recently tried ginger capsules I purchased at a vitamin store and those worked pretty well actually. Talk to your MD. BTW what ship and route will you be on? Larry :-)

Seasickness is definitely real. It results from a disruption of the vestibular (inner ear) mechanism from the motions of the boat or whatever. I NEVER get seasick - until we were in a storm at sea and then I got seasick. Some things help like Bonine, Dramamine,Atropine patches, maybe ginger. Some things would really hurt like alcohol especially in excess. Be careful what you buy. I got sick with others on a Bermuda cruise, and a lot of people from our ship were buying a drug in a local pharmacy that was heavily recommended. I checked and found a drug from a class known as phenothiazines. Iy would work, but the side effects could be frightening and dramatic. Other drugs in the class are Thorazine and Compazine. Definitely not things you would want to casually take.

My husband never gets sick anywhere, darn it :) If you don't get sick I would bring a few Bonine pills, just in case, and the worst case scenario, there is a doctor on each ship.

Do not medicate "just in case." It's like taking aspirin in case you get a headache. I have only had a couple bouts with seasickness (from Canada to San Francisco) and in Mexican waters years ago. Ginger tabs help me and my problems were short lived. All of the above suggestions are good ones. Think positively beckyb. You probably won't have a problem.

OH BOY!!! Being seasick is the downside of cruising..but I finally beat it.. Yes..I go to the health food store and buy a bottle of ginger tablets and take one as soon as i step foot on the ship and at every meal..It works the same as the flat gingerale your mother used to give you when you were a little kid.. Also, I bring mint tea bags and have mint tea while at sea, especially if the seas and the ship are rolling.. My other secret weapon is Sturgeron..a pill that the yachtsmen use to sail from Bermuda to Europe.. and it's available in Europe..not here.. wrist bands work on acupunture.. I've had no luck..There is nothing worse than feeling seasick and hope you get to your cabin or restroom in time......

Veteran cruisers also recommend green apples and crackers.

Seasickness is real. If it weren't for seabands or acupuncture, I would not be able to cruise.

I've not tried green apples (though it makes sense) but have used saltine crackers with good results for upset stomach. No reason it wouldn't work as well on a ship.

"buy a bottle of ginger tablets and take one as soon as i step foot on the ship and at every meal"

I start taking ginger the day before the cruise, take 1 or 2 a day during the cruise, and take 1 or 2 a day 2-3 days after the cruise to avoid "sea legs." I am the type who gets sick by just looking at a boat :)

ParrotMom, somebody here on Fodor's screamed at me for recommending ginger, informing me it interferes with blood thinners, so here is my disclaimer: do not take with aspirin or other such meds ;)

Unless I had a a serious problem with my blood.. there is no way I won't take ginger tablets..compared to being sea sick.. Now, I've been told about Sturgeron..but compared to having my head in the bucket or the toilet I'll take my chances.. and yes, mint tea does calm your stomach....can't be harm in that.. is there?

Seasickness can ruin a perfect vacations, so please take precaution and plan. In my case it only ruined a day and it wasn't even caused by the cruiseship, but from the tender coming back to ship. Waters were rough and they were having a hard time hooking us back up to ship to unboard. So we teeter totted for about 45 mins. Seasickness is worse then morning sickness if you ask me. Bonine works best for me!

Take precautions - meaning bring whatever medication, herbs, bands - you want, probably an assortment. But as someone who gets seasick looking at waves from the shore (I am not kidding) and once had to leave a tour of a docked Navy ship in Bermuda because of motion sickness, let me assure you that seasickness on a cruise is not a common occurence - and even rarer if you are not motion sickness prone. Certainly if sea conditions are rough, you might have a problem - that is why you bring medication. But on 5 cruises I have never been sick - nor have most who cruise or they would not do it.

Here is an article I found on ginger root. Note the last paragraph inre to blood thinners.
http://vitamins.ultimatefatburner.co...t-extract.html

Thank you all. I am off the the health food store. I love ginger in any form so better safe than sorry.

Becky, as with all herbs, ginger is slow... if you feel sick, it will be too late to take it. You better go to a pharmacy and buy some pills that you can take IF you feel sick.

If you are concerned about seasickness, remember the best place on the ship is low and midship. Less rocking in the event of rough waters.