Okay, cruise mavens -- in your experience, which routes, which ships, sailing in what season, are most likely to be smooth sailing? No, I don't mean river cruises, or cruises "to nowhere." I mean a "real" cruise, e.g., Caribbean, Mediterranean, etc. If you wish, turn the question around and tell me where NOT to go, on which ships, when. <BR> <BR>I love travel, like ships, but am now afflicted with a balance problem such that once I get disoriented, I can be quite sick for quite a while. I've survived nicely on shorter trips mostly by staying above decks so I can see the horizon. If there's no rough weather or following sea, I manage. Going below deck is more of a problem, but manageable w/fairly smooth seas. I particularly would like to do some island-hopping in Greece/Turkey and/or the Caribbean. Got any good words for a would-be sailor with iffy inner-ear? <BR> <BR>(I know this sounds like wimp-time, but trust me, no medication on this planet has worked. Dramamine, scopolomine, patches, etc., actually worsen my problem because they make one sort of foggy. A combination of antihistamine and stomach sedative helps on plane trips, but I don't think they would help in prolonged heavy seas.) <BR> <BR>Thanks.

Have you tried the sea-bands? They go on your wrists and use accupressure points to help relieve sea sickness. I used them on my last cruise and didn't even have a twinge of sickness on the tender! As to your other question: The Carribean is a very smooth place to sail, if you don't go during hurricane season. Personally I would stay away from the Bahamas as that could give you rougher waters. Also, make sure you go on a newer ship (better stabilizers), get a cabin mid-ship. Make sure it is not only mid-ship fore/aft, but top/bottom as well. That makes for a much smoother ride, even in the roughest seas. Good luck.

Charlotte, <BR>I'll answer the 'which ship' query. Think balance problem best left answered by someone in medical community. <BR>My husband and I cruised to Bermuda 20 yrs. ago on HAL. Swore never to cruise again. Good friends encouraged us to take a caribbean cruise w/RCCL in '95. We loved it. We sailed Sovereign, which now only does 3 and 4 day cruises. We left RCCL and cruised NCL on The Norway for 7 days. While we loved our cabin, the ship was older [though refurbished] and it seemed best for us to return to RCCL. Cruised on Legend through Panama Canal...fabulous. In '98 and '99 [and again 2/00] we'll cruise on Splendour for 11 night 'Circle the Caribbean'. We have same cabin w/verandah, located mid ship and enjoy a cruise longer than 7 days. Any of the 'Vision' class ships on RCCL, Legend, Spendour and Vision are very high tech, w/excellent stabilizers. This may be important to your balance affliction, although I cannot say w/certainty. Which ports is a matter of preference. I could care less if we visited any ports, as I love sea days best. Our least favorite port is Ochos Rios and we will be there again for one day next Feb. I stay onboard and have a massage and relax. My husband plays golf. We have been fortunate as when cruising in Feb./March, we have had good weather...but it is the luck of the draw. Most larger ships on all the 'name' cruise lines will change course if nasty weather is 'up ahead'. Think you should do some reading about ports, if this is impt. to you. I cannot discuss other lines except NCL. And that is not a fair assessment since The Norway is an older vessel. Have not cruised the Mediterranean. This may be perfect for you, as I know from good friends that the water is like 'glass' and you are at port each day, eliminating traveling swiftly. Hope any of this is helpful. Whichever ship you book, I cannot stress the importance of choosing your cabin wisely and make certain it is mid ship. <BR>Elaine

I am both a physician and a frequent cruiser, so I will give your question a go. <BR> <BR>From the cruise angle - agree with the comments about newer, bigger ships and the Caribbean. It's generally like sailing in a bathtub. Remember that Bermuda and the Bahamas are NOT the Caribbean - they are in the Atlantic and it can be rough. Also, shoot for late fall or winter - summer is hurricane season and altho your risk of running into one is small, I sailed about a week after one had passed thru (in the Pacific) and the water was still quite rough. Midship is good and not on an upper deck - the higher you are in the ship the more the motion. <BR> <BR>From the medical side, I too have used the wristbands and have found that they help. Another thing that often helps (and doesn't cause side effects) is ginger. I buy standardized capsules and take 500-1000 mg before a nausea inducing episode and find it helps too. There are many reports on the use of peppermint to ease nausea - you can buy a small bottle of peppermint essential oil in most health food or herb shops - just open the bottle and take 2-3 deep strong breaths of the aroma when you are nauseated. Sucking on a peppermint candy can help too. Prescription meclizine (Antivert) is often prescribed for inner ear problems and has been an excellent motion sickness remedy for many. Also, avoid alcohol if you are prone to motion sickness - it doesn't help and may make it worse.

Alaska in July, Aug or early Sep. Inside Passage from Vancouver to Vancouver avoid the route that stops in Sitka. <BR>