Galapagos Islands and sea sickness
 

I am about to make a (for me) large investment in a March 2004 cruise in the Galapagos. As I am a really lousy sailor can anyone out there please tell me -- am I making a huge mistake? I would really love to see the wildlife, and I like the idea of a small ship (40 passengers), but am I going to spend the week throwing up?

Thanks so much for any advice from you seasoned travelers.

I just returned from the Galapagos Islands a month ago and like you I am a lousy sailor. I was on a 16 passenger boat and I took Bonine the whole time. The boat traveled at night so I was okay because I was sleeping. I only had a couple of minor setbacks, and that was the two times we traveled between the islands during the day. I learned that if I sat up on deck looking to the horizon I was okay.

I was on a 40 passenger about 2 months ago.
If the boat is traveeling at night while you are sleeping this should be no problem.
The problems arises those rare times when it is dinner time and the Yacht just has to get to the next point , so while you are sitting down for dinner the yacht is moving.
This could be a problem for stomach sensitive people( and even those who think they have a cast iron stomach).
Like Peg says, you can take Bonamine and /or Gravol.
Both of these medications are over the counter at the drugstore..
Gravol comes in many doses, 15 mgm , 25 mgm , 50 mgm and 75 mgm.
So you can start with a low dose and then add as needed.
Do not pass up a trip to the Galapagos because because you might get sick.
Also travelling between islands during the day is okay, as long as it is not at dinner time.
If you think you are going to be sick , then take a Bonamine and/or Gravol about 1/2 hour before , and keep the next one handy.
But please go, your memories of the Galapagos will far out last your recollection of maybe getting nauseated.
Hope this help a little.
Percy

sandy, check on getting a scopolamine patch. You wear it for about 5 days, behind your ear. It stays on even in the shower. I would not go on a sea trip without it, personally. You need a prescription for it, so talk to your doctor. Primary side effect is dry mouth (much better than nausea!).

If you are a small person, you can try cutting the patch in half and wearing only half. It works for me.

Thanks so much to all of you. It's been very helpful to have your input. It sounds as though you are unanimous in your enjoyment of your trip! Can I ask another question, please? Did you fly into Quito or Guayaquil?

We flew into Quito, but that is because we wanted to visit the surrounding areas before and after our trip.

Just to let you know, unlike Percy's boat, we did not travel while we were eating at all. So that made it nice for me, or I would have not been eating becuase if the boat was traveling while we were not sleeping I was on the top deck.

Peg is correct.
The boat I was on was travelling once while we were dinning and I can tell you it is not that pleasant.
But they had to get to this other Island morning , so they had to depart at about 6:30PM.
There were 36 of us on the boat and only about 20 came to the dinning room!!!
Our table of 5 were okay, for a while and then one of the girls just had to leave.
If you are not having to dine while the boat is moving ,then it is no big deal, you just sit on the deck and look at the scenery( or you are sleeping).
Hope your tour is such that you will not be moving while dinning.
They make every effort to have the yacht anchored while you are eating.
Tours from Island to Island vary in their sequence.
You always know ahead of time when you are going to be leaving one island for the other..
So in the rare case that you may be moving while dinning...take some meds about a 1/2 hour before.
Percy

Any of you guys take the Lindblad Trip to the Galapagos? What is the altitude of Quito? Opinions please for cruise companies and the best time of year to go...swim in warm water!

Like I was told when I deplaned at the Galapagos:
"There is no bad time to go to the Galapagos."
The water is warmer now from late Janaury to end of May.
In September the Humbolt Current comes in from the Southern tip of South America and cools the water.
Also you will be going in the green season,where the vegetation is bloomimg and much more scenic....
although anytime is just great.
It is a trip of a lifetime.
Percy

Hi Deloris:

I did not go to the Galapagos with Lindblad. I booked through a local company called Sangay Touring, worked with Martin. I am not sure about the water as we were there in September and it was cold. Also, it was very dry, but did not stop us from enjoying it.

I think the altitude for Quito is approx. 9500 feet.

Thanks!
I'll avoid September and Quito!
The trip is on my "must do" list!

Hi Deloris:

I just want to say that I really enjoyed Quito. I heard all the horror stories before we left and was not looking forward to it, but we had a great time in Quito. I would go back to that city again.

If it is the altitude that concerns you. I don't know if this will help, but there were four women in our group, ages 64, 41, 35, 33. My mom felt shortness of breath, and the 41 year old is the one who suffered the most and that was with a headache here and there. Now all of us had a headache when we got to the 14,000 foot summit of Cotopaxi.

Hope this helps a bit.

Hi Deloris

I travelled to about the same places that Peg did.
Before I left I had a little concern about altitude because of what I read.

But I felt absolutely no effects all the days I was in Quito and surrounding area.
Also at Cotopaxi I did not have any problems either.
If you did go to Quito and you did take a tour to Cotopaxi, you can go up s high as you want and turn arounbd anytime.
I mention this only to say,I would not avoid Quito unless you are really prone to any change in altitude.
The City is nice , take the city tour if you go.
and if you do go ,then you will want togo to the Equator line place( Mita del Munda) and put one foot on each side of the line. Now you are on both sides of the world at the same time!!!
Cool!!
Percy
Percy

Thanks everyone!
I'm a sea level-sensitive type and my suis lives in Aspen. Belive me, those sensitive to altitude find out the hard way. I think my DR. recommended "diamox" sp? for altitude, but it can be very dangerous if you don't know your limitations, and I found out the hard way in Cuzco when I was 17, major+ migrane and other symptoms. Won't go into the RX cure, but it is illegal here! and if you don't get help immediately, a stroke is very likely. Extreme altitude should not be taken lightly. Probably will approach the islands from a lower altitude!
Gracias