Health Problems
The fun of cruising sometimes gets overshawdowed by the fear of getting sick. Many people simply don't go to
cruise just because of the sickness news they keep hearing.
Motion/Sea Sickness, Food Alergy are some of the common Health problems people face during their cruise. But it can be avoided or controlled and that shouldn't stop
one person to take a cruise.
Sea/Motion Sickness
The cruising pleasure along the open water with the sea breeze blowing and tropical temperatures should be experienced without
the unpleasant side effect of nausea. I suffered from motion sickness during my cruise as I expected. For many people motion sickness comes different ways. Many get sick, even while taking a bus ride,
Or Elevator rides make me nauseous for some. I have been sick to my stomach and threw up during my whale watch trip on a small fishing vessel so when I thought to myself going on a cruise. I felt little uncomfortable but since
its going to be a big ship I consoled myself that it might not be so bad. Let me share what I did during sickness on my trip so that you too can enjoying cruising as much I do.
Easy way to Control
I felt sickness on the first day and the last day on the sea. It only stayed there for 2-3 hours and went away. It was because the ship was rambling and shacky a bit triggering my sickness.
The most easiest thing I did to stop my sickness is to take walk or go for a run on the track or treadmill. (almost all ship has gym or running tracks now). When you walk/run on the moving ship the
fluid in your inner ear learns the motion of the ship in a controlled way. When you feel sea sickness coming on take a walk,walk,walk. Don't think of laying in your bed.
Lying down will make your nausea worse. Once your body becomes accustomed to the motion you will no longer feel ill and will be able to sit and lie down when you want to.
Another drug free way to curb your motion sickness is by wearing a Sea Bands bracelet. The bracelet has a small bead on the inside that puts pressure on the inside of your wrist.
This is a pressure point that will reduce nausea. Children and pregnant women can use Sea Bands as there are no side effects to this method. They are available at most drug stores.
I bought in CVS Pharmacy for just around $10 a pair. You can buy cheap from our Cruise store.Buy these before you leave home and put it on before boarding the ship to be safe.
The use of ginger or Lemon can also help to reduce the nausea part of sea sickness but not the dizziness.
Staying above deck and getting fresh air will go a long way to normalizing your inner ear.
Cabin location can also be a factor in how much motion you feel while trying to sleep. Select a cabin that is in the middle of the ship both horizontally and vertically.
If you pick a middle deck you will feel less motion from the sea and if you are close to the center of that deck you will feel less vibration from the engines and under workings of the ship.
Sail on a ship that has stabilizers. All of the newest mega liners have stabilizers that help minimize the rolling of the ship back and forth. Consider sailing on a ship that uses the Azipod propulsion system.
All of the Carnival Cruise Lines ships have them. This system pushes rather than pulls the ship through the water which reduces motion and creates much less vibration.
It also has the added benefit of allowing sharper turns for the ship without causing a lean.
Medications
Medications such as Dramamine, Bonnie or Gravol decrease nausea. You don't have to buy these at home as they are available on the ship at the pursers desk where they are usually given out free of charge.
My wife took these pills and felt better. Unfortunately these drugs can make some people drowsy which does not make for an exciting cruise experience.
If you still want to take them on a safer side, check out our Cruise store.
Ear patches work wonders to get rid of sea sickness. I have seen many people using on the ship. The trans dermal scopolamine patch is about the size of a dime and is worn behind the ear. It's effects last about 72 hours.
This patch must be applied 8 hours before boarding the ship or you'll be playing catch up later. The trans dermal patch does have side effects ranging from drowsiness to dry mouth.
Even the astronauts from NASA have problems with motion sickness so you are not alone now are you weak and frail.
Go on and book your cruise with peace of mind because now you'll be like me and everyone else who is openly addicted to cruising.
Disclaimer: Medication are just my recommendation as a cruiser. I used pills and sea band. Others are suggestions from other cruisers. Don't consider this a medical consulting. It might not
be suitable for everybody. Please use with your own discretion.
