If you’re prone to motion sickness, choosing the right cabin location can make a big difference in your cruise experience. While cruising is an incredible way to see the world, the gentle (or sometimes not-so-gentle) rocking of the ship can bring out nausea and dizziness in people sensitive to motion. Luckily, there are some prime spots on a cruise ship that can help minimize the effects of seasickness and make your vacation much more enjoyable.
The Best Cabin Location for Motion Sickness
When you book a cabin, where it’s located on the ship matters more than you might think if you’re prone to motion sickness. Here’s a general rule: the closer you are to the middle of the ship, the less you’ll feel the ship’s motion. Why? The ship pivots and rocks from front to back (bow to stern) and side to side (port to starboard). The center of the ship, particularly on lower decks, experiences the least movement.
Here are a few key factors to keep in mind when booking your cabin:
- Midship, Lower Deck: The best spot for someone with motion sickness is midship and on a lower deck. This is the ship’s natural center of gravity, meaning it’s the most stable part of the ship. Cabins in this area experience less rocking, which helps reduce the likelihood of seasickness.
- Avoid High and Forward Cabins: A higher deck on the ship, or the farther you move toward the front or back, the more movement you’ll feel. The bow and stern tend to move the most, so cabins in these areas should be avoided if you’re prone to motion sickness.
- Cabins with a Window or Balcony: While it’s important to choose the right location, having access to fresh air or being able to see the horizon can help your brain adjust to the motion. Cabins with windows or balconies allow you to look at the horizon, which helps with motion sickness because your eyes can sync up with what your body is feeling. By avoiding interior cabins, you will be able to get the help you need in seeing the horizon. A balcony cabin also allows you access to fresh sea air in your cabin, making balcony cabins possibly a better choice than an ocean view cabin. The addition of the natural light will also help you adjust to the horizon.
- Choose a Larger Ship: This might not be a specific cabin location, but the size of the ship matters. Larger ships are generally more stable and less prone to less movement and rocking due to their size and better stabilization technology. On larger ships, even the forward or aft, back of the ship cabins tend to move less than on smaller ships. The overall movement of the ship will greatly affect how much sea sickness a person experiences.
- When to Cruise: Deciding when to cruise may also have an impact on your overall success of avoiding sea sickness. Avoiding the high seas could be paramount. This means you will want to pay special attention to hurricane season. This time of year can greatly impact the amount of rough seas that your ship may encounter. Although some of the best deals are offered during hurricane season, you are also met with more uncertainty.
10 Ways to Help Treat or Avoid Motion or Sea Sickness
Even with the perfect cabin, you might still need extra help to keep motion sickness at bay. Here are 10 tips to help you avoid or treat motion sickness while on a cruise:
- Look at the Horizon: One of the simplest ways to combat motion or sea sickness is to focus on the horizon while taking in a great view.. This helps your brain align your sense of balance with what your eyes see.
- Use Sea Sickness Medications: Over-the-counter medications like Dramamine or Bonine are common treatments for motion sickness. It’s best to take these before you feel sick to prevent symptoms from starting.
- Try Scopolamine Patches: For longer-lasting relief, many people turn to prescription scopolamine patches. These small patches are worn behind the ear and release medication over time, preventing nausea before it starts.
- Ginger: Natural remedies like ginger have been known to help with nausea. You can take ginger supplements or bring ginger candies or tea on board. Many cruisers find ginger effective at calming their stomachs. If you have left your ginger products at home, most bars have at least one brand of ginger ale available to fill in for the other over the counter remedies.
- Acupressure Wristbands: Some people swear by acupressure wristbands, like Sea-Bands, which press on a specific point on your wrist believed to help relieve nausea. While research on their effectiveness is mixed, many cruisers say these acupressure bands help them avoid sea sickness.
- Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can make nausea worse, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout your cruise. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they can dehydrate you and contribute to motion sickness.
- Eat Light Meals: Heavy, greasy meals can make nausea worse. Instead, stick to light, easily digestible foods like crackers, bread, and fruit. Eating small meals throughout the day is also better than having a few large ones.
- Get Fresh Air: If you start to feel queasy, head out to an open deck for some fresh air. Being outside and feeling the wind can help, and the smell of fresh air is much better than any indoor cabin odors.
- Stay Active: Keeping your body active can help distract you from feeling sick. Walking around the ship, participating in activities, or even swimming can sometimes relieve motion sickness by keeping your mind and body busy.
- Rest and Relax: Sometimes, the best way to cope with motion sickness is simply to rest. Lying down in your cabin, especially in the center of the ship where motion is minimal, can help your body adjust. If you can sleep, even better — you might wake up feeling refreshed and less queasy.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right cabin location and being prepared with remedies can make a world of difference if you’re someone who struggles with motion or sea sickness. By opting for a midship, lower-deck cabin and using a few motion sickness prevention strategies, you can spend more time enjoying the ocean views and less time feeling queasy. Keep in mind that motion sickness affects everyone differently, so it may take some trial and error to figure out what works best for you. But with the right preparation, you’ll be able to make the most of your cruise vacation!
