Some fortunate souls seem to have no trouble with motion sickness. These must be the folks who think riding a Tilt-A-Whirl is fun rather than a reliable substitute for ipecac.
For the barf-prone, a cruise on the ocean might be an especially intimidating prospect, given the ocean's tendency to heave and churn.
The good news: To reduce the rolling and pitching movements that make passengers nauseated, oceangoing cruise ships are equipped with high-tech stabilizers such as the "fin-like" doodads "mounted beneath the ship’s waterline" on Celebrity Cruises' newest ships.
There are also internal pump and tank systems and ballast measures that can be deployed, as The Points Guy explains. The newer the ship, the more sophisticated the stabilizing technology is likely to be.
Still, you can never be assured of an entirely smooth ride. Motion and the ocean go way back.
But if you're worried about getting green around the gills while atop the deep blue sea, here are some precautions you can take to prevent—or at least ease—motion sickness when you set sail.
Book a Cabin in the Stillest Part of the Ship
The center of the vessel is where you'll find the least movement. So the Mayo Clinic advises those susceptible to motion sickness to reserve a cabin in the middle of the deck or, barring that, the front.
And because there's less wobbling the closer you get to the water line, you might want to eschew the upper decks for the lower ones.
Look at the Weather Where—and When—You're Going
Naturally, weather conditions in the destinations on the cruise itinerary greatly affect the choppiness of the waters there. It'll pay off to do a little research in advance to learn where you can expect calmer seas.
The Caribbean is smoother in winter and spring, for instance, while summer is usually an easier time to navigate the Mediterranean.
You should take a look as well at whether the cruise you're considering has a lot of days at sea without stopping at ports. If you do get seasick, you don't want to be stuck on the vessel for long stretches without a break on terra firma.
As mentioned above, newer ships have the most advanced stabilizers. And big vessels tend to have less rocking, according to a cruise expert consulted by The Independent.
An exception would be river cruises, which take place on relatively small ships but are steady and tranquil as a rule.
Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon
The most poetic remedy for seasickness, recommended by the Travelers Clinic at UC Davis Health and other medical experts, applies to those times when you start to feel that bobbing sensation that could mean trouble.
In addition to looking at a stable point like the horizon, you'll want to remain still yourself and put away any reading material. If your cabin has a balcony (midship on a lower deck, remember), do your horizon-gazing out there in the fresh air.
Watch What You Eat and Drink
Believe it or not, but the constant eating and drinking that some passengers regard as the standard cruise diet is not so easy on your stomach and could make seasickness symptoms worse.
The killjoys at Mount Sinai advise against spicy, greasy, or fatty meals and too much alcohol or caffeine.
Course, if you're already feeling queasy you might not be first in line at the shrimp buffet anyway.
To help settle your stomach, try eating something light such as dry crackers and drinking a non-caffeinated carbonated beverage like ginger ale. Stay hydrated, too, by drinking plenty of water.
Foods containing ginger and peppermint—hard candy, teas, cookies, and so on—are old standbys in the battle against nausea, and many people find them effective.
Consider Taking an Over-the-Counter or Prescription Medication
Common over-the-counter medications for nausea include Dramamine and Bonine. As UC Davis Health points out, the drowsiness that can result from taking the pills along with the need to time dosing properly (Dramamine can take up to an hour to kick in) make them less than ideal.
Make sure you carefully follow the instructions on the package, and talk to your doctor before taking any medication for motion sickness if you have asthma, a liver impairment, heart disease, and certain other conditions.
There are also alternative remedies you can give a whirl, such as acupuncture wristbands and herbal supplements. Scientific studies on the efficacy of these treatments have mixed results, but hey, anything is worth a try.
If you've already attempted all that before and still get motion sickness, talk to your doctor about prescribing scopolamine. It comes in a round patch worn behind the ear. Don't forget to ask about the risk of side effects, which can include dizziness, dry mouth, and drowsiness as well as more serious conditions such as confusion and vision problems.
And while we're on the topic of pharmaceuticals, note that some common medications, including antidepressants and birth control pills, can make seasickness worse, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The medical facility on your ship will undoubtedly be stocked with over-the-counter anti-nausea medication, though you might have to pay for it (they'll probably give you a ginger lozenge for free).
If all else fails, ask the ship doctor for a motion sickness injection. The treatment is "available for a fee at the Medical Center" aboard Carnival Cruise Lines' ships, for instance, "but will only be administered to those who are actively vomiting and not as a preventative measure."
You're welcome for that lovely image.
Related: How to Avoid Motion Sickness on an Airplane
