The Truth About Getting Seasick on a Cruise
Here’s everything you need to know to avoid puking your guts up.
When my husband and I boarded a boat to visit the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand on our honeymoon, I felt immediately nauseated. My husband, on the other hand, felt totally fine. Unfortunately, unlike other cruise ship bugs, you’re likely either prone to feeling seasick on a boat, or you're not.
But if you’re one of the unlucky bunch that’s prone to seasickness, you shouldn’t remove cruises from your bucket list. After all, cruises are how I’ve visited places like Bermuda, Brazil, and Cuba—and yes, I sometimes battle stomach-turning seasickness that has me looking as green as passing turquoise water.
Experts say I’m not alone, with seasickness ranking as the one of the most common culprits behind people falling ill while cruising. Fortunately, with the right precautions, it’s preventable and easily treated.
Here’s what medical experts say causes it, and how to keep seasickness from ruining your next sailing.
Why do people get seasick?
According to Marcelo Izquierdo, the medical officer onboard Metropolitan Touring’s two Galapagos expedition cruises, seasickness—while very real—starts inside your head.
“A primary cause lies in how the brain processes sensory information,” he says. “The inner ear, which regulates balance, plays a crucial role. Individual differences, such as a heightened susceptibility to anxiety or stress, can also exacerbate motion sickness for some individuals.”
The root cause of seasickness, he explains, is because of a “mismatch between the signals received by the inner ear, which senses movement, and the visual information perceived by the eyes, which may focus on a stable horizon. This discrepancy can lead to confusion in the brain, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, sweating, and vomiting.”
How often do people get seasick on a cruise?
Izquierdo has been practicing medicine for 30 years, and says seasickness is the most common ailment reported on cruise ships. “Approximately 10 to 15% of passengers experience seasickness during a cruise,” he estimates.
Rachel Smith is the medical operations manager for Red Square Medical, which provides medical and consulting services for ships and crews, including Scenic Group’s Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises. She says seasickness also comes down to certain conditions.
“If you have a rough passage on a cruise, it can affect crew and passengers alike. But if the water is calm, seasickness could be a rare occurrence,” she says.
In fact, “Most people will be seasick at some point depending on the sea conditions and other factors,” Smith says. “If you're ill, prone to migraines, or have a sinus or ear problem you may be more likely to get seasick. Infants and toddlers don't normally suffer, children from one to 12 years are highly susceptible, but adults over 50 years are less likely to get seasick.”
How do you prevent seasickness?
Experts say there are steps you can take to help prevent seasickness or lessen its effects, starting before you even board a ship.
“If you know that you suffer from seasickness, you can ask your GP for advice and a prescription prior to your trip. There are a number of over-the-counter remedies, normally tablets or patches, that you can use, both medicated and non-medicated,” Smith says. “Staying hydrated and getting enough sleep can also help to reduce the risk of feeling seasick.”
Izquierdo suggests packing Dramamine, a common over-the-counter antihistamine medication, to prevent and treat motion sickness-induced nausea and vomiting. He calls it “effective,” but notes “efficacy may vary from person to person.”
Bur if you don’t end up packing Dramamine, most ships also make it available to passengers. “Some ships will sell remedies in their shop or reception area and you can always visit the medical center onboard for advice and medication,” Smith says.
Just be sure to get the timing right when relying on medication. “Read the information leaflet to find out the optimum time to take or use each one, as some will need to be taken or applied a few hours prior to embarkation,” Smith says.
How do you deal with seasickness?
If you still find yourself unexpectedly ill, or if Dramamine doesn’t work, there are other things you can try. “Sip water or ginger ale, as ginger is known to alleviate nausea,” says Izquierdo. “Eating light snacks and getting adequate rest are beneficial as well.”
Adds Smith, “Get some fresh air. Looking at the horizon can help your brain to work out the confused messages it's receiving from your eyes and ears. Pressure bands may help. Stay hydrated and reduce alcohol intake.”
And remember: the cure to seasickness isn’t a one-size-fits-all pill. “It's important to know that what works for someone else, might not work for you, or may not be appropriate, so there can be a bit of trial and error until you figure out the best option,” Smith says.
Is seasickness worse on a small or large ship?
For me, the smaller the boat, the more likely I’ll feel nauseous. Izquierdo says that’s because “seasickness is generally more pronounced on smaller ships, as they are more susceptible to the effects of rough seas.”
According to Smith, “Passengers on a smaller ship will experience more motion than on a larger vessel, even if the weather is calm. But this also depends on the individual's sensitivity to seasickness.”
However, if you dream of visiting a destination that requires boarding a smaller ship, don’t let size stop you. “The majority of cruise ships now have stabilizers that do exactly what they say and help to counteract the movement of the ocean to keep the boat more stable, reducing the risk of seasickness. In many cases you won't even know when the ship is moving,” Smith says.
What is the best cabin location to prevent seasickness?
I once endured a sleepless night on a cruise in a storm when my cabin at the front of the ship felt like it was bouncing up and down. For this reason, I now only choose staterooms in the middle of the ship.
Smith agrees this is the best strategy for combating seasickness, too. “Both the bow and stern of a ship will move a little more, so a cabin that is lower down and 'midship' is the best option to minimize motion,” she says.
Just know that many cruise lines will charge extra for midship staterooms as it’s considered a premium to be located closer to popular attractions. However, for peace of mind and smoother sailing, the added cost may be worth it; your stomach will likely thank you, too.