When your on a cruise ship. Can you feel it rock?

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Nikki (: â™¥

Yes, you can feel it rock. If the seas are very calm they you may not even feel it at all, or you may feel it a little bit but you can hardly tell that you're moving. If you have a feeling that you may get seasick, definitely stop at your drugstore to get some motion sickness pills, or wristbands- don't get the patches, they have HORRIBLE side effects. there is no pill out there to get rid of seasickness, they're only to prevent them.

Seasickness is hardly fatal, but with symptoms such as nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting, it can certainly put a damper on your cruise fun. Motion sickness is thought to be caused by the visual disorientation resulting from being on an object in motion (ship) competing against our body's natural inclination for balance. Whatever the technical cause, the majority of cruisers are familiar with how rough, rocking seas can leave us feeling less than our best.

Mal de mer, however, is not caused by choppy waters alone. Scientific studies have shown that some folks become seasick by suggestion. They simply convince themselves that being on a ship will make them ill. On the other hand, for those who can forget about it, it's often smooth sailing.

Some people have a genuine proclivity for motion sickness and will undoubtedly suffer more during rough seas. According to medical professionals, seasickness is more prevalent in children and women. On the other hand, children under 2 seem to be immune from the

Of equally interesting note, elderly people are less susceptible. If you have a propensity to motion sickness or are concerned that you might develop symptoms, arm yourself with preventative measures before hand.

One of the most widely recommended remedies is Transderm Scopolamine, a patch applied behind the ear at least eight hours before exposure that can last for up to three days. Available only by prescription, the Scop is preventative, not a treatment and can cause possible side effects such as dry mouth, blurry vision, drowsiness and dizziness.

Over-the-counter drugs used to deter and/or treat mal de mer include Dramamine, Meclizine (common name Bonine) or diphenhydramine (commonly known as Benadryl). On some ships these are dispensed freely. They are also sold in the sundries shop. Remember that the most common side effect of taking Bonine and Benadryl is drowsiness, and alcohol will exacerbate this.

Editor's note: For the kids, less potent version of both Benadryl and Bonine are available as well. Of course, we recommend that you talk with your doctor before giving your children any new medications.

Stronger, more effective prescription drugs can only be obtained from a physician (the ship's doctor can fix you up, but if often costs you the price of an office visit plus the pills, so you're better off going through your personal physician). These include Promethazine and ephedrine, which when taken together produce quick results as well as potential side effects such as sleepiness. Another option is suppositories, administered by the ship's physician, which work magic for some people.

If you don't like to take drugs, there are plenty of other options, if the numerous Cruise Critic boards' threads on seasickness remedies are any indication. Some swear by applying a Sea-Band wristband the minute you embark. The easy to wear, acupressure inspired product has a plastic bead that presses against the Nei-Kuan pressure point located on the palm side of the wrist. Efficacious in curbing nausea and vomiting without any side effects, it comes in both adult and children's sizes and can even be used by pregnant women. Sea-Bands are available without a prescription at major drug stores.

Others faithfully promote the benefits of ginger, which studies have found alleviates nausea associated with motion sickness. The root can be taken in various forms, including powder, tea, pill and candy.

Here's some tips:

To acclimate yourself to shipboard life, it's advisable to spend as much time on the deck, using the horizon as a point to maintain your equilibrium.

Booking an outside cabin in the middle of the ship -- the natural balance point -- is another option. Having a window will also give you consistent view of the horizon point (unless of the course you find yourself in stormy waters, sea-spume splashing against your window).

It's also not a bad idea to take only port intensive cruises with fewer days on the open seas and to avoid itineraries where the ocean is bound to be rough such as North Atlantic crossings or the Caribbean during hurricane season

Another wise option is to pick large, modern ships -- not a difficult proposition with the industry trending towards larger and large ships. Anyone who's sailed on a relatively new mega-ship, perhaps of 100,000-tons or more, knows that stabilizers are used when needed to provide the smoothest ride possible.

Remember that everyone reacts differently to the various remedies out there. It's on the cruiser to take part in a little research and self-experimentation, and one of the most useful places to start is the Ask a Cruise Question forum on the Cruise Critic message boards.

Children are not immune to motion sickness. There are a thousand different sea-sickness remedies, and everyone you ask will tell you something different. That's because different remedies work for different folks, and the same is true for kids. Talk to your pediatrician about any medications you are considering packing for your child, and throw a bag of Gin Gins in your suitcase.

Ginger has long been known to aid in motion sickness (not to mention morning sickness, for all you pregnant cruisers), it's perfectly safe for kids, it won't make them drowsy and it's delicious! There are lots of companies who make ginger candy and crystallized ginger products, but the Ginger People at Royal Pacific have the best variety and taste.

Hope this helps!

BusinessBeaver

Sometimes. I have been on some ships where I have barely felt it and others where I felt it a lot. Depends what waters you are going on, what the weather is like, and where you are in the boat. I was on one ship where my room was in the front and I could feel the bow going up and down crashing onto the water. So it is possible to get sea sick if you are prone to that.

manthebraces

Cruise ships have roll stabilizers so it cuts down on the rocking motion about 90 percent... but you can sell feel a slight sense of motion

Dave Holman

It really depends on where you are. In the Caribbean, the only time you will feel anything is if a storm is coming, or has just passed. Out in the Pacific, you might feel a steady rolling. Ditto for a Trans-Atlantic.

little miss tiny =]

sometimes...it depends on how well you deal with motion sickness. it also depends where you are. i've heard that open water is a lot rougher than when you are close to an island.

roxie w

it really depends on where you go and how big the ship is.
ships have stabilisers so it should stop it rocking. but you will feel it slightly. If you go somewhere that's got rough seas you' obviously you will feel it more

Mary L

Ships have stabilizers that minimize most of the motion, but in rough seas you will definitely be aware of the motion. The cabins with the least motion are those in the lower decks and in the center of the ship. If you actually enjoy the rolling, you will want a cabin far front in the ship! Rough seas occur with weather, and seem to be quite prevalent in some geographic areas, such as the North Atlantic on a crossing between Southampton and New York, the Bay of Biscay, and that very deep trough en route to the ABC Islands off Venezuela. Rough seas are also more prevalent in winter. The Caribbean is generally very smooth.

Question Guy

Sometimes:
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Veronica Alicia

I've been on a cruise ship in the Bay of Biscay where there was a nine metre swell and I must admit that I took to my berth (less chance of nausea if you are lying down).
The ship's Medical Room will prescribe either tablets or an injection if people are ill in very rough weather, but if you are prone to motion sickness, take something like Stugeron with you, just in case.
Mostly the movement on a cruise ship is very slight and you aren't really aware of it (and I'm a poor sailor).

dancer_bean

Generally passengers do not feel the ship rocking as they are equipped with stabilizers, Sometimes you may feel slight rocking in certain areas depending on the roughness of the sea as well as size and age of the ship... It is rare that a passenger will feel the ship rocking enough to be bothered. If u do begin to feel sea sick the ships doctors can give u a shot that takes the sickness away instantly. Cruises are amazing! Have fun

Dammmit.!!!

It depends they do hace stabilizers. but if the swells are Big good luck lol I was on one during huricane katrina we well far 4rm it but let me tell u something we could still feel the boat rocking! We were in texas wen it happened barely leaving the port and goin' 2 our 1st port. Plates were fallin and everythin' but we had 2 hurry up and get out of those waves. Bad thing was that we had 2 go back cuz an Employ had fallen but this wasnt due 2 the rocking. But that was the only time when i have cruised and i was Like WOA! Ive been on 9 cruises

Mr. J

If the ship is sailing against current, you will feel some movement. Especially in the front of the ship. If you start to feel discomfort, go mid-ship and take a pill. That always works for me. Happy Cruising!

Peter R

Yes depending on the ship, whether it has stabilisers, the weather etc
if your asking this question because you might get sea sick, do the following:

As the ship goes up - breathe in slowly
as the ship goes back down - breathe out slowly

do the above and you will not be sick!

Kristina L

Sometimes. As stated above, it does depend on a lot of things. Size of the ship, weather, waves, etc. Most of the time you'll forget you are on a boat, it's so smooth. Usually I feel it the most at the front of the boat and at the back of the boat. Every once in a while I could feel it in the bathtub.

However, about 18 months ago, I was on a western caribbean cruise and we had bad weather from Key West almost all the way to Belize. It finally stopped rocking about 2am. You could feel it everywhere on the ship, and most people were feeling a little green. I never bothered to take sea sickness meds before - but I'll take them from now on just in case.

1Cheapcruise

yes, I have when cruising from NY and FL.

honky275

For the most part, not really. But it's possible that the ship will encounter some very rough water, in which case the captain might issue a warning to the passengers that the boat may be rocking for a while. It's a lot like a plane, you usually don't feel anything, but occasionally there is some turbulence.

fitzbaby2003

no but you can sure feel it roll baby

When your on a cruise ship. Can you feel it rock? pic 1
When your on a cruise ship. Can you feel it rock? pic 2
When your on a cruise ship. Can you feel it rock? pic 3

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