One of the most common questions first-time cruisers have is “What if I get seasick on my cruise?” As someone who avoided going on a cruise vacation for this very reason, I understand where the concern comes from, and I have answers.

In this article:

Why you probably won’t get seasick at all
How to prevent seasickness
Professional advice in case it happens

Will I get seasick on a cruise? — Symphony of the Seas | Royal Caribbean

Why you probably won’t get seasick at all

Ships today sail with thousands of passengers onboard, most are not hearty seafaring people that can take whatever the sea throws at them. Cruising wouldn’t be as popular if getting seasick was a common occurrence.

The cruise lines know this too. They want you to be loyal customers and to return for future cruise vacations.

Newer ships are built for passenger comfort and safety above all. They use innovative design and engineering technology that helps keep the ship steady, like stabilizers and sophisticated weather technology.

Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas compared to Titanic (photo credit: The Smithsonian Channel)

The sheer size of cruise ships today means that you’re not going to be bobbing around like a cork in the ocean. Cruise ships are floating cities, it takes a lot to move them.

Most of the time, I don’t even know the ship is moving unless I look out a window.

I like to use the water glass test - something I came up with while onboard, it’s the teacher in me.

While at dinner look at your glass of water. If the ship is rocking, you will see the water in your glass swaying back and forth, because water always tries to remain level. I have yet to see the water move, on any cruise I’ve been on.

How to prevent seasickness

Sometimes the best treatment is prevention.

Avoid excessive alcohol and overeating. Avoid reading small print as well. The only time I started to feel a little seasickness coming on was while I was trying to read a book. I put the book down and felt better right away.

“It’s best that guests who know they are prone to seasickness consult their doctor prior to departure,” says Dr. Shore, Chief Medical Advisor at Royal Caribbean.

If your personal physician thinks it’s appropriate, he or she can prescribe a patch that you can wear to prevent the onset of seasickness.

As a travel professional, I recommend a Bahamas cruise for your first journey out there. Waters between the coast of Florida and the Bahamas are known to be very calm. This is why cruising in the area is so popular.

Most Bahamian cruises are 3 or 4 nights, so it’s just the right amount of time to earn your sea legs.

What to do if you get seasick on your cruise

In the event that seasickness does develop, it’s unlikely to really interrupt your cruise.

Dr. Shore notes that there are lots of natural remedies that can help alleviate motion sickness.

“Anecdotally, ginger ale seems to be helpful, and some people find various aromas (like chamomile and peppermint) or eating dry crackers, even after the onset of seasickness, can help.”

If a few sips of ginger ale don’t do the trick, he also suggests going for a short walk to the center of the ship, the most balanced area onboard and therefore least likely to produce seasickness symptoms.

For this same reason, I recommend booking a midship room on a lower deck.

Cruise ships have motion sickness medications, like meclizine, readily available at the ship’s Medical Center.

“Additionally, for more troublesome seasickness, Royal Caribbean’s Medical Centers also carry promethazine and metoclopramide,” Dr. Shore says.

If you’re ready to plan your cruise with the care of a professional, click here to set sail on your next vacation.