The most reliable way to deal with seasickness on a cruise is to combine a low, midship cabin on a larger ship with a calmer itinerary and, if you are prone to it, a suitable motion sickness medicine taken before the ship starts moving. Fresh air, a view of the horizon and light meals help too. Wristbands, ginger and most other popular remedies have much weaker evidence, so treat them as extras rather than a plan.
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This guide explains how to prevent seasickness on a cruise using advice from health bodies such as the NHS, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Mayo Clinic. It is general information, not medical advice. For anything involving medicines, follow the pack label and ask a pharmacist or doctor, especially for children, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if you take other medicines.
Why seasickness on a cruise happens
Motion sickness is usually explained as a mismatch: your inner ear senses movement while your eyes, fixed on a cabin wall or a screen, report that nothing is moving. The result can be nausea, dizziness, cold sweats, headache and tiredness.
The CDC notes that some people are simply more susceptible. Children, women, and people with migraine or vestibular conditions tend to be affected more, and genetics explains much of the difference between individuals. Poor sleep, alcohol and smoking can all make symptoms worse.
The good news is that the body usually adapts. Many passengers feel better within a few days, and habituation is the most effective countermeasure the CDC identifies, although it takes time.
Best cabin for seasickness: low and midship
A ship tends to pivot around a point roughly in its middle and near the waterline, so the further you are from that point, the more movement you notice. That makes cabin choice one of the few decisions you can make well before you sail.
- Choose midship rather than the very front or back of the ship.
- Choose a lower passenger deck. High decks exaggerate side-to-side motion.
- Weigh up a window or balcony. It will not reduce movement, but being able to see the horizon and get fresh air can help. An inside cabin can suit people who sleep well in the dark, but offers no visual reference if you feel unwell.
- Check what is overhead and underneath on the deck plan. A midship cabin is less restful if it sits under a busy pool deck or above a late-night venue, and poor sleep can worsen symptoms.
If you start to feel unwell on board, go to a low, central public area or an open deck rather than returning to a high cabin at the front or back of the ship.
Does ship size matter?
Yes, as a general rule. Large, heavy ships respond less to short waves than small ones, and most modern cruise ships have stabilisers that reduce rolling. Stabilisers are not a complete fix, though. They do much less for pitching, the up-and-down motion of bow and stern, which is common in long ocean swell.
That matters for luxury and expedition cruising, where the most appealing ships are often the smallest. A small ship can be perfectly comfortable in sheltered waters, but if you know you are prone to motion sickness, look carefully at open-water crossings before booking.
Pick an itinerary and season that suit you
Where and when you sail can matter as much as the ship. No route is guaranteed to be calm, but some have a clear reputation:
| Generally calmer | More likely to be lively |
|---|---|
| Inside Passage in Alaska | Open Gulf of Alaska crossings |
| Mediterranean in summer | Bay of Biscay and North Atlantic, especially in winter |
| Eastern and southern Caribbean outside storm season | Atlantic and Caribbean during hurricane season, which runs June to November |
| Rivers and sheltered coastal routes | Drake Passage on the way to Antarctica |
Port-heavy itineraries also give you regular time on land, while transatlantic crossings and long runs of sea days do not. If you are new to cruising, a short sailing with plenty of port calls is a low-risk way to find out how you cope. Our first-time cruise tips from past guests cover other things worth deciding before you book.
Motion sickness medicine for a cruise: the main types
Medicines are generally more effective at preventing symptoms than stopping them once they have started, partly because nausea slows absorption from the stomach. The pack or your pharmacist will tell you how long before sailing to take a product and how much to take. This guide deliberately does not give doses.
| Type | Examples | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sedating antihistamines | Cinnarizine (Stugeron), promethazine, dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), meclizine (Bonine) | Drowsiness is common. The NHS advises avoiding alcohol with cinnarizine because it can make you much sleepier. |
| Hyoscine tablets | Hyoscine hydrobromide (Kwells) | Pharmacy medicine in the UK. Can cause drowsiness and dry mouth. The NHS lists people aged 60 or over among those it may not suit, along with people who have glaucoma, epilepsy or some heart conditions. |
| Scopolamine (hyoscine) patches | Transderm Scop in the US | Prescription in the US, and availability varies elsewhere. Mayo Clinic highlights an FDA warning about overheating. Never cut a patch, and do not use one on a child unless a doctor has advised it. |
Three points are easy to miss:
- Newer “non-drowsy” antihistamines are not a substitute. The CDC says minimally sedating antihistamines, and anti-sickness medicines such as ondansetron, are not effective for motion sickness.
- Try a medicine at home first if you can. Finding out that a product leaves you groggy is better done on an ordinary day than on the first day of your holiday. Check with your pharmacist that this is appropriate for you.
- Get specific advice for vulnerable groups. The NHS says cinnarizine and hyoscine are not usually recommended in pregnancy, and age limits differ between products. The CDC warns that over-sedating young children can be dangerous, so always ask a pharmacist or doctor before giving a child any of these medicines.
Pack your chosen medicine in your hand luggage so you have it before your cases arrive. Our cruise packing tips cover what else to keep with you on embarkation day.
Motion sickness cruise remedies: what the evidence says
Plenty of remedies are recommended with confidence in cruise forums. Here is how they compare with what health sources report.
| Remedy | Evidence | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon gazing, fresh air, keeping your head still | Partly effective, per the CDC | Free and worth doing |
| Slow, controlled breathing | About half as effective as anti-sickness drugs in lab trials, per the CDC | Underrated, with no side effects |
| Acupressure wristbands | No better than placebo in lab trials, per the CDC | Harmless to try, but do not rely on them |
| Ginger | Weak and contradictory; small studies give mixed results | May help some people, but unproven |
| Vitamins, supplements and special diets | Weak and contradictory, per the CDC | Not worth relying on |
| Green apples and crackers | Traditional advice with little research behind it; plain snacks are simply easy on the stomach | Fine as food, not as treatment |
Acupressure bands
Bands such as Sea-Band press on a point on the inner wrist. The NHS notes that they don’t work for everyone. Placebo effects can be strong, though, and the CDC accepts that someone who finds them helpful may still choose to use them. They are cheap and drug-free, which makes them a reasonable addition but a poor sole strategy for a rough crossing.
Ginger
Mayo Clinic and NHS self-care guidance both list ginger as something to try, while the CDC describes its evidence as weak. One review of seven studies found mixed results and called for better trials. Check with a pharmacist before taking ginger supplements if you are pregnant or use blood thinners.
Food, alcohol and habits on board
- Eat lightly and regularly. Avoid large, spicy or greasy meals. Plain food such as crackers with cold water is a sensible choice if you feel queasy.
- Limit alcohol. It can worsen motion sickness and adds to the drowsiness caused by many medicines. Keep that in mind if your fare includes drinks.
- Stay hydrated and get enough sleep. Lost sleep is a known trigger.
- Put the screen down. Reading or watching a phone focuses your eyes on something that appears still while your body moves.
- Keep away from strong smells and smoky areas.
- Look ahead. When you feel unwell, find the horizon or lie down, close your eyes and breathe slowly.
Getting help from the ship’s medical centre
If symptoms become severe, or you cannot keep fluids down, contact the ship’s medical centre. Treatment options can include an injection, which the CDC notes may be needed when tablets are no longer practical. Some ships also offer basic tablets at guest services, but this varies and should not be assumed.
Shipboard medical care is usually private and charged to your onboard account. One cruise guide puts a standard consultation at around US$100 to $200 before medicines, with after-hours visits costing more. Ask about the fee first if you are not in urgent need.
UK travellers should note that the NHS Business Services Authority says a GHIC or EHIC does not cover treatment received on board a cruise. US health plans may also offer limited or no cover at sea. It is worth reading our cruise insurance buyer’s guide and keeping receipts for any treatment you need.
Seek urgent help for chest pain, severe headache, confusion, or vomiting that will not stop, as these may not be seasickness at all.
FAQs
Is seasickness on a cruise common?
Mild queasiness is fairly common in rough weather, but many passengers on large ships in calm seas feel nothing at all. Susceptibility varies widely and is partly inherited, and most people adapt within a few days at sea.
Where is the worst place on a cruise ship for motion sickness?
Generally high decks at the very front or back of the ship, where movement is most noticeable. A low, midship location usually moves least, so head there if you start to feel unwell.
Are you more likely to get seasick on a small ship?
Usually, yes. Smaller vessels respond more to waves and swell, so a small expedition ship on an open-water crossing will normally move more than a large ship on the same sea, although stabilisers and weather make a big difference.
Is meclizine (Bonine) or dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) better for a cruise?
Both are antihistamines used for motion sickness, and both can make you drowsy. Which suits you depends on your health and other medicines, so ask a pharmacist or doctor and follow the label.
How can I tell if I will get seasick on a cruise?
You can’t know for certain, but a history of car or travel sickness, migraine or vestibular problems raises the odds. If you are unsure, start with a large ship, a midship cabin and a calmer itinerary.
