Will I get seasick on a cruise?

You may be interested in a cruise, but you might be wondering, “will I get seasick on a cruise?” Let’s face it, seasickness doesn’t sound like much fun and could ruin your vacation. Fortunately modern cruise ships are much more stable than older ships, so it is much less common to get seasick on a cruise. Keep reading to learn more about modern cruise ships and what you can do to make sure you don’t get seasick.

You probably won’t get seasick on a cruise

First things first, you probably won’t feel the movement of the ship much (or at all), unless you are sailing in rough waters. You may feel slight movement when entering and leaving ports, but once you’re at sea, you may even forget you’re on a ship!

Small boats like speedboats, fishing boats, and pontoons move much more than cruise ships. If you can ride in a small boat without getting sick, you probably won’t get seasick on a cruise. Airplane turbulence is far more intense than anything you are likely to experience on a cruise ship. Heck, if you can ride in a car without getting sick, you’ll probably be just fine on a cruise.

Modern day cruise ships are remarkably stable compared to their older counterparts, and seasickness is rare. Technology improvements have allowed ship builders to build active and passive systems into cruise ships to improve stability at sea. Check out this article from Quantum Stabilizers if you’d like to learn more about how technology is making modern cruise ships more stable than ever.

Weather forecasting technology has also improved greatly since the first cruise ship left its mooring. Cruise ship captains are dedicated to making your cruise safe and as comfortable as possible. Captains will change routes to avoid rough weather whenever necessary.

I get remarkably sick if I ride in the backseat of a car. Heck, I get sick if I look at my phone when we turn a corner (as a passenger of course, don’t text and drive.) I have been on multiple cruises, and I have never felt remotely seasick on a cruise.

What can I do so I don’t get seasick on a cruise?

There are several things you can do if you’re worried about getting seasick on a cruise.

• Book a central cabin on a low deck. The middle of the ship is most stable, and the lower you are, the less you will feel movement. Book a cabin on a low deck in the middle of the ship if you are worried about seasickness. Virgin Voyages Central Sea Terrace cabins are located close to the middle of the ship, for instance. If you book a cruise with me, I can also get you assigned to the lowest deck possible.
• Choose a calm route. The Caribbean Sea is home to some of the calmest waters in the world. The Mediterranean Sea is also relatively calm. Adventure cruises to Antarctica or through the North Sea may be a little rougher depending on the weather.
• Consume alcohol in moderation. I get it, you scored a free Bar Tab and you want to make sure you don’t let it go to waste. Hydrate and ease into the party until you see whether you get seasick on a cruise. If you’re sailing Virgin Voyages, check out my post, How to spend your Virgin Voyages bar tab if you don’t drink alcohol, for plenty of great non-alcoholic options.
• Get enough sleep. You may be on a destination cruise on the other side of the world, or you may be having so much fun you forget to go to bed! Make sure you get some rest, and your body will thank you later.
• Talk to your doctor. Your doctor can advise you on over-the-counter or prescription treatments to help prevent you from getting seasick on a cruise. Follow your doctors guidance, and whenever possible, test it out before you sail to make sure you don’t experience any nasty side effects.

What if I get seasick on a cruise?

As I mentioned, you probably won’t get seasick on a cruise. If you do, there’s plenty of options to help you feel better. Every cruise ship has a medical center for passengers. Stop in if you’re feeling a little woozy. They may be able to help. You may also be able to relocate to a different cabin during your cruise. Of course, this is subject to availability and may incur additional costs, but it may be an option on your next cruise. Finally, try some sparkling water or a carbonated beverage. That always makes me feel better when I get motion sickness.

Final thoughts: You probably won’t get seasick on a cruise

Modern cruise ships are remarkably safe and stable. You probably won’t get seasick on a cruise and, if you do, there are plenty of treatment options available. If you can ride in small boats, airplanes, or even cars without getting sick, you likely won’t even feel the ship move. Even if you do get a little carsick, don’t worry. As I mentioned earlier, I get ridiculously carsick in the back seat, and I have never had a problem on a cruise ship (even after thoroughly exhausting my Bar Tab.)