| The old saying ‘Prevention is Better than Cure' | | | | effective they need to be taken before you set |
| can mean the difference between having a great | | | | sail. Another well reported cure for sea sickness is |
| cruise or suffering from Sea Sickness whilst on board | | | | Transderm Scop, a small patch that is placed behind |
| a cruise liner. If you are a first time cruiser or | | | | the ear which is applied 8 hours before sailing. |
| indeed have suffered before there are a few | | | | A drug free option to alleviate sea sickness |
| questions worth asking yourself before you set sail? | | | | symptoms is acupuncture, enquire if there is an |
| 1. Do you suffer from nausea/ headaches when | | | | acupuncturist on board ship, or try acupuncture |
| travelling in the back of a car? | | | | before you set sail. Sea Bands work on the principle |
| 2. Do fairground rides make you nauseas or induce | | | | of acupressure on the inside of your wrist and are |
| headaches? | | | | also available for children. |
| 3. Have you ever suffered from vertigo an imbalance | | | | There are key ways in which you can afford the |
| of the inner ear? | | | | chances of sea sickness by avoiding sailing in periods |
| If you can answer yes to any of the above then it is | | | | of known bad weather. If it's your first cruise don't |
| wise to take preventative action/medicine before | | | | go on a Trans-Atlantic or around the world cruise, try |
| beginning your cruise. | | | | a week's cruise first. |
| Sea Sickness or Motion Sickness is caused when the | | | | Selecting a large cruise liner can help enormously |
| brain receives mixed signals which cause an imbalance | | | | they have stabilizers incorporated into the design |
| in the receptor of the inner ear. Symptoms include | | | | which helps stop the boat from rocking side to side, |
| dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting. | | | | also the waves on a rougher crossing will have less |
| Finding your sea legs can take a few days and to | | | | impact on a larger ship. |
| start with many people have mild symptoms of sea | | | | Choosing a cabin that is central to the ship will also |
| sickness. To prevent or alleviate symptoms get out | | | | help but try to stay on deck and keep busy, the |
| into the open air walk along the decks and keep your | | | | sooner you get use to the motion of the ship the |
| eyes on the horizon, this helps balance the inner ear. | | | | better you will be. |
| Avoid heavy meals and greasy food anything that is | | | | On a more positive note research shows that in |
| hard to digest, stick to light snacks like ginger biscuits | | | | rough weather only 3% of all cruise passengers |
| and crackers. Drink soda water with Angostura | | | | experience any symptoms of sea sickness, although |
| bitters, also a great cure for a hangover. Try herbal | | | | women and children seem to be more prone to this |
| teas such as ginger or fennel, and try to avoid dairy | | | | unfortunate malady. |
| products. Using a couple of drops of lavender on a | | | | So if you think that sea sickness may affect you |
| hankie has great anti nausea properties and also has | | | | don't leave it to chance, be prepared. Get |
| a calming effect. | | | | medication from your doctor before you sail, and |
| For prescribed medicines always try to take a non | | | | avoid crossings when the weather can be unsettled. |
| drowsy medication unless you feel that sleeping | | | | Sea Sickness is not always preventable but its |
| would help you. Both Banadryl and Dramamine treat | | | | symptoms can be lessened, leaving you to enjoy |
| the symptoms of sea sickness but to be most | | | | your cruise holiday. |