Seasickness - What do you do to combat it?

[madaroch]

If anybody is new to sailing what pointers would you give them. Have you ever been seasick, and if so what did you do to help. To you have a regime you follow, or do you never have a problem.

I personally wear my seabands for the first couple of days and then I take the Seasick pills they give out onboard, they are way better than Gravol and way more effective. Once I'm sure I have my sea legs I get rid of the bands but I keep taking the tabs. It also provides for a great nights rest.

[mhshapiro]

I have only had a problem with seasickness twice although a couple more times I took a bonine tablet when the seas were very rough as a precaution. I found that bonine works pretty well for me, and that it helps to keep something bland in your stomach (plain crackers work well, and so does oatmeal).

I've never had to take bonine for more than 48 hours, but some folks are more sensitive to motion.

[Little Feet]

I take a bonine every 24 hours and then I never get seasick.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

One word. Bonine!!!! I took it daily and swear by it. We had some rocking and rolling and I felt fine. I can guarantee with out it I would be extremely sick.

[michmike]

I've found it helpful to keep rum and fruit juice in my stomach. And the more you have, the more effective it is. *S* No problems at all 10 days ago on Volendam despite pretty rough seas.

[CaptData]

I take bonime every night but i also use ginger on rough seas.

[peaches from georgia]

One Bonine every night at bedtime beginning one or 2 days before a cruise, 2 if seas are rough.

You have to take Bonine before you become seasick, so it is better to be safe than sorry. I used to get terribly seasick every cruise; never one problem since I started Bonine regimen. :D

[elmorejj]

I always take ginger capsules, starting a couple of days before the cruise. No side effects, and no problems mixing with other meds. I don`t know if I would be sick without them, just don`t want to take the chance.....jean :cool:

[gizmo]

Whenever I see seasick questions come up, I have often wondered why there are so many recommendations for Bonine. Is there a problem with Dramamine?

[beach walker]

I actually asked the pharmacist about what I could take with my medications and ironically, Dramaine. The Ginger (although natural) actually did not get along with my medications and could have caused me big problems.

[jhannah]

Dramamine often makes prople drowsy. Bonine (generic is meclezine) usually doesn't cause this. It doesn't for me, at least.

[Little Feet]

I find that Bonine does not make me a drowsy as Dramamine....in answer to the question why Bonine is preferred.

[scopewest]

Bonine. Once every 24 hours (and I take it the morning I fly out to catch the ship, so my schedule is every morning) and I have no problems. Once while sailing out of Miami the ship rocked so much my husband (who doesn't suffer from seasickness) refused dessert because he felt slightly queasy. I ordered and ate two! That's how well Bonine works.

[RuthC]

My first several cruises I took Bonine faithfully, and found it worked very well. I also learned that when I kept occupied, outdoors in fresh air, looked off to a more stable horizon it also helped.

The absolute best way to combat seasickness, though, I have found is more cruises! Yes. :D The more you cruise the more you get used to the movement of the sea. I rarely feel the motion of the ocean anymore, and actually miss that.

[luvtocruise52]

Last cruise I used ginger, Bonine,and seabands (the cheap ones from the drug store) the first couple days and was OK after that. For those who prefer Dramamine, there is a non-drowsy fomula available.

[HeatherInFlorida]

I swear by the Sea Bands. This last cruise with 18' seas, I did take a Bonine one night at bedtime because I was slightly queasy. Went to sleep and was fine in the a.m. and the seas were still 18'. Wore the sea bands until the seas calmed down, but didn't need any more Bonine.

In the end, I firmly believe that what will work is what you believe will work.

[Himself]

I calm the Seas.

[dsg560]

I just got back from my first cruise.. I used the daytime dramamine which didn't make me drowsey. I think its the same ingredients that are in Bonine. I would suggest taking it one day before you board 24 hours before..then one the day you board..and then while you are on the ship..every 24 hours. I felt GREAT!!!! Hubby who NEVER gets seasick..got a little queesy one rough night. I gave him the daytime dramamine and he was great by the next day.
Next time, Ill start it 24 hours before.

It made cruising just PERFECT!!!!!!

[Candlemaker]

Our doctor swore by the seasick patches. Apply them when you start feeling sick and in 1/2 hour you're fine. They worked like a charm.

[grammymurray]

Go to the health food store and get a bottle of ginger capsules...start taking them the day before you go, take one every few hours, and no sea sickness! guarantee! it works!

[bkreader]

Are bonine & dramamine both prescription only? My first cruise my doctor prescribed the "patch" and it made me too sleepy. Dramamine knocks me out completely, but I would be interested in the non-drowsy kind if it really works.

- Jane

[mattR]

What do they hand out at the pursers desk during rough seas? Only felt sick once before work up at about 4am due to rough seas felt wozzy but felt fine when I woke up later in the morning.

[Esme]

What do they hand out at the pursers desk during rough seas? Only felt sick once before work up at about 4am due to rough seas felt wozzy but felt fine when I woke up later in the morning.


Matt - they give out Meclizine which is the same as Bonamine. Shopper's carries Bonamine (same as the US Bonine) so you may want to get a package before you go. I always buy a small box that states "one every 24 hours" and I find this works well. Never makes me sleepy. Actually I start taking it 48 hours before I board the ship and then take it only when I need it.

[sheephugs]

I've never suffered from it but for a folksy remedy my grandmother-in-law, who use to travel from Brazil to England several times a year (way before stabilizers!) swore by a piece of white, medical tape across the bellybutton.

[mickysminnie]

Hello All,


I just got back from the November 20th-30th sailing on the Maasdam out of Norfolk, VA and for the last 3 days of the cruise (when we were in the atlantic) I lived off dramamine. Took about 3 a day and it helped a lot, but made me very sleepy. Also, try to stay out of the cabin as much as possible, seemed to make things worse. Being on the Lido deck was the best for me. (don't know if it was being able to see the rocking and not just feel it) I know this is probably basic info, but hope it helps.

[PaulaJK]

If you are a first time sailor,

1. Forget about getting 'sea sick' until proven otherwise.
2. Stay active, engaged w. others
3. Remain OUT of your cabin,where all rocking & pitching
seems worse.
4.Get some fresh air.

If all this fails, try the bands or OTC meds....
If these fail, ask your doctor about a transderm patch.

[damdamsels]

Does anyone know if you can still have a drink if you are taking bonine? What is a cruise without at least a drink once and a while?? Also if you start taking the bonine and ginger tablets 48 hours before you cruise do you continue taking them during the cruise every day or only when you start to feel sick. Also is it OK to take bonine if you have the patches or should just the patches be OK. Should you put the patch on before you start to cruise? Sorry for so many questions but am starting to get worried about a couple of our group.

[MnFrozen2]

Where can you get Bonine?

Is Bonine the brand name or is it the name of the drug?

[damdamsels]

I purchased it at Walgreens. It is with the dramamine.

[Oceanwench]

Back in the early '90s I took my kids on the "Big Red Boat" and I was very, very seasick both trips. I'm not sure what I took -- it was a prescription from their pediatrician! -- but it knocked me out the first night at sea!

In more recent times, I have had no problem at all ... I have used the wristbands exclusively. I keep them on for the first 24 hours or so, then I am fine! Even in high seas, I haven't been ill. They work like a charm!

[RDWills]

BKReader: Both Bonine and Dramamine are over the counter. There may be prescription strengh doses too, but you can get them at most drugstores, online drug stores, and Fort Lauderdale & Tampa stores.

I feel lucky, I've never felt sick, but do get headaches from rough seas, I either nap or take a couple Advil (or both).

-Robin

[jcrandle]

Actually, there is only one SURE cure for seasickness. Just surround yourself with 60 foot tall trees for three or four days.

[peaches from georgia]

Where can you get Bonine?

Is Bonine the brand name or is it the name of the drug?
Bonine is the brand name for the drug Meclazine, which is what docs prescribe for motion sickness and vertigo. A prescription is no longer needed and it is available OTC as Bonine.

[lidorose]

I always take a Dramamine the night before any trip (cruising or flying). If you take it the night before, it will allow to you sleep off the worst effects (even non-drowsy can make you somewhat drowsy). It will work for 24 hours, which should cover the first part of the journey. When crusing, we also take ginger along for preventive purposes and get meclazine at the front desk for rough seas. A brisk walk on deck can really help, too.