preventing seasickness- norwalk virus

[bellarosa]

Hello , we are from Canada and not sure what to purchase to prevent seasickness. We have heard of the norwalk virus is this common on the noordam europe??. This is our first cruise our stateroom is on the rotterdam deck inside we want to know what to do for pre-cautions.


:eek::eek:

[Boytjie]

Hello , we are from Canada and not sure what to purchase to prevent seasickness. We have heard of the norwalk virus is this common on the noordam europe??. This is our first cruise our stateroom is on the rotterdam deck inside we want to know what to do for pre-cautions.


:eek::eek:

Noro virus travels with people, not ships. :) You can get it anywhere (and more often on land than on a ship).

[RoupMom]

Welcome to cruising, Bellarosa! There are several ways to avoid or lessen sea-sickness. We have found the acupuncture-type wristbands to be very effective for us. Put them on before you feel queasy and keep them on as needed. They are quite tight, and it does feel good to take them off, so we've only used them when it seems the seas will be a little rough. The ship also has patches available (meclazine I believe) that many people find helpful. Also, if you are subject to seasickness, try not to spend too much time on the upper decks, as you feel it more there. And don't do as one young man I saw, and hang over the edge looking at the water in an attempt to get fresh air! We didn't have any trouble with seasickness in the Mediterranean, and only a little in Alaska, none in New Zealand, either. It really varies by individual and the weather.
As for norovirus, it is present many places and spreads like the dickens once there! It causes about 24 hours or so of vicious gastro-intestinal problems that makes people miserable. Unfortunately, the virus can survive on surfaces for some time, so anywhere that there are crowds of people, it can spread. The best precaution is good handwashing. You will find hand-sanitizer dispensers nearly everywhere on the ships these days, and staff members around to encourage its use before meals, etc. Do use it faithfully. Many ships have eliminated the use of trays to minimize the spread, and they are fully aware of needing to keep things sanitized, because it's pretty bad press to have over 1000 people miserable on their holiday!
Taking these reasonable precautions should help a lot! Enjoy your cruise.

[lazey1]

Hi Bellarosa
You are asking about two completely different conditions. Seasickness is actually motion sickness usually caused by an inner ear imbalance which could be a birth defect or an ear infection. Frequently children have it then outgrow it. I am one of the unfortunate people who did not outgrow it. If you have a tendence to motion sickness take along an otc medication such as Bonine or Dramamine. Take the medicine at the first sign of nausea, lightheadedness or dizzyness.

RoupMom has given you a good explanation of Norovirus. Frequent hand washing and good hygene is about all you can do to prevent this. The same thing you would do anywhere to prevent the flu.

[fann1sh]

Hello again, BellaRosa! Didn't know you were a fellow Canadian.

Gravol is available at almost any drug store, over the counter, and it's the most popular Canadian remedy for seasickness and all nausea. Active ingredient: dimenhydrinate To work best, you should start using it before you get aboard ship.

Not everyone can or wants to use a drug like Gravol. It can make you sleepy, and doesn't mix well with alcohol.

The "acupuncture type wristbands" are called Sea Bands (other brands are variation on that name) and have a plastic button which pushes down on your wrist pulse point. They don't work for everyone, but they do for some. Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharma Plus both have versions.

Powdered ginger capsules or tablets can help by reducing stomach acid. I like ginger, so this is my favourite remedy! You can find ginger teas in most bulk food stores. Candied ginger is pleasant to nibble on, if you like the taste. However, many people don't, and some find it hard to eat anything when seasickness hits. Ginger tablets and capsules are easier to get down. Sadly, they're much more expensive in Canada than they are in the U.S. I paid over $20 for just a few President's Choice Organics ginger tablets. Huge jars go for around $8 in the U.S! Again, check your local pharmacy.

Noro virus symptoms are much like the flu'. Besides washing your hands, also try not to remember to touch your face. Amazing how many times we do it, without even thinking!

P.S. - I faithfully bring all 3 types of seasick remedies I mentioned with me on every single cruise. Never use them. I figure they give me the same kind of protection bringing an umbrella gives against rain! Seriously, very few people get seasick these days. If it happens, there is free sea sick medication for the asking at the front desk or in sick bay. In extreme cases, the ship's doctor can give a powerful injection that settles things fast, but you must pay for the doctor's visit+injection. By the way - get out of country medical coverage, because your provincial health care won't cover on ship or in port medical expenses.

[Krazy Kruizers]

You can also get the seasickness pills from the front office or theinfirmery if you do not wish to take your own. It is free.

Fortunately neither of us have ever been bothered by seasickness. And we have been in some pretty rough seas.

As for the Noro -- I always have a small bottle of it in our backpack for when we go ashore. I also keep a bottle in the bathroom.

We have been on several ships when they were in Code Red -- just try not to touch surfaces of anything as much as possible -- use your elbow to push the buttons for the elevator. Use those hand sanitizers all over the ship. And when you wash your hands -- sing Happy Birthday -- twice!!

On the majority of the cruises that we have been on where there was the Noro -- it was brought on from passengers who had done land tours before getting on the ship -- especially those who do land tours before doing a cruise in Alaska. And the same thing can happen in Europe as many people will go over a few days early to tour around.

[DizzyDallasDi]

As for the Noro -- I always have a small bottle of it in our backpack for when we go ashore. I also keep a bottle in the bathroom.

:eek:

Okay, I know what you meant to write but this just struck my funny bone. :p:D

[savannahgirl1]

I take one Bonine tablet the day before we board, (to get it into my system) and then 1 every 24 hours. If the sea is heavy and I start feeling queasy, I take another tablet. They don't make me sleepy and have no trouble having a drink or two with them. As for Noro, just make sure you keep your hands clean and use hand sanitizer often. You'll be fine.

[bookwoman2]

Try to avoid the public bathrooms on board. Just go back to your cabin and use your own facilities.
I always bring a travel packet of disinfectant wipes and as soon as we get to our cabin we wipe. Get the door nobs, remote control, phone just any surface you would grab with your hands.

I just feel like those cabin stewards don't have the time, between one person leaving and another boarding a few hours later, to really clean a room completely. Not their fault.

Call me paranoid but I've paid too much to be miserable from germs someone else left behind.

[mechcc]

:eek:

Okay, I know what you meant to write but this just struck my funny bone. :p:D

Mine too.:D:D:D

Do want to add that if you are sick with a gastro thing, please do not mingle with other passengers. It should reported, but knowing about the 2-3 day confinement to cabin leads lots of people to not reporting sickness. But going out and about just spreads that nasty bug.

[Oslo Dutch]

I am one of the unfortunate people who did not outgrow it. If you have a tendence to motion sickness take along an otc medication such as Bonine or Dramamine. Take the medicine at the first sign of nausea, lightheadedness or dizzyness.


Sorry for correcting this. It's far too late taking it when you start feeling nauseated etc. You should take it at least one hour before you hit the seas. I tend to use Bonine which works very well for me.
What I have learned as a crew member is to set your alarm one hour before you get up. Take a pill and go back to sleep. You should be fine for the rest of the day. If the weather is really bad, take a second one in the afternoon to be sure. And a good brandy does do wonders :-)

Seasickness is above all a mental issue. Stop thinking about it and put your mind on something else (if possible)

As far as the Norovirus I never use the public bathrooms, only my own, wash and disinfect your hands at regular times. And I avoid the Lido buffet and only try to eat in the Dining Room. I was once on the QE2 with a code red and you just had to very careful.

[2ptu/000]

I brought a small travel packet of wipes and wiped down our room when we arrived. Took me 5 mins at the most. Did the bathroom really well. Wash your hands when you go into your room every time. Those elevator buttons and handrails must be dirty.

[IRL_Joanie]

Another hint, one that I use besides the Sea Bands is to look out at the horizon. For some reason, looking at the horizon (or straight ahead whe out to sea) seems to lessen any nausea. This hint came from an old sea faring man I met on a Car Ferry between Oostende Belgium and Dover England. Worked beautifully for me.

Joanie

[bbwex]

Well, much has been said, but let me try to put everything necessary in one place.

Seasickness and/or motion sickness is not necessarily a developmental problem or simply a mental problem (though we can make it a mental problem if we worry enough). Seasickness (we shall use that term since we are talking about sailing) is generally caused by a conflict in the brain generated by conflicting signals from the eyes and (inner) ears. If the eye is telling the brain you are not moving, and the inner ears are saying you are indeed moving, the resultant conflict causes some people to get seasick. Trust me, the most seasoned veteran, the guy who has sailed small boats and big ships for years, can be susceptible at times, particularly if in an enclosed, warm space.

Without getting into the medication yet, if you feel you may take extra time getting your sea legs, then go someplace where you can see the horizon (stars at night work too), and preferably get some fresh air at the same time -- keeping cool helps. This is generally out on deck somewhere, but it could be inside near a window or porthole. Verandahs can be great for this! If you have to go inside (bathroom, etc.) make the time inside as short as possible, and get back out on deck, etc. Secondly, eat. I know this sounds counter-intuitive, but you should eat normal meals. I wouldn't eat greasy foods, nor would I overeat, but eat your normal meals. Having food in your stomach actually helps.

Almost everyone gets their sea legs in a day or two at the most.

As for your location on the ship, being in the midships area (half between the bow (pointy end) and stern minimizes pitching -- where the bow and stern go up and down. Being lower and in the center minimizes roll (side-to-side motion), but note that being in the center from side-to-side would put you in an inside location, and that violates the most important rule of being able to see the motion. Besides, where the actual center of motion for a particular ship is located is fairly complex, particularly with today's very high ships. It is far more important to be able to see the motion, and depending on your cabin, that may be more or less of a problem.

Now let's talk about medications, etc. Ginger has been mentioned already, and is proven to minimize motion illness. Again, there are pills, candies, cookies, and ginger ale. Find whatever you like and take it before and during the cruise. Standard OTC medications such as Dramamine and Bonine help many people, but again, they need to be started before the motion starts. Some people swear by the SeaBand wrist bands that apply pressure to an accupressure point, and like all alternative things, some people don't notice any difference. Lastly there are the scopolamine patches. These are very strong medicine, and usually work when nothing else works. That's the good news. Now the bad news, there are side effects -- dry mouth primarily is a minor side effect. As a much less frequent, but much more major side effect, some people experience hallucinations! Not a really good thing when standing next to the rail on a moving ship! If you are considering using the patch, get your prescription early, and try it for a week at home on dry land.

As I said, most people get their sea legs within less than a day, two days at the most. If you don't get car sick, you are not too likely to get seasick, though there is the mental "fear" element at play too. Relax, the motion is rarely very extreme, and will gently rock you to sleep!

[AECrowell]

I like the Relief Band. It looks like a wrist-watch and delivers a battery-operated pulse to an accupuncture point on your wrist. It's not unpleasant - in fact, I find the pulse reassuring that I won't be feeling nausea! You can adjust the strength of the pulse. I don't have much faith in the simpler wristbands with just the buttons; they don't seem to work for me, but the electronic ones do. No side-effects like drowsiness or interaction with alcohol. I bought mine online in 2005 for about $70; I've noticed they've gone up in price recently. They should be available at travel stores and online.

I've also found Bonine to work. On a recent cruise on a smaller ship that seemed to toss and turn, I used Bonine in addition to the Relief Band and was fine.

[gofigure49]

Ditto on the Relief Band. I don't leave home without it. I bought it a few years ago and it works like a charm. It's a pricey option (last time I looked they were about $119 and only available on-line) but well worth it. If you purchase one, I'd suggest getting a few extra tubes of the conducting gel as it doesn't seem to be available in any retail pharmacies. I also see that the band is available in white now as well as black. It's a non-medicinal option and I've read cancer patients undergoing chemo use the Relief Band to combat nausea associated with treatment. Combine it with a ginger capsule morning and night and you'll be fine.

[fayruz]

I brought a small travel packet of wipes and wiped down our room when we arrived. Took me 5 mins at the most. Did the bathroom really well.
I always take a bottle of Lysoform on board, end up in the naughty room as any rhum smuggler, and then set free to sterilize my bathroom.
Daily.
Never had any problems even in Egypt or on Nile cruises.
:)
soap, plenty of it, helps a lot.