Free motion sickness meds?

[mnstahl]

I'll be sailing on my maiden Princess voyage on the Caribbean Princess and would like to know if free pills or patches are available.

If so, how does one procure such a thing?

[Pam in CA]

I'll be sailing on my maiden Princess voyage on the Caribbean Princess and would like to know if free pills or patches are available.

If so, how does one procure such a thing?

You can get them at any pharmacy before leaving home. I doubt pharmacies give them out for free.

[mnstahl]

Actually, I was wondering if Princess gave out single dose samples, as did Carnival.

Otherwise, I'll plan to bring my own. It's nice not to have to forget one more cruise item - I should have remembered.

[Colo Cruiser]

Princess used to give them out at the pursers desk. I have not tried in quite awhile so I dont know if they still do. :)

[PescadoAmarillo]

Just for the record, I don't believe Princess gives out simple seasick medications or bandaids for free either at the purser's desk or through the cabin stewards. I know other cruise lines used to do this, but am not sure if anyone does anymore.

[Ethel5]

Princess does not give out free sea sickness meds-I know-I've tried. It has to do with the legal issue of dispensing medications without a license I think.

[FigsGrandPa]

Just for the record, I don't believe Princess gives out simple seasick medications or bandaids for free either at the purser's desk or through the cabin stewards. I know other cruise lines used to do this, but am not sure if anyone does anymore.

 

On my last cruise on RCI, dramamine was available from the Purser. However, the patches are a "by prescription only" item.

 

Rather than rely on the possibility that the Purser will/will not have them, if you're concerned about seasickness, you should purchase some medicine before you leave. Its also available in the gift shops on board if the Purser doesn'y have it.

[Coral]

Princess does not give out free sea sickness meds-I know-I've tried. It has to do with the legal issue of dispensing medications without a license I think.

 

This is what they told me also. They indicated there was a lawsuit involved and then they stopped giving the products out free.

[Kerry&LuAnn]

We had great success with ginger tablets.

[FireBadge1]

Just go to any bar on the ship and ask for a spoonful of ginger......................

They use ginger in some drinks.........works every time.

I don't need motion sickness meds, but, as long as I'm at the bar......hmmmmmm.

[Toto2Kansas]

Always take whatever you think you might need with you. Even the ships little store with OTC meds runs out of things at times. I would never depend on a ship to give me any type of meds, seasickness meds or any other type, especially for free.

Pack a small emergency kit in your luggage with all basic OTC meds. If you don't need them, you will give me the devil for having you pack them. But if you do need things like bandaides, aspirin, seasickness meds, cold meds or whatever, you will think I am one very bright person for suggesting it. LOL

[Cruisin' Chick]

I put together a zip lock bag of Claritin, Sudafed, throat lozenges, cough drops (could you tell I suffer from hay fever), Tylenol...

 

I add Ginger Altoids (Target and Cost Plus Markets have them) and candied Ginger (my local grocery store carries this). Also put in bandaids and first aid ointment.

 

You just can't count on the ship stores to have what you need (and the meds could be past their expiration date). The prices are outrageous, and what if you need something when the store is closed?

[eyern]

Ginger supposedly was the only thing they found that really worked on the tv show "Mythbusters".

[KAYEF]

Having only sailed on HAL, we took our grown "kids" on a Princess........told them they would hand out meclazine at the Front Desk. Big Mistake!! :cool: Princess does NOT do as HAL does.

They had it for sale in the shops.............like about a dollar per pill.

Quite strange that they use the "can't dispense" excuse when other lines hand it out free.

The little packets have two chewable tablets in them...........free, along with green apples, at the Front Desk. Wish Princess would do the same.

About to go on a Transatlantic on the Grand Nov. 1 and I'm taking my own meclazine.

Live and learn..............:)

[Pam in CA]

Quite strange that they use the "can't dispense" excuse when other lines hand it out free.

It probably depends on who is suing whom. Even though HAL and Princess are both owned by Carnival, they are operated independently.

[Marque]

On our April 2006 trip on the Diamond from Sydney to SF, when we asked about seasick meds at the purser's desk, we were politely referred to the shops where they were for sale. We tried at the purser's desk several times and the answer was the same each time.

[SailAways]

Most of the seasick remedies are very inexpensive, so it would just be wise to not leave home without picking up a couple - perhaps Bonine of some type, and Ginger Altoids or such for a quick fix.

We take Bonnie prior to bedtime, and it seems to work through the 24 hour period for flights (for air sickness), and cruising.

We opted for the evening dose to preclude sleepiness during the day. Perhaps it also works as a sleep-aid. I personally wouldn't know. The gentle rocking of the ship lulled us to sleep easily.

Good Luck, and Happy Cruising!:)

[lollypopj]

Where do you get ginger tablets in Canada..or is it just GINSENG?? I can get candied ginger..I may take THAt..as we are quite high on the Aloha deck..

[bdjam]

I’m not quite sure why Princess should give out the medication for free? Besides, for it to be fully effective, doesn’t it need to be taken before seasickness symptoms come on? I’ve been told it should be taken the day before getting on the ship.

[SailAways]

I’m not quite sure why Princess should give out the medication for free? Besides, for it to be fully effective, doesn’t it need to be taken before seasickness symptoms come on? I’ve been told it should be taken the day before getting on the ship.

 

True, I forgot to state this. We begin a day or two prior to leaving home, and continue a couple of days after to preclude sea leg syndrome once back on solid soil.

[rebeccalouise]

Bonine. It over the counter- it is chewable and you do not have to take it prior to sailing for it to be effective. There are no side effects and you will not be quesy after ten minutes. Works like a charm. They sell it on some of the cruise ships but I would take some with you.

[Plant]

Where do you get ginger tablets in Canada..or is it just GINSENG?? I can get candied ginger..I may take THAt..as we are quite high on the Aloha deck..

 

You can find ginger capsules in the vitamin section of your pharmacy, or Wal-Mart or Kmart. Ginseng is a different thing.

 

Unless you're prone to car sickness or air sickness, you probably won't need anything :) !

[Porkys2]

Bonine. It over the counter- it is chewable and you do not have to take it prior to sailing for it to be effective. There are no side effects and you will not be quesy after ten minutes. Works like a charm. They sell it on some of the cruise ships but I would take some with you.

 

Even though the Bonine I brought along on my recent cruise was chewable and "cherry flavored" it was still really bitter and nasty. If you've never taken it before, consider yourself warned. Be sure to have some water nearby to wash it down. That being said, it worked like a charm.

[SailAways]

Even though the Bonine I brought along on my recent cruise was chewable and "cherry flavored" it was still really bitter and nasty. If you've never taken it before, consider yourself warned. Be sure to have some water nearby to wash it down. That being said, it worked like a charm.

 

The type we chose is a very small pink pill - easy to swallow, no after taste at all. Very inexpensive at any drug store, Costco, or even places like Wal-Mart.

[LARGIN]

Use Meclizine HCL which is generic Bonine.... You can get it in small pill form or chewable tablets... IMO, It is better than Dramamine.

See below..

 

Dramamine Original

 

Average cost: $4 for 12 pills

Active ingredient: 50mg Dimenhydrinate

Drug class: Antihistamine

 

Uses:

Reduces allergic symptoms such as hay fever, hives, rash or itching;

Prevents motion sickness, nausea, vomiting;

Relieves symptoms associated with the common cold;

Induces sleep.

 

What the drug does:

 

Blocks action of histamine after an allergic response triggers histamine release in sensitive cells. Histamines cause itching, sneezing, runny nose and eyes and other symptoms.

 

Appears to work in the vomiting center of the brain to control nausea and vomiting and help prevent motion sickness.

 

Skin and Sunlight: May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to the sun.

 

Dramamine Less Drowsy, Bonine and Meclizine HCL

 

Average cost:

Dramamine Less Drowsy: $4 for 8 Pills

Bonine: $7 for 16 pills

Meclizine HCL: $7 for 100 pills

 

Active Ingredient in all three: 25mg Meclizine Hydrocloride

 

Drug class: Antiemetic, antihistamine, anti-motion sickness.

 

Uses: Prevents motion sickness and treatment for Vertigo.

 

What the drug does:

 

Reduces sensitivity of nerve endings in inner ear and blocks messages to brain’s vomiting center.

 

Skin and sunlight: No problems expected.

 

As you can see, Dramamine Less Drowsy, Bonine and Meclizine HCL are identical. You are paying for the “Brand” name. Buying the generic Meclizine HCL will save you a whole bunch of money.