If you even think you might get seasick on a cruise, forget about treating the problem and concentrate on avoiding the problem. Be proactive. There are obvious things you can do and choices you can make before you even set foot on that ship that will protect your hard- earned vacation and ensure you have a great time without having to worry about feeling miserable.

The first thing to do is to choose your itinerary very carefully. Be aware of the direction of your ship and the seas. In the Caribbean in spring, for example, when your ship is heading east into the waves is when you will be most affected by the motion of the ocean. Try to make this a short leg of your trip. When the ship turns west, most of that motion should abate and you should enjoy what is known as "following" seas, where the waves are coming from behind the ship and pushing the ship along. This motion is nowhere near as bothersome to someone prone to seasickness. Likewise, waves hitting the side of the ship tend to not cause much motion so when the ship is headed south the motion is not a problem to most people. Check a map for wave direction in other locations to see which way the waves will be hitting your cruise ship and plan accordingly.

Similarly, if you are cruising out of the northeast United States in the middle of winter, heading to the Caribbean, you can expect some rough weather in the Atlantic. You might be better off flying to Florida and catching a cruise ship there rather than subjecting yourself to days on end of rough seas if it could make you sick. Remember that you also have to return to port, so coming home seasick is not a good way to end a vacation.

Another proactive step to take before your cruise is to select the correct cabin or stateroom. If you choose one in the middle of the ship on a lower level, there will be much less motion than if you are on an upper deck either forward (in the front of the ship) or aft (in the back of the ship). If you are feeling nauseous while onboard, then seek out an area midship, lower level. Coincidentally, this is generally where the casinos are located. Surely that is a cleverly designed solution to the problem since bracing yourself against a roulette table with a cola in hand seems to be a good way to make the time pass if you are feeling poorly and waiting for rough seas to smooth out. Being in the Crow's Nest bar is not a good idea.

While all the cruise ships have motion stabilizers and are truly very smooth, these issues do arise. You can still cruise and enjoy yourself without worry if you are aware of the problem and address the issue beforehand. The other much touted solutions (ginger, relaxation, rest, Dramamine, etc.) are also highly recommended, but avoiding the problem is always better than treating the problem.

Learn more about this author, Susan Mcdaniel.
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