What Is Seasickness? Helpful Seasickness Remedies To Use While On A Cruise

If you’ve ever boarded a boat or cruise ship and felt dizzy, nauseated, or just “off,” you may have experienced seasickness. It’s more common than you think—and thankfully, it’s manageable with seasickness remedies once you understand what it is and how to prevent it.

If you’re prone to seasickness, understanding what causes it—and knowing a few effective remedies—can make a world of difference on your first or next cruise.

You might be surprised by how many natural and practical solutions are available to help you feel your best while enjoying life at sea.

What Is Seasickness?

Seasickness is a motion sickness caused by the mismatch between what your eyes see and what your inner ear (your balance center) feels when you’re moving on the water. Your body is used to being on solid ground, and when it senses motion but doesn’t see it (or vice versa), it can throw your equilibrium out of whack. The result? Nausea, dizziness, sweating, fatigue, and even vomiting.

Why Does Seasickness Happen?

Seasickness happens when there’s a mismatch between what your eyes see and your inner ear (responsible for balance) senses. Your brain receives conflicting signals, leading to confusion and triggering motion sickness symptoms.

Seasickness Happens When:

Inner Ear: The vestibular system, located in your inner ear, helps you maintain balance. When you’re on a boat, your inner ear senses the movement of the waves, such as rolling or swaying.

Eyes: Your eyes might not see much movement on the boat, especially if you’re inside a cabin or facing toward a stationary object. This visual information doesn’t match the motion your inner ear is detecting.

Brain: When the brain receives conflicting messages—motion from your inner ear but little or no motion from your eyes—it becomes confused. This confusion triggers symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and vomiting as the body tries to resolve the mismatch.

Knowing why seasickness happens can help you better understand how to prevent or manage it during your trip!

Symptoms of Seasickness

Once you know the symptoms of seasickness, it will be easier to care for yourself quickly and enjoy your cruise. If you have experienced it before or believe you are prone to it, there are things you can do before feeling seasick and things you can do once you start feeling seasick to try to recover quickly and enjoy your trip.

Common Symptoms of Seasickness:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cold sweats
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• A general feeling of unease or “blah”
• Off balance, swaying feeling

Who is Most Affected?

Some boat experiences have been harder for me than others. It’s a mystery to me why sometimes I feel fine, and sometimes I feel like I am going to fall over. I have learned that there are some people, or situations, that make us more prone to seasickness than others. They include:

• Genetics: Some people are more sensitive to motion.
• Age: Children and older adults could be more prone to seasickness.
• Hormonal Changes: Women may experience more seasickness.
• Migraines: Those who suffer from migraines are more prone to motion sickness.
• Fatigue or Dehydration: Being tired or not hydrated can make it harder for the body to adjust.

How to Prevent or Manage Seasickness

The good news? There are several ways to reduce or avoid seasickness:

1. Choose Your Cabin Wisely – If you’re on a cruise, pick a mid-ship, lower-deck cabin—this area moves the least.

2. Look at the Horizon – Keep your eyes on something stable, like the horizon, to help your brain sync with your body’s motion.

3. Get Fresh Air – Go to the open deck and breathe deeply. Fresh air can help ease symptoms.

4. Avoid Heavy Meals, Alcohol, and Strong Odors – Eat light before and during your trip, avoid greasy or spicy foods, and limit alcohol.

5. Use Motion Sickness Remedies – There are several options:

• Over-the-counter medications like Dramamine or Bonine
• Prescription patches (like scopolamine behind the ear)
• Natural remedies like ginger capsules or wristbands that apply pressure to acupressure points

6. Stay Hydrated and Rested—Dehydration and fatigue can worsen symptoms, so drink water and get plenty of rest.

Seasickness can happen:

• On small boats or large cruise ships
• In rough waters
• When you’re inside without a view of the horizon
• If you’re tired, dehydrated, or have had too much alcohol
• Even experienced travelers can get seasickness unexpectedly, especially during stormy or choppy seas.

Natural Remedies for Seasickness

Some prefer prescription remedies, but there are lots of natural remedies for seasickness, which is what I prefer.

Ginger Remedies

Ginger is one of the most well-known natural remedies for motion sickness. It can help reduce nausea and calm the stomach. Ginger chews ginger tea, ginger capsules, even ginger ale (with real ginger) can help. You can bring everything on board except for the ginger ale, you can ask onboard if they have some.

Acupressure Wristbands

Motion sickness bands, most popular brand being Sea-Bands, can be worn before you go onboard. I do this on my first day, and on my most recent trip seemed fine after the first day.

Peppermint Remedies

Peppermint can help relieve seasickness by calming the stomach and reducing nausea. Its active ingredient, menthol, soothes the digestive tract and relaxes stomach muscles, making it easier to handle the ship’s motion.

Many travelers find relief using peppermint tea, peppermint essential oil, or even peppermint candies. These are items you can get ahead of your trip.

Stay Hydrated with Lemon Water

Staying hydrated and using lemon water can make a big difference when dealing with seasickness. Lemon’s natural scent and acidity can help settle your stomach and reduce feelings of nausea.

At the same time, drinking plenty of water helps keep your body balanced, especially if you’re feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Dehydration can worsen motion sickness, so sipping lemon water is a simple, refreshing way to stay hydrated and ease symptoms naturally.

Fresh Air and Horizon Gazing

Fresh air and gazing at the horizon help ease motion sickness. Being outside in the fresh air helps reduce the feeling of stuffiness and calms your senses, especially if you’re overheated or queasy.

Looking at the horizon gives your brain a stable visual reference point, which helps it match what your inner ear is feeling. This simple trick helps your body to get reoriented and reduce the confusion that causes motion sickness, making it one of the easiest and most effective natural remedies on board.

Light, Dry Snacks

Eating light, dry snacks like crackers, pretzels, or toast can help settle your stomach when seasick. These foods are easy to digest and can absorb excess stomach acid, which may reduce nausea.

You can find these basic foods at the buffet or ask a service person for help finding light food options. Be careful bringing food onboard because cruise lines have rules about certain things that can be carried onboard that aren’t factory sealed. Call the cruise line ahead of your trip if you have specific things you want to have handy.

Keeping a little food in your stomach, rather than going empty, can also stabilize your system and prevent that lingering, unsettled feeling from worsening. Avoid anything greasy, spicy, or heavy, as those can have the opposite effect.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy some travelers use to ease seasickness. It’s believed to help by balancing stomach acid and improving digestion, which can calm feelings of nausea.

Some people mix a small amount (about a tablespoon) with water or sip it diluted with honey and lemon. While research is limited, many find it soothing and helpful, especially when taken before or at the first signs of motion sickness.

Tips for Bringing ACV

• Check Specific Policies: Always review your cruise line’s current policies before packing.
• Consider Alternative Forms: If bringing liquid ACV is not permitted, consider ACV capsules or gummies, which are more travel-friendly and less likely to be restricted.
• Pack Properly: If permitted, ensure the ACV is packed securely in its original, sealed container to prevent leaks.

Policies can change, and exceptions may apply, so contact your cruise line directly for the most accurate information.

Bonus Tips for Natural Remedies for Seasickness

• Keep your head steady – Rest your head against a seat or use a travel pillow.
• Avoid screens – Staring at your phone or reading while moving can make symptom worse because you aren’t focusing on something steady.
• Deep breathing or calming music – This can reduce anxiety, which can also make nausea worse. Bring earbuds or headphones on your trip.

You can also ask a crew member on the ship to direct you to the ship’s doctor if you forgot for seasickness remedies at home. Years ago, on a Costa cruise ship, the ship doctor put an acupressure bead on my ear to help, and it did! Just check for additional fees if that something you want to avoid.

FAQS

Even though it can be disappointing to deal with seasickness, there are plenty of answers and solutions so you can enjoy your vacation on your much-awaited cruise!

What is the best remedy for seasickness?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If you prefer something over-the-counter, Bonine (meclizine) is effective because it causes less drowsiness than Dramamine and can be taken once a day. It is recommended that it be taken one hour before travel.

If you prefer a more natural remedy, ginger capsules and motion sickness bands are a great combo for a more natural route and work well for many people.

A popular and effective remedy is the prescription patch (Scopolamine) you wear behind your ear. Many cruisers swear by it, especially if they know they’re prone to seasickness, because it works for several days and is easy to use. I am not a doctor, so talk to yours to see if this is a good fit for you.

The best remedy is the one that works for you, so if you’re new to cruising, it’s wise to bring a couple of options just in case. That way, you’re prepared and can enjoy your time at sea feeling good and confident.

How to stop seasickness after it starts?

If seasickness begins, don’t worry—it’s not too late to turn things around. The first thing to do is get some fresh air and focus your eyes on the horizon. Fresh air and focusing on the horizon help your body recalibrate and reduce the disconnect between your senses.

Next, try to sit or lie down with your head still—sometimes, just closing your eyes can help. If you have a remedy on hand, like ginger chews, Sea-Bands, Bonine, motion sickness patch, or your prescription patch, use it. Sipping cold water or lemon water can also help settle your stomach.

Most importantly, don’t panic—symptoms usually pass once your body adjusts to the motion. Stay calm, rest, and give yourself grace. Seasickness happens, but it doesn’t have to ruin your trip.

How to recover from motion sickness fast?

Once the motion has stopped or you’re feeling better, give your body some gentle care to speed up recovery. Rest in a quiet space, sip cool water or herbal tea, and eat something light, like crackers or toast. Ginger or peppermint can still be helpful even after the nausea fades.

If you’re still feeling off balance (which can happen after a cruise, too, as I have experienced), keep your activities low-key and give your body time to re-adjust. Most people feel back to normal within a few hours, though some might need a little longer. The good news? Your next cruise will likely feel more manageable once you know how your body responds.

Can you still enjoy a cruise if you get seasick?

Absolutely! Many people prone to motion sickness still enjoy cruising—it just takes a little preparation. With the right remedies (whether it’s a patch, a natural option, or both), choosing a good cabin location, and listening to your body, you can still have a fantastic experience. The key is to be proactive, not reactive. Once you find what works for you, you’ll feel more relaxed and confident onboard.

Where should I book my cabin so I feel less motion?

If you’re worried about seasickness, choose a mid-ship cabin on a lower deck. This area experiences the least movement and is often recommended for sensitive travelers. Balcony cabins are also helpful because fresh air and a view of the horizon can make a difference.

What should I avoid eating before boarding a cruise?

Try to avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods right before boarding. A light meal with easy-to-digest foods (such as toast or crackers) is best. Also, go easy on caffeine and skip alcohol until you’ve been on board for a while. You want your stomach calm and ready, not challenged, especially on embarkation day.

Final Thoughts on Seasickness and Remedies To Use While On A Cruise

Seasickness is no fun, but it doesn’t have to ruin your trip. Knowing what it is and preparing for it can make all the difference. Knowing you are prepared may put you in a different mindset, and your brain and body will avoid seasickness. Whether you’re hopping on a sailboat, river cruise, or ocean liner, take a few simple precautions, and you’ll be ready to enjoy your time on the water confidently.

Each trip gets easier for me. My seasick routine and products help me feel prepared and confident that I will have a fantastic time and not miss out on anything. Happy cruising!