I have always been afraid of cruising-afraid of seasickness ruining the trip or the ship getting rolled over. (too many viewings of Posidon Adventure during my formative years) Anyway, I joined DVC and am considering a 3 night cruise to the Bahamas in 2007.
Any former chickens out there willing to share an experience or advice?

Me. Our children were young and I was dead set against it. I get motion sick at the drop of a hat. I went reluctantly, as it was a gift from my MIL and we were going to spend the holiday onboard as a family.

Sure enough, the week before we sailed, I had a HORRIBLE sinus infection. I felt like I was cruising before my feet hit the gang plank. There was a storm at sea, and the seas were up around 15 ft swells. Even my MIL who cruises a lot said it was really rough. I never made it to dinner that night.

Around midnight, I was pretty sick. I called out to my husband, but that's like waking the dead. Our cabin steward heard me, and keyed himself into the room. I couldn't even lift my head to let him in. He brought me some Sea Calm (bonine, forget the chemical name), took care of me, cleaned up the cabin, and left. Husband never woke up. :rolleyes:

I was fine after that, even enjoying myself, but I knew when 3 hours went by as I started getting the queezies. Our steward was amazing; constantly having ice chips and making sure I was snacking on something. Apples worked great with me, I found, in addition to the sea calm. He was an amazing person, I'm glad we got to know him.

Tips, keep hydrated, and eat lots of small meals throughout the day. Try a variety of resources before you sail, and bring a variety of resources with you. I've never known a person to sail who didn't come up with a remedy that worked for them, however, I'm sure there is someone out there.

A 3-night cruise is a tease, but it's a great way to figure out if cruising is for you. I've never not had a Guest come back from a 3 or 4 nighter saying they will never do THAT again! LOL!

As for a ship flip, I think you have a much greater likelihood of a car accident. NOT that I urge you to have one, now! LOL!

Hahaha when I saw the thread title I was trying ot figure out why a tuna company would sponsor a cruise.

We did the 7-night Disney Magic cruise, and the only time it was kind of rockin' was when we did the passage out of Florida the first night.

My suggestion is that you consider getting a room in a lower level (I think ours was on the third deck) but made sure you have a porthole out of which you can look out.

You can get a prescription for a seasickness patch (Transdermscop, or "scope") as well. We had an awesome time!

Generally speaking, the gentle rocking of the ship is not all that bad. However, if the seas are rough, the rocking tends to be a little more pronounced but not "faster". If anything, it rocks me to sleep at night.

Most get used to it rather easily, but I carry draminimine (sp?) on me just in case.

I got 3 words for ya...Sea Bands!

Summarized story...

My DW and I were both in the Army. On flights (military ones)...no one and I mean no one wanted a seat anywhere near her. As her hubby, I usually had the joy of the next seat.

She then disclovered Sea Bands. Unlike the "drammy" stuff or other chemical aids for motion sickness, the Sea bands use pressure points on the wrist. I know that it sounds hokey but they really really work! You can wear them for the entire vacation and they do not cause drowsiness or that medicine head feeling.

4 cruises later and yes many storms, (for some reason we love to go during peak hurricane season)...no motion sickness ever.

We have also given these out to fellow crusiees when they were suffering to see them recover within an hour or so.

If you become accustomed to them a day or so before your cruise, they work even better!

Denny J,

Thanks for the suggestions! I don't normally get motion sick-unless I ride a spinning ride like the Tea Cups and even then it's just a feeling I don't like-I've never actually gotten sick. I do all the coasters-even the upside down, corkscrew variety. Thing is, coasters are about 2 minutes long-this thing lasts 4 days. We were considering a May cruise-before the hurricane season starts.

Hahaha when I saw the thread title I was trying ot figure out why a tuna company would sponsor a cruise.

As did I :)

Don't think Titanic or Posideon -- think LOVE BOAT :) The seas were pretty calm when we went. Get a cabin midship -- the lower down you go, the less rocky it is -- you'll feel any movements more when you are in the Walt Disney Theater because of its position on the ship.

Like Mickeymac said -- start small and build to longer ones.
And don't worry -- A LOT of people on the ships wear those seapatches or bracelets.

OOOOOH!!! Love Boat!! PERFECT analogy!

And May is a wwwuuunnnerful time to cruise! Right before the kidlets hit for the summer vacations, and after the college students go back. Not that it's a party time, but there is a lull in the activity around then. Book early - you can always cancel before final payment is due!

Sea bands work great, but not for everyone (like me :( ). I'm a firm believer in bringing every possible option, from ginger on up, and trying to see how it works with your body.

For most people, nausea isn't a main concern. It's pysching yourself out that is. Book it and plan, and you've got the first step in hand. :D

I thought you were going to say the tuna company was starting a cruise. And I was going to say that would be so white trash :|

Where do you buy those pressure point wrist bands? They sound great.