Pick the right room. Book your cabin in the front or middle of the ship, on the upper deck if possible, to have easy access to fresh air. Avoid rooms toward the back or in the bottom of the ship that are far from exits or exterior air sources.
Take preventive over-the-counter motion sickness medications. Antihistamines and anti-motion sickness pills significantly reduce symptoms such as nausea and headaches and can be purchased at your local pharmacy. These products usually cause drowsiness and should not be taken when driving.
Try ginger extract caplets to combat nausea. Ginger is well known for its anti-nausea properties, and ginger ale can certainly help an upset stomach. Ginger caplets, which are available at most health food stores, provide a concentrated source of ginger. Take ginger caplets three to four hours before getting on the ship and once a day throughout your trip.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol causes dehydration, which increases symptoms of sea sickness such headaches, nausea and vomiting. Drink plenty of water instead of alcoholic drinks from the moment you board the ship to reduce your chances of getting seasick.
See your doctor about a prescribed medication if symptoms are serious. If you know you are prone to seasickness or are leaving on a long cruise vacation, your doctor can prescribe Pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) or doxylamine succinate (an antihistamine) to help stop symptoms of seasickness before they start. Most of these medications include drowsiness as a common side effect.
Eat small meals and stay away from greasy food. Overeating or eating heavy and spicy foods intensifies symptoms of seasickness such as nausea and vomiting. Try to eat neutral foods that will be gentle on your stomach, such as soup or crackers.
