Booked Cruise now regretting it - advice please?

[griffy116]

Don't sit and watch the water as you dine the first night. We had early dining and it was still light outside. On our first night on our first cruise, our table was by the window. My oldest daughter was enthralled with watching the water as we dined and got a bit dizzy. A quick dose of bonine and she was fine the rest of the night and never needed anything the rest of the cruise. You'll have a wonderful time.

[Rock Chick]

I have suffered from severe motion and sea sickness since childhood and I wherever possible I avoid public transport, small boats, hovercrafts, catamarans, ferries and being a car passenger. I'm ok when I drive because I am focussed on what is in front of me. When I book land based holidays I have to check how long the coach transfer is before confirming my booking. If it's more than 40 minutes, I find another resort.

 

I was always the kid who had to ask to stop the car on long journeys because I had to get out and be ill. I'm still just as bad unfortunately.

 

I have been cruising for many years and I must admit I was worried about sea-sickness for my first cruise - a week round the Med, but I was absolutely fine. I have cruised the Caribbean several times without incident, which gave me the confidence to try a Transatlantic cruise with an aft balcony - the ultimate test! I enjoyed it so much I booked another one the following year.

 

I never tempt fate though, I always make sure I have the appropriate medications when I cruise. I purchased Meclazine as soon as I arrived in the USA, at the recommendation of CC members, but I have yet to open the packet. I always take Buccastem tablets, peppermint teabags and ginger capsules with me, but again I have not yet needed to use them.

 

Hope this helps, please try not to worry. You know the saying - it's better to regret the things you did do than those you didn't! Have a great time on your cruise.

[LS78]

Hi all,

 

This definitely helps am feeling way better! Although started reading some reviews on Azura here and somebody said it wasnt a stable ship and you could feel all sea movement! Oh no!!! :eek:

[gtlovell]

The patches etc make me sleepy so I opt for ginger pills.

 

I would be more worried about a sunburn then motion sickness! :) On our first cruise we went to the Caribbean. On the first day we went to a beach and I made sure to lather on the sun screen. I didn't want to be uncomfortable for the rest of the cruise! Well, I forgot the tops of my feet...I'll never do that again, heehee.

 

Just go and HAVE FUN!

[Houston Pegaroo]

I have difficulty with seasickness---sometimes even riding in back seat of car, watching IMAX movies, etc. When cruising, I wear the patch behind my ear - available with a prescription from your doctor. It works fabulously--each patch is good for 3 days and they are sold in boxes of 3. I have been on 4 cruises, last one in the Med. Sea on a smaller ship with a storm ---patch worked wonderfully and I never had any illness, tho many people with no patch or meds did during the storm. This patch works for my 22 yr. old daughter also. I would highly recommend it.

[cruiseman40]

[Here's a few more:

1)Whether or not I should tip the person delivering my breakfast while I'm still in bed and my Balcony door is wide open with the nice caribbean breeze blowing into my cabin.

2) Do I where flipflops, or shoes to the pool deck

3)Should I have the Lobster or Rack of Lamb or BOTH?

4)Should I leave or move my nicedly done towel animal left on my bed?

5)Do I drink this nice bottle of water today.

6)Should I walk 5 laps to complete a mile or just walk half the length of this gorgeous ship.

7)Pay cash for all things purchased or leave it on my creditcard?

8)Have someone take our pics being together or should I do it myself and have 99% rest of my pics have 1 person in it.

9)Go to the show or play in the casino

10Should I go on a cruise or just stay home and watch TV/read a book and eat the same meal almost daily! Bon Voyage my friends, says Dos Equisman...

 

 

QUOTE=operafan;25174001]

This is what I am wondering goose. I dont want to spend all my time worrying.

 

How about we find something else for you to worry about like......

 

Sleeping in and missing the wonderful breakfasts.

Not being able to decide between the Snorkel Adventure or the Submarine shore excursion.

One dessert or all of them?

What to pack, what to pack????

Dining room for lunch... or buffet.... or poolside grill?

Bottle of wine or glass? (Or bucket of beer...)

Party till the wee hours or get enough rest?

 

Anyone else want to chime in??????

[maladigiz]

Hey everyone,

 

I am new to cruising and have just booked a cruise for me and my partner for next year and am now regretting it and very nervous!

 

My mum has been and always said how amazing it is so I started looking into it. The thing is I have a phobia of being sick and am petrified! When we booked we went for Caribbean in Feb next year but a fly cruise as we knew this was the best time for weather, and have also booked a cabin mid ship.

 

However I have been researching it and it appears you can get rough seas whenever you go so I am now thinking of cancelling. I am so scared of being sick I dont want to spend the whole holiday worrying as what a waste of money that would be. I dont suffer motion sickness in planes, trains or cars but dont have much experience of boats. Ive been on a speedboat in Maldives which is fine as fast, one of the older boats which was slower and more rocking which I was still fine but cant say I enjoyed (its like a little traditional boat which a few seats on the edge) and a Hurtigruten in norway last year for 5 hours which went down the coast. Again didnt feel ill but not sure I loved it!! But these cruise ships are massive so dont compare I guess!

 

Anyway I was hoping you guys could give some advice on what the area we are going to is like and what it should be like. We are going on Azura with P&O flying out to Barbados. Our itinerary is:

 

Barbados (overnight in port) next day there

Day at Sea

Curacao

Aruba

Day at Sea

Catalina Island

Day at sea

Tortola

St Maarten

St Kitts

St Lucia

Grenada

Day at Sea

Barbados

 

It seems we dont have too many days at sea but what are the chances of it getting rough or big swells. Are we going into waters that could be rough?

 

Any advice would be appreciated or I guess we will just need to lose our deposit :-( Wish Id researched more!

 

Thanks all

 

You should try the motion sickness patch. It is available over the counter at any drug store. You place it behind your ear 12 hours before boarding the ship. I never cruise without it. I think the drug in it is scopolamine. The last cruise I went on, two of the friends with me suffer from motion sickness. They got the patch and neither one was even close to feeling sick at all during the cruise. They sell for about $17 Canadian. They come in packages of 2 and you change the patch every three days. Hope this helps. They really work. By the way, on my last cruise, every second person that I saw was wearing one.

[willersonm]

In the states you have to have a prescription. They probably last longer for different people. They use these for cancer patients. I tried leaving mine on to see how long, it made it 7 days. When I started to feel a headache coming on I changed and within 30 minutes I was fine. Everyone is different so just try, they do work well. My husband is a minister and we see people unfortuately using them often. I have terrible motion sickness and I have used them for years. It is better safe than sorry, cruising is wonderful and you will be hooked for life! :)

[laurakdy]

Well almost (had my first one to bahamas for 3 nights last year) and although it was extremely smooth, I was very sensitive to any kind of movement and I think therein lies the problem...

 

We booked a full cruise to the caribbean this year on Nov 7, for 2 weeks and while I was delighted at the time, I am getting extremely apprehensive as it gets nearer and the reason is, petrified of being sick..

I like yourself have a real phobia about it...

 

Its actually spoiling the build up for me to be honest...Noone can tell you for sure what the weather is going to be like...It can change in a matter of hours from what I hear and when we were at the beach at Cococay, it started to rain badly and we had to be tendered back in and it was very choppy and not nice for everyone...That said once back on board, you could only feel vibrations...

 

All the advice on what to do and meds etc has been fantastic from everyone though and I am so glad Ive found these boards...

 

I will keep reading with interest and hope I can start looking forward to it, instead of this impending doom...:confused:

[LS78]

Hey Laura,

 

There must be something about the name Laura ha ha! I know exactly what you mean as Im more worrying about our up coming cruise than being excited!! Its fear of the unknown as like you say you just can never tell what the waters will be like.

 

Did you feel ill on your 3 day? I guess you must of enjoyed it to be going again. Where do you cruise from in November?

 

Ive never suffered motion sickness so Ive no real reason to worry, just my irrational fear. I dont mind taking meds but dont fancy stuff with side effects or not being able to drink etc. I certainly dont want to be feeling drowsy! Do the patches make you drowsy?

[willersonm]

Patches don't make me sleepy at all. Just don't think more is better. I did that the first time, 17 years ago. Bad decision. Leave it on as long as you feel well. I did that and it worked for 7 days before I had to change. We were in the rough Pacific and I was fine. I get motion sick very easily. Don't use lotions or anything like that on your skin, it can fall off. You can take it off, lay it upright while you shower, your hair and all that. After it is dry it will restick, have done it for years. You won't get sick, maybe thirsty. That is all it does to me. I would rather drink some water than get sick. We will be gone 12 days and I will use 2. If they work for cancer patients they shoule work for you.

 

Mary

[laurakdy]

I didnt get seasick at all on the 3 day cruise, although I did wear the bands on my wrists...

 

Only on the last night did we get what I would call a small vibration which we hadnt on the previous 2 nights...There wasnt any problem with it, I was just so sensitive to any kind of moment to be honest...My partner didnt even notice it:rolleyes:

 

We are leaving from Fort Lauderdale and sailing the caribbean for 2 weeks...

 

The thing is, allthough people here have given great advice about what to take, is it a case of you wait and see or do you just take the meds as soon as or before you board...Really not sure on that one...

 

I have to take pantoprazole on a daily basis as it is for my stomach, but like you, wouldnt object as to what to take but just not sure what...

 

I know I can get cyclizine or any other kind of sickness tablet from my doc as Ive never heard of the patches...

 

I really thought after last years 3 night trip I would be well up for this but as it get nearer, well I just find there's too many things to wrroy about:confused:

 

Turbulence when flying, seasickness when sailing, norovirus or any other sickness bug that frequents cruise ships, getting on and off re tenders when its choppy...

 

Dear oh dear what do I sound like...If only my partner knew I felt like this:confused::D

[willersonm]

You are suppose to have the patch on at least 4 hours before. They use these for cancer patients and works well. It is a time release, it looks like a band aid behind your ear. You may have seen people with them on. I always take everything, sea bands, pills, and I wouldn't go without the patch. I can't go through the mountains and I sure can't ride rides. I wouldn't be at sea without them, trans derm scope!

 

Mary

[LS78]

Ahh well if you didnt get seasick on your 3 days cruise then Im sure you will be fine. They do sometimes say a lot of it is in your mind so try and think positive! My phobia is nowhere near as bad anymore and Ive decided its not running my life or stopping me from doing things. Ive never felt ill on planes, trains or the odd time Ive been on a boat so am figuring I should be fine.

 

Patches sound good especially if they are non drowsy and dont have side effects. Better to be safe than sorry as I think once it starts its hard to stop it!! What happens with patches when you want to go in the pool, or in the sea when on the port calls etc??

 

Like the others on here said to me Laura we should be worrying about what to wear, what foods to eat, what to drink, trips to go on. I bet we have a fabulous time but we wont if we keep worrying ourselves. I know its hard but try to think of all the good things. Thats what Im doing. Its costing too much to not ha ha!!

[laurakdy]

I am thinking good things as well to be honest...There's been some great posts on here also with great advice...

 

My partner is also a very positive person as well and keeps me going...

 

Now all I need to do now is book a hotel in fort lauderdale for the night before the cruise and we're go to go:D

 

There's loads to choose, any recommendations ?

[FoghornLeghorn]

Hope you're not having any regrets now.

 

Periodically I would get a little queezy while driving on winding roads etc.

So, I worried a little about my first cruise.

NO WORRIES! The ships are huge and have the stabilizers and I couldn't feel any movement on my first cruise...and we went during hurricane season.

 

My regret would be missing out on a wonderful cruise, because I maybe-could-possibly-slight chance-maybe get a little nauseated.

 

GO! you said you don't have motion sickness... it's not contagious, so no one will give it to you when you board :D

 

I take a packet of BONINE, non-drowsy...doesn't give you a hangover feeling either. Buy some, take one before you board the ship if you're still worried.

 

My feeling was always, IF I would get sick and that could be over something I ate... or the fact I ate too much....had I rather be at home in my bed looking out the window at my neighbor's dogs?...or... lying on a cruise ship bed watching the beautiful water, or a beautiful port!

[RockyMtnGal]

Better safe than sorry!! I have terrible motion sickness and we just came back from Alaska. I took Less Drowsy Dramamine and was okay, although you can certainly feel the ship moving sometimes, not all the time. I'm very sensitive and can feel it more than other people. The Scopo Patch works wonders behind your ear, you only have to change it every 3 days!! Ask a doc for it or possibly get it online! The gift shop did NOT sell anything other than the wrist bands!! SO COME PREPARED JUST IN CASE!!!! Better safe than sorry!!! If you have to go to the ship doctor, it will cost you money!!