Seasick on ferry to Tulum?

[rm1247]

We are planning to take the Tulum Mayan Ruins Express ship tour in a few weeks, but after reading some reviews here I'm really concerned about the ferry. My husband has no trouble with seasickness on the ships, but smaller boats/ferries/kayaks can be disastrous for him. This is our first opportunity to see Mayan ruins and we were really looking forward to this tour. How long is the ferry ride and is it always rough? Is there a website where I could check the forecasted sea state for the day we'll be there? Has anyone with a similar tendency for seasickness taken this tour? Dramamine helps, as long as it isn't too rough. Thanks for your help!

[crewsweeper]

Sea conditions can vary even intra day. You can check the local weather here http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/mexico/quintana-roo/cozumel

 

http://www.buoyweather.com/wxnav6.jsp?region=playa_del_carmen&program=Maps

 

And maybe look at the port cams for both Cozumel Punta Langosta and Playa del Carmen.

 

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/webcam

 

http://www.webcamgalore.com/EN/webcam/Mexico/Cozumel/1749.html

 

http://www.webcamgalore.com/EN/webcam/Mexico/Playa-del-Carmen/2360.html

 

There are other sites too. But your best bet is to be on deck outside where you can see both sides of the channel as your ship is coming into port. You'll feel the relative wind created by the ship's movement, but you can see the weather and look at the wave/swell action in the channel. Of course there's no guarantee that same conditions will prevail on the return ferry trip.

 

Have him take Bonine or other non-drowsy motion sickness medication (ginger pills can work on mild movement for some, but not all people, skip anything that says homeopathic) before leaving the ship or earlier.

[jkjmt]

I get sea sick on cruise ships and it was worse traveling from Tulum back to the cruise ship on the ferry. I take Bonine (meclizine 25mg.) Twice a day...morning and 4:00 everyday. My husband doesn't get sea sick, but needed Bonine on the ferry. Bonine is non-drowsy.

[rm1247]

Sea conditions can vary even intra day. You can check the local weather here http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/mexico/quintana-roo/cozumel

 

http://www.buoyweather.com/wxnav6.jsp?region=playa_del_carmen&program=Maps

 

And maybe look at the port cams for both Cozumel Punta Langosta and Playa del Carmen.

 

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/webcam

 

http://www.webcamgalore.com/EN/webcam/Mexico/Cozumel/1749.html

 

http://www.webcamgalore.com/EN/webcam/Mexico/Playa-del-Carmen/2360.html

 

There are other sites too. But your best bet is to be on deck outside where you can see both sides of the channel as your ship is coming into port. You'll feel the relative wind created by the ship's movement, but you can see the weather and look at the wave/swell action in the channel. Of course there's no guarantee that same conditions will prevail on the return ferry trip.

 

Have him take Bonine or other non-drowsy motion sickness medication (ginger pills can work on mild movement for some, but not all people, skip anything that says homeopathic) before leaving the ship or earlier.

 

Thanks - great suggestions!

 

I get sea sick on cruise ships and it was worse traveling from Tulum back to the cruise ship on the ferry. I take Bonine (meclizine 25mg.) Twice a day...morning and 4:00 everyday. My husband doesn't get sea sick, but needed Bonine on the ferry. Bonine is non-drowsy.

 

Did the Bonine work? Was it worth the trip in spite of the rough seas? Thanks!

[smokinmike]

When it's not rough the ferry can be problematic for some folks and when it's rough, it can be problematic for many people.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[monicajay]

Years ago, but we left with blue sky and ran into a big scary storm. Lots of people were sick and those that weren't were pretty scared.

 

That was in October which I gather is the season for storms.

 

It might depend on what time of year you're going.

[Capt_BJ]

the root problem is these are fast ferries

 

unless the sea is glass smooth there is going to be some movement ... and if there is a chop . . . and it is not a gentle roll ... it is bouncy.

[Jen1000]

I am 100% prone to sea sickness. The day I went on it the ferry ride was fine. I took two sea sickness pills, wore my sea bands and had my ginger cookies at the ready! I also sat outside and really felt fine. The ride back in the afternoon was a bit bumpier but not bad. The ferry ride is about 45 minutes. My traveling companion is not prone to motion sickness, sat inside and was fine (no medicine).

 

Does your cruise offer Chichen Itza or Coba? Those are much better ruins than Tulum. If you are going to take the ferry, make it worth it, see one of the better ruins. I was not very impressed with Tulum plus it was very hot and crowded. The beautiful pictures you see from the water are not what you can see. Everything is roped off so you will not get close or walk on anything. I enjoyed the day but I was let down with the ruins as I have been to much better.

 

We are planning to take the Tulum Mayan Ruins Express ship tour in a few weeks, but after reading some reviews here I'm really concerned about the ferry. My husband has no trouble with seasickness on the ships, but smaller boats/ferries/kayaks can be disastrous for him. This is our first opportunity to see Mayan ruins and we were really looking forward to this tour. How long is the ferry ride and is it always rough? Is there a website where I could check the forecasted sea state for the day we'll be there? Has anyone with a similar tendency for seasickness taken this tour? Dramamine helps, as long as it isn't too rough. Thanks for your help!

[crewsweeper]

Jen,

 

Just FYI, you'll not be able to get to Chichen Itza from Cozumel in a timely fashion for most cruise ship schedules. Progresso is the better port for Chichen Itza. Coba is an outside shot on a ship based excursion, but a very, very long day with little time at the site. So Tulum is the best choice form Coz for most people, with San Gervasio on the island itself a distant second.