Green Is Not Your Color
Author: Kirsten Hawkins

You have got your flights scheduled and transportation arranged
to your cruise ship's port. A nice cabin with a little balcony
is just waiting for you to sit and enjoy the ocean views.
There's just one little problem that's niggling at the back of
your mind – what if you get seasick? That is the dreaded fear
of any first-time cruiser.

Upset stomach, motion sickness, sea sickness, green around the
gills … there are many names for it. Basically, seasickness can
be traced back to your ears. What do your ears have to do with
being sick to your stomach? It is all a mater of balance; there
are little nerve strands in your inner ear that become over
sensitized. Your sense of perception is thrown out of whack
when these little nerve strands try to make up for the strange
rocking or bobbing motions of the ship.

Most people get their "sea legs" after a few days on the ship.
However, by that time you will have spent about half of your
trip inside the confines of a bathroom. That's no fun! Luckily,
there are some over the counter options as well as some
alternative remedies that should get you up and moving more
quickly or even prevent seasickness from occurring.

Dramamine is probably the most widely know seasickness
treatment. It is available over the counter without a
prescription. Dramamine has anti-histamines in it so it
probably will make you sleepy or lethargic. For those who would
rather see a view other than a toilet, this is probably not a
bad option. It is recommended that your take a dose a few hours
before you set sail.

You can make a doctor's visit before your cruise to get a
prescription for a motion sickness patch. This patch is usually
put behind the ear and releases a continuous stream of medicine
that enters the blood by way of skin absorption. If you put the
patch on a few hours before you set sail, it should start
working and stay effective for several days. Unfortunately,
there are a few side effects that could include sleepiness,
cotton mouth and distorted vision. Mixing alcohol with the
effects of the patch could enhance those side effects.

If you are a proponent of acupuncture and other homeopathic
cures, consider wearing a Sea-Band. This wristband has a button
on the inside of it that pushes against pressure points inside
your wrist area, using the theory of acupressure. The
queasiness that accompanies seasickness often goes away using
this acupressure technique.

Dry crackers, ginger ale and even crystallized ginger often
work for pregnant women with morning sickness, so the same
theory applies for seasickness. Lying down often eases some of
the symptoms as would inhaling some of the fresh ocean air.
Some people swear that by maintaining your eye on the horizon,
your equilibrium improves.

There is just no way to know if you will get seasick unless you
set sail. However, there are some good indicators that you might
be vulnerable to seasickness. For instance, if you get sick in a
car or airplane, you could prepare yourself for the possibility
of seasickness by popping a Dramamine or wear a Sea-Band. To
lessen your chances of an episode of seasickness, book a room
with a porthole or window so you can see the horizon. But most
of all, remember that the bigger the cruise ship, the more
stability it has and the less likelihood of feeling a wavy
motion that can cause seasickness. Being prepared for the
possibility is all you can do, so look forward to your cruise
and bring some clothing that goes well with green, just in
case.


About The Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a cruise and travel expert
specializing in discount cruises and travel. Visit
http://www.luxury-cruise-deals.com/ for more information on how
to cruise the world for little or no money.