My Tips For A Disney Cruise As Someone Who Gets Very Seasick

Cruises are one of my favorite ways to travel, if not my favorite. There’s a little problem though. I get very seasick on boats!

Believe it or not, even with not loving the motion of the ocean, I’ve been on 7 cruises, including 2 Disney cruises. The Disney Cruise Line ships I’ve been on are the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic.

I’ve spent a total of 47 nights on cruise ships in my life. That's a lot for someone who gets seasick, right?

I’m going to give you my best tips for cruising and hopefully not getting sick.

1. Stay In The Middle Of The Cruise Ship

When you’re in the middle of the ship you don’t feel the movements as much as you do in the front and back of the cruise ship.

So when selecting your room, choose one towards the middle of the ship.

I did one cruise where my stateroom was in the front of the ship and I was so much more sick on that cruise than the ones where my room was in the middle.

2. Choose A Stateroom Lower On The Ship

The higher up you are on the cruise ship, the more you’ll feel the waves and swaying. So choose a room on a lower level, like deck 3 or 4.

These don’t usually have balconies though, so if you really want a balcony then choose a stateroom on the lowest level with balconies, which is probably deck 6.

3. Choose Cruise Itineraries With A Lot Of Stops

When choosing your cruising itinerary, go with one that has port days and not a ton of sea days.

Sea days are where you’re sailing all day and don’t get a break from it. On port days you can get off the ship and onto land.

Be warned, it can feel a little weird getting on land at first since you now have sea legs!

4. Start With A 3 Night Cruise

If you’ve never done a cruise, choose one that’s quick, like a 3 night cruise. This way, just in case you are really sick, you won’t be committed for too long.

Then if you can handle a 3 night cruise, you can book a longer cruise. My first cruise was a 3 nighter and my family loved it. We’ve since done 7 night and 10 night cruises.

5. Motion Sickness Medicine

Motion sickness medicine, like Dramamine, is an absolute essential for me. Take it a couple hours before boarding your cruise ship and take it throughout the cruise as needed.

Also, take it after the cruise if you still feel like you’re on a boat. It will help you not feel like you’re still moving once you’re on land.

Buy some before your trip and bring it with you. You’ll be able to buy more on board if needed though.

6. Go On A Bigger Ship

When I’ve cruised on really big cruise ships I’ve felt the movements less than on the smaller ships I’ve sailed on.

The worst cruise I’ve done (as far as seasickness is concerned) was also the smallest ship I’ve cruised on.

7. Don’t Do Boat Excursions

When deciding on excursions to do in the ports, stay away from excursions on boats, like snorkeling. Give yourself a break from being on boats.

There are plenty of other ways to enjoy the ports, like going to the beach, doing a tour, ziplining, or just walking around.

Your Turn

Do you get seasick? What have you found that helps you? I'd love to hear from you!