Sea-Sickness and Cruise Medication

[RooFlyer]

Possible sea-sickness seems a popular reason not to cruise.

I have taken meclizine for the period where it might be a bit rough (starting the day before), with success (haven't become nauseous in high seas). Not available in Australia, so I ordered some from the USA via eBay. Order was cancelled a week later by eBay - 'can't ship internationally' - which surprised me.

Went to GP for recommendations, prescribed or OTC.

He has prescribed prochlorperazine, which seems to be an anti-nausea medication rather than sea-sickness prevention (maybe the same thing?). Those who may know - would you take it as a preventative, or only when nauseous feeling starts? I note its a sedative.

Also prescribed ondansetron - wafers to be dissolved under the tongue if vomiting occurs.

 

[Quickstatus]

would you take it as a preventative,

Yes

 

[kpc]

Having just come off a 138 pax with 80+ crew expedition ship after 18 nights, +1 and I agree that we are not cruisers. I got seasick for the first time ever (had to lie in bed with eyes closed to get some relief), food became a bit monotonous after a while and we witnessed a fair bit of entitled and selfish behaviour on board ..and no we did not make lifelong friends!

Did I mention the gastro outbreak and the widespread respiratory type infections both the crew and the other passengers got? We miraculously avoided both!

If, and only if, there was a destination we really wanted to go to and the only way to get there is by ship, we would then reconsider!

 

[RooFlyer]

Having just come off a 138 pax with 80+ crew expedition ship after 18 nights

Spill! ( please). Gastro etc ( lack of control) useful to know about

Yes

Thanks. Canary Islands and then around Sicily coming up not expecting much drama, but always want to be prepared.

 

[Quickstatus]

meclizine

prochlorperazine

ondansetron

The other one is Scopolamine Gel (but requires a compounding pharmac_ - which means short expiry date - about 2 weeks or so), or Scopolamine patches from NZ with a NZ prescripton (not available in Australia)

 

[RooFlyer]

The other one is Scopolamine Gel (but requires a compounding pharmac_ - which means short expiry date - about 2 weeks or so), or Scopolamine patches from NZ with a NZ prescripton (not available in Australia)

Ondansetron is different, isn't it? A remedy when vomiting is occurring, rather as a preventative?

 

[Quickstatus]

Ondansetron ...as a preventative

Also yes mainly for nausea from chemotherapy. Ondansetron has poor efficacy against motion sickness.
You really need one of the "..ine"


Edited @RooFlyer

 

[kpc]

The other one is [Scopolamine patches from NZ with a NZ prescripton (not available in Australia)

I bought this online for +1 without the need of any prescription.

https://www.nz-online-pharmac_.com/...pack-of-10.html?searchid=891427&search_query=

 

[zig]

I have always found Meclazine to be available at the reception desk, or at the Medical centre. Just ask for it and they provide it.

 

[RooFlyer]

I have always found Meclazine to be available at the reception desk, or at the Medical centre. Just ask for it and they provide it.

Which reception/medical centre?

 

[Quickstatus]

bought this online for +1 without the need of any prescription

Hmm maybe they have become non prescription- thanks

 

[zig]

Which reception/medical centre?

Reception desk and medical centre on both Silversea and Crystal. Staff hand them over without questions at no charge.

 

[zig]

Which reception/medical centre?

From a previous Silversea cruise. Contains 4 tablets.

 

[love_the_life]

Bonine (Meclazine) is usually available to buy on board - ships that are not based 100% in AU I am thinking - have seen it on Princess, NCL and I think Silversea. I usually pick up a packet for 'future' emergencies.

 

[Pushka]

We have friends that are a male couple we met on a cruise in Venice and we got on so well. We then went on a cruise with them to Russia. Those were the days. We email from time to time. He said they've just returned on an Atlantis cruise with 5,500 others. These guys party but are completely devoted to each other. And boy did they party. Older than us! We are hoping to catch up with them in Canada in 2028 and the other couple we also met with them have visited us in South Australia.